Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interleukin‐17 gene polymorphisms are associated with bladder cancer in a chinese han population

Interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammation and autoimmune disorders, and to be elevated in several types of cancer. The present study analyzed polymorphisms in IL‐17 gene and their impact on the pathogenesis of bladder cancer. The TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assay was used to genotype the SNP rs2275913 of IL‐17A and SNP rs763780 of IL‐17F in 301 bladder cancer patients and 446 ethnicity‐matched healthy controls. The frequencies of AA genotype and A allele of rs2275913, as well as TT genotype and T allele of rs763780 in the bladder cancer patients were significantly higher than that of controls, indicating that both of these two SNPs were associated with bladder cancer (P = 0.003, OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.12–1.69 for allele A of rs2275913, and P = 0.018, OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.07–2.00 for allele T of rs763780, respectively). Results of stratified analysis revealed that rs2275913 was associated with male, non‐smokers, and invasion of bladder cancer, while rs763780 was associated with invasion of bladder cancer. Our results suggested that the SNP rs2275913 of IL‐17A and SNP rs763780 of IL‐17F were associated with the development, as well as gender, smoking status and tumor stage of bladder cancer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chapter 12: Yale Lung Cancer Model

The age‐period‐cohort model is known to provide an excellent description of the temporal trends in lung cancer incidence and mortality. This analytic approach is extended to include the contribution of carcinogenesis models for smoking. Usefulness of this strategy is that it offers a way to temporally calibrate a model that is fitted to population data and it can be readily adopted for the consideration of many different models. In addition, it provides diagnostics that can suggest temporal limitations of a particular carcinogenesis model in describing population rates. Alternative carcinogenesis models can be embedded within this framework. The two‐stage clonal expansion model is implemented here. The model was used to estimate the impact of tobacco control after dissemination of knowledge of the harmful effects of cigarette smoking by comparing the observed number of lung cancer deaths to those expected if there had been no control compared to an ideal of complete control in 1965. Results indicate that 35.2% and 26.5% of lung cancer deaths that could have been avoided actually were for males and females, respectively.
Artificial scotoma-induced perceptual distortions are orientation dependent and short lived

Conditioning human observers with an “artificial scotoma”—a small retinal area deprived of patterned stimulation within a larger area of dynamically textured noise—results in contractions and expansions of perceived space that are thought to reflect receptive-field changes among cells in the primary visual cortex (Kapadia et al., 1994). Here we show that one-dimensional counter-phase flickering grating patterns are also potent stimuli for producing artificial scotomata capable of altering three-element bisection ability analogous to those results reported earlier. Moreover, we found that the magnitude of the induced spatial distortions depends critically on the relative orientations of peri-scotomatous and test-stimulus spatial contrast. In addition, the perceptual distortions are found to be relatively short lived, decaying within 660 ms. The results support the hypothesis that artificial scotoma-induced perceptual distortions are generated by dynamic alteration of connection efficacy within a network linking cortical areas of similar orientation specificity, consistent with established anatomical and physiological results.
Regulation of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases by Brucella spp. Expressing a Smooth and Rough Phenotype: Relationship to Pathogen Invasiveness

ABSTRACT By comparing smooth wild-type Brucella spp. to their rough mutants, we show that the LPS O chain restricted the activation of the ERK1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, thus preventing the synthesis of immune mediators that regulate host defense. We conclude that the MAPKs are a target for immune intervention by virulent smooth Brucella.
Runx2, Osx, and Dspp in Tooth Development

The transcription factors Runx2 and Osx are necessary for osteoblast and odontoblast differentiation, while Dspp is important for odontoblast differentiation. The relationship among Runx2, Osx, and Dspp during tooth and craniofacial bone development remains unknown. In this study, we hypothesized that the roles of Runx2 and Osx in the regulation of osteoblast and odontoblast lineages may be independent of one another. The results showed that Runx2 expression overlapped with Osx in dental and osteogenic mesenchyme from E12 to E16. At the later stages, from E18 to PN14, Runx2 and Osx expressions remained intense in alveolar bone osteoblasts. However, Runx2 expression was down-regulated, whereas Osx expression was clearly seen in odontoblasts. At later stages, Dspp transcription was weakly present in osteoblasts, but strong in odontoblasts where Osx was highly expressed. In mouse odontoblast-like cells, Osx overexpression increased Dspp transcription. Analysis of these data suggests differential biological functions of Runx2, Osx, and Dspp during odontogenesis and osteogenesis.
Mechanical Properties of Tannic-acid-treated Dentin Matrix

Dentin collagen is a major component of the hybrid layer, and its stability may have a great impact on the properties of adhesive interfaces. We tested the hypothesis that the use of tannic acid (TA), a collagen cross-linking agent, may affect the mechanical properties and stability of the dentin matrix. The present study evaluated the effects of different concentrations of TA on the modulus of elasticity and enzymatic degradation of dentin matrix. Hence, the effect of TA pre-treatment on resin-dentin bond strength was assessed with the use of two bonding systems. Sound human molars were used and prepared according to each experimental design. The use of TA affected the properties of demineralized dentin by increasing its stiffness. TA treatment inhibited the effect of collagenase digestion on dentin matrix, particularly for 10%TA and 20%TA. The TA-dentin matrix complex resulted in improved bond strength for both adhesive systems.
Circadian periodicity a neurospora: alteration by inhibitors of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase

Three methyl xanthine inhibitors of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate phosphodiesterase-theophylline, aminophyline, and caffeine-lengthen the period of the circadian conidiation rhythm of Neurospora. The effect are seen in wild-type strains and in three mutant strains with genetically altered period lengths. These results suggest the possible involvement of adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate in the control of circadian rhythmicity.
Otter: bridging the gap between MATLAB and ScaLAPACK

We have developed a compiler, nicknamed "Otter", which translates ordinary MATLAB scripts into C programs targeting parallel computers supporting ScaLAPACK and several other parallel numerical libraries. We outline the phases of the multi-pass compiler and we discuss the design and implementation of the runtime library. We present the performance achieved by ten compiled benchmark scripts on four distinct parallel platforms, relative to the speed of the MATLAB interpreter executing these scripts on a single CPU. Finally, we illustrate how different data distributions and block sizes can affect the performance of a compiled code.
Water quality and public health in northern Sudan: a study of rural and peri‐urban communities

Access to adequate supplies of good quality drinking water continues to be limited among many rural and peri‐urban communities in Africa, despite several decades of water improvement programmes. The present study investigated water quality at the source and point of consumption among rural and peri‐urban communities in northern Sudan. Faecal coliform counts were determined by the membrane filtration technique and geometric mean counts compared in different seasons and among the different communities. Among nomadic pastoralists and riverine villages, both water sources and water stored for consumption had faecal coliform counts grossly in excess of WHO standards, with higher counts at the end of the rainy season. In the peri‐urban community on the outskirts of Omdurman, while water quality from the distribution system had faecal coliform counts generally below 10 dl−1, after storage, water was of considerably lower quality, with faecal coliform counts up to 1000 d1−1. The highest counts again occurred in the rainy season. Rates of diarrhoeal disease for Khartoum province were also greatest towards the end of the rainy season. The study has shown that poor quality water continues to be a major risk factor for public health in these communities.
ELECTROLYTE CHANGES IN HUMAN STRIATED MUSCLE IN ACIDOSIS AND ALKALOSIS.

In recent years many studies have been reported on the monovalent cation composition of the intracellular space during experimentally produced potassium depletion. The most consistent changes have been found in striated muscle and, in general, have shown that decreased concentrations of intracellular potassium are associated with an increase in intracellular sodium. Such changes have been reported in the rat (1), the cat (2), and the dog (2) following low potassium diets. The administration of desoxycorticosterone acetate in large doses has produced similar changes in the same animals (24). Recently Darrow has reported comparable findings in association with alkalosis, as determined by muscle analyses in rats (5) and indirectly by balance studies in man (6). Inasmuch as direct studies of human tissues during states of potassium depletion have not been reported, the present studies were undertaken in an attempt to define the composition of the intracellular electrolytes of striated muscle obtained by biopsy from patients with metabolic alkalosis and acidosis.
Efficacy of polyvinylpolypyrrolidone in reducing the immunotoxicity of aflatoxin in growing broilers

1. Protective action of an enzyme-linked polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP, Mycofix ® Plus) against the immunosuppressive effect of afatoxins (AF) was evaluated by determination of peripheral blood T-lymphocyte proportions and splenic plasma cell counts. Histological changes in lymphoid organs were also investigated by light microscopy. One-d-old broiler chicks (Hybro) received 2·5 mg/kg diet AF (83·06% AFB1, 12·98% AFB2, 2·84% AFG1, 1·12% AFG2) with or without PVPP (3 g/kg diet) until 21 d of age. 2. When compared with the controls, AF treatment significantly decreased peripheral T-lymphocyte counts. AF caused a slight decrease in splenic plasma cell counts. The addition of PVPP to an AF-containing diet significantly increased T-lymphocyte counts. Splenic plasma cell counts were numerically intermediate between control and AF groups. 3. The dietary addition of PVPP to AF-free diet did not significantly alter either T-lymphocyte or splenic plasma cell counts.
Clonal variation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells in vitro and in athymic nude mice.

Abstract The MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line and four derived variant sublines (R27, R3, R3–12, and R3–98), which were all estrogen receptor positive, as well as the receptor-deficient line, MDA-MB-231, were compared both in vitro and as heterotransplants into athymic nude mice. The cell lines and heterotransplanted tumors were evaluated in terms of growth, receptor status, morphology by light and electron microscopy, karyotype, and allozyme phenotype analyses. The R3 and R3–12 variant lines exhibited markedly retarded growth rates in vitro as compared with those of the MCF-7 parent line. The R3-12 line, which had the slowest growth rate in vitro as compared to those of the other cell lines, failed to produce tumors in nude mice after many attempts using various concentrations of tumor cell inocula. The MCF-7 and derived lines would not grow in oophorectomized animals without 17β-estradiol replacement, with one rare exception, while the MDA-MB-231 receptor-deficient line was able to grow in oophorectomized mice with and without 17β-estradiol replacement. Compared to the parent MCF-7 and R27 line in vivo and in vitro , the R3 line and its subclones had reduced progesterone receptor markedly. By light microscopy, all of the cell lines in vivo and in vitro could be identified as adenocarcinoma. Using electron microscopy, the MCF and variant lines showed better tissue organization and more squamous features in vivo than in vitro where glandular features were more prominent. The R27 line in vivo and in vitro showed the most cellular polarity and differentiation as compared to the MCF or R3 lines (R3, R3–12, and R3–98), while the R3 lines were the least differentiated of all the lines. The MDA-MB-231 line in vivo and in vitro had the most pronounced glandular features of all the lines and was not affected by changes in media additions of fetal calf serum, 17β-estradiol, or charcoal-treated calf serum as were the MCF-7- and MCF-7-derived lines. All the tumors in vivo and in vitro showed a human karyotype, and the MCF-7 and each of the derived lines showed both common and unique chromosome markers. The original cell line (MCF-7), the derived sublines (R27 and R3), and tumors derived in nude mice from these lines were typed for species identity using standard isozyme procedures and were found to be human. The allozyme phenotype at seven polymorphic human loci (allozyme genetic signature) demonstrated that the MCF-7 line and its derivatives were derived from the same individual and were distinct from the signatures of HeLa and a variety of other human breast cancer lines. This multifaceted study, using both in vivo and in vitro systems, may provide a model for better understanding the nature of tumor heterogeneity and its implications in therapeutic designs.
Fine needle aspiration cytology of nodular fasciitis presenting as a mass in the male breast: report of an unusual case

1. Terris B, Fukushima N, Hruban RH. Serous neoplasms of the pancreas. In: WHO Classification of Tumours of the Digestive System. Bosman FT, Carneiro F, Hruban RH, Theise ND (eds). Lyon, France: IARC Press; 2010: pp. 296– 9. 2. Mohr VH, Vortmeyer AO, Zhuang Z et al. Histopathology and molecular genetics of multiple cysts and microcystic (serous) adenomas of the pancreas in von Hippel-Lindau patients. Am J Pathol 2000;157:1615–21. 3. Tseng JF, Warshaw AL, Sahani DV et al. Serous cystadenoma of the pancreas: tumor growth rates and recommendations for treatment. Ann Surg 2005;242:413–9. 4. Belsley NA, Pitman MB, Lauwers GY, Brugge WR, Deshpande V. Serous cystadenoma of the pancreas: limitations and pitfalls of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Cancer 2008;114:102–10. 5. Sherman ME, Jimenez-Joseph D, Gangi MD, RojasCorona RR. Immunostaining of small cytologic specimens. Facilitation with cell transfer. Acta Cytol 1994;38:18–22. 6. Gong Y, Joseph T, Sneige N. Validation of commonly used immunostains on cell-transferred cytologic specimens. Cancer 2005;105:158–64.
DC Power Flow Revisited

Linear MW-only ldquodcrdquo network power flow models are in widespread and even increasing use, particularly in congestion-constrained market applications. Many versions of these approximate models are possible. When their MW flows are reasonably correct (and this is by no means assured), they can often offer compelling advantages. Given their considerable importance in today's electric power industry, dc models merit closer scrutiny. This paper attempts such a re-examination.
Analysis of p107-associated proteins: p107 associates with a form of E2F that differs from pRB-associated E2F-1

The binding of viral oncogenes to cellular proteins is thought to modulate the activities of these cellular targets. The p107 protein is targeted by many viral proteins, including adenovirus E1A, simian virus 40 large T antigen, and human papillomavirus type 16 E7 protein. A panel of monoclonal antibodies against p107 was raised and used to identify cellular proteins that interact with the p107 protein in vivo. p107-associated proteins included cyclin A, cyclin E, and cdk2. In addition, p107 was found to associate with 62- to 65- and 50-kDa phosphoproteins in ML-1 cells, a human myeloid leukemia cell line. The 62- to 65-kDa proteins have many of the properties of the transcription factor E2F but were distinguished from pRB-associated E2F-1 by both immunologic and biochemical properties.
T Lymphocyte Subsets and Immunoglobulins in Intracranial Tumor Patients before and after Treatment and Based on Histological Type of Tumors

It has been reported that nervous system and peripheral immune system communicate with each other and the peripheral immune status is depressed in some intracranial tumor (ICT) patients pre operatively. Little is known about the immune status of intracranial tumor patients during the post operative survival period. We thus investigated total T cells (CD 11+), helper/inducer (CD4+) T cells, suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8+) T cells, B cells (CD19+) and serum immunoglobulins in peripheral blood in certain ICT patients before and after treatment, and based on the histological type of the tumors. Post treatment analysis were conducted 30 days after surgical removal of tumor tissue in benign brain tumor patients and 30 days after chemo therapy (CT)/radiotherapy (RT) following surgical removal of tumor tissue in malignant brain tumor patients. Decreased CD11+, CD4+ and increased CD8+ T cell counts were observed in both benign and malignant tumor cases before treatment compared with control subjects. After treatment, CD4+ T cell count increased and CD8+ T cell count decreased than their pre treatment levels. Serum IgA and IgG levels were decreased in both benign and malignant brain tumor patients before treatment than in control subjects. Serum IgM level has been increased in both benign and malignant tumor patients before and after treatment than in control subjects. Anaplastic malignant astrocytoma, medulloblastoma and glioblastoma multiforme patients showed higher IgM level than astrocytoma, meningioma and ependymoma patients. In conclusions, the depressed host cellular immunity in benign and malignant tumor patients before treatment may be due to the changes in CD4+ and CD8+ counts in addition to tumour specific immunosuppressive factors. Treatment procedures such as surgery, CT and RT may play certain role in the post operative depressed immunosuppression in malignant tumor patients. Humoral immune mechanism (CD19+) in the ICT patients was less markedly affected.
UV Perturbations in Brane Gas Cosmology

We consider the effect of the ultraviolet (UV) or short wavelength modes on the background of Brane Gas Cosmology. We find that the string matter sources are negligible in the UV and that the evolution is given primarily by the dilaton perturbation. We also find that the linear perturbations are well behaved and the predictions of Brane Gas Cosmology are robust against the introduction of linear perturbations. In particular, we find that the stabilization of the extra dimensions (moduli) remains valid in the presence of dilaton and string perturbations.
Vertical migration of the crab Carcinus maenas first zoea in an estuary: implications for tidal stream transport

The f~rs t zoea of Carcinus maends (L.) was intensively sampled in the Canal de Mira (Ria d e Aveiro. Portugal) during the winter and spring of 1990. Each sampling period included a series of 25 h fixed-station plankton sampling cycles (12 in winter and 9 in spring), conducted at 1 station located in the lower part of the Canal. Plankton samples were collected every hour, at several depths along the water column, with the use of a pump. Hydrological measurements (salinity, temperature and current velocity and direction) were taken immediately before the collect~on of the plankton samples. The average depth of the zoeae changed in phase with the tide lal-vae reached their highest position in the water column during ebb and thelr lowest during flood. The extent and phasing of the vertical displacements were such that the first zoea occupied a significantly higher position during the span of the ebb than during flood (p < 0.001). It was also demonstrated that the larvae were s~gnif~cant ly closer to the surface during the night (p < 0.05). The pattern of vertical dispersion of the zoeae changed cyclically, with a period equivalent to the tidal half-cycle. Slaximum aggregation usually occurred during periods of high current velocity and was independent from water stratification. These observations support the hypothesis that C. maenas first zoea performs an active vertical migration synchronised with tidal and daily cycles. Analysis of the zoeae instantaneous velocity showed that shifts of vertical position according to the phases of tide and day Influenced their transport velocity, due to vertical differences of water velocity in the estuarine shear current system Durlng ebb the larvae were transported at a velocity that exceeded the vertically integrated water veloc~ty; the reverse relationship was observed during flood (p < 0.001). The larvae were also transported faster during the night than during the day (p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that selective tidal stream transport can be generalised in the sense of a unidirectional transport mechanism in estuaries that can enhance exportation. K E Y WORDS Carcinus rnaenas Larval s tages . Estuaries Vertical migration . Tidal stream transport Portugal
Herd immunity from meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccination in England: database analysis

In November 1999, the United Kingdom introduced routine meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccination for infants. The vaccine was also offered to everyone aged under 18 years in a phased catch-up programme.1 The first to be vaccinated were adolescents, and the entire programme was completed by the end of 2000. On the basis of direct protection provided by the vaccine, 1 2 this catch-up programme was likely to be cost effective.3 Maiden et al described a 67% reduction (from 0.45% to 0.15%) in the prevalence of nasopharyngeal carriage of serogroup C meningococci in adolescents before and after the vaccination programme.4 A fall in meningococcal carriage would be expected to reduce exposure among unvaccinated children and therefore to enhance the effectiveness of meningococcal conjugate vaccine. We present rates of disease in vaccinated and unvaccinated children to provide the first evidence of an indirect effect from meningococcal conjugate vaccine. Since December 1999 we have investigated the vaccination history of all cases of …