Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epiregulin, a Novel Member of the Epidermal Growth Factor Family, Is an Autocrine Growth Factor in Normal Human Keratinocytes*

Epiregulin is a new member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family purified from conditioned medium of NIH-3T3 clone T7. Some EGF family growth factors play essential roles in human keratinocytes in an autocrine manner. We show here that epiregulin is another autocrine growth factor for human keratinocytes. Epiregulin stimulated human keratinocyte proliferation under both subconfluent and confluent culture conditions in the absence of exogenous EGF family growth factors. Immunoprecipitation of [35S]methionine-labeled conditioned medium revealed a 5-kDa band corresponding to epiregulin. Northern blot analysis detected a 4.8-kilobase transcript of epiregulin, and the addition of epiregulin up-regulated epiregulin mRNA synthesis. Furthermore, an anti-epiregulin blocking antibody reduced DNA synthesis by 25%. Epiregulin up-regulated the mRNA levels of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), amphiregulin, and TGF-α. In turn, the addition of EGF, HB-EGF, amphiregulin, and TGF-α increased epiregulin mRNA levels. These results demonstrate that epiregulin acts as an autocrine growth factor in human epidermal keratinocytes and is part of auto- and cross-induction mechanisms involving HB-EGF, amphiregulin, and TGF-α. The mRNA expression profile resulting from induction of differentiation with high calcium and fetal calf serum revealed the differential expression of epiregulin, HB-EGF, amphiregulin, and TGF-α in keratinocytes. This indicates that these four growth factors have distinct, non-redundant biological functions.
Fishing Downstream Revisited: A Multi-country Analysis of Antidumping Patterns

Abstract A long-held view in international trade policy analysis is that import protection flows downstream. The descriptive analysis of Feinberg and Kaplan 1993, looking at trends in upstream and downstream antidumping and countervailing-duty cases since the US Trade Agreements Act of 1979. It covers the period from 1980 to 2015 for the five leading users of temporary trade barriers (TTBs): Argentina, Brazil, the European Union, India, and the United States. We examine evidence for two broad sectors which have dominated the use of TTBs: metals and chemicals. Both via descriptive trend analysis and simple statistical estimation, we find suggestive evidence in support of cascading trade protection, though more so for the developing countries studied.
Raf‐1 signaling is required for the later stages of 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3‐induced differentiation of HL60 cells but is not mediated by the MEK/ERK module

We are interested in determining the signaling pathways for 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D)‐induced differentiation of HL60 leukemic cells. One possible candidate is Raf‐1, which is known to signal cell proliferation and neoplastic transformation through MEK, ERK, and downstream targets. It can also participate in the regulation of cell survival and various forms of cell differentiation, though the precise pathways are less well delineated. Here we report that Raf‐1 has a role in monocytic differentiation of human myeloid leukemia HL60, which is not mediated by MEK and ERK, but likely by direct interaction with p90RSK. Specifically, we show that Raf‐1 and p90RSK are increasingly activated in the later stages of differentiation of HL60 cells, at the same time as activation of MEK and ERK is decreasing. Transfection of a wild‐type Raf‐1 construct enhances 1,25D‐induced differentiation, while antisense Raf‐1 or short interfering (si) Raf‐1 reduces 1,25D‐induced differentiation. In contrast, antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) and siRNAs to MEK or ERK have no detectable effect on differentiation. In late stage differentiating cells Raf‐1 and p90RSK are found as a complex, and inhibition of Raf‐1, but not MEK or ERK expression reduces the levels of phosphorylated p90 RSK. These findings support the thesis that Raf‐1 signals cell proliferation and cell differentiation through different intermediary proteins. J. Cell. Physiol. 209: 253–260, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Placental Thrombosis and Fetal Loss After Passive Transfer of Mouse Lupus Monoclonal or Human Polyclonal Anti‐Cardiolipin Antibodies in Pregnant Naive BALB/c Mice

In the present study we evaluated the effect of passive transfer of a mouse monoclonal (CAM) or a human polyclonal anti‐cardiolipin IgG on pregnancy outcome in BALB/c mice. The mice were immunized through the tail vein immediately after mating with 10 μg of monoclonal or polyclonal anti‐cardiolipin antibodies. Two other groups of mice were given a mouse irrelevant monoclonal antibody or normal human polyclonal IgG respectively, at the same dose. In mice immunized with monoclonal or polyclonal anti‐cardiolipin antibody we observed a significant increase in the number of fetal resorptions and a significant reduction of the mean weights of the embryos and the placentas. In mice immunized with CAM we also found a significant decrease in the number of healthy pups, while mice infused with human aCL antibody expressed a significant reduction in the fecundity rate. The histological examination showed widespread thrombosis and necrosis in the placentas derived from the mice immunized with the anti‐cardiolipin antibodies. The model supports a possible direct pathogenetic effect of anti‐phospholipid antibodies in recurrent fetal loss and points out that thrombotic events at placental level can be instrumental in the pathogenesis of the obstetric complications.
Criteria list for assessment of methodological quality of economic evaluations: Consensus on Health Economic Criteria

Objectives: The aim of the Consensus on Health Economic Criteria (CHEC) project is to develop a criteria list for assessment of the methodological quality of economic evaluations in systematic reviews. The criteria list resulting from this CHEC project should be regarded as a minimum standard. Methods: The criteria list has been developed using a Delphi method. Three Delphi rounds were needed to reach consensus. Twenty-three international experts participated in the Delphi panel. Results: The Delphi panel achieved consensus over a generic core set of items for the quality assessment of economic evaluations. Each item of the CHEC-list was formulated as a question that can be answered by yes or no. To standardize the interpretation of the list and facilitate its use, the project team also provided an operationalization of the criteria list items. Conclusions: There was consensus among a group of international experts regarding a core set of items that can be used to assess the quality of economic evaluations in systematic reviews. Using this checklist will make future systematic reviews of economic evaluations more transparent, informative, and comparable. Consequently, researchers and policy-makers might use these systematic reviews more easily. The CHEC-list can be downloaded freely from http://www.beoz. unimaas.nl/chec/.
The incidence of American swallow bugs (Oeciacus vicarius) in barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) colonies in northeast Texas

ABSTRACT The American swallow bug (Oeciacus vicarius) is an important ectoparasite of cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) and is known to harbor several types of arbovirus. A recent study in northeast Texas suggested that O. vicarius might occur in barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) at rates much higher than previously thought. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which barn swallows in northeast Texas are parasitized by O. vicarius and how well this parasite is adapting to this novel host. A sample of 498 nests at 54 colonies was inspected for O. vicarius. Forty colonies (74.1%) were infected, while 310 nests (62.2%) were infected. Large colonies were more likely to be infected than small colonies. Colonies that also contained cliff swallows were more likely to be infected than colonies without cliff swallows. Infection levels in barn swallow nests were comparable to those reported for cliff swallows, though age and sex class ratios differed. Demographic changes among swallow species, including range expansions, increased colony sizes, and more frequent interspecific nesting associations have likely facilitated the movement of O. vicarius from the cliff swallow into a novel host, the barn swallow.
Treatment of paediatric non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

Non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis, the abnormal dilatation of bronchial airways, is a heterogeneous condition caused by a variety of lung insults and results in significant morbidity and mortality. Although frequently reported as being an uncommon respiratory disease in the developed world, its impact on the respiratory health of specific populations has recently received increased attention. There are limited data on which to base management strategies. This article reviews the evidence for current treatment practices, provides an opinion on best practice, and discusses likely new therapies. Consideration is also given to the pharmacoeconomic hurdles that face the populations most affected.
Presence of active gelatinases in endometrial carcinoma and correlation of matrix metalloproteinase expression with increasing tumor grade and invasion

The actions of the extracellular‐matrix degrading enzymes, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), are implicated in tumorigenesis. The cellular localization of MMP‐2, MMP‐9, membrane type 1 (MT1)‐MMP, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) 1‐3, and the presence of active gelatinases were investigated in endometrial carcinoma.
Notice of Violation of IEEE Publication PrinciplesEnergy efficient sensing with spectrum opportunity forecasting for cognitive radio networks

Energy efficiency and adaptability in the utilization of radio spectrum are two major research challenges for the advancement of future wireless communications technologies. To address these difficulties, we enhance the energy efficiency by utilizing spectrum opportunity forecasting (SOF) and optimal scheduling for sensor node activation to decrease the required number of SS events. The application of SOF to cooperative spectrum sensing (SS) is one of the exceptional commitments of this paper. Results demonstrated that this combination could significantly diminish sensor node energy utilization and in this manner increase cognitive radio network (CRN) lifetime. A positive direct relationship was found between forecast length and CRN lifetime. A vast change in the collective lifetime of the sensor system was observed when SOF was utilized for a forecast length of ten SS events, utilizing implicit enumeration (IE) under the uniform sensor node distribution.
Enzyme structure and dynamics affect hydrogen tunneling: The impact of a remote side chain (I553) in soybean lipoxygenase-1

This study examines the impact of a series of mutations at position 553 on the kinetic and structural properties of soybean lipoxygenase-1 (SLO-1). The previously uncharacterized mutants reported herein are I553L, I553V, and I553G. High-resolution x-ray studies of these mutants, together with the earlier studied I553A, show almost no structural change in relation to the WT-enzyme. By contrast, a progression in kinetic behavior occurs in which the decrease in the size of the side chain at position 553 leads to an increased importance of donor–acceptor distance sampling in the course of the hydrogen transfer process. These dynamical changes in behavior are interpreted in the context of two general classes of protein motions, preorganization and reorganization, with the latter including the distance sampling modes [Klinman JP (2006) Philos Trans R Soc London Ser B 361:1323–1331; Nagel Z, Klinman JP (2006) Chem Rev 106:3095–3118]. The aggregate data for SLO-1 show how judicious placement of hydrophobic side chains can influence enzyme catalysis via enhanced donor–acceptor hydrogenic wave function overlap.
A regression model approach for mapping woody foliage projective cover using landsat imagery in Queensland, Australia

This paper describes the development of a regression model for predicting foliage projective cover (FPC) using an extensive set of over 2000 field observations for Queensland, Australia. The model includes Landsat TM and ETM+ imagery and a climatological ancillary variable, vapour pressure deficit. The resulting model was validated using independent site data and preliminary validation against FPC estimates from airbourne laser scanner data is presented. Results suggest the model is robust and performing well over a range of soil types and vegetation communities. This regression-based methodology is currently included in the process of monitoring annual woody vegetation change over Queensland and will form the basis of new products for monitoring longer term trends in FPC
Improving monocular SLAM with altimeter hints for fixed-wing aircraft navigation and emergency landing

This paper presents a visual Simultaneous Localization And Mapping (SLAM) method for temporary satellite dropout navigation for an unpowered fixed-wing aircraft. It is designed for flight altitudes beyond typical stereo ranges, but within the range of distance measurement sensors. The proposed visual SLAM method consists of a common localization step with monocular camera resectioning, and a mapping step which incorporates radar altimeter data for absolute scale estimation. With that, there will be no scale drift of the map and of the estimated flight path. The method does not require simplifications like known landmarks and it is thus suitable for unknown and nearly arbitrary terrain. The method is tested with sensor datasets from a manned Cessna 172 aircraft. With 5% absolute scale error from radar measurements causing approximately 2-6% accumulation error over the flown distance, stable positioning is achieved over several minutes of flight time. The main limitations are flight altitudes above the radar range of 750 m where the monocular method will suffer from scale drift, and, depending on the flight speed, flights below 50 m where image processing gets difficult with a downwards-looking camera due to the high optical flow rates and the low image overlap.
Economic uncertainty and its impact on the Croatian economy

The aim of this paper is to quantify institutional (political and fiscal) and non-institutional uncertainty (economic policy uncertainty, Economistsâ€™ recession index, natural disasters-related uncertainty, and several disagreement measures). The stated indicators are based on articles from highly popular Croatian news portals, the repository of law amendments (Narodne novine), and Business and Consumer Surveys. We also introduce a composite uncertainty indicator, obtained by the principal components method. The analysis of a structural VAR model of the Croatian economy (both with fixed and time-varying parameters) has showed that a vast part of the analysed indicators are significant predictors of economic activity. It is demonstrated that their impact on industrial production is the strongest in the onset of a crisis. On the other hand, the influence of fiscal uncertainty exhibits just the opposite tendencies. It strengthens with the intensification of economic activity, which partially exculpates the possible utilization of fiscal expansion as a counter-crisis tool.
The Effects of Health Expenditure on Health Outcomes in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA)

The study examines the effect of health expenditure on health outcomes in sub-Sahara African (SSA) countries. These countries have made significant efforts in increasing health expenditure over the years, with the aim of improving health outcomes. Despite this, health outcomes have only responded marginally, raising concerns on the significance of health expenditure in improving health outcomes. The data for the study were sourced from the 2014 World Bank's World Development Indicators for a sample of 40 SSA countries. The study was based on the Grossman Human Capital Model on the demand for health and the fixed effect was used in the empirical analysis. The findings indicate that health expenditure has a significant but inelastic effect on health outcomes in SSA, reducing mortality rates and improving life expectancy at birth. Reductions in mortality rates were significantly influenced by public health expenditure, whereas improvements in life expectancy at birth were significantly influenced by private health expenditure. There is, however, a strong complementary relationship between public and private health expenditures in SSA, despite the dominance of the former over the latter. Given the significant but inelastic effect of health expenditure on health outcomes, the study recommends that SSA countries should make efforts to increase health expenditure in order to improve health outcomes. In particular, there should be deliberate efforts to increase public health expenditure with a view to reducing the burden of private health spending on individuals. This perhaps can be achieved through effective health insurance schemes, which will enable people to save against financial crisis that may arise due to ill health, thereby reducing out-of-pocket health expenditure.
Peptide GAM immunoadsorption therapy in primary membranous nephropathy (PRISM): Phase II trial investigating the safety and feasibility of peptide GAM immunoadsorption in anti‐PLA2R positive primary membranous nephropathy

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is among the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome in adults worldwide. Most patients have primary MN (PMN), an autoimmune condition associated with the IgG anti‐PLA2R autoantibody. For patients with severe disease, standard of care continues to be a 6‐month regime of rotating high dose steroids and immunosuppression that comes with a significant side‐effect profile. Immunoadsorption is a relatively safe procedure for the extracorporeal removal of specific immunoglobulins without the need for medications.
MicroRNA-223 is neuroprotective by targeting glutamate receptors

Stroke is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Extracellular glutamate accumulation leading to overstimulation of the ionotropic glutamate receptors mediates neuronal injury in stroke and in neurodegenerative disorders. Here we show that miR-223 controls the response to neuronal injury by regulating the functional expression of the glutamate receptor subunits GluR2 and NR2B in brain. Overexpression of miR-223 lowers the levels of GluR2 and NR2B by targeting 3′-UTR target sites (TSs) in GluR2 and NR2B, inhibits NMDA-induced calcium influx in hippocampal neurons, and protects the brain from neuronal cell death following transient global ischemia and excitotoxic injury. MiR-223 deficiency results in higher levels of NR2B and GluR2, enhanced NMDA-induced calcium influx, and increased miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents in hippocampal neurons. In addition, the absence of MiR-223 leads to contextual, but not cued memory deficits and increased neuronal cell death following transient global ischemia and excitotoxicity. These data identify miR-223 as a major regulator of the expression of GluR2 and NR2B, and suggest a therapeutic role for miR-223 in stroke and other excitotoxic neuronal disorders.
Using search engine query data to track pharmaceutical utilization: a study of statins.

OBJECTIVE To examine temporal and geographic associations between Google queries for health information and healthcare utilization benchmarks. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective longitudinal study. METHODS Using Google Trends and Google Insights for Search data, the search terms Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium; Pfizer, Ann Arbor, MI) and simvastatin were evaluated for change over time and for association with Lipitor revenues. The relationship between query data and community-based resource use per Medicare beneficiary was assessed for 35 US metropolitan areas. RESULTS Google queries for Lipitor significantly decreased from January 2004 through June 2009 and queries for simvastatin significantly increased (P <.001 for both), particularly after Lipitor came off patent (P <.001 for change in slope). The mean number of Google queries for Lipitor correlated (r = 0.98) with the percentage change in Lipitor global revenues from 2004 to 2008 (P <.001). Query preference for Lipitor over simvastatin was positively associated (r = 0.40) with a community's use of Medicare services. For every 1% increase in utilization of Medicare services in a community, there was a 0.2-unit increase in the ratio of Lipitor queries to simvastatin queries in that community (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS Specific search engine queries for medical information correlate with pharmaceutical revenue and with overall healthcare utilization in a community. This suggests that search query data can track community-wide characteristics in healthcare utilization and have the potential for informing payers and policy makers regarding trends in utilization.
Effect of curcumin on proliferation of human retinal endothelial cells under in vitro conditions.

PURPOSE To investigate the effect of high glucose on the proliferation of human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) and to elucidate the possible mechanisms of antiangiogenic activity of curcumin, a diferuloylmethane. METHODS Human retinal endothelial cells were isolated from the retinal tissue obtained from human donors and the culture system was established. The effect of curcumin on the proliferation of primary HRECs in the presence of low and high glucose was measured by MTT and thymidine uptake assays. Apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL assay and other adjuvant tools. Effect of curcumin on phorbol ester stimulated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in high glucose conditions was assessed by fluorescence assay. Finally, semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis was performed to measure VEGF mRNA production and VEGF induced PKC-betaII translocation, respectively in the presence and absence of curcumin. RESULTS HREC culture was established successfully at passages 3 and 4 at 80% confluence. Curcumin effectively inhibited endothelial cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. At a concentration of 10 microM, curcumin significantly inhibited HREC proliferation in high-glucose-treated cells, as verified by both MTT and thymidine uptake assay. Curcumin also showed a significant (P = 0.03) reduction of intracellular ROS generation in HRECs. RNA expression studies showed that curcumin had an inhibitory effect on the glucose-induced VEGF mRNA expression. In addition, VEGF-mediated, membrane-associated changes in the PKC-betaII translocation in HRECs was inhibited by 31% on treatment with 10 microM curcumin. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest an underlying mechanism whereby curcumin induces the apoptosis in HRECs by the regulation of intracellular ROS generation, VEGF expression and release, and VEGF-mediated PKC-betaII translocation.
A new species of spider fly in the genus Sabroskya Schlinger from Malawi, with a key to Acrocerinae world genera (Diptera, Acroceridae)

Abstract In this paper we diagnose the genus Sabroskya Schlinger, 1960 and describe Sabroskya schlingeri sp. n. from Malawi. We also provide dichotomous keys to species of Sabroskya and to world genera of the subfamily Acrocerinae, both extant and extinct.
Incidence of complications during flap creation in LASIK using the NIDEK MK-2000 microkeratome in 26,600 cases.

PURPOSE To evaluate the incidence of intraoperative complications using the NIDEK MK-2000 microkeratome during flap creation in LASIK. METHODS The incidence of intraoperative flap complications during LASIK using the NIDEK MK-2000 microkeratome was retrospectively studied in 26,600 procedures performed in 5 outpatient excimer laser surgery centers. RESULTS A total of 65 (0.244%) complications were identified: 23 (0.086%) eyes had free caps, 13 (0.049%) eyes had an incomplete pass, 13 (0.049%) eyes had an epithelial defect, 11 (0.041%) eyes had buttonhole, and 5 (0.019%) eyes had irregular flap. The remaining 26,535 (99.756%) eyes had uneventful flap creation. CONCLUSIONS Use of the NIDEK MK-2000 microkeratome resulted in a low incidence of intraoperative complications, making it a safe and reliable device for creating flaps during LASIK.