Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bile proteomic profiles differentiate cholangiocarcinoma from primary sclerosing cholangitis and choledocholithiasis

Early detection of malignant biliary tract diseases, especially cholangiocarcinoma (CC) in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), is very difficult and often comes too late to give the patient a therapeutic benefit. We hypothesize that bile proteomic analysis distinguishes CC from nonmalignant lesions. We used capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry (CE‐MS) to identify disease‐specific peptide patterns in patients with choledocholithiasis (n = 16), PSC (n = 18), and CC (n = 16) in a training set. A model for differentiation of choledocholithiasis from PSC and CC (PSC/CC model) and another model distinguishing CC from PSC (CC model) were subsequently validated in independent cohorts (choledocholithiasis [n = 14], PSC [n = 18] and CC [n = 25]). Peptides were characterized by sequencing. Application of the PSC/CC model in the independent test cohort resulted in correct exclusion of 12/14 bile samples from patients with choledocholithiasis and identification of 40/43 patients with PSC or CC (86% specificity, 93% sensitivity). The corresponding receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.82‐0.98, P = 0.0001). The CC model succeeded in an accurate detection of 14/18 bile samples from patients with PSC and 21/25 samples with CC (78% specificity, 84% sensitivity) in the independent cohort, resulting in an AUC value of 0.87 (95% CI: 0.73‐0.95, P = 0.0001) in ROC analysis. Eight out of 10 samples of patients with CC complicating PSC were identified. Conclusion: Bile proteomic analysis discriminates benign conditions from CC accurately. This method may become a diagnostic tool in future as it offers a new possibility to diagnose malignant bile duct disease and thus enables efficient therapy particularly in patients with PSC. (HEPATOLOGY 2010;)
A Trust Service-Oriented Scheduling Model for Workflow Applications in Cloud Computing

Cloud services have been utilized in large-scale distributed environments. As an effective service aggregation methodology, workflow technology has been used to construct composite services. Efficient and dependable workflow scheduling (WFS) is crucial for integrating enterprise systems. While WFS has been widely studied, WFS-related algorithms are mainly focused on optimizing execution time or cost. However, in cloud computing environment, WFS is up against the threats of the inherent uncertainty and unreliability to the applications. Therefore, trust service-oriented strategies must be considered in WFS. As a result, this paper proposes a trust service-oriented workflow scheduling algorithm. The scheduling algorithm adopts a trust metric that combines direct trust and recommendation trust. In addition, we provide balance policies to enable users to balance different requirements, including time, cost, and trust. A case study was conducted to illustrate the value of the proposed algorithm. The experimental results show that the proposed approach is effective and feasible.
Aspects of Attention Predict Real-World Task Performance in Alzheimer's Disease

More research is needed to examine the relationship between specific neuropsychological functions and observation-based daily activity tests in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Fifty-six patients with AD were administered tests of attention and processing speed and an observation-based activities-of-daily-living (ADL) task. Complex short-term attention capacity best predicted real-world task performance, accounting for several domains of ADL functioning. These results suggest that complex attention requiring working-memory systems, but not simple attention or processing speed, account for moderate portions of variability in daily task performance. These results may aid in understanding the attentional processes required for performing daily activities and can be useful to health care professionals in treatment planning.
Unique muscularity in cyclists' thigh and trunk: A cross‐sectional and longitudinal study

This study examined the influence of regular training in competitive cycling on individual muscle volume of the thigh and psoas major cross‐sectionally and longitudinally. T1‐weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images of the trunk and right thigh were obtained from eight experienced varsity male cyclists (experience: > 4 years) and 10 untrained men (experiment 1), and from 12 (10 males, two females) varsity cyclists before and after competitive cycling training for 6 months (experiment 2). From the MR images, the volumes of each of the quadriceps femoris and hamstrings, total adductors, gracilis, sartorius, and psoas major were determined. The volumes of the monoarticular thigh muscles, semitendinosus, and psoas major muscles were significantly greater in the experienced cyclists than in the untrained men (experiment 1), and increased significantly after the competitive training for 6 months (experiment 2). In contrast, the volumes of the other biarticular thigh muscles were similar among the experienced cyclists and untrained men (experiment 1), and did not change by competitive cycling training (experiment 2). The results indicate that competitive cycling training induces muscle‐specific hypertrophy of the synergistic muscles, especially between the monoarticular and biarticular muscles, leading to quantitative profiles of the musculature in experienced cyclists.
Early PET / CT Scan Is More Effective Than Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors in Predicting Outcome of Patients with Liver Metastases from Colorectal Cancer Treated with Preoperative Chemotherapy Plus Bevacizumab

1Nuclear Medicine Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale” – IRCCS, Naples, Italy; 2Clinical Trials Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale” – IRCCS, Naples, Italy; 3Abdominal Oncology Department, Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale” – IRCCS, Naples, Italy; 4Radiology 2 Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale” – IRCCS, Naples, Italy; 5Pathology Department, Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale” – IRCCS, Naples, Italy; 6Epato-Biliary Surgery Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale” – IRCCS, Naples, Italy; and 7Medical Statistics, Second University of Napoli, Napoli, Italy
Insulin like growth factor-1 increases fatty liver preservation in IGL-1 solution.

AIM To investigate the benefits of insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) supplementation to serum-free institut georges lopez-1 (IGL-1) solution to protect fatty liver against cold ischemia reperfusion injury. METHODS Steatotic livers were preserved for 24 h in IGL-1 solution supplemented with or without IGF-1 and then perfused "ex vivo" for 2 h at 37degrees C. We examined the effects of IGF-1 on hepatic damage and function (transaminases, percentage of sulfobromophthalein clearance in bile and vascular resistance). We also studied other factors associated with the poor tolerance of fatty livers to cold ischemia reperfusion injury such as mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and mitogen-activated protein kinases. RESULTS Steatotic livers preserved in IGL-1 solution supplemented with IGF-1 showed lower transaminase levels, increased bile clearance and a reduction in vascular resistance when compared to those preserved in IGL-1 solution alone. These benefits are mediated by activation of AKT and constitutive endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), as well as the inhibition of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α. Mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress were also prevented. CONCLUSION IGL-1 enrichment with IGF-1 increased fatty liver graft preservation through AKT and eNOS activation, and prevented TNF-α release during normothermic reperfusion.
Patterns of first-year survival among infants with selected congenital anomalies in Texas, 1995-1997.

BACKGROUND Few registry-based studies have investigated survival among infants with congenital anomalies. We conducted a registry-based study to examine patterns and probability of survival during the first year of life among infants with selected congenital anomalies. METHODS Data from the Texas Birth Defects Monitoring Division were merged with linked birth-infant death files for 2,774 infants born January 1, 1995 to December 31, 1997, with at least 1 of 23 common anomalies. Deaths before the first birthday were assessed from infant death files. Kaplan-Meier was used to estimate first-year survival; first-year survival was assessed for specific anomalies and by the number of life-threatening anomalies. RESULTS Overall, 80.8% of infants with these 23 anomalies survived the first year of life. We observed the highest survival rates for infants with gastroschisis (92.9%, 95% CI = 86.8, 96.3), trisomy 21 (92.3%, 95% CI = 89.5, 94.4) or cleft lip with or without cleft palate (87.6%, 95% CI = 84.0, 90.5). Infants with intermediate survival rates included those with microcephaly (79.7%; 95% CI = 73.6, 84.6), tetralogy of Fallot (75.0%; 95% CI = 65.5, 82.2), or with diaphragmatic hernia (72.8%; 95% CI = 61.8, 81.2). As expected, all infants with anencephaly and almost all infants with trisomy 13 or trisomy 18 died during the first year of life. First-year survival declined as the number of co-occurring life-threatening anomalies increased. CONCLUSIONS Overall, first-year survival for infants with congenital anomalies was high. Additional population-based studies are needed to quantify improvements in first-year survival.
Cloning of cDNAs from Arabidopsis thaliana that encode putative protein phosphatase 2C and a human Dr1-like protein by transformation of a fission yeast mutant.

We characterized three Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA clones that could rescue the sterile phenotype of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe pde1 mutant, which is defective in cAMP phosphodiesterase. The first clone had a coding capacity of 399 amino acids that is 35% identical with rat protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C). The second had a coding capacity of 159 amino acids that is 41% identical with human Dr1. Dr1 has been shown to interact with TATA-binding protein (TBP) and block its ability to activate transcription. The third encoded Arabidopsis TBP itself. Saccharomyces cerevisiae TBP also could suppress the sterile phenotype if expressed in S.pombe pde1 cells, but overexpression of S.pombe TBP could do so very poorly. These observations suggest preliminarily that PP2C may counteract cAMP-dependent protein kinase in fission yeast cells, and that the heterologous TBPs and Dr1 may interfere with the general transcription factors of S.pombe so that the gene expression in the host cell becomes affirmative of sexual development. Furthermore, the identification of a Dr1-like protein in A.thaliana strongly argues for the ubiquity of this protein among eukaryotic genera and for a conserved mechanism to regulate transcription initiation that involves Dr1.
Association of Spirituality and Sobriety During a Behavioral Spirituality Intervention for Twelve Step (TS) Recovery

Twelve-Step (TS) recovery utilizes spirituality to promote sobriety, yet there are no proven programs designed to facilitate spiritual involvement. We developed a seven-week behavioral spirituality intervention titled “Knowing Your Higher Power” for implementation along with usual TS care. Twenty-six participants from a recovery center enrolled. We assessed behavior at baseline, 7-week, and 12-week follow-up. The sample showed significant increase in spiritual involvement and beliefs over the 12-week measurement period and a significantly greater spirituality score in those maintaining total sobriety compared to those that relapsed. These findings encourage a controlled trial to determine if this work has efficacy for practitioners in substance abuse treatment.
Glucose and phosphate inhibit respiration and oxidative metabolism in cultured hamster eight‐cell embryos: Evidence for the “Crabtree effect”

The development of hamster eight‐cell embryos is inhibited by glucose in culture medium containing inorganic phosphate (Pi). This is hypothetically attributed to the “Crabtree effect,” in which enhanced glycolysis inhibits respiratory activity and oxidative metabolism. To examine this hypothesis, oxygen consumption of hamster eight‐cell embryos was measured using a microelectrode. A two‐ to three‐fold decrease in oxygen consumption was observed in embryos cultured with glucose and Pi. Oxidizable substrates and intermediates of the Krebs cycle supported embryo development only in the absence of glucose and Pi; Krebs cycle inhibitors (fluoroacetate and arsenite) arrested embryo development. Under anaerobic conditions, pyruvate and lactate did not support embryo development. Inhibition of both respiration and oxidative activity in cultured hamster embryos by glucose and Pi is consistent with the existence of a Crabtree effect and indicates that the metabolic properties of preimplantation embryonic cells differ markedly from those of most somatic cells and resemble some cancer cells.
Ibotenate Lesions of Hippocampus and/or Subiculum: Dissociating Components of Allocentric Spatial Learning

This study examined the effects of ibotenic acid‐induced lesions of the hippocampus, subiculum and hippocampus ± subiculum upon the capacity of rats to learn and perform a series of allocentric spatial learning tasks in an open‐field water maze. The lesions were made by infusing small volumes of the neurotoxin at a total of 26 (hippocampus) or 20 (subiculum) sites intended to achieve complete target cell loss but minimal extratarget damage. The regional extent and axon‐sparing nature of these lesions was evaluated using both cresyl violet and Fink – Heimer stained sections. The behavioural findings indicated that both the hippocampus and subiculum lesions caused impairment to the initial postoperative acquisition of place navigation but did not prevent eventual learning to levels of performance almost as effective as those of controls. However, overtraining of the hippocampus + subiculum lesioned rats did not result in significant place learning. Qualitative observations of the paths taken to find a hidden escape platform indicated that different strategies were deployed by hippocampal and subiculum lesioned groups. Subsequent training on a delayed matching to place task revealed a deficit in all lesioned groups across a range of sample choice intervals, but the subiculum lesioned group was less impaired than the group with the hippocampal lesion. Finally, unoperated control rats given both the initial training and overtraining were later given either a hippocampal lesion or sham surgery. The hippocampal lesioned rats were impaired during a subsequent retention/relearning phase. Together, these findings suggest that total hippocampal cell loss may cause a dual deficit: a slower rate of place learning and a separate navigational impairment. The prospect of unravelling dissociable components of allocentric spatial learning is discussed.
Macrophage Phospholipid Transfer Protein Deficiency and ApoE Secretion: Impact on Mouse Plasma Cholesterol Levels and Atherosclerosis

Objective—PLTP and apoE play important roles in lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis. It is known that formation of macrophage-derived foam cells (which highly express PLTP and apoE) is the critical step in the process of atherosclerosis. We investigated the relationship between PLTP and apoE in macrophages and the atherogenic relevance in a mouse model. Methods and Results—We transplanted PLTP-deficient mouse bone marrow into apoE-deficient mice (PLTP−/−→apoE−/−), creating a mouse model with PLTP deficiency and apoE expression exclusively in the macrophages. We found that PLTP−/−→apoE−/− mice have significantly lower PLTP activity, compared with controls (WT→apoE−/−; 20%, P<0.01). On a Western diet, PLTP−/−→apoE−/− mice have significantly lower plasma apoE than that of WT→apoE−/− mice (63%, P<0.001), and PLTP-deficient macrophages secrete significantly less apoE than WT macrophages (44%, P<0.01). Moreover, PLTP−/−→apoE−/− mice have significantly higher plasma cholesterol (98%, P<0.001) and phospholipid (107%, P<0.001) than that of WT→apoE−/− mice, thus increasing atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic arch and root (403%, P<0.001), as well as the entire aorta (298%, P<0.001). Conclusions—Macrophage PLTP deficiency causes a significant reduction of apoE secretion from the cells, and this in turn promotes the accumulation of cholesterol in the circulation and accelerates the development of atherosclerosis.
Natural selection of more designable folds: A mechanism for thermophilic adaptation

An open question of great interest in biophysics is whether variations in structure cause protein folds to differ in the number of amino acid sequences that can fold to them stably, i.e., in their designability. Recently, we have shown that a novel quantitative measure of a fold's tertiary topology, called its contact trace, strongly correlates with the fold's designability. Here, we investigate the relationship between a fold's contact trace and its relative frequency of usage in mesophilic vs. thermophilic eubacteria. We observe that thermophilic organisms exhibit a bias toward using folds of higher contact trace when compared with mesophiles. We establish this difference both for the distributions of folds at the whole-proteome level and also through more focused structural comparisons of orthologous proteins. Our findings suggest that thermophilic adaptation in bacterial genomes occurs in part through natural selection of more designable folds, pointing to designability as a key component of protein fitness.
Synergism between N‐acetylcysteine and doxorubicin in the prevention of tumorigenicity and metastasis in murine models

The thiol N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) is a promising cancer chemopreventive agent which acts through a variety of mechanisms, including its nucleophilic and antioxidant properties. We have recently shown that NAC inhibits type‐IV collagenase activity as well as invasion, tumor take and metastasis of malignant cells in mice. NAC is also known to attenuate the cardiotoxicity of the cytostatic drug doxorubicin (DOX, Adriamycin). The present study was designed to evaluate whether the combination of NAC and DOX treatments in mice injected with cancer cells could affect their tumorigenic and metastatic properties. Six separate experiments were carried out, using a total of 291 adult female mice. In experimental metastasis assays, in which B16‐F10 melanoma cells were injected i.v. into (CD‐1)BR nude mice, DOX significantly reduced the number of lung metastases when administered i.v. at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight, 3 days after the i.v. injection of cancer cells. NAC inhibited lung metastases when added to the medium of cancer cells before their i.v. injection. The combined treatment with DOX and NAC, under various experimental conditions, was highly effective, showing a synergistic reduction in the number of mestastases. In tumorigenicity and spontaneous metastasis assays, in which B16‐BL6 melanoma cells were injected s.c. into the footpad of C57BL/6 mice, DOX decreased the number of lung metastases when given i.p. at 2 mg/kg body weight. Oral NAC exerted significant protective effects, and considerably prolonged survival of mice. The combined treatment with DOX and NAC again showed synergistic effects on the frequency and weight of primary tumors and local recurrences, and completely prevented the formation of lung metastases in the experiment in which these end‐points were evaluated at fixed times. While injection of DOX7 days after implantation of cancer cells failed to improve the cancer‐protective effects of NAC, its injection after 1 day resulted in a striking inhibition of lung metastases. These findings demonstrate an evident synergism between DOX (given parenterally) and NAC (given with drinking water) in preventing tumorigenicity and metastases. The indications of these animal studies warrant further evaluation in clinical trials. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Correlations between monthly enhanced MRI Lesion rate and changes in T2 Lesion volume in multiple sclerosis

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a powerful tool for assessing disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS), and its role as a surrogate marker for monitoring treatment efficacy is now becoming established. The most commonly used MRI parameters in treatment trials are (1) monthly gadolinium‐enhanced MRI, with the number of active lesions serving as the outcome measure, and (2) annual lesion load quantification, in which change in MS lesion volume provides the MRI endpoint. We evaluated clinical/MRI correlations and the relationship between these two markers of disease activity in 73 patients with clinically definite MS. Quantification of T2 lesion load was performed at study entry and exit, with a median study duration of 11 months (range, 9 to 14 months). Monthly postgadolinium T1‐weighted images were acquired between these time points. Lesion load at study entry was significantly correlated with the baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, but no significant longitudinal correlation was demonstrated. The number of enhancing lesions on the entry scan was predictive of subsequent relapse rate over the study duration and also correlated with the subsequent enhancing lesion activity over the study period. A significant correlation was found between change in lesion load and disease activity on the monthly scans. Our results suggest that annual lesion load quantification provides an efficient measure of ongoing disease activity, and this supports its application as a surrogate marker of disease evolution in phase III treatment trials.
Detection of micro-Te segregation at the interface of Cu/Cr phases in Cu-30Cr-0.01Te alloy contact material by XPS

The composition and bonding energy of Te segregation in Cu-30Cr-0.01Te alloy contact material were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Photoelectron patterns from the main chemical elements of Cu, Cr and Te on the fresh fracture surface of Cu-30Cr-0.01Te alloy contact material show that Te atoms highly segregated at the interface of Cu/Cr phases, thus the structure and property of the interface between Cu/Cr phases were changed and led to reduce the tensile strength and increase anti-welding property of the contact material.
Heart function in magnetic resonance imaging and the mesenteric artery reactivity in rats receiving lead-contaminated drinking water

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lead (Pb)-contaminated drinking water on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-estimated cardiac function, vascular reactivity, and serum lipids in rats. For 3 months, male Wistar rats, aged 4–6 weeks, were given drinking water with the addition of lead acetate at a concentration of 100 ppm Pb (10 rats) or water free from Pb (8 control rats). The cardiac MRI was performed at rest and under β-adrenergic stimulation on a 4.7 T scanner using electrocardiogram-triggered gradient echo (FLASH) cine sequence. After 1–2 weeks of the MRI test, experiments were performed ex vivo. After stabilization of perfusion pressure (PP), norepinephrine at doses from 0.01 to 5.0 μg was dissolved in Krebs solution, injected in a volume of 100 μl, and next infused at a concentration of 0.5 μg/ml into the isolated mesenteric artery. In this manner, preconstricted mesenteric bed was used to determine PP changes induced by acetylcholine, given at doses from 0.05 to 5.0 μg, before and during the infusion of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (1.0 μg/ml). At the end, dobutamine (5 mg), followed by potassium chloride (10.5 mg), was injected. Lipid levels were determined enzymatically, blood Pb level was measured by the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. This study showed that Pb impairs the left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. Pb-induced changes in response to resistance of vessels to vasoactive agents may be secondary to the reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. The high-density lipoprotein subfraction 2 (HDL2) is involved in the cardiovascular effect of Pb.