Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inactivation of 14‐3‐3 σ by promoter methylation correlates with metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

14‐3‐3 σ, the downstream target of p53, is a negative regulator of cell cycle G2‐M phase checkpoint in response to DNA damage. Our previous comparative proteomics study showed that 14‐3‐3 σ was downregulated or lost in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tissue compared with non‐cancerous nasopharyngeal epithelial tissue (NNET). In this study, we further investigated for the epigenetic mechanism of 14‐3‐3 σ inactivation. Methylation‐specific PCR showed 14‐3‐3 σ promoter methylation in 100% of analyzed NPC cell lines (4/4) but not in immortalized human nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line NP69. Treatment of the four NPC cell lines with the methyltransferase inhibitor 5‐aza‐2′‐dC resulted in the demethylation and upregulation of 14‐3‐3 σ. In tissues, 14‐3‐3 σ promoter methylation occurred at a higher frequency in NPC, 63/75 (84%), compared to adjacent NNET, 7/25 (28%), and fully methylated 14‐3‐3 σ promoter was detected in NPC but not in any of adjacent NNET. RT‐PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry showed that 14‐3‐3 σ expression was downregulated or lost in NPC with methylation, and there was a negative correlation between the expression levels and methylation statuses of 14‐3‐3 σ gene. In addition, the patients with methylated 14‐3‐3 σ presented a higher frequency of lymph node and distant metastasis, and an advanced clinical stage, and overexpression of 14‐3‐3 σ in NPC cell line 5‐8F with high metastatic potential was able to inhibit its in vitro invasive ability. Our data are the first to show that 14‐3‐3 σ is frequently inactivated by promoter methylation in NPC and this aberrant methylation correlates with lymph node and distant metastasis. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 858–866, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of active matrix flat panel imagers incorporating thin layers of polycrystalline HgI2 for mammographic x-ray imaging

Active matrix flat-panel imagers (AMFPIs) offer many advantages and have become ubiquitous across a wide variety of medical x-ray imaging applications. However, for mammography, the imaging performance of conventional AMFPIs incorporating CsI:Tl scintillators or a-Se photoconductors is limited by their relatively modest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), particularly at low x-ray exposures or high spatial resolution. One strategy for overcoming this limitation involves the use of a high gain photoconductor such as mercuric iodide (HgI2) which has the potential to improve the SNR by virtue of its low effective work function (WEFF). In this study, the performance of direct-detection AMFPI prototypes employing relatively thin layers of polycrystalline HgI2 operated under mammographic irradiation conditions over a range of 0.5 to 16.0 mR is presented. High x-ray sensitivity (corresponding to WEFF values of ∼19 eV), low dark current (<0.1 pA mm−2) and good spatial resolution, largely limited by the size of the pixel pitch, were observed. For one prototype, a detective quantum efficiency of ∼70% was observed at an x-ray exposure of ∼0.5 mR at 26 kVp.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis in children and adolescents: a clinicopathologic study with a proposal of criteria for early diagnosis

INTRODUCTION: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) has been increasingly diagnosed among children and adolescents due to better recognition of clinical, imaging and pathological features. Thus more patients are diagnosed at a younger age due to imaging and sensitivity optimization. OBJECTIVE: Early liver histopathological (LH) changes are not well described and PSC is not commonly recognized before typical bile duct changes occur on cholangiography (CG). Currently, CG is considered gold standard for adults but nothing is known for early diagnosis in the pediatric age group (0- 20 years old). METHODS: We reviewed clinical history, LH and CG from 47 children and adolescents with PSC (35 males, mean age 13 years old). Forty-three out of 47 patients had been through LH examination from whom 33 had also undergone CG. A clinicopathological correlation was performed. RESULTS: LH showed active neutrophilic cholangitis in 19 patients, moderate neutrophilic pericholangitis in nine, dystrophic changes in the bile duct in eight, and concentric periductal fibrosis in 24 patients. Abnormal CG was found in 24 out of 33 patients and nine had normal results. Eleven out of these 24 patients had abnormal histology before abnormal CG and four patients had abnormal CG before histology. Data of two out of 24 patients were insufficient for correlation and 11 out of 24 had both abnormal liver histology and abnormal imaging findings. CONCLUSION: Our study emphasizes that even when CG is normal, PSC should be exclusively diagnosed by liver biopsy, hence cholangiography being unnecessary. Chronic portal inflammation, neutrophilic pericholangitis, periductal sclerosis and "onion skinning" are characteristic histopathological findings. Neutrophilic pericholangitis may be subtle and easily overlooked in early disease, leading to strong suspicion of PSC.
Biomolecule-assisted synthesis of defect-mediated Cd1-xZnxS/MoS2/graphene hollow spheres for highly efficient hydrogen evolution.

Moderate efficiency and the utilization of noble metal cocatalysts are the key factors that restrict the large-scale application of photocatalytic hydrogen production. To develop more efficient photocatalysts based on earth abundant elements, either a new material strategy or a fundamental understanding of the semiconductor/cocatalyst interfaces is highly desirable. In this paper, we studied the feasibility of in situ formation of defect-rich cocatalysts on graphene-based photocatalysts. A facile biomolecule-assisted strategy was used to self-assmble Cd1-xZnxS/MoS2/graphene hollow spheres. The defect-mediated cocatalyst and synergetic charge transfer around heterostructured interfaces exhibit a significant impact on the visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity of multicomponent solid solutions. With engineered interfacial defects, Cd0.8Zn0. 2S/MoS2/graphene hollow spheres exhibited a 63-fold improved H2 production rate, which was even 2 and 3.8 times higher than those of CdS/MoS2/graphene hollow spheres and Cd0.8Zn0. 2S/Pt. Therefore, our research provides a promising approach for the rational design of high-efficiency and low-cost photocatalysts for solar fuel production.
Homicide and alcohol poisoning in Belarus, 1970–2005

Background: The association between alcohol and homicide is well documented. The research evidence suggests an important role for a cultural and social context in the alcohol–homicide association. Purpose: To estimate the aggregate level effect of binge drinking on the homicide rate in Slavic drinking culture. Method: Trends in the homicide and fatal alcohol-poisoning rate from 1970 to 2005 in the former Soviet Slavic republic Belarus were analysed employing an ARIMA time series analysis. Results: The results of the time series analysis suggest a close relationship between the homicide and fatal alcohol-poisoning rate. Conclusion: This study supports the hypothesis that homicide and alcohol are closely connected in cultures where an intoxication-oriented drinking pattern prevails and adds to the growing body of evidence that a substantial proportion of homicides in the former Soviet Slavic republics is due to the acute effect of binge drinking.
Adults with sickle cell disease may perform cognitive tests as well as controls when processing speed is taken into account: a preliminary case-control study.

AIMS This study aimed to: (1) evaluate cognitive function among adults with sickle cell disease using a computer-administered neuropsychological test; and (2) replicate previously identified differences in processing speed between patients with sickle cell disease and controls. BACKGROUND Previous evidence suggests that, compared with controls, adult patients with sickle cell disease have poorer cognitive functioning across most domains but the most significant deficits appear to be in the area of processing speed. DESIGN Cross-sectional case-control study conducted from June 2008-June 2010. METHODS Cognitive functioning was measured using computerized, self-administered, neuropsychological tests among 31 patients with sickle cell disease and 17 controls matched for age, gender and race. The assessment averaged 30 minutes and scores were recorded for seven computerized tests: verbal and visual memory, finger tapping, symbol digit coding, Stroop test, shifting attention and continuous performance. RESULTS Patients with sickle cell disease scored 10·76 points lower on the CNS Vital Signs processing speed domain than controls. Although non-significant, patients scored 5·73 points lower on the full index than controls but after adjusting for processing speed, mean scores for patients were 3 points greater compared with controls. Differences in executive functioning and attention were not significant and memory did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION Using a brief, computer-administered 30-minute neuropsychological test, we were able to replicate previous findings showing a greater than 10-point deficit in processing speed among patients with sickle cell disease. When differences in processing speed are taken into account, patients perform equally well or better than controls on cognitive tasks.
Poor outcome of central nervous system invasive aspergillosis in HIV infection despite galactomannan-based diagnosis: A case series and literature review

Invasive aspergillosis is recognized as a devastating disease in some immunocompromised populations, although it is not accepted as an established complication of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome under the World Health Organization's staging criteria. Complications affecting the central nervous system are rarely reported, which may relate to a lack of adequate diagnostic tests. We report the use of the galactomannan Platelia assay in 3 patients with invasive cerebral infection and advanced human immunodeficiency virus, as defined by the World Health Organization, with CD4 T-lymphocyte counts of less than 350 cells/μL. The clinical use of the assay in early detection, particularly when used in a serial fashion, is compared to standard microbiological techniques. The limitations of the current assay are described in the context of future diagnostic approaches, such as sampling of cerebrospinal fluid and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens and the use of nucleic acid techniques. Copyright © 2011 by National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
A TGF‐β‐induced gene, βig‐h3, is crucial for the apoptotic disappearance of the medial edge epithelium in palate fusion

TGF‐β3, TβR‐I, and TGF‐β‐activated Smad2 has been suggested to be a series of signaling molecules for secondary palate fusion. In this article, we show that a gene induced by TGF‐β, βig‐h3, is coincidentally expressed with TGF‐β3 in medial edge epithelial (MEE) cells undergoing apoptosis during normal palatal fusion. βig‐h3 was also highly expressed in the areas of post‐weaning mammary gland cells and developing phalangeal joints in which TGF‐β3 or BMP‐4‐induced apoptosis occurs, respectively. Blocking of βig‐h3 expression in E12.5 embryos with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) resulted in cleft of the secondary palate in 84% of the treated mice that were born. Moreover, the antisense ODN treatment resulted in a failure of apoptosis in the MEE between palatal shelves in physical contact in organ culture. We conclude that βig‐h3 expression in the MEE is stimulated by TGF‐β3, causes cell death, and consequently results in complete fusion of the apposed palatal shelves. J. Cell. Biochem. 107: 818–825, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessing the knowledge, attitudes and understanding of type 2 diabetes amongst ethnic groups in Glasgow, Scotland

Type 2 diabetes is a growing public health problem amongst ethnic groups in developed countries. For example, people from the Indian subcontinent living in the UK have a higher rate of type 2 diabetes and a poorer prognosis than that of the host population, but there is a paucity of information about knowledge and attitudes concerning control, complications and the impact of diabetes among ethnic minority groups. We conducted a cross-sectional study in people with diagnosed type 2 diabetes in ethnic minority groups in Glasgow and a comparison group from the host population. We modified a questionnaire developed by the Diabetes Research and Training Center in Michigan, USA, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. It was administered by the researcher (with translators when needed) to 145 type 2 diabetes patients, including British (n=27), Indian (n=33) and Pakistani (n=85) people living in Glasgow, UK. The mean age was 58.3 (SD=11.9), 51% were male. The mean duration of diabetes was 8.5 (SD=7.4) years. The mean knowledge scores (minimum 3, maximum 25) were 17.7 (95% CI 15.6, 19.6), 14.3 (95% CI 12.4, 16.2), and 13.8 (95% CI 12.8, 14.8) in the British, Indian and Pakistani groups respectively. There were significant differences between the British and each ethnic group (p=0.002). The mean attitude scores about seriousness of type 2 diabetes were similar at 9.8 (95% CI 8.9, 10.6), 8.2 (95% CI 8.0, 9.3), and 9.1 (95% CI 8.8, 9.5) respectively. The mean attitude scores about control and complications were 15.4 (95% CI 14.5, 16.2), 13.2 (95% CI 12.2, 14.1), and 13.9 (95% CI 13.5, 14.2) respectively, with significant differences between the British and each ethnic group (p=0.001). The results indicate that the knowledge of ethnic groups about diabetes is poor. Therefore an appropriate educational intervention is necessary for this group. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Histological Aspects of Articular Cartilage

Articular cartilage, because of the particular function in the vertebrate skeletal system, has a highly specialized organization. The biomechanical properties of cartilage rely largely on the nature of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components, their three-dimensional arrangement, and the relative quantity of ECM in the tissue. Cells and ECM are closely functionally related, and their physiology and morphology are altered simultaneously with age, pathological influences, or alterations of mechanical stress. The cellular response to the environment and the variations of the ECM are morphologically discernible. The present article is intended to summarize the morphological features of articular cartilage from the histological point of view.
The development and psychometric validation of the self-efficacy and performance in self-management support (SEPSS) Instrument.

AIM To develop and psychometrically test the self-efficacy and performance in self-management support (SEPSS) instrument. BACKGROUND Facilitating persons with a chronic condition to take an active role in the management of their condition, implicates that nurses acquire new competencies. An instrument that can validly and reliably measure nurses' performance and their perceived capacity to perform self-management support is needed to evaluate current practice and training in self-management support. DESIGN Instrument development and psychometric testing of the content and construct validity, factor structure and reliability. METHODS A literature review and expert consultation (N = 17) identified the content. The items were structured according to the Five-A's model and an overarching category of 'overall' competencies. The initial instrument was tested in a sample of 472 nurses and 51 nursing students from Belgium and the Netherlands, between June 2014-January 2015. RESULTS Confirmatory factor analyses revealed satisfactory fit indices for the six-factor structure. Discriminating power was demonstrated for subgroups. The overall internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was high both for the self-efficacy and the performance items. The test-retest intra-class correlation coefficients were good. CONCLUSION The SEPSS instrument is a 36-item, Likert-scaled self-reporting instrument with good content and construct validity, and good internal consistency reliability and good test-retest reliability. Therefore, it is a promising instrument to measure self-efficacy and performance with regard to self-management support.
Determinants of pluripotency: From avian, rodents, to primates

Since mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells was first derived in 1981, the ability of this unprecedented cell type to self‐renew and differentiate without limit has revolutionized the discovery tools that are used to study gene functions and development. Furthermore, they have inspired others to hunt for similar cells from other species. The derivation of human ES cells in 1998 has accelerated these discoveries and has also widely provoked public interest, due to both the scientific significance of these cells for human tissue regeneration and the ethical disputes over the use of donated early human embryos. However, this is no longer a barrier, with the recent discovery of methods that can convert differentiated somatic cells into ES‐like cells or induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, by using defined reprogramming factors. This review attempts to summarize the progresses in the derivation of ES cells (as well as other embryo‐derived pluripotent cells) and iPS cells from various species. We will focus on the molecular and biological features of the cells, as well as the different determinants identified thus far to sustain their pluripotency. J. Cell. Biochem. 109: 16–25, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hyperosmolarity enhanced susceptibility to renal tubular fibrosis by modulating catabolism of type I transforming growth factor‐β receptors

Hyperosmolarity plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of diabetic tubular fibrosis. However, the mechanism of the involvement of hyperosmolarity remains unclear. In this study, mannitol was used to evaluate the effects of hyperosmolarity on a renal distal tubule cell line (MDCK). We investigated transforming growth factor‐β receptors and their downstream fibrogenic signal proteins. We show that hyperosmolarity significantly enhances the susceptibility to exogenous transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, as mannitol (27.5 mM) significantly enhanced the TGF‐β1‐induced increase in fibronectin levels compared with control experiments (5.5 mM). Specifically, hyperosmolarity induced tyrosine phosphorylation on TGF‐β RII at 336 residues in a time (0–24 h) and dose (5.5–38.5 mM) dependent manner. In addition, hyperosmolarity increased the level of TGF‐β RI in a dose‐ and time‐course dependent manner. These observations may be closely related to decreased catabolism of TGF‐β RI. Hyperosmolarity significantly downregulated the expression of an inhibitory Smad (Smad7), decreased the level of Smurf 1, and reduced ubiquitination of TGF‐β RI. In addition, through the use of cycloheximide and the proteasome inhibitor MG132, we showed that hyperosmolarity significantly increased the half‐life and inhibited the protein level of TGF‐β RI by polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Taken together, our data suggest that hyperosmolarity enhances cellular susceptibility to renal tubular fibrosis by activating the Smad7 pathway and increasing the stability of type I TGF‐β receptors by retarding proteasomal degradation of TGF‐β RI. This study clarifies the mechanism underlying hyperosmotic‐induced renal fibrosis in renal distal tubule cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 109: 663–671, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Determination of relative ion chamber calibration coefficients from depth-ionization measurements in clinical electron beams

A method is presented to obtain ion chamber calibration coefficients relative to secondary standard reference chambers in electron beams using depth-ionization measurements. Results are obtained as a function of depth and average electron energy at depth in 4, 8, 12 and 18 MeV electron beams from the NRC Elekta Precise linac. The PTW Roos, Scanditronix NACP-02, PTW Advanced Markus and NE 2571 ion chambers are investigated. The challenges and limitations of the method are discussed. The proposed method produces useful data at shallow depths. At depths past the reference depth, small shifts in positioning or drifts in the incident beam energy affect the results, thereby providing a built-in test of incident electron energy drifts and/or chamber set-up. Polarity corrections for ion chambers as a function of average electron energy at depth agree with literature data. The proposed method produces results consistent with those obtained using the conventional calibration procedure while gaining much more information about the behavior of the ion chamber with similar data acquisition time. Measurement uncertainties in calibration coefficients obtained with this method are estimated to be less than 0.5%. These results open up the possibility of using depth-ionization measurements to yield chamber ratios which may be suitable for primary standards-level dissemination.
Nurse characteristics, leadership, safety climate, emotional labour and intention to stay for nurses: a structural equation modelling approach.

AIM The aim of this study was to propose a theoretical model and apply it to examine the structural relationships among nurse characteristics, leadership characteristics, safety climate, emotional labour and intention to stay for hospital nurses. BACKGROUND Global nursing shortages negatively affect the quality of care. The shortages can be reduced by retaining nurses. Few studies have independently examined the relationships among leadership, safety climate, emotional labour and nurses' intention to stay; more comprehensive theoretical foundations for examining nurses' intention to stay and its related factors are lacking. DESIGN Cross-sectional. METHODS A purposive sample of 414 full-time nurses was recruited from two regional hospitals in Taiwan. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from November 2013-June 2014. Structural equation modelling was employed to test the theoretical models of the relationships among the constructs. RESULTS Our data supported the theoretical model. Intention to stay was positively correlated with age and the safety climate, whereas working hours per week and emotional labour were negatively correlated. The nursing position and transformational leadership indirectly affected intention to stay; this effect was mediated separately by emotional labour and the safety climate. CONCLUSION Our data supported the model fit. Our findings provide practical implications for healthcare organizations and administrators to increase nurses' intent to stay. Strategies including a safer climate, appropriate working hours and lower emotional labour can directly increase nurses' intent to stay. Transformational leadership did not directly influence nurses' intention to stay; however, it reduced emotional labour, thereby increasing intention to stay.