Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activin B induces human endometrial cancer cell adhesion, migration and invasion by up-regulating integrin β3 via SMAD2/3 signaling

Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common female cancer and the most common gynecological malignancy. Although it comprises only ~10% of all endometrial cancers, the serous histological subtype accounts for ~40% of deaths due to its aggressive behavior and propensity to metastasize. Histopathological studies suggest that elevated expression of activin/inhibin βB subunit is associated with reduced survival in non-endometrioid endometrial cancers (type II, mostly serous). However, little is known about the specific roles and mechanisms of activin (βB dimer) in serous endometrial cancer growth and progression. In the present study, we examined the biological functions of activin B in type II endometrial cancer cell lines, HEC-1B and KLE. Our results demonstrate that treatment with activin B increases cell migration, invasion and adhesion to vitronectin, but does not affect cell viability. Moreover, we show that activin B treatment increases integrin β3 mRNA and protein levels via SMAD2/3-SMAD4 signaling. Importantly, siRNA knockdown studies revealed that integrin β3 is required for basal and activin B-induced cell migration, invasion and adhesion. Our results suggest that activin B-SMAD2/3-integrin β3 signaling could contribute to poor patient survival by promoting the invasion and/or metastasis of type II endometrial cancers.
Assessment of human sperm DNA integrity using two cytochemical tests: Acridine orange test and toluidine blue assay

Primary infertility affects approximately 15% of couples, with male factor infertility accounting for 50% of cases. Semen samples from 41 patients with asthenoteratospermia and 28 men with proven fertility were analysed according to World Health Organization guidelines. Abnormal sperm chromatin structure was assessed by toluidine blue assay (TBA), and DNA denaturation (DD) was detected by the acridine orange test (AOT). The mean (±SEM) rates of DD and abnormal chromatin structure were significantly higher in infertile subjects compared to fertile group respectively p = . 003 and p < . 001. A significant correlation was established between sperm DD and abnormal chromatin structure (R = .431, p < .001). Sperm DNA damage correlated significantly with abnormal morphology, sperm motility and necrozoospermia. Our study shows that men with increased levels of abnormal sperm chromatin structure have a high incidence of DNA denaturation and altered semen parameters. These findings suggest that male infertility has been linked to sperm DNA damage.
Risk factors associated with the presence of Campylobacter species in Norwegian broiler flocks.

A case-control study was conducted in 2005 to identify risk factors for the presence of Campylobacter spp. in Norwegian broiler flocks. A total of 131 broiler farms (44 cases and 87 controls) were included in the study, and 1 flock from each farm was included in the statistical analyses. Data on farm and flock level were collected by means of a questionnaire designed for the present study. The relationship and strength of association between the presence of Campylobacter spp. in the broiler flocks and several factors were investigated by unconditional logistic regression. The following factors were found to be associated with an increased risk of testing positive for Campylobacter spp. : water from a private water source, swine holdings closer than 2 km, a specific slaughterhouse, a hired animal caretaker, transport personnel passing through the hygiene barrier when delivering day-old chickens, less than 9 d between depopulation and restocking, and multiple broiler houses on the farm.
100 obese patients after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding - the influence on BMI, gherlin and insulin concentration, parameters of lipid balance and co-morbidities.

PURPOSE Obesity is a widespread health issue caused by chronic impaired balance between energy supply and its expenditure. It leads to gathering of excessive fat tissue and numerous co-morbidities.The aim of this study is to present the influence of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) on plasma ghrelin, insulin, glucose, triglycerides, total, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol concentration as well as on alanine and aspartate aminotransferase in obese patients and influence on co-morbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, dislipidemy, hypertension and sleep apnea. MATERIALS AND METHODS 100 obese patients underwent LAGB: 34 men - average age 39.18 ± 12.17 years old and 66 women - average age 37.0 ± 12.6 years old. During 6 months follow-up, particular measurements have been conducted in different time points. Evaluation of body mass loss (%EWL, %EBL) and the homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA IR) was conducted. In the same time ghrelin, insulin, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol concentration was determined after 7 days, 1, 3 and 6 months after the surgery. RESULTS Significant decrease in BMI and HOMA IR was observed as well as in insulin and glucose concentration. Increase in ghrelin concentration in comparison to preoperative values was also stated. CONCLUSIONS LAGB leads to significant body mass loss, improvement in patients' general health state and to normalization of metabolic parameters. Improvement or total resolution of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), hypertension and sleep apnea was also noticed.
Demonstration of two distinct light chains in HLA‐DR‐associated antigens by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis

The polypeptide composition of HLA‐DR‐associated antigens was analyzed by two‐dimensional nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis (NEPHGE)/sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Glycoprotein fractions from B lymphoblastoid cell lines homozygous for the DR antigen were used as antigen source. The HLA‐DR‐associated antigens were isolated by immunoprecipitation using a monoclonal anti‐DR antibody, TDR31.1. Two polypeptides corresponding in molecular weight to the HLA‐DR‐associated antigen β chain were detected. These polypeptides were shown to be different molecules on the basis of their separation on NEPHGE/SDS‐PAGE analysis, their rates of turnover relative to the other polypeptides of the HLA‐DR‐associated antigens, and their noncoordinate alteration in position on NEPHGE/SDS‐PAGE two‐dimensional analysis of different cell lines. Of the two β polypeptides, only one was invariant in position on NEPHGE/SDS‐FAGE analyses of cell lines homozygous for the same DR specificity. It appears therefore that the position of one of these β polypeptides correlates with DR specificity, while the other β polypeptide exhibits positional variation on NEPHGE/SDS‐PAGE analysis, indicative of polymorphism at a second HLA‐DR‐associated locus.
Effectiveness of Hospital Staff Mass-Casualty Incident Training Methods: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract Introduction: Recently, mass-casualty incident (MCI) preparedness and training has received increasing attention at the hospital level. Objectives: To review the existing evidence on the effectiveness of disaster drills, technology-based interventions and tabletop exercises in training hospital staff to respond to an MCI. Methods: A systematic, evidence-based process was conducted incorporating expert panel input and a literature review with the key terms: “mass casualty”, “disaster”, “disaster planning”, and “drill”. Paired investigators reviewed citation abstracts to identify articles that included evaluation of disaster training for hospital staff. Data were abstracted from the studies (e.g., MCI type, training intervention, staff targeted, objectives, evaluation methods, and results). Study quality was reviewed using standardized criteria. Results: Of 243 potentially relevant citations, twenty-one met the defined criteria. Studies varied in terms of targeted staff, learning objectives, outcomes, and evaluation methods. Most were characterized by significant limitations in design and evaluation methods. Seventeen addressed the effectiveness of disaster drills in training hospital staff in responding to an MCI, four addressed technology-based interventions, and none addressed tabletop exercises. The existing evidence suggests that hospital disaster drills are effective in allowing hospital employees to become familiar with disaster procedures, identify problems in different components of response (e.g., incident command, communications, triage, patient flow, materials and resources, and security) and provide the opportunity to apply lessons learned to disaster response. The strength of evidence on other training methods is insufficient to draw valid recommendations. Conclusions: Current evidence on the effectiveness of MCI training for hospital staff is limited. A number of studies suggest that disaster drills can be effective in training hospital staff. However, more attention should be directed to evaluating the effectiveness of disaster training activities in a scientifically rigorous manner.
Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in ovarian surface epithelial carcinomas: is there any correlation with angiogenesis or clinicopathologic parameters?

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) products have been implicated in the regulation of immune system, tumor cell apoptosis, and angiogenesis in many human tumors. In this study, we investigated the expression of COX-2 and iNOS in ovarian carcinomas by immunohistochemistry and correlated the results with other prognostic parameters. Specimens from 100 ovarian carcinomas were studied by immunohistochemistry for COX-2 and iNOS expression, and angiogenesis microvessel density (MVD) was evaluated by CD34-stained microvessels. High COX-2 expression was observed in 85% of carcinomas. No correlation was found between COX-2 expression and clinicopathologic variables. Patients with high COX-2–expressed tumors had shorter overall survival, but it is not statistically significant. Expression of iNOS in serous and low-grade carcinomas was significantly higher than that in nonserous and high-grade carcinomas (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between COX-2 and iNOS expression (P= 0.009). No correlation of COX-2 and iNOS expression with MVD was found. Expression of iNOS showed no effect on survival of the patients. We found that iNOS expression might act in the first steps of carcinogenesis, whereas COX-2 expression was seen in more advanced tumors. Shorter overall survival of patients with high COX-2 expression might indicate new targets for therapy.
Leptin promotes invasiveness of kidney and colonic epithelial cells via phosphoinositide 3‐kinase‐, Rho‐, and Rac‐dependent signaling pathways

Leptin plays a key role regulating food intake, body weight and fat mass. These critical parameters are associated with an increased risk for digestive and mammary gland cancer in the Western population. Here we determined whether leptin contributes to the invasive phenotype of colonic and kidney epithelial cells at various stages of the neoplastic progression. First, leptin potently (EC50 = 10–30 ng/ml) induces invasion of collagen gels by premalignant familial adenomatous colonic cells PC/AA/C1 and nontumorigenic MDCK kidney epithelial cells, their src‐transformed counterparts, and the human adenocarcinoma colonic cells LoVo and HCT‐8/S11. Leptin and its Ob‐Rb receptors were consistently identified by RT‐PCR and immunoblotting in these cell lines, as well as in human colonic epithelial crypts, polyps, colonic tumor resections, and adjacent mucosa. Leptin‐induced invasion was effectively blocked by pharmacological inhibitors of several downstream signaling pathways involved in cell transformation, namely, JAK2 tyrosine kinase (AG490), phosphoinositide PI3′‐kinase (wortmannin and LY294002), mTOR kinase (rapamycin), and protein kinases C (GF109203X, Gö6976). Accordingly, leptin induces transient elevation of the PI3′‐kinase lipid products in JAK2 immunoprecipitates prepared from parental MDCK cells. The leptin effect on invasion was potentiated by the activated form of the small GTPase RhoA and was abrogated by dominant negative mutants of RhoA, Rac1, and the p110α of PI3′‐K. Our data indicate that leptin may exert a local and beneficial effect on migration of normal colonic epithelial cells and reparation of the inflamed or wounded digestive mucosa. We also emphasize a new role for leptin, linking the nutritional and body fat status to digestive cancer susceptibility by stimulating the invasive capacity of colonic epithelial cells at early stages of neoplasia. This finding has potential clinical implications for colon cancer progression and management of obesity. — Attoub, S. , Noe, V. , Pirola, L. , Bruyneel, E. , Chastre, E. , Mareel, M. , Wymann, M. P., Gespach, C. Leptin promotes invasiveness of kidney and colonic epithelial cells via phosphoinositide 3‐kinase‐, Rho‐, and Rac‐dependent signaling pathways. FASEB J. 14, 2329‐2338 (2000)
Postearthquake Building Damage Assessment Using Multi-Mutual Information From Pre-Event Optical Image and Postevent SAR Image

An approach of multi-mutual information (M-MI) is presented for change detection and evaluation of building damages after an earthquake. Fusion of very high resolution pre-event optical and postevent synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images becomes feasible for timely evaluation of earthquake losses. Based on the geometric parameters extracted from an optical pre-event image, SAR images of rectangular building objects, i.e., nondamaged or damaged, are first numerically simulated by our mapping and projection approach and are then, using M-MI, applied to similarity analysis with the real postevent SAR image. Three models of building damages, i.e., collapsed, subsided, and deformed, are proposed for classifying mutual information (MI). The M-MI, including normalized MI (NMI), gradient MI (GMI), and regional MI (RMI), are all applied and compared for MI change detection of building damages. Based on the maximum, mean value, and height deviation of NMI, GMI, and RMI, the building damages can be detected and evaluated. As an example, the Ikonos pre-event and GeoEye postevent optical images and COSMO-SkyMed and Radarsat-2 postevent SAR images during the 2010 Haiti earthquake are applied in this M-MI experiment.
Oxygen uptake during walking in patients with rheumatoid arthritis--a controlled study.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the energy expenditure of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of functional classes I, II, and III during walking at different speeds on a treadmill. METHODS Thirty-five consecutive patients selected from the rheumatology outpatient clinic were studied and compared with a control group consisting of 35 healthy individuals paired for age, sex, body weight, and body mass index. An incremental test on a treadmill consistent with normal walking was developed, with metabolic analysis performed at 30 s intervals using a gas analyzer connected to a computerized system. Heart rate, rate of perceived exertion, visual analog scale of pain, Ritchie index, the Scale of the Escola Paulista de Medicina for Evaluation of Articular Movement Range, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire were also used to evaluate functional capacity. RESULTS Patients with RA showed a greater energy expenditure than controls at the following walking speeds: 3.0 km/h (RA = 229.36 +/- 56.47 kcal/h; controls = 197.44 +/- 52.59), 4.5 km/h (RA = 266.41 +/- 58.94 kcal/h; controls = 231.41 +/- 56.14), and 5.0 km/h (RA = 289.11 +/- 65.35 kcal/h; controls = 250.18 +/- 56.67). Patients with RA presented higher values for all test measures except heart rate. The functional class II group differed significantly from the controls, whereas the functional class I group had values close to normal. CONCLUSION Patients with RA had a greater energy expenditure during walking compared to healthy controls under the same conditions, and patients with functional class II experienced a greater energy expenditure compared to controls.
Can patients with relapsed, previously untreated, stage I epithelial ovarian cancer be successfully treated with salvage therapy?

PURPOSE The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has been controversial. We have previously reported the cases of patients managed with a policy of observation only. We now present the salvage rate for the patients in that study who experienced relapse. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred ninety-four patients with stage I EOC presenting between 1980 and 1994 received no adjuvant chemotherapy, but were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy at relapse. We calculated the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for the whole cohort and the salvage rate for those who experienced relapse. We defined salvage as freedom from relapse for 5 years after platinum treatment. RESULTS Sixty-one (31%) of 194 patients experienced relapse, and 55 received platinum-based chemotherapy. Twenty-four percent were progression-free at 5 years after this treatment. Clear-cell histology and cyst rupture before the patients' original surgery were independent prognostic factors for PFS after salvage chemotherapy. The OS for all 194 patients is 72% at 10 years (median follow-up, 8.7 years), with an 80% disease-specific survival (DSS). CONCLUSION We have shown that some patients with stage I EOC can be successfully treated with a salvage chemotherapy regimen after a policy of observation only. Interestingly, approximately 30% of stage I patients who die within 10 years do so from causes other than EOC (OS, 72%; DSS, 80%). Our findings need to be taken into consideration when the results from recent randomized trials of adjuvant chemotherapy in this patient population (International Collaborative Ovarian Neoplasm Trial 1/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Ovarian Neoplasm Trial) are being discussed with patients.
Biochemical techniques for the genetic and phenotypic analysis of viruses: ‘Molecular Epidemiology’

New technologies now enable virologists to study small genetic and antigenic differences between field isolates of animal viruses at a higher level of discrimination than has been possible using conventional serological techniques. The most important of the laboratory techniques revolve around the use of monoclonal antibodies, peptide mapping, fingerprinting of whole RNA virus genomes, RNA:RNA hybridization, ‘electropherotyping’ of virus RNA or polypeptides, restriction enzyme analysis of virus DNA genomes, cloning of genes and rapid sequencing of viral DNAs and RNAs, in the latter case using primer extension techniques (reviewed by Palese & Roizman, 1980). From a practical point of view, genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity among viruses may be of considerable importance in attempts to control certain virus diseases by chemo- or immunoprophylaxis.
Serum Creatinine Levels Correlate With Plasma Amyloid &bgr; Protein

The authors investigated the effect of renal function on plasma amyloid &bgr; protein (A&bgr;) by analyzing the relationship between creatinine (Cr) and A&bgr;40 or A&bgr;42 in plasma from 59 normal control subjects (NC) and 220 Alzheimer disease (AD) patients. In all 279 subjects, Cr was significantly associated with A&bgr;40 (p < 0.001) and A&bgr;42 (p < 0.01), accounting for 7.3% and 3.1% of shared variance, respectively. Significant associations were also present in NC and AD groups separately. These results indicate that it may be useful to consider Cr levels when measuring plasma A&bgr;.
High-Accuracy Reference-Free Ultrasonic Location Estimation

This paper presents a novel reference-free ultrasonic indoor location system. Unlike most previous proposals, the mobile device (MD) determines its own position based only on ultrasonic signals received at a compact sensor array and sent by a fixed independent beacon. No radio frequency or wired timing reference signal is used. Furthermore, the system is privacy aware and one way in that the receive-only MD determines its own position based on ultrasonic signals received from fixed transmit-only beacons. The MD uses a novel hybrid angle of arrival (AoA)-time of flight (ToF) with timing lock algorithm to determine its location relative to the beacons with high accuracy. The algorithm utilizes an AoA-based location method to obtain an initial estimate of its own location. Based on this, it estimates the timing offsets (TOs) between the MD clock and the beacon transmissions. The average TO and the known periodicities of the beacon signals are then used to obtain a second more accurate MD location estimate via a ToF method. The system utilizes wideband spread spectrum ultrasonic signaling in order to achieve a high update rate and robustness to noise and reverberation. A prototype system was constructed, and the algorithm was implemented in software. The experimental results show that the method provides 3-D accuracy better than 9.5 cm in 99% of cases, an 80% accuracy improvement over the conventional AoA-only method.
THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGIOUS BEHAVIOR ON CONSUMERS’ INTENTION TO PURCHASE HALAL-LABELED PRODUCTS

The purposes of this research are to analyze the influence of consumers’ religious behavior on their intention to purchase halal-labeled products, and also to analyze whether consumers with Islamic educational background are different from consumers with general educational background in terms of their religious behavior and their intention to purchase halal-labeled products. This research uses purposive random sampling with 312 samples which represents the Muslim consumer especially students at State Islamic University of Jakarta and Trisakti University. This research applies Structural Equation Model to analyze the model and Mann-Whitney Test to analyze the differences. The finding showed that consumers’ religious behavior significantly influence their intention to purchase halal-labeled products, and only in terms of their intention to purchase halal-labeled products, consumers with Islamic educational background is higher than consumers with general educational background. Because of consumers’ religious behavior is high, consumer intention to purchase halal-labeled products also become elevated. Thus, it is suggested that government and related institutions need to implement the Security Act of Halal Products immediately in order to protect the consumer from consuming non-halal products which are often circulating in Indonesian market and potentially causing social, political and economical turmoil.
Corneal Endothelial Cell Density and Morphology in Normal Filipino Eyes

Objective To describe the corneal endothelial cell density and morphology in normal adult Filipino eyes. Methods Specular microscopy was performed in 640 eyes of 320 normal Filipino volunteers aged 20 to 86 years. Of these, 163 were male, and 157 were female. Mean cell density (MCD), mean cell area (MCA), coefficient of variation (CV) in cell size (polymegathism), and hexagonality were recorded and analyzed in relation to fellow eyes, gender, and age. Results MCD was 2798 ± 307.2 cells/mm2, and MCA was 363.0 ± 40.3 &mgr;m2. Results showed that women had a MCD 7.8% greater than men (P < 0.01). Regression analysis showed a consistent decrease in MCD (r = −0.47) and increase in MCA (r = 0.45) from 20 to 60 years of age. This was followed by a marked decrease in correlation and apparent trend reversal for both variables in the groups above 60 years (MCD r = 0.18, MCA r = −0.04) accompanied by a marked increase in CV in cell size (20–60 years r = −0.04, >60 years r = 0.33). A very low negative correlation (r = −0.10) was noted between hexagonality and increasing age through all age groups. Conclusion The first normative data for the endothelium of Filipino eyes are reported. There are statistically significant differences in MCD between genders, and a consistent decrease in MCD and increase in MCA with age only until 60 years old, after which correlation between age and these variables decreases. Polymegathism and correlation between CV in cell size and age markedly increase after age 60.