Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive Study of Gene and microRNA Expression Related to Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and most patients have localized disease at the time of diagnosis. However, 4% already present with metastatic disease. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition is a fundamental process in carcinogenesis that has been shown to be involved in prostate cancer progression. The main event in epithelial-mesenchymal transition is the repression of E-cadherin by transcription factors, but the process is also regulated by microRNAs. The aim of this study was to analyze gene and microRNA expression involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in localized prostate cancer and metastatic prostate cancer cell lines and correlate with clinicopathological findings. We studied 51 fresh frozen tissue samples from patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa) treated by radical prostatectomy and three metastatic prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, DU145, PC3). The expression of 10 genes and 18 miRNAs were assessed by real-time PCR. The patients were divided into groups according to Gleason score, pathological stage, preoperative PSA, biochemical recurrence, and risk group for correlation with clinicopathological findings. The majority of localized PCa cases showed an epithelial phenotype, with overexpression of E-cadherin and underexpression of the mesenchymal markers. MiRNA-200 family members and miRNAs 203, 205, 183, 373, and 21 were overexpressed, while miRNAs 9, 495, 29b, and 1 were underexpressed. Low-expression levels of miRNAs 200b, 30a, and 1 were significantly associated with pathological stage. Lower expression of miR-200b was also associated with a Gleason score ≥8 and shorter biochemical recurrence-free survival. Furthermore, low-expression levels of miR-30a and high-expression levels of Vimentin and Twist1 were observed in the high-risk group. Compared with the primary tumor, the metastatic cell lines showed significantly higher expression levels of miR-183 and Twist1. In summary, miRNAs 200b, 30a, 1, and 183 and the genes Twist1 and Vimentin might play important roles in the progression of prostate cancer and may eventually become important prognostic markers.
The Incidence of Large Fetomaternal Hemorrhage and the Kleihauer-Betke Test

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of large fetomaternal hemorrhage and to estimate its incidence in cesarean compared with vaginal deliveries. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, the study group was composed of 313 women who underwent cesarean delivery. Control subjects were 253 women who delivered vaginally and were matched for age, parity, ethnic origin, and gestational age. Ninety-six pregnant women at term, but before delivery (prelabor group), were also included to determine whether delivery itself is the cause of fetomaternal hemorrhage. Fetomaternal hemorrhage was measured by using the Kleihauer-Betke test. RESULTS: Twenty women (6.4%) in the study group and 17 (6.7%) in the control group had a large fetomaternal hemorrhage (Kleihauer-Betke test > 0.4%). Five women (5.2%) in the prelabor group had a large fetomaternal hemorrhage. The differences were not significant. A large fetomaternal hemorrhage occurred in 14 of 146 (9.6%) women who underwent emergency cesarean, compared with 6 of 167 (3.5%) who delivered by elective cesarean (P = .04). In deliveries complicated by oligohydramnios, cord around the neck, or low birth weight, a higher rate of large fetomaternal hemorrhage was seen. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate a rate of large fetomaternal hemorrhage that is substantially higher than previously reported, with no difference between vaginal and cesarean deliveries. This may reflect inaccuracies with the current method used to estimate the degree of fetomaternal hemorrhage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2
Hydrogen peroxide potentiates organophosphate toxicosis in chicks.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on the acute toxicity of organophosphate insecticides dichlorvos and diazinon and their inhibitory actions on plasma, brain and liver cholinesterase activities. Material and Methods: H2O2 was given in drinking water (0.5% v/v) for 2 weeks in unsexed day old chicks, a regimen known to induce oxidative stress in this species. A control group received drinking tap water. All experiments were conducted on the chicks at the age of 15 days after exposure to H2O2. The acute (24 h) oral LD50 values of dichlorvos and diazinon in the insecticidal preparations as determined by the up-and-down method in the control chicks were 9.4 and 15.6 mg/kg, respectively. Results: The poisoned chicks manifested signs of cholinergic toxicosis within one hour after the dosing including salivation, lacrimation, gasping, frequent defecation, drooping of wings, tremors, convulsions and recumbency. The acute (24 h) oral LD50 values of dichlorvos and diazinon in chicks provided with H2O2 were reduced to 3.5 and 6.5 mg/kg, by 63 and 58%, respectively when compared to respective control LD50 values. The intoxicated chicks also showed cholinergic signs of toxicosis as described above. Plasma, brain and liver cholinesterase activities of the chicks exposed to H2O2 were significantly lower than their respective control (H2O) values by 25, 28 and 27%, respectively. Oral dosing of chicks with dichlorvos at 3 mg/kg significantly inhibited cholinesterase activities in the plasma, brain and liver of both control (42-67%) and H2O2-treated (15-59%) chicks. Diazinon at 5 mg/kg, orally also inhibited cholinesterase activities in the plasma, brain and liver of both control (36-66%) and H2O2-treated (15-30%) chicks. In the H2O2 groups, dichlorvos inhibition of liver cholinesterase activity and diazinon inhibition of liver and brain cholinesterase activities were significantly lesser than those of the respective values of the control group received tap water. Conclusion: The data suggest that H2O2 may potentiate the toxicity of organophosphate insecticides irrespective of the extent of cholinesterase inhibition, and further studies are needed to examine the role of oxidative stress in this potential toxicity outcome.
Spelling First, Sound Later: The Relationship Between Orthography and Higher Order Phonological Knowledge in Older Students

The interplay between the spelling system of English and the knowledge of English sound structure that individuals possess has been an intriguing area of investigation for both psychologists and educators (e.g., Steinberg, 1973; Read, 1975). The question most often addressed in the research involves the degree to which knowledge of orthographic structure influences the psychological reality of words and the phonological processes that apply to them. The question is an important one, for it is part of a broader concern involving the way in which individuals organize information about the vocabulary of English. In effect, there probably are limits to the amount of information about words that individuals can be expected to glean from spoken language; the rest of the information may arise from an examination of orthographic structure. Middle- and secondary-school language arts teachers need to be concerned not only with the amount but also with the quality of their students' exposure to intraword, orthographic structure. Before embracing specific instructional objectives, however, it is necessary to have some idea about the nature of students' competence with regard to word structure. Investigating the orthographic-phonological interplay offers one means of understanding this competence. Most of the research in this area, however, has involved younger children; only recently has attention been directed toward the older individual (Steinberg, 1973). Before discussing a direct investigation into the way in which orthographic and phonological knowledge interact in the older student, it is necessary to consider some relevant aspects of the nature of both English orthography and phonology.
Defining Traits Differently for Self and Others

Identical trait labels may be understood differently in thinking about self and in thinking about others. Specifically, when making self-judgments, individuals define traits primarily in terms of unobservable manifestations, e.g., how one feels. However, in making other-judgments, particularly in making judgments about relatively unfamiliar others, individuals define traits primarily in terms of observable manifestations, e.g., how one looks. This prediction was tested in three experiments (Exp. 1: N = 96, Polish undergraduates including 19 men, 77 women; Exp. 2: N = 96, U.S. undergraduates including 18 men, 78 women; Exp. 3: N = 74, Polish undergraduates including 18 men, 56 women). Participants were asked to perform a generic trait judgment task followed by a specific trait judgment task in which the same traits were preceded by a qualifier “feels” or “looks”. As expected, in the case of self-judgments, generic judgments predicted feels judgments better than looks judgments. This pattern did not occur for judgments of others and was reversed for judgments about others who were relatively unfamiliar.
Wideband Compact PI Equivalent Circuit for Modeling On-Chip Spiral Inductors

A novel wideband nine-element PI equivalent circuit is proposed for modeling on-chip deep-submicron spiral inductors. Mathematical formulations derived by analyzing three quality factors enable fast and accurate extraction of all model elements as frequency-independent values. The model was confirmed using three spiral inductors that were realized in a 90 nm CMOS process and compared with other models to demonstrate its superior accuracy.
ORAL STRATEGIES FOR CONFLICT EXPRESSION AND ARTICULATION OF CRITICISM IN ZULU SOCIAL DISCOURSE

This study examines the oral strategies employed by Zulu speaking people in the expression of conflict and criticism in their social discourse. These oral discourses, viz. izibongo and naming practices, are analysed to ascertain the socially acceptable ways in which Zulus articulate their frustrations and discontent in various social settings. These are commonly used in rural communities, but they also echo in urban social settings. Hostility and ill-feelings are thus channelled through the sanctioned form of these various oral expressions either as a means of merely a1r1ng one's dissatisfaction or as a means of seeking personal redress. The study also reveals that these particular forms of oral expression with critical content, do not exist for their own intrinsic value simply to artfully describe a particular individual. They are composed primarily to serve a particular social function of conflict articulation and expression in non-conflictual ways. The function of these oral forms is that of a "socio-cultural archive" (Conolly 2001), which is vested in the memory of those who can express in performance, their renditions of personal and group identity. The aesthetic beauty of these forms must be regarded as a secondary function and a direct by-product of the primary function, which is personal identity expressed in a way which ensures that issues which could cause conflict are highlighted so as to diminish their conflictual potential. The reason for this is that in order to fulfill the first function, which is conflict reduction, Jousse (1990) states there has to be a form (rhythm, balance and formula) which makes the expressions memorisable which literate people equate to 'poetry'.
Workforce Agility in Repair and Maintenance Environments

In this paper we consider workforce management in repair/maintenance environments in which repairmen are cross-trained to attend more than one type of machine. In this context, we study the machine-repairman problem with heterogeneous machines but with partially cross-trained repairmen. We introduce simple repairman-assignment rules as well as machine-priority rules that are effective in minimizing the machine downtime costs, or balancing the percentage of working machines of different types. We show that static machine priority rules are effective in minimizing systems downtime costs, while a generalized version of the longest queue policy is effective in balancing the percentage of working machines. We also introduce the concept of hidden symmetry in repair environments, and show that the well-known chain repairman skill set structure performs very well in repair environments with hidden symmetry. Finally, we provide insights into the design and control issues of repair/maintenance systems with cross-trained repairmen.
Importance of Mitral Valve Second-Order Chordae for Left Ventricular Geometry, Wall Thickening Mechanics, and Global Systolic Function

Background—Mitral valvular–ventricular continuity is important for left ventricular (LV) systolic function, but the specific contributions of the anterior leaflet second-order “strut” chordae are unknown. Methods and Results—Eight sheep had radiopaque markers implanted to silhouette the LV, annulus, and papillary muscles (PMs); 3 transmural bead columns were inserted into the mid-lateral wall between the PMs. The strut chordae were encircled with exteriorized wire snares. Three-dimensional marker images and hemodynamic data were acquired before and after chordal cutting. Preload recruitable stroke work (PRSW) and end-systolic elastance (Ees) were calculated to assess global LV systolic function (n=7). Transmural strains were measured from bead displacements (n=4). Chordal cutting caused global LV dysfunction: Ees (1.48±1.12 versus 0.98±1.30 mm Hg/mL, P=0.04) and PRSW (69±16 versus 60±15 mm Hg, P=0.03) decreased. Although heart rate and time from ED to ES were unchanged, time of mid-ejection was delayed (125±18 versus 136±19 ms, P=0.01). Globally, the LV apex and posterior PM tip were displaced away from the fibrous annulus and LV base-apex length increased at end-diastole and end-systole (all +1 mm, P<0.05). Locally, subendocardial end-diastolic strains occurred: Longitudinal strain (E22) 0.030±0.013 and radial thickening (E33) 0.081±0.041 (both P<0.05 versus zero). Subendocardial systolic shear strains were also perturbed: Circumferential-longitudinal “micro-torsion” (E12) (0.099±0.035 versus 0.075±0.025) and circumferential radial shear (E13) (0.084±0.023 versus 0.039±0.008, both P<0.05). Conclusion—Cutting second-order chords altered LV geometry, remodeled the myocardium between the PMs, perturbed local systolic strain patterns affecting micro-torsion and wall-thickening, and caused global systolic dysfunction, demonstrating the importance of these chordae for LV structure and function.
Cell Death Mechanisms and Potentially Cytotoxic Natural Immune Cells in Human Pregnancies Complicated by Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia, which occurs in about 2% to 3% of all pregnancies, is a severe multisystem disorder showing symptoms in the second half of human pregnancy. Its prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment are insufficient, since etiology and pathogenesis of the disease are still not totally understood. Recent studies confirm that preeclampsia is the extreme end of a normal inflammatory reaction, which also occurs in healthy pregnancies. This review focuses on maternal immune changes during preeclampsia leading to altered cytotoxic responses. The potential role of perforin/granzyme-, Fas/Fas-ligand-, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)- or TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-mediated apoptotic mechanisms in the pathomechanism is analyzed. The frequency and function of effector cytotoxic cells of natural immunity itself such as natural killer (NK) cells, NKT cells, and γδT cells are also changed both in the periphery and locally in the uterus influencing the outcome of pregnancy. Here, authors conclude that beside exaggerated inflammatory responses, apoptotic and killing mechanisms also seem to be implicated in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Response of the intact canine left ventricle to increased afterload and increased coronary perfusion pressure in the presence of coronary flow autoregulation.

BACKGROUND Increased left ventricular (LV) contractile force or oxygen consumption has been documented with increased coronary arterial pressure (CAP) and flow (Gregg phenomenon). We investigated whether the increase in contractile force with increased LV afterload might be mediated by the concomitant increase in CAP when coronary autoregulation is intact. METHODS AND RESULTS The LV of 6 autonomically blocked open-chest dogs was perfused through the left main coronary artery by a cannula with a side gate to the aortic root. With the gate open, CAP increased from 77+/-20 to 93+/-20 mm Hg (P<0.05) with aortic constriction (AC). With the gate closed, CAP was maintained at a constant level of 100 mm Hg. A small reduction in the slope of the preload recruitable stroke work (PRSW) relationship was observed with AC, but this response was not altered by the coronary perfusion gate position. The end-systolic pressure-volume (ESPV) relationship shifted upward significantly with AC (P<0.001), but this shift was not greater with open-gate perfusion than with closed-gate perfusion. Furthermore, with coronary autoregulation intact, wide changes in CAP (between 60 and 180 mm Hg, n=5) did not alter either the PRSW or ESPV relationship. In contrast, when autoregulation was abolished with intracoronary adenosine (n=6), both indexes of contractility increased progressively with increased CAP. CONCLUSIONS The concomitant increase in CAP with increased afterload in the intact canine LV does not contribute to the afterload-induced increase in contractile force. Coronary perfusion pressure per se does not influence LV contractile function. Coronary perfusion pressure influences contractility only when coronary flow changes.
Middlemen Margins and Globalization

We provide a competitive theory of middlemen or entrepreneurs who develop brand-name reputations necessary to overcome product quality moral hazard problems, embedded in a Heckscher-Ohlin model of North-South trade. Agents with heterogeneous entrepreneurial abil- ities sort into different sectors and occupations, with endogenous inter- sectoral mobility. In some contexts competitive equilibrium is charac- terized by restricted inter-sectoral mobility; bene ts of trade liberal- ization in the South accrue disproportionately to middlemen, North- South factor price differences grow, and offshoring reduces inequality in the South. In other contexts there is enough mobility; classical Stolper-Samuelson and factor price equalization results hold.
New Medical Licensing Examination Using Computer‐based Case Simulations and Standardized Patients

Purpose To evaluate a new method, used for the first time in Italy, of administering the Medical Licensing Examination (MLE). Method Eighty medical school graduates taking the MLE were studied. The MLE was based on the Multimedia Integrated Pilot Project (MIPP), a single two-step examination that combines computer-based case simulations (step 1) and clinical encounters using standardized patients (step 2). Step 1 assessed mainly clinical knowledge and decision-making skills. Step 2 measured the ability to obtain a focused history, perform a relevant physical examination, prioritize a differential diagnosis and management plan, and provide patient education or counseling. The correlations between the total MIPP scores and the exam scores students obtained during the six-year medical school curriculum were evaluated. Results The step 1, step 2, and total MIPP scores were moderately correlated with the curriculum scores. A moderate correlation also existed between the scores reported in step 1 and those of step 2. Conclusions The MIPP is a good tool for assessing clinical competence. Internationally, computer-based and standardized patient assessments are being used more often in licensing examinations. Continuous use of this method could improve medical graduates' performances.
Temperature dependence of locomotor performance in the tropical clawed frog, Xenopus tropicalis

SUMMARY Amphibians are ideal taxa with which to investigate the effects of climate change on physiology, dispersal capacity and distributional ranges as their physiological performance and fitness is highly dependent on temperature. Moreover, amphibians are among the most endangered vertebrate taxa. Here we use the tropical clawed frog, Xenopus tropicalis, as a model system to explore effects of temperature on locomotor performance. Our analyses show that locomotion is thermally sensitive, as illustrated by significant effects of temperature on terrestrial exertion capacity (time until exhaustion) and aquatic burst speed (maximal burst swimming velocity and maximal burst swimming acceleration capacity). Exertion performance measures had relatively lower temperature optima and narrower performance breadth ranges than measures of burst speed. The narrow 80% performance breadths confirm predictions that animals from stable environments should display high thermal sensitivity and, combined with the divergent temperature optima for exertion capacity and burst speed, underscore the vulnerability of tropical species such as X. tropicalis to even relatively small temperature changes. The temperature sensitivity of locomotor performance traits in X. tropicalis suggests that tropical ectotherms may be impacted by predicted changes in climate.
Direct convective delivery of macromolecules to the spinal cord.

OBJECT Because of the limited penetration of macromolecules across the blood-spinal cord barrier, numerous therapeutic compounds with potential for treating spinal cord disorders cannot be used effectively. The authors have developed a technique to deliver and distribute macromolecules regionally in the spinal cord by using convection in the interstitial space. METHODS The authors designed a delivery system connected to a "floating" silica cannula (inner diameter 100 microm, outer diameter 170 microm) that provides for constant volumetric inflow to the spinal cord. A solution containing albumin that was either unlabeled or labeled with carbon-14 or gadolinium was infused at various volumes (3, 6, 10, 20, 40, or 50 microl) at a rate of 0.1 microl/minute into the spinal cord dorsal columns of nine swine and into the lateral columns of three primates (Macaca mulatta). Volume of distribution (Vd), concentration homogeneity, and percentage of recovery were determined using scintillation analysis, kurtosis calculation (K), and quantitative autoradiography (six swine), magnetic resonance imaging (one swine and three primates), and histological analysis (all animals). Neurological function was observed for up to 3 days in four of the swine and up to 16 weeks in the three primates. The Vd of 14C-albumin was linearly proportional (R2=0.97) to the volume of infusion (Vi) (Vd/Vi=4.4+/-0.5; [mean+/-standard deviation). The increases in Vd resulting from increases in Vi were primarily in the longitudinal dimension (R2=0.83 in swine; R2=0.98 in primates), allowing large segments of spinal cord (up to 4.3 cm; Vi 50 microl) to be perfused with the macromolecule. The concentration across the area of distribution was homogeneous (K=-1.1). The mean recovery of infused albumin from the spinal cord was 85.5+/-5.6%. Magnetic resonance imaging and histological analysis combined with quantitative autoradiography revealed the albumin infusate to be preferentially distributed along the white matter tracts. No animal exhibited a neurological deficit as a result of the infusion. CONCLUSIONS Regional convective delivery provides reproducible, safe, region-specific, and homogeneous distribution of macromolecules over large longitudinal segments of the spinal cord. This delivery method overcomes many of the obstacles associated with current delivery techniques and provides for research into new treatments of various conditions of the spinal cord.