Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ADAR1 Protein Induces Adenosine-targeted DNA Mutations in Senescent Bcl6 Gene-deficient Cells*

Background: Bcl6 is a potent inhibitor of cell senescence, and somatic mutations accumulate in senescent cells. Results: Mutation frequencies in senescent Bcl6-deficient cells were higher than senescent wild-type cells, and ADAR1 is overexpressed in Bcl6-deficient cells. Conclusion: Bcl6 negatively regulates ADAR1 expression, and ADAR1 overexpression induces adenosine-targeted DNA mutations. Significance: Bcl6 may protect senescent cells from accumulation of somatic mutations. Somatic mutations accumulate in senescent cells. Bcl6, which functions as a transcriptional repressor, has been identified as a potent inhibitor of cell senescence, but a role of Bcl6 in the accumulation of somatic mutations has remained unclear. Ig class-switch recombination simultaneously induces somatic mutations in an IgM class-switch (Ig-Sμ) region of IgG B cells. Surprisingly, mutations were detected in the Ig-Sμ region of Bcl6-deficient IgM B cells without class-switch recombination, and these mutations were mainly generated by conversion of adenosine to guanosine, suggesting a novel DNA mutator in the B cells. The ADAR1 (adenosine deaminase acting on RNA1) gene was overexpressed in Bcl6-deficient cells, and its promoter analysis revealed that ADAR1 is a molecular target of Bcl6. Exogenous ADAR1 induced adenosine-targeted DNA mutations in IgM B cells from ADAR1-transgenic mice and in wild-type mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). These mutations accumulated in senescent MEFs accompanied with endogenous ADAR1 expression, and the frequency in senescent Bcl6-deficient MEFs was higher than senescent wild-type MEFs. Thus, Bcl6 protects senescent cells from accumulation of adenosine-targeted DNA mutations induced by ADAR1.
Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL1RA) in acute leukaemia: IL1RA is both secreted spontaneously by myelogenous leukaemia blasts and is a part of the acute phase reaction in patients with chemotherapy‐ induced leucopenia

Abstract: Blast cells derived from peripheral blood of patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML) were cultured in vitro and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL1RA) concentrations determined in culture supernatants. AML blasts derived from patients classified as AML‐M4 and AML‐M5 subtype showed an increased release of IL1RA. IL1α and IL1β caused a similar increase in AML blast release of IL1RA, and addition of anti‐ILl antibodies decreased IL1RA release. IL1RA release from AML blasts was also increased by stem cell factor, tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor and macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, whereas interleukin 3, interleukin 6, leukaemia inhibitory factor and granulocyte colony‐ stimulating factor did not significantly alter IL1RA release. When investigating IL1RA serum levels, serum concentrations were decreased in acute leukaemia patients with chemotherapy‐induced cytopenia compared with healthy controls. Serum levels of both IL1RA as well as IL1β and soluble TNFα receptors increased when the leucopenic patients developed complicating bacterial infections.
Relationship between second to fourth digit ratio ( 2 D : 4 D ) and dynamic muscular endurance in trained girl students

The second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is a calculable and powerful variable for predicting the talents and abilities of athletes. The aim of the research was to study the relationship between 2D:4D and muscular endurance in well-trained girl university students. The sample of the present study consisted of 40 well trained girl students (age 22.22± 0.17yr) of Shahrood University of Technology. The hand parameters were measured by a valid method. Pull-up and push-up tests were used to determine the muscular endurance of upper extremities. The Pearson's correlation test was used to define the relationship between variables. The level of statistical significance was set at P≤0.05. Results showed that there was no significant correlation between 2D:4D with pull-up (right hand; r=0.06, p= 0.73 and left hand; r= 0.101, p= 0.54) and push-up (right hand; r=-0.18, p=0.28 and left hand; r=-0.227, p=0.16) scores. Generally, it can be concluded that muscular endurance cannot be predicted by anthropometric dimensions. So, for activities in which muscular endurance is crucial, anthropometric parameters of hand shouldn't be trusted at least for choosing female athletes.
Efficient Region-of-Interest Scalable Video Coding with Adaptive Bit-Rate Control

This work relates to the regions-of-interest (ROI) coding that is a desirable feature in future applications based on the scalable video coding, which is an extension of the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC standard. Due to the dramatic technological progress, there is a plurality of heterogeneous devices, which can be used for viewing a variety of video content. Devices such as smartphones and tablets are mostly resource-limited devices, which make it difficult to display high-quality content. Usually, the displayed video content contains one or more ROI(s), which should be adaptively selected from the preencoded scalable video bitstream. Thus, an efficient scalable ROI video coding scheme is proposed in this work, thereby enabling the extraction of the desired regions-of-interest and the adaptive setting of the desirable ROI location, size, and resolution. In addition, an adaptive bit-rate control is provided for the region-of-interest scalable video coding. The performance of the presented techniques is demonstrated and compared with the joint scalable video model reference software (JSVM 9.19), thereby showing significant bit-rate savings as a tradeoff for the relatively low PSNR degradation.
Stercoral Ulcer and Colonic Perforation in an Individual with Parkinson's Disease with Constipation

GCA had previously been diagnosed in this woman in the context of isolated CISs in an elderly person who had neither clinical signs of GCA nor a high ESR, as described in the GCA diagnostic criteria, but the histopathological criteria confirmed GCA. The CISs could have been related to the GCA, which may also have been related to atherosclerosis, which was diffuse in the woman, especially in the carotid and vertebral arteries. Another possible cause of the CISs was the APS, for which the woman had the clinical criteria (confirmed arterial thrombosis (CISs) and early fetal loss), but the biological criteria were partial. Even though anticardiolipin antibodies and anti-beta-2-glycoprotein-1 antibodies were found at significant levels (>99th percentile), these antibodies were not measured a second time, as recommended (the woman had been discharged from hospital). In addition, she had been effectively treated with antivitamin K, and anticardiolipin antibodies are found in 32% to 50% of untreated GCA cases. The literature is contradictory regarding anti-beta-2glycoprotein-1. Some authors believe that these antibodies are not found in GCA, whereas others have reported cases of individuals with GCA with positive antibodies. Finally, atrial fibrillation (sick sinus syndrome) was not a plausible cause of the CISs because it causes embolic strokes; the woman described herein had diffuse atheromatous disease and was effectively treated with antivitamin K. In conclusion, GCA must be suspected in a context of stroke in elderly adults, even in the absence of the usual diagnostic criteria.
Edge Artefacts of Radiographic Images by X-ray Refraction

The relevance of nano sized structures and interfaces in upcoming technologies requires new non-destructive Xray techniques exploiting attenuation as well as scattering. In the course of driving the resolution and the contrast of modern radiography into micro and nano metre dimension the inevitable scattering effects require increased attention. Several radiologists interpret the observed edge artefacts simply by "phase contrast" due to different X-ray path lengths within the sample and others refer to Fresnel scattering. The ultra small angle scattering is of high intensity and may reach the level of the primary beam. We present monochromatic synchrotron measurements on rather simply shaped objects (such as plates and cylinders) which prove clearly the dominance of refraction intensity over total reflection and coherent small angle scattering. The refraction conditions hold for angles of incidence of several degrees to the surface, but typical deflection angles range from several seconds to minutes of arc. Additionally to the concept of "phase contrast" of the primary beam its deflection becomes the essential issue. The appropriate removal of the attenuation contribution enables the imaging of inner surfaces and interfaces by refraction scanning topography. The presented measurements of reference particles demonstrate the reliability of laboratory refraction scanners applying X-ray tubes.
Adoption of social responsibility through the expansion of existing management systems

Purpose – The paper's aims are: to scrutinize International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 26000 international guidance standard for social responsibility; to discuss the role of this standard in the adoption of social responsibility in organisations with existing quality management systems in line with ISO 9000.Design/methodology/approach – Building on academic literature and recent resolutions and working documents from ISO, the paper discusses ISO 9000 and ISO 26000 in five areas: general description; scope; approach to supply chain management; principles and content.Findings – Provides a comparison between ISO 9000 and ISO 26000 in each area listed above. Argues for ISO 9000 to provide a structural and infrastructural platform for organisations to develop and adopt corporate social responsibility (CSR) and for ISO 26000 to facilitate a shift from customer focus to stakeholder focus hence creating a business‐to‐society orientation in organisations.Practical implications – A very useful source f.
Challenges perceived by primary care providers to educating patients about chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE To identify primary care providers' (PCPs) perceived barriers to educating patients about chronic kidney disease (CKD) during routine clinical visits. METHODS We conducted three focus groups of eighteen PCPs in Baltimore, Maryland (MD), USA. Focus groups began with the presentation of a hypothetical case of a patient with CKD, followed by open-ended questions to assess providers' perceived barriers to delivering education about CKD. Groups were audiotaped, transcribed and coded independently by two investigators who identified major themes. RESULTS PCPs reported on several patient, provider and system level barriers contributing to poor education about CKD in primary care that were both common and unique to barriers previously reported in educating patients regarding other chronic diseases. CONCLUSIONS Interventions designed to address barriers to CKD education identified by PCPs could improve the delivery of education about CKD in primary care settings.
Applications of molecular techniques to fine‐needle aspiration biopsy

The effectiveness of fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) for rendering a specific diagnosis can be improved by applying several ancillary modalities. This review details several applications of molecular techniques using FNAB specimens with an emphasis on those used for patient care. A detailed search of the literature was conducted to collect all reports that used FNAB for different types of molecular tests. Several types of molecular tests, including in‐situ hybridization, polymerase chain reaction, Southern blotting, and gene microarrays using FNAB specimens have been reported. These tests have been used with different organ systems and different objectives, including the detection of cancer cells, diagnosis, distinction of benign and malignant disease, prediction of response to chemotherapy, risk assessment, and selection of patients for targeted therapy. Except for a few tests such as assessment of HER2/neu for gene amplification in breast cancer, detection of clonality in hematopoietic neoplasms, and specific chromosomal translocations in the former and in the diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma, most of the molecular tests using FNAB specimens are currently investigational. The reported literature indicates the excellent potential of using material procured from FNAB for almost any type of molecular test. Whereas few of these tests alone are used for patient care, some of them have the potential for clinical use in the near future. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Identification of subsets of neuroblastomas by combined histopathologic and N-myc analysis.

BACKGROUND Neuroblastomas show different histopathologic phenotypes, and the tumor cells can carry normal or multiple copies of the N-myc proto-oncogene (MYCN). Studies of the N-myc gene and histopathology of untreated primary neuroblastomas have demonstrated that both these factors are important in risk assessment. PURPOSE Our purpose was to determine if there are any associations between N-myc gene copy number, histopathologic features, clinical stage, and progression-free survival (PFS) and if joint analyses of histopathology and N-myc gene copy number improve risk assessment. METHODS The histopathologic phenotype and N-myc gene copy number were determined for 232 biopsy/surgery specimens obtained from untreated primary neuroblastoma patients. Tumors were classified as having favorable or unfavorable histology on the basis of Schwannian stroma (rich versus poor), neuroblastic differentiation (differentiating versus undifferentiated), and mitosis-karyorrhexis (fragmenting nucleus) index (MKI; high, intermediate, or low) in the context of age at diagnosis (Shimada classification). N-myc gene amplification was considered significant when the gene copy number was at least 10-fold higher than normal as determined by Southern blot analysis. Otherwise, tumors were classified as nonamplified for N-myc. RESULTS Among 19 stroma-rich tumors, 11 had grossly visible neuroblastic nodules, and two of these had N-myc amplification. Of 213 stroma-poor tumors, 51 had N-myc amplification, all of which were undifferentiated, and 45 (88% of 51) had high MKI. This histologic phenotype was present in less than 10% of tumors with nonamplified N-myc. Of 162 stroma-poor tumors that showed nonamplified N-myc, 45 (28%) were differentiating and 121 (75%) had low MKI. Neuroblastomas of clinical stages I, II, and IV-S nearly always had favorable histology and no amplification of N-myc. Stage III (regional) and particularly stage IV (metastatic) tumors, however, frequently had unfavorable histologic features with or without N-myc amplification. The estimated PFS at the end of 4 years after diagnosis was 83% for patients whose tumors had favorable histology and no N-myc amplification. The estimated PFS for the patients whose neuroblastomas had unfavorable histology, however, was 29% without and 13% with N-myc amplification, respectively. Subsets of patients with stage II, III, or IV disease were identified by both histologic evaluation and N-myc analysis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that both the histologic and N-myc-based stratifications provided prognostic information that was independent of staging. CONCLUSIONS Neuroblastomas with N-myc amplification have a characteristic histopathologic phenotype and an aggressive clinical course. In contrast, neuroblastomas without N-myc amplification exhibit a wide range of histologic features that can define prognostic subsets.
Preoperative skin preparation of the foot and ankle: bristles and alcohol are better.

BACKGROUND The most efficient way to prepare the skin for foot and ankle surgery is unknown. In recent studies, >70% of aerobic bacterial cultures of specimens taken from the nail folds following skin preparation with povidone-iodine were positive. The goal of the current study was to determine the effect of isopropyl alcohol on the eradication of bacteria from the nails and skin of the normal foot and ankle. In addition, the effect of using a bristled brush rather than sponges to scrub the foot was investigated. METHODS Four skin-preparation techniques were studied in two sets of twenty-five volunteers. In phase I of the study, the right foot and ankle of each member of the first set of volunteers was prepared with method 1, which consisted of a two-stage povidone-iodine scrub and paint with use of soft sponges. The left foot and ankle was prepared with method 2, which consisted of method 1 as well as an additional pre-wash with 70% isopropyl alcohol. In phase II, the right foot and ankle of each member of the second set of volunteers was prepared with method 3, which consisted of a povidone-iodine scrub and paint with use of a bristled brush to scrub the foot. The left side was prepared with method 4, which consisted of an alcohol scrub and paint with use of a bristled brush to scrub the foot. At the end of the preparation process, specimens for aerobic bacterial cultures were obtained from the hallucal nail fold, interdigital web spaces, and anterior aspect of the ankle. Cultures were interpreted as positive or negative, and the results were also assessed quantitatively. RESULTS The rates of positive cultures of the nail-fold specimens were 76% and 80% after methods 1 and 2 (soft sponges) and 76% and 12% after methods 3 and 4 (bristled brush). The reduction in the percentage of positive cultures with method 4 was highly significant (p < 0.001). Cultures of the specimens from the web spaces showed a significant difference in the rates of positive results between methods 1 and 2 (36% and 8%, p < 0.05) but no significant difference between methods 3 and 4 (12% and 0%, p = 0.25). The rates of positive cultures of specimens from the anterior aspect of the ankle were consistently low (< or = 4% for all methods). Quantitative analysis of positive cultures demonstrated significant reductions (p < 0.01) in heavy growth when bristled brushes had been used, both with povidone-iodine and isopropyl alcohol. CONCLUSIONS The use of isopropyl alcohol and the use of a bristled brush both have beneficial effects on the skin-preparation process before foot and ankle surgery. In the current investigation, the most effective technique was the use of isopropyl alcohol in conjunction with scrubbing with a bristled brush. Merely washing the foot with alcohol-soaked sponges provided limited benefit to the web spaces only.
Immunogenicity of Coxiella burnetii whole cells and their outer membrane components.

The immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the phase I and phase II Coxiella burnetii whole cells (Cb I and Cb II) and their outer membrane components (OMC), i.e. phase I trichloroacetic acid extract (TCAE), phase I 29 K protein (PRO), phase I and II lipopolysaccharides (LPS I, LPS II), polysaccharides (PS I, PS II), and lipid A (LA I, LA II), were compared. The highest immune response was observed in BALB/c mice by Cb I in both humoral immunity and lymphocyte transformation assays, and in the protective effect as well. The immune response was also significant by Cb II, but their protective capacity was low. The OMC reacted variously. Only TCAE and PRO gave a high value of humoral immunity evaluated by the serological methods. All OMC reacted in the haemolytic plaque assay giving different responses. Lymphoproliferation of splenocytes was positive with all OMC using both Cb I and Cb II antigens with the exception of PS I and PS II in the case of Cb II antigen. The induction of protection against infectious Cb I was demonstrated after immunization with TCAE, PRO, and LPS I. Other OMC did not induce protection against this agent.
Design of Novel Melatonin Analogs for the Reduction of Intraocular Pressure in Normotensive Rabbits

Melatonin, the MT2 melatonin receptor agonist IIK7 [N-butanoyl-2-(2-methoxy-6H-isoindolo[2,1-a]indol-11-yl)ethanamine], and the putative MT3 melatonin receptor agonist 5-MCA-NAT [5-methoxycarbonylamino-N-acetyltryptamine] have previously been shown to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in ocular normotensive rabbits. To gain a better understanding of the structure-activity relationship of compounds that activate MT2 and MT3 receptors mediating reductions in IOP, novel melatonin analogs with rationally varied substitutions were synthesized and tested for their effects on IOP in ocular normotensive rabbits (n = 160). All synthesized melatonin analogs reduced IOP. The best-effect lowering IOP was obtained with the analogs INS48848 [methyl-1-methylene-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-carbazol-6-ylcarbamate], INS48862 [methyl-2-bromo-3-(2-ethanamidoethyl)-1H-indol-5-ylcarbamate], and INS48852 [(E)-N-(2-(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl)-3-phenylprop-2-enamide]. These compounds produced dose-dependent decreases in IOP that were maximal at 0.1 mM (total dose of 0.259 μg for INS48848, 0.354 μg for INS48862, and 0.320 μg for INS48852) and 1 mM (total dose of 2.59 μg for INS48848, 3.54 μg for INS48862, and 3.20 μg for INS48852), with maximal reductions of 36.0 ± 4.0, 24.0 ± 1.5, and 30.0 ± 1.5% for INS48848, INS48862, and INS48852, respectively. Studies using melatonin receptor antagonists (luzindole, prazosin, and DH97 [N-pentanoyl-2-benzyltryptamine]) indicated that INS48862 and INS48852 activate preferentially a MT2 melatonin receptor and suggest that INS48848 may act mainly via a MT3 receptor. The most effective compounds were also well tolerated in a battery of standard ocular surface irritation studies. The implication of these findings to the design of novel drugs to treat ocular hypertension is discussed.
Analysis of Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria from Hypersaline Mono Lake, California, on the Basis of 16S rRNA Sequences

ABSTRACT Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria were detected by PCR amplification of DNA extracted from filtered water samples throughout the water column of Mono Lake, California. Ammonia-oxidizing members of the β subdivision of the division Proteobacteria (β-subdivisionProteobacteria) were detected using previously characterized PCR primers; target sequences were detected by direct amplification in both surface water and below the chemocline. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis indicated the presence of at least four different β-subdivision ammonia oxidizers in some samples. Subsequent sequencing of amplified 16S rDNA fragments verified the presence of sequences very similar to those of culturedNitrosomonas strains. Two separate analyses, carried out under different conditions (different reagents, locations, PCR machines, sequencers, etc.), 2 years apart, detected similar ranges of sequence diversity in these samples. It seems likely that the physiological diversity of nitrifiers exceeds the diversity of their ribosomal sequences and that these sequences represent members of theNitrosomonas europaea group that are acclimated to alkaline, high-salinity environments. Primers specific forNitrosococcus oceanus, a marine ammonia-oxidizing bacterium in the γ subdivision of the Proteobacteria, did not amplify target from any samples.
Effective use of communication and information technology: bridging the skills gap

In the context of academic induction courses, exploring conceptions of teaching and learning with new staff members confirms the notion that many academic staff want to teach as they have been taught. To encourage the adoption of new instructional strategies requires raising awareness of how students learn and supporting efforts to teach differently. Creative and flexible teaching requires an awareness of different methodologies, developing new skills with these methodologies and knowing when to apply these methods to optimize students' learning. The process of managing teaching for effective learning is further complicated when staff are expected to use new technologies. Some staff members show an added level of reluctance to engage in constructive dialogue about changes in frameworks for learning and teaching when the potential of communications and information technology (C&IT) is discussed. DOI: 10.1080/0968776990070208