Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution of Lectin‐Bindings in the Testis of the Lesser Mouse Deer, Tragulus javanicus

The distribution of lectin bindings in the testis of the smallest ruminant, lesser mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus), was studied using 12 biotinylated lectins specific for d‐galactose (peanut agglutinin PNA, Ricinus communis agglutinin RCA I), N‐acetyl‐d‐galactosamine (Dolichos biflorus agglutinin DBA, Vicia villosa agglutinin VVA, Soybean agglutinin SBA), N‐acetyl‐d‐glucosamine and sialic acid (wheat germ agglutinin WGA, s‐WGA), d‐mannose and d‐glucose (Lens culinaris agglutinin LCA, Pisum sativum agglutinin PSA, Concanavalin A Con A), l‐fucose (Ulex europaeus agglutinin UEA I), and oligosaccharide (Phaseolus vulgaris agglutinin PHA‐E) sugar residues. In Golgi‐, cap‐, and acrosome‐phase spermatids, lectin‐bindings were found in the acrosome (PNA, RCA I, VVA, SBA, WGA and s‐WGA), and in the cytoplasm (PNA, RCA I, VVA, SBA, WGA, LCA, PSA, Con A and PHA‐E). s‐WGA binding was confined to the spermatid acrosome, but other lectins were also observed in spermatocytes. In spermatogonia, VVA, WGA, Con A, and PHA‐E bindings were observed. Sertoli cells were intensely stained with DBA and Con A, and weakly with PHA‐E. In interstitial Leydig cells, RCA I, DBA, VVA, Con A, PSA, LCA, WGA and PHA‐E were positive. UEA I was negative in all cell types including spermatogenic cells. Unusual distribution of lectin‐bindings noted in the testis of lesser mouse deer included the limited distribution of s‐WGA only in the spermatid acrosome, the distribution of DBA in Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and lamina propria, and the absence of UEA I in all type cells. The present results were discussed in comparison with those of other animals and their possible functional implications.
[Combined epiphyseal preservation and autograft bone transfer in treatment of children osteosarcoma].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical application and early results of combined epiphyseal preservation. METHODS Between March 2010 and March 2011, and autograft bone transfer for limb salvage in children with osteosarcoma. 3 children with osteosarcoma were treated with epiphyseal preservation and autograft bone transfer. There were 1 boy and 2 girls with the age of 10-14 years. The disease duration was 2 weeks to 3 months. The tumors were rated as type II according to San-Julian radiological classification and as type IIB according to Enneking surgical classification. The locations were the distal femur in 1 case and the proximal tibia in 2 cases. The surgical technique included preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy, excision of part of the epiphysis, preservation of subarticular epi physis, external fixation with Ilizarov apparatus and transport osteogenesis treatment. Safe excision border was confirmed by histological examination. Postoperative observation included the wound healing, local recurrence or distant metastasis, length, speed, alignment, and regeneration of transplanted bone, the length and function of the affected limb. RESULTS The postoperative histological examination proved the safe surgical margin in all 3 patients. The incision healing by first intention was obtained at distal femur in 1 case and by second intention at proximal tibia in 2 cases at 4 weeks after changes of dressing. Three patients were followed up 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. There was no local recurrence or distant metastasis during follow-up. Two cases had pin-tract infection at 10 months after external fixation and were cured after changes of dressing and antibiotics administration. The length of transplanted osteogenisis was 18.0, 9.5, and 16.0 cm, respectively. The speed of lengthening was 2.57, 2.07, and 1.20 cm/month, respectively. One patient had alignment deviation during lengthening, which was adjusted under anaesthesia. Bony healing was achieved at 8 months after lengthening end in 2 cases and external fixation was removed; 1 patient had poor bone growth and was given retraction for promoting bone growth. At last follow-up, the length of the affected limbs was 1.0-1.5 cm shorter than that of normal limbs, but no abnormalities was observed at donor sites. The affected knee flexion reached 90 degrees and 120 degrees in 2 patients and poor knee function was observed in 1 patient for external fixation. CONCLUSION The combined epiphyseal preservation and transport osteogenesis technique can be used for bone defect repair by lengthening the residual bone. It is a promising limb salvage treatment for children with osteosarcoma.
Optimal hitting time and perpetual option in a non-Lévy model: application to real options

We study the perpetual American option characteristics in the case where the underlying dynamics involve a Brownian motion and a point process with a stochastic intensity. No assumption on the distribution of the jump size is made and we work with an arbitrary positive or negative jump. After proving the existence of an optimal stopping time for the problem and characterizing it as the hitting time of an optimal boundary, we provide closed-form formulae for the option value, as well as for the Laplace transform of the optimal stopping time. These results are then applied to the analysis of a real option problem when considering the impact of a fundamental and brutal change in the investment project environment. The consequences of this impact, that can seriously modify, positively or negatively, the project's future cash flows and therefore the investment decision, are illustrated by numerical examples.
Functional Dentition in Brazilian Adults: An Investigation of Social Determinants of Health (SDH) Using a Multilevel Approach

Objectives Estimate the prevalence of functional dentition among Brazilian adults using four different definitions and identify associated factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 9564 Brazilian adults aged 35–44 years who participated in the 2010 National Oral Health Survey. Data collection involved oral examinations and the administration of questionnaires. The following definitions were used: 1—WHO Functional Dentition (FDWHO: ≥ 20 teeth present); 2—well-distributed teeth (WDT: ≥ 10 teeth in each arch); 3 –Functional dentition classified by esthetics and occlusion (FDClass5: dentitions that sequentially exhibit at least one tooth in each arch, at least 10 teeth in each arch, all maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth, three or four premolar posterior occluding pairs [POPs], and at least one molar POP bilaterally); 4—Functional dentition classified by esthetics, occlusion and periodontal status (FDClass6: corresponds to FDClass5 with the addition of periodontal status of all sextants in the oral cavity with, at most, shallow pockets and/or clinical attachment level of 5 mm (CPI ≤ 3 and/or CAL ≤ 1). The independent variables were individual factors (gender, self-declared skin color, schooling, monthly household income, age group, self-rated treatment need, dental pain, dental appointment in the previous 12 months and dental services) and contextual factors (Municipal Human Development Index [MHDI]), Gini coefficient, fluoridated water supply and oral health coverage). Multilevel mixed-effect Poisson regression analyses were performed. Results The prevalence of functional dentition based on the FDWHO, WDT, FDClass5 and FDClass6 definitions was 77.9%, 72.9%, 42.6% and 40.3%, respectively. Adults with ≥12 years of schooling and monthly household income from US$ 853 to 2557 had higher prevalence rates of FDWHO (PR: 1.41 and 1.10, respectively), WDT (PR: 1.58 and 1.14, respectively), FDClass5 (PR: 2.03 and 1.27, respectively) and FDClass6 (PR: 2.15 and 1.35, respectively). These values in the final models were adjusted for gender, self-declared skin color (FDClass5), age group, self-rated treatment need (FDWHO, FDClass5 and FDClass6), dental appointment in the previous 12 months (FDWHO and WDT), dental services (FDWHO and WDT) and contextual factors. A very high MHDI and presence of fluoridated water supply were associated with higher prevalence rates of the four outcomes. Conclusions The incorporation of the criteria of new definitions of functional dentition led to a lower prevalence rate among Brazilian adults. Striking individual and contextual inequalities were identified with regard to the four definitions analyzed, which need to be addressed through inter-sector efforts.
Novel findings on cellular trafficking and targeting for granule storage of neutrophil elastase, a multifunctional effector molecule of innate immunity

Neutrophil elastase (NE) has important roles in innate immunity, killing pathogens and controlling the immune response; but how NE is targeted to developing granules is not understood. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to investigate the sorting of NE. Transfection experiments in a leukemic cell line, which were confirmed in normal hematopoietic cells, showed that a population of proNE was targeted to the plasma membrane and endocytosed. This targeting required an intact carboxy-terminal propeptide. Furthermore, modified proNE was not endocytosed, indicating structural requirements for endocytosis. An association was demonstrated between the tetraspanin CD63 and proNE upon coexpression in COS cells. Furthermore, depletion of CD63 in a promyelocytic cell line (achieved by RNA interference or a CD63 mutant) caused reduced processing of proNE into mature NE and reduced constitutive secretion of proNE. We therefore propose that CD63 may be a transmembrane linker that facilitates granule targeting of proNE. Results from a monocytic cell line indicated that the sorting of proNE was a multistage process including trafficking to the cell surface, endocytosis through coated vesicles and possibly lipid rafts, and possible conversion to mature NE in late endosomes. The inhibition of proNE’s activation into mature NE was accompanied by the accumulation of proNE, suggesting a requirement for activation before granule targeting. This research provided new perspectives on the cellular trafficking of NE. The thesis proposes that granule sorting of proNE is facilitated by a tetraspanin protein serving as a transmembrane linker and transporter. The hypothesis needs further testing in primary cells to acquire additional evidence of the interactions involved.
Effect of cheese consumption on blood lipids: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

CONTEXT Cheese may affect lipids and lipoproteins differently than other high-fat dairy foods. OBJECTIVE The present systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate randomized controlled trials that examined the effect of cheese consumption compared with another food product on blood lipids and lipoproteins. DATA SOURCES A systematic literature search of the MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, CAB Abstracts, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and the clinicaltrials.gov website was performed. STUDY SELECTION A total of 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified that examined the effect of cheese consumption on blood lipids and lipoproteins in healthy adults. DATA EXTRACTION A meta-analysis of 5 RCTs that compared the effects of hard cheese and butter, both of which had a similar ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids (P/S ratio), was performed. DATA SYNTHESIS Compared with butter intake, cheese intake (weighted mean difference: 145.0 g/d) reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 6.5% (-0.22 mmol/l; 95%CI: -0.29 to -0.14) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) by 3.9% (-0.05 mmol/l; 95%CI: -0.09 to -0.02) but had no effect on triglycerides. Compared with intake of tofu or fat-modified cheese, cheese intake increased total cholesterol or LDL-C, as was expected on the basis of the P/S ratio of the diets. There was insufficient data to compare intake of cheese with intake of other foods. CONCLUSION Despite the similar P/S ratios of hard cheese and butter, consumption of hard cheese lowers LDL-C and HDL-C when compared with consumption of butter. Whether these findings can be attributed to calcium, specific types of saturated fatty acids, or the food matrix of cheese warrants further research.
Isolation and Characterization of Point Mutations in Mismatch Repair Genes That Destabilize Microsatellites in Yeast

ABSTRACT The stability of simple repetitive DNA sequences (microsatellites) is a sensitive indicator of the ability of a cell to repair DNA mismatches. In a genetic screen for yeast mutants with elevated microsatellite instability, we identified strains containing point mutations in the yeast mismatch repair genes, MSH2,MSH3, MLH1, and PMS1. Some of these mutations conferred phenotypes significantly different from those of null mutations in these genes. One semidominant MSH2mutation was identified. Finally we showed that strains heterozygous for null mutations of mismatch repair genes in diploid strains in yeast confer subtle defects in the repair of small DNA loops.
Cutting Edge: Roles for Batf3-Dependent APCs in the Rejection of Minor Histocompatibility Antigen–Mismatched Grafts

In transplantation, a major obstacle for graft acceptance in MHC-matched individuals is the mismatch of minor histocompatibility Ags. Minor histocompatibility Ags are peptides derived from polymorphic proteins that can be presented by APCs on MHC molecules. The APC subtype uniquely responsible for the rejection of minor Ag–mismatched grafts has not yet been identified. In this study, we examined graft rejection in three mouse models: 1) mismatch of male-specific minor Ags, 2) mismatch of minor Ags distinct from male-specific minor Ags, and 3) skin transplant. This study demonstrates that in the absence of pathogen-associated molecular patterns, Batf3-dependent dendritic cells elicit the rejection of cells and grafts expressing mismatched minor Ags. The implication of our findings in clinical transplantation may be significant, as minor Ag reactivity has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple allograft tissues.
Subspecific affinity of black bears in the White River National Wildlife Refuge.

The black bear population of the White River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is adjacent to populations of black bear in Louisiana (Urusus americanus luteolus) which are listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Wildlife management plans can pose restrictions on bear harvests and timber extraction; therefore the management plan for the White River NWR is sensitive to subspecific classification of its bear population. The objective of this study was to analyze genetic variation in the White River NWR and seven adjacent populations of black bears to assess the subspecific affinity of the White River NWR population. Here we report the variation at seven microsatellite DNA loci among eight black bear populations. The patterns of genetic variation gave strong support for distinguishing a southern group of black bears comprised of the White River, Arkansas; Tensas River, Louisiana; Upper Atchafalaya, Louisiana; Lower Atchafalaya, Louisiana; and Alabama/Mississippi populations. Phylogenetic analysis of individual variation suggested that historical black bear introductions into Arkansas and Louisiana affected gene pools of certain southern receiving populations, but did not significantly change interpopulation relatedness. Phylogenetic inferences at both the population and individual levels support the hypothesis that the White River NWR population of black bears belongs to the U. a. luteolus subspecies.
Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP)-Induced ⍺-Granules Release from Platelets of Native Whole Blood Is Reduced by Ticlopidine but Not by Aspirin or Dipyridamole

Summary A brief contact between native whole blood and ADP promotes a dose-dependent release of platelet a-granules without a fall in the platelet number. We assessed the “ex vivo” effect of three widely used antiplatelet drugs, aspirin dipyridamole and ticlopidine, on this system. Aspirin (a single 800 mg dose) and dipyridamole (300 mg/die for four days) had no effect, while ticlopidine (500 mg/die for four days) significantly reduced the a-granules release for an ADP stimulation of 0.4 (p <0.02), 1.2 (p <0.01) and 2 pM (p <0.01). No drug, however, completeley inhibits this early stage of platelet activation. The platelet release of α-granules may be related to platelet shape change of the light transmission aggregometer and may be important “in vivo” by enhancing platelet adhesiveness and by liberating the plateletderived growth factor.
Controls on geometry and composition of a levee built by turbidity currents in a straight laboratory channel

Experimentalresultsarepresentedthatquantifypropertiesofachannelleveebuiltbydepositional turbidity currents. Nine currents of constant initial thickness and composition were released into a pre-existing channel and levee growth on the channel bank was observed. Rates of sediment deposition on the proximal levee, grain size, and taper of levee deposits were all found to be inversely related to local channel depth.These relationships were controlled by 1) the thickness of the depositing current relative to the local channel depth and 2) the vertical profiles of concentration and size for grains suspended within the current. Change in local depth confined more or less current within the channel and determined the fraction of current present at and above the levee-crest elevation where it could act as a sediment source for bank construction. The results are used to develop a simple framework for interpreting submarine levees.
Seroprevalence of Dengue Virus IgG among Children 1 - 15 Years, Selected from an Urban Population in Karachi, Pakistan: Population Based Study

Objectives: This was to estimate the proportion of Dengue virus specific IgG ELISA among asymptomatic children between the ages of 1 year to 15 years, residing in an urban population of Karachi. Design: Cross-sectional study. Settings: Subjects were selected from Garden, Karachi; an urban area located adjacent to the Central district of Karachi. Participants: Children of ages 1 year to 15 years, of either sex, residing in the urban area of Garden, Karachi for more than 1 year were selected for the study. Those with a history of yellow fever or using corticosteroids within 1 month of recruitment were excluded. Outcome measures: Data were collected on socioeconomic status of households, medical history, including previous dengue infection, general examination findings and anthropometric indices. Blood samples were collected and sent to Research Laboratories, AKU for determining complete blood counts and serum IgG antibodies for Dengue. All collected information was then analyzed for ascertaining the predicting factors for positive IgG among children less than 15 years. Results: From a total of 900 subjects, 46% were found to have positive IgG in their bloods. Our results revealed that a male child of age more than 10 years was more likely to be IgG positive. Other risk factors identified with the seropositivity included lower household income and absence of anemia, thrombocytopenia and lack of hand washing. Conclusions: The study indicated a significant proportion of children under 15-year-old infected with Dengue virus, with a potential risk of severe complications, if re-infected with dengue. Stringent measures are still needed by both public and private authorities to contain dengue outbreaks, and reducing the proportion of associated mortality, as seen in the previous years. Trial registration: Seed Money Grant (ID# SM090101) was awarded to the corresponding author by Research Committee, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Pakistan.
Achieving IT Program Goals with Integrative Conflict Management

Information technology (IT) programs are collections of projects structured to meet goals established by top management regarding the use of technology. Prior research has established the importance of commitment to the organizational goals set by top management and a shared understanding of the goals among the project teams. However, conflicts occur among project teams due to pursuit of their own goals, their unique approaches to completion of required tasks, and their individual need for limited resources. These conflicts need to be resolved in a fashion that leads to the pursuit of program goals, not the independent goals lodged in individual projects. We develop a model of an IT program environment to study the effects of goal interdependence among projects and shared understanding of organizational goals on promoting integrative conflict management (ICM). ICM techniques yield agreement on decisions in the face of conflicting ideas. In turn, ICM promotes arrival at an agreement about implementation means and commitment to the IT program goals, which are better achieved as a result. The model presents a new perspective for research on conflict that considers the specific resolution process to be a key component in the attainment of goals. Practitioners should instill integrative conflict resolution techniques into program and project processes as a fundamental means of achieving goals critical to the organization.
Benzothiepin-derived molecular scaffolds for estrogen receptor modulators: synthesis and antagonistic effects in breast cancer cells

A series of novel benzothiepin-derived compounds are described as potent selective modulators of the human estrogen receptor (SERMs). The objective of the study is to evaluate the antiproliferative effects of the compounds on human MCF-7 breast tumor cells. These heterocyclic compounds contain the traditional triarylethylene arrangement exemplified by tamoxifen, conformationally restrained through the incorporation of the benzothiepin ring system. The compounds demonstrated potency at nanomolar concentrations in antiproliferative assays against an MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line with low cytotoxicity. The compounds exhibited low nanomolar binding affinity for the estrogen receptor (ER) with some specificity for ERβ, and also demonstrate potent antiestrogenic properties in the human uterine Ishikawa cell line. The effect of a number of functional group substitutions on the ER binding properties of the benzothiepin molecular scaffold is explored through a brief computational structure-activity relationship investigation with molecular simulation.
Phase II study of S-1, an oral fluoropyrimidine, in patients with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer

Background: S-1 is an oral fluoropyrimidine. This phase II study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of S-1 in patients with advanced or recurrent uterine cervical cancer. Patients and methods: S-1 35 mg/m2 was given twice daily for 28 days repeated every 6 weeks. Eligible patients were women aged 20–74 years, who had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of zero or one, who had stage IVB or recurrent uterine cervical cancer, and who had received no more than one platinum-containing chemotherapy regimen for stage IVB or recurrent disease. The primary end point was overall response rate (ORR) determined by RECIST. Results: A total of 37 patients were enrolled in the trial and 36 were eligible. The median number of cycles administered was 4. The confirmed ORR was 30.6% (95% confidence interval 15.5% to 45.6%). The response rate for patients who had received platinum-based treatment including chemoradiotherapy was 31.8% (7 of 22). After a median follow-up duration of 25 months, the median time to progression and the median survival time were 5.2 and 15.4 months, respectively. The most frequent grade 3 or 4 adverse events were anemia (16%), anorexia (16%), and diarrhea (22%). Conclusions: This phase II study of S-1 in cervical cancer suggests a promising response rate and a contribution toward prolonging survival, with modest toxic effects. Phase III studies of S-1 in patients with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer are thus warranted.