Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Software Defined Wireless Network (SDWN): An evolvable architecture for W-PANs

Rarely the interest in a new networking paradigm has increased at such a velocity as it is happening for software defined networking (SDN). Motivations of this hype of interest are several but the most important can be re-conducted to the following three: (i) SDN simplifies network configuration and management; (ii) SDN makes the network evolvable; (iii) SDN frees operators from vendors' lock-in. Eagerly, in some cases, or reluctantly, in others, both operators and manufacturers of communication and networking equipments have started new lines of research, development, and marketing focused on SDN. A quick look at the list of members of the organizations promoting the development of SDN-related standards suffices to understand that players of the wireless domain are trying to ride this wave as well. However, it is difficult for the observers to understand where such a wave is headed to in very common networking scenarios involving infrastructureless wireless communications. This paper is an attempt to fill this gap. In fact, a major objective of this paper is to analyze (i) what are the advantages of SDN in infrastructureless wireless networking environments such as wireless personal area networks (W-PANs), and (ii) what are the requirements that must be satisfied to apply SDN in W-PANs. Furthermore, a complete SDN solution for W-PANs, named Software Defined Wireless Network (SDWN), is introduced and a prototype implementation is described.
The role of the homeobox genes BFT and CDX2 in the pathogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND The role of the homeobox genes Backfoot (BFT) and caudal-related Homeobox 2 (CDX2) in the pathogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unclear. The goal of this study was to investigate the mRNA expression of BFT and CDX2 in NSCLC and to determine the association with the pathogenesis and the potential as a biomarker of this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS The mRNA expression of BFT and CDX2 was analyzed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR in the tumor and matching normal tissue from 23 patients with NSCLC. RESULTS The mRNA expression was detectable with the following frequencies in the tumor (t) and normal (n) tissues: BFT=100% (n), 100% (t); CDX2=100% (n), 100% (t). The median CDX2 mRNA expression was 0.85 (range: 0.01-15.47) in the tumor tissue and 0.045 (range: 0-1.36) in the matching normal lung tissue (p=0.001). The median BFT mRNA expression was 0.0034 (range: 0-0.35) in the tumor tissue and 0.0001 (range: 0-0.10) in the matching normal lung tissue (p=n.s.). There were no associations between the mRNA expression levels of BFT and CDX2 and clinicopathological variables. CONCLUSION The mRNA expression of the homeobox genes is detectable at a high frequency in the tumor and normal tissue of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Up-regulation of CDX2 mRNA expression appears to be associated with the pathogenesis of this malignant disease. The quantification of CDX2 and BFT mRNA expression in lung tissue is a potential biomarker for the identification of patients at risk of the development of NSCLC.
The -33C/T polymorphism in the interleukin 4 gene is associated with asthma risk: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE The association between the interleukin 4 (IL-4) gene -33C/T polymorphism and asthma risk is a subject of debate.We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the association between this polymorphism and asthma susceptibility. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic search of electronic databases (Pubmed, EMBASE, Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Weipu) was performed, and 18 studies involving 5523 cases and 5618 controls were identified. ORs with 95% CIs were used to assess the strength of association. RESULTS A significant association between the -33C/T polymorphism and asthma susceptibility was observed for TT vs CT + CC (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.05-1.28; P=.005). In the subgroup analysis by race, a significant association was found among whites (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.14-2.57; P=.01) and Asians (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.01-1.28; P=.04) but not among African Americans. In the subgroup analysis by atopic status, no significant association was found among atopic asthma patients (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.89-1.24; P=.54) or nonatopic asthma patients (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.81-1.67; P=.42). In the age-stratified analysis, an increased asthma risk was found in children (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.01-1.63; P=.04) but not in adults. CONCLUSIONS The results of this meta-analysis suggest that the IL-4 -33C/T polymorphism is a risk factor for asthma.
Explaining Species Richness from Continents to Communities: The Time‐for‐Speciation Effect in Emydid Turtles

Speciation is the process that ultimately generates species richness. However, the time required for speciation to build up diversity in a region is rarely considered as an explanation for patterns of species richness. We explored this “time‐for‐speciation effect” on patterns of species richness in emydid turtles. Emydids show a striking pattern of high species richness in eastern North America (especially the southeast) and low diversity in other regions. At the continental scale, species richness is positively correlated with the amount of time emydids have been present and speciating in each region, with eastern North America being the ancestral region. Within eastern North America, higher regional species richness in the southeast is associated with smaller geographic range sizes and not greater local species richness in southern communities. We suggest that these patterns of geographic range size variation and local and regional species richness in eastern North America are caused by glaciation, allopatric speciation, and the time‐for‐speciation effect. We propose that allopatric speciation can simultaneously decrease geographic range size and increase regional diversity without increasing local diversity and that geographic range size can determine the relationship between α, β, and γ diversity. The time‐for‐speciation effect may act through a variety of processes at different spatial scales to determine diverse patterns of species richness.
Predictive Factors for Clinical Response to Allergy Immunotherapy in Children with Asthma and Rhinitis

Background: To date, no predictive methods for the clinical response to allergy immunotherapy (AIT) are available. We sought to evaluate the pretreatment parameters used in diagnosing allergic asthma and/or rhinitis including allergen skin-prick test responses, serum specific and total IgE (sIgE and tIgE) levels and blood eosinophil counts, and to identify whether these can be used to predict clinical effectiveness in children treated with immunotherapy. Methods: This study involved 185 children who had undergone 3 years of standardized-quality house-dust mite subcutaneous immunotherapy. Clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters were analyzed. A multivariate unconditional logistic regression model and receiver operating characteristic curves were used. Predicted probabilities and predictive areas under the curve were calculated. Results: The clinical response to AIT was effective in 129/185 (69.7%) patients. Four variables were associated with clinical response by multivariate logistic analysis: tobacco smoke exposure [odds ratio (OR) 2.845 and 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.147-7.058; p = 0.024], a family history of atopy (OR 2.881 and 95% CI 1.240-6.692; p = 0.014), a serum tIgE level ≥965 kU/l (OR 5.917 and 95% CI 2.320-15.089; p = 0.000) and an sIgE/tIgE ratio ≥6% (OR 0.336 and 95% CI 0.124-0.911; p = 0.032). The sensitivity and specificity of the area under the curve of the serum tIgE were higher than those of serum sIgE and sIgE/tIgE ratio alone. Conclusion: Tobacco smoke exposure, atopic family history, serum tIgE and sIgE/tIgE ratio were in significant correlation with clinical response to AIT in children, which may be helpful for patient selection before immunotherapy. The serum tIgE is superior to both the serum sIgE/tIgE ratio and sIgE levels alone in predicting clinical effectiveness.
Regulator of Centrosome Dynamics and Cytokinesis HBXIP , Cellular Target of Hepatitis B Virus Oncoprotein , Is a

Hepatitis B virus accounts for more than 1 million cancer deaths annually, but the mechanism by which this virus promotes hepatocellular carcinoma remains unclear. The hepatitis B virus genome encodes an oncoprotein, HBx, which binds various cellular proteins including HBXIP. We show here that HBXIP is a regulator of centrosome duplication, required for bipolar spindle formation in HeLa human carcinoma cells and primary mouse embryonic fibroblast cells. We found that most cells deficient in HBXIP arrest in prometaphase with monopolar spindles whereas HBXIP overexpression causes tripolar or multipolar spindles due to excessive centrosome replication. Additionally, a defect in cytokinesis was seen in HBXIP-deficient HeLa cells, with most cells failing to complete division and succumbing eventually to apoptosis. Expression of viral HBx in HeLa cells mimicked the effects of HBXIP overexpression, causing excessive centrosome replication, resulting in tripolar and multipolar spindles and defective cytokinesis. Immunolocalization and fluorescent protein tagging experiments showed that HBXIP associates with microtubules of dividing cells and colocalizes with HBx on centrosomes. Thus, viral HBx and its cellular target HBXIP regulate centrosome dynamics and cytokinesis affecting genetic stability. In vivo experiments using antisense oligonucleotides targeting HBXIP in a mouse model of liver regeneration showed a requirement for HBXIP for growth and survival of replicating hepatocytes. Thus, HBXIP is a critical regulator of hepatocyte cell growth in vivo, making it a strong candidate for explaining the tumorigenic actions of viral HBx. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(18): 9099-107)
Performance Characteristics of the Platelia Aspergillus Enzyme Immunoassay for Detection of Aspergillus Galactomannan Antigen in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid

ABSTRACT We have evaluated the Platelia Aspergillus enzyme immunoassay for detection of galactomannan in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens in solid organ transplant patients with aspergillosis. The precision and reproducibility in serum or BAL to which galactomannan was added were similar. Sensitivity was 81.8% in patients with aspergillosis, and specificity was 95.8% in lung transplant patients who underwent BAL for surveillance for infection or rejection. Among transplant controls, positive results were more common in patients (i) who underwent diagnostic BAL performed for evaluation of symptoms or chest computed tomographic abnormalities, (ii) who had undergone lung transplantation, or (iii) who were colonized with Aspergillus. Galactomannan testing in BAL is useful for diagnosis of aspergillosis in transplant patients. The significance of positive results in patients without confirmed aspergillosis requires further evaluation.
Acute Potentiating Effect of Depth Jumps on Sprint Performance

Abstract Byrne, PJ, Kenny, J, and O’ Rourke, B. Acute potentiating effect of depth jumps on sprint performance. J Strength Cond Res 28(3): 610–615, 2014—The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the addition of 3 depth jumps to a dynamic warm-up (DYNDJ) protocol would significantly improve 20-m sprint performance when compared with a cardiovascular (C) warm-up protocol or a dynamic (DYN) stretching protocol alone. The first part of the study identified optimal drop height for all subjects using the maximum jump height method. The identified optimal drop heights were later used during the DYNDJ protocol. The second part compared the 3 warm-up protocols above to determine their effect on 20-m sprint performance. Twenty-nine subjects (age, 20.8 ± 4.4 years; weight, 82.6 ± 9.9 kg; height, 180.3 ± 6.2 cm) performed 3 protocols of a C protocol, a DYN protocol, and a DYNDJ protocol in a randomized order. A 20-m sprint was performed 1 minute after the completion of each of the 3 protocols. Results displayed significant differences between each of the 3 protocols. A significant improvement (p = 0.001) of 2.2% was obtained in sprint time between the C protocol (3.300 ± 0.105 seconds) and the DYN protocol (3.227 ± 0.116 seconds), a further significant improvement of 5.01% was attained between the C and the DYNDJ protocols (3.300 ± 0.10 vs. 3.132 ± 0.120 seconds; p = 0.001). In addition, a significant improvement (p = 0.001) of 2.93% was observed between the DYN protocol (3.227 ± 0.116 seconds) and the DYNDJ protocol (3.132 ± 0.116 seconds). The data from this study advocate the use of DYNDJ protocol as a means of significantly improving 20-m sprint performance 1 minute after the DYNDJ protocol.
The effect of chromosome 17 polysomy on HER-2/neu status in breast cancer

Aim: To investigate the effect of polysomy 17 on HER-2 status as evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC), dual-colour fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and chromogenic in situ hybridisation (CISH). Methods: Dual-probe FISH and single-probe CISH were performed to detect HER-2 gene amplification, and IHC to detect HER-2 expression, on 309 invasive breast cancers. Results: Polysomy 17 was detected in 32.0% of the total number of breast cancers; it was detected in 12.3% of the IHC 0 or 1+ cases, 42.8% of the IHC 2+ cases and 66.0% of the IHC 3+ cases (p<0.001). In addition, there was a substantially higher rate of polysomy 17 in the IHC 2+ or 3+/FISH-negative cases than in the IHC 0 or 1+ cases (40.8% vs 12.3%; p<0.001). The FISH and CISH results were concordant in 299 cases (96.8%). Of the 10 discordant cases, FISH suggested amplification in five with disomy 17 and one with monosomy 17, whereas CISH pointed to borderline copy numbers in each of these six cases. The remaining four cases had high polysomy 17; CISH, but not FISH, indicated amplification. Conclusions: Results suggest that an increase of HER-2 gene copy number secondary to polysomy 17 leads to HER-2 overexpression in some IHC 2+/3+ breast cancers, without gene amplification. The high level of concordance between FISH and CISH suggests that CISH is a valid alternative to FISH for assessing HER-2 gene amplification. However, cases in which CISH indicates the presence of borderline copy numbers or low levels of amplification may need FISH to rule out polysomy 17 and to determine HER-2 gene amplification status accurately.
The New York Stem Cell Foundation: Fifth Annual Translational Stem Cell Research Conference

The New York Stem Cell Foundation's “Fifth Annual Translational Stem Cell Research Conference” convened on October 12–13, 2010 at the Rockefeller University in New York City. The conference attracted over 400 scientists, patient advocates, and stem cell research supporters from 16 countries. In addition to poster and platform presentations, the conference featured panels entitled “Road to the Clinic” and “Regulatory Roadblocks. ”
Development of multiple food allergies in children taking tacrolimus after heart and liver transplantation

Abstract: Angioedema and chronic diarrhea in patients taking immunosuppressants are not always because of side effects and could be a new onset of food allergy. Our aim is to discuss the pathogenesis and treatment of the post‐transplant development of food allergies. The first patient was receiving tacrolimus subsequent to heart transplantation and developed angioedema after consumption of dairy products at 12 months after transplantation. He was found to be allergic to multiple foods by both RAST and ImmunoCAP tests. The second patient with argininosuccinic aciduria, post‐liver transplant, also received tacrolimus and developed chronic non‐mucoid/bloody diarrhea at seven months following transplantation. ImmunoCAP test was positive only for egg white and peanuts. Biopsy showed eosinophilic infiltration of the mucosa from the stomach to the rectum. Elimination diets in both patients resolved the symptoms. These cases suggest a direct relationship between tacrolimus and development of food allergy.
Evaluation of distribution of adenosine A2A receptors in normal human brain measured with [11C]TMSX PET

Adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) is thought to interact with dopamine D2 receptor. Selective A2AR antagonists have attracted attention as the treatment of Parkinson's disease. In this study, we investigated the distribution of the A2ARs in the living human brain using positron emission tomography (PET) and [7‐methyl‐11C]‐(E)‐8‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxystyryl)‐1,3,7‐trimethylxanthine ([11C]TMSX). We recruited five normal male subjects. A dynamic series of PET scans was performed for 60 min, and the arterial blood was sampled during the scan to measure radioactivity of the parent compound and labeled metabolites. Circular regions of interest of 10‐mm diameter were placed in the PET images over the cerebellum, brainstem, thalamus, head of caudate nucleus, anterior and posterior putamen, frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, and posterior cingulate gyrus for each subject. A two‐tissue, three‐compartment model was used to estimate K1, k2, k3, and k4 between metabolite‐corrected plasma and tissue time activity of [11C]TMSX. The binding potential (BP) was the largest in the anterior (1.25) and posterior putamen (1.20), was next largest in the head of caudate nucleus (1.05) and thalamus (1.03), and was small in the cerebral cortex, especially frontal lobe (0.46). [11C]TMSX PET showed the largest BP in the striatum in which A2ARs were enriched as in postmortem and nonhuman studies reported, but that the binding of [11C]TMSX was relatively larger in the thalamus to compare with other mammals. To date, [11C]TMSX is the only promising PET ligand, which is available to clinical use for mapping the A2ARs in the living human brain. Synapse 61:778–784, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peripheral Hormone Levels and the Endometrial Condition in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract. Thirteen postmenopausal women with benign endometrial changes including proliferative, secretory and polypous endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia and atypia (group I) and 13 randomly selected age‐matched controls with normal atrophic endometrium (group II) were studied with respect to serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and its sulfate (DHAS), testosterone, total estrone, estradiol‐17β, progesterone, FSH and prolactin. Serum levels of DHA, DHAS, testosterone and total estrone were significantly higher in group I than in group II; otherwise no significant differences Were found. Mean values for body weight and for Broca's index, respectively, were almost identical in the two groups.
Impact of Preterm PROM and its Complications on Long-term Infant Outcomes

There is increasing evidence that preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is associated with increased risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes through multiple mechanisms, including preterm birth and its antecedent etiologies. Intrauterine infection is a particularly important risk factor for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes after PPROM. This review focuses on the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes after PPROM, the possible etiologic mechanisms of neurological injury, and the effect of antenatal and perinatal interventions using available evidence.
On the genetic basis of face cognition and its relation to fluid cognitive abilities

The oxytocin and the dopaminergic systems have turned out to be highly relevant for social abilities and cognition. Therefore, we examined the association between two functional gene polymorphisms and face cognition (FC) in a multivariate study (N = 250) by applying structural equation modeling. The catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) val158met polymorphism influences the enzyme activity of COMT, which affects the prefrontal dopamine concentration. The rs226849 is a single‐nucleotide polymorphism located in the promoter region of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene, modulating the mRNA expression. By modeling a general fluid ability factor (defined by working memory and reasoning) and nested FC factors, we tested genetic contributions to FC, after controlling for variance in FC that was also associated with fluid abilities. In line with several previous studies, we found a significant association between the COMT genotype and fluid abilities (Gf) but not with FC. The association between the oxytocin polymorphism and Gf was opposite in direction for men and women. Women with the C+ genotype performed better on Gf tasks than those with the C− genotype. Conversely, men with the C− genotype performed better than those with the C+ genotype. There was no significant association between OXTR and the nested FC factor. Therefore, the relationship between the oxytocin polymorphism and FC can be fully accounted for by Gf. The sex specificity of this relationship is a novel finding and warrants a mechanistic explanation.
Effect of radiotherapy after breast-conserving treatment in women with breast cancer and germline BRCA1/2 mutations.

PURPOSE Recent laboratory data suggest a role for BRCA1/2 in the cellular response to DNA damage. There is a paucity of clinical data, however, examining the effect of radiotherapy (RT), which causes double-strand breaks, on breast tissue from BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Thus the goals of this study were to compare rates of radiation-associated complications, in-breast tumor recurrence, and distant relapse in women with BRCA1/2 mutations treated with breast-conserving therapy (BCT) using RT with rates observed in sporadic disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS Seventy-one women with a BRCA1/2 mutation and stage I or II breast cancer treated with BCT were matched 1:3 with 213 women with sporadic breast cancer. Conditional logistic regression models were used to compare matched cohorts for rates of complications and recurrence. RESULTS Tumors from women in the genetic cohort were associated with high histologic (P =.0004) and nuclear (P =.009) grade and negative estrogen (P=.0001) and progesterone (P=.002) receptors compared with tumors from the sporadic cohort. Using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer toxicity scoring, there were no significant differences in acute or chronic morbidity in skin, subcutaneous tissue, lung, or bone. The 5-year actuarial overall survival, relapse-free survival, and rates of tumor control in the treated breast for the patients in the genetic cohort were 86%, 78%, and 98%, respectively, compared with 91%, 80%, and 96%, respectively, for the sporadic cohort (P = not significant). CONCLUSION There was no evidence of increased radiation sensitivity or sequelae in breast tissue heterozygous for a BRCA1/2 germline mutation compared with controls, and rates of tumor control in the breast and survival were comparable between BRCA1/2 carriers and controls at 5 years. Although additional follow-up is needed, these data may help in discussing treatment options in the management of early-stage hereditary breast cancer and should provide reassurance regarding the safety of administering RT to carriers of a germline BRCA1/2 mutation.
Increased Longevities of Post-Paleozoic Marine Genera After Mass Extinctions

Cohorts of marine taxa that originated during recoveries from mass extinctions were commonly more widespread spatially than those originating at other times. Coupled with the recognition of a correlation between the geographic ranges and temporal longevities of marine taxa, this observation predicts that recovery taxa were unusually long-lived geologically. We analyzed this possibility by assessing the longevities of marine genus cohorts that originated in successive substages throughout the Phanerozoic. Results confirm that several mass extinction recovery cohorts were significantly longer lived than other cohorts, but this effect was limited to the post-Paleozoic, suggesting differences in the dynamics of Paleozoic versus post-Paleozoic diversification.