Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gastric juice protects against the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma in the rat.

OBJECTIVE The authors investigate the effects of gastric juice on tumorigenesis in a rat model of esophageal adenocarcinoma. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA In rats treated with the carcinogen methyl-n-amyl nitrosamine, squamous cancer of the esophagus develops in a time- and dose-dependent manner. When methyl-n-amyl nitrosamine treatment is preceded by an operation to induce reflux of duodenal and gastric juice into the esophagus, there is an increased yield of esophageal tumors, many of which are adenocarcinomas. When only gastric juice refluxes into the esophagus, the tumor yield is less and adenocarcinomas are not found. METHODS Two hundred seventy 8-week old Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Twenty unoperated rats served as controls. The remaining rats underwent the following operations: esophagoduodenostomy with gastric and vagal preservation to induce duodenogastroesophageal reflux (n = 48); esophagoduodenostomy with antrectomy and Billroth 1 reconstruction to produce reflux of duodenogastric juice with the exclusion of the antrum (n = 53); esophagoduodenostomy with proximal gastrectomy to induce hypergastrinemia and reflux of duodenogastric juice with exclusion of the body and forestomach (n = 51); esophagoduodenostomy plus total gastrectomy to produce reflux of duodenal juice alone (n = 50); and esophagoduodenostomy with vagal and gastric preservation but with division of the duodenum just beyond the pylorus and reimplantation into the jejunum, 13 cm distal to the esophagoduodenostomy. This produced reflux of duodenal juice with gastric juice diverted downstream, (n = 48). At 10 weeks of age, all rats were given 4 weekly doses of carcinogen (methyl-n-amyl nitrosamine, 25 mg/kg intraperitoneally), and survivors were killed at 36 weeks of age. RESULTS The prevalence rate of esophageal adenocarcinoma was 30% in rats with duodenogastroesophageal reflux and 87% in rats with reflux of duodenal juice alone. Fifty-six percent of rats with reflux of duodenogastric juice with exclusion of the antrum and 72% of rats with reflux of duodenogastric juice with the exclusion of the body and forestomach developed adenocarcinoma, showing a progression increase in the prevalence of adenocarcinoma as less gastric juice was permitted to reflux with duodenal juice into the esophagus. CONCLUSION In this rat model, the presence of gastric juice in refluxed duodenal juice against the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. The protective effect appears to be due to acid secretion from the stomach. Continuous profound acid suppression therapy may be detrimental by encouraging esophageal metaplasia and tumorigenesis in patients with duodenogastroesophageal reflux.
Effect of ring size in R-(+)-pulegone-mediated hepatotoxicity: studies on the metabolism of R-(+)-4-methyl-2-(1-methylethylidene)-cyclopentanone and DL-camphorone in rats.

R-(+)-Pulegone, a monoterpene ketone, is a potent hepatotoxin. The present study was designed to evaluate whether the reduction of the ring size in R-(+)-pulegone would affect its mode of metabolism and its hepatotoxic potential. Metabolic fate of R-(+)-4-methyl-2-(1-methylethylidene)-cyclopentanone (I) and 5-methyl-2-(1-methylethylidene)-cyclopentanone (DL-camphorone; II) were examined in rats. Compounds I and II were administered orally (250 mg/kg of b.wt./day) to rats for 5 to 7 days. The following metabolites were isolated and identified from the urine of rats dosed with I: 3-methyl-5-(1-methylethylidene)-cyclopent-2-enone (Ie), Z-4-methyl-2-(1-hydroxymethylethylidene)-cyclopentanone (Ib), E-4-methyl-2-(1-hydroxymethylethylidene)-cyclopentanone (Ia), 3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-(1-methylethylidene)-cyclopentanone (If), 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-(1-methylethylidene)-cyclopentanone (Ic), and E-4-methyl-2-(1-carboxyethylidene)-cyclopentanone (Id). Phenobarbital (PB)-induced rat liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH transformed compound I into metabolites, which were identified as Ia, Ib, Ic, Ie, and If. The following urinary metabolites were isolated and identified from compound II: 5-hydroxy-5-methyl-2-(1-methylethylidene)-cyclopentanone (IIc), 5-hydroxy-5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)-cyclopentanone (IIg), Z-5-methyl-2-(1-hydroxymethylethylidene)-cyclopentanone (IIb), 5-methyl-2-(1-hydroxymethylethyl)-cyclopentanone (IIf), E-5-methyl-2-(1-hydroxymethylethylidene)-cyclopentanone (IIa), E-5-methyl-2-(1-carboxyethylidene)-cyclopentanone (IId), and 5-methyl-2-(1-carboxyethyl)-cyclopentanone (IIe). PB-induced rat liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH were shown to transform compound II to IIa, IIb, and IIc. Studies carried out in vitro demonstrated that hydroxylation at the tertiary carbon atom or oxidation of the isopropylidene methyl groups in II can be specifically blocked through structural modifications as seen in compounds 2,2-dimethyl-5-(1-methylethylidene)-cyclopentanone (III) and 5-methyl-2-(1-ethyl-1-propylidene)-cyclopentanone (IV). Similar observation was also made when isopropylidene methyl groups in R-(+)-pulegone were replaced by ethyl groups. Intraperitoneal administration of a single dose (250 mg/kg) of I and II to rats did not elicit hepatotoxicity as judged by serum alanine aminotransaminase levels and liver microsomal drug metabolizing enzyme activities.
Expression of aquaporin 8 is diversely regulated by osmotic stress in amnion epithelial cells

Aim: Water absorption across fetal chorioamniotic membranes is a critical regulatory pathway for amniotic fluid volume homeostasis. Aquaporin 8 (AQP8) is a water channel regulating osmotic water travel across membranes. This study was to investigate the distribution and expression of AQP8 in amnion epithelial cells (AEC) in response to different osmotic stresses.
Nucleotide variation regulates the level of enhancement by hypersensitive site 2 of the beta-globin locus control region.

The beta-globin locus control region hypersensitive site 2 (HS2) enhancer possesses a unique property for stimulating high-level globin gene expression. Although the deletion of cis-acting motifs influences the level of enhancement conferred by HS2, there is controversy on whether polymorphism of the same elements contributes to variation of the fetal hemoglobin (HbF) level among patients with sickle cell anemia. We analyzed reporter gene activity of constructs containing variant HS2 enhancers derived from beta(S) chromosomes to directly test the effect of polymorphism on enhancer activity. Constructs containing four enhancer variants linked to an identical gamma-globin promoter showed markedly different levels of reporter gene activity. Juxtaposition of HS2 derived from the Asian and Senegal chromosomes, which are associated with similarly high levels of HbF, to cognate sequence extending to -1500 of the (G)gamma globin gene showed significantly different levels of reporter gene activity. Our findings indicate that nucleotide variation regulates the level of enhancement conferred by HS2; however, the reporter activities showed no correlation with the level of Hb F associated with the common beta(S) chromosomes.
Beyond cost tools: Spacecraft net present value and the hosted payload paradigm

This work is at the intersection of and integrates two broad considerations in the space industry, namely the emergence of the hosted payload paradigm on the one hand, and the increased emphasis for the acquisition of space systems to be value-driven on the other hand. Spacecraft, and hosted payloads, are value delivery artifacts; their value derives from the flow of service they provide to different stakeholders. Their design and acquisition should be value-centric or at a minimum value-informed. In this work, we first provide a value model and analysis for a spacecraft, which includes its lifecycle cost as well as its revenue model. The revenue model accounts for the services provided by the primary payload and their lease price, the loading dynamics, and various provisions for its obsolescence. When integrated, these two models allow us to calculate the spacecraft Net Present Value (NPV) and its return on investment. A sensitivity analysis helps us to identify the effectiveness of the different value levers of a spacecraft. Second, after a brief review of the hosted payload paradigm, and having developed a baseline spacecraft NPV model, we integrate considerations of the hosted payload into the value analysis, and in the process, we develop a pricing standard (and model) for hosted payloads. For the hosted payload business model to be sustainable, both main stakeholders in the transaction, the owner of the spacecraft (host) and that of the hosted payload (guest), have to see a net value in the hosting arrangement. We propose that the pricing of the hosted payload should be at a minimum ΔNPV neutral. This condition helps us calculate the lower bound for either an upfront payment from the guest, an annuity or rent-like payment, or a combination of both. We developed the analytics for this condition and the three payment options, and we extended it beyond the ΔNPV neutral baseline to include an X% incremental return on the hosted payload. We conclude with a general reflection on value considerations in space systems and a series of analytical questions raised in this work and left as a fruitful venues for future work.
Effect of Metal Electrodes on Surface Acoustic Wave Properties in Bulk Z-Cut GaN Crystal

The effect of metal electrodes on surface acoustic wave (SAW) properties in bulk semi-insulating Z-cut GaN crystal was measured for the first time. A SAW synchronous two-port resonator was used for these measurements. Such SAW parameters as velocity, electromechanical coupling coefficient, and reflection coefficient of a single reflecting strip were determined by matching the measured and calculated amplitude responses of the resonator for aluminum and gold electrodes at a frequency of about 240 MHz. It was found that for gold electrodes, the reflection coefficient of a single reflecting strip is much larger compared with that of aluminum. Changes of resonance frequency against temperature were measured in the temperature range from -20 °C to 80 °C and linear temperature coefficient of frequency of about -23 ppm/°C was obtained. Isotropic SAW properties in the propagation plane, low temperature coefficient of frequency, and possibility of integration with active devices make the bulk Z-cut GaN crystal attractive for practical applications.
Confronting the Variability Issues Affecting the Performance of Next-Generation SRAM Design to Optimize and Predict the Speed and Yield

Effectively confronting device and circuit parameter variations to maintain or improve the design of high performance and energy efficient systems while satisfying historical standards for reliability and lower costs is increasingly challenging with the scaling of technology. In this paper, we develop methods for robust and resilient six-transistor-cell static random access memory (6T-SRAM) designs that mitigate the effects of device and circuit parameter variations. Our interdisciplinary effort involves: 1) using our own recently developed VAR-TX model [1] to illustrate the impact of interdie (also known as die-to-die, D2D) and intradie (also know as within-die, WID) process and operation variations - namely threshold voltage (Vth), gate length (L), and supply voltage (Vdd) - on future different 16-nm architectures and 2) using modified versions of other well-received models to illustrate the impact of variability due to temperature, negative bias temperature instability, aging, and so forth, on existing and next-generation technology nodes. Our goal in combining modeling techniques is to help minimize all major types of variability and to consequently predict and optimize speed and yield for the next generation 6T-SRAMs.
Bacillus thuringiensis: applications in agriculture and insect resistance management. A review

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a sporulating, Gram-positive facultative-aerobic soil bacterium. Its principal characteristic is the synthesis, during sporulation, of a crystalline inclusion containing proteins known as δ-endotoxins or Cry proteins. These proteins have insecticidal properties. The considerable diversity of these toxins, their efficacy and their relatively cheap production have made Bt the most widely used biopesticide in the world. It is used in the fight against many agricultural crop pests — mostly lepidopteran and coleopteran larvae — notably in the creation of new plant varieties expressing Bt cry genes. For human health, Bt can be used for the effective control of populations of several dipteran disease vectors. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the use of Bt for crop protection and to deal with the problem of the emergence of insects resistant to this biopesticide. We will begin by presenting various aspects of the biology of this entomopathogenic micro-organism, focusing on the diversity and mode of action of the insecticidal toxins it produces. We will then present several examples of utilization of commercially available Bt products used as sprays or as transgenic crops. Finally, we will describe the principal strategy for the use of Bt transgenic plants, developed so as to prevent or delay the emergence of resistance in target insect populations.
A Study of Risk Factors of School Disengagement : Evidence from the InterRAI Child and Youth Mental Health Instrument ( ChYMH )

School disengagement (SD) places students at risk of dropout, academic failure and other negative psychological outcomes. Based on the data derived from a sample of southern Ontario children, this exploratory study aims to identify a wide context of risk factors associated with SD among 1298 school-aged students. Logistic regression model revealed that substance use, family functioning , Attention Distractibility Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and victim of bullying significantly predicted SD. Externalizing problem was slightly stronger than internalizing problem in predicting SD. Females, compared to males, were at lower risk for SD. Implications to decrease the likelihood of premature school termination were also discussed. This study provides further supporting evidence for the argument that early intervention at school is important and improved access to mental health services should be made possible to circumvent more extensive mental health needs in students’ later life and decrease premature school termination.
Validation of pediatric early warning score in pediatric emergency department

One of the most important functions of the emergency department (ED) is to assess patient status. Only one, the pediatric early warning score (PEWS), has been designed for ED with acceptable validity, but it has never been validated in Thailand. The objective of this study was to validate PEWS in predicting hospitalization in children visiting the ED.
Next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic approaches to detect and analyze influenza virus in ferrets.

INTRODUCTION Conventional methods used to detect and characterize influenza viruses in biological samples face multiple challenges due to the diversity of subtypes and high dissimilarity of emerging strains. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a powerful technique that can facilitate the detection and characterization of influenza, however, the sequencing strategy and the procedures of data analysis possess different aspects that require careful consideration. METHODOLOGY The RNA from the lungs of ferrets infected with influenza A/California/07/2009 was analyzed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) without using specific PCR amplification of the viral sequences. Several bioinformatic approaches were used to resolve the viral genes and detect viral quasispecies. RESULTS The genomic sequences of influenza virus were characterized to a high level of detail when analyzing the short-reads with either the fast aligner Bowtie2, the general purpose aligner BLASTn or de novo assembly with Abyss. Moreover, when using distant viral sequences as reference, these methods were still able to resolve the viral sequences of a biological sample. Finally, direct sequencing of RNA samples did not provide sufficient coverage of the viral genome to study viral quasispecies, and, therefore, prior amplification of the viral segments by PCR would be required to perform this type of analysis. CONCLUSIONS the introduction of NGS for virus research allows routine full characterization of viral isolates; however, careful design of the sequencing strategy and the procedures for data analysis are still of critical importance.
Downstream regulatory elements increase acute and latent herpes simplex virus type 2 latency-associated transcript expression but do not influence recurrence phenotype or establishment of latency

The role of putative promoter or activator sequences downstream of the herpes simplex virus type 2 latency-associated transcript (LAT) promoter and upstream of the LAT intron was investigated in vivo by constructing and evaluating mutant viruses with deletions in this region. The deletion of LAT promoter sequences upstream of the primary LAT transcript reduced levels of LAT expression during productive infections, compared with the LAT expression level of wild-type virus, and abolished LAT expression during latency. The deletion of the putative downstream regulatory elements reduced but did not eliminate LAT expression during productive and latent infections. The deletion of both regions almost completely eliminated acute LAT transcription, although additional acute LAT-region transcription directed by sequences upstream of either region was detected by reverse transcriptase PCR. The deletion of the downstream elements did not influence the ability of the virus to reactivate from latently infected guinea pigs relative to the ability of the wild-type virus to reactivate; thus, decreased LAT expression did not affect the frequency of recurrence. The deletion of both regions did not affect the ability of the virus to establish latency. We conclude that downstream regulatory elements are necessary for maximal acute LAT expression but do not constitute an independent promoter during latency and do not play an obvious role in the establishment of our reactivation from latency.
Effect on 12-week Intensive Dietary and Exercise Program on Weight Reduction and Maintenance in Obese Women with Weight Cycling History

This study examined the effect of 12-week intensive dietary and exercise intervention program on body composition and stress-related hormones in obese women and to examine the residual effect after the intervention. The participants of this study were 30 obese women who had a body mass index of over 25 kg/m2 and over 30% in body fat. They were classified into 2 groups depending on the history of weight cycling (WC); the WC group (≥ ±5% of the original body weight) and the non-weight cycling (NWC) group. Both groups were subject to a nutritional intervention program every 2 weeks with a mandatory exercise intervention for 12 weeks. Thereafter, the nutrition/exercise interventions were ceased for 12 weeks, after which the participants' levels of the hormones relating to energy metabolism and stress, meal intakes, dietary habits, level of knowledge on sodium intake, frequency of sodium intake, and quality of life (QOL) were checked. The changes of body weight were 71.3 ± 5.5 kg (week 0) vs. 65.0 ± 6.6 kg (week 12) vs. 65.6 ± 7.1 kg (week 24) in WC group and 71.6 ± 8.6 kg (week 0) vs. 68.8 ± 9.7 kg (week 12) vs. 70.3 ± 9.4 kg (week 24) in the NWC group. The levels of hormones, meal intakes, and QOL scores were better in the WC group, as adherence to the nutritional intervention was higher. We suggest that that adherence to dietary habits heavily influences weight loss and maintenance in individuals who frequently attempt to lose weight and consequently go through a vicious cycle of weight recycling.
Ontogeny of the nasopalatine duct in primates.

Ecological explanations have been put forward to account for the precocious or delayed development of patency in ducts leading to the vomeronasal organ (VNO) in certain mammals. Perinatal function may be related, in part, to the patency or fusion of the vomeronasal and nasopalatine (NPD) ducts. However, few studies have focused on NPD development in primates, which generally have a prolonged period of dependence during infancy. In this study we examined 24 prenatal primates and 13 neonatal primates, and a comparative sample of fetal mice and insectivores. In embryonic and early fetal Microcebus murinus, the NPD was completely fused, whereas in fetuses of later stages the duct was partially fused or completely patent. M. myoxinus of all stages demonstrated some degree of NPD fusion. In all other prenatal primates, the NPD was fused to some extent. Four prenatal insectivores (Tenrec ecaudatus) showed some degree of NPD fusion. In Mus musculus at 19 days gestation, the NPD was patent, although the anatomically separate VNO duct was fused. T. ecaudatus and most of the neonatal primates revealed complete NPD patency. An exception was Saguinus geoffroyi, which exhibited fusion of the NPD near the VNO opening. These observations may relate to differences in perinatal VNO function. The differences noted in our study suggest that M. murinus and M. myoxinus may differ in perinatal VNO functionality and perhaps in related behavior. Observations of neonatal primates suggest that NPD patency may be relatively common at birth and could serve other purposes in addition to being an access route for VNO stimuli.
Neuropsychological outcome following intensity‐modulated radiation therapy for pediatric medulloblastoma

Combined cisplatin chemotherapy and cranial irradiation for treatment of medulloblastoma in children can cause significant ototoxicity and impair cognitive function and quality of life. We have previously demonstrated the conformal technique of intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to reduce ototoxicity, however, it has been suggested that IMRT may increase risk of cognitive deficits compared to conventional radiation therapy (CRT). This study compared the impact of the two treatments on measures of neurocognitive functioning.
Randomized, controlled trial of written emotional expression and benefit finding in breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE Expressing emotions and finding benefits regarding stressful experiences have been associated in correlational research with positive adjustment. A randomized trial was performed to compare effects of experimentally induced written emotional disclosure and benefit finding with a control condition on physical and psychological adjustment to breast cancer and to test whether outcomes varied as a function of participants' cancer-related avoidance. PATIENTS AND METHODS Early-stage breast cancer patients completing medical treatment were assigned randomly to write over four sessions about (1) their deepest thoughts and feelings regarding breast cancer (EMO group; n = 21), (2) positive thoughts and feelings regarding their experience with breast cancer (POS group; n = 21), or (3) facts of their breast cancer experience (CTL group; n = 18). Psychological (eg, distress) and physical (perceived somatic symptoms and medical appointments for cancer-related morbidities) outcomes were assessed at 1- and 3-month follow-ups. RESULTS A significant condition x cancer-related avoidance interaction emerged on psychological outcomes; EMO writing was relatively effective for women low in avoidance, and induced POS writing was more useful for women high in avoidance. Significant effects of experimental condition emerged on self-reported somatic symptoms (P =.0183) and medical appointments for cancer-related morbidities (P =.0069). Compared with CTL participants at 3 months, the EMO group reported significantly decreased physical symptoms, and EMO and POS participants had significantly fewer medical appointments for cancer-related morbidities. CONCLUSION Experimentally induced emotional expression and benefit finding regarding early-stage breast cancer reduced medical visits for cancer-related morbidities. Effects on psychological outcomes varied as a function of cancer-related avoidance.