Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Survival of patients with ovarian cancer. Apart from stage and grade, tumor progesterone receptor content is a prognostic indicator

Estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), and androgen receptors (AR) were determined by saturation analysis in 100 cases of primary ovarian cancer and correlated with patient survival. The mean follow‐up period was 5.4 years (range, 4 to 6.5 years). Positivity for PR was associated with a significantly better survival rate (P < 0.05). A similar observation was made for AR (P < 0.05). Tumor ER content did not correlate with survival. Ten patients with tumors that had negative results for both PR and AR all died of the disease. In 91 cases of serous, endometrioid, and mucinous carcinomas, grade, stage, and tumor PR content, but not AR content, were identified as independent prognostic factors with the use of the Cox proportional hazards model. The relative risk of patients with PR‐negative tumors was 2.3 times higher than that of patients with tumors containing high (≥ 30 fmol/ mg) PR levels.
Investigations on the turnover of adrenocortical mitochondria. XII. Studies on the mechanism of the acth‐induced elongation of the half‐life of rat zona fasciculata mitochondria

The half‐life of rat adrenocortical mitochondria was determined by high resolution autoradiography and liquid scintillation spectroscopy as previously described (Mazzocchi et al., '76). The results obtained by the two approaches were in good agreement. In the normal rats the half‐life of adrenocortical mitochondria averaged 11 days. ACTH significantly increased mitochondrial half‐life to about 16 days, and chloramphenicol significantly decreased this parameter in both untreated and ACTH‐administered rats to about seven days. It is suggested that the ACTH‐induced maintenance and slowing down of the degradation rate of adrenocortical mitochondria requires continuous mitochondrial DNA‐dependent protein synthesis.
Effectiveness of a whole cell pertussis vaccine in child-care centers and schools.

BACKGROUND Pertussis has substantially increased in Quebec, Canada, since 1990. We estimated pertussis vaccine effectiveness and vaccine coverage in child-care centers and elementary schools. METHODS Two retrospective cohort studies were simultaneously conducted. One included 4482 children attending 88 public child-care centers and the other included 3429 pupils in 14 elementary schools. Cough and pertussis symptoms were assessed through a questionnaire and medical records; immunization status was ascertained by examination of written records. RESULTS In child-care centers 95% of children had received at least three vaccine doses at the beginning of the follow-up; in schools more than 98% of pupils had received at least 4 doses. With > or = 4 doses of vaccine and a standard case definition used for surveillance (cough > or = 2 weeks, > or = 1 pertussis symptom and no other apparent cause for cough), vaccine effectiveness was estimated at 61% (95% confidence interval, 44 to 72%) in child-care centers and at 60% (95% confidence interval, 10 to 82%) in schools. With the same number of doses but a case definition requiring a cough > or = 5 weeks, vaccine effectiveness increased to 71% (95% confidence interval, 49 to 83) in child-care centers and to 86% (95% confidence interval, 66 to 94%) in schools. CONCLUSIONS The increase in pertussis in Quebec is not caused by a low vaccine coverage. A low vaccine effectiveness may contribute to the resurgence of pertussis in the past decade.
Precision validation of Geant4 electromagnetic physics

The Geant4 toolkit provides an ample set of physics models for electromagnetic interactions. Results from a series of detailed tests with respect to well established reference data sources and experiments are presented, focusing on the precision validation of cross sections and angular distributions of various alternative physics models available in Geant4. Such precision tests are especially relevant for critical applications of simulation models, such as tracking detectors, calorimetry, neutrino and other astroparticle experiments, medical physics.
Repurposing CRISPR/Cas9 for in situ functional assays

Malina et al. readapted the CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing system for targeted gene disruption positive selection assays. They generated “all-in-one” lentiviral and retroviral delivery vectors heterologously expressing both a codon-optimized Cas9 and its synthetic guide RNA (sgRNA) and linked Cas9 expression to GFP fluorescence for in vivo applications. These results establish Cas9 genome editing as a powerful and practical approach for positive in situ genetic screens.
Reliability of ultrasonography in identification of reflux nephropathy in children

Objective: To assess the ability of ultrasonography to identify reflux nephropathy in children after urinary tract infection. Design: Ten experienced radiologists performed a total of 240 ultrasonographic examinations of kidneys in a one day study. The examiners were20unaware of the results of previous radiological and clinical examinations and of the proportions of normal and abnormal kidneys. Urography was used as method of reference, supported by static renal scintigraphy (dimercaptosuccinic acid labelled with technetium-99m) in half of the cases. Setting: Outpatient radiology department. Subjects: 25 children aged 2-16 years (20 kidneys with and 30 kidneys without renal scarring). Main outcome measures: Renal scarring. Overall size and length of kidneys. Sensitivity and specificity including receiver operator characteristics and variation between observers. Results - With renal scarring as the diagnostic20criterion and including cases classified as abnormal, probably abnormal, and uncertain the sensitivity of ultrasonography was 54% (specificity 80%). Addition of reduced renal size as a diagnostic criterion increased the sensitivity to 64% (specificity 79%). There were, however, wide variations between observers, with sensitivity ranging between 40% and 90% (specificity 94% to 65%). Conclusions: Because of its low sensitivity and specificity and poor agreement between observers, ultrasonography cannot be generally recommended for the detection of reflux nephropathy after urinary tract infection in children.
Cholesterol lowering drug may influence cellular immune response by altering MHC II function[S]

Major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) expressed on the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) displays peptides to CD4+ T cells. Depletion of membrane cholesterol from APCs by methyl β-cyclodextrin treatment compromises peptide-MHC II complex formation coupled with impaired binding of conformational antibody, which binds close to the peptide binding groove of MHC II. Interestingly, the total cell surface of MHC II remains unaltered. These defects can be corrected by restoring membrane cholesterol. In silico docking studies with a three-dimensional model showed the presence of a cholesterol binding site in the transmembrane domain of MHC II (TM-MHC-II). From the binding studies it was clear that cholesterol, indeed, interacts with the TM-MHC-II and alters its conformation. Mutation of cholesterol binding residues (F240, L243, and F246) in the TM-MHC-II decreased the affinity for cholesterol. Furthermore, transfection of CHO cells with full-length mutant MHC II, but not wild-type MHC II, failed to activate antigen-specific T cells coupled with decreased binding of conformation-specific antibodies. Thus, cholesterol-induced conformational change of TM-MHC-II may allosterically modulate the peptide binding groove of MHC II leading to T cell activation.
Macrophages, but not dendritic cells, present collagen to T cells

Dendritic cells, such as epidermal Langerhans cells, play a crucial role for the antigen‐specific priming of T cells. We have addressed the question whether dendritic cells present collagen, a major protein component in tissues through which dendritic cells migrate, i.e. the basement membrane, dermis, and synovial tissue. Langerhans cells, spleen cells and peritoneal macrophages were compared for antigen‐presenting capacity using a panel of mouse T cell hybridomas reactive with different determinants on type II collagen, myelin basic protein, ovalbumin and pepsin. Langerhans cells did not present any of the type II collagen determinants, unless the antigen was administered as a 15‐mer peptide, but did present myelin basic protein, ovalbumin and pepsin. Spleen cells and peritoneal macrophages, in contrast, presented all type II collagen determinants. This biased antigen presentation was also observed when Langerhans cells were pulsed with antigen in vivo. The inability to present type II collagen is related to the collagen sequence as such, since both native type II collagen, type II collagen α chains, as well as a type II collagen determinant incorporated in type I collagen, were not presented by Langerhans cells. In addition, granulocyte/macrophage colony‐stimulating factor‐expanded blood dendritic cells displayed the same biased antigen presentation, suggesting that the inability to present collagen is not restricted to dendritic cells localized in epidermis. B cell‐deficient mice could prime a type II collagen‐reactive T cell response, thus excluding B cells as obligatory antigen‐presenting cells for the priming of collagen‐reactive T cells. We suggest that neither Langerhans cells nor B cells, but macrophages are the primary antigen‐presenting cells in the immune response towards type II collagen.
Simulation of mitigation strategies to reduce nitrogen leaching from grazed pasture

Strategies to reduce nitrogen leaching losses from pastoral farming in the Lake Taupo catchment are required to address declining water quality in the lake. This study used a biophysical whole farm simulation model, EcoMod, to explore the potential for four mitigation strategies to reduce N leaching in a soil and climate typical of the region. The strategies were use of: a nitrification inhibitor (DCD); steers instead of heifers (STEER); salt as a diuretic (SALT) and; high sugar ryegrass (HSG). These were compared to a BASE scenario of grazed heifers. Each of the simulated mitigation strategies showed the potential to significantly reduce nitrogen leaching compared to BASE by 25 to 45%. All mitigation strategies reduced nitrogen fixation due to more efficient plant use of nitrogen from urinary and faecal sources. This also contributed to an increase in pasture intake for SALT, STEER and DCD, but not for HSG. These mitigation strategies were explored at a single-paddock level and planned experimental studies will further examine the effectiveness of the strategies.
Kidney Transplantation Substantially Improves Endothelial Progenitor Cell Dysfunction in Patients with End‐Stage Renal Disease

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are involved in endothelial repair and maintenance. Dysfunction of EPC may contribute to accelerated arteriosclerosis in chronic kidney disease. Kidney transplantation (KTx) improves both survival and endothelial function of dialysis patients. In a prospective study, we tested to which extent KTx changes EPC biology. We studied number and function (migratory activity, adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins and to mature endothelial cells [EC]) of EPC in 20 patients during dialysis and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after KTx. Twenty‐two healthy volunteers served as matched controls. Circulating precursor populations were measured by flow cytometric analysis. Cytokines relevant for EPC mobilization were monitored. Compared to the dialysis state, KTx increased the migration of EPC to approximately 2‐fold. Adhesion to fibronectin and to collagen type IV was significantly increased after KTx. An improved adhesion rate of EPC to mature EC was observed. The number of EPC decreased. The amount of precursor populations showed no difference compared to the pretransplant state. Our study shows an improved function of EPC after KTx. This finding indicates an improved potential for endothelial repair which in turn may contribute to enhanced endothelial function and reduced cardiovascular morbidity after KTx.
Vertebrate DNAs contain nucleotide sequences related to the transforming gene of avian myeloblastosis virus

Avian myeloblastosis virus contains a continuous sequence of approximately 1,000 nucleotides which may represent a gene (amv) responsible for acute myeloblastic leukemia in chickens. This sequence appears to have been acquired from chicken DNA and to be substituted for the envelope gene in the viral genome. We used hybridization probes enriched for the amv sequences and conditions that facilitate annealing of partially homologous nucleotide sequences to show that cellular sequences related to amv are present in the genomes of all vertebrates ranging from amphibians to humans but were not detected in fish, sea urchins, or Escherichia coli. In contrast to the preceding findings, nontransforming endogenous proviral nucleotide sequences closely related to the remainder of the avian myeloblastosis virus genome and to the entire myeloblastosis-associated helper virus are present only in chicken DNA. The amv-related cellular sequences appear to be highly conserved during evolution and to be contained at only one or a few locations in the genome of vertebrates. Within closely related species, they appear to share common evolutionary genetic loci. These findings and similar ones obtained with other highly oncogenic retroviruses containing a transforming gene suggest a general mechanism for acquisition of viral oncogenic sequences and an essential role for these sequences in the normal cellular state.
Talkers alter vowel production in response to real-time formant perturbation even when instructed not to compensate.

Talkers show sensitivity to a range of perturbations of auditory feedback (e.g., manipulation of vocal amplitude, fundamental frequency and formant frequency). Here, 50 subjects spoke a monosyllable ("head"), and the formants in their speech were shifted in real time using a custom signal processing system that provided feedback over headphones. First and second formants were altered so that the auditory feedback matched subjects' production of "had. " Three different instructions were tested: (1) control, in which subjects were naive about the feedback manipulation, (2) ignore headphones, in which subjects were told that their voice might sound different and to ignore what they heard in the headphones, and (3) avoid compensation, in which subjects were informed in detail about the manipulation and were told not to compensate. Despite explicit instruction to ignore the feedback changes, subjects produced a robust compensation in all conditions. There were no differences in the magnitudes of the first or second formant changes between groups. In general, subjects altered their vowel formant values in a direction opposite to the perturbation, as if to cancel its effects. These results suggest that compensation in the face of formant perturbation is relatively automatic, and the response is not easily modified by conscious strategy.
Assessment of apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids and nitrogen in cottonseed and soyabean meals fed to pigs determined using ileal dissection under halothane anaesthesia or following carbon dioxide-stunning

Two experiments were conducted to determine apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids (AIDAA) and nitrogen (AIDN) in cottonseed meal (CSM) and soyabean meal (SBM) fed to growing pigs. In the first experiment, twenty-four male pigs (37·3 (SE 2·7) kg) were individually penned and randomized to either CSM or SBM diets. The diets contained 40% of the protein meal (either CSM or SBM) in a wheat starch-sucrose (1:1, w/w) base containing vitamins and minerals, and Cr2O3 as an indigestible marker. Pigs were acclimated to the experimental diets over a 3d period and on day 4 through to day 14 were offered 1800g/d of the diet. Diets were offered in three meals/d from day 4 to day 11 and in eight meals/d from day 12 to day 13. After the eighth hourly-meal on day 14, twelve pigs were anaesthetized with halothane while the remaining twelve pigs were CO2-stunned and processed using commercial slaughter procedures. Ileal digesta were collected from a 1500 mm portion of the terminal ileum of each pig and subsequently analysed for amino acids, N, organic matter and Cr. Results indicated that AIDAA of CSM and SBM were lower when digesta were collected following CO2-stunning than when digesta were obtained under halothane anaesthesia. Consistently, AIDN in CSM (0·51 v. 0·56) and SBM (0·55 v. 0-71) were lower (P <0·05) in CO2-stunned pigs than in halothane-anaesthetized pigs. Furthermore, when digesta collection was conducted under halothane anaesthesia, AIDN of CSM was lower (P < 0·001) than that of SBM. In the second experiment, six male pigs (45 (SE 2·6) kg) were fitted with T-piece cannulas implanted in the terminal ileum, housed individually in metabolism cages, and randomly allocated to either CSM or SBM diets in a single reversal arrangement. Ileal digesta were collected for AIDAA and AIDN determination. Although statistical comparisons could not be made between the two experiments, the AIDAA and AIDN data obtained via cannulated pigs were similar to those values obtained using the halothane-anaesthesia method. Overall, the CO2-stunning method is not recommended for studies of amino acid or nitrogen ileal digestibilities, but may be useful for the study of other dietary constituents.
Expression of the Thrombin Receptor in Developing Bone and Associated Tissues

Thrombin, a serine protease with a central role in thrombosis and hemostasis, is also a specific agonist for a variety of cellular responses in osteoblasts and stimulates bone resorption in organ culture. Cultured osteoblast‐like cells express the proteolytically activated thrombin receptor, but the significance of this finding in vivo remains unknown. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the normal tissue distribution of the proteolytically activated thrombin receptor in developing rat bones and associated tissues. In hind limbs, the receptor was first observed on embryonic day 16 and became more abundant within the limb as gestation progressed. Thrombin receptor staining was detected on osteoblasts, macrophages, muscle cells, and endothelial cells, but not osteoclasts. Similarly, osteoblasts in developing calvariae stained positively for the thrombin receptor. The pattern of receptor expression by primary osteoblast cultures and freshly isolated macrophages and osteoclasts corresponded to that observed in vivo. The observed pattern of thrombin receptor expression in bone cells supports the hypothesis that cell‐mediated thrombin‐induced bone resorption is mediated by osteoblasts.
Offspring from mothers fed a ‘junk food’ diet in pregnancy and lactation exhibit exacerbated adiposity that is more pronounced in females

We have shown previously that a maternal junk food diet during pregnancy and lactation plays a role in predisposing offspring to obesity. Here we show that rat offspring born to mothers fed the same junk food diet rich in fat, sugar and salt develop exacerbated adiposity accompanied by raised circulating glucose, insulin, triglyceride and/or cholesterol by the end of adolescence (10 weeks postpartum) compared with offspring also given free access to junk food from weaning but whose mothers were exclusively fed a balanced chow diet in pregnancy and lactation. Results also showed that offspring from mothers fed the junk food diet in pregnancy and lactation, and which were then switched to a balanced chow diet from weaning, exhibited increased perirenal fat pad mass relative to body weight and adipocyte hypertrophy compared with offspring which were never exposed to the junk food diet. This study shows that the increased adiposity was more enhanced in female than male offspring and gene expression analyses showed raised insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), insulin receptor substrate (IRS)‐1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐A, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPARγ), leptin, adiponectin, adipsin, lipoprotein lipase (LPL), Glut 1, Glut 3, but not Glut 4 mRNA expression in females fed the junk food diet throughout the study compared with females never given access to junk food. Changes in gene expression were not as marked in male offspring with only IRS‐1, VEGF‐A, Glut 4 and LPL being up‐regulated in those fed the junk food diet throughout the study compared with males never given access to junk food. This study therefore shows that a maternal junk food diet promotes adiposity in offspring and the earlier onset of hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and/or hyperlipidemia. Male and female offspring also display a different metabolic, cellular and molecular response to junk‐food‐diet‐induced adiposity.
Effects of nortriptyline and paroxetine on QT variability in patients with panic disorder

This study investigated beat‐to‐beat QT variability in patients with panic disorder before and after treatment with nortriptyline (n = 13) and paroxetine (n = 16), using an automated algorithm to compute QT intervals. An increase in QT variability appears to be associated with symptomatic patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and also with an increased risk for sudden cardiac death. QTvi (QT variability index: a log ratio of QT variance normalized for mean QT over heart rate variability normalized for mean heart rate) was significantly higher in supine posture in patients with panic disorder treated with nortriptyline (P> = 0.006) but not paroxetine. Thus paroxetine may be a better drug of choice especially in patients with coexisting cardiac disease. These findings are important especially in view of the recent reports of increased risk for cardiovascular mortality and sudden death in patients with anxiety and depression. QTvi can be a valuable noninvasive measure of temporal repolarization lability, especially to study the side effects of medications which affect cardiac autonomic function. Depression and Anxiety 11:126–130, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Investigation into Learning Strategies Used by Effective and Less Effective EFL Learners in Korea

This study investigates whether or not effective learners used learning strategies differently from less effective learners in quantity as well as in quality. A total of 164 tertiary-level students learning English in Korea participated in the quantitative study, and eight students out of 164, four effective learners and four less effective earners, were chosen in the follow-up qualitative study. The quantitative study showed that effective learners used more learning strategies than less effective learners with the statistically significant but low correlation of . 335 between learning strategy use and English proficiency. The qualitative study demonstrated that both effective and less effective learners, in general, actively used listening strategies to aid in listening comprehension, showing similarities as well as differences in strategy use. However, effective learners used their listening strategies more appropriately than less effective learners due to linguistic, cognitive, and affective variables which facilitated listening comprehension by intricately interacting with listening strategies. This study concludes with teaching implications and future study areas to verify these findings by different learners in different learning contexts.
Postoperative Vomiting in Children

A survey of the incidence of postoperative vomiting in 1476 children was conducted over a two-month period as part of our quality assurance programme. The incidence of vomiting was 24%, and was highest in children over three years of age and in those receiving opioids. The incidence is lower than that recorded in an earlier (1981) survey in our hospital. Changes in anaesthetic practices may have contributed to this decrease.