Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytosine arabinoside influx and nucleoside transport sites in acute leukemia.

Although cytosine arabinoside (araC) can induce a remission in a majority of patients presenting with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML), a minority fail to respond and moreover the drug has less effect in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The carrier-mediated influx of araC into purified blasts from patients with AML, ALL, and acute undifferentiated leukemia (AUL) has been compared to that of normal lymphocytes and polymorphs. Blasts showed a larger mediated influx of araC than mature cells, since mean influxes for myeloblasts and lymphoblasts were 6- and 2.3-fold greater than polymorphs and lymphocytes, respectively. Also, the mean influx for myeloblasts was fourfold greater than the mean for lymphoblasts. The number of nucleoside transport sites was estimated for each cell type by measuring the equilibrium binding of [(3)H]nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR), which inhibits nucleoside fluxes by binding with high affinity to specific sites on the transport mechanism. The mean binding site numbers for myeloblasts and lymphoblasts were 5- and 2.8-fold greater, respectively, than for the mature cells of the same maturation series. The mean number of NBMPR binding sites for myeloblasts was fourfold greater than for lymphoblasts. Patients with AUL were heterogeneous since blasts from some gave values within the myeloblastic range and others within the lymphoblastic range. The araC influx correlated closely with the number of NBMPR binding sites measured in the same cells on the same day. Transport parameters were measured on blasts from 15 patients with AML or AUL who were then treated with standard induction therapy containing araC. Eight patients entered complete remission, while seven failed therapy, among whom were the three patients with the lowest araC influx (<0.4 pmol/10(7) cells per min) and NBMPR binding (<3,000 sites/cell) for the treated group. In summary, myeloblasts have both higher araC transport rates and more nucleoside transport sites than lymphoblasts and this factor may contribute to the greater sensitivity of AML to this drug. AraC transport varied >10-fold between leukemic blasts and normal leukocytes, but transport capacity related directly to the number of nucleoside transport sites on the cell. Finally, low araC transport rates or few NBMPR binding sites on blasts were observed in a subset of patients with acute leukemia who failed to achieve remission with drug combinations containing araC.
Bcl-2 overexpression in thyroid carcinoma cells increases sensitivity to Bcl-2 homology 3 domain inhibition.

CONTEXT The Bcl-2 family of proteins regulates apoptosis in various models and may represent a promising therapeutic target in human malignancies. OBJECTIVE/METHODS We evaluated the sensitivity of thyroid carcinoma cell lines (two papillary, one follicular, two anaplastic, three medullary) in vitro to BH3I-1 and BH3I-2', two cell-permeable inhibitors of the Bcl-2 homology (BH)-3 domain-mediated interaction between proapoptotic and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family members. The thyroid carcinoma cell line FRO was stably transfected with cDNA for Bcl-2 or constitutively active Akt and evaluated for sensitivity to BH3-domain inhibition. RESULTS BH3-domain inhibition disrupted the mitochondrial membrane potential in thyroid carcinoma cells, induced caspase-dependent apoptosis, and potently sensitized them to sublethal concentrations of doxorubicin and the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (Velcade). Overexpression of constitutively active Akt suppressed BH3I-1-induced cell death. Bcl-2-overexpressing FRO cells were more resistant to conventional chemotherapeutic agents (such as doxorubicin) but significantly more sensitive to BH3I-1 than control cells and were found to overexpress caspase-9, caspase-8, Bmf, Bok, and Bik transcripts and express less A1, BRaf, and FLIP transcripts. CONCLUSIONS Bcl-2 expression protects thyroid carcinomas against chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Nevertheless, overexpression of Bcl-2 may result in "oncogene addiction" of the cancer cell, which can be exploited by using BH3-domain inhibitors alone or in combination with other agents, including conventional chemotherapeutics (such as doxorubicin) or novel targeted therapies (such as the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib), for the treatment of aggressive thyroid cancer, including the medullary and anaplastic types.
Microswimmers in patterned environments

Tiny self-propelled swimmers capable of autonomous navigation through complex environments provide appealing opportunities for localization, pick-up and delivery of microscopic and nanoscopic objects. Inspired by motile cells and bacteria, man-made microswimmers have been created and their motion in homogeneous environments has been studied. As a first step towards more realistic conditions under which such microswimmers will be employed, here we study, experimentally and with numerical simulations, their behavior in patterned surroundings that present complex spatial features where frequent encounters with obstacles become important. To study the microswimmers as a function of their swimming behavior, we develop a novel species of microswimmers whose active motion is due to the local demixing of a critical binary liquid mixture and can be easily tuned by illumination. We show that, when microswimmers are confined to a single pore whose diameter is comparable with their swimming length, the probability of finding them at the confinement walls significantly increases compared to Brownian particles. Furthermore, in the presence of an array of periodically arranged obstacles, microswimmers can steer even perpendicularly to an applied force. Since such behavior is very sensitive to the details of their specific swimming style, it can be employed to develop advanced sorting, classification and dialysis techniques.
Survey of advances in guidance, navigation, and control of unmanned rotorcraft systems

Recently, there has been growing interest in developing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with advanced onboard autonomous capabilities. This paper describes the current state of the art in autonomous rotorcraft UAS (RUAS) and provides a detailed literature review of the last two decades of active research on RUAS. Three functional technology areas are identified as the core components of an autonomous RUAS. Guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) have received much attention from the research community, and have dominated the UAS literature from the nineties until now. This paper first presents the main research groups involved in the development of GNC systems for RUAS. Then it describes the development of a framework that provides standard definitions and metrics characterizing and measuring the autonomy level of a RUAS using GNC aspects. This framework is intended to facilitate the understanding and the organization of this survey paper, but it can also serve as a common reference for the UAS community. The main objective of this paper is to present a comprehensive survey of RUAS research that captures all seminal works and milestones in each GNC area, with a particular focus on practical methods and technologies that have been demonstrated in flight tests. These algorithms and systems have been classified into different categories and classes based on the autonomy level they provide and the algorithmic approach used. Finally, the paper discusses the RUAS literature in general and highlights challenges that need to be addressed in developing autonomous systems for unmanned rotorcraft. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long non‐coding RNA: A new paradigm for lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‐related deaths worldwide. Recent advances in whole genome transcriptome analysis have enabled the identification of numerous members of a novel class of non‐coding RNAs, i.e., long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which play important roles in a wide range of biological processes and whose deregulation causes human disease, including cancer. Herein we provide a comprehensive survey of lncRNAs associated with lung cancer, with particular focus on the functions that either facilitate or inhibit the progression of lung cancer and the pathways involved. Emerging data on the use of lncRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer are also discussed. We cast this information within the wider perspective of lncRNA biogenesis and molecular functions in the cell. Relationships that exist between lncRNAs, genome‐wide transcription, and lung cancer are discussed. Deepening our understanding on these processes is critical not only from a mechanistic standpoint, but also for the development of novel biomarkers and effective therapeutic targets for cancer patients. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reliable Baselines for Sentiment Analysis in Resource-Limited Languages: The Serbian Movie Review Dataset

Collecting data for sentiment analysis in resource-limited languages carries a significant risk of sample selection bias, since the small quantities of available data are most likely not representative of the whole population. Ignoring this bias leads to less robust machine learning classifiers and less reliable evaluation results. In this paper we present a dataset balancing algorithm that minimizes the sample selection bias by eliminating irrelevant systematic differences between the sentiment classes. We prove its superiority over the random sampling method and we use it to create the Serbian movie review dataset ― SerbMR ― the first balanced and topically uniform sentiment analysis dataset in Serbian. In addition, we propose an incremental way of finding the optimal combination of simple text processing options and machine learning features for sentiment classification. Several popular classifiers are used in conjunction with this evaluation approach in order to establish strong but reliable baselines for sentiment analysis in Serbian.
Long or highly irregular menstrual cycles as a marker for risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

CONTEXT Although oligomenorrhea has been associated cross-sectionally with insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, it is not known whether oligomenorrhea is a marker for increased future risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). OBJECTIVE To prospectively assess risk of type 2 DM in women with a history of long or highly irregular menstrual cycles. DESIGN AND SETTING The Nurses' Health Study II, a prospective observational cohort study. PARTICIPANTS A total of 101 073 women who had no prior history of DM and who reported their usual menstrual cycle pattern at age 18 to 22 years on the baseline (1989) questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Incident reports of DM, with follow-up through 1997, compared among women categorized by menstrual cycle length (5 categories). RESULTS During 564 333 person-years of follow-up, there were 507 cases of type 2 DM. Compared with women with a usual cycle length of 26 to 31 days (referent category) at age 18 to 22 years, the relative risk (RR) of type 2 DM among women with a menstrual cycle length that was 40 days or more or was too irregular to estimate was 2.08 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.62-2.66), adjusting for body mass index at age 18 years and several other potential confounding variables. The RR of type 2 DM associated with long or highly irregular menstrual cycles was greater in obese women, but was also increased in nonobese women (at body mass indexes at age 18 years of <25, 25-29, and >/=30 kg/m, RRs were 1.67 [95% CI, 1.14-2.45], 1.74 [95% CI, 1.07-2.82], and 3.86 [95% CI, 2.33-6.38], respectively). CONCLUSION Women with long or highly irregular menstrual cycles have a significantly increased risk for developing type 2 DM that is not completely explained by obesity.
Genetic differentiation among distinct karyomorphs of the wolf fish Hoplias malabaricus species complex (Characiformes, Erythrinidae) and report of unusual hybridization with natural triploidy.

In this study, genetic differentiation between karyomorphs A (2n = 42) and D (2n = 39/40) of the wolf fish Hoplias malabaricus, which is comprised of several cryptic species that present a wide variety of diploid chromosome numbers and sex chromosome systems, resulting in the identification of seven distinct karyomorphs (A-G), was investigated using a combination of molecular and cytogenetic tools. Deep sequence divergences for both karyomorphs were observed and indicate a long period of reproductive isolation between karyomorphs A and D. Additionally, one individual with 61 chromosomes was identified, which, as far as is known, is the first case of natural triploidy resulting from the hybridization between these highly differentiated karyomorphs of H. malabaricus. Molecular and cytogenetic analyses revealed that this allotriploid specimen carries two sets of maternal chromosomes from karyomorph D (2n = 40) and one set of chromosomes from karyomorph A (n = 21). Moreover, ribosomal sites and active nucleolus organizer regions from both parental contributors were found in the triploid hybrid. Considering the significant genetic distances between karyomorphs A and D, one of the primary reasons for the lack of recurrent reports of hybridization in the H. malabaricus species complex may be due to post-zygotic barriers, such as hybrid sterility or unviability.
Expression of Recombinant Human Pregnancy-associated Plasma Protein-A and Identification of the Proform of Eosinophil Major Basic Protein as Its Physiological Inhibitor*

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), originally known from human pregnancy serum, has recently been demonstrated to be a metzincin superfamily metalloproteinase involved in normal and pathological insulin-like growth factor (IGF) physiology. PAPP-A specifically cleaves IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-4, one of six antagonists of IGF action, which results in release of IGF bound to IGFBP-4. IGFBP-4 is the only known PAPP-A substrate. Its cleavage by PAPP-A uniquely depends on the presence of IGF. We here report mammalian expression and purification of recombinant 1547-residue PAPP-A (rPAPP-A). The recombinant protein is secreted as a homodimer of about 400 kDa composed of two 200-kDa disulfide-bound subunits. Antigenically and functionally, rPAPP-A behaves like the native protein. In human pregnancy, PAPP-A is known to circulate as a 500-kDa disulfide-bound 2:2 complex with the proform of eosinophil major basic protein (proMBP), PAPP-A/proMBP. A comparison between rPAPP-A and pregnancy serum PAPP-A/proMBP complex surprisingly reveals a difference greater than 100-fold in proteolytic activity, showing that proMBP functions as a proteinase inhibitor in vivo. We find that polyclonal antibodies against PAPP-A abrogate all detectable IGFBP-4 proteolytic activity in pregnancy serum, pointing at PAPP-A as the dominating, if not the only, IGFBP-4 proteinase present in the circulation. We further show that pregnancy serum and plasma contain traces (<1%) of uncomplexed PAPP-A with a much higher specific activity than the PAPP-A/proMBP complex. The measurable activity of the PAPP-A/proMBP complex probably results from the presence of a minor subpopulation of partly inhibited PAPP-A that exists in a 2:1 complex with proMBP. Inhibition of PAPP-A by proMBP represents a novel inhibitory mechanism with the enzyme irreversibly bound to its inhibitor by disulfide bonds.
CD5 Negative, Cyclin D1-positive Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) Presenting as Ruptured Spleen

We present a case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma CD5 negative, Cyclin D1 positive presenting as ruptured spleen in a 63-year-old man requiring emergent splenectomy. Tumor cells showed marked pleomorphism, anaplasia, and increased mitotic figures with positive Cyclin D1, BCL6, MUM1, P53, and a high MIB1 proliferative fraction. The patient received multiple therapies and ultimately died. This case raises the differential diagnoses of pleomorphic mantle cell lymphoma and other aggressive lymphomas with pleomorphic, anaplastic, and Reed-Sternberg–like cells.
Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Homeless Men Referred From a Community Clinic

In this study of factors related to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in 104 homeless HCV-infected men and 94 uninfected homeless men, findings reveal that homeless men with HCV infection are older and more likely to be cocaine injectors than those not infected. Moreover, the sharing of needles, use of injected cocaine during the past 6 months, previous incarceration, veteran status, fair or poor health, and having multiple tattoos are also associated with HCV infection. Reports of having completed the HBV vaccination series, weekly marijuana use, and snorting cocaine or methamphetamine are negatively associated with HCV infection. Among men not reporting lifetime injection drug use, factors such as sharing toothbrushes, having multiple tattoos, being in fair or poor health, and past incarceration are associated with HCV infection. These findings may need to be considered when making screening decisions and counseling homeless male patients about HCV.
Comparison of the effects of a selective muscarinic receptor antagonist and hyoscine (scopolamine) on motion sickness, skin conductance and heart rate.

AIMS Hyoscine (scopolamine), which is effective in the prophylaxis of motion sickness, shows similar binding affinities to all of the five known muscarinic receptor sub-types. The effectiveness of hyoscine was compared with zamifenacin (UK-76654), which binds selectively to the muscarinic M3 and m5 receptors. METHODS Eighteen subjects received hyoscine hydrobromide 0.6 mg, zamifenacin 20 mg, or placebo (double-blind cross-over design). Sessions were 1 week apart and the drug (oral) was given 90 min prior to a motion sickness test. Motion sickness was elicited by cross-coupled stimulation on a turntable. The rotational velocity was incremented by 2 degrees s-1 every 30 s, and a sequence (seq) of eight head movements of 45 degrees was completed every 30 s. Motion tolerance was assessed as the number of sequences of head movement required to achieve moderate nausea. Pulse rate was recorded before and at 1 and 2 h after drug administration. Skin conductance activity in the frequency band 0.005-0.48 Hz, an index of sweat gland activity, was measured using Ag/AgCl electrodes on the palmar surfaces of fingers and across the forehead. RESULTS Both zamifenacin and hyoscine produced an increase in tolerance to the motion challenge (P < 0.01) with no significant difference between the two drugs (5.0 +/- 1.6 vs 5.7 +/- 1.6 seqs. respectively, mean +/- s.e.mean). Compared with placebo or zamifenacin, pulse rate fell following hyoscine administration (9 beats min-1, P < 0.01). Skin conductance was reduced following hyoscine compared with zamifenacin or placebo (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that compounds with selective M3 and/or m5 antagonism possess activity against motion sickness. Antagonism at these receptors may be the basis of the anti-motion sickness action of hyoscine.
Etanercept-induced necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis in two patients with rheumatoid arthritis

We present two patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who developed necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis (NCGN) during etanercept therapy. Both patients developed proteinuria and hematuria, and one progressed to renal failure. Renal biopsy revealed NCGN. In both patients, nephritis improved following discontinuation of etanercept and administration of prednisolone. Physicians should be aware of etanercept-induced GN in patients with RA on anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy.
Learning Disabilities and Emotional Intelligence

ABSTRACT The literature is conflicted around the subject of the emotional abilities of individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs): While many claim cognitive challenges are associated with emotional difficulties, some suggest emotional and interpersonal abilities are not compromised in such disorders and may help individuals compensate and cope effectively with the challenges they meet in learning environments. Two studies explored differences in emotional intelligence (EI) between young adults with and without SLD. Two samples (matched on gender, approximate age, and program of study; n = 100, and unmatched; n = 584) of college students took self-report and performance-based tests of EI (Ability-EI) as well as a measure of self-esteem and demographics associated with college performance (e.g.: SAT scores, gender, etc.). The results showed that while SAT scores and ability emotional intelligence (Ability-EI) were associated with college GPA, Ability-EI did not differ between the two groups, while self-report measures of EI and self-esteem did show differences, with the group with learning disabilities ranking lower. The effects remained stable when we controlled for demographics and potential intervening factors. The results suggest that EI may play a protective role in the association between background variables and college attainment in students with SLD. The results may provide a basis for interventions to empower students with SLD in academia.
Effect of uracil on rifamycin SV production by Amycolatopsis mediterranei MV35R

The effect of different organic nitrogen compounds on the production of rifamycin SV by Amycolatopsis mediterranei MV35R and their optimum concentrations have been described. Results obtained indicate that rifamycin SV production increased from 4020 mg l−1 to 4575 mg l−1 when organic nitrogen compound uracil was added at 0·2% (w/v) concentration to the fermentation medium by A. mediterranei MV35R. The rifamycin SV yield was enhanced by 505 mg l−1 using uracil (2 g l−1) when compared with barbital.
Group inbreeding and coancestry.

I N his classical papers, “Systems of Mating” (1921 ) , SEWALL WRIGHT developed the concept of the inbreeding coefficient in terms of the correlation of uniting gametes, and, among other things, related it to the decrease in heterozygosity and applied it to systems of mating relatives. The next year (1922) he produced procedures for calculating the inbreeding coefficient and a measure of the relationships among different individuals, which was now labeled coefficient of relationship, from pedigrees. In 1931 he showed the consequences of finite population size in terms of the inbreeding coefficient and the related variation and random drift of gene frequencies. In many other papers he and other workers have further refined the theory and extended the applications to more complex situations, but these three papers serve as the bases. MALBCOT (1948) provided an alternative view of the coefficient of inbreeding, making use of the probability of genes being “identical by descent,” i.e., of being copies of the same ancestral gene. His concomitant measure of the relationships among individuals, called coancestry herein, is more simply related to the inbreeding coefficient than is the coefficient of relationship. While MAL~COT’S definitions and methods must lead to the same results as does WRIGHT’S, they are generally easier to grasp and apply, requiring only simple probability arguments, for those not well versed in path coefficients. The purpose of the present paper is to extend the definitions of the inbreeding and coancestry coefficients to include groups of individuals. With these extensions, and a few further definitions, one can work with pedigrees of groups of individuals or of subdivisions of a population with almost the same ease as one does with pedigrees of individuals. Here again, the classical results are obtained, but the ease of application of the methods allows one to consider situations which otherwise would appear to be formidable.