Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of dairy products on heterocyclic aromatic amine-induced rat colon carcinogenesis.

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAA) are initiating agents of colon carcinogenesis in animals and are suspected in the aetiology of human colon cancer. In the context of prevention, it seems interesting to test possible protective compounds, such as fermented milk, against HAA food carcinogens. Male F344 rats were used in a model of HAA-induced colon carcinogenesis. The HAA, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) (ratio 1:1:1) were administered in food for a 7 week induction period, with a cumulative dose of 250 mg of the HAA, per kg body weight. Four different diets were given to four rat groups: supplemented with 20% water, 30% non-fermented milk, 30% Bifidobacterium animalis DN-173 010 fermented milk and 30% Streptococcus thermophilus DN-001 158 fermented milk. Fecal mutagenicity was quantified during the induction period. At the end of the treatment, DNA lesion levels were determined in the liver and colon using the number of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'desoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo) oxidized bases, "3D Test" and comet assay. The metabolic activity of hepatic and colon cytochrome P450 (CYP450) 1A1 and 1A2 was also evaluated. Aberrant colon crypts were scored, 8 weeks after the last HAA treatment. The results showed that dairy products decreased the incidence of aberrant crypts in rats: 66% inhibition with the milk-supplemented diet, 96% inhibition with the B.animalis fermented milk-supplemented diet and 93% inhibition with the S.thermophilus fermented milk-supplemented diet. Intermediate biomarkers showed that there was a decrease in HAA metabolism, fecal mutagenicity and colon DNA lesions. These results demonstrate the early protective effect of milk in the carcinogenesis process. This effect being more pronounced in the case of milk fermented by lactic acid bacteria.
Are CSR Expenditures Affected by Investor Sentiment

We use differences in market-to-book ratios between high and low corporate social responsibility (“CSR”) firms as a proxy for time-varying investor sentiment for CSR initiatives. We first validate this measure by documenting positive abnormal returns to CSR announcements during periods when investor sentiment is relatively high. We then provide evidence that firms respond to investor sentiment by showing that CSR expenditures are higher during periods when investor sentiment is high. This response is stronger for firms with more powerful incentives to respond to investor sentiment due to the investment horizon of the firm and the firm’s shareholders. Additional tests show that future stock returns are lower for firms that respond to investor sentiment, suggesting that CSR activities chosen in response to investor sentiment did not increase long-term shareholder value. Our results provide new insights into our understating of the dramatic increase in CSR-related activities over the last several years. We also extend the behavioral finance literature by showing that managers may undertake costly real actions, such as shifting capital investments toward CSR projects, in order to boost the firm’s short-term stock price. JEL classification: M41, D82, G14, G30, G31, G32, G34
Unidentified Genetic Variants Influence Pancreatic Cancer Risk: An Analysis of Polygenic Susceptibility in the PanScan Study

Genome‐wide association (GWA) studies have identified several pancreatic cancer (PanCa) susceptibility loci. Methods for assessment of polygenic susceptibility can be employed to detect the collective effect of additional association signals for PanCa. Using data on 492,651 autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the PanScan GWA study (2,857 cases, 2,967 controls), we employed polygenic risk score (PRS) cross‐validation (CV) methods to (a) confirm the existence of unidentified association signals, (b) assess the predictive value of PRSs, and (c) assess evidence for polygenic effects in specific genomic locations (genic vs. intergenic). After excluding SNPs in known PanCa susceptibility regions, we constructed PRS models using a training GWA dataset and then tested the model in an independent testing dataset using fourfold CV. We also employed a “power‐replication” approach, where power to detect SNP associations was calculated using a training dataset, and power was tested for association with “replication status” in a testing dataset. PRS scores constructed using ≥10% of genome‐wide SNPs showed significant association with PanCa (P< 0.05) across the majority of CV analyses. Associations were stronger for PRSs restricted to genic SNPs compared to intergenic PRSs. The power‐replications approach produced weaker associations that were not significant when restricting to SNPs with low pairwise linkage disequilibrium, whereas PRS results were robust to such restrictions. Although the PRS approach will not dramatically improve PanCa prediction, it provides strong evidence for unidentified association signals for PanCa. Our results suggest that focusing association studies on genic regions and conducting larger GWA studies can reveal additional PanCa susceptibility loci. Genet. Epidemiol. 36:517‐524, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Community Health Clinic Breastfeeding-Friendly Pilot

Background: Implementing evidence-based practices and policies for breastfeeding support in community clinics is a promising, but challenging, approach to reducing disparities in breastfeeding rates. Objective: This study aimed to apply a policy process research framework to increase knowledge of factors that facilitate adoption and implementation of breastfeeding policy changes. Methods: In 2013, Washington State piloted a process to encourage 8 clinics to adopt and implement steps to become breastfeeding friendly. Evaluation data were collected through interviews, project reports, training evaluations, and pre– and post–self-assessments of achievement of the steps. Results: In 6 months, clinics increased the breastfeeding-friendly steps that they were implementing from a median (interquartile range) of 1.5 (0-3) to 6 (5-7). Improvements were most likely in the steps that required the fewest resources and administrative changes. Barriers to implementation included misperceptions about breastfeeding and breastfeeding support; lack of administrative “buy-in”; need for organizational changes to accommodate actions like monitoring breastfeeding rates and allowing providers training time; and the social-political climate of the clinic. Several factors, including actions taken by public health practitioners, enhanced the change process. These included fostering supportive relationships, targeting technical assistance, and providing resources for planning and training. Conclusion: This pilot project demonstrates that it is possible to make changes in breastfeeding support practices and policies in community clinics. Recommendations to enhance future work include framing and marketing breastfeeding support in ways that resonate with clinic decision makers and enhancing training, resources, and advocacy to build capacity for internal and external systems changes to support breastfeeding best practices.
EVI1‐mediated down regulation of MIR449A is essential for the survival of EVI1 positive leukaemic cells

Chromosomal rearrangements involving the MECOM (MDS1 and EVI1 complex) locus are recurrent genetic events in myeloid leukaemia and are associated with poor prognosis. In this study, we assessed the role of MECOM locus protein EVI1 in the transcriptional regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in the leukaemic phenotype. For this, we profiled expression of 366 miRNAs in 38 MECOM‐rearranged patient samples, normal bone marrow controls and MECOM (EVI1) knock down/re‐expression models. Cross‐comparison of these miRNA expression profiling data showed that MECOM rearranged leukaemias are characterized by down regulation of MIR449A. Reconstitution of MIR449A expression in MECOM‐rearranged cell line models induced apoptosis resulting in a strong decrease in cell viability. These effects might be mediated in part by MIR449A regulation of NOTCH1 and BCL2, which are shown here to be bona fide MIR449A targets. Finally, we confirmed that MIR449A repression is mediated through direct promoter occupation of the EVI1 transcriptional repressor. In conclusion, this study reveals MIR449A as a crucial direct target of the MECOM locus protein EVI1 involved in the pathogenesis of MECOM‐rearranged leukaemias and unravels NOTCH1 and BCL2 as important novel targets of MIR449A. This EVI1‐MIR449A‐NOTCH1/BCL2 regulatory axis might open new possibilities for the development of therapeutic strategies in this poor prognostic leukaemia subgroup.
INK4a‐deficient human diploid fibroblasts are resistant to RAS‐induced senescence

The CDKN2A tumour suppressor locus encodes two distinct proteins, p16INK4a and p14ARF, both of which have been implicated in replicative senescence, the state of permanent growth arrest provoked in somatic cells by aberrant proliferative signals or by cumulative population doublings in culture. Here we describe primary fibroblasts from a member of a melanoma‐prone family who is homozygous for an intragenic deletion in CDKN2A. Analyses of the resultant gene products imply that the cells are p16INK4a deficient but express physiologically relevant levels of a frameshift protein that retains the known functions of p14ARF. Although they have a finite lifespan, the cells are resistant to arrest by oncogenic RAS. Indeed, ectopic expression of RAS and telomerase (hTERT) results in outgrowth of anchorage‐independent colonies that have essentially diploid karyotypes and functional p53. We find that in human fibroblasts, ARF is not induced demonstrably by RAS, pointing to significant differences between the proliferative barriers implemented by the CDKN2A locus in different cell types or species.
Application du problème de caractérisation multiple à la conception de tests de diagnostic pour la biologie végétale

Dans cet article, nous presentons un probleme de caracterisation issu de la biologie vegetale. Ce probleme de caracterisation multiple consiste a traiter simultanement plusieurs groupes d'entites (representees par des interpretations booleennes) et a trouver une caracterisation pour chacun d'eux sous forme de formules booleennes. Cette caracterisation doit etre exacte et une des difficultes majeures est de trouver une caracterisation minimale. Une etude de complexite de ce probleme est realisee et nous arrivons a la conclusion que le probleme est W[2]-Complet. Nous proposons une reformulation du probleme en programmation lineaire ainsi que differentes approches de resolutions. Une etude experimentale est realisee sur des instances aleatoires ainsi que des instances reelles. Les resultats obtenus sur ces dernieres ont pu etre valorises par le depot d'un brevet et la validation au niveau europeen d'un test de depistage base sur les caracterisations trouvees.
Larger foraging range but similar habitat selection in non-breeding versus breeding sub-Antarctic penguins

Abstract For land-breeding marine organisms such as seabirds, knowledge about their habitat use has mainly been gained through studies of breeding individuals that are constrained to return frequently to their breeding grounds. In this study we set out to measure whether: a) habitat selection in the non-breeding period predicts habitat selection in the breeding period, and b) whether breeding individuals concentrated their activity on the closest suitable habitats. Macaroni Eudyptes chrysolophus and gentoo Pygoscelis papua penguins, two marine predators with contrasting foraging strategies, were tracked from the Iles Kerguelen and their habitat selection investigated through Mahalanobis distances factorial analysis. This study presents the first data about gentoo penguins’ juvenile dispersal. For both species, results showed 6.9 times larger maximum ranges and up to 12.2 times greater distances travelled during the non-breeding period. Habitat suitability maps suggested both species made similar environmental selections whatever the period. Macaroni penguins targeted pelagic areas beyond the shelf break while gentoo penguins always remained over the shelf. We consider the ecological significance of larger scale movements made outside the breeding period and suggest that this non-breeding period is of particular interest when attempting to understand an animal's habitat selection.
Transactivation of the human p53 tumor suppressor gene by c-Myc/Max contributes to elevated mutant p53 expression in some tumors

Elevated levels of mutant forms of the p53 tumor suppressor are a hallmark of many transformed cells. Multiple mechanisms such as increased stability of the protein and increased transcription of the gene can account for elevated p53 expression. Recent findings indicate that c-Myc/Max heterodimers can bind to an essential CA(C/T)GTG-containing site in the p53 promoter and elevate its expression. We have addressed the possibility that elevated mutant p53 expression is due to deregulated c-Myc expression. Here we demonstrate that the human p53 promoter is transactivated by high c-Myc expression and repressed by high Max expression. In examining the relative levels of c-Myc and p53 in human Burkitt's lymphomas and other B-lymphoid lines, we found that there is a correlation between the levels of c-Myc protein and p53 mRNA expression. In particular, cells that express very low levels of c-Myc protein also express low levels of p53 mRNA, while cells that express high levels of c-Myc tend to express high levels of p53 mRNA. To determine whether the p53 gene can be a target for c-Myc in vivo, we assayed the effects of antisense c-myc RNA on the levels of endogenous p53 mRNA. The results indicate that the presence of antisense c-myc RNA leads to a reduction in the levels of c-Myc protein, p53 mRNA, and expression from the p53 promoter. Taken together, our findings support a direct role for c-Myc in elevating expression of the mutant p53 gene in some tumors.
Is Micro Too Small? Microcredit vs. SME Finance

Microcredit and small and medium enterprise (SME) finance are often pitched as alternative strategies to create employment opportunities in low-income communities. So far, though, little is known about how employment patterns compare. We integrate evidence from three surveys to show that, compared to Bangladeshi microcredit customers, typical SME employees in Bangladesh have more education and professional skills, and live in households that are notably less poor. SME jobs also require long work weeks, clashing with family responsibilities. The evidence from Bangladesh rejects the idea that SME finance more efficiently creates jobs for the population currently served by microcredit.
Australasian ( ACIS ) 2008 Mechanisms that Impact Online Auction Trust

This research investigates mechanisms that impact trust and trust as an organising principle at online auctions using data collected from a community website. Qualitative analysis is used to make sense of the data collected and to identify key factors that impact trust and organising for trust. As a result of the discussion, I attempt to explore key factors that impact trust at online auctions and relate the discussion to previous research. This research adds to the understanding of trust theory and online auction trust, and this research can be used by practitioners to better support users and improve the design of online auctions.
Survival in patients with multiple myeloma receiving zoledronic acid: Stratification by baseline bone alkaline phosphatase levels.

7505 Background: Zoledronic acid is indicated for the treatment of bone metastases in patients with multiple myeloma and has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of skeletal morbidity. However, it is unknown whether there is a survival benefit secondary to the reduction in skeletal complications. To assess the effect of zoledronic acid on survival in patients with multiple myeloma, we conducted a retrospective analysis of a subset of patients in a large, randomized, controlled trial. METHODS Survival data were analyzed for multiple myeloma patients (n = 209) treated with zoledronic acid 4 mg (n = 107) or pamidronate 90 mg (n = 102) who had at least 1 post-baseline safety evaluation and information on baseline bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) levels (a marker of bone metabolism). Patients were retrospectively stratified by baseline BALP levels according to the following criteria: low BALP (< 146 U/L) and high BALP (≥ 146 U/L). Survival data were analyzed over 25 months on study. RESULTS The overall survival rate at 25 months was significantly higher in patients treated with zoledronic acid compared with pamidronate (76% versus 63%; P = .038, Cox regression). Among patients who had a low baseline BALP level, the survival rates were similar for both treatment groups. However, among patients with a high baseline BALP level, zoledronic acid treatment significantly improved survival at study end compared with pamidronate (82% versus 55%; P = .048, log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS This exploratory analysis suggests that zoledronic acid treatment may improve survival compared with pamidronate, and this effect was observed primarily in patients who had a high baseline BALP level, indicating more aggressive osteolytic disease. [Table: see text].
Brain death does not affect hepatic allograft function and survival after orthotopic transplantation in a canine model1, 2

Background. Brain death has been shown to decrease graft function and survival in rodent models. The aim of this study was to evaluate how brain death affects graft viability in the donor and liver tolerance to cold preservation as assessed by survival in a canine transplant model. Methods. Beagle dogs were used for the study. Non-brain dead (BD) donors served as controls. Brain death was induced by sudden inflation of a subdural balloon catheter with continuous monitoring of arterial blood pressure and electroencephalographic activity. Sixteen hours after confirmation of brain death, liver grafts were retrieved. All livers were flushed in situ and preserved for 24 hr in cold University of Wisconsin solution before transplantation. Recipient survival rates, serum hepatic enzyme levels, coagulation, and metabolic parameters of the recipients were analyzed. Results. No significant changes were observed in serum aminotransferases (alanine and aspartate transaminases) and lactate dehydrogenase levels in the BD donor. After preservation, control (n=6) and BD livers (n=5) showed full functional recovery after transplant with 100% survival in both groups at day 7. There was no significant difference in peak serum alanine, aspartate transaminases, and lactate dehydrogenase after transplantation in recipients who received a liver from BD donor compared to control group. BD livers were functionally as capable as control livers in correcting metabolic acidosis during the first 24 hr posttransplantation. Coagulation profiles (index normalized ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time) after reperfusion were similar between groups. Conclusion. In contrast to previous reports in rodent models, our study shows that brain death does not cause significant liver dysfunction in the donor before organ removal. Donor brain death and prolonged liver graft preservation do not interact significantly to impair liver function and survival after transplantation.
Expression of hCG and GnRHs and Their Receptors in Endometrial Carcinoma and Hyperplasia

Objectives: Recent studies propose the role of gonadotropins in the development and growth of endometrial carcinoma. The present research was undertaken to establish the expression of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), gonadotropin-releasing hormones 1 (GnRH1 and GnRH2, respectively) and their receptors in endometrial hyperplasias and carcinoma. Material and Methods: The expression of analyzed genes in endometrial carcinoma and hyperplasia with and without atypia was evaluated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Results: The results of the experiments demonstrated the presence of hCG and GnRH1 at both messenger RNA and protein levels in endometrial carcinoma and atypical hyperplasia. Noncancerous tissue and hyperplasia without atypia demonstrated the lack of these gene coexpressions. The expression of GnRH2, LH/hCGR, and GnRHRs was heterogeneous, and the study molecules were found only in part of the analyzed tissues. The presence of hCG and GnRH1 and their receptors in cancer tissue and atypical hyperplasia suggests autocrine/paracrine action of hormones regulating the endometrial carcinoma cell proliferation. Conclusions: The interaction between the hCG and LH/hCGR in endometrial tissue might stimulate cell growth and promote neoangiogenesis, whereas GnRHs, by binding to their receptors, could be responsible for the antiproliferative effect and stimulation of apoptosis. The identification of differences in the expression profile of the analyzed genes could be relevant for better understanding of the development of endometrial carcinomas and could be useful in clinical diagnostics.
IN SITU MEASUREMENT OF FERRIC IRON IN LUNAR GLASS BEADS USING FE-XAS

Abstract Through use of a new X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) calibration for Fe 3+ analysis in silicate glasses, the first direct measurements of ferric iron in natural lunar picritic glasses are presented. Lunar glass beads from the Apollo sample collection contain up to 60.0% Fe 3+ . No correlation with melt chemical properties, such as Mg# or weight % TiO 2 , or physical properties, such as bead diameter, was observed. Fe 3+ /ΣFe is negatively correlated with NBO/T. These elevated Fe 3+ /ΣFe values reflect eruption and post-eruption oxidation due to magmatic degassing of H or OH. Glass beads observed to be zoned to lower Fe 3+ /ΣFe rims may represent a subsequent reduction in the lunar vacuum prior to cooling through the glass transition temperature.
Persistent productive infection of human glial cells by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and by infectious molecular clones of HIV

The nature of the interaction between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human cells of astrocytic origin was studied in vitro with cultured glial cells and intact HIV or infectious molecular clones of the virus. Infection of glial cells with intact HIV was characterized by low-level expression of viral transcripts as detected by Northern blotting and in situ hybridization (less than 10 copies of HIV RNA per cell), transient virus replication, absence of viral antigens detectable by immunofluorescence, and complete lack of cytopathic effects. However, the HIV-infected glial cells persistently expressed HIV tatIII gene activity as detected by a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assay, and HIV transcripts could be detected by in situ hybridization in 20 to 30% of cells up to 4 months after infection, suggesting that the lack of cytopathicity in HIV-exposed cells was not due to transient viral infection. To evaluate whether increased expression and replication of HIV in glial cells would have any effect on cell growth and viability, we established HIV-positive glial cell lines by cotransfection of cells with infectious molecular clones of HIV DNA and a selectable marker gene. Three clones were isolated which produced high levels of viral particles, were strongly positive for HIV antigens by immunofluorescence, and contained greater than 1,000 copies of HIV RNA per cell. These cell lines showed no cytopathic changes (lysis, fusion), and their growth kinetics were similar to HIV- controls, but significant morphological changes were detected (cytoplasmic swelling; increased numbers of rounded, presumably detaching cells). Our results show that astrocytic cells can support a persistent, replicative HIV infection with limited pathogenic effects.