Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cdk4/6 Inhibition Induces Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition and Enhances Invasiveness in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Aberrant activation of Cyclin D-Cdk4/6 signaling pathway is commonly found in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Here, we show that PD-0332991, a highly specific inhibitor for Cdk4 and Cdk6, exerted growth inhibitory effects on three human PDAC cell lines. Microarray analysis revealed that PD-0332991 downregulated cell-cycle–related genes, but upregulated genes implicated in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and pancreatic cancer cell invasion and metastasis. Moreover, PD-0332991 enhanced invasion in TGF-β–responsive PDAC cell lines that harbor a wild-type SMAD4 gene (COLO-357, PANC-1), but not in TGF-β–resistant AsPC-1 cells that harbor a mutated SMAD4. PD-0332991 also induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in COLO-357 and PANC-1, but not in AsPC-1 cells. Inhibition of CDK4/6 using shRNA mimicked the effects of PD-0332991 on EMT induction. Furthermore, PD-0332991 increased Smad transcriptional activity in luciferase readout assays and activated TGF-β signaling. SB-505124, an inhibitor of the type-I TGF-β receptor (TβRI) kinase, completely blocked EMT induction by PD-0332991. When combined with PD-0332991, SB-505124 inhibited the growth of COLO-357 and PANC-1 cells. Taken together, these data suggest that anti-Cdk4/6 therapy could induce EMT and enhance pancreatic cancer cell invasion by activating Smad-dependent TGF-β signaling, and that combining PD-0332991 and SB-505124 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy in PDAC. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(10); 2138–48. ©2012 AACR.
Intermittent Use of Nitrates Increases Bone Mineral Density: The Study of Osteoporotic Fractures

Nitric oxide slows bone remodeling and bone loss in animals. Because nitroglycerin and other nitrates increase nitric oxide levels, we hypothesized that nitrate use may be associated with greater bone mineral density (BMD) and decreased risk of fracture in humans. Further, intermittent nitrate use may be associated with greater benefits than daily nitrate use, which results in tachyphylaxis. We tested this hypothesis using data from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. We prospectively studied 6201 elderly women of whom 317 took nitrates on a daily basis and 74 used them intermittently. We measured BMD at the hip and the heel and adjusted all comparisons for multiple potential confounders. We found that women taking daily nitrates had slightly greater hip BMD (difference, 1.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14–4.1%) but the same heel BMD (difference, 0%; 95% CI −2.6–2.6%) as nonusers. By contrast, women using nitrates intermittently had substantially greater hip (difference, 2.6%; 95% CI, 0.4–6.8%) and heel BMD (difference, 5.3%; 95% CI, 2.6–11%) than nonusers. This study suggests that the intermittent administration of nitrates may enhance BMD.
The role of audit committees in decreasing earnings management: Korean evidence

The several accounting scandals that have occurred recently in the USA suggest the importance of well-functioning audit committees. This study examines how the characteristics of audit committees â€“ independence, competency and activity â€“ are related to earnings management. The data used in the analyses are collected from the Korean stock market during the period 2000-2001. The empirical results demonstrate that the independence and competency of the audit committee are associated with the earnings management of a firm. Specifically, the committee members' shareholdings are positively associated with earnings management, while the presence of professors or the employees of financial institutions on the committee is negatively associated with earnings management. However, the activity measure of the committee is not significantly related to earnings management. These results suggest several important implications for regulatory bodies on the composition of audit committees.
The measurement of whole body protein turnover in the preterm infant with intragastric infusion of L-[1-13C]leucine and sampling of the urinary leucine pool.

The measurement of whole body protein turnover in the preterm infant has been investigated with an intragastric infusion of L-[1-13C]-leucine and with sampling of the urinary leucine pool. Measurements have been made in seven preterm infants with body weights averaging 1733 g, fed with either human breast milk (n = 3) or proprietary formulae (n = 4), giving intakes of 541 (+/- 25) kJ/kg and 465 (+/- 42) mg of N day-1 kg-1 and growing satisfactorily (14.7 +/- 2.6 g day-1 kg-1). The measurement of the enrichment of urinary leucine was well within the capability of gas chromatography-spectrometry, and similar values for the enrichment of plasma and urinary leucine were observed (plasma/urinary ratio was 0.93 +/- 0.04, mean +/- 1 SEM, n = 13). Isotopic equilibrium, as indicated by a plateau in the urinary leucine and expired CO2 enrichment, was obtained within 8 h and was maintained for at least 48 h. Nitrogen retention, measured by nitrogen balance, was similar to that calculated from the leucine retention (determined as the leucine intake--oxidation), i.e. 310 +/- 45 and 301 +/- 38 mg of N day-1 kg-1 (means +/- 1 SEM). Because of this it is suggested that in this specific type of study the direct measurement of nitrogen retention dispenses with the need for measurement of leucine oxidation, thereby simplifying the measurements. From the leucine flux, leucine intake and nitrogen retention, rates of whole body protein synthesis and degradation were shown to be 11.32 (+/- 0.78) and 9.54 (+/- 0.55) g day-1 kg-1.
Reconciling Groundwater Storage Depletion Due to Pumping with Sustainability

Groundwater pumping causes depletion of groundwater storage. The rate of depletion incurred by any new well is gradually decreasing and eventually becomes zero in the long run, after induced recharge and reduction of natural discharge of groundwater combined (capture) have become large enough to balance the pumping rate completely. If aquifer-wide aggregated pumping rates are comparatively large, then such a new dynamic equilibrium may not be reached and groundwater storage may become exhausted. Decisions to pump groundwater are motivated by people’s need for domestic water and by expected benefits of using water for a variety of activities. But how much finally is abstracted from an aquifer (or is considered to be an optimal aggregate abstraction rate) depends on a wide range of other factors as well. Among these, the constraint imposed by the groundwater balance (preventing aquifer exhaustion) has received ample attention in the professional literature. However, other constraints or considerations related to changes in groundwater level due to pumping are observed as well and in many cases they even may dominate the decisions on pumping. This paper reviews such constraints or considerations, examines how they are or may be incorporated in the decision-making process, and evaluates to what extent the resulting pumping rates and patterns create conditions that comply with principles of sustainability.
Cyclic Feature-Based Modulation Recognition Using Compressive Sensing

Higher-order cyclic cumulants (CCs) have been widely adopted as the features for automatic modulation recognition (AMR). However, the requirement of high-rate sampling has greatly restricted the application of CCs. In order to relieve this sampling burden, we attempt to bring AMR into the framework of compressive sensing. By exploiting the sparsity of CCs, the proposed AMR algorithm is implemented with a significantly small number of nonuniform samples of the observed signal. Simulation results demonstrate the availability and robustness of the proposed approach.
Educating for sustainability in the early years : creating cultural change in a child care setting

The early childhood education field has been slow to take up the challenge of sustainability. However, Brisbane’s Campus Kindergarten is one early education centre that is making serious efforts in this regard. In 1997, Campus Kindergarten initiated its Sustainable Planet Project involving a variety of curriculum and pedagogical activities that have led to enhanced play spaces, reduced waste, lowered water consumption and improved biodiversity. Such changes are not curriculum ‘add-ons’, however. A study of curriculum decision-making processes shows that a culture of sustainability permeates the centre. This has been by a process of slowly evolving changes that have led to a reculturation of many social and environmental practices. This study also shows that very young children, in the presence of passionate and committed teachers, are quite capable of engaging in education for sustainability and in ‘making a difference’.
Comparison of the roles of serratiopeptidase and dexamethasone in the control of inflammation and trismus following impacted third molar surgery.

INTRODUCTION Surgical extraction of lower 3 rd molar is the most frequent intervention in oral surgery. This procedure is often associated with significant post operative swelling that may have both biological and social implications. Various studies have been done using different anti inflammatory drugs to study their impact on inflammation. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study was conducted on 110 patients who had undergone surgical removal of mandibular third molar. The subjects were divided into two groups by double blind method. In addition to post operative swelling and pain , trismus was evaluated using two different groups of drugs. RESULTS One group was administered 1 mg of dexamethazone every 8 hours for 3 days post operatively. The other group was administered 10 mg of serratiopaptidase every 8 hours for 3 days post operatively. Swelling, pain and trismus were assessed on the 1 st , 3 rd , 5 th and 7 th post operative days. The results of the studies were statistically analysed. CONCLUSION The results showed dexamethazone was more effective in reduction of swelling and pain in comparison with serratiopaptidase. Both dexamethazone and serratiopaptidase had the same effect on trismus.
Market power, price discrimination, and allocative efficiency in intermediate‐goods markets

We consider a monopolistic supplier's optimal choice of two-part tariff contracts when downstream firms are asymmetric. We find that the optimal discriminatory contracts amplify differences in downstream firms' competitiveness. Firms that are larger-either because they are more efficient or because they sell a superior product-obtain a lower wholesale price than their rivals. This increases allocative efficiency by favoring the more productive firms. In contrast, we show that a ban on price discrimination reduces allocative efficiency and can lead to higher wholesale prices for all firms. As a result, consumer surplus, industry profits, and welfare are lower. Copyright (c) 2009, RAND.
The Living, Moving and Travel Behaviour of the Growing American Solo: Implications for Cities

Between 1930 and 2010 the share of single-person, or solo, households in the US increased from 6 per cent to almost 28 per cent, whereas the share of married-couple households decreased from 79 per cent to 49 per cent. Yet solo households have received little attention in urban planning and transport research. Given the significant increase of solo households in US cities, this study identifies the distinctive dwelling, moving and travel characteristics of the American solo households, and examines the reasons for their attraction to cities. It uses historical data from census Public Use Microdata Samples and recent national data from the American Housing Survey and the National Household Travel Survey. Descriptive statistics, basic statistical tests, binary logit models and Heckman sample selection models are used to examine various relationships. Some of the transport-related and environmental implications of the findings are discussed.
Viral Entry through CXCR4 Is a Pathogenic Factor and Therapeutic Target in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Disease

ABSTRACT The chemokine receptors CCR5 and CXCR4 function as the principal coreceptors for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Coreceptor function has also been demonstrated for a variety of related receptors in vitro. The relative contributions of CCR5, CXCR4, and other putative coreceptors to HIV-1 disease in vivo have yet to be defined. In this study, we used sequential primary isolates and recombinant strains of HIV-1 to demonstrate that CXCR4-using (X4) viruses emerging in association with disease progression are highly pathogenic in ex vivo lymphoid tissues compared to CXCR4-independent viruses. Furthermore, synthetic receptor antagonists that specifically block CXCR4-mediated entry dramatically suppressed the depletion of CD4+ T cells by recombinant and clinically derived X4 HIV-1 isolates. Moreover, in vitro specificity for the additional coreceptors CCR3, CCR8, BOB, and Bonzo did not augment cytopathicity or diminish sensitivity toward CXCR4 antagonists in lymphoid tissues. These data provide strong evidence to support the concept that adaptation to CXCR4 specificity in vivo accelerates HIV-1 disease progression. Thus, therapeutic intervention targeting the interaction of HIV-1 gp120 with CXCR4 may be highly valuable for suppressing the pathogenic effects of late-stage viruses.
The H 2 SO 4 -HNO 3 -NH 3 system at high humidities and in fogs: 1. Spatial and temporal patterns in the San Joaquin Valley of California

A systematic characterization of the atmospheric H_2SO_4-HNO_3-NH_3 system was conducted in the fog water, the aerosol, and the gas phase at a network of sites in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Spatial patterns of concentrations were established that reflect the distribution of SO_2, NO_x, and NH_3 emissions within the valley. The concept of atmospheric alkalinity was introduced to interpret these concentrations in terms of the buffering capacity of the atmosphere with respect to inputs of strong acids. Regions of predominantly acidic and alkaline fog water were identified. Fog water was found to be alkaline in most of the valley, but small changes in emission budgets could lead to widespread acid fog. An extended stagnation episode was studied in detail: progressive accumulation of H_2SO_4-HNO_3-NH_3 species was documented over the course of the episode and interpreted in terms of production and removal mechanisms. Secondary production of strong acids H_2SO_4 and HNO_3 under stagnant conditions resulted in a complete titration of available alkalinity at the sites farthest from NH_3 sources. A steady SO_2 conversion rate of 0.4–1.1% h^(−1) was estimated in the stagnant mixed layer under overcast conditions and was attributed to nonphotochemical heterogeneous processes. Removal of SO_2 was enhanced in fog, compared to nonfoggy conditions. Conversion of NO_x to HNO_3 slowed down during the stagnation episode because of reduced photochemical activity; fog did not appear to enhance conversion of NO_x. Decreases in total HNO_3 concentrations were observed upon acidification of the atmosphere and were attributed to displacement of NO_3− by H_2SO_4 in the aerosol, followed by rapid deposition of HNO_3(g). The occurrence of fog was associated with general decreases of aerosol concentrations due to enhanced removal by deposition.
Symptoms related to the reproductive tract and mental health among women in rural southern India.

BACKGROUND Symptoms related to the reproductive tract and symptoms of psychological distress are commonly seen in women living in South Asia. This study aimed to determine the association, if any, between symptoms related to the reproductive tract and mental health among women in rural southern India. METHODS The study was conducted in a community setting of a comprehensive community health programme in a development block in rural southern India. It was a cross-sectional survey with a nested case-control study. The main outcome measure was the probability of mental distress as assessed by the Tamil version of the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ). RESULTS Of the 622 subjects recruited, 150 (24.4%) complained of at least one symptom related to the reproductive tract. The commonest symptom was vaginal discharge (17.5%). Significantly higher scores on the GHQ were associated with the presence of many current and past symptoms related to the reproductive tract, and receiving treatment for the same, even after adjusting for age, education, current marital status and type of house, using multiple regression analysis. GHQ scores were positively correlated with a higher number of current and past symptoms. Significantly higher scores were also associated with greater knowledge about prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and reproductive tract infections. Being currently married and educated were significant protective factors. A nested case-control study was done with the presence of a current common mental disorder as the outcome. Symptoms and other factors dated prior to this outcome were considered potential risk factors. Logistic regression models were developed. The presence of a symptom related to the reproductive tract for more than one month (OR 3.6; 95% CI 1.8, 7.2) and a history of similar symptoms over the past year (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.3, 3.7) were risk factors for the development of common mental disorders. Higher education (OR 0.5; 95% CI 0.3, 0.7) and being currently married (OR 0.2; 95% CI 0.1, 0.6) were protective factors. CONCLUSION The cross-sectional data suggest an association between symptoms pertaining to the reproductive tract and psychological distress. The results of the nested case-control study suggest that symptoms related to the reproductive tract are risk factors for common mental disorders, while education and being currently married are protective factors.
Strategic Public Policy Toward Agricultural Biotechnology with Externalities in Developing Countries

Game theory and numerical simulation analyze the host governments role in strategically regulating intellectual property rights (IPRs) for agricultural biotechnology in a developing country. A foreign monopolist imports and sells a genetically modified crop variety that will offer the host country both selective productivity gains and a negative externality. In this small open economy, only some heterogeneous producers adopt the new variety. Public policy consists of IPR enforcement and a corrective tax. Effectiveness of the tax depends upon the foreign monopolists ability to alter the price of the new technology and upon whether or not there is full enforcement of the IPRs. Whereas some governments may see their key decisions as being whether or not to license and to enforce IPRs on a genetically modified crop variety, greater gain might be realized through strategic choice of the tax rate to influence the rate of adoption among diverse domestic producers.
From risk to uncertainty: Australia's environmental regulation of genetically modified crops

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Analgesic efficacy and technique of ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve catheters after shoulder arthroscopy.

BACKGROUND Conventional approaches to brachial plexus blocks may not cover the suprascapular nerve. Accordingly, after shoulder arthroscopy, sensation from the posterior part of the shoulder is commonly spared. Most previous research involving suprascapular nerve blocks described single-injection techniques. However, with the widespread availability and fairly reasonable cost of disposable infusion pumps, continuous catheter techniques provide a more appealing method of prolonging postoperative analgesia. CASE REPORT We describe 2 patients who were successfully treated with ultrasound-guided continuous suprascapular nerve catheters. With the patient seated, a high-frequency linear ultrasound probe was used. Both patients experienced excellent pain relief without complications. CONCLUSION Continuous suprascapular catheter techniques provide good pain relief and improve postoperative analgesia after shoulder arthroscopy.
Equity Incentives and Long-Term Value Created by SG&A Expenditure

In this paper we investigate how incentives affect managers’ input resource expenditure decisions and how firms make equity grant decisions considering managerial behavior. Focusing on selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenditure, we first document that SG&A expenditure creates future value that varies across firms and industries. We hypothesize and find that new equity incentives lead to an increase in SG&A expenditure in companies where SG&A creates a high future value. The extent to which long-term incentives impact managers’ expenditure decisions depends on the future value it creates. We also find that firms with high level of SG&A spending grant more new equity incentives when SG&A creates more future value. The evidence is consistent both with managers making rational investment decisions in response to new equity incentives and with firms making efficient grant decisions based on managers’ expected behavior. Overall, this study documents the importance of considering the future value created by input resource expenditure in examining the association between equity incentives and managerial spending behavior.
Market Discipline and Incentive Problems in Conglomerate Firms with Applications to Banking

This paper analyzes the optimality of conglomeration. We show thatthe potential benefits of conglomeration depend critically on the effectiveness of market discipline for stand-alone activities. Effective market discipline reduces the benefits of conglomeration. With ineffective market discipline of stand-alone activities, conglomeration would further undermine market discipline, but may nevertheless be beneficial. In particular, when rents are not too high, the diversification benefits of conglomeration dominate the negative incentive effects. A more competitive environment therefore induces conglomeration. We also show that introducing internal cost-of-capital allocation schemes creates internal market discipline that complements the weak external market discipline of a conglomeration. Our analysis sheds light on the Barings debacle and other recent developments in the banking sector.
An empirical equilibrium search model of the labour market

The authors investigate whether an equilibrium search model, in which the wage offer distribution is endogenous, is able to describe observed labor market histories. They find that the distributions of job and unemployment spells are consistent with the data, and qualitative predictions of the model for the wages set by employers are confirmed. The authors distinguish between separate segments of the labor market, and they show that productivity heterogeneity is important to obtain an acceptable fit to the data. The results are used to estimate the firms' monopsony power. The effects of changes in the mandatory minimum wage are examined. (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)