Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic and epigenetic characteristics of gastric cancers with JC virus T-antigen.

AIM To clarify the significance of JC virus (JCV) T-antigen (T-Ag) expression in human gastric cancer. METHODS We investigated the relationship between T-Ag detected by immunohistochemistry and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, microsatellite instability (MSI), and genetic and epigenetic alterations in gastric cancers. Mutations in the p53, beta-catenin, KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA genes were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing. Allelic losses were determined by PCR at 7 microsatellite loci. Aberrant DNA methylation was analyzed by MethyLight assay. RESULTS JCV T-Ag protein expression was found in 49% of 90 gastric cancer tissues. T-Ag positivity was not correlated with clinicopathological characteristics. T-Ag expression was detected in a similar percentage of EBV positive cancers (4 of 9, 44%) and EBV negative cancers (35 of 73, 48%). T-Ag expression was detected in a significantly lower percentage of MSI-H cancers (14%) than in non MSI-H cancers (55%, P = 0.005). T-Ag expression was detected in a significantly higher percentage of cancers with nuclear/cytoplasmic localization of beta-catenin (15 of 21, 71%) than in cancers without (42%, P = 0.018). p53 mutations were detected in a significantly lower percentage of T-Ag positive cancers (32%) than in T-Ag negative cancers (57%, P = 0.018). T-Ag positive gastric cancers showed a significant increase in the allelic losses and aberrant methylation compared with T-Ag negative gastric cancers (P = 0.008 and P = 0.003). CONCLUSION The results suggest that JCV T-Ag is involved in gastric carcinogenesis through multiple mechanisms of genetic and epigenetic alterations.
IL-9 and its Receptor: From Signal Transduction to Tumorigenesis

IL-9 is a multifunctional cytokine secreted by TH2 lymphocytes. Besides its role during immune responses, its growth factor and antiapoptotic activities on multiple transformed cells suggest a potential role in tumorigenesis. Indeed, IL-9 overexpression induces thymic lymphomas in mice, and IL-9 production is associated with Hodgkin disease and HTLV-I transformed T cells in humans. IL-9 activities are mediated by a specific receptor chain that forms a heterodimeric receptor with the common gamma chain also involved in IL-2,4,7,15 and 21 signaling. The IL-9 receptor and common gamma chains associate with JAK1 and JAK3, respectively and trigger the STAT-1, -3 and -5, IRS and RAS-MAPK pathways. Moreover, in vitro, dysregulated IL-9 response can lead to autonomous cell growth and malignant transformation of lymphoid cells associated with constitutive activation of the Jak/STAT pathway.
Pharmacokinetics and safety of penciclovir following oral administration of famciclovir to cats.

OBJECTIVE To investigate penciclovir pharmacokinetics following single and multiple oral administrations of famciclovir to cats. ANIMALS 8 adult cats. PROCEDURES A balanced crossover design was used. Phase I consisted of a single administration (62.5 mg, PO) of famciclovir. Phase II consisted of multiple doses of famciclovir (62.5 mg, PO) given every 8 or 12 hours for 3 days. Plasma penciclovir concentrations were assayed via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry at fixed time points after famciclovir administration. RESULTS Following a single dose of famciclovir, the dose-normalized (15 mg/kg) maximum concentration (C(max)) of penciclovir (350 +/- 180 ng/mL) occurred at 4.6 +/- 1.8 hours and mean +/- SD apparent elimination half-life was 3.1 +/- 0.9 hours. However, the dose-normalized area under the plasma penciclovir concentration-time curve extrapolated to infinity (AUC(0-->)) during phase I decreased with increasing dose, suggesting either nonlinear pharmacokinetics or interindividual variability among cats. Accumulation occurred following multiple doses of famciclovir administered every 8 hours as indicated by a significantly increased dose-normalized AUC, compared with AUC(0-->) from phase 1. Dose-normalized penciclovir C(max)following administration of famciclovir every 12 or 8 hours (290 +/- 150 ng/mL or 780 +/- 250 ng/mL, respectively) was notably less than the in vitro concentration (3,500 ng/mL) required for activity against feline herpesvirus-1. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Penciclovir pharmacokinetics following oral famciclovir administration in cats appeared complex within the dosage range studied. Famciclovir dosages of 15 mg/kg administered every 8 hours to cats are unlikely to result in plasma penciclovir concentrations with activity against feline herpesvirus-1.
Down‐Regulation of the Serum Stimulatory Components of the Insulin‐like Growth Factor (IGF) System (IGF‐I, IGF‐II, IGF Binding Protein [BP]‐3, and IGFBP‐5) in Age‐Related (Type II) Femoral Neck Osteoporosis

Both a decrease in bone formation and an increase in bone resorption have been implicated in the pathogenesis of age‐related (type II) femoral neck osteoporosis. While the increase in the bone resorption rate has been shown to be partially related to secondary hyperparathyroidism, the mechanisms underlying the decline in bone formation have not yet been identified. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the bone formation deficit associated with type II osteoporosis might be due to secondary hyperparathyroidism and/or to a deficiency of the insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) system. Circulating concentrations of IGF‐I, IGF‐II, IGF binding protein (IGFBP)‐3, IGFBP‐4, IGFBP‐5, 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D3), and intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) were measured in 50 elderly women after sustaining a hip fracture and in 50 healthy age‐matched controls. In addition, serum levels of osteocalcin (OC), skeletal alkaline phosphatase, and N‐terminal procollagen peptide and urinary pyridinium cross‐links were determined as markers of bone remodeling, and bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed at the proximal femur. In the patient group, serum was drawn within 18 h of the fracture and prior to surgery. Circulating protein concentrations did not change over this time frame. No difference was found between mean IGFBP‐4 serum levels in the two groups studied, while mean levels of IGF‐I, IGF‐II, IGFBP‐3, IGFBP‐5, 25(OH)D3, and markers of bone formation were significantly lower (p < 0.006) in patients as compared with healthy subjects. Serum PTH and urinary pyridinium cross‐links, however, were markedly increased (p < 0.001) in the osteoporotic group. In pooled data from the normal and osteoporotic populations, age‐adjusted multiple regression models based on IGF‐I, IGF‐II, IGFBP‐3, and IGFBP‐5 were found to be highly predictive of serum OC (R2 = 19%, p < 0.001) and BMD of femoral neck (R2 = 49%, p < 0.0001), consistent with an effect of the anabolic IGF components on overall bone formation rate. Similar models based on 25(OH)D3 and PTH, however, were statistically unrelated to OC. To address further the potential impact of trauma on circulating IGF system components, we measured IGF system component levels in 10 male patients within 18 h following tibial fracture and in 10 age‐matched normal male subjects. There was no significant difference in serum level of any of the IGF system components between the two groups. Although limited by its cross‐sectional design, the present study suggests that, in addition to bone resorption resulting from secondary hyperparathyroidism, impaired bone formation associated with deficiency of the IGF system might predispose elderly women to fragility fracture of the proximal femur.
Domain Walls in Thin Ni-Fe Films

Observations of domain walls in Ni-Fe films as a function of thickness demonstrate the strong influence of magnetic stray fields on the wall structure, hence on the coercivity for wall motion. In order to reduce the stray-field energy, the Bloch walls in films thicker than 1000 A are subdivided into sections with alternating polarity which are separated by Bloch lines. In thinner films, the domain walls are of the Neel type. The position of Bloch lines in such walls is indicated by crosswalls. The motion of Bloch lines in an applied field can be observed particularly easily on scratches in negative magnetostrictive material; such scratches display properties corresponding to Neel walls. Crosswalk are also present at the ends of domains and around holes in the film material. A crosswall is distinguished from ordinary domain walls by the continuous change of the angle of magnetization along both sides of it.
Microwave propagation in two-dimensional dielectric lattices.

We have calculated and measured the properties of X-band microwaves propagating in a 2D array of low-loss high-dielectric-constant cylinders. Transmission bands and photonic band gaps are conclusively identified in excellent agreement with the theoretical predictions. Detailed data on the properties of isolated defect states are also presented. We conclude that studies of this model scattering system allow the quantitative evaluation and testing of ideas regarding wave propagation and localization in strongly scattering media
A Qualitative Exploration of a Patient-Centered Coaching Intervention to Improve Care Transitions in Chronically Ill Older Adults

ABSTRACT Persons with chronic illness frequently find they need to navigate the health care system but are ill equipped to do so. Using interview data from 32 participants, this study explored patients' experiences with a coaching intervention that provided patients with support and tools to enhance self-management during care transitions. The findings suggest the efficacy of the model in enhancing self-management, particularly because it fostered the perception of a caring relationship, leading to greater patient investment in the program. Future research should seek to explore which patients are most ready and able to benefit from this type of intervention.
Age‐Dependent Alterations of HLA‐DR Expression and Effect of Lipopolysaccharide on Cytokine Secretion of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in the Elderly Population

HLA‐DR, a major histocompatibility complex, MHC class II, is involved in several autoimmune conditions, disease susceptibility and disease resistance. Here, we investigate the impact of different age individuals on HLA‐DR expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results indicate that HLA‐DR expression on PBMCs in the population aged above 70 years significantly increased as compared with that in the lower‐age groups by flow cytometry analysis (B–D; r = 0.690, P = 0.000265). In addition, followed by LPS stimulation, the levels of cytokine TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐10 secretion by allogeneic T lymphocytes from different age groups (A–D) were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Notably, levels of TNF‐α and IL‐6 were significantly reduced in groups B, C and D as compared with group A (P < 0.05), whereas levels of IL‐10 increased (P = 0.012). However, no significant difference in PBMC‐secreted TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐10 levels was observed among groups A, B, C and D (P > 0.05) before LPS stimulation. We firstly present data showing an age‐dependent increase in HLA‐DR expression in the population aged above 70 years and the individual with aged above 70 years has reduced the secretion of inflammatory mediators (TNF‐α and IL‐6) by PBMCs and increased the secretion of anti‐inflammatory cytokine (IL‐10) after LPS stimulation in vitro. The better understanding of HLR–DR expression on human PBMCs in aged individuals and its relation to the host cellular immunity would provide important insights into the immunity of aged individuals and particularly, in elderly patients with sepsis.
Decrements in Hippocampal Activity with Item Repetition during Continuous Recognition: An fMRI Study

fMRI (1.5 mm isotropic voxels) was employed to investigate the relationship between hippocampal activity and memory strength in a continuous recognition task. While being scanned, subjects were presented with colored photographs that each appeared on four occasions. The requirements were to make one response when an item was presented for the first or the third time and to make a different response when an item appeared for the second or the fourth time. Consistent with prior findings, items presented for the first time elicited greater hippocampal and parahippocampal activity than repeated items. The activity elicited by repeated items declined linearly as a function of number of presentations (“graded” new > old effects). No medial-temporal lobe regions could be identified where activity elicited by repeated items exceeded that for new items or where activity elicited by repeated items increased with number of presentations. These findings are inconsistent with the proposal that retrieval-related hippocampal activity is positively correlated with memory strength. We also identified graded new > old effects in several cortical regions outside the medial-temporal lobe, including the left retrosplenial/posterior cingulate cortex and the right lateral occipito-temporal cortex. By contrast, graded old > new effects were evident in bilateral mid-intraparietal sulcus and precuneus.
Expression of apoptosis‐related markers and HER‐2/neu in thymic epithelial tumours

Aims: To correlate the expression of a series of apoptotic and oncogene markers (including p53, Bcl‐2, BAX, Bcl‐XL, p21WAF,1/CIP1, cyclin D1, HER‐2/neu) in thymic epithelial tumours with histological type, stage and resectability and to determine whether the information on HER‐2/neu would be valuable in identifying patients who are eligible for anti‐HER‐2/neu treatment.
Effects of switching costs and benefits on user resistance in information systems project implementation: Roles of positive emotions and traditionality

User resistance is a significant cause of information systems (IS) project implementation failure. While previous research has proposed that perceived switching costs and benefits are primary antecedents of user resistance, the influence mechanism between them remains unexplored. This research examines how perceived switching costs and benefits influence user resistance in IS project implementation from individual emotions and traditional value perspectives. We select the potential users of a new IS project implementation as our sample and analyze the 256 valid questionnaires through structural equation modelling and hierarchical regression analysis. The results indicate that positive emotions play a partial mediating role in the relationship of perceived switching costs and benefits with user resistance. Additionally, user traditionality moderates the influences of perceived switching costs and benefits on user resistance. These findings also provide beneficial suggestions for managers to alleviate user resistance.
Survival and synaptogenesis of hippocampal neurons without NMDA receptor function in culture

Physiological and morphological properties of cultured hippocampal neurons were measured to investigate whether NMDA receptors play a role in survival and differentiation. Neurons dissociated from mouse embryos with different NMDAR1 genotypes were grown in culture. Electrophysiological analysis verified the absence of NMDA receptor‐mediated currents in neurons taken from homozygous mutant (NR1–/–) embryos. The number of surviving hippocampal neurons was 2.5‐fold higher in cultures from the NR1–/– embryos compared with wild type (NR1 +/+) and heterozygous (NR1+/–) controls. Despite the lack of NMDA receptor function, NR1–/– neurons formed synapsin I‐positive presynaptic boutons associated with MAP2ab‐positive dendrites in culture. Confocal microscopic analysis of DiI labelled neurons confirmed the presence of dendritic spines on NR1–/– neurons with 80% of the density found in NR1 +/+ neurons. These results suggest that the NMDA receptor has little effect on general features of neuronal differentiation. In contrast, there is clear effect on neuronal survival. This finding establishes neuron number in standard culture conditions as a measure of NMDA receptor activity.
Exploring Patient, Co-Worker, and Management Burnout in Health Care

Abstract Previous work in services marketing reveals that much is to be gained by considering distinct types of employee burnout. The current work extends these findings into the health care environment by examining the antecedents and effects of patient, co-worker, and management burnout. It is suggested that the distinction among the various types of burnout are especially important in the increasingly competitive and stressful health care setting. Several hypotheses are derived from burnout, social support, and exchange theory, and an empirical study from a hospital setting is discussed. The results indicate that of the three burnout types, management burnout has the strongest influence on employee service delivery, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and intentions to leave the health care organization. Implications for managers and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Kinetic studies of the refolding of yeast phosphoglycerate kinase: Comparison with the isolated engineered domains

Unfolding and refolding kinetics of yeast phosphoglycerate kinase were studied by following the time‐dependent changes of two signals: the ellipticity at 218 nm and 222 nm, and the fluorescence emission at 330 nm (following excitation at 295 nm). The protein is composed of two similar‐sized structural domains. Each domain has been produced by recombinant DNA techniques. It has been previously demonstrated that the engineered isolated domains are able to fold into a quasinative structure (Minard, P., et al., 1989b, Protein Eng. 3, 55–60; Missiakas, D., Betton, J.M., Minard, P., & Yon, J.M., 1990, Biochemistry 29, 8683–8689). The behavior of the isolated domains was studied using the same two conformational probes as for the whole enzyme. We found that the refolding kinetics of each domain are multiphasic. In the whole protein, domain folding and pairing appeared to be simultaneous events. However, it was found that some refolding steps occurring during the refolding of the isolated C‐domain are masked during the refolding of yeast phosphoglycerate kinase. The N‐domain was also found to refold faster when it was isolated than when integrated.
Spatiotemporal chromaticity discrimination.

The threshold visibility of uniformly moving colored gratings was investigated. The gratings were equiluminous sine-wave patterns, generated on a color-television display. The traveling waves were detected by the subject over a range of three log units of background illuminance, including various spatial- and temporal-frequency combinations. The experiments indicate that no resonance phenomena occur in the spatiotemporal color-discrimination system of the eye. This system probably functions as a low-pass filter. The color coding takes place in much narrower frequency bands than the brightness coding. A regular motion of the pattern never enhances the visibility of the color gratings. The temporal characteristics of the chromatic-discrimination system show very much resemblance to its spatial qualities. Our experiments show that the threshold chromatic contrast is proportional to the square root of the illuminance. This fundamental relationship can easily be understood from the statistical properties of the photons, absorbed in the differential receptor systems.
Effects of x-ray radiation on HeLa cells.

Observations were made from various points on the effect of single X-ray irradiation at 100 to 1, 000 R on HeLa cells : 1) The metabolism was disturbed in HeLa cells in culture in test tubes by X-irradiation at more than 300R. With over 300R, the proliferation of the number of cell nuclei was restrained. This effect was especially pronounced with irradiation by 1, 000R. 2) Examination by Giemsa staining revealed only the disturbance in mitotic cells in X-irradiation at less than 200R, but the disturbance in the resting cells was pronounced in X-irradiation at over 500R. 3) Histochemical observation by means of Feulgen reaction revealed that more than 20% of the stickiness of chromosome was produced in 3 to 7 days after X-irradiation by 500 to 1, 000 R. 4) Observation of electron-microscopic pictures revealed that the cytoplasma of HeLa cells grew larger with the increase of the amount of X-irradiation and that round degenerations were present locally. Both cytoplasma and nucleoplasma became scarce. No remarkable changes were observed in mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and nucleolus. The double structure of the nuclear membrane remained undisturbed. 5) The inhibitions of about 18% in the respiratory action and 29% in glycolysis were observed 24 hours after X-irradiation at 1, 000 R. 6) There was hardly any change in the amount of nucleic acid (both RNA-P and DNA-P) 15 hours after X-irradiation at 1, 000 R, but the incorporation of 32P into nucleic acid-P was clearly inhibited. Also about 50% inhibition of the mononucleotide of the RNA was observed. No remarkable difference in incorporation was observed among the mononucleotides in the groups.
Long-term Survival Analysis of Pure Laparoscopic Versus Open Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients With Cirrhosis: A Single-center Experience.

To the Editor: W e read with interest the article by Cheung et al.1 It is noteworthy that laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with less blood loss, shorter hospital stay, and fewer postoperative complications in selected patients, as confirmed by this case-matched controlled trial by Cheung et al. The favorable aspects of laparoscopic surgery as compared with the equivalent open surgery have been reported in many studies.2 Clinically, whether laparoscopic surgery can yield the same or more favorable long-term outcomes as open surgery is an important issue. Currently, long-term survival analysis of laparoscopic liver resection is lacking. Therefore, this study is very valuable in that it reports on the long-term survival of patients with HCC in reference to the disease stage. Both overall survival and disease-free survival curves of all patients with HCC in the laparoscopic liver resection group shown in Figures 1 and 4 of the article by Cheung et al seem to be better than those for the open liver resection group, albeit not significantly. However, in this case-matched control study, Table 4 clearly shows that the open liver resection group had more patients with multiple lesions than the laparoscopic liver resection group. In general, the prognosis of patients with HCC who have undergone hepatectomy has been known to be associated with various factors, including number of tumors (single/multiple), as well as vascular or bile duct invasion, tumor size, alpha-fetoprotein levels, accompanying cirrhosis, and surgical curability.3,4 In particular, the differences in numbers of tumors may cause differences not only in overall and/or disease-free survival rates but also in the amount of blood loss during liver resection, the operation time, and the rate of postoperative complications. There-