Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A case of ganciclovir‐resistant cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in a patient with AIDS: longitudinal molecular analysis of the CMV viral load and viral mutations in blood compartments

Objectives: To study the temporal relationships between cytomegalovirus (CMV) viral load and specific UL97 mutations in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) and plasma samples from a patient with AIDS who developed ganciclovir‐resistant CMV retinitis. Methods: Sequential PMNL and plasma samples were analysed for determination of the CMV viral load using non‐molecular methods and a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Screening of the same samples for the most common mutations conferring ganciclovir resistance was performed using nested PCR and restriction enzyme analysis. Results: At the time of progression of CMV retinitis (after 6 months of ganciclovir), a rapid increase in the CMV DNA load was found in both PMNL and plasma samples. This increase paralleled the emergence of a specific mutation (V594) in the same samples and recovery of ganciclovir‐resistant blood isolates. In this patient, however, the only tests that substantially predicted the progression of CMV disease were the quantitative PCR assay using PMNL and to a lesser extent the pp65 antigenemia assay. Conclusions: Quantitative evaluation of the CMV viral load in PMNL using sensitive assays such as PCR appears to be a promising approach for monitoring antiviral therapy in subjects with AIDS. In addition, common mutations conferring ganciclovir resistance can be detected directly in PMNL and plasma samples.
The Association of Haptoglobin Gene Variants and Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Aims/Introduction To collectively evaluate the association between haptoglobin (Hp) gene variants and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods A comprehensive literature review was performed for eligible studies. After inclusion and exclusion selection as well as quality assessment, those studies meeting quality standards were included. In this study, diabetic patients with retinopathy were selected as the case group and those ones without DR were treated as the control group. The recessive model, allele model, additive model, heterozygote model, and homozygote model were utilized to investigate the association of three Hp gene variants and DR. Subgroup analysis on different severity of DR including nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) was also conducted. Results Six trials from different regions were finally included. A total of 1145 subjects containing 564 T2DM patients with retinopathy were included. The recessive model, allele model, additive model, and homozygote model results showed that Hp gene variants were not associated with DR, NPDR, and PDR. However, the heterozygote model indicated the association of Hp gene variants with DR. Conclusions No association was found between the Hp gene variants and PDR and NPDR. More studies are required to verify these findings.
Development and Validation of a Musical Behavior Measure for Preschool Children.

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A MUSICAL BEHAVIOR MEASURE FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN By Gina Jisun Yi The purpose of this study was to develop a measure for use in assessing musical behaviors of preschool children in the context of regular music instruction and to determine the validity and the reliability of the measure. The Early Childhood Musical Behavior Measure (ECMBM) was constructed for use with preschool-aged children to measure their musical behaviors during music class. ECMBM is a rating scale with 12 continuous dimensions for use in assessing the following: Tonal Skills (Singing Accuracy, Resting Tone, Major Pattern Imitation, Minor Pattern Imitation); Rhythm Skills (Chant Performance, Duple Pattern Imitation, Triple Pattern Imitation, Rhythm Improvisation, Keeping Beat: Gross Motor, Keeping Beat: Manipulatives, Keeping Beat: Locomotor); and Movement. I conducted a pilot study to practice and refine the assessment techniques and instruments that I would be using in the main study and to determine the preliminary reliabilities of the scale. Also, the measure was checked for content validity both subjectively and objectively with seven university professors who are experts in early childhood music education and music education measurement. Based on the results of the pilot study, comments from the judges in the pilot study, and comments from validation panel members, ECMBM was revised for use in the main study. To determine the reliability of the measure, the musical behaviors of 4and 5-year-old children in two intact classes were audio and/or video recorded, and three independent judges rated the children’s musical behaviors. These ratings were correlated to determine interjudge reliabilities. Also, I correlated my in-class ratings of the children’s performances with my after class ratings from listening and watching to the recorded data to obtain the intrajudge reliabilities and to determine whether the ratings that I made during class were sufficiently reliable. On the basis of the results of this study, it is reasonable to state that early childhood music teachers who use a Music Learning Theory curriculum can use ECMBM to assist them in assessing preschool children’s musical behaviors in the context of music instruction. The intrajudge and interjudge reliabilities indicate that the Tonal Behavior rating scales are reliable and Rhythm Behavior rating scales also are reliable except for the Chant Performance dimension. The content validation process as well as the intercorrelations provided evidence that they also are valid. The Movement dimension lacked content validity, and its ratings also resulted in low to moderate reliabilities. There is a need for further research that pertains to the refinement of the rating scales and assessment activities for music instruction at all levels. In addition, this study should be replicated with a larger sample, different group of children in terms of socio-economic status and racial make up, and with different criterion songs, chants, or patterns to investigate further the validity of ECMBM.
Transforming growth factor-β induced Warburg-like metabolic reprogramming may underpin the development of peritoneal endometriosis.

CONTEXT TGF-β is believed to play a major role in the etiology of peritoneal endometriosis. In tumors, TGF-β induces the metabolic conversion of glucose to lactate via glycolysis, a process referred to as the "Warburg effect. " Lactate increases cell invasion, angiogenesis, and immune suppression, all crucial steps in the development of endometriosis. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine whether TGF-β induces a "Warburg-like" effect in peritoneal endometriosis. DESIGN The study was informed by human tissue analysis and cel culture. SETTING The study was conducted at the university research institute. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS We studied women undergoing surgical investigation for endometriosis. INTERVENTIONS Concentrations of lactate and TGF-β1 in peritoneal fluid (n = 16) were measured by commercial assay. Expression of genes implicated in glycolysis was measured in endometrial and peritoneal biopsies (n = 31) by quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The effect of TGF-β1 on primary human peritoneal mesothelial cells (n = 6) and immortalized mesothelial (MeT-5A) cells (n = 3) was assessed by quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot, and commercial assays. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Lactate, TGF-β1, and markers of glycolysis were measured. RESULTS Concentrations of lactate in peritoneal fluid paralleled those of TGF-β1, being significantly higher in women with endometriosis compared to women without (P < .05). Endometriosis lesions expressed higher levels of glycolysis-associated genes HIF1A, PDK1, and LDHA than eutopic endometrium, and adjacent peritoneum had higher levels of HIF1A and SLC2A1 than peritoneum from women without disease (P < .05 to P < .001). Exposure of mesothelial cells to TGF-β1 increased production of lactate (P < .05), increased HIF1A mRNA (P < .05), and protein, and increased concentrations of mRNAs encoded by glycolysis-associated genes (LDHA, PDK1, SLC2A1; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS A change in the metabolic phenotype of endometriosis lesions and peritoneal mesothelium in women with endometriosis may favor development of endometriosis.
64-Slice MDCT Angiography of Upper Extremity in Assessment of Native Hemodialysis Access

Objective: To compare multidetector row computed tomographic (MDCT) angiography with conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the evaluation of vascular access stenoses in hemodialysis patients. Materials and methods: Twenty-one consecutive patients were imaged with MDCT angiography and subsequent DSA. The superficial vein of leg was used as the route for intravenous administration. The vascular stenosis was assessed in not significant (<50% stenosis), moderate stenosis (50%-74% stenosis), severe stenosis (75%-99%), and total occlusion (100%). The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values were calculated for significant vascular stenosis using DSA as the standard reference. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of MDCT angiography for the detection of significant hemodialysis vascular access were 100% (95% CI, 89.3%-100%) and 94.8% (95% CI, 89.1%-97.6%), respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 84.2% (95% CI, 68.1%-93.4%) and 100% (95% CI, 95.8%-100%), respectively. The accuracy of MDCT angiography for detection of significant stenoses was 95.9% (95% CI, 91.4%-97.0%). Conclusions: MDCT angiography provides excellent correlation in vascular stenosis as compared with DSA in hemodialysis access. Complete assessment of entire vascular segments could be performing with MDCT angiography in planning before endovascular intervention or surgical correction.
Effect of benazepril and pimobendan on serum angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in dogs.

To support their combined use, the objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of benazepril and pimobendan on serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in dogs. A total of 48 healthy beagle dogs were randomized into four groups (n = 12 per group) in a parallel-group design study: A (control, placebo twice daily (BID)); B (0.5-1.0 mg/kg benazepril once daily (SID) in the morning, placebo in the evening); C (0.25-0.5 mg/kg benazepril BID); D (0.25-0.5 mg/kg benazepril and 0.125-0.25 mg/kg pimobendan, both BID). The test items were administered orally for 15 days. Serum ACE activity was measured on days 1 and 15. Groups B, C and D had significantly lower average serum ACE activity compared to baseline and to the control group, on both days 1 and 15. There were no significant differences in average ACE activity between groups B, C and D. Noninferiority of group C to B was demonstrated. In conclusion, 0.25-0.5 mg/kg benazepril administered BID produced noninferior inhibition of serum ACE activity compared to 0.5-1.0 mg/kg benazepril dosed SID. Pimobendan had no significant effect on benazepril's action on serum ACE activity. The results support the use of benazepril BID in dogs and in combination with pimobendan.
Variations in Site and Levels of Expression of Chondrocyte Nucleotide Pyrophosphohydrolase with Aging

The aim of this study was to identify changes in cartilage intermediate layer protein/nucleotide pyrophosphohydrolase (CILP/NTPPH) expression in articular cartilage during aging. Adult (3‐4 years old) and young (7‐10 days old) porcine articular hyaline cartilage and fibrocartilage were studied by Northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry using a complementary DNA (cDNA) probe encoding porcine CILP/NTPPH and antibody to a synthetic peptide corresponding to a CILP/NTPPH sequence. Northern blot analysis of chondrocytes showed lower expression of CILP/NTPPH messenger RNA (mRNA) in young cartilage than in adult cartilage. In adult cartilage, extracellular matrix from the surface to the middeep zone was immunoreactive for CILP/NTPPH, especially in the pericellular matrix surrounding the middeep zone chondrocytes. In young cartilage, chondrocytes were moderately immunoreactive for CILP/NTPPH throughout all zones except the calcified zone. The matrix of young cartilage was negative except in the superficial zone. In young cartilage, CILP/NTPPH mRNA expression was undetectable. In adult cartilage, chondrocytes showed strong mRNA expression for CILP/NTPPH throughout middeep zones. Protein and mRNA signals were not detectable below the tidemark. CILP/NTPPH secretion into matrix around chondrocytes increases with aging. In this extracellular site it may generate inorganic pyrophosphate and contribute to age‐related calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease.
PERAN MODERASI KECERDASAN EMOSI PADA STRES KERJA

The objective of this study is to know influence of job stress to job performance and influence of emotional intelligence to relationship between job stress and job performance. Population in this study was all marketing and collection employees in PT. Summit Oto Finance Kudus. In this study used population method, that is taken all of marketing employees as much as 25 respondents and collection employees as much as 21 respondents. The technique of data analysis used regression analysis and doubled regression moderating analysis. The result usedregression analysis showed that negative influence between job stres and job performanc. Meanwhile, the result using doubled regression moderating analysis showed that emotional intelligence moderate influence of job stress to job performance. This result indicated that emotional intelligence can reduce the influence of job stress to job performance.
Prognostic Value of the Tumour-Infiltrating Dendritic Cells in Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review

Abstract Dendritic cells (DCs) either boost the immune system (enhancing immunity) or dampen it (leading to tolerance). This dual effect explains their vital role in cancer development and progression. DCs have been tested as a predictor of outcomes for cancer progression. Eight studies evaluated tumour-infiltrating DCs (TIDCs) as a predictor for colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes. The detection of TIDCs has not kept pace with the increased knowledge about the identification of DC subsets and their maturation status. For that reason, it is difficult to draw a conclusion about the performance of DCs as a predictor of outcome for CRC. In this review, we comprehensively examine the evidence for the in situ immune response due to DC infiltration, in predicting outcome in primary CRC and how such information may be incorporated into routine clinical assessment.
Effect of Tumor Size on Prognosis in Patients Treated with Radical Radiotherapy or Chemoradiotherapy for Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: An Analysis of the Staging Project Database of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer

Background: Analysis of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer database revealed that for patients with completely resected, node-negative, non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), increasing tumor size was associated with worsening survival. This analysis was performed to determine the effect of size on prognosis in patients in the same database but who were treated with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Methods: Patients were eligible if they had pathologically confirmed NSCLC, no evidence of distant metastases, intended treatment was radical radiotherapy (minimum 50 Gy) or combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy, no surgery, and tumor diameter was available. Results: Eight hundred and sixty-eight patients were available for analysis. Patient characteristics were: sex (men) 65.3%; median age 64 years (range, 32–88); Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0: 55%, 1: 33%, 2 or more: 5%; chemotherapy 74%; no chemotherapy 18%; weight loss less than 5 %: 70%, and more than 5%: 25%. Primary tumor size was categorized according to tumor, node, metastasis 7th edition. On univariate analysis, the following factors were prognostic for survival: age (continuous) (p = 0.0035); performance status of 1 or more (p = 0.0021); weight loss less than 5% (p < 0.0001); chemotherapy (p = 0.0189); and primary tumor size (continuous) (p = 0.0002). Sex and clinical nodal stage were not significant. On multivariate analysis, age and weight loss remained significant factors for survival, as was tumor size less than 3 cm. Conclusions: In patients treated with radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy, tumor size less than 3 cm was associated with longer survival than larger tumors. Evidence of the effect of size on prognosis above this was weak. Five-year survival of more than 10% was observed in all four size categories.
Characterization of an immortalized oviduct cell line from the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis)

Abstract: To establish reproductive biological techniques in mammals, it is important to understand the growth environment of the embryo. Oviduct epithelial cells are in close proximity to the embryo during pre‐implantation development. We, therefore, established an immortalized oviduct epithelial cell line from the cynomolgus monkey, evaluated the usefulness of these cells as feeder cells for embryo culture, and investigated the gene expression of several growth factors and cytokines in the cells. The immortalized cells were positive for the anti‐cytokeratin antibody, as determined by immunocytochemistry, indicating that they are epithelial. They also expressed oviductin, which is specific to oviduct epithelial cells, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (control), leukemia inhibitory factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, insulin‐like growth factor 1, transforming growth factor beta‐2, and interleukin 4. Mouse embryo development was improved when the immortalized cells were used as feeder cells. This cell line is also useful for studying the factors secreted by oviduct epithelial cells.
Local circuitry involving parvalbumin‐positive basket cells in the CA2 region of the hippocampus

There is a growing recognition that the CA2 region of the hippocampus has its own distinctive properties, inputs, and pathologies. The dendritic and axonal patterns of some interneurons in this region are also strikingly different from those described previously in CA1 and CA3. The local circuitry in this region, however, had yet to be studied in detail. Accordingly, using dual intracellular recordings and biocytin‐filling, excitatory and inhibitory connections involving CA2 parvalbumin‐positive basket cells were characterized for the first time. CA2 basket cells targeted neighboring pyramidal cells and received excitatory inputs from them. CA2 basket cells that resembled those in CA1 with a fast spiking behavior and dendritic tree confined to the region of origin received depressing excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs). In contrast, unlike CA1 basket cells but like CA1 Oriens‐Lacunosum Moleculare (OLM) cells, the majority of CA2 basket cells had horizontally oriented dendrites in Stratum Oriens (SO), which extended into all three CA subfields, had an adapting firing pattern, presented a “sag” in their voltage responses to hyperpolarizing current injection, and received facilitating EPSPs. The expression of Ih did not influence the EPSP time courses and paired pulse ratios (PPR). Estimates of the probability of release (p) for the depressing and facilitating EPSPs were correlated with the PPR. Connections with low probabilities of release had higher PPR. Quantal amplitude (q) for the facilitating connections was larger than q at depressing inputs onto fast spiking basket cells. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Inc.
What the “Broken Escalator” Phenomenon Teaches Us about Balance

Gait adaptation is crucial for coping with varying terrain and biological needs. It is also important that any acquired adaptation is expressed only in the appropriate context. Here we review a recent series of experiments that demonstrate inappropriate expression of gait adaptation. We show that a brief period of walking onto a platform previously experienced as moving results in a large forward sway aftereffect, despite full awareness of the changing context. The adaptation mechanisms involved in this paradigm are extremely fast, just 1–2 discrete exposures to the moving platform result in the motor aftereffect. This aftereffect occurs even if subjects deliberately attempt to suppress it. However, it disappears when the location or method of gait is altered, indicating that aftereffect expression is context dependent. Conversely, making gait self‐initiated increases sway during the aftereffect. This aftereffect demonstrates a profound dissociation between knowledge and action. The absence of generalization suggests a relatively simple form of motor learning, albeit involving high‐level processing by cortical and cerebellar structures.
Proanthocyanidins from the American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) inhibit matrix metalloproteinase‐2 and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 activity in human prostate cancer cells via alterations in multiple cellular signalling pathways

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in the Western world, and it is believed that an individual's diet affects his risk of developing cancer. There has been an interest in examining phytochemicals, the secondary metabolites of plants, in order to determine their potential anti‐cancer activities in vitro and in vivo. In this study we document the effects of proanthocyanidins (PACs) from the American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in DU145 human prostate cancer cells. Cranberry PACs decreased cellular viability of DU145 cells at a concentration of 25 µg/ml by 30% after 6 h of treatment. Treatment of DU145 cells with PACs resulted in an inhibition of both MMPs 2 and 9 activity. PACs increased the expression of TIMP‐2, a known inhibitor of MMP activity, and decreased the expression of EMMPRIN, an inducer of MMP expression. PACs decreased the expression of PI‐3 kinase and AKT proteins, and increased the phosphorylation of both p38 and ERK1/2. Cranberry PACs also decreased the translocation of the NF‐κB p65 protein to the nucleus. Cranberry PACs increased c‐jun and decreased c‐fos protein levels. These results suggest that cranberry PACs decreases MMP activity through the induction and/or inhibition of specific temporal MMP regulators, and by affecting either the phosphorylation status and/or expression of MAP kinase, PI‐3 kinase, NF‐κB and AP‐1 pathway proteins. This study further demonstrates that cranberry PACs are a strong candidate for further research as novel anti‐cancer agents. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 742–754, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Learning by Propagability

In this paper, we present a novel feature extraction framework, called learning by propagability. The whole learning process is driven by the philosophy that the data labels and optimal feature representation can constitute a harmonic system, namely, the data labels are invariant with respect to the propagation on the similarity-graph constructed by the optimal feature representation. Based on this philosophy, a unified formulation for learning by propagability is proposed for both supervised and semi-supervised configurations. Specifically, this formulation offers the semi-supervised learning two characteristics: 1) unlike conventional semi-supervised learning algorithms which mostly include at least two parameters, this formulation is parameter-free; and 2) the formulation unifies the label propagation and optimal representation pursuing, and thus the label propagation is enhanced by benefiting from the graph constructed with the derived optimal representation instead of the original representation. Extensive experiments on UCI toy data, handwritten digit recognition, and face recognition all validate the effectiveness of our proposed learning framework compared with the state-of-the-art methods for feature extraction and semi-supervised learning.