Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A 2-Mb sequence-ready contig map and a novel immunoglobulin superfamily gene IGSF4 in the LOH region of chromosome 11q23.2.

Human chromosome 11q23.2 has been proposed to contain a tumor suppressor gene(s) whose deletion has been associated with cancer of the lung and breast and with neuroblastoma. To analyze the genomic structure and to isolate a candidate tumor suppressor gene from this region, we constructed a 2-Mb sequence-ready contig map using bacteriophage P1 (P1), bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC), and P1-derived artificial chromosome (PAC). The map comprises a contig of 24 overlapping P1, BAC, and PAC clones. To isolate gene fragments from the region, we performed direct cDNA library screening, exon trapping, EST mapping, and genomic sequencing using the P1, BAC, and PAC clones. Sequence analysis of 5 clones, which spans 23% (458,738 bp) of the region, and extensive gene scanning along the entire region revealed that the region is extraordinarily scarce in genes, but we identified one ubiquitously expressed novel gene and one testis-specific gene fragment. The novel gene, which we call IGSF4 (immunoglobulin superfamily 4), is transcribed into a 1.6- or 4.4-kb RNA encoding a 442-amino-acid protein. It shares strong homology with mouse IGSF-B12 and cell adhesion molecules NCAM1 and NCAM2 within their Ig-like C2-type domains. The IGSF4 gene, a novel gene that is shown to be located in the common loss of heterozygosity region, possesses a number of interesting features and may be good candidate for a tumor suppressor gene.
Clozapine and obsessions in patients with recent-onset schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

BACKGROUND The increase or emergence of obsessions was compared in young patients with recent-onset schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders taking clozapine and other antipsychotic drugs. METHOD We conducted a retrospective cohort study. Subjects were 121 consecutively admitted patients diagnosed with DSM-III-R schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, or psychotic disorder not otherwise specified. Obsessions were diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria. RESULTS More clozapine-treated subjects (20.6%) than subjects treated with other antipsychotic drugs (1.3%) experienced an emergence or increase of obsessions (p<.01). CONCLUSION Use of clozapine is associated with the emergence or increase of obsessions in early-phase schizophrenia.
Personality development from 12 to 18 years of age: changes in mean levels and structure of traits

The Estonian NEO‐FFI was administered to 2650 Estonian adolescents (1420 girls and 1230 boys) aged from 12 to 18 years and attending 6th, 8th, 10th, or 12th grade at secondary schools all over Estonia. Although the mean levels of personality traits of Estonian adolescents were quite similar to the respective scores of Estonian adults, there was a developmental gap in Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. Three of the five personality dispositions demonstrated a modest cross‐sectional change in the mean level of the trait scores: the level of Openness increased and the levels of Agreeableness and Conscientiousness decreased between 12 and 18 years of age. Although the five‐factor structure of personality was already recognizable in the sample of 12‐year‐old children, it demonstrated only an approximate congruence with the adult structure, suggesting that not all children of that age have developed abilities required for observing one's own personality dispositions and for giving reliable self‐reports on the basis of these observations. The self‐reported personality trait structure matures and becomes sufficiently differentiated around age 14–15 and grows to be practically indistinguishable from adult personality by the age of 16. Personality of adolescents becomes more differentiated with age: along with the growth of mental capacities the correlations among the personality traits and intelligence become smaller. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seizure-induced neuronal injury: Human data

Article abstractEvidence that recurrent epileptic seizures may cause neuronal injury in some patients has been inferred from clinical observation, neuropsychological assessments, and neuroimaging studies. Cross-sectional investigations have yielded conflicting results and it is not possible to draw conclusions regarding causation, rather than merely association, from such designs. However, there is also evidence from in vivo biochemical studies that seizures may cause neuron injury. The heterogeneity of the epilepsies, epileptic seizures, co-morbidities, treatment regimens, and individual patient susceptibility all complicate the picture and inhibit the drawing of conclusions that are uniformly applicable. Longitudinal neuroimaging studies have the potential to objectively identify structural changes in the brain that are markers of neuronal injury. Such studies are a major undertaking, requiring age-matched control groups and consistent image acquisition and analysis techniques. One needs to analyze not only changes in group means but also the number of patients who show significant changes in imaging parameters that exceed the limits of test–retest reliability and changes in age-matched controls. Quantitative analysis of MRI T1-weighted volumetric datasets can reliably identify changes in cerebral and hippocampal volumes of 1–3% in individual subjects. The sensitivity of such quantitative analysis of structural data to identify functionally significant changes is not yet certain. Functional imaging techniques such as MR spectroscopy, PET, and SPECT may be more sensitive for detecting cerebral abnormalities, but their test–retest reliability is inferior. Other MRI tools, such as diffusion tensor imaging, may be useful for evaluating secondary cerebral damage after seizures, both acutely and chronically. Present evidence suggests that, to detect significant treatment effects, longitudinal studies of putative neuroprotective agents, using neuroimaging methods as a surrogate end point, would require at least a 3-year observation period, include large numbers of patients, and provide stratification for important clinical variables.
Durability of enamel bonding using one-step self-etch systems on ground and unground enamel.

OBJECTIVE To examine the morphological, early and long-term microtensile bond strengths (microTBS) of one-step self-etch systems to unground and ground enamel. MATERIALS AND METHODS Resin composite (Filtek Z250) buildups were bonded to the buccal and lingual enamel surfaces (unground, bur-cut or SiC-roughened enamel) of third molars after adhesive application using the following adhesives: Clearfil S3 Bond (CS3); Adper Prompt L-Pop (ADP); iBond (iB) and, as the control, Clearfil SE Bond (CSE). Six tooth halves were assigned for each condition. After storage in water (24 hours/37 degrees C), the bonded specimens were sectioned into beams (0.8 mm2) and subjected to microTBS (0.5 mm/min) either immediately (IM) or after six (6 M) or 12 months (12 M) of water storage. The data were analyzed by three-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha = 0.05). Surface conditioning was observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS The microTBS in the Si-C paper and diamond bur groups were similar and higher than the unground group. No significant difference was observed among the different storage periods, except for CS3, which showed an increase in the microTBS after 12 M. The etching pattern was more retentive on ground enamel. CONCLUSIONS One-step self-etch adhesives showed higher bond strengths on ground enamel and no reductions in resin-enamel bonds were observed after 12 M of water storage.
Investigation of electromagnetic interferences caused by the stacked I/O connectors

This paper presented the investigations of the electromagnetic interferences (EMI) caused by the noises resulted from a common mode of stacked I/O connectors, which are analyzed using both numerical simulations and experimental measurements. The structures of stacked I/O connectors popularly exist on the printed circuit board (PCB) of today's information technology equipments (ITE) for the purpose of reducing the sizes of equipments, from where it is observed that more size reduction will cause severer EMI. After the diagnosis and analysis, a strategy is presented to suppress the noise level as well as its emission, which is found to be very effective as shown in our examinations.
Elevated circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The basic feature in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is the degradation of extracellular matrix components. This process is induced partly by cytokines secreted from inflammatory and mesenchymal cells. Circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines were studied in AAA patients and compared with subjects suffering from atherosclerotic disease only. Furthermore, the predictive value of cytokine concentrations was evaluated for aneurysm expansion rate. Circulating levels of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were measured in 50 AAA patients (40 men, 10 women), 42 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) (23 men, 19 women), and 38 controls whose angiogram was normal (17 men, 21 women). No differences in cytokine concentrations were found between the CHD patients and the controls. AAA disease was found to be associated with significantly higher IL-1 beta and IL-6 concentrations in both male patients (median concentrations of 19.40 pmol/L and 6.45 pmol/L, respectively) and female patients (19.26 pmol/L and 7.99 pmol/L) than in either the CHD patients or the controls (P < .005). TNF-alpha levels were slightly higher in the AAA patients (1.64 pmol/L in the males and 1.59 pmol/L in the females) than in the other groups (P < .05). IFN-gamma levels were elevated significantly in the female AAA patients (3.75 pmol/L) compared with levels found in the other female (P < .05) or male (P < .01) patient groups. The measured cytokine concentrations were not related to the size of the aneurysm or the maximal thickness of the thrombus within the aneurysm. IFN-gamma concentration showed a significant positive correlation to the aneurysm expansion (R = .37, P < .02) and negative correlation to the concentration of aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen during 6-month follow up (R = -.42, P < .005). The results show that circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines are elevated in patients with AAA disease, suggesting that the production of these cytokines is increased in these patients compared with CHD patients and controls. Elevated INF-gamma concentrations seem to predict an increased rate of expansion in AAA.
Conserved F84 and P86 residues in αB‐crystallin are essential to effectively prevent the aggregation of substrate proteins

Previously, we have shown that residues 73–92 (sequence DRFSVNLDVKHFSPEELKVK) in αB‐crystallin are involved in preventing the formation of light scattering aggregates by substrate proteins. In this study, we made single substitutions of three conserved amino acid residues (H83 → A, F84 → G, and P86 → A) and a nonconserved amino acid residue (K90 → C) in the functional region of αB‐crystallin and evaluated their role in anti‐aggregation activity. Mutation of conserved residues led to changes in intrinsic tryptophan intensity, bis‐ANS binding, and in the secondary and tertiary structures. The H83A mutation led to a twofold increase in molar mass, while the other mutants did not produce significant changes in the molar mass when compared to that of wild‐type protein. The chaperone‐like activity of the H83A mutant was enhanced by 15%–20%, and the chaperone‐like activity of F84G and P86A mutants was reduced by 50%–65% when compared to the chaperone‐like activity of wild‐type αB‐crystallin. The substitution of the nonconserved residue (K90 → C) did not induce an appreciable change in the structure and function of the mutant protein. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay demonstrated that destabilized ADH interacted near the K90 region in αB‐crystallin. The data show that F84 and P86 residues are essential for αB‐crystallin to effectively prevent the aggregation of substrate proteins. This study further supports the involvement of the residues in the 73–92 region of αB‐crystallin in substrate protein binding and chaperone‐like action.
Superior mobilisation of haematopoietic progenitor cells with glycosylated G‐CSF in male but not female unrelated stem cell donors

Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) effectively mobilises haematopoietic stem cells to the peripheral blood. It is unclear whether the mobilisation of stem cells with lenograstim (glycosylated G‐CSF) or filgrastim (non‐glycosylated G‐CSF) leads to a higher cell number of collected engraft able progenitor cells. Thus, we investigated harvesting efficiency of the licensed G‐CSF preparations in mobilising peripheral stem cells in a randomised study. A total of 501 healthy unrelated donors, including 339 males and 162 females received either lenograstim (n = 261) or filgrastim (n = 240) at 10 μg/kg body weight (BW) per day. Aphaeresis was performed on day 5 and, if necessary, on day 6 of mobilisation. The number of CD34+ cells collected was 11·5% higher in the lenograstim group (7·19 × 106 vs. 6·44 × 106/kg BW donor; P < 0·03). Univariate variance analysis revealed that this effect was caused by male donors: more progenitors cells per kg BW of the donor (7·73 × 106 vs. 6·88 × 106; P < 0·017) and of the recipient (10·1 × 106 vs. 8·88 × 106, P < 0·029) could be harvested. There was no significant difference in the percentage of donors in whom a second aphaeresis was required (9·6% vs. 11·6%). Lenograstim mobilises progenitor cells into the peripheral blood more effectively in males than filgrastim.
Vertical MOS Transistors with 70nm Channel Length

Vertical nMOS transistors with channel lengths down to 70nm and thin gate oxides have been fabricated using LPCVD epitaxy for the definition of the channel region instead of fine line lithography. The devices show drain current and transconductance values comparable to very advanced planar transistors. For the shortest channel length a stronger increase of current is observed and is attributed to ballistic and floating substrate effects. Besides high saturation currents due to very short channel lengths a higher integration density seems to be feasible using this vertical transistor technology.
189PDIAGNOSTIC PERFORMANCE OF CD66C IN LUNG ADENOCARCINOMA-ASSOCIATED MALIGNANT PLEURAL EFFUSION: COMPARISON WITH CEA, CA 19-9, AND CYFRA 21-1.

ABSTRACT Aim: Various tumor markers have been evaluated to diagnose malignant pleural effusions, but not CD66c, a member of the CEACAM family. This study evaluated the diagnostic ability of CD66c in lung adenocarcinoma-associated malignant pleural effusions (LA-MPEs) and compared with other known tumor markers (CEA, CA 19-9, and CYFRA 21-1). Methods: Pleural effusions were collected from 47 patients with LA-MPE, and from 52 patients with benign conditions. The levels of CD66c, CEA, CA 19-9, and CYFRA 21-1 were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The expression of CD66c, CEA, and CA 19-9 in effusion cell blocks was measured by immunocytochemical staining. Results: The levels of all tumor markers were significantly higher in LA-MPE than in BPE (p Conclusions: CD66c showed a diagnostic performance comparable to CYFRA 21-1 and CA 19-9 by enzyme immunoassay. Immunocytochemical study showed that CD66c and CEA were more sensitive than CA19-9. Both studies support CD66c as a potential tumor marker to differentiate LA-MPE from benign effusions. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Chronic Suppression for Six Months Compared With Intermittent Lesional Therapy of Recurrent Genital Herpes Using Oral Acyclovir: Effects on Lesions and Nonlesional Prodromes

Forty-seven patients with frequently recurrent genital herpes were treated with 200 mg of acyclovir or placebo capsules taken orally three times daily for six months; the drug was then withdrawn. Active lesional events were treated with open-labeled 200-mg acyclovir capsules five times daily for five days during the six months of suppression and for six months thereafter if the patient returned to the clinic for culture and treatment. During the six months of treatment, seven of 24 acyclovir recipients and none of 23 placebo recipients reported no lesions (P less than 0.01), while 17 of 24 acyclovir and none of 23 placebo recipients failed to return for lesion assessment (P less than 0.0001). The median time to first recurrence was 72 days in the acyclovir recipients vs. 14 days in placebo recipients (P less than 0.0001). Home-recorded prodromes without lesion development were common in both groups but occurred more often in the acyclovir-treated group (P less than 0.05). During follow-up all patients experienced lesional episodes, and no differences could be detected between the acyclovir- and the placebo-treated groups. Resistance to acyclovir was not encountered either before, during, or after suppression by this drug. Adverse events were not significantly different between the groups. We conclude that suppression by oral acyclovir of frequently recurrent genital herpes remains effective for at least six months. Nonlesional prodromes have undetermined significance but are more common during acyclovir suppression.
Prevalence of Cytomegalovirus Infection Among Health Care Workers in Pediatric and Immunosuppressed Adult Units

The prevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection varies not only from one country to another, but also with social, economic, and environmental conditions and with professional activity. Health care workers in contact with the main vectors of the CMV (ie, children and immunosuppressed patients) are particularly exposed to the infection. We assessed the prevalence of the virus among health care personnel in light of CMV epidemiology and the recent shift in living conditions and family size. Our study was included in a broader program evaluating the risk of infection among female hospital workers of childbearing age. The goal of the program was to implement appropriate preventive measures for personnel who were not immune to the infection. Consequently, we included only female caregivers who worked with children or immunosuppressed patients. The study was based on a clinical examination, a medical and occupational questionnaire, the assessment of tasks performed, and CMV serologic testing. The overall seroprevalence was 44.25% in our population (n = 400) and was comparable regardless of the place of work. Prevalence differed significantly with age and parity, and we also found that it was higher among personnel who worked in closer contact with the patients (nurse’s aides, pediatric nurse’s aides) than among those whose tasks required more technical skills (nurses, pediatric nurses) (57.3% vs 34.5%, P < 0.01). The logistic regression analysis between prevalence of CMV antibodies, age, parity, and type of job showed that “contact job” was as significant a factor as parity to explain immunization in our population (odds ratio, 2.2). We also determined a correlation between the prevalence of CMV antibodies and tasks performed. In addition, we found a non-negligible group of non-immune personnel (55.75%) and young workers (mean age: 33.4) who were potentially exposed to infection. This points to the need to establish a prevention program.
Effects of Diverse Environmental Conditions on φLC3 Prophage Stability in Lactococcus lactis

ABSTRACT The effects of various growth conditions on spontaneous φLC3 prophage induction in Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris IMN-C1814 was analyzed with a half fraction of a 44 factorial experimental design. The four factors included in the study were nutrient availability, acidity, osmolarity, and temperature, each applied at four levels. These environmental factors are related to the fermentation processes in the dairy industry, in which bacteriophage attacks on sensitive starter strains are a constant threat to successful fermentation processes. The frequency of spontaneous φLC3 induction was determined by quantitative analyses of restored DNA attachment sites (attB) on the bacterial chromosomes in a population of lysogenic cells. Statistical analysis revealed that all four environmental factors tested affected φLC3 prophage stability and that the environmental factors were involved in interactions (interactions exist when the effect of one factor depends on the level of another factor). The spontaneous φLC3 induction frequency varied from 0.08 to 1.76%. In general, the induction frequency remained at the same rate or decreased when level 1 to 3 of the four environmental factors was applied. At level 4, which generally gave the least favorable growth conditions, the induction frequency was either unchanged, decreased, or increased, depending on the type of stress. It appeared that the spontaneous induction frequency was independent of the growth behavior of the host. It was the environmental growth conditions that were the decisive factor in induction frequency.
Habitual Snorers and Sleep Apnoics Have Abnormal Vascular Reactions of the Soft Palatal Mucosa on Afferent Nerve Stimulation

A local disturbance in the afferent nerves involved in the reflexogenic dilation of the upper airways (UAs) could contribute to the increased collapsibility seen in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Laser Doppler perfusion monitoring, combined with electrical stimulation, is a method for investigating the afferent nerve regulation of the microcirculation. It was used in the mucosa of the soft palate in 35 patients with various degrees of UA obstruction and in 13 control subjects, all nonsmoking men. In a majority of snorers and patients with mild OSA, stimulation induced an exaggerated vasodilation, compared with controls. In contrast, in patients with severe OSA, the vasodilation was significantly reduced, compared with controls. These signs of disturbances in the microcirculation support the hypothesis of a local progressive afferent nerve lesion in heavy snorers with or without OSA.
Using of taro flour as partial substitute of wheat flour in bread making.

2 Abstract: This study investigated the effects of using taro flour as partial substitution of wheat flour in balady bread (Egyptian bread) making with substitution levels of 5,10,15 and 20% on the farinograph, extensograph properties of the produced doughs, organoleptic properties and chemical composition of the produced bread. The Farinograph results showed that the increase of substitution level increase the water absorption and dough weakening but decrease the mixing time and dough stability, while the results of extensograph showed that dough energy, the resistance to extension and the proportional number decreased with the increasing the taro flour level in the flour blends, while the dough extensibility increased. While the organoleptic evaluation showed that the substitution of wheat flour with taro flour up to 10 % produce bread similar to the control (wheat bread) in all the organoleptic properties. Also, the increase of the taro flour level resulted in decreasing in the crude protein and ether extract while, ash, total carbohydrates and fiber contents increased. It could be concluded that the substitution of wheat flour with taro flour in bread making with substitution level up to 10 % produce bread with rheological and organoleptic properties similar to the wheat flour bread.