Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Underlying mechanisms for LTF inactivation and its functional analysis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines

The lactoferrin (LTF) gene, located at 3p21.3, behaves like a tumor suppressor gene in diverse tumors. To elucidate the exact role of LTF in NPC, we first detected its expression level in seven NPC cell lines by semi‐quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). The results showed the mRNA level of LTF was nearly undetectable in all the seven NPC cell lines, while it could be detected in chronic nasopharyngitis tissues. Subsequently, we used methylation‐specific PCR (MSP), microsatellite assay, PCR‐single‐strand conformation polymorphism (PCR‐SSCP) and sequencing methods to examine the promoter methylation, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and gene mutation of LTF in NPC cell lines respectively. Consequently, we found that 100% (7 of 7) of NPC cell lines were methylated in LTF promoter, only one cell line (14%, 1 of 7) had LOH and gene mutation of LTF, respectively, while LTF exhibited re‐expression in all cell lines after 5‐aza‐dC treatment, indicating promoter methylation should be the key mechanism causing LTF downregulation in NPC cell lines. Furthermore, patched methylation assay confirmed that promoter methylation could down‐regulate LTF gene expression in NPC cells. Finally, we investigated the function of LTF in NPC cell lines by gene transfection. Restoration of LTF expression in NPC cells resulted in blockage of cell cycle progression, significant inhibition of cell growth and a reduced colony‐formation capacity in vitro and obviously weaker tumor formation potential in vivo. In conclusion, our data indicate LTF may participate in NPC carcinogenesis as a negative effector, that is, a tumor suppressor gene. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 1832–1843, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prognostic significance of CD 24 and claudin-7 immunoexpression in ductal invasive breast cancer

This study aimed to identify the CD24 and CD44 immunophenotypes within invasive ductal breast carcinoma (IDC) subgroups defined by immunohistochesmistry markers and to determine its influence on prognosis as well as its association with the expression of Ki-67, cytokeratins (CK5 and CK18) and claudin-7. Immunohistochemical expression of CD44 and CD24 alone or in combination was investigated in 95 IDC cases arranged in a tissue microarray (TMA). The association with subgroups defined as luminal A and B; HER2 rich and triple negative, or with the other markers and prognosis was analyzed. CD44+/CD24and CD44-/CD24+ were respectively present in 8.4% and 16.8% of the tumors, a lack of both proteins was detected in 6.3%, while CD44+/CD24+ was observed in 45.3% of the tumors. Although there was no significant correlation between subgroups and different phenotypes, the CD44+/CD24phenotype was more common in the basal subgroups but absent in HER2 tumors, whereas luminal tumors are enriched in CD44-/CD24+ and CD44+/CD24+ cells. The frequency of CD44+/CD24or CD44-/CD24+ was not associated with clinical characteristics or biological markers. There was also no significant association of these phenotypes with the event free (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Single CD44+ was evident in 57.9% of the tumors and was marginally associated to grading and not to any other tumor characteristics as well as OS and DFS. CD24+ was positive in 74.7% of the tumors, showing a significant association with estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and Ki-67 and a marginal association with CK18 and claudin-7. Expression of claudin-7 and Ki-67 did not associate with the cancer subgroups, while a positive association between CK18 and the luminal subgroups was found (P=0.03). CK5, CK18 and Ki-67 expression had no influence in OS or DFS. Single CD24+ (P=0.07) and claudin-7 positivity (P=0.05) were associated with reduced time of recurrence, suggesting a contribution of these markers to aggressiveness of breast cancer.
Stimulating action of methyl 12, 12, 12‐trifluorofarnesoate on in vitro juvenile hormone III biosynthesis in blattella germanica

Methyl 12, 12, 12-trifluorofarnesoate (MTFF) at a dose of 10 μM, stimulated in vitro juvenile hormone (JH) release in corpora allata (CA) from 6-day-old, freshly ecdysed, and 8-day-old (period of ootheca transport) adult virgin females of Blattella germanica. In addition, MTFF also induced intraglandular accumulation of JH and MF in treated CA. Trifluorofarnesoic acid (TFFA) and trifluorofarnesol (TFF) exhibited the same properties, although to a lesser extent than MTFF. The detection of MTFF in TFFA-treated CA suggested that TFFA and TFF were biotransformed into MTFF by the CA enzymatic system and that this ester might be responsible for the activity observed. Equivalent experiments carried out with farnesoic acid (FA) resulted in a more significant stimulation of JH production. This is not surprising, because exogenous FA is readily epoxidized at C10-C11 double bond and methylated to afford JH. Conversely, analytical data have shown that the C6-C7 double bond of MTFF is epoxidized by the CA enzymatic system, whereas that at C10-C11 remains practically unaltered.
Reexamining trends in premarital sex in the United States

BACKGROUND In a heavily cited paper, Finer (2007) asserted that by age 30, 82% of US women born 1939–1948 engaged in premarital sex, increasing to 94% for those born 1969–1978. Using the same data, our age 30 estimates are 55% and 87% for women born 1939–1948 and 1969–1978. Our analyses thus document strikingly different levels and trends. METHODS We replicate Finer’s single-decrement Kaplan–Meier estimates of premarital sex using Cycles 3–6 of the National Survey of Family Growth, the same data as analyzed by him. We then contrast such single-decrement estimates for both premarital sex and first marriage with estimates of the simple percentages in three states: an origin state in which women begin life as never-married virgins and two destination states for first sex and for first marriage, depending on which occurs first. These analyses provide an empirical illustration of the fact that single-decrement estimates cannot be interpreted as simple percentages for demographic processes involving multiple decrements. RESULTS Our cohort estimates document increases in the percent of US women who had premarital sex by age 25, rising from 53% to 75%, 83%, and 87% for those born 1939–1948, 1949– 1958, 1959–1968, and 1969–1978, respectively. CONTRIBUTION Our cohort analyses reveal sharp increases in premarital sex for US women born between 1939 and 1968, with increases most rapid for those born in the 1940s and 1950s. Our findings also reemphasize a standard lesson from formal demography – that single-decrement 1 New York University, New York City, USA. Email: lawrence.wu@nyu.edu. 2 The Urban Institute, Washington, D.C., USA. 3 New York University, New York City, USA. http://www.demographic-research.org 727 Wu, Martin & England: Reexamining trends in premarital sex in the United States life table estimates cannot be interpreted as simple percentages for a multiple-decrement demographic process.
Effects of Reading upon Attitudes toward the Negro Race

IBRARIANS often talk about the social significance of the library, but assumptions that reading-the library product-is an activity bringing about socially desirable results have not yet been substantiated by any great amount of experimental evidence. One socially significant result of reading might be changed attitudes brought about by reading materials dealing with the objects or values toward which those attitudes were directed. The purposes of the study described in this paper were: (i) to investigate the effects of reading fiction upon the attitudes toward the Negro race of a group of southern white children, assuming a decrease in prejudice against that race to be desirable, and (2) to show the applicability to a library problem of a technique borrowed from social psychology.
Intermittent treatment with farnesyltransferase inhibitor and sulforaphane improves cellular homeostasis in Hutchinson-Gilford progeria fibroblasts

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare genetic condition associated with mutations in the LMNA gene. This disease recapitulates some aspects of normal aging, such as hair loss, thin skin, joint stiffness, and atherosclerosis. The latter leads to heart attack or stroke that causes death at an average age of 14.6 years in children with HGPS. The typical LMNA mutation results in the production of a truncated prelamin A protein, progerin, that remains permanently farnesylated and abnormally associated with the nuclear envelope. Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) reverse nuclear structure abnormalities that are characteristic of HGPS cells. The first clinical trial using the FTI, Ionafarnib, demonstrated some improvements in HGPS children and, in particular, showed a decrease in arterial stiffness. Recently, we reported that sulforaphane, an antioxidant derived from cruciferous vegetables, efficiently stimulates autophagy and enhances progerin clearance in HGPS fibroblasts. In the present study, we investigated the effect of combined lonafarnib and sulforaphane treartment in HGPS fibroblast cultures. We report that co-administration of both drugs exerts a synergistic and additive positive effect on autophagy activity but was cytotoxic to HGPS cells. In contrast, intermittent treatment with lonafarnib followed by sulforaphane separately and in repeated cycles rescued the HGPS cellular phenotype. We propose that intermittent treatment with FTI and SFN separately might be a promising therapeutic avenue for children with HGPS.
Clotrimazole, an Imidazole Antimycotic, Is a Potent Inhibitor of Angiogenesis

Clotrimazole, an imidazole antimycotic, interferes with the rise in cytosolic Ca2+ and inhibits cell proliferation in a reversible manner. Here we describe the effect of clotrimazole on vascular endothelial cells (ECs). Clotrimazole inhibited the proliferation of ECs stimulated with typical angiogenic growth factors; vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). This inhibitory effect of clotrimazole was dose‐dependent and the maximal inhibition was observed at a concentration of 10 mM. We did not observe any increase in 51Cr release from ECs during treatment with 10 μM. clotrimazole. Moreover, clotrimazole inhibited the basal and bFGF‐stimulated migration of ECs. As clotrimazole inhibited two principle components of angiogenesis; the proliferation and migration of ECs, we examined whether clotrimazole inhibited angiogenesis. Tube formation by ECs in type 1 collagen gel was investigated, and clotrimazole was found to be significantly inhibitory. The inhibitory effect of clotrimazole on angiogenesis was further confirmed in an in vivo angiogenesis model of murine Matrigel plug assay. These results demonstrate that clotrimazole is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis.
Age Differences in Self-Liking in Japan: The Developmental Trajectory of Self-Esteem from Elementary School to Old Age

The present research examined age differences in self-liking (an important component of self-esteem) across a broad range of the population in Japan, from elementary school students to the elderly. Previous research in the U.S. has shown that self-esteem levels in childhood are high, decline during adolescence, rise gradually in adulthood and drop in old age. However, it was unclear whether this pattern holds for other cultures. As self-esteem is significantly affected by culture, it is important to reveal its developmental trajectory not only in European American cultures, but also in other cultures. Therefore, the current research analyzed a large, highly representative cross-sectional dataset from Japan. Results showed that levels of self-liking were high for elementary school students, declined among middle school and high school students, and rose gradually among adults, replicating the developmental trajectory of self-esteem found in prior research.
An inverse neural network model for data-driven texture rendering on electrovibration display

With the introduction of variable friction displays, new possibilities have emerged in haptic texture rendering on flat surfaces. In this work, we propose a data-driven method for realistic texture rendering on an electrovibration display. We first describe a motorized linear tribometer we developed to collect lateral frictional forces from the textured surfaces under various scanning velocities and normal forces. We then propose an inverse dynamics model of the display to describe its output-input relationship using nonlinear autoregressive with external input (NARX) neural networks. Forces resulting from applying a pseudo-random binary signal (PRBS) to the display are used to train each network under the given experimental condition. A comparison between the real and virtual forces in frequency domain shows promising results for recreating virtual textures similar to the real ones and also reveals the capabilities and limitations of the proposed method.
Novel combinations of PI3K-mTOR inhibitors with dacomitinib or chemotherapy in PTEN-deficient patient-derived tumor xenografts

PTEN inactivation occurs commonly in human cancers and putatively activates the PI3K/AKT/ mTOR pathway. Activation of this pathway has been involved in resistance to chemotherapy or anti-EGFR/HER2 therapies. We evaluated the combination of PI3K-mTOR inhibitors with chemotherapy or the pan-HER inhibitor dacomitinib in PTEN-deficient patient-derived tumor xenografts (PDX). Three PDXs were selected for their lack of PTEN expression by immunohistochemistry: a triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a KRAS G12R low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC), and KRAS G12C and TP53 R181P lung adenocarcinoma (LADC). Two dual PI3K-mTOR inhibitors were evaluated—PF-04691502 and PF-05212384—in combination with cisplatin, paclitaxel, or dacomitinib. The addition of PI3K-mTOR inhibitors to cisplatin or paclitaxel increased the activity of chemotherapy in the TNBC and LGSOC models; whereas no added activity was observed in the LADC model. Pharmacodynamic modulation of pS6 and pAKT was observed in the group treated with PI3K-mTOR inhibitor. Our research suggests that the addition of a PI3K-mTOR inhibitor may enhance tumor growth inhibition when compared to chemotherapy alone in certain PTEN-deficient PDXs. However, this benefit was absent in the KRAS and TP53 mutant LADC model. The role of PTEN deficiency in the antitumor activity of these combinations should be further investigated in the clinic.
Eating Problems and Overlap with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders in a Nationwide Twin Study of 9- and 12-Year-Old Children

Aim. To establish the prevalence of restrictive eating problems, the overlap and association with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and to estimate the heritability of eating problems in a general population sample of twins aged 9 and 12. Methods. Parents of all Swedish 9- and 12-year-old twin pairs born between 1993 and 1998 (n = 12,366) were interviewed regarding symptoms of ADHD, ASD, and eating problems (EAT-P). Intraclass correlations and structural equation modelling were used for evaluating the influence of genetic and environmental factors. Cross-twin, cross-trait correlations were used to indicate a possible overlap between conditions. Results. The prevalence of eating problems was 0.6% in the study population and was significantly higher in children with ADHD and/or ASD. Among children with eating problems, 40% were screened positive for ADHD and/or ASD. Social interaction problems were strongly associated with EAT-P in girls, and impulsivity and activity problems with EAT-P in boys. The cross-twin, cross-trait correlations suggested low correlations between EAT-P and ADHD or EAT-P and ASD. Genetic effects accounted for 44% of the variation in liability for eating problems. Conclusions. In the group with eating problems, there was a clear overrepresentation of individuals with ADHD and/or ASD symptoms.
Inferring historical introduction pathways with mitochondrial DNA: the case of introduced Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) into New Zealand

The threat imposed by invasive species and difficulties associated with control and management places more impetus on trying to prevent their introduction. The identification of introduction pathways is a vital component towards this goal. In this study, we use a genetic marker‐based approach to retrospectively investigate the pathway of origin of the invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) into New Zealand. We intensively sample the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b, from the entire known range of Argentine ants in New Zealand. No genetic variation was found in New Zealand. In order to identify likely introduction pathways, we use two alternative genetic analyses and suggest that a tcs approach that collapses identical haplotypes and calculates the probability of parsimony is superior to standard phylogenetic tree‐building algorithms. A minimum spanning network allowed relationships to be examined among sequences collated from previous international studies. The cytochrome b sequence, when compared to a global database, matched that from an Australian population. That Australia is the potential source of Argentine ants is in agreement with the New Zealand interception record, as goods from Australia have the highest number of interception records of Argentine ants. Our approach can easily be duplicated for other organisms and the methodology can be more widely applied to help aid further efforts to identify the routes of transmission for other invasive species and allow us to efficiently direct our biosecurity monitoring effort.
Joint probability distributions and fluctuation theorems

We derive various exact results for Markovian systems that spontaneously relax to a non-equilibrium steady state by using joint probability distribution symmetries of different entropy production decompositions. The analytical approach is applied to diverse problems such as the description of the fluctuations induced by experimental errors, for unveiling symmetries of correlation functions appearing in fluctuation–dissipation relations recently generalized to non-equilibrium steady states, and also for mapping averages between different trajectory-based dynamical ensembles. Many known fluctuation theorems arise as special instances of our approach for particular twofold decompositions of the total entropy production. As a complement, we also briefly review and synthesize the variety of fluctuation theorems applying to stochastic dynamics of both continuous systems described by a Langevin dynamics and discrete systems obeying a Markov dynamics, emphasizing how these results emerge from distinct symmetries of the dynamical entropy of the trajectory followed by the system. For Langevin dynamics, we embed the ‘dual dynamics’ with a physical meaning, and for Markov systems we show how the fluctuation theorems translate into symmetries of modified evolution operators.
Clinical Analysis of Patients with Primary Blepharospasm: A Report of 100 Cases in China

Purpose: This study explored the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatments of primary blepharospasm. Methods: In this retrospective analysis, 100 patients with blepharospasm were enrolled. Data were collected from medical records and face-to-face interviews with patients and their families. Results: The age of onset was 56.4 ± 2.7 (range, 32-76 years). The duration between onset and accurate diagnosis was 38.7 ± 36.0 months (range, 2-120 months). Dry eyes occurred in 54% of the patients. The initial diagnostic accuracy was 10%. Dry eye syndrome, conjunctivitis/keratitis and myasthenia gravis caused the most confusion in the differential diagnosis. Regular botulinum toxin type A injections improved both eyelid spasms and subjective ocular symptoms in all patients. Conclusions: Regular botulinum toxin type A injections improved both eyelid spasms and subjective ocular symptoms in blepharospasm patients. The differentiation of primary blepharospasm differentiation from dry eye syndrome, conjunctivitis/keratitis and myasthenia gravis must be improved.
Practical security for subcarrier wave quantum key distribution against collective beam-splitting attack

A.V. Kozubov1, A.A. Gaidash1, G.P. Miroshnichenko1, D.B. Horoshko2,3, A.V. Gleim1,4 1 ITMO University, Department for Photonics and Optical Information Technology, 199034 Kadetskaya Line 3b, Saint Petersburg, Russia 2 Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 8523, Physique des Lasers Atomes et Molécules (PhLAM), F-59000 Lille, France 3 B. I. Stepanov Institute of Physics, NASB, Nezavisimosti Avenue 68, Minsk 220072, Belarus 4 Kazan National Research Technical University KAI, 420111, Karl Marx str. 10, Kazan, Russia
Fast Methods for Three-dimensional Inverse Obstacle Scattering Problems

We study the inverse problem to reconstruct the shape of a three– dimensional sound–soft obstacle from measurements of scattered acoustic waves. To solve the forward problem we use a wavelet based boundary element method and prove 4th order accuracy both for the evaluation of the forward solution operator and its Frechet derivative. Moreover, we discuss the characterization and implementation of the adjoint of the Frechet derivative. For the solution of the inverse problem we use a regularized Newton method. The boundaries are represented by a class of parametrizations, which include non star–shaped domains and which are not uniquely determined by the obstacle. To prevent degeneration of the parametrizations during the Newton iteration, we introduce an additional penalty term. Numerical examples illustrate the performance of our method.
Usability and the effects of interruption in C-TOC : self-administered cognitive testing on a computer

 mabrehme@microsoft.com  mattbrehmer.github. io  aka.ms/mabrehme  twitter/mattbrehmer  linkedin/matthewbrehmer  skype/matthewbrehmer  github/mattbrehmer  bl.ocks/mattbrehmer I am a postdoctoral researcher at Microsoft Research in Redmond, Washington, where I specialize in expressive information visualization design and data visualization for mobile devices. I am a member of the EPIC (Extended Perception, Interaction & Cognition) and Human Computer Interaction groups, and I am a liated with Microsoft's Data Journalism Program.
The Camelot library: A C language extension for programming a general purpose distributed transaction system

The Camelot library extends the programming language to provide a high-level programming interface to Camelot, a general-purpose distributed transaction system. The Camelot library is implemented as a collection of C functions and macros. The interface presented by the library also provides a concise high-level model of the services offered by a general-purpose transaction system. A broad overview of the interface is given, and implementation experience is briefly summarized. <<ETX>>