Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiosensitivity of Human Melanoma Cell Lines

Cutaneous melanoma is a skin cancer resulting from the malign transformation of skinpigmented cells, the melanocytes. The radiotherapy, alone or in combination with other treatments, is an important therapy for this disease. The objective of this paper was to determine in vitro the radiosensitivity of two human melanoma cell lines with different metastatic capability: WM35 and M1/15, and to study the effect of drugs on radiobiological parameters. The Survival Curves were adjusted to the mathematical Linear-quadratic model using GraphPad Prism software. Cells were seeded in RPMI medium (3000-3500 cells/flask), in triplicate and irradiated 24 h later. The irradiation was performed using an IBL 437C H Type equipment (189 TBq, 7.7 Gy/min) calibrated with a TLD 700 dosimeter. The range of Doses covered from 0 to 10 Gy and the colonies formed were counted at day 7 post-irradiation. Results obtained were: for WM35, α=0.37±0.07 Gy and β=0.06±0.02 Gy; for M1/15, α=0.47±0.03 Gy 1 and β=0.06±0.01 Gy. The α/β values WM35: α/β = 6.07 Gy and M1/15: α/β = 7.33 Gy were similar, independently of their metastatic capability and indicate that both lines exhibit high radioresintance. Microscopic observation of irradiated cells showed multinuclear cells with few morphologic changes non-compatible with apoptosis. By means of specific fluorescent dyes and flow cytometry analysis we determined the intracellular levels of the radicals superoxide and hydrogen peroxide and their modulation in response to ionizing radiation. The results showed a marked decreased in H2O2 intracellular levels with a simultaneous increase in superoxide that will be part of a mechanism responsible for induction of cell radioresistance. This response triggered by irradiated cells could not be abrogated by different treatments like histamine or the combination of oligoelements plus phospholipase (O-LM).
The impact of e-book interactivity design on children's Chinese character acquisition

This study examined the impact of e-book interactivity design on the learning of Chinese characters by fourth graders (10-year-old children). This study was guided by two main questions: (1) Are there any differences in achievements (Chinese character writing, lexical comprehension, and lexical usage) between groups of young learners who read e-books with different interactivity levels? and (2) Are there any differences in motivation (attention, confidence, relevance, and satisfaction) between groups of young learners who read e-books with different interactivity levels? This study was an experimental design where the independent variable was the interactivity design of digital books. A sample of 99 fourth graders participated in the study and participants were randomly assigned into these two groups, with one group reading an e-book with a low level of interactivity (pace-control only) and the other reading an e-book with a high level of interactivity (sequence- and media-control). Participants were asked to complete a pre-test first, and then they read their assigned e-books for 30 minutes. After they finished reading, they were given a post-test. The results showed a reverse interactivity effect, that is, the group reading the e-book with the low level of interactivity (pace-control only) performed significantly better in Chinese character writing, attention, and satisfaction. This might be due to young learners' limited cognitive capacity and processing ability for learning with hypermedia. This study aims to expand on existing theories on interactive learning for young learners and serves as a reference for elementary school teachers and e-book publishers.
Characterization and stability of D-amino acid oxidase and catalase within the permeabilized recombinant Pichia pastoris cells

An effort was devoted to the detailed characterization and stability analysis of D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) and catalase (CAT) in the permeabilized cells, involved in a summary of our previous works. It was observed that the culture conditions, the permeabilization treatments, the enzyme leakage and pH value of solution except the enzyme expression levels, displayed a significant effect on the enzyme stability. About 96% of the CAT activity in the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-permeabilized cells was inhibited when treated with sodium azide (0.8 M, 30 min), while no visible effect on the activity and stability of DAAO was detected. Though, almost 100% of the CAT activity in the CTABpermeabilized cells could be eliminated by the alkali treatment (pH 11.5, 30 min), both the activity and stability of DAAO were slightly impaired. The half-life of DAAO could be up to 15.5 days by treating the CTAB-permeabilized cells with 1% glutaraldehyde (GLA). Additionally, it was noted that the gene sources and expression hosts might play an important role on the stability of DAAO and CAT in permeabilized cells. Key words: Pichia pastoris , D-amino acid oxidase, catalase, stability, permeabilized cells.
Increase of sensitivity to mechanical stimulus after transplantation of murine induced pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocytes in a rat spinal cord injury model.

OBJECT Clinical use of autologous induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) could circumvent immune rejection and bioethical issues associated with embryonic stem cells. Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating trauma with long-lasting disability, and current therapeutic approaches are not satisfactory. In the present study, the authors used the neural stem sphere (NSS) method to differentiate iPSCs into astrocytes, which were evaluated after their transplantation into injured rat spinal cords. METHODS Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocytes were differentiated using the NSS method and injected 3 and 7 days after spinal contusion-based SCI. Control rats were injected with DMEM in the same manner. Locomotor recovery was assessed for 8 weeks, and sensory and locomotion tests were evaluated at 8 weeks. Immunohistological parameters were then assessed. RESULTS Transplant recipients lived for 8 weeks without tumor formation. Transplanted cells stretched their processes along the longitudinal axis, but they did not merge with the processes of host GFAP-positive astrocytes. Locomotion was assessed in 3 ways, but none of the tests detected statistically significant improvements compared with DMEM-treated control rats after 8 weeks. Rather, iPSC transplantation caused even greater sensitivity to mechanical stimulus than DMEM treatment. CONCLUSIONS Astrocytes can be generated by serum treatment of NSS-generated cells derived from iPSCs. However, transplantation of such cells is poorly suited for repairing SCI.
Willingness to Pay for Voluntary Health Insurance after Retirement in Thailand

This paper reports the results of a study that used the discrete choice experiment (DCE) method to estimate the willingness to pay for health insurance after retirement for workers under Social Health Insurance (SHI) in Thailand. The concept of willingness to pay was needed to evaluate whether healthcare insurance benefits are worthwhile. The stated preference (SP) method, that is Discrete Choice Experiments (DCEs), were then employed in order to elicit consumer preferences and to estimate the value of services based on the individual’s willingness to pay (WTP). In the DCE questionnaire, the respondents were asked to choose their preferred scenario between status quo (using free healthcare services for the elderly, which has free but limited coverage of outpatient healthcare expenses and inpatient healthcare can be used in public hospitals covering only a non-private room and accommodations) and an alternative scenario (with hypothetical health insurance after retirement, including inpatient, outpatient, long-term care expenses and work compensation) that varied along several attributes, one of which was the price of the alternative. The study found that the workers under the SHI scheme were willing to pay for inpatient (IPD) and outpatient (OPD) health service expenses more than other healthcare benefits. Therefore, health insurance after retirement is proposed. The proposed health insurance after retirement will be organized by government authorities (Social Security Office) but provided by private issuers. The premium of health insurance is minimum at 1,000 Baht per month and maximum at 3,000 Baht per month depending on the policy the person selects.
The physical growth of high altitude Bolivian Aymara children.

This study describes the growth characteristics of Aymara children living in Ancoraimes, Bolivia at altitudes between 3800 and 4000 meters. Anthropometric measurements were made on 510 children between the ages of 6.0 and 20.9 years, 360 males and 150 females. The growth pattern of Ancoraimes Aymara children is very similar to that of other high altitude Andean populations. They are greatly delayed in height and weight, exhibit little sexual dimorphism in body size and, relative to stature, have larger chest dimensions than U.S. children. Compared to Quechua children living at higher altitudes in Peru, Ancoraimes children tend to be taller and heavier but have significantly smaller chest dimensions. Although the causes of the size differences between these two groups are not entirely clear, they may be due to the different altitudes at which the groups reside.
Accessory Nerve Palsy: A Review of 23 Cases

ABSTRACT: In a series of 23 patients, the commonest cause of accessory nerve palsy was surgical trauma at the time of lymph node biopsy. The less common causes were penetrating or blunt trauma and a few were of spontaneous onset. There was involvement of adjacent motor sensory nerves in about half of the patients. The prognosis was better following blunt trauma, stretch injuries and after a spontaneous onset. The anatomical relationships of the accessory nerve and aspects of the clinical picture and management are discussed.
Acute pharmacodynamic and antivascular effects of the vascular endothelial growth factor signaling inhibitor AZD2171 in Calu-6 human lung tumor xenografts

The vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) signaling pathway, a key stimulant of solid tumor vascularization, is primarily dependent on the activation of the endothelial cell surface receptor VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2). AZD2171 is an oral, highly potent small-molecule inhibitor of VEGFR tyrosine kinase activity that inhibits angiogenesis and the growth of human tumor xenografts in vivo. Here, we show pharmacodynamic changes in VEGFR-2 phosphorylation induced by AZD2171. In mouse lung tissue, a single dose of AZD2171 at 6 mg/kg inhibited VEGF-A–stimulated VEGFR-2 phosphorylation by 87% at 2 h with significant inhibition (≥60%) maintained to 24 h. To examine inhibition of VEGFR-2 phosphorylation in tumor vasculature by immunohistochemistry, a comprehensive assessment of antibodies to various phosphorylation sites on the receptor was undertaken. Antibodies to the phosphotyrosine epitopes pY1175/1173 and pY1214/1212 were found suitable for this application. Calu-6 human lung tumor xenografts, from mice receiving AZD2171 or vehicle treatment (p.o., once daily), were examined by immunohistochemistry. A significant reduction in tumor vessel staining of phosphorylated VEGFR-2 (pVEGFR-2) was evident within 28 h of AZD2171 treatment (6 mg/kg). This effect preceded a significant reduction in tumor microvessel density, which was detectable following 52 h of AZD2171 treatment. These data show that AZD2171 is a potent inhibitor of VEGFR-2 activation in vivo and suggest that AZD2171 delivers therapeutic benefit in Calu-6 tumors by targeting vessels dependent on VEGFR-2 signaling for survival. In addition, this work highlights the utility of measuring either pY1175/1173 or pY1214/1212 on VEGFR-2 as a pharmacodynamic marker of VEGFR-2 activation. [Mol Cancer Ther 2007;6(8):2198–208]
Tinnitus Incidence and Characteristics in Children with Hearing Loss

365 Objective: The objective of this study is to determine presence and prevalence of tinnitus in children with hearing loss under the age of eighteen in central Ankara. Materials and Methods All children were asked: “Do you hear any noises in your ears? ” If they answered “yes” they were asked nine more questions. Associated symptoms, pitch, level and general descriptions were also noted. Results and Conclusion: Children with hearing loss had a high incidence of tinnitus. Even though they don’t express, they have tinnitus and it effects their lives. By using a survey specific to tinnitus we can identify tinnitus in children with impaired hearing and develop new ways to manage their problems.
Complex recombination events at the hypermutable minisatellite CEB1 (D2S90).

Some minisatellite structures are the site of high rates of DNA recombination in non‐pathological situations, with an excess of motif insertion events and a locus‐dependent sex‐specific mutation bias. We previously reported the cloning of the hypermutable minisatellite locus CEB1 (D2S90), remarkable for its 13% mutation rate in the male germline (compared to approximately 0.4% in female). We have sought to analyse the mechanisms underlying the addition or deletion of motifs at this locus using the minisatellite variant repeat mapping technique. This is possible with a high precision due to the extreme sequence polymorphism seen between different motifs. No crossing‐over event was observed among 38 informative neomutations. Four of the 19 informative mutant alleles with an addition of motifs are interallelic events, the others are intra‐allelic. Overall, the insertion and deletion mutations are spread along the alleles, although the subset of interallelic events shows clustering towards the analysed end. The apparently complex recombination events observed can all be interpreted as a succession of elementary duplications‐deletions of inter‐ as well as intra‐chromosomal origin, suggesting a model in which sister chromatid as well as conversion‐like exchanges are involved in these mutation processes.
Value of Security: Modeling Time-Dependent Phenomena and Weather Conditions

Deterministic security criteria provide a degree of security that may be insufficient under some operating conditions and excessive for others. To determine an appropriate level of security, one should perform a probabilistic cost/ benefit analysis that balances the cost of the security margin against its benefits, i. e. , the expected societal cost of the avoided outages. This paper shows how a previously published method based on Monte Carlo simulation can be enhanced to take into account time-dependent phenomena such a cascade tripping of elements due to overloads, malfunction of the protection system, and potential power system instabilities. In addition, the importance of using failure rates that reflect the weather conditions is discussed. Studies based on the South-Western part of the transmission network of England and Wales demonstrate the validity of the models that have been developed.
The effects of anti‐nerve growth factor monoclonal antibodies on developing basal forebrain neurons are transient and reversible

In order to reassess the role of nerve growth factor (NGF) on rat basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) survival and/or phenotype maturation during the early postnatal life, we immunoneutralized NGF in vivo. Hybridoma cells producing the neutralizing anti‐NGF monoclonal antibody αD11 were implanted in the lateral ventricle of the rat at different postnatal ages (P2, P8 and P15) and the effects on the number and the soma size of cholinacetyltransferase (ChAT) positive neurons were analysed 1, 2 or 3 weeks after the injection. A marked decrease in the number and in the soma size of BFCNs was observed implanting hybridoma cells at P2 and performing the analysis 1 week later. These effects are reversed 3 weeks after the implant of hybridoma cells at P2. At this time point, the levels of αD11 antibodies in the brain parenchyma are still in a vast molar excess over endogenous NGF. No effects on BFCNs were observed implanting αD11 cells at P15 while LGN neurons showed marked shrinkage. Our results demonstrate that the reduction in the number of ChAT‐positive neurons during the first two postnatal weeks of anti‐NGF treatment is not due to cell death. We conclude that NGF is not a survival factor for BFCNs, and that the influence of NGF on BFCNs cell maturation during the first 2 postnatal weeks is transient and reversible. Our results on tyrosine kinase (Trk) coexpression, suggest that NGF may cooperate with other factors in the cholinergic phenotype differentiation and maintenance after the second postnatal week.
Occurrence of 3-chloro-propane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) and related compounds in foods: a review

A critical review of the occurrence of 3-chloro-propane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) in foods not known to contain hydrolysed vegetable proteins is presented. The review covers the properties and chemistry of 3-MCPD and the current methods of analysis in foodstuffs. The results of UK surveys of 3-MCPD occurrence in both retail foods and commercial food ingredients are discussed with particular reference to cereal, meat and dairy products. The possible mechanisms for the formation and decay of 3-MCPD in foods are suggested. The review does not cover the detailed toxicology of 3-MCPD and its occurrence in hydrolysed vegetable proteins, which have been considered elsewhere, nor possible issues such as in-vivo formation.
Targeting Norm-Related Beliefs About Marijuana Use in an Adolescent Population

The integrative model of behavior prediction and priming theory were used to evaluate the effects of antimarijuana advertisements in an experimental context. In 1 original study and 2 replications, 435 adolescents were randomly assigned to condition, and those in the experimental condition viewed 3 ads that challenged undesirable normative beliefs about marijuana use. The results showed that ad exposure had small but positive (antidrug) effects on adolescents' considerations of the outcomes of using marijuana and their perceptions of the social normative climate surrounding marijuana use. Priming effects also were observed but generally ran counter to predictions. Implications of the findings for antidrug campaigns are discussed. Potential explanations for the unexpected priming effects also are offered.
Aberrant Fanconi anaemia protein profiles in acute myeloid leukaemia cells

Fanconi anaemia (FA) is an autosomal recessive disease strongly predisposing to bone marrow failure and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Four FA genes, corresponding to complementation groups A, C, F and G, have been cloned, but the molecular functions of the corresponding proteins are unknown. The high risk of AML in FA patients suggests that the ‘FA pathway’ helps to prevent AML in non‐FA individuals. We examined 10 AML cell lines, as well as primary cells from 15 AML patients representing the French–American–British subclasses M1–M5a, for possible deficiencies in the ‘FA pathway’. Cellular lysates were analysed for the presence of the FA proteins FANCA, FANCC, FANCF and FANCG, as well as the complexes reported to be formed between these proteins, using immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis. Aberrant protein profiles were observed in five of the 10 cell lines and in 11 of the 15 primary AML samples. Aberrations, that included absence or reduced presence of FA proteins and/or their complexes, were noted in the subclasses M1–M4, but not in M5a (n = 3). Our results suggest that a significant proportion of general AML is characterized by a disturbance of the ‘FA pathway’ that may represent an early event in the development of this type of leukaemia.
Influences of NREM sleep on the activity of tonic vs. inspiratory phasic muscles in normal men.

Studies of sleep influences on human pharyngeal and other respiratory muscles suggest that the activity of these muscles may be affected by non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep in a nonuniform manner. This variable sleep response may relate to the pattern of activation of the muscle (inspiratory phasic vs. tonic) and peripheral events occurring in the airway. Furthermore, the ability of these muscles to respond to respiratory stimuli during NREM sleep may also differ. To systematically investigate the effect of NREM sleep on respiratory muscle activity, we studied two tonic muscles [tensor palatini (TP), masseter (M)] and two inspiratory phasic ones [genioglossus (GG), diaphragm (D)], also measuring the response of these muscles to inspiratory resistive loading (12 cmH2O.l-1.s) during wakefulness and NREM sleep. Seven normal male subjects were studied on a single night with intramuscular electrodes placed in the TP and GG and surface electrodes placed over the D and M. Sleep stage, inspiratory airflow, and moving time average electromyograph (EMG) of the above four muscles were continuously recorded. The EMG of both tonic muscles fell significantly (P less than 0.05) during NREM sleep [TP awake, 4.3 +/- 0.05 (SE) arbitrary units, stage 2, 1.1 +/- 0.2; stage 3/4, 1.0 +/- 0.2. Masseter awake, 4.8 +/- 0.6; stage 2, 3.3 +/- 0.5; stage 3/4, 3.1 +/- 0.5]. On the other hand, the peak phasic EMG of both inspiratory phasic muscles (GG and D) was well maintained. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Incarcerated intravenous heroin users: Predictors of post-release utilization of methadone maintenance treatment

ABSTRACT Incarcerated intravenous heroin users have more problematic patterns of heroin use, but are less likely to access methadone maintenance treatment by their own initiative than heroin users in the community. The present study examined predictors for receiving methadone maintenance treatment post-release among incarcerated intravenous heroin users within a 24-month period. This cohort study recruited 315 incarcerated intravenous heroin users detained in 4 prisons in southern Taiwan and followed up within the 24-month period post-release. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was applied to determine the predictive effects of sociodemographic and drug-use characteristics, attitude toward methadone maintenance treatment, human immunodeficiency virus serostatus, perceived family support, and depression for access to methadone maintenance treatment after release. There were 295 (93.7%) incarcerated intravenous heroin users released that entered the follow-up phase of the study. During the 24-month follow-up period, 50.8% of them received methadone maintenance treatment. After controlling for the effects of the detainment period before and after recruitment by Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, incarcerated intravenous heroin users who had positive human immunodeficiency virus serostatus (HR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.80–4.52, p < .001) and had ever received methadone maintenance treatment before committal (HR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.23–3.05, p < .01) were more likely to enter methadone maintenance treatment within the 24-month follow-up period. Positive human immunodeficiency virus serostatus with fully subsidized treatment and previous methadone maintenance treatment experiences predicted access of methadone maintenance treatment post-release. Strategies for getting familiar with methadone maintenance treatment during detainment, including providing methadone maintenance treatment prior to release and lowering the economic burden of receiving treatment, may facilitate entry of methadone maintenance treatment for incarcerated intravenous heroin users.
TEM Observation of Crack- and Pit-Shaped Defects in Electrically Degraded GaN HEMTs

AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistors stressed under dc bias at various channel temperatures were studied using transmission electron microscopy for evidence of physical damage. Stressed devices consistently developed crack- and pit-shaped defects in the AlGaN/GaN crystal material under the drain-side edge of the gate, whereas side-by-side as-processed unstressed devices did not show these features. Furthermore, the amount of physical damage was found to correlate to the amount of electrical degradation as measured by the change in IDmax from before and after stress. The formation of these defects is consistent with the theory of damage from the inverse piezoelectric effect.