Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gene Array Technologies in Biological Investigations

Microarray technology is a high-throughput platform for the comprehensive analysis of gene expression on a whole genome scale. Most approaches use a solid phase surface to geographically fix specific gene probes and quantification is based on radiometric, fluorometric, or electrochemical detection of hybridized biomolecules such as RNA, DNA, or protein. The technique produces two-dimensional "images" of gene expression and has been discussed in the context of in vitro "molecular imaging". The major challenge in using this technology is the analysis of its massive "image" data output which requires computational means for interpretation, a heightened need for quality data, and precise experimental design. We will discuss the current technologies focused on nucleic-acid-based microarray platforms. This technology has been extended to the detection of DNA binding complexes, single nucleotide polymorphisms, and in DNA copy number assessment with reasonable success. The future focus will be on improving the probe density, array flexibility, and the dynamic range of detection of the technical platform. On a larger scale, data integration and visualization, and on the intelligent utilization of prior biologic information will be the computational challenge.
Rate of Distant Metastases on 18F-FDG PET/CT at Initial Staging of Breast Cancer: Comparison of Women Younger and Older Than 40 Years

Women who have breast cancer and are younger than 40 y have a poorer outcome than older women. A higher rate of undetected metastases at the time of diagnosis in younger women has been proposed to account for this difference. Our main objective was to test this hypothesis by comparing the distant metastasis rate (DMR) on initial 18F-FDG PET/CT in a group of breast cancer patients younger than 40 y (<40 y group) with that in a group of breast cancer patients older than 40 y (≥40 y group). An assessment of associations between distant metastases and tumor characteristics was a second objective of the present study. Methods: A retrospective single-institution study was performed on women who had breast cancer and no prior malignancy, who were asymptomatic for metastatic lesions on initial clinical examination, and who had initial 18F-FDG PET/CT within 3 mo after pathologic breast cancer diagnosis and before initial treatment. On the basis of these criteria, data for 2 groups of women differing only in age (<40 y and ≥40 y) were extracted from the hospital information system of Curie Institute–Paris. 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations were reviewed, and the DMR was recorded for each clinical stage subgroup (stages I–III). Results: For each group (<40 y and ≥40 y), 107 patients were included, with the same number of patients in each clinical stage subgroup (12 stage I patients, 32 stage IIA patients, 30 stage IIB patients, and 33 stage III patients). The ages of the patients (mean ± SD) were 34.5 ± 4.0 y (<40 y group) and 56.0 ± 10.7 y (≥40 y group). No significant difference in DMRs was observed between the <40 y group and the ≥40 y group (DMRs, 21% and 22%, respectively; P = 1). The DMRs in patients not selected for age were 8% for stage I, 11% for stage IIA, 15% for stage IIB, and 44% for stage III. Conclusion: The DMR was not significantly higher in younger breast cancer patients (<40 y) than in older breast cancer patients (≥40 y), ruling out the assumption that undetected metastases at diagnosis explain the poorer outcome of younger women. However, our results highlight the high yield of 18F-FDG PET/CT for initial breast cancer staging, even in stage II patients, whatever their age.
The Effects of Visual Stimuli on the Spoken Narrative Performance of School-Age African American Children.

PURPOSE This study investigated the fictional narrative performance of school-age African American children across 3 elicitation contexts that differed in the type of visual stimulus presented. METHOD A total of 54 children in Grades 2 through 5 produced narratives across 3 different visual conditions: no visual, picture sequence, and single picture. Narratives were examined for visual condition differences in expressive elaboration rate, number of different word roots (NDW) rate, mean length of utterance in words, and dialect density. The relationship between diagnostic risk for language impairment and narrative variables was explored. RESULTS Expressive elaboration rate and mean length of utterance in words were higher in the no-visual condition than in either the picture-sequence or the single-picture conditions. NDW rate was higher in the no-visual and picture-sequence conditions than in the single-picture condition. Dialect density performance across visual context depended on the child's grade, so that younger children produced a higher rate of African American English in the no-visual condition than did older children. Diagnostic risk was related to NDW rate and dialect density measure. CONCLUSION The results suggest the need for narrative elicitation contexts that include verbal as well as visual tasks to fully describe the narrative performance of school-age African American children with typical development.
Assessment of iodine deficiency disorders using the 30 cluster approach in the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

OBJECTIVE Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) are a major public health problem in India. The National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi is a known iodine deficiency endemic area. The Delhi Government banned the sale of non-iodised salt since 1989. The present study was conducted to assess the status of IDD after 7 years of salt iodisation programme in the state. DESIGN Cross sectional. METHODOLOGY The recent indicators recommended by the World Health Organization-United Nations Childrens Fund-International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (WHO-UNICEF-ICCIDD) were utilized for the assessment of IDD. A total of 30 clusters were selected using population proportionate to size cluster sampling procedure. In each identified cluster, one primary school was selected using random sampling. A total of 6911 school children in the age group of 8-10 years were included for the study. RESULTS The total goiter prevalence rate was 8.6% while 2.1, 8.4, 17.6 and 71.9% of the children had urinary iodine excretion levels of < 2, 2-4.9, 5-9.9 and 10 and above mcg/dl, respectively. The median urinary iodine excretion was 17 mcg/dl. Of the 1854 salt samples analyzed, salt with a nil iodine content was consumed only by 1.4% of the beneficiaries. Forty one per cent of families consumed salt with an iodine content of less than 15 ppm. CONCLUSION IDD continues to be a public-health problem in the NCT of Delhi. There is a need of strengthening the existing monitoring system for the quality of iodised salt.
Improved predictions of lead free solder joint reliability that include aging effects

It has been demonstrated that isothermal aging leads to large reductions (up to 50%) in several key material properties for lead free solders including stiffness (modulus), yield stress, ultimate strength, and strain to failure. In addition, even more dramatic evolution has been observed in the creep response of aged solders, where up to 10,000X increases have been observed in the steady state (secondary) creep strain rate (creep compliance). Such degradations in the stiffness, strength, and creep compliance of the solder material are expected to be universally detrimental to reliability of solder joints in electronic assemblies. Traditional finite element based predictions for solder joint reliability during thermal cycling accelerated life testing are based on solder constitutive equations (e.g. Anand viscoplastic model) and failure models (e.g. energy dissipation per cycle models) that do not evolve with material aging. Thus, there will be significant errors in the calculations with lead free SAC alloys that illustrate dramatic aging phenomena. In our current research, we are developing new reliability prediction procedures that utilize constitutive relations and failure criteria that incorporate aging effects, and then validating the new approaches through correlation with thermal cycling accelerated life testing experimental data. In this paper, we report on the first step of that development, namely the establishment of a revised set of Anand viscoplastic stress-strain relations for solder that include material parameters that evolve with the thermal history of the solder material. The effects of aging on the nine Anand model parameters have been examined by performing stress strain tests on SAC305 samples that were aged for various durations (0-6 months) at a temperature of 100 C. For each aging time, stress-strain data were measured at three strain rates (0.001, 0.0001, and 0.00001 1/sec) and five temperatures (25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 C). Using the measured stress-strain data, the Anand model material parameters have been determined for various aging conditions. Mathematical expressions were then developed to model the evolution of the Anand model parameter with aging time. Our results show that 2 of the 9 constants remain essentially constant during aging, while the other 6 show large changes (30-70%) with up to 6 months of aging at 100 C. Preliminary finite element simulations have also shown that the use of the modified Anand model leads to a strong dependence of the calculated plastic work dissipated per cycle on the aging conditions prior to thermal cycling.
Mid-Trimester Thoracoamniotic Shunting for the Treatment of Fetal Primary Pleural Effusions in a Twin Pregnancy

Thoracoamniotic shunting has been described as having a beneficial role in the antenatal management of primary pleural effusions in singleton pregnancies. We report a case of a twin pregnancy in which progressive pleural effusions and hydrops were diagnosed in one of the fetuses at 16 weeks of gestation. An initial evaluation ruled out underlying genetic and anatomic abnormalities in both twins. At 19 weeks gestation, the first procedure of bilateral thoracoamniotic shunting was performed in the affected fetus, subsequent to which the lungs re-expanded and the hydrops resolved. Three additional shunt replacements and one therapeutic amniocentesis were required on follow-up. At 35 weeks, labor was induced. The first fetus (healthy) was delivered vaginally and the second fetus (affected) was delivered by cesarean section. Both neonates are healthy at one year follow-up.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of recombinant and urinary human FSH in the male monkey (Macaca fascicularis).

A dose-finding study was performed in adult male monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a recombinant human FSH preparation (rhFSH). Groups of five monkeys were randomly assigned to receive single i.m. injections of 0.9% (w/v) NaCl (diluent), 6, 12 or 24 IU rhFSH/kg or 24 IU urinary human FSH/kg (uhFSH). The doses were based on an in vivo ovarian weight gain assay. Blood samples were collected 24 h before and immediately prior to injections, and 4, 8, 12, 24, 72 and 96 h after injections for determination of serum levels of immunoactive FSH by fluoroimmunoassay, bioactive FSH by an in vitro Sertoli cell assay, and inhibin and testosterone by radioimmunoassay. Inhibin was chosen as a marker for in vivo hFSH activity, since the secretion of inhibin in male monkeys is under the control of FSH. Administration of hFSH resulted in dose-related increases in serum hFSH concentrations. rhFSH and uhFSH exhibited similar pharmacokinetics. Comparable findings were obtained when serum samples were analysed for in vitro FSH bioactivity. Maximum serum hFSH levels were obtained 4-6 h after administration and the elimination half-life of hFSH was on average 18-22 h. The serum pharmacokinetics of rhFSH were linear within the dose range explored. Baseline inhibin concentrations varied significantly between groups. However, when the changes in inhibin concentrations were normalized to the baseline values (per cent change, area under curve and maximum inhibin level), a dose-dependent stimulatory effect of rhFSH on serum inhibin was evident. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Reliability of measuring hip abductor strength following total knee arthroplasty using a hand-held dynamometer

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the test–retest reliability of measuring hip abductor strength in patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using a hand-held dynamometer (HHD) with two different types of resistance: belt and manual resistance. Method: Test–retest reliability of 30 subjects (17 female, 13 male, 71.9 ± 7.4 years old), 9.2 ± 2.7 days post TKA was measured using belt and therapist resistance. Retest reliability was calculated with intra-class coefficients (ICC3,1) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for both the group average and the individual scores. A paired t-test assessed whether a difference existed between the belt and therapist methods of resistance. Results: ICCs were 0.82 and 0.80 for the belt and therapist resisted methods, respectively. Hip abductor strength increases of 8 N (14%) for belt resisted and 14 N (17%) for therapist resisted measurements of the group average exceeded the 95% CI and may represent real change. For individuals, hip abductor strength increases of 33 N (72%) (belt resisted) and 57 N (79%) (therapist resisted) could be interpreted as real change. Conclusions: Hip abductor strength can be reliably measured using HHD in the clinical setting with the described protocol. Belt resistance demonstrated slightly higher test–retest reliability. Implications for Rehabilitation Reliable measurement of hip abductor muscle strength in patients with TKA is important to ensure deficiencies are addressed in rehabilitation programs and function is maximized. Hip abductor strength can be reliably measured with a hand-held dynamometer in the clinical setting using manual or belt resistance.
Complications of Cochlear Implant Surgery in Adults and Children

Surgery for cochlear prosthesis insertion exposes the patient to several potential risks. We review the surgical complication experience with cochlear implants in the United States. There have been no deaths attributable to these devices, few serious major complications, and relatively few minor complications. Major complications usually have to do with surgical technique and include flap necrosis, improper electrode placement, and rare facial nerve problems. Minor complications include dehiscence of incisions, infection, facial nerve stimulation, dizziness, and pedestal problems with the Ineraid device. Complications were less frequent in children than adults and were more likely to occur in the younger children than those above the age of 7 years. Complications were still fewer in groups of patients operated on within tightly controlled protocols. There was no increased incidence of otitis media in children who received the Nucleus Mini-22 device, and no reported sequelae from such otitis when it occurred.
Interaction of Nucleoside Analogues with Nucleoside Transporters in Rat Brain Endothelial Cells

A number of nucleoside analogues, consisting of antiviral compounds and agents designed as adenosine A1 receptor agonists, were examined for nucleoside transporter affinity using an in vitro model of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), the rat brain endothelial cell line, RBE4. Structure–activity relationships (SAR) were also performed to identify the key structural requirements for transporter recognition and the suitability of these systems for carrier-mediated strategies to deliver therapeutics across the BBB. Adenosine receptor agonists did not show transport affinity for concentrative nucleoside carriers, but exhibited affinity for equilibrative systems (Ki=10.8–97.9 μM) within the range of Kms for natural substrates. However, none of the antiviral compounds tested in this study showed affinity for either class of nucleoside transporter. SAR studies suggest that the hydroxyl group located at the 3′-position of the ribose moiety is an essential requirement for transporter recognition. This may explain the inability of nucleoside derived anti-viral compounds to use these systems despite the significant structural homology with naturally occurring nucleosides. Sites have also been identified which accommodate structural additions with retention of carrier affinity, suggesting that compounds which fail to penetrate the BBB could be attached to these sites for carrier-mediated delivery using a prodrug strategy.
Local Cost for Global Benefit: The Case of Wind Turbines

Given the rapid expansion of wind power capacities in Germany, this paper estimates the effects of wind turbines on house prices using real estate price data from Germany's leading online broker. Employing a hedonic price model whose specification is informed by machine learning techniques, our methodological approach provides insights into the sources of heterogeneity in treatment effects. We estimate an average treatment effect (ATE) of up to -7.1% for houses within a one-kilometer radius of a wind turbine, an effect that fades to zero at a distance of 8 to 9 km. Old houses and those in rural areas are affected the most, while home prices in urban areas are hardly affected. These results highlight that substantial local externalities are associated with wind power plants. (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)
Does religious culture matter for corporate risk-taking? Evidence from China

ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of religious culture on corporate risk-taking. Motivated by several considerations including risk aversion trait, we predict a negative relation between religion and corporate risk-taking and support it with Chinese data. We also find that this negative relation is strengthened by female executives while weakened by higher managerial incentives. Further analysis shows that R&D expenditures and cash flow volatility are underlying channels for religion to influence corporate risk-taking. In addition, we find that religious culture improves firms’ investment quality. These findings add to literature by uncovering that risk aversion trait of religion is an important determinant of corporate risk-taking in China.
Cytokine secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in myasthenia gravis

We studied spontaneous secretion of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChRAb), IgG and cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 19 MG patients without therapy and 10 normal controls. IgG secretion was higher in the culture medium of MG than in that of normal controls. AChRAb secretion was correlated with IgG secretion in MG. Interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, interferon (IFN)-gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha secreted by PBMC from MG patients were not different from those produced by those from normal controls. IgG secretion was, however, correlated with the secretions of IL-5 and IL-6 in MG. Spontaneous B cell activation was suspected in patients with MG.
The subgingival periodontal microbiota of the aging mouth.

Different mechanisms have been hypothesized to explain the increase in prevalence and severity of periodontitis in older adults, including shifts in the periodontal microbiota. However, the actual impact of aging on the composition of subgingival biofilms remains unclear. In the present article, we provide an overview of the composition of the subgingival biofilm in older adults and the potential effects of age on the oral microbiome. In particular, this review covers the following topics: (i) the oral microbiota of an aging mouth; (ii) the effects of age and time on the human oral microbiome; (iii) the potential impact of inflammaging and immunosenescence in the host-oral microbiota interactions; and (iv) the relationship of the aging oral microbiota and Alzheimer's disease. Finally, we present analyses of data compiled from large clinical studies that evaluated the subgingival microbiota of periodontally healthy subjects and patients with periodontitis from a wide age spectrum (20-83 years of age).
THE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, ALLOSTATIC LOAD AND MEASURES OF HEALTH IN OLDER TAIWANESE PERSONS: TAIWAN SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT AND BIOMARKERS OF AGING STUDY

Summary Data from a national representative sample of 1023 elderly and near-elderly Taiwanese were used to explore whether allostatic load is associated with health outcomes and mediates the association between socioeconomic status and health in a non-Western population. The information collected included: demographic characteristics; allostatic load scores; socioeconomic status, measured by education and income; health behaviours; health-related variables, including self-rated health, basic activities of daily living difficulties, instrumental activities of daily living difficulties, and physical activity difficulties. The adjusted prevalent odds ratios of higher allostatic load level were 1·25 (95% CI: 1·00, 1·56) for reporting one level worse in self-rated health and 1·43 (95% CI: 1·14, 1·82) for reporting one more physical activity difficulty. There were significant associations of lower education or less income with worse self-rated health and more difficulties with physical functioning. The associations between education, income and health status are not mediated by the conventional ten-point measure of allostatic load in older Taiwanese adults.
Salmonella Engages Host MicroRNAs To Modulate SUMOylation: a New Arsenal for Intracellular Survival

ABSTRACT Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) can alter many fundamental properties of a protein. One or combinations of them have been known to regulate the dynamics of many cellular pathways and consequently regulate all vital processes. Understandably, pathogens have evolved sophisticated strategies to subvert these mechanisms to achieve instantaneous control over host functions. Here, we present the first report of modulation by intestinal pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) of host SUMOylation, a PTM pathway central to all fundamental cellular processes. Both in cell culture and in a mouse model, we observed that S. Typhimurium infection led to a dynamic SUMO-conjugated proteome alteration. The intracellular survival of S. Typhimurium was dependent on SUMO status as revealed by reduced infection and Salmonella-induced filaments (SIFs) in SUMO-upregulated cells. S. Typhimurium-dependent SUMO modulation was seen as a result of depletion of crucial SUMO pathway enzymes Ubc-9 and PIAS1, at both the protein and the transcript levels. Mechanistically, depletion of Ubc-9 relied on upregulation of small noncoding RNAs miR30c and miR30e during S. Typhimurium infection. This was necessary and sufficient for both down-modulation of Ubc-9 and a successful infection. Thus, we demonstrate a novel strategy of pathogen-mediated perturbation of host SUMOylation, an integral mechanism underlying S. Typhimurium infection and intracellular survival.