Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alteration of WWOX in human cancer, a clinical view

WWOX gene is located in FRA16D, the highly affected chromosomal fragile site. Its tumor suppressor activity has been proposed on a basis of numerous genomic alterations reported in chromosome 16q23.3–24.1 locus. WWOX is affected in many cancers, showing as high as 80% loss of heterozygosity in breast tumors. Unlike most tumor suppressors impairing of both alleles of WWOX is very rare. Despite cellular and animal models information on a WWOX role in cancer tissue is limited and sometimes confusing. This review summarizes information on WWOX in human tumors.
Retrieved sea surface salinity spatial variability using high resolution data within the soil moisture and ocean salinity (SMOS) mission

The soil moisture and ocean salinity mission will deliver from 2008 onwards global sea surface salinity estimations over the oceans. In this paper, efforts have been devoted to the analysis of horizontal retrieved salinity variability and to the capabilities of the SMOS-derived data to resolve different-scale observed oceanographic features. Statistics of the error have been provided using input/auxiliary data at increasingly higher spatial resolution.
Chronic stress, depression, and cortisol levels as risk indicators of elevated plaque and gingivitis levels in individuals aged 50 years and older.

BACKGROUND The role of psychoneuroimmunological factors in oral hygiene has been overlooked in the dental literature. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of stress, depression, and cortisol levels in dental plaque accumulation and gingivitis in a population of individuals aged >or=50 years. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 230 subjects, selected from caregivers of demented patient groups and from social activities groups of Porto Alegre, Brazil, were evaluated. Stress was evaluated with the Lipp stress inventory, whereas depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck depression inventory. Three saliva samples (at 8, 12, and 20 hours) were collected for cortisol analysis by means of radioimmunoassay. Cortisol levels were expressed as the area under the curve of the three samples for each patient. Multivariate logistic regression was performed with the visible plaque index and gingival bleeding index as outcomes. RESULTS The mean age of subjects was 61.6 +/- 8.2 years, mean monthly income in United States dollars (US dollars) was US 668 +/- 590, and mean cortisol level was 22.1 +/- 33.7 nmol/l. A total of 51.5% of the individuals were caregivers; 9.4% were smokers, and 25.5% used interdental floss/brush. Being a caregiver (odds ratio [OR] = 3.97; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 2.08 to 7.54), using an interdental brush (OR = 0.23; 95% CI = 0.11 to 0.47), cortisol (OR = 2.03; 95% CI = 1.09 to 3.81), and stress (OR = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.03 to 2.02) were all significantly associated with visible plaque index >mean (43%). Being a caregiver (OR = 2.35; 95% CI = 1.13 to 4.86), using an interdental brush (OR = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.13 to 0.77), smoking (OR = 0.26; 95% CI = 0.08 to 0.89), stress (OR = 1.78; 95% CI =1.31 to 2.38), and visible plaque index (mean) (OR = 12.87; 95% CI = 6.29 to 26.31) were significantly associated with a gingival bleeding index > mean (37%). CONCLUSION Stress was a significant risk indicator of elevated levels of plaque and gingivitis, whereas cortisol was a risk indicator of plaque in the sample after controlling for confounders.
Psychometric properties of the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire.

In order to assess the reliability and validity of Cole's (1988) four-item version of the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire (SBQ), 57 clinical outpatients completed it and the Reasons for Living Inventory (RFL), and 86 undergraduates completed it and the Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI). Two weeks later, 30 undergraduates completed the SBQ again. Cronbach alphas were moderate (clinical sample = .75; nonclinical sample = .80). Test--retest correlations were also significant (r = .95). The SBQ and SSI were significantly correlated (r = .69). The SBQ and RFL were also significantly correlated (r = -.34), although modestly. In view of its moderate to strong reliability, its construct and fact validity, its ease of administration and scoring, and its brevity, the SBQ is recommended as a brief screening instrument for suicidality for researchers and clinicians.
Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in community-dwelling older men and women with cognitive impairment no dementia: results from the ESA study

Objectives: To assess the prevalence rate of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, benzodiazepine dependence, and insomnia in older men and women with probable cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND) and to examine the independent associations between each disorder and CIND. Method: Participants were a random sample of community-dwelling individuals aged 65–96 (N = 2414). Semi-structured in-home interviews based on DSM-IV-TR (DSM, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) criteria evaluated the prevalence rates of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, benzodiazepine dependence, and insomnia. Participants were classified as probable CIND based on their Mini-Mental State Examination score using sex, age, and education-stratified cut-offs (lower than the 15th percentile). Results: In men, 22.7% of individuals with probable CIND and 12.1% of those with normal cognition had at least one psychiatric disorder (crude odds ratio (OR): 2.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23–3.69). More specifically, mood disorders (3.43, 1.74–6.75), benzodiazepine dependence (5.10, 1.23-21.11), and comorbid anxiety and mood disorders (8.67, 2.00–37.68) were significantly associated with probable CIND, but not anxiety disorders alone and insomnia. The prevalence rate of psychiatric disorders was similar in women with probable CIND (23.1%) and in women without CIND (23.9%; 0.95, 0.64–1.42). No specific psychiatric disorder was significantly associated with probable CIND in women. All associations remained unchanged after adjustments for potential confounders. Conclusions: The association between psychiatric disorders and probable CIND appears to be sex-specific. In clinical practice, mood disorders, and benzodiazepine dependence should receive particular attention since these disorders are associated with a condition increasing the risk of dementia.
CLK2 inhibition ameliorates autistic features associated with SHANK3 deficiency

Signal problems in autism spectrum disorder Autism spectrum disorders have many causes. Bidinosti et al. studied Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMDS), one of the symptoms of which can be autism (see the Perspective by Burbach). The authors used neurons derived from these patients, as well as from mice, with the culprit gene disrupted and found that a chain of intracellular signals becomes imbalanced. Signaling and behavioral symptoms could be improved by a small-molecule therapeutic that inhibits a key kinase. Science, this issue p. 1199; see also p. 1153 Small-molecule therapeutics improve the social response in a mouse model of one of the autism spectrum disorders. [Also see Perspective by Burbach] SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (SHANK3) haploinsufficiency is causative for the neurological features of Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMDS), including a high risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We used unbiased, quantitative proteomics to identify changes in the phosphoproteome of Shank3-deficient neurons. Down-regulation of protein kinase B (PKB/Akt)–mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling resulted from enhanced phosphorylation and activation of serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) regulatory subunit, B56β, due to increased steady-state levels of its kinase, Cdc2-like kinase 2 (CLK2). Pharmacological and genetic activation of Akt or inhibition of CLK2 relieved synaptic deficits in Shank3-deficient and PMDS patient–derived neurons. CLK2 inhibition also restored normal sociability in a Shank3-deficient mouse model. Our study thereby provides a novel mechanistic and potentially therapeutic understanding of deregulated signaling downstream of Shank3 deficiency.
Statistical Applications in Genetics and Molecular Biology Increasing Power for Tests of Genetic Association in the Presence of Phenotype and / or Genotype Error by Use of Double-Sampling

Phenotype and/or genotype misclassification can: significantly increase type II error probabilities for genetic case/control association, causing decrease in statistical power; and produce inaccurate estimates of population frequency parameters. We present a method, the likelihood ratio test allowing for errors (LRTae) that incorporates double-sample information for phenotypes and/or genotypes on a sub-sample of cases/controls. Population frequency parameters and misclassification probabilities are determined using a double-sample procedure as implemented in the Expectation-Maximization (EM) method. We perform null simulations assuming a SNP marker or a 4-allele (multi-allele) marker locus. To compare our method with the standard method that makes no adjustment for errors (LRTstd), we perform power simulations using a 2^k factorial design with high and low settings of: case/control samples, phenotype/ genotype costs, double-sampled phenotypes/genotypes costs, phenotype/genotype error, and proportions of double-sampled individuals. All power simulations are performed fixing equal costs for the LRTstd and LRTae methods. We also consider case/control ApoE genotype data for an actual Alzheimer's study. The LRTae method maintains correct type I error proportions for all null simulations and all significance level thresholds (10%, 5%, 1%). LRTae average estimates of population frequencies and misclassification probabilities are equal to the true values, with variances of 10e-7 to 10e-8. For power simulations, the median power difference LRTae-LRTstd at the 5% significance level is 0.06 for multi-allele data and 0.01 for SNP data. For the ApoE data example, the LRTae and LRTstd p-values are 5.8 x 10e-5 and 1.6 x 10e-3, respectively. The increase in significance is due to adjustment in the LRTae for misclassification of the most commonly reported risk allele. We have developed freely available software that performs our LRTae statistic.
Two mechanisms of genistein inhibition of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl− channels expressed in murine cell line

1 The isoflavone genistein may either stimulate or inhibit cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl− channels. To investigate how genistein inhibits CFTR, we studied CFTR Cl− channels in excised inside‐out membrane patches from cells expressing wild‐type human CFTR. 2 Addition of genistein (100 μM) to the intracellular solution caused a small decrease in single‐channel current amplitude (i), but a large reduction in open probability (Po). 3 Single‐channel analysis of channel block suggested that genistein (100 μM) may inhibit CFTR by two mechanisms: first, it may slow the rate of channel opening and second, it may block open channels. 4 Acidification of the intracellular solution relieved channel block, suggesting that the anionic form of genistein may inhibit CFTR. 5 Genistein inhibition of CFTR Cl− currents was weakly voltage dependent and unaffected by changes in the extracellular Cl− concentration. 6 Channel block was relieved by pyrophosphate (5 mM) and ATP (5 mM), two agents that interact with the nucleotide‐binding domains (NBDs) of CFTR to greatly stimulate channel activity. 7 ATP (5 mM) prevented the genistein‐induced decrease in Po, but was without effect on the genistein‐induced decrease in i. 8 The genistein‐induced decrease in i was voltage dependent, whereas the genistein‐induced decrease in Po was voltage independent. 9 The data suggest that genistein may inhibit CFTR by two mechanisms. First, it may interact with NBD1 to potently inhibit channel opening. Second, it may bind within the CFTR pore to weakly block Cl− permeation.
Control of Magnetofluidic Laser Scattering of Aqueous Magnetic Fluids

Optofluidics combines optics and fluid dynamics to integrate photonic capabilities with various fluidic platforms. However, fluidic control for photonic applications is a challenge. Magnetofluidic laser scattering (MFLS) offers a novel approach with wireless, programmable control. We report the control of MFLS of aqueous magnetic fluids for a range of applied magnetic fields. The MFLS was observed in the form of vertical streaks due to scattering from self-assembled ordered structures of magnetic nanoparticles. The time evolution of the streaks was investigated at different magnetic fields. The role of hydrodynamic parameters was determined by nanoparticle tracking analysis. Faster MFLS response was observed for magnetic fluids with higher susceptibility, higher drift velocities, smaller hydrodynamic diameters, and higher magnetic fields. These investigations are useful for wireless, programmable control of magnetic fluids relevant to optofluidic sensing and detection capabilities for microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip applications.
Strategy-proof Pareto-improvement under voluntary participation *

We consider a general framework where each agent has an outside option of privately known value. First, we show that if a designer seeks to (weakly) Pareto-improve an individually rational and participation-maximal benchmark mechanism, there is at most one strategy-proof candidate. Consequently, we show that many known mechanisms are on the Pareto frontier of strategy-proof mechanisms. Second, we characterize the Pareto-improvement relation over strategy-proof and individually rational mechanisms: one of these mechanisms Pareto-improves another if and only if it (weakly) expands the set of participants. Third, when utility is transferable, we provide a characterization of the pivotal mechanism and a revenue equivalence theorem.
Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminths of Dogs: A Retrospective Study

A total of six hundred and eighty (680) cases of dogs visiting the Abia state veterinary clinic were examined to investigate the influence of age, breed, sex, and season on the prevalence of gastro intestinal helminth parasites (GIHP) of dogs from 2007-2012. It was observed from the results that out of six hundred and eighty (680) cases recorded, the prevalence of GIHP were. Ancylostoma 217 (31.9%) Toxocara 81, (11.9%) tape worm 36 (5.2%). The age of the dogs significantly influenced the occurrence of Ancylostoma infections and Toxocara infections (p 0.05) while the influence of breed on the occurrence of ancylostomosis in local breeds was significant (p<0.05).
Lifetime Fitness in Two Generations of Ipomopsis Hybrids

Abstract Various models purporting to explain natural hybrid zones make different assumptions about the fitness of hybrids. One class of models assumes that hybrids have intrinsically low fitness due to genetic incompatibilities, whereas other models allow hybrid fitness to vary across natural environments. We used the intrinsic rate of increase to assess lifetime fitness of hybrids between two species of montane plants Ipomopsis aggregata and Ipomopsis tenuituba planted as seed into multiple field environments. Because fitness is predicted to depend upon genetic composition of the hybrids, we included F1 hybrids, F2 hybrids, and backcrosses in our field tests. The F2 hybrids had female fitness as high, or higher, than expected under an additive model of fitness. These results run counter to any model of hybrid zone dynamics that relies solely on intrinsic nuclear genetic incompatibilities. Instead, we found that selection was environmentally dependent. In this hybrid zone, cytoplasmic effects and genotype-by-environment interactions appear more important in lowering hybrid fitness than do intrinsic genomic incompatibilities between nuclear genes.
Prevalence of HLA‐DQA1 alleles and haplotypes in blood donors resident in Wales

Two hundred and fifty‐four normal blood donors, from a largely UK European population, were sequence‐based typed for HLA‐A, HLA‐B, HLA‐C, HLA‐DRB1, HLA‐DQA1 and HLA‐DQB1. The fit to Hardy–Weinberg expectations was good for all loci (all P values >0.5). Fifteen DQA1 alleles were identified to the second field. DQA1 carriage, allele and DQA1–DQB1 and DRB1–DQA1–DQB1 haplotype frequencies, linkage disequilibria and related values are presented.
MPB-64 - A POTENTIAL MARKER FOR THE DETECTION OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS COMPLEX FOR THE DETECTION OF TUBERCULOSIS

The diagnosis of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) remains a significant clinical difficulty, primarily because of the insufficient sensitivity of conventional bacteriologic methods for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis in extrapulmonary specimens. The PCR assays innovated in the developed countries are based on the genetic make-up of strains of Mycobacterial species circulating in those regions. Study also focuses on the distribution pattern of EPTB in different extra pulmonary specimens as well as in different age groups in males and females. For this study, 1200 extra pulmonary specimens for tuberculosis were collected from suspected patients from different hospitals of Delhi / NCR region. The specimens includes; menstrual blood, pus, urine, endometrial biopsy, endometrial pipelles, ascetic fluid, semen, pleural fluid, products of conception, endometrial tissue, endometrial curetting, body fluid, and tissue, cerebrospinal fluid. The DNA for PCR was extracted by the silica columns. Primers that amplify a 240 bp fragment of MPB64 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex were utilized. Out of 1200 specimens, females were more prevalent for the disease as 177 samples showed the positivity and 73 male samples were detected as positive for MTB. Considering age as a one of the parameters for our study, we found that positivity rate of TB detected in females in the age group of 41-60 was higher (i.e.10.6) and among the males TB was detected higher in the age group of 21-40 (i.e. 13.9). The positivity rate was detected higher in “Menstrual Blood” with the positivity rate of “28.7” and least in “Blood” with the positivity rate of “3.2”. These results demonstrate that PCR based on MPB64 gene target can be a highly specific and sensitive aid in the detection of M. tuberculosis from extra-pulmonary specimens.
Occurrence of self-reported systemic medical conditions in patients with periodontal disease.

OBJECTIVES The objective of this retrospective study was to investigate the occurrence of self-reported systemic disorders in patients referred to a specialist clinic for periodontal treatment and to determine if an association existed between general health and periodontal disease severity in this population. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study design was a case-controlled, retrospective chart review. Patient charts (n=1044) were selected from the Department of Periodontology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy. These charts were examined to determine patient's self-reported systemic condition. In addition, the periodontal diagnosis was recorded. Two examiners collected the data. One examiner abstracted patient's medical history from the standard clinic medical questionnaire. The second examiner assessed the radiographs and dental charts to determine the periodontal diagnosis. RESULTS The most frequent disorders in patients with gingivitis were high blood pressure (35.85%), followed by coronary artery disease (15.741%), kidney and urinary tract disorders (15.71%) and allergic reactions (14.28%). 80% of patients with gingivitis had at least one of these disorders. The most frequent disorders in patients with periodontitis were high blood pressure (29.51%) followed by digestive disorders (18.92%), coronary artery disease (16.54%), kidney and urinary tract disorders (16.24%), endocrine disorders (10.58 %), rheumatoid arthritis/rheumatism (9.68%), Hepatitis A (9.38%), diabetes (8.79%) allergic reactions (8.79%), liver and gallbladder disorders (7.30%), sinusitis (6.55%), osteoporosis (5.51%) and respiratory disorders (5.36%). 81.96% of patients with periodontitis had at least one of these disorders. However, only rheumatoid arthritis was found to be more prevalent in periodontitis patients compared with gingivitis affected individuals (p<0.05). Multiple correlations were found between the independent variables. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the results from previous investigators that a number of systemic conditions are closely associated with periodontal disease.
Cysteine cathepsin S as an immunomodulatory target: present and future trends

Objective: Antigen presentation is the key to immune response. Cathepsin S plays a major role in the degradation of the invariant peptide chain associated with the major histocompatibility complex and thus affects antigen presentation. This review will focus on the recent developments made in field of cysteine cathepsins especially cathepsin S and their future prospects as a therapeutic target. Methods: Selective cathepsin inhibitors for targeting autoimmune disorders, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and cancer are being pursued by many pharmaceutical companies. Recent publications in this field have been used as references to evaluate the current and future trends in cathepsin S inhibitors as an immunomodulatory target. Conclusions: The temporal and spatial position occupied by cathepsin S in immune presentation, gives rise to the hope that an inhibitor would impart selectivity with a lesser propensity for side effects than other immunosuppressive agents.
Resilient Event-Triggering $H_{\infty }$ Load Frequency Control for Multi-Area Power Systems With Energy-Limited DoS Attacks

This paper investigates a resilient event-triggering $H_{\infty }$ load frequency control (LFC) for multi-area power systems with energy-limited Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks. The LFC design specifically takes the presence of DoS attacks into account. First, an area control error dependent time delay model is delicately constructed for multi-area closed-loop power systems. Second, a resilient event-triggering communication (RETC) scheme is well designed, which allows a degree of packet losses induced by DoS attacks and has the advantage of improving the transaction efficiency. Then, by using the Lyapunov theory, two stability and stabilization criteria for the multi-area power systems are derived under consideration of the energy-limited DoS attacks. In these criteria, the relationship between the allowable DoS attack duration and the resilient event-triggering communication parameters are clearly revealed. Moreover, an algorithm is also provided to obtain the RETC parameters and the LFC gains simultaneously. Finally, a case study shows the effectiveness of the proposed method.