Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between genetic polymorphisms of ALDH2 and ADH1B and esophageal cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

AIM To evaluate the contribution of alcohol dehydrogenase-1B (ADH1B) and aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) polymorphisms to the risk of esophageal cancer. METHODS Nineteen articles were included by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Chinese Biomedical Database, 13 on ADH1B and 18 on ALDH2. We performed a meta-analysis of case-control studies including 13 studies on ADH1B (cases/controls: 2390/7100) and 18 studies on ALDH2 (2631/6030). RESULTS The crude odds ratio [OR (95% confidence interval)] was 2.91 (2.04-4.14) for ADH1B*1/*1 (vs ADH1B*2/*2) and 1.32 (1.17-1.49) for ADH1B*1/*2. The crude OR for ALDH2*1/*2 (vs ALDH2*1/*1) was 2.52 (1.76-3.61). ADH1B*1/*1 increased the risk of esophageal cancer among never/rare [1.56 (0.93-2.61)], moderate [2.71 (1.37-5.35)], and heavy drinkers [3.22 (2.27-4.57)]. ADH1B*1/*2 was associated with a modest risk among moderate drinkers [1.43 (1.09-1.87)]. ALDH2*1/*2 increased the risk among never/rare [1.28 (0.91-1.80)], moderate [3.12 (1.95-5.01)], and heavy [7.12 (4.67-10.86)] drinkers, and among ex-drinkers [5.64 (1.57-20.25)]. ALDH2*2/*2 increased the risk among drinkers [4.42 (1.72-11.36)]. ADH1B*1/*1 plus ALDH2*1/*2 was associated with the highest risk for heavy drinkers [12.45 (2.9-53.46)]. The results of the meta-regression analysis showed that the effects of ADH1B*1/*1 and ALDH2*1/*2 increased with the level of alcohol consumption. ALDH2*1/*2 was associated with a high risk among Taiwan Chinese and Japanese drinkers, as opposed to a moderate risk among drinkers in high-incidence regions of Mainland China. ADH1B*1/*1 in heavy drinkers and ALDH2*1/*2 in moderate-to-heavy drinkers was associated with similarly high risk among both men and women. CONCLUSION ADH1B/ALDH2 genotypes affect the risk of esophageal cancer, and the risk is modified by alcohol consumption, ethnicity, and gender.
Minimally invasive estimation of cardiac function for patients with rotary VAD support

Maximum ventricular elastance, E/sub MAX/, is a reliable quantitative index representing the contractual status of a patient's heart. However evaluating E/sub MAX/ usually requires invasive pressure and flow sensors, which only can be performed under certain clinical facility. If an indirect index of E/sub MAX/ can be identified from the measurements of a ventricular assist device (VAD) without any indwelling sensor, this would facilitate an effective way to monitor the healthy condition of the patient's heart while the patients are under VAD support. This index can also be used to determine the control strategy of VAD operation and gradually wean the patient from the mechanical circulatory support. In this paper, two possible indices, pump flow pulsatility and arterial pulse pressure, were evaluated as alternative representations of E/sub MAX/ using data from a computer simulation model of cardiovascular system with a HeartMat II left ventricular assist system (LVAS). Pump flow pulsatility showed a strong correlation to E/sub MAX/ regardless of pump speed changes, and thus can be used as an index for E/sub MAX/.
Evaluation of bed load transport subject to high shear stress fluctuations

Many formulas available in the literature for computing sediment transport rates are often expressed in terms of time mean variables such as time mean bed shear stress or flow velocity, while effects of turbulence intensity, e.g., bed shear stress fluctuation, on sediment transport were seldom considered. This may be due to the fact that turbulence fluctuation is relatively limited in laboratory open‐channel flows, which are often used for conducting sediment transport experiments. However, turbulence intensity could be markedly enhanced in practice. This note presents an analytical method to compute bed load transport by including effects of fluctuations in the bed shear stress. The analytical results obtained show that the transport rate enhanced by turbulence can be expressed as a simple function of the relative fluctuation of the bed shear stress. The results are also verified using data that were collected recently from specifically designed laboratory experiments. The present analysis is applicable largely for the condition of a flat bed that is comprised of uniform sand particles subject to unidirectional flows.
Long-lasting repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation modulates electroencephalography oscillation in patients with disorders of consciousness

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been applied for the treatment of patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC). Timely and accurate assessments of its modulation effects are very useful. This study evaluated rTMS modulation effects on electroencephalography (EEG) oscillation in patients with chronic DOC. Eighteen patients with a diagnosis of DOC lasting more than 3 months were recruited. All patients received one session of 10-Hz rTMS at the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and then 12 of them received consecutive rTMS treatment everyday for 20 consecutive days. Resting-state EEGs were recorded before the experiment (T0) after one session of rTMS (T1) and after the entire treatment (T2). The JFK Coma Recovery Scale-Revised scale scores were also recorded at the time points. Our data showed that application of 10-Hz rTMS to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex decreased low-frequency band power and increased high-frequency band power in DOC patients, especially in minimal conscious state patients. Considering the correlation of the EEG spectrum with the consciousness level of patients with DOC, quantitative EEG might be useful for assessment of the effect of rTMS in DOC patients.
Upscale Impact of Mesoscale Disturbances of Tropical Convection on Synoptic-Scale Equatorial Waves in Two-Dimensional Flows

AbstractSuperclusters on the synoptic scale containing mesoscale systems are frequently organized by convectively coupled equatorial waves (CCEWs). Present-day global models struggle to simulate multiscale tropical convection, and the upscale effects of mesoscale systems are not well understood. A simple two-dimensional multiscale model with prescribed two-scale heating and eddy transfer of momentum and temperature drives the synoptic-scale circulation, successfully reproduces key features of flow fields with a front-to-rear tilt, and compares well with results from a cloud-resolving model (CRM). In the scenario with an elevated upright mean heating, the tilted vertical structure of synoptic-scale circulation is still induced by the upscale impact of mesoscale disturbances. In a faster propagation scenario, the upscale impact becomes less important as a result of competing effects of eddy transfer of momentum and temperature, while the synoptic-scale circulation response to mean heating dominates, in agre.
Stimulation of proliferation in human colon cancer cells by human monoclonal antibodies against the TF antigen (galactose β1‐3 N‐acetyl‐galactosamine)

In many tissues, the TF (Thomsen‐Friedenreich) blood group antigen (Galβ1‐3GalNAcα‐) behaves as an onco‐foetal carbohydrate antigen, showing increased expression in malignancy and hyperplasia. Dietary lectins which bind the TF antigen have marked effects on proliferation of epithelial cells without cytotoxicity. This led us to speculate that anti‐TF antibodies, including those that naturally occur in humans, might have similar effects. Five anti‐TF antibodies, TF2 (human), TF5 (human), 5A8 (mouse), 8D8 (mouse) and BM22 (mouse), but not TF1 (human) or 49H.9 (mouse), showed marked dose‐dependent stimulation (95–192%) of [3H]thymidine incorporation by HT29 human colon cancer cells. Similar stimulation of proliferation of HT29 cells by these monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) was found when cell count assessment was used. Antibody‐stimulated proliferation was inhibited by co‐incubation with glycoproteins expressing Galβ1‐3GalNAcα‐ (asialo glycophorin or [Galβ1‐3GalNAcα‐O‐p‐aminophenyl]n‐human serum albumin). A proliferative effect of these antibodies was also demonstrated on human colon cancer cell lines LS174T and HT29‐MTX but not on Caco‐2 cells. Although immunoblotting showed similar binding patterns of all the antibodies on HT29 cell membrane extracts, there was little correlation between cell surface binding assessed by immunofluorescence and proliferative response, and internalization of the biotinylated antibody TF5 was demonstrated by confocal microscopy. Our results provide further evidence that cell surface glycoproteins which express TF antigen may play an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation and also suggest that human anti‐TF antibodies may have proliferative effects on cells which express TF antigen. Int. J. Cancer 73:424–431, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of nef sequences in long-term survivors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection

Studies with the simian immunodeficiency virus have shown that nef deletion results in a low level of viremia and a lack of disease progression in monkeys. Given the similarity of this clinical profile to that observed in long-term survivors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, we sought to examine the nef gene in 10 patients who are clinically healthy and immunologically normal despite 12 to 15 years of infection. PCR and DNA sequencing were used to determine nef sequences in peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from long-term survivors. We found that there is no gross deletion within nef in the cases studied; most nef sequences (91.1%) obtained from 10 subjects contained a full-length and intact open reading frame. In addition, at the protein level, there were no discernible differences between the Nef consensus sequences derived from long-term survivors and those from patients with AIDS. We therefore conclude that deletion of or gross sequence abnormality within nef is not likely to be a common explanation for the well-being of long-term survivors of HIV-1 infection. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis of nef sequences suggests that HIV-1 strains found in our study subjects do not have a common origin.
Relationship of Perceived Social Support to Readmission of the Congestive Heart Failure Patient

RELATIONSHIP OF PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT TO READMISSION OF THE CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE PATIENT by Margaret A. Guthaus This study examined the relationship between perceived social support and the time between hospital admissions for congestive heart failure (CHF) patients based on Lazarus’ Stress and Coping Theory. A descriptive correlational design was used with a convenience sample of 40 inpatients aged 33-100 at a mid-western hospital. The Personal Resource Questionnaire was used to measure social support. Data indicated that 50% of the sample were readmitted within 90 days of discharge. However, the hypothesized positive relationship between perceived social support and the number of days between admissions was not supported. Subjects’ age was related to time between admissions(r = .33, df = 38, p = .03). Implications for nursing are discussed.
Accuracy requirements and uncertainties in radiotherapy: a report of the International Atomic Energy Agency

Abstract Background: Radiotherapy technology continues to advance and the expectation of improved outcomes requires greater accuracy in various radiotherapy steps. Different factors affect the overall accuracy of dose delivery. Institutional comprehensive quality assurance (QA) programs should ensure that uncertainties are maintained at acceptable levels. The International Atomic Energy Agency has recently developed a report summarizing the accuracy achievable and the suggested action levels, for each step in the radiotherapy process. Overview of the report: The report seeks to promote awareness and encourage quantification of uncertainties in order to promote safer and more effective patient treatments. The radiotherapy process and the radiobiological and clinical frameworks that define the need for accuracy are depicted. Factors that influence uncertainty are described for a range of techniques, technologies and systems. Methodologies for determining and combining uncertainties are presented, and strategies for reducing uncertainties through QA programs are suggested. The role of quality audits in providing international benchmarking of achievable accuracy and realistic action levels is also discussed. Recommendations: The report concludes with nine general recommendations: (1) Radiotherapy should be applied as accurately as reasonably achievable, technical and biological factors being taken into account. (2) For consistency in prescribing, reporting and recording, recommendations of the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements should be implemented. (3) Each institution should determine uncertainties for their treatment procedures. Sample data are tabulated for typical clinical scenarios with estimates of the levels of accuracy that are practically achievable and suggested action levels. (4) Independent dosimetry audits should be performed regularly. (5) Comprehensive quality assurance programs should be in place. (6) Professional staff should be appropriately educated and adequate staffing levels should be maintained. (7) For reporting purposes, uncertainties should be presented. (8) Manufacturers should provide training on all equipment. (9) Research should aid in improving the accuracy of radiotherapy. Some example research projects are suggested.
Study on the mechanism of action between dimethyl phthalate and herring sperm DNA at molecular level

ABSTRACT Dimethyl phthalate (DMP), a typical phthalic acid ester, is widespread in the environment and causes extensive concern due to its adverse effects on human health. To understand the genotoxicity of DMP at molecular level, the toxic interaction of DMP with herring sperm (hs) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA; hs-DNA) was investigated in vitro under simulated physiological conditions using multi-spectroscopic techniques and a molecular modeling method. The results of Ultraviolet-Visible absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence emission spectroscopy, and circular dichroism spectra indicated that DMP interacts with hs-DNA in a groove-binding mode that changes the double helical structure of DNA. The binding constant and the number of binding sites calculated from the fluorescence quenching data were 565.718 L mol−1 and 0.7872, respectively. A molecular modeling study revealed that DMP tends to bind with DNA in the A-T-rich regions of minor groove and that hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces play main roles in the interaction. This research can help to elucidate the mechanism of DMP toxicity in vivo.
CLIC-5A Functions as a Chloride Channel in Vitro and Associates with the Cortical Actin Cytoskeleton in Vitro and in Vivo*

CLIC-5A is a member of the chloride intracellular channel protein family, which is comprised of six related human genes encoding putative chloride channels. In this study, we found that reconstitution of purified recombinant CLIC-5A into artificial liposomes resulted in a dose-dependent chloride efflux that was sensitive to the chloride channel blocker IAA-94. CLIC-5A was originally isolated as a component of an ezrin-containing cytoskeletal complex from human placental microvilli. Here we show that similar protein complexes can be isolated using either immobilized CLIC-5A or the C-terminal F-actin-binding domain of ezrin and that actin polymerization is required for de novo assembly of these complexes. To investigate the behavior of CLIC-5A in vivo, JEG-3 placental choriocarcinoma cells were stably transfected with epitope-tagged CLIC-5A. In fixed cells, CLIC-5A displayed a polarized distribution and colocalized with ezrin in apical microvilli. Microvillar localization of CLIC-5A was retained after Triton X-100 extraction and was disrupted by treatment with latrunculin B. In transient transfections assays, we mapped a region between residues 20 and 54 of CLIC-5A that is required for targeting of CLIC-5A to microvilli in JEG-3 cells. Interestingly, expression of CLIC-5A in JEG-3 cells did not enhance the rate of iodide efflux in intact cells, suggesting that if CLIC-5A is a chloride channel, its channel activity may be restricted to intracellular membrane compartments in these cells. Regardless of its role in ion transport, CLIC-5A, like ezrin, may play an important role in the assembly or maintenance of F-actin-based structures at the cell cortex.
Chemical recognition in terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and imaging

In this paper, we present an overview of chemical recognition with ultrashort THz pulses. We describe the experimental technique and demonstrate how signals for chemical recognition of substances in sealed containers can be obtained, based on the broadband absorption spectra of the substances. We then discuss chemical recognition in combination with THz imaging and show that certain groups of biological substances may give rise to characteristic recognition signals. Finally, we explore the power of numerical prediction of absorption spectra of molecular crystals and illuminate some of the challenges facing state-of-the-art computational chemistry software.
Treating Migraine in Teenagers

AbstrA ct •� Objective:�Toreviewthemanagementofmigrainein� adolescentpatients. •� Methods:�Literaturereviewinthecontextof�2�clinical� cases. •� Results:�Migraineiscommoninadolescentsandcan� affectschoolandsocialfunctioning. �Managementop- tionsincludelifestylemodificationsandacuteandpre- ventativetherapies. �First-linemedicationsformigraine� intheadolescentpopulationareover-the-counter� medications,�includingibuprofen,�acetaminophen,�and� naproxen. �Studiesofefficacyoftriptansinthetreat- mentofpediatricmigrainehavebeenlimitedandre- sultsconflicting,�largelyduetohighplaceboresponse� rates. �Severalclassesofmedicationsarecommonly� usedformigraineprevention,� includingantidepres- santsandantiepileptics. � Currently,� topiramateisthe� onlymedicationapprovedforpreventionofmigrainein� patients�12�yearsandolder. �Biobehavioraltreatments� suchasrelaxationtraining,�biofeedback,�andcognitive� behavioraltherapyhavebeenevaluatedinrandomized� controlledtrialsandfoundtobeefficacious. •� Conclusion: Approachtomanagementofmigrainein�
Brain invasion assessability in meningiomas is related to meningioma size and grade, and can be improved by extensive sampling of the surgically removed meningioma specimen.

AIMS Despite the important prognostic value of brain invasion in meningiomas, little attention has been paid to its massessment, and the parameters associated with brain invasion assessability (identification of brain tissue in the surgical specimen) are not well characterized. The aim of our study was to determine the parameters that are associated with brain invasion assessability and brain invasion in meningiomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS By binary logistic regression analysis, we studied the association of various clinical and pathologic parameters with brain invasion assessabilitym and brain invasion in 294 meningiomas: 149 unselected consecutive meningiomas with extensive sampling, diagnosed in 2009 and 2010, collected prospectively, and 145 meningiomas diagnosed in 1999 and 2000 when little attention was paid to brain invasion assessment. RESULTS Meningioma grade, size and number of tissue blocks were independent predictors of brain invasion assessability. Brain tissue was identified in 78 of 233 (33%) benign, 33 of 51 (65%) atypical, and 10 of 10 (100%) malignant meningiomas. In univariate analysis, group (prospective vs.retrospective), type (recurrent vs. primary), cleavability, meningioma grade and mitotic count were predictors of brain invasion, while only meningioma grade, and group retained predictive value in multivariate analysis. Brain invasion, when assessable, was identified in 22 of 78 (28%) benign, 21 of 33 (64%) atypical, and 10 of 10 (100%) malignant meningiomas. CONCLUSIONS Brain invasion assessability is related to meningioma grade and size and can be improved by extensive sampling of meningioma surgical.
Pseudosarcoma of the oesophagus

Abstract The presentation, histology and management of a pseudosarcoma (or polypoid carcinoma) of the oesophagus are presented. Historical and modern theories of pathogenesis are discussed. Though rare, ENT surgeons should be aware of these tumours, as patients with such tumours present early and potentially have a much better prognosis than those with the more common oesophageal malignancies.
Changes in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus p7-p1-p6 gag Gene in Drug-Naive and Pretreated Patients

ABSTRACT Resistance to antiretroviral agents often results from mutations within the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pol gene. Moreover, insertions within the p6 gag-pol region have recently been found to be involved with resistance to nucleoside analogs. Overall, we found that 21% of 156 specimens collected from HIV-infected individuals (17.6% from 74 drug-naive patients and 24.4% from 82 pretreated patients) harbored these insertions. Insertions around the KQE (Lys-Gln-Glu) motif were found in 12.2% of the pretreated patients but in none of the drug-naive subjects (P = 0.002). In contrast, insertions around the PTAP (Prol-Thre-Ala-Prol) motif were seen at similar rates (∼15%) among drug-naive and pretreated patients, which supports the idea that they may be natural polymorphisms.
Regulation of NH4+ Transport by Essential Cross Talk between AMT Monomers through the Carboxyl Tails1[C][W][OA]

Ammonium transport across plant plasma membranes is facilitated by AMT/Rh-type ammonium transporters (AMTs), which also have homologs in most organisms. In the roots of the plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), AMTs have been identified that function directly in the high-affinity NH4+ acquisition from soil. Here, we show that AtAMT1;2 has a distinct role, as it is located in the plasma membrane of the root endodermis. AtAMT1;2 functions as a comparatively low-affinity NH4+ transporter. Mutations at the highly conserved carboxyl terminus (C terminus) of AMTs, including one that mimics phosphorylation at a putative phosphorylation site, impair NH4+ transport activity. Coexpressing these mutants along with wild-type AtAMT1;2 substantially reduced the activity of the wild-type transporter. A molecular model of AtAMT1;2 provides a plausible explanation for the dominant inhibition, as the C terminus of one monomer directly contacts the neighboring subunit. It is suggested that part of the cytoplasmic C terminus of a single monomer can gate the AMT trimer. This regulatory mechanism for rapid and efficient inactivation of NH4+ transporters may apply to several AMT members to prevent excess influx of cytotoxic ammonium.