Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MiR-145 inhibits tumor angiogenesis and growth by N-RAS and VEGF

MiR-145 is known as a tumor suppressor in numerous human cancers. However, its role in tumor angiogenesis remains poorly defined. In this study, we found that miR-145 was significantly downregulated in breast cancer tissues by using 106 cases of normal and cancer tissues as well as in breast cancer cells. MiR-145 exhibited inhibitory role in tumor angiogenesis, cell growth and invasion and tumor growth through the post-transcriptional regulation of the novel targets N-RAS and VEGF-A. In addition, we provide evidence that the expression levels of miR-145 correlate inversely with malignancy stages of breast tumors, although there is no association between miR-145 levels and hormone receptor levels in breast cancer. Taken together, these results demonstrate that miR-145 plays important inhibitory role in breast cancer malignancy by targeting N-RAS and VEGF-A, which may be potential therapeutic and diagnostic targets.
Metaphor in Pictures

Pictures can be literal or metaphoric. Metaphoric pictures involve intended violations of standard modes of depiction that are universally recognizable. The types of metaphoric pictures correspond to major groups of verbal metaphors, with the addition of a class of pictorial runes. Often the correspondence between verbal and pictorial metaphors depends on individual features of objects and such physical parameters as change of scale. A more sophisticated analysis is required for some pictorial metaphors, involving juxtapositions of well-known objects and indirect reference.
A Population-Based Case-Control Study of Farming and Breast Cancer in North Carolina

We examined the role of farming and pesticide exposure among 862 cases and 790 controls in a population-based, case-control study of breast cancer conducted in North Carolina between 1993 and 1996. We obtained exposure information through personal interview. Increasing duration of farming was inversely associated with breast cancer risk; odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 1.2 (0.8–1.7), 0.8 (0.5–1.2), 0.7 (0.5–1.1), and 0.6 (0.4–0.9) for 1–10, 11–17, 18–23, and >23 years of farming, respectively, relative to nonfarmers. Inverse associations persisted when farming was restricted to calendar time periods of 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (DDT) use or to farming at ages 9–16. Among women who farmed, odds ratios (ORs) were elevated for those who reported being present in fields during or shortly after pesticide application (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.1–2.8) and for those who reported not using protective clothing while applying pesticides (OR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.0–4.3), but not among those who reported using protective clothing (OR = 0.8; 95% CI = 0.4–1.8). We conclude that residence or work on farms may be associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. Nevertheless, our results suggest a possible increased risk of breast cancer among a subgroup of farming women who were most likely to be exposed to pesticides.
Transgenic inhibition of astroglial NF‐κB leads to increased axonal sparing and sprouting following spinal cord injury

We previously showed that Nuclear Factor κB (NF‐κB) inactivation in astrocytes leads to improved functional recovery following spinal cord injury (SCI). This correlated with reduced expression of pro‐inflammatory mediators and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, and increased white matter preservation. Hence we hypothesized that inactivation of astrocytic NF‐κB would create a more permissive environment for axonal sprouting and regeneration. We induced both contusive and complete transection SCI in GFAP‐Inhibitor of κB‐dominant negative (GFAP‐IκBα‐dn) and wild‐type (WT) mice and performed retrograde [fluorogold (FG)] and anterograde [biotinylated dextran amine (BDA)] tracing 8 weeks after injury. Following contusive SCI, more FG‐labeled cells were found in motor cortex, reticular formation, and raphe nuclei of transgenic mice. Spared and sprouting BDA‐positive corticospinal axons were found caudal to the lesion in GFAP‐IκBα‐dn mice. Higher numbers of FG‐labeled neurons were detected immediately rostral to the lesion in GFAP‐IκBα‐dn mice, accompanied by increased expression of synaptic and axonal growth‐associated molecules. After transection, however, no FG‐labeled neurons or BDA‐filled axons were found rostral and caudal to the lesion, respectively, in either genotype. These data demonstrated that inhibiting astroglial NF‐κB resulted in a growth‐supporting terrain promoting sparing and sprouting, rather than regeneration, of supraspinal and propriospinal circuitries essential for locomotion, hence contributing to the improved functional recovery observed after SCI in GFAP‐IκBα‐dn mice.
Carcinoembryonic antigen in pleural effusions. Diagnostic value in malignant mesothelioma

The usefulness of the determination of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in pleural effusion was assessed as an aid to the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. The concentration of CEA was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in pleural fluid of 213 adult patients, of which 140 had malignant pleural disease and 73 had nonmalignant pleural disease. Pleural fluid CEA (PF CEA) was lower than 12 ng/ml in all 15 mesotheliomas. The statistical probability of a mesothelioma associated with PF CEA greater than 15 ng/ml was found to be zero. The CEA assay in pleural effusion proved to be a valuable adjunct to other diagnostic procedures in differentiating the malignant mesothelioma from metastatic serosal spread. Cancer 53:1194‐1197, 1984.
How hypoglycaemia can affect the life of a person with diabetes

Hypoglycaemia is the commonest side‐effect of insulin treatment for diabetes, and is the single greatest barrier to achieving and maintaining good glycaemic control. Severe hypoglycaemia (requiring assistance for recovery) is associated with significant morbidity and is feared by most people with type 1 diabetes and their families. It causes stress and anxiety and may influence self‐management and glycaemic control. The annual prevalence of severe hypoglycaemia is around 30% in people with type 1 diabetes, and is higher in those with risk factors such as strict glycaemic control, impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia and increasing duration of diabetes. It is also common during sleep (nocturnal hypoglycaemia). Neurological manifestations include coma, convulsions, transient hemiparesis and stroke, while reduced consciousness and cognitive dysfunction may cause accidents and injuries. Cardiac events may be precipitated such as arrhythmias, myocardial ischaemia and cardiac failure. Hypoglycaemia can affect all aspects of life, including employment, driving, recreational activities involving exercise, and travel, and measures should be taken in all of these situations to avoid this potentially dangerous side‐effect of insulin therapy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Institutional Engineering and the Nature of Representation: Mapping the Effects of Electoral Reform in Colombia

Representation can vary depending on whether legislators view constitu? ents as best represented by aggregated, programmatic universal policies or by parochial, particularistic policies. In 1991 Colombia adopted a major institutional reform intended to change the "electoral connection" between voters and senators, encouraging members of the upper chamber to adopt a more national, programmatic vision. We explain variations in geographic patterns of electoral support in the post-reform era and show how the spatial pattern of votes for a senator influences his
NM 23-H 1 and NM 23-H 2 Messenger RNA Abundance in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma

nm23 was originally identified as an antimetastatic gene, the expression of which was inversely correlated with tumor metastatic potential in rodent model systems. Subsequently, two related human nm23 genes, nm23-HI and nm23-H2, were identified. The relationship between expres sion of nm23-Hl and nm23-H2 in hepatocellular carcinoma specimens from 30 patients and metastatic potential was investigated with the use of a quantitative reverse transcription-PCR procedure. The abundance of nm23-HI and nm23-H2 mRNA was compared with serum a-fetoprotein concentration, tumor size (maximum diameter), and histopathological parameters such as portal vein tumor thrombus, intrahepatic metastasis, capsular formation, capsular infiltration, differentiation of tumor cells, and TNM stage. The abundance of nm23-Hl mRNA showed a significant inverse correlation with intrahepatic metastasis and TNM stage. Further more, we confirmed that reduced expression of nm23-Hl mRNA was in accordance with a reduced amount of NM23-H1 protein using Western blot analysis. No correlation was apparent between nm23-H2 mRNA abundance and intrahepatic metastasis. These data support the conclusion that nm23-Hl may play a more important role than nm23-H2 in intrahe patic metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, nm23-Hl mRNA abundance may be a predictor of intrahepatic metastasis, the most important factor correlated with the metastatic potential of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Nitric Oxide and Apoptosis Induced in Peyer's Patches by Attenuated Strains of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis

ABSTRACT Nitric oxide (NO) is a toxic molecule of the immune system which contributes to the control of microbial pathogens. Additional functions of NO in innate and adaptive immunity have recently been described; these functions include the modulation of the cytokine response of lymphocytes and the regulation of immune cell apoptosis. In addition to direct microbicidal actions, NO has immunoregulatory effects relevant to the control of infections. In turn, infected macrophages and macrophage-regulating lymphocytes may undergo apoptosis during infection by Salmonella spp. In this work we investigated the ability of attenuated strains of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis with different protective capacities to induce intestinal inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and apoptosis in Peyer's patches (PP) in mice. Results showed that the intestinal iNOS activity correlated with increased apoptosis in PP. Furthermore, the ability to induce intestinal NO production and apoptosis within the first few hours after immunization seemed to correlate with the protective capacity of mutant E/1/3 of S. enterica serovar Enteritidis. It was found that nonprotective mutant C/2/2, which was unable to induce intestinal NO production, also failed to induce apoptosis in PP. Moreover, aminoguanidine treatment at the time of immunization resulted in inhibition of the NO production and apoptosis induced by protective mutant E/1/3 and completely abolished protection against challenge. These results suggest that the induction of iNOS in the intestinal mucosa by attenuated mutant E/1/3 of S. enterica serovar Enteritidis at the time of immunization is necessary to generate a protective immune response.
Handbook of Parametric and Nonparametric Statistical Procedures

described and related to one another and to the different resampling methods is also notable. This is especially useful for the book’s target audience, for whom such concepts may not yet have taken root. On the computational side, the book may be a little less satisfying. Stepby-step computational algorithms are at some times inef cient and at other times cryptic so that an individual with little programming experience might have dif culty applying them. This problem is substantially offset by the presence of numerous detailed examples solved using existing software, providing readers roughly equal exposure to S-PLUS, SC, and Resampling Stats. Unfortunately, these examples often require large, complex programs, demonstrating as much as anything a need for better resampling software. On the whole, Data Analysis by Resampling is a useful and clear introduction to resampling. It would make an ambitious second course in statistics or a good third or later course. It is quite well suited for self-study by an individual with just a few previous statistics courses. Although it would be miscast as a graduate-level textbook or as a research reference—for one thing it lacks a thorough bibliography to make up for its surface treatment of many of the topics it covers—it is a very nice book for any reader seeking an introductory book on resampling.
Deconvolution of u channel magnetometer data: Experimental study of accuracy, resolution, and stability of different inversion methods

We explore the effects of sampling density, signal/noise ratios, and position‐dependent measurement errors on deconvolution calculations for u channel magnetometer data, using a combination of experimental and numerical approaches. Experiments involve a synthetic sample set made by setting hydraulic cement in a 30‐cm u channel and slicing the hardened material into ∼2‐cm lengths, and a natural lake sediment u channel sample. The cement segments can be magnetized and measured individually, and reassembled for continuous u channel measurement and deconvolution; the lake sediment channel was first measured continuously and then sliced into discrete samples for individual measurement. Each continuous data set was deconvolved using the ABIC minimization code of Oda and Shibuya (1996) and two new approaches that we have developed, using singular‐value decomposition and regularized least squares. These involve somewhat different methods to stabilize the inverse calculations and different criteria for identifying the optimum solution, but we find in all of our experiments that the three methods converge to essentially identical solutions. Repeat scans in several experiments show that measurement errors are not distributed with position‐independent variance; errors in setting/determining the u channel position (standard deviation ∼0.2 mm) translate in regions of strong gradients into measurement uncertainties much larger than those due to instrument noise and drift. When we incorporate these depth‐dependent measurement uncertainties into the deconvolution calculations, the resulting models show decreased stability and accuracy compared to inversions assuming depth‐independent measurement errors. The cement experiments involved varying directions and uniform intensities downcore, and very good accuracy was obtained using all of the methods when the signal/noise ratio was greater than a few hundred and the sampling interval no larger than half the length scale of magnetization changes. Addition of synthetic noise or reduction of sampling density decreased the resolution and accuracy of all the methods equally. The sediment‐core experiment involved uniform (axial) magnetization direction and strongly varying intensities downcore. Intensity variations are well resolved and directions are accurate to within about 5 degrees, with errors attributable to omission and/or inaccurate calibration of cross terms in the instrument response function.
Differentiation between Subtypes of Primary Progressive Aphasia by Using Cortical Thickness and Diffusion-Tensor MR Imaging Measures.

PURPOSE To test a multimodal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-based approach composed of cortical thickness and white matter (WM) damage metrics to discriminate between variants of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) that are nonfluent and/or agrammatic (NFVPPA) and semantic (SVPPA). MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was approved by the local ethics committees on human studies, and written informed consent from all patients was obtained before their enrollment. T1-weighted and diffusion-tensor (DT) MR images were obtained from 13 NFVPPA patients, 13 SVPPA patients, and 23 healthy control participants. Cortical thickness and DT MR imaging indices from the long-associative and interhemispheric WM tracts were obtained. A random forest (RF) analysis was used to identify the image features associated with each clinical syndrome. Individual patient classification was performed by using receiver operator characteristic curve analysis with cortical thickness, DT MR imaging, and a combination of the two modalities. RESULTS RF analysis showed that the best markers to differentiate the two PPA variants at an individual patient level among cortical thickness and DT MR imaging metrics were diffusivity abnormalities of the left inferior longitudinal and uncinate fasciculi and cortical thickness measures of the left temporal pole and inferior frontal gyrus. A combination of cortical thickness and DT MR imaging measures (the so-called gray-matter-and-WM model) was able to distinguish patients with NFVPPA and SVPPA with the following classification pattern: area under the curve, 0.91; accuracy, 0.89; sensitivity, 0.92; specificity, 0.85. Leave-one-out analysis demonstrated that the gray matter and WM model is more robust than the single MR modality models to distinguish PPA variants (accuracy was 0.86, 0.73, and 0.68 for the gray matter and WM model, the gray matter-only model, and the WM-only model, respectively). CONCLUSION A combination of structural and DT MR imaging metrics may provide a quantitative procedure to distinguish NFVPPA and SVPPA patients at an individual patient level. The discrimination accuracies obtained suggest that the gray matter and WM model is potentially relevant for the differential diagnosis of the PPA variants in clinical practice.
Factors associated with the outcome of adults treated in psychiatric hospitals: a synthesis of findings.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to synthesize previous research findings on the outcomes of patients who had received psychiatric hospital treatment. METHODS The authors reviewed 54 follow-up studies of psychiatric hospitalization of adults published between 1975 and 1992 and identified ten predictor variables that were examined in at least five of the studies. The findings for each predictor variable were integrated using a system that weighted findings based on the sample size and the time from discharge to follow-up assessment. RESULTS The five most powerful predictors of outcome were type of onset of illness, previous hospitalization, age at onset of illness, use of medication, and marital status. Predictor variables with moderate associations with outcome included diagnosis, gender, precipitating factors, and duration of illness. Length of stay showed no significant relationship to outcome. CONCLUSIONS Future studies of the outcome of psychiatric hospitalization should carefully define successful outcome, delineate the dimensions of hospital treatment, and explore a wide range of predictor variables.
Analysis of Severity of Poverty and Social Cohesion among the Urban Poor Migrants in Ghana

ABSTRACT Urban poor are dominated by migrants and are poorer than the rural poor in Ghana. The underlying reasons have not been researched. Therefore, this research analyzed the severity of poverty and social cohesion among the urban migrants who were poor in Ghana. The level, depth, and severity of poverty among the urban poor alongside social cohesion indicators was utilized in the analysis. Lack of social cohesion among the urban migrants is a contributory factor to severity of poverty among the urban poor. Purposive projects targeting migrant poor are a panacea to reducing severity of poverty among the urban poor in Ghana.
Physical activity among adults with obesity: testing the Health Action Process Approach.

OBJECTIVE This study tested the applicability of the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) in a sample of obese adults in the context of physical activity. METHOD Physical activity was assessed along with motivational and volitional variables specified in the HAPA (motivational self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, risk perception, intention, maintenance self-efficacy, action planning, coping planning, recovery self-efficacy, social support) in a sample of 484 obese men and women (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2). RESULTS Applying structural equation modeling, the fit of the HAPA model was satisfactory-χ²(191) = 569.93, p < . 05, χ²/df = 2.98, comparative fit index = . 91, normed-fit index = . 87, and root mean square error of approximation = . 06 (90% CI = .06, .07)-explaining 30% of the variance in intention and 18% of the variance in physical activity. Motivational self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, and social support were related to intention. An association between maintenance self-efficacy and coping planning was found. Recovery self-efficacy and social support were associated with physical activity. No relationships were found between risk perception and intention and between planning and physical activity. The assumptions derived from the HAPA were partly confirmed and the HAPA may, therefore, constitute a theoretical backdrop for intervention designs to promote physical activity in adults with obesity.
Gluteus Maximus Flap Transfer for Greater Trochanter Reconstruction in Revision THA

We evaluated the results of an operative technique used in five patients (five hips) to reconstruct the greater trochanter with a gluteus maximus flap transfer during revision total hip arthroplasty. We exposed the hip through a posterior approach that split the gluteus maximus in its midsubstance. We then raised a flap from the posterior portion of the gluteus muscle that was elevated proximally to create a triangular muscle flap. The flap was sewn into the gap between the greater trochanter and lateral cortex of the femur and secured to the inner surface of the anterior capsule of the hip. With the hip abducted 10° to 15°, the edges of the gluteus maximus were closed over the flap and the greater trochanter. We compared the results of these patients with those of five patients (five hips) who had the trochanter left unrepaired and those of four patients (four hips) who had excision of the greater trochanter and suture closure of the intervening gap. The flap group had less pain, lower incidence of limp and Trendelenburg sign, and less need for support than the other two groups, but range of motion decreased.Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Respiratory syncytial virus impairs T cell activation by preventing synapse assembly with dendritic cells

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is one of the leading causes of infant hospitalization and a major health and economic burden worldwide. Infection with this virus induces an exacerbated innate proinflammatory immune response characterized by abundant immune cell infiltration into the airways and lung tissue damage. RSV also impairs the induction of an adequate adaptive T cell immune response, which favors virus pathogenesis. Unfortunately, to date there are no efficient vaccines against this virus. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that RSV infection can prevent T cell activation, a phenomenon attributed in part to cytokines and chemokines secreted by RSV-infected cells. Efficient immunity against viruses is promoted by dendritic cells (DCs), professional antigen-presenting cells, that prime antigen-specific helper and cytotoxic T cells. Therefore, it would be to the advantage of RSV to impair DC function and prevent the induction of T cell immunity. Here, we show that, although RSV infection induces maturation of murine DCs, these cells are rendered unable to activate antigen-specific T cells. Inhibition of T cell activation by RSV was observed independently of the type of TCR ligand on the DC surface and applied to cognate-, allo-, and superantigen stimulation. As a result of exposure to RSV-infected DCs, T cells became unresponsive to subsequent TCR engagement. RSV-mediated impairment in T cell activation required DC-T cell contact and involved inhibition of immunological synapse assembly among these cells. Our data suggest that impairment of immunological synapse could contribute to RSV pathogenesis by evading adaptive immunity and reducing T cell-mediated virus clearance.