Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
c-erb B2 overexpression decreases the benefit of adjuvant tamoxifen in early-stage breast cancer without axillary lymph node metastases.

PURPOSE We studied retrospectively the interaction between c-erbB2 overexpression and adjuvant tomoxifen in node-negative breast cancer patients enrolled in the Gruppo Universitario Napoletano 1 (GUN-1) trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS c-erbB2, evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 145 of 173 patients randomly assigned to 2-year adjuvant tamoxifen or no further therapy, was considered overexpressed if greater than 10% of the cells showed specific membrane staining. The role of each prognostic variable and their independent effect were studied using the Cox model. Disease-free (DFS) and overall (OAS) survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS As of November 30, 1994, the median follow-up period was 12 years. c-erbB2 was overexpressed in 43 of 145 patients (29.7%), which directly correlated with tumor size and inversely with estrogen receptor (ER) level. At univariate analysis, overexpression of c-erbB2 did not affect either DFS or OAS; tamoxifen had a greater effect on reducing the risk of recurrence than of death. Addition of c-erbB2 to a multivariate Cox model that contained menopausal status, tumor size, nuclear grade, and treatment as covariates did not affect the significance of the model for DSF or OAS, whereas addition of the first-order interaction between c-erbB2 and tamoxifen was statistically significant both for DFS and OAS. The same result was obtained when the model contained ER status and ER-tamoxifen interaction. Indeed, adjuvant tamoxifen significantly prolonged DFS and OAS in c-erbB2-negative cases, whereas it had no effect on DFS and OAS in c-erbB2-positive patients. CONCLUSION In early-stage breast cancer patients, overexpression of c-erbB2 is a marker of lack of efficacy of adjuvant tamoxifen.
Intracellular ROS levels determine the apoptotic potential of keratinocyte by Quantum Dot via blockade of AKT Phosphorylation

Quantum dots (QDs) have shown great potential for biomedical use in a broad range including diagnostic agents. However, the regulatory mechanism of dermal toxicity is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated how QDs‐induced apoptosis is regulated in human keratinocytes. We also examined the effect of carboxylic acid‐coated QDs (QD 565 and QD 655) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis‐related cellular signalling. The viability of keratinocyte was inhibited by two types of QDs in a concentration‐dependent manner. QDs induce ROS production and blockade of AKT phosphorylation. Moreover, the cleavage of AKT‐dependent pro‐apoptotic proteins such as poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase, caspases‐3 and caspases‐9 was significantly increased. We also found that a decrease in cellular ROS level by ROS scavenger, N‐acetylcysteine (NAC), resulting in the abolishment of QDs‐induced AKT de‐phosphorylation and cellular apoptosis. Interestingly, QD 655 had a more cytotoxic effect including oxidative stress and AKT‐dependent apoptosis than QD 565. In addition, QD 655 had the cytotoxic potential in the human skin equivalent model (HSEM). These data show that QD‐induced intracellular ROS levels may be an important parameter in QD‐induced apoptosis. These findings from this study indicate that intracellular ROS levels might determine the apoptotic potential of keratinocyte by QD via blockade of AKT phosphorylation.
Trade Liberalisation and Export Performance in Selected Developing Countries

This article examines the impact of trade liberalisation on export growth for a sample of 22 developing economies. The research applies dynamic panel data models based on fixed-effects and generalised methods of moments (GMM) estimators. In addition, heterogeneous panels for the complete sample, as well as for different regions of the world, are estimated using a time-series/cross-section technique. The main findings are that trade liberalisation is a significant determinant of export performance, but its effect varies across continents. Export duties have a small detrimental effect on export growth, while relative price changes and world income growth have the expected signs.
Training Volume and Personal Best Time in Marathon, Not Anthropometric Parameters, are Associated with Performance in Male 100-KM Ultrarunners

Knechtle, B, Wirth, A, Knechtle, P, and Rosemann, T. Training volume and personal best time in marathon, not anthropometric parameters, are associated with performance in male 100-km ultrarunners. J Strength Cond Res 24(3): 604-609, 2010-We investigated the relation between selected anthropometric and training variables and the personal best time in a marathon with total race time in 66 Caucasian male nonprofessional ultrarunners in a 100-km run. In the multiple linear regression analysis, the average weekly training volume in kilometers (r2 = 0.224, p < 0.01) and the personal best time in a marathon (r2 = 0.334, p < 0.01) were significantly associated with total race time, whereas no anthropometric variable was related to race performance (p > 0.05). We conclude that high training volume and a fast time in a marathon were more important for a fast race time in male 100-km runners than any of the determined anthropometric variables.
Ultraluminous Infrared Mergers: Elliptical Galaxies in Formation?

We report high-quality near-IR spectroscopy of 12 ultraluminous infrared galaxy mergers (ULIRGs). Our new VLT and Keck data provide ~0. ″5 resolution, stellar and gas kinematics of these galaxies, most of which are compact systems in the last merger stages. We confirm that ULIRG mergers are "ellipticals in formation. " Random motions dominate their stellar dynamics, but significant rotation is common. Gasdynamics and stellar dynamics are decoupled in most systems. ULIRGs fall on or near the fundamental plane of hot stellar systems, and especially on its less evolution-sensitive, reff-σ projection. The ULIRG velocity dispersion distribution, their location in the fundamental plane, and their distribution of vrot sin i/σ closely resemble those of intermediate-mass (~L*), elliptical galaxies with moderate rotation. As a group ULIRGs do not resemble giant ellipticals with large cores and little rotation. Our results are in good agreement with other recent studies indicating that disky ellipticals with compact cores or cusps can form through dissipative mergers of gas-rich disk galaxies while giant ellipticals with large cores have a different formation history.
Adolescencia y deporte en el principado de andorra

De que modo esta relacionada la practica deportiva durante la juventud con una mejor educacion? La busqueda de la respuesta motiva esta investigacion, cuyo objetivo es conocer los habitos y actitudes hacia el deporte de los adolescentes y sus opiniones, las de sus padres y entrenadores sobre esta actividad, principalmente acerca de su valor educativo. El estudio, llevado a cabo en Andorra, constituye una sociografia del deporte escolar en este pais, que describe desde la perspectiva mencionada la realidad de esta actividad en los albores del siglo XXI. La investigacion destaca que el esqui es el principal deporte practicado, los deportes de aventura son los mas deseados y se aprecia que la practica en el medio natural y la recreatividad estan en linea ascendente, sin embargo no hay datos que permitan asociar el tiempo dedicado al deporte y los logros escolares. El analisis de conglomerados permite atribuir al grupo de los mas deportistas los mejores indices en otros habitos -lectura, estudio, television, asistencia a bares, trabajo, consumo de tabaco y alcohol y calificaciones-. El informe final destaca que hay una muy positivia creencia social sobre los efectos de la practica deportiva en la adolescencia. Finalmente muestra la gran divergencia encontrada en el significado que cada sector encuestado otorga al deporte. Para los adolescentes es principalmente diversion, para los padres es la salud y los tecnicos deportivos indican que el principal efecto es el que ejerce sobre la educacion. En su conjunto, segun el autor, el estudio aporta informacion que contribuye a considerar la actividad deportiva en la adolescencia como el mejor complemento educativo a la educacion formal, la adquirida en los centros escolares.
Env and Vpu proteins of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 are produced from multiple bicistronic mRNAs

Three size classes of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) mRNAs are produced in infected cells: full-length, intermediate, and small. Here we report that the intermediate-size class of viral mRNAs is heterogeneous, consisting of at least 12 differentially spliced species. This group contains nine bicistronic mRNAs producing Env and Vpu and three mRNAs expressing only the first exon of tat. In the latter mRNAs, Env and Vpu expression is blocked by the presence of the upstream tat open reading frame. We conclude that internal initiation of translation is not the mechanism for generation of the bicistronic env mRNAs. Translation of HIV-1 mRNAs is consistent with the scanning mechanism in which Env is produced by leaky scanning from mRNAs that contain env as the second or third reading frame. Env and Vpu proteins are expressed from the same mRNAs and are coordinately regulated by Rev. This arrangement may reflect a requirement for coordinate expression of Vpu and Env.
Genetic Characterization of Resistance in Wheat to the Root-Lesion Nematode Pratylenchus Thornei

The root-lesion nematodes Pratylenchus neglectus and P. thornei are economically damaging pathogens of wheat in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Growing resistant and tolerant varieties is the best approach to minimize yield loss. All PNW wheat varieties were found to be susceptible. Crosses were made between the PNW-adapted varieties (Alpowa Louise, Otis) and the Australian wheat GS50a with resistance to P. thornei. Resistance evaluations were performed under controlled greenhouse conditions using six check varieties, parents, 203 F2 and 194 F3 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of GS50a x Alpowa, 102 F2 RILs of GS50a x Otis, and 120 F2 RILs of GS50a x Louise, each of which was inoculated with 1,500 or 2,000 P. thornei/kg of soil. RIL populations segregated in a continuous variation indicating that resistance in GS50a was quantitatively inherited. The heritability estimate for the resistance in GS50a was 0.68. The frequency distribution of F2 and F3 progeny suggested that resistance in GS50a is controlled by more than one gene and is additive in gene action. F3 RILs of GS50a x Alpowa showing levels of resistance or susceptibility higher than their parents will be used in bulk segregant analysis for molecular marker development. The highly resistant lines obtained in this study will provide a source of resistance for breeding wheat varieties with improved genetic resistance.
Total Proteins in Human Amniotic Fluid

Summary: The study of the biochemical constituents of amniotic fluid is essential in the diagnosis of fetal disorders which result in high concentrations of metabolites in the fetal serum, that can be detected by amniotic fluid examination. The present study is based on the estimations of total protein concentration in the amniotic fluid of normal pregnancies at different gestational weeks. The total protein concentrations, determined by the method of Lowry et al (1951), revealed a characteristic trend during different gestations, with a progressive rise from the 12th week till the 24th week, and then a gradual decline from the 30th week till the 40th week of gestation. Thus, in the third trimester, the total protein decreased with advancement of pregnancy, indicating an inverse relationship with gestational age.
Loss of the chromosomal region 5q11‐q31 in the myeloid cell line HL‐60: Characterization by comparative genomic hybridization and fluorescence in situ hybridization

Comparative genomic hybridization was used to identify the regions of genomic gain and loss in the myeloid cell line HL‐60. These included amplification at 8q24 corresponding to previous reports of overrepresentation of the MYC gene; loss of material from the short arms of chromosomes 9 (9p21‐p23), 10, and 17; loss of the chromosome regions 9q32‐qter and 14q11‐q24; and an extra copy of chromosome 18. Additionally, deletion of the 5q11‐q31 region was noted and was associated with translocation of chromosome 5 material to chromosomes 16 and a dic(5;17)(q11;p11) chromosome (previously described as mar3). Loss of chromosome 5 material in myeloid malignancies, including the M2 subtype from which HL‐60 was derived, is usually associated with interstitial deletions of the long arm, including the critical 5q31 region, resulting in a 5q‐chromosome. The HL‐60 cell line may be a useful model to investigate the role of potential tumour suppressor genes associated with loss of 5q material in myeloid leukaemias. Genes Chromosom Cancer 15:182–186 (1996). © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A patient-specific adaptation of the Living Human Heart Model in application to pulmonary hypertension

APA Citation Abdel-Raouf, Y. (2020). A patient-specific adaptation of the Living Human Heart Model in application to pulmonary hypertension [Master’s thesis, the American University in Cairo]. AUC Knowledge Fountain. https://fount.aucegypt. edu/etds/1467 MLA Citation Abdel-Raouf, Yousof. A patient-specific adaptation of the Living Human Heart Model in application to pulmonary hypertension. 2020. American University in Cairo, Master's thesis. AUC Knowledge Fountain. https://fount.aucegypt. edu/etds/1467
TCIRG1‐dependent recessive osteopetrosis: Mutation analysis, functional identification of the splicing defects, and in vitro rescue by U1 snRNA

Human malignant infantile osteopetrosis (arOP) is a genetically heterogeneous autosomal recessive disorder of bone metabolism. The TCIRG1 gene, encoding the a3 subunit of the vacuolar proton pump, which mediates the acidification of the bone/osteoclast interface, is responsible for more than one‐half of the arOP patients. We performed genetic analysis of TCIRG1 in 55 arOP patients including 25 new cases and identified nine novel mutations. The two most frequent mutations, c.1674–1G>A (aberrant splicing: r.1674_1884del) and c.2005C>T (protein variation: p.Arg669X), found in 17 and 16 alleles, respectively, constituted 30% of all TCIRG1 abnormalities. They both originated in Northern Europe, p.Arg669X quite recently from West Flanders, Belgium. As substitutions in splicing regulatory sequences represented a large portion (40%; 44 alleles) of the TCIRG1 variations, we developed a functional splicing assay to distinguish between polymorphic variants and disease‐causing mutations. Three intronic nucleotide substitutions flanking the splice sites (c.117+4A>T; c.1673+5G>A; and c.504–8G>A) were studied using hybrid minigenes and an abnormal processing of the transcripts was demonstrated in all cases. Cotransfection experiments with complementary U1 snRNAs performed in c.117+4A>T and c.1673+5G>A mutations showed that only in the first case was the defect at the 5′ splice site corrected, indicating that mutations near the invariant GT donor sites are mechanistically different. These findings indicate the feasibility of the hybrid minigene approach to detect splicing defects, particularly in patients in whom the RNA is not available. In addition, the present results suggest that modified U1 snRNAs may represent a new therapeutic strategy for arOP patients with a U1 snRNP‐dependent splicing defect. Hum Mutat 24:225–235, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Database of Standard Raman Spectra of Minerals and Related Inorganic Crystals

Establishing a standard Raman spectral database for minerals and related inorganic crystals is a very important basis for further increasing the applications of Raman spectroscopy in the geosciences. However, the Raman spectral pattern of a crystal is a function not only of its composition and structure but also of the scattering geometry during the measurement. Therefore, the standard Raman spectrum of a crystal must be measured under well-defined standard conditions. It would be of great interest to establish a standard measuring configuration with which the characteristic Raman spectra of all mineral crystals could be obtained. Factor-group analysis of the main types of minerals indicates that almost all of them possess a Raman-active totally symmetric (TS) vibrational mode. Therefore, we propose a scheme to measure standard Raman spectra under a scattering geometry set up on the basis of these TS modes. Using this scheme, we were able to establish a database for standard Raman spectra of minerals and related inorganic crystals.
Negative regulation of gene expression by TGF‐β

Stromelysin gene expression is transcriptionally activated by a number of growth factors (e.g., EGF and PDGF), tumor promoters (e.g., TPA), and oncogenes (e.g., ras, src) through an AP‐1‐dependent mechanism. TGF‐β repression of stromelysin induction is mediated at the level of transcription by an element located at position −709 in the rat stromelysin promoter referred to as the TGF‐β inhibitory element (TIE). A TIE‐binding protein complex is induced by treatment of rat fibroblasts with TGF‐β. This protein complex contains the protooncogene c‐fos, and induction of c‐fos by TGF‐β is required for the repressive effects of TGF‐β on stromelysin gene expression. Interestingly, c‐fos induction is also required for stimulation of stromelysin expression by EGF in rat fibroblasts. Preliminary studies suggest that differential regulation of members of the jun family of early‐response genes may explain this apparent paradox and determine whether stromelysin is induced or repressed by growth factors. TGF‐β stimulation therefore initiates a cascade of events that results in a specific pattern of gene expression: the direct stimulation of early‐response genes can lead to subsequent induction or repression of other genes.
Region-related risk factors for respiratory symptoms in European and Californian farmers

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalences and regional risk factors for respiratory symptoms in European and Californian farmers. Farmers participating in the 1993–1997 surveys performed in Europe (n=7,188) and California (n=1,839) were included in this cross-sectional study. Respiratory symptoms and farming characteristics were assessed by questionnaire and risk factors associated with symptoms using logistic regression. The prevalences of rhinitis and asthma were lower in European (12.7% and 2.8%) than in Californian farmers (23.9% and 4.7%), but chronic bronchitis and toxic pneumonitis were more prevalent in Europe (10.7% and 12.2%) than in California (4.4% and 2.7%). Respiratory symptoms were associated with poultry and rabbit farming, flower growing and the cultivation of grain and oil plants. Working in Europe was a statistically significant risk factor for chronic bronchitis and toxic pneumonitis. Chronic bronchitis was related to toxic pneumonitis, work inside confinement buildings and greenhouses. Chronic bronchitis and toxic pneumonitis are highly prevalent among European farmers and are mainly attributable to indoor work.
Collagenous colitis: mucosal biopsies and association with fecal leukocytes.

OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of patchy colonic involvement, fecal leukocytosis, and association with celiac sprue in a large cohort of patients with collagenous colitis. DESIGN We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of 172 consecutive Mayo Clinic patients in whom collagenous colitis had been diagnosed between 1982 and 1993. METHODS For each of the 172 patients, the medical record was reviewed to determine the frequency of (1) fecal leukocytosis; (2) characteristic histologic findings in the rectum and the sigmoid, descending, and ascending colon; and (3) small bowel biopsy findings consistent with celiac sprue. RESULTS The presence of fecal leukocytes was noted in 64 of 116 patients (55%) who had undergone assessment for fecal leukocytosis. On analysis of histologic findings, 113 of 123 rectal, 116 of 121 sigmoid, and 68 of 70 descending colon biopsy specimens were diagnostic of collagenous colitis. Small bowel biopsies were performed in 45 patients who did not have a history of small intestinal disease: 1 had celiac sprue and 44 had normal findings. Two other patients had previously diagnosed celiac sprue. CONCLUSION The finding of fecal leukocytes in 55% of patients with collagenous colitis confirms the inflammatory basis of this disease. Biopsy specimens obtained by flexible sigmoidoscopy seem sufficient to establish the diagnosis in most patients, and colonoscopic biopsy of the more proximal area of the colon is usually unnecessary. Celiac sprue infrequently accompanies collagenous colitis; thus, routine small bowel biopsy is not warranted.
Light-Dependent Induction of cFos during Subjective Day and Night in PACAP-Containing Ganglion Cells of the Retinohypothalamic Tract

Environmental light stimulation via the retinohypothalamic tract (RHT) is necessary for stable entrainment of circadian rhythms generated in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). In the current report, the authors characterized the functional activity and phenotype of retinal ganglion cells that give rise to the RHT of the rat. Retinal ganglion cells that give rise to the RHT were identified by transsynaptic passage of an attenuated alpha herpesvirus known to have selective affinity for this pathway. Dual labeling immunocytochemistry demonstrated co-localization of viral antigen and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) in retinal ganglion cells. This was confirmed using the anterograde tracer cholera toxin subunit B (ChB). In normal and retinally degenerated monosodium glutamate (MSG)–treated rats, ChB co-localized with PACAP in axons of the retinorecipient zone of the SCN. Light-induced Fos-immunoreactivity (Fos-IR) was apparent in all PACAP-containing retinal ganglion cells and a population of non-PACAP-containing retinal ganglion cells at dawn of normal and MSG-treated animals. Within the next 3 h, Fos disappeared in all non-PACAP-immunoreactive cells but persisted in all PACAP- containing retinal ganglion cells until dusk. When animals were exposed to constant light, Fos-IR was sustained only in the PACAP-immunoreactive (PACAP-IR) retinal ganglion cells. Darkness eliminated Fos-IR in all PACAP-IR retinal ganglion cells, demonstrating that the induction of Fos gene expression was light dependent. When animals were maintained in constant darkness and exposed to light pulses at ZT 14, ZT 19, or ZT 6, Fos-IR was induced in PACAP-IR retinal ganglion cells in a pattern similar to that seen at dawn. Collectively, these data indicate that PACAPis present in ganglion cells that give rise to the RHT and suggest a role for this peptide in the light entrainment of the clock