Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EGFR and cyclin D1 in nodular melanoma: correlation with pathohistological parameters and overall survival

Considering that nodular melanoma (NM) has the potential to show an early distant metastasis, there is an urgent need for the discovery and evaluation of new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. We aimed to investigate the protein expression of membrane and nuclear epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), cyclin D1, and the corresponding gene status in NM samples and correlate the results obtained with clinicopathological parameters and overall survival of patients. Immunohistochemical and fluorescence in-situ hybridization analyses were carried out on tissue microarrays constructed from 110 NM samples, 30 compound nevi, and 38 dysplastic nevi. NM samples showed 24% strong cyclin D1 and 37% strong Ki67 protein expression compared with 3 and 0% strong cyclin D1 and Ki67 expression in the control group. Membrane EGFR expression was detected in 50% of NM cases, whereas EGFR gene amplification was detected in only 4% of NM cases. Multiple NM samples presented simultaneous membrane and nuclear EGFR expression. We found a negative correlation between tumor thickness and membrane EGFR expression. It was also observed that membrane EGFR 3+ NM samples presented ulceration significantly more often than membrane EGFR-negative (0) NM samples. In univariate analysis, carried out on 44 patients with follow-up data, both nuclear and membrane EGFR overexpression showed a correlation with a shorter overall survival. Nuclear EGFR (++, +++) showed 3.06 and membrane EGFR (2+, 3+) showed 2.76 higher risk of mortality compared with patients with low and negative nuclear and membrane EGFR expression (P<0.05).
Lightness: A Function-Virtualizable Software Defined Data Center Network With All-Optical Circuit/Packet Switching

Modern high-performance data centers are responsible for delivering a huge variety of cloud applications to the end-users, which are increasingly pushing the limits of the currently deployed computing and network infrastructure. All-optical dynamic data center network (DCN) architectures are strong candidates to overcome those adversities, especially when they are combined with an intelligent software defined control plane. In this paper, we report the first harmonious integration of an optical flexible hardware framework operated by an agile software and virtualization platform. The LIGHTNESS deeply programmable all-optical circuit and packet switched data plane is able to perform unicast/multicast switch-over on-demand, while the powerful software defined networking (SDN) control plane enables the virtualization of computing and network resources creating a virtual data center and virtual network functions (VNF) on top of the data plane. We experimentally demonstrate realistic intra DCN with deterministic latencies for both unicast and multicast, showcasing monitoring, and database migration scenarios each of which is enabled by an associated network function virtualization element. Results demonstrate a fully functional complete unification of an advanced optical data plane with an SDN control plane, promising more efficient management of the next-generation data center compute and network resources.
Is the short‐term outcome of transurethral resection of the prostate affected by preoperative degree of bladder outlet obstruction, status of detrusor contractility or detrusor overactivity?

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the preoperative degree of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), detrusor underactivity (DUA) or detrusor overactivity (DO) affected the short‐term outcome of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH).
Teacher perceptions of leadership in high poverty schools

The purpose of this study was to determine the priorities of school principals in high poverty schools that have the potential to make the greatest impact on student achievement. The study utilized secondary data analysis of a survey given to all Colorado educators to measure perceptions of school conditions, including leadership, along with school student achievement data. The TELL (Teaching, Empowering, Learning and Leading) Colorado survey was administered online to educators. The survey constructs were analyzed using Leithwood and Riehl’s framework for effective leadership actions. These actions include: setting direction, developing people, redesigning the organization and managing the instructional program. The participants of the study are 167 schools designated by the state of Colorado as being high-poverty. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential analyses. Schools were studied within two groups. Schools identified as “Centers for Excellence” by the state of Colorado are designated high-poverty, high-growth schools. A second, larger group of schools was classified as high-poverty, low-growth. Leadership survey items were analyzed for both groups and comparisons made between the two. Overall, results indicated that the higher perception of leadership within a school, the more likely the school was to be designated a ‘Center of Excellence’ by the state.
Examining Changes in Stem Taper and Volume Growth with Two-Date 3D Point Clouds

Exact knowledge over tree growth is valuable information for decision makers when considering the purposes of sustainable forest management and planning or optimizing the use of timber, for example. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) can be used for measuring tree and forest attributes in very high detail. The study aims at characterizing changes in individual tree attributes (e.g., stem volume growth and taper) during a nine year-long study period in boreal forest conditions. TLS-based three-dimensional (3D) point cloud data were used for identifying and quantifying these changes. The results showed that observing changes in stem volume was possible from TLS point cloud data collected at two different time points. The average volume growth of sample trees was 0.226 m3 during the study period, and the mean relative change in stem volume was 65.0%. In addition, the results of a pairwise Student’s t-test gave strong support (p-value 0.0001) that the used method was able to detect tree growth within the nine-year period between 2008–2017. The findings of this study allow the further development of enhanced methods for TLS-based single tree and forest growth modeling and estimation, which can thus improve the accuracy of forest inventories and offer better tools for future decision-making processes.
Clinical, surgical, and electrical factors impacting residual hearing in cochlear implant surgery

Abstract Conclusions: This study recommends using soft surgical principal and round window insertion to protect residual hearing with favorable anatomical exposure. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of the electrical stimulation on the organ of corti and hearing. Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze various factors that impact on preservation of residual hearing post-implantation. Methods: A retrospective study was performed to analyze loss of residual hearing in a cohort of 225 patients implanted in a large academic center. Sixty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. The impact of age at implantation, gender, etiology of hearing loss, cochleostomy vs round window insertion, partial vs full insertion, and effect of initial stimulation were analyzed using appropriate statistical analysis. Results: The overall hearing preservation rate for all implanted patients was 64%. Loss of residual hearing was significantly more observed in cases of cochleostomy and/or non-soft surgical techniques. No correlation was observed with age at implantation, gender, side of implant, device manufacturer, and presence of pre-lingual deafness vs post-lingual, full or partial electrode insertion. In addition, there was a small but significant decrease in hearing between pre-stimulation and post-stimulation audiograms at 6000 Hz.
Healing enhancement of diabetic wounds by locally infiltrated epidermal growth factor is associated with systemic oxidative stress reduction

The diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is the leading cause of lower extremity amputation worldwide and is directly associated with comorbidity, disability and mortality. Oxidative stress mechanisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of these wounds. Intra‐lesional infiltration of epidermal growth factor has emerged as a potential therapeutic alternative to allow for physiological benefit while avoiding the proteolytic environment at the centre of the wound. The aim of this study was to characterise the response of patients with DFUs to epidermal growth factor treatment in terms of redox status markers. Experimental groups included patients with DFUs before and 3–4 weeks after starting treatment with epidermal growth factor; compensated and non‐compensated diabetic patients without ulcers; and age‐matched non‐diabetic subjects. Evaluations comprised serum levels of oxidative stress and antioxidant reserve markers. Patients with DFUs exhibited the most disheveled biochemical profile, with elevated oxidative stress and low antioxidant reserves, with respect to non‐ulcerated diabetic patients and to non‐diabetic subjects. Epidermal growth factor intra‐lesional administration was associated with a significant recovery of oxidative stress and antioxidant reserve markers. Altogether, our results indicate that epidermal growth factor intra‐ulcer therapy contributes to restore systemic redox balance in patients with DFUs.
RELATIVE CONTRIBUTION OF DISPERSAL AND NATURAL SELECTION TO THE MAINTENANCE OF A HYBRID ZONE IN LITTORINA

Abstract Habitat preference behavior may play an important role in nonallopatric speciation. However, most examples of habitat preference contributing to differentiation within natural populations correspond to parasites or herbivores living in the discrete environments constituted by their animal or plant hosts. In the present study we investigated migration guided by habitat preference in the intertidal snail Littorina saxatilis in a hybrid zone associated with an ecotone across the shore, which is therefore a continuously varying environment. First, we found evidence for this behavior in one of the two locations studied. Second, we made reciprocal transplants to suppress the phenotypic gradient observed across the hybrid zone and measured the relative contributions of selection and migration to its regeneration. Selection played an important role at the two locations studied, but migration was only important at one, where it accounted for between a third and a half of the regenerated gradient. This overall minor effect of migration was relevant for theoretical models dealing with nonallopatric speciation, because it suggested that variation for habitat preference did not have an important role in the initiation of the differentiation process. The preference behavior observed in the hybrid zone would have evolved secondarily, as a consequence of habitat-dependent fitness differences between phenotypes.
Functional expression of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels in human endometrium: a novel mechanism involved in endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation.

BACKGROUND Large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (BK(Ca) channels) mediate physiological processes in nonexcitable cells. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to determine BK(Ca) channel expression in human endometrium and its role in endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation. METHODS BK(Ca) channel expression in human endometrium is described at different phases of the menstrual cycle using quantitative real time-PCR and Western blot techniques. Their effects on embryo implantation were examined using JAr spheroid attachment assays and in vivo mouse model. We examined their effects on endometrial receptivity factors, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity using quantitative real time-PCR, Western blot, and EMSA analyses. Changes in electrophysiological properties and cytosolic free Ca(2+) were measured in endometrial cells with or without specific BK(Ca) blocker or transfected with BK(Ca) small interfering RNA using patch-clamp and fluorescence analyses, respectively. RESULTS BK(Ca) channels are expressed in human endometrial cells in a phase-related fashion during the menstrual cycle (proliferative, 0.20 ± 0.02, vs. mid-secretory, 0.72 ± 0.07; P < 0.01). Blocking BK(Ca) channel function or knockdown of endogenous BK(Ca) channel expression not only decreased JAr spheroid attachment rate and embryo implantation rate in mice but also significantly reduced the expression levels of endometrial receptive factors, including leukemia inhibitory factor, integrin β3, claudin-4, and DKK-1, in human endometrial cells. Blocking BK(Ca) channels also reduced BK(Ca)-regulated NF-κB activity, cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations, and membrane potentials in human endometrial cells. CONCLUSIONS These observations demonstrate that BK(Ca) channels: 1) are expressed in endometrial cells; 2) affect embryo implantation by mediating endometrial receptive factors; and 3) alter the activity of NF-κB and homeostasis of Ca(2+) in the human endometrial cells.
Characteristics and comprehensiveness of adult HIV care and treatment programmes in Asia-Pacific, sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas: results of a site assessment conducted by the International epidemiologic Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) Collaboration

HIV care and treatment programmes worldwide are transforming as they push to deliver universal access to essential prevention, care and treatment services to persons living with HIV and their communities. The characteristics and capacity of these HIV programmes affect patient outcomes and quality of care. Despite the importance of ensuring optimal outcomes, few studies have addressed the capacity of HIV programmes to deliver comprehensive care. We sought to describe such capacity in HIV programmes in seven regions worldwide.
To The Internet, From The Internet: Comparative Media Coverage Of Transnational Protests

We compare activist-based internet data with four other media sources—Lexis Nexis Academic Universe, The Seattle Times, Global Newsbank, and The New York Times—on their coverage of the local, national, and international protests that accompanied the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Third Ministerial Conference in Seattle, Washington in late 1999. Using the Media Sensitivity-Protest Intensity Model of event reporting, we find that activist-based web sites report a greater number of transnational protest events at the local, national, and international level. We also find that activist-based websites are less positively influenced by the intensity properties of protest events. In the age of globalization, research on transnational movements should therefore combine conventional media sources and activist-based web sources.
Improvements in middle school student dietary intake after implementation of the Texas Public School Nutrition Policy.

OBJECTIVES We assessed the effect of the Texas Public School Nutrition Policy on middle school student lunchtime food consumption. METHODS Three years of lunch food records were collected from middle school students in southeast Texas: baseline (2001-2002), after local district changes (2002-2003), and 1 year after implementation of the Texas Public School Nutrition Policy (2005-2006). Students recorded amount and source of foods and beverages they consumed. Analysis of variance and covariance and nonparametric tests were used to compare intake after the policy change with intake during the 2 previous years. RESULTS After implementation of the nutrition policy, student lunch consumption of vegetables, milk, and several nutrients increased (protein, fiber, vitamins A and C, calcium, and sodium), and consumption of less desirable items (sweetened beverages, snack chips) decreased, as did percentage of energy from fat. Most of the desired nutrients and foods (vegetables and milk) were obtained from the National School Lunch Program meal. Fewer sweetened beverages, candy, chips, and dessert foods were purchased and consumed, but more of these items were brought from home and purchased from the snack bar. CONCLUSIONS Overall, state school nutrition policies can improve the healthfulness of foods consumed by students at lunch.
How to Protect the Kidney in Diabetic Patients: With Special Reference to IDDM

During the development to overt nephropathy, diabetic patients go through several characteristic stages of renal disease, moving from normo- to micro- to macroalbuminuria. Microalbuminuria is defined as a urinary albumin excretion between 20 and 200 μg/min; values <20 μg/min are designated as normoalbuminuria, and values >200 μg/min are designated as macroalbuminuria. Only with macroalbuminuria does the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) fall consistently. The decisive intermediary endpoints are postponement or prevention of micro/macroalbuminuria and reduction or prevention of the fall in GFR (stronger endpoint), with postponement of end-stage renal disease as a final end-point. Good metabolic control can prevent or postpone the development of microalbuminuria, the earliest sign of diabetic renal disease. The ideal realistic therapeutic window may be an HbA1c value between 7 and 8.5% (mean reference value 5.5%). Thus, efforts should aimed at implementing the best possible control before the onset of microalbuminuria, with the other important aim of minimizing hypoglycemic side effects. In patients with microalbuminuria, blood pressure gradually increases, and early antihypertensive treatment becomes crucial. Good glycemic control (with the same glycemic goal as above) may be difficult to achieve in some of these patients, but it is still important. With overt nephropathy, defined as clinical proteinuria, a relentless decline in GFR is inflicted, unless patients are carefully treated with antihypertensive agents, often in combination therapy. Good metabolic control is still strongly warranted because patients with high HbA1c progress much more rapidly. The natural history of the rate of fall in GFR may be reduced from 12 to 3 ml · min−1 · year−1, but genetic factors may be involved; the ACE-genotype DD seems to progress more rapidly during treatment. Protein restriction is also of some interest. Early screening is recommended in all guidelines, with emphasis on testing for albuminuria, including microalbuminuria, along with careful control of glycemia and blood pressure.
Zoo Playgrounds: A Source of Enrichment or Stress for a Group of Nearby Cockatoos? A Case Study

There is increasing evidence that in some circumstances, zoo visitors may be aversive stimuli to nonhuman animals housed in zoos. Yet, most previous research has focused on primates with little attention given to numerous other species who are housed in zoos. The focus animal of this project was the cockatoo, a species who has received minimal attention in zoo-based research. Furthermore, although the influence of the zoo setting has become increasingly important in visitor effect studies, this is the 1st study to quantify the effect of activity at a children's playground on zoo animals. There was an investigation on the effect of a zoo playground on the behavior of citron-crested and Moluccan cockatoos (Cacatua sulphurea citrinocristata and Cacatua moluccensis), as well as the effect of children standing in front of the birds' aviaries. The results showed that in some circumstances, the Moluccan cockatoos retreated from visitors, while the citron-crested cockatoos did not retreat from visitors and became more social in the presence of visitors. These findings highlight the importance of careful selection of species and individual animals to be housed near zoo playgrounds.
Formation of strong airway irritants in terpene/ozone mixtures.

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) mouse bioassay, which quantifies airway irritation from reduction in the respiratory rate, was used to find evidence for the formation of highly irritating substances in reactions of ozone with terpenes (common indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs)). No-observed-effect-levels (NOELs) and concentration-effect relationships were established for ozone, (+)-alpha-pinene and R-(+)-limonene, isoprene, and some of their major reaction products. Reaction mixtures of excess terpene and ozone considerably below their NOEL concentrations resulted in significant upper airway irritation. The reduction of the respiratory rate was from 30% to about 50%, lowest for the alpha-pinene and highest for the isoprene mixture. Chemical analysis of reaction mixtures by conventional methods showed that readily identified stable products and residual reactants at the concentrations found could not account for the observed reductions of the respiratory rate, assuming additivity of the reaction products. The results suggest that, in addition to known irritants (formaldehyde, acrolein, methacrolein, methyl vinylketone), one or more strong airway irritant(s) of unknown structure(s) were formed. Future indoor air quality (IAQ) guidelines for unsaturated VOCs (e.g., terpenes) and their emission from building products may require the consideration of reactions with oxidants, like ozone. Similarly, effects of ozone-emitting equipment should be re-evaluated.
Gibbons and Their Territorial Songs

Discovery of the great call of the Javan gibbon and finding an enclave of the agile gibbon in Kalimantan permit for the first time a comparison of vocalizations among all major taxa of Hylobates. The songs are stereotyped, constant throughout the interrupted areas of distribution of each taxon, and are sexually divocal.
Phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitors selectively block the spontaneous resumption of meiosis by macaque oocytes in vitro.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine whether phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3 inhibitors selectively prevent the resumption of meiosis in primates. METHODS Immature oocytes (intact germinal vesicles) obtained from large pre-ovulatory follicles following ovarian stimulation in rhesus macaques were incubated with or without various doses of the PDE3 inhibitors, Cilostamide, Milrinone or ORG 9935, or a selective PDE4 inhibitor, Rolipram. Oocytes were observed for germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) as an indicator of resumption of meiosis. RESULTS At 24 h, 72 of 121 (60%) control oocytes progressed to GVBD compared with 9/34 (27%, P < 0.01), 4/36 (11.1%, P < 0.01) and 0/28 (0%, P < 0.01) oocytes incubated with ORG 9935 at 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 micromol/l respectively. Similar results were achieved at 24 h with 1.0 micromol/l Cilostamide (2/24 oocytes, 8%, P < 0.01) and 100 micromol/l Milrinone (2/32, 6%, P < 0.01). In contrast, no significant difference in GVBD was noted between control oocytes and those incubated with up to 100 micromol/l Rolipram for 24 h (43/58, 74%) or 48 h (44/58, 76%). CONCLUSIONS These experiments establish the specificity and dose-dependent ability of PDE3, but not PDE4, inhibitors to block resumption of meiosis in macaque oocytes in vitro. Thus, PDE3 inhibitors have potential use as contraceptives in primates.