Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and sensitivity of stomach cancer to fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between polymorphisms of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T or A1298C and the response to fluoropyrimidine (5-FU)-based chemotherapy in advanced stomach cancer (SC). METHODS 75 cases with advanced SC were analyzed. All patients were treated with 5-FU-based chemotherapy and DNA of peripheral blood leukocytes was obtained before therapy. MTHFR genotypes were detected by PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS (1) Of all the cases, the frequencies of MTHFR C677T C/C, C/T and T/T genotype were 32.0%, 44.0% and 24.0%, while the frequencies of MTHFR A1298C A/A, A/C and C/C genotype were 69.3%, 29.3% and 1.3%, respectively. The overal response rate to 5-FU-based chemotherapy was 29.3%. (2) The response rate to therapy among MTHFR C677T T/T genotype patients (83.3%) was significantly higher than the C677T C/T genotype (15.2%, chi(2) = 22.27, P = 0.000) or the C677T C/C genotype (8.3%, chi(2) = 23.44, P = 0.000). As compared with patients with C677T C allele, patients with C677T T/T genotype had a 7.64-fold sensitivity to 5-FU-based chemotherapy (adjusted for sex, age, prior adjuvant therapy and chemotherapy program, 95% CI: 3.14 - 18.62). The response rate to therapy among patients with MTHFR A1298C A/A genotype (36.5%) was significantly higher than patients with A1298C C allele (13.0%, chi(2) = 4.19, P = 0.041, adjusted OR = 3.75, 95% CI: 0.94 - 14.87). The response rate to therapy among patients with MTHFR C677T T/T and A1298C A/A genotypes (86.7%) was significantly higher than other groups of C677T and A1298C genotypes (15.0%, Fisher exact: P = 0.000, adjusted OR = 6.57, 95% CI: 2.8 - 15.6). (3) The incidence rates of nausea/vomiting in MTHFR C677T T/T, C/T or A1298C A/A genotypes were significantly higher than other genotypes, but the incidence rates of other treatment-related adverse reaction in MTHFR C677T or A1298C genotypes were not significantly different. CONCLUSION These results in the present study suggested that the polymorphisms of MTHFR were associated with clinical response to 5-FU-based chemotherapy, suggesting that MTHFR genotypes could identify advanced SC patients that would be responsive to 5-FU-based chemotherapy.
Involvement of Eyelid Pressure in Lid-Wiper Epitheliopathy

Abstract Objectives: To determine whether eyelid pressure is involved in the development of lid-wiper epitheliopathy (LWE). Methods: Study 1: The eyelid pressure was measured with a blepharo-tensiometer, and the degree of LWE was assessed in 79 eyes of 43 non-contact lens (CL) wearers. Study 2: The movements of the eyelids and displacement of the eyes during spontaneous blinking were photographed with a high-speed camera. The eyelid pressure was also measured in 34 normal eyes of 19 non-CL wearers who were not part of Study 1. Results: Study 1: Upper-LWE was detected in 24 of 79 eyes (30.4%), and no significant difference was detected in the eyelid pressure between any grade of upper-LWE. Lower-LWE was detected in 41 of 79 eyes (51.9%), and the eyelid pressure (27.9 ± 2.8 mmHg) in eyes with grade 3 LWE was significantly higher than that with grade 0 LWE (19.7 ± 1.3 mmHg; p < 0.05). Study 2: The lower eyelid pressure was significantly correlated with the length of the horizontal movement of the lower eyelids (p < 0.05) and also with the degree of posterior movement of the eye globe (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The higher pressure from the eyelid may be one of the causes for the development of lower-LWE.
Characterization of the effects of endotoxin on macrophage tumor cell killing.

These studies demonstrate the potent effect of LPS on the induction of macrophage-mediated tumor cell killing and show, by using pure populations of cloned macrophages as effector cells, that LPS can act in the complete absence of contaminating lymphocytes. Macrophage differentiation toward the tumoricidal state parallels the responsiveness of macrophages to LPS. Normal macrophages will not kill even in the presence of 10 µg/ml LPS; peptone-induced normal macrophages (stimulated macrophages) are made tumoricidal by ≥500 mg/ml LPS; and nontumoricidal BCG-activated macrophages are made to kill tumor cells by 0.5 to 1.0 ng/ml LPS. The LPS effect is reproduced by lipid A. The effect is abolished by alkaline treatment of LPS or by the presence of polymyxin B. Nontumoricidal BCG-activated macrophages from the lipid A-nonresponder mouse strain C3H/HeJ require 250 times more LPS to become tumoricidal than do nontumoricidal BCG-activated macrophages from the C3H/HeN strain. LPS acts synergistically with MAF-rich peritoneal cell supernatants in causing macrophages to kill tumor cells. Although LPS can elicit MAF production by lymphocytes, it can also act directly on cells of lymphocyte-free macrophage colonies to render them tumoricidal. Reagents are frequently contaminated with LPS, and unless this is noted, valid interpretation of experiments investigating macrophage tumor cell killing is difficult. Means of detecting, detoxifying, and eliminating the LPS of experimental agents are discussed.
5-Hydroxytryptamine and impulse control: prospects for a behavioural analysis

Impulsiveness is a significant clinical problem associated with a variety of psychiatric and neuropsychiatric disorders. Clinical and experimental studies have provided evidence that individuals displaying impulsive behaviour tend to show signs of deficient functioning of the ascending 5-hydroxytryptaminergic (5-HTergic) pathways of the brain. A persistent problem in investigations of the biological basis of impulsive behaviour has been the lack of a satisfactory definition of 'impulsiveness', as distinct from other behavioural features, such as aggression, which are often apparent in 'impulsive' individuals. Research in the experimental analysis of behaviour suggests that two important characteristics of 'impulsiveness' are (i) deficient tolerance of delay of gratification and (ii) inability to inhibit or delay voluntary behaviour; both of these characteristics are amenable to study in laboratory animals. We describe some delayed reinforcement and delayed response paradigms which purport to capture these behavioural characteristics, and review recent evidence that manipulation of 5-HTergic function alters behaviour in these paradigms. It is argued that the two characteristics of 'impulsiveness' are themselves the product of disturbance of more fundamental behavioural processes; the nature of these processes is considered.
SYNERGISTIC AND INHIBITORY INTERACTIONS BETWEEN METHYL EUGENOL AND CUE LURE INFLUENCE TRAP CATCH OF MALE FRUIT FLIES, BACTROCERA DORSALIS (HENDEL) AND B. CUCURBITAE (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE)

Abstract Males of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) and the melon fly, B. cucurbitae (Coquillett), are attracted to methyl eugenol (ME) and cue lure (CL), respectively. These lures, when mixed with a toxicant, are widely used to detect and suppress populations of these agricultural pests. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of (1) traps baited with both ME and CL (mixed or presented separately on adjacent wicks), and (2) traps baited with a single lure but placed in the same tree as a trap containing the alternate lure (1 or 3 m apart). Jackson traps were placed in a mixed orchard on Oahu, Hawaii, and the numbers of released (marked) and wild males were recorded. Traps baited with ME and CL (mixed or separate) captured significantly fewer B. dorsalis males than traps baited with ME alone. CL placed 1 m from ME-baited traps in the same tree also reduced the number of B. dorsalis males captured. Conversely, ME appeared to increase capture of B. cucurbitae males, and traps baited with the 2 lures (mixed but not separate) captured significantly more released males than traps baited with CL alone. Also, ME placed 1 m (but not 3 m) from CL-baited traps increased the trap catch of released B. cucurbitae males. Results are discussed from the perspectives of management and evolution of Bactrocera species.
INCLUSIÓN FINANCIERA EN DISTRITOS DE PERÚ: ENFOQUE MULTIDIMENSIONAL Y FACTORES DETERMINANTES

La investigacion permitio explicar por que los factores como el nivel de activos de las familias, infraestructura, educacion y distancia hacia el distrito capital determinan la inclusion financiera en los distritos de Peru. A partir de dicho objetivo, se realizo un analisis descriptivo sobre la relacion entre las variables y se utilizo la aproximacion basada en el analisis inferencial: estimacion mediante Minimos Cuadrados Ordinarios, de un corte transversal con datos a diciembre de 2015. Los resultados hallados muestran una relacion positiva entre los factores, a excepcion de la distancia, que se explicaria por una concentracion en la provision de servicios financieros. En tanto que, una gran proporcion de la inclusion financiera a nivel distrital estaria explicado por otros componentes. En virtud de identificar a estos otros componentes, se esbozo una definicion multidimensional mas amplia de la inclusion financiera, abordando el tema bajo una perspectiva dinamica y evolucionista, entendiendo que el fenomeno economico no es una situacion estatica ni un fin, sino un proceso que constantemente cambia sobre la base de las decisiones de los agente economicos, existiendo una coexistencia entre los servicios formales e informales, los cuales se retroalimentan entre ellos.
Heat-Responsive Photosynthetic and Signaling Pathways in Plants: Insight from Proteomics

Heat stress is a major abiotic stress posing a serious threat to plants. Heat-responsive mechanisms in plants are complicated and fine-tuned. Heat signaling transduction and photosynthesis are highly sensitive. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanism in heat stressed-signaling transduction and photosynthesis is necessary to protect crop yield. Current high-throughput proteomics investigations provide more useful information for underlying heat-responsive signaling pathways and photosynthesis modulation in plants. Several signaling components, such as guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein, nucleoside diphosphate kinase, annexin, and brassinosteroid-insensitive I-kinase domain interacting protein 114, were proposed to be important in heat signaling transduction. Moreover, diverse protein patterns of photosynthetic proteins imply that the modulations of stomatal CO2 exchange, photosystem II, Calvin cycle, ATP synthesis, and chlorophyll biosynthesis are crucial for plant heat tolerance.
RNAs transcribed from a 3.6-kilobase SmaI fragment of the short unique region of the herpes simplex virus type 1 genome

A 3.6-kilobase (kb) SmaI subclone of the BamHI J fragment of herpes simplex virus type 1 (KOS) DNA was utilized to characterize the mRNAs transcribed from the genome segment (0.91 to 0.93 map units) that encodes glycoprotein D mRNA. RNA blotting demonstrated two major RNA species of 2.3 and 1.5 kb. 5' and 3' mapping with 32P-end-labeled DNA fragments indicated that these RNAs are a nested set, each having its own promoter and 3' terminus. Less abundant RNA species with discrete 5' ends were also observed. Precise 5' mapping and sequence data located the initiation sites and demonstrated TATA boxes, CAT boxes, and AC-rich regions in the appropriate positions. 3' mapping located a common end for both mRNAs, but the 2.3-kb mRNA was reduced in size by splicing at a point near the RNA terminus. In vitro runoff transcription experiments confirmed the location of the two promoters and showed that an uninfected cell extract initiated faithfully at both sites. Despite the similarities in DNA structure and the apparent equal efficiency of promoter utilization in vitro, the 2.3-kb mRNA appeared in the cytoplasm early (1 h) after infection, whereas the 1.5-kb mRNA was delayed until 3 h after infection.
FURTHER GENETIC ANALYSES OF A HYBRID ZONE BETWEEN LEOPARD FROGS (RANA PIPIENS COMPLEX) IN CENTRAL TEXAS

Additional animals were collected from a previously described hybrid zone between two species of leopard frogs. The material now includes 1,054 specimens collected over a five‐year period. The new and the original data were reanalyzed using two multilocus techniques: an analysis of linkage disequilibrium (Hill, 1975); and an analysis of the variance of the distribution of individual heterozygosities (Brown et al., 1980). An analysis of cline shape (Barton and Hewitt, 1983) also was performed.
Surface Plasmon Resonance Assay for Real-Time Monitoring of Somatic Coliphages in Wastewaters

ABSTRACT The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique is a well-established method for the measurement of molecules binding to surfaces and the quantification of binding constants between surface-immobilized proteins and proteins in solution. In this paper we describe an extension of the methodology to study bacteriophage-bacterium interactions. A two-channel microfluidic SPR sensor device was used to detect the presence of somatic coliphages, a group of bacteriophages that have been proposed as fecal pollution indicators in water, using their host, Escherichia coli WG5, as a target for their selective detection. The bacterium, E. coli WG5, was immobilized on gold sensor chips using avidin-biotin and bacteriophages extracted from wastewater added. The initial binding of the bacteriophage was observed at high concentrations, and a separate, time-delayed cell lysis event also was observed, which was sensitive to bacteriophage at low concentrations. As few as 1 PFU/ml of bacteriophage injected into the chamber could be detected after a phage incubation period of 120 min, which equates to an approximate limit of detection of around 102 PFU/ml. The bacteriophage-bacterium interaction appeared to cause a structural change in the surface-bound bacteria, possibly due to collapse of the cell, which was observed as an increase in mass density on the sensor chip. These results suggest that this methodology could be employed for future biosensor technologies and for quantification of the bacteriophage concentration.
Thrombocytopenia in Malaria with Immunoglobulin (IgM) Changes

Of 33 cases of naturally occurring human malaria 32 were found to have significant thrombocytopenia. Only one patient showed signs of bleeding. The lowest platelet levels were found between the day of diagnosis and the fourth day of treatment. Thereafter they returned to normal values. No other factors could be found to correlate with the presence or depth of thrombocytopenia, and no evidence of intravascular coagulation was found in any case. A rise in the immunoglobulin IgM was found in all 13 cases in which it was estimated. Since thrombocytopenia can occur independently of intravascular coagulation the latter should be diagnosed and heparin given only after clotting factors have been shown to be depleted.
High serum urate in HIV-infected persons: the choice of the antiretroviral drug matters

Data with regard to serum uric acid levels in HIV-infected subjects are scarce. A high prevalence of hyperuricaemia was identified in a prospective analysis of urate levels in 2287 visits made by a cohort of 270 HIV-positive patients. In univariate and multivariate analysis, hyperuricaemia was associated with factors previously identified in HIV-uninfected individuals, but also with the use of some antiretroviral drugs, particularly with the use of stavudine.
IgG from myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive patients stimulates greater activation of primed neutrophils than IgG from proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytosplasmic antibody-positive patients.

OBJECTIVE Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) have been reported to be pathologically and clinically different. The aim of this study was to assess whether these differences could be explained by differing abilities of proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR3-ANCA)-positive IgG preparations or myeloperoxidase-ANCA (MPO-ANCA)-positive IgG preparations to activate neutrophils (polymorphonuclear cells [PMN]) in vitro. METHODS Using Percoll density gradients, PMN were isolated (concentration 2 x 10(6)/ml) and primed with cytochalasin B (1 ng/ml) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha; 2 ng/ml). The PMN were activated with 200 microg/ml of normal IgG or ANCA. Activation was determined by 1) superoxide anion generation as determined by the superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome c, 2) monitoring fluxes in Ca2+ concentration using Fura 2-AM-loaded PMN, and 3) degranulation using an MPO assay. Surface expression of PR3 and MPO was determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. ANCA isotypes were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Activation of PMN by MPO-ANCA-positive IgG preparations compared with PR3-ANCA-positive IgG preparations resulted in greater generation of superoxide anions (MPO-ANCA-positive IgG preparations 9.13 +/- 0.39 nmoles [mean +/- SEM], PR3-ANCA-positive IgG preparations 6.32 +/- 0.35 nmoles; P < 0.001), Ca2+ fluxes (MPO-ANCA-positive IgG preparations 0.735 +/- 0.10, PR3-ANCA-positive IgG preparations 0.33 +/- 0.098; P < 0.01), and MPO degranulation (MPO-ANCA-positive IgG preparations 251.98 +/- 26.7 ng, PR3-ANCA-positive IgG preparations 145.19 +/- 19.4 ng; P < 0.001). The increased activation seen with MPO-ANCA-positive IgG preparations was not due to increased expression of MPO on the cell surface, because following TNFalpha priming PR3 was expressed on significantly more cells than was MPO (PR3 expression 54.2 +/- 5.18%, MPO 31.6 +/- 3.55%; P < 0.001). IgG1 and IgG4 were the predominant isotypes in both MPO-ANCA-positive IgG preparations and PR3-ANCA. MPO-ANCA contained significantly more IgG1 than did PR3-ANCA, and PR3-ANCA-positive IgG preparations contained significantly more IgG3. CONCLUSION In vitro MPO-ANCA-positive IgG preparations are more activating than PR3-ANCA-positive IgG preparations. The increased activation cannot be explained by increased MPO expression on the cell surface or greater IgG3 present in MPO-ANCA-positive IgG preparations. Differences in activation of PMN by these antibodies may determine some differences between WG and MPA.
An exploration of novice programming errors in an object-oriented environment

When studying a programming language for the first time, the majority of student errors fall into broad (and well-documented) categories [3]. This paper aims to investigate errors made by first year students in Blue: A new, object-oriented language specifically designed at the University of Sydney for teaching novice students [2]. These errors were investigated by a survey delivered over the World-Wide Web and consisting of multiple choice and free-form short-answer questions. The results of the survey suggest that a student who learns with Blue is no more likely to make errors that are commonly made by novice programmers, although is not necessarily better equipped to design and write code in an object-oriented paradigm. More research is indicated to make statements about the latter.
Differential roles of osteopontin/Eta‐1 in early and late lpr disease

The cytokine osteopontin (Eta‐1) leads to macrophage‐dependent polyclonal B‐cell activation and is induced early in autoimmune prone mice with the lpr mutation, suggesting a significant pathogenic role for this molecule. Indeed, C57BL/6‐Faslpr/lpr mice crossed with osteopontin−/– mice display delayed onset of polyclonal B‐cell activation, as judged by serum immunoglobulin levels. In contrast, they are subject to normal onset, but late exacerbation of lymphoproliferation and evidence of kidney disease. These observations define two stages of Faslpr/lpr disease with respect to osteopontin‐dependent pathogenesis that should be taken into account in the design of therapeutic approaches to the clinical disease.
Indoor nitrous acid and respiratory symptoms and lung function in adults

Background: Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is an important pollutant of indoor and outdoor air, but epidemiological studies show inconsistent health effects. These inconsistencies may be due to failure to account for the health effects of nitrous acid (HONO) which is generated directly from gas combustion and indirectly from NO2. Methods: Two hundred and seventy six adults provided information on respiratory symptoms and lung function and had home levels of NO2 and HONO measured as well as outdoor levels of NO2. The association of indoor HONO levels with symptoms and lung function was examined. Results: The median indoor HONO level was 3.10 ppb (IQR 2.05–5.09), with higher levels in homes with gas hobs, gas ovens, and in those measured during the winter months. Non-significant increases in respiratory symptoms were observed in those living in homes with higher HONO levels. An increase of 1 ppb in indoor HONO was associated with a decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) percentage predicted (−0.96%; 95% CI −0.09 to −1.82) and a decrease in percentage FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) (−0.45%; 95% CI −0.06 to −0.83) after adjustment for relevant confounders. Measures of indoor NO2 were correlated with HONO (r = 0.77), but no significant association of indoor NO2 with symptoms or lung function was observed. After adjustment for NO2 measures, the association of HONO with low lung function persisted. Conclusion: Indoor HONO levels are associated with decrements in lung function and possibly with more respiratory symptoms. Inconsistencies between studies examining health effects of NO2 and use of gas appliances may be related to failure to account for this association.
What is the Relationship between Students’ Computational Thinking Performance and School Achievement?

This study investigates the relationship between computational thinking performance and general school achievement and explores to see if computational thinking performance can be predicted by algebra and informatics achievement. The sample group of 775 grade 8 students was drawn from 28 secondary schools across Kazakhstan. The students responded to a Computational Thinking Performance test of 50 multiple-choice questions and Computational Thinking Scale questionnaire. The test covers the concepts: logical thinking, generalisation and abstraction. The validity and reliability of the multiple-choice questions are tested using the Item Response Theory. The Likert type questionnaire covers five factors: creativity, algorithmic thinking, cooperation, critical thinking and problem solving. School achievement results (secondary data) include scores for a number of school subjects. The results of the study showed that the multiple-choice questions are valid and a reliable tool to measure computational thinking performance of students. Algebra, general school achievement and students’ perception of their computational thinking skills were significant predictors of computational thinking performance. The results revealed no gender difference in computational thinking performance and perceptions of computational thinking. The findings regarding the relationship between computational thinking performance, the students’ general school achievement and perceptions of computational thinking skills are compared and discussed.
Diagnostic and therapeutic reevaluation of patients with intractable epilepsy

Intensive monitoring techniques were used to improve seizure diagnosis and control in 23 patients with intractable epilepsy: (1) Video recording of clinical seizures and the ictal EEG, (2) long-term telemetered EEG recordings, and (3) frequent determination of plasma antiepileptic drug concentrations. Patients were monitored in the hospital for an average of 8 weeks and after discharge were followed for an average of 8 months. At follow-up, 70 percent of the patients continued to have improved seizure control as compared with baseline studies, 83 percent had decreased toxicity, and about half had made gains in social adjustment. Use of the techniques described can make a significant contribution to patients previously considered intractable to therapy.