Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of monosomy‐3 in immunomagnetically isolated circulating melanoma cells in uveal melanoma patients

Monosomy‐3 in primary uveal melanoma (UM) is associated with a high risk of metastasis and mortality. Although circulating melanoma cells (CMC) can be found in most UM patients, only approximately 50% of the patients develop metastases. We utilized a novel immuno‐FISH assay to detect chromosome‐3 in intact CMC isolated by dual immunomagnetic enrichment. Circulating melanoma cells were detected in 91% of the patients (n = 44) with primary non‐metastatic UM, of which 58% were positive for monosomy‐3. The monosomy‐3 status of CMC corresponded to the monosomy‐3 status of the primary tumor in 10 of the 11 patients where this could be tested. Monosomy‐3 in the CMC was associated with an advanced tumor stage (P = 0.046) and was detected in all four patients who developed metastasis within the follow‐up period of 4 yr. This non‐invasive technique may enable the identification of UM patients at risk for metastasis particularly when a primary tumor specimen is unavailable.
A novel microbial infection-responsive drug release system.

The aim of this study was to construct a novel drug delivery system suitable for controlled release of antibiotics. There is a need for devices that release antibiotics only during microbial infection, because prophylactic or prolonged use of antibiotics leads to serious problems, such as renal and liver toxicity and the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria (e.g., meticillin-resistant Staphylococcusaureus). We found previously that Staphylococcus aureus-infected wound fluid showed high thrombin-like activity; therefore, in this study we designed an antibiotic release system triggered by thrombin activity. We synthesized an insoluble polymer-drug conjugate in which gentamicin was bound to poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel through a newly developed thrombin-sensitive peptide linker. The conjugate released gentamicin when it was incubated with Staphylococcus aureus-infected wound fluid, with thrombin and leucine aminopeptidase, or with human plasma and Ca2+, whereas no biologically active gentamicin was released when the conjugate was incubated with noninfected wound fluid, with leucine aminopeptidase alone, with thrombin alone, or with plasma. Furthermore, the conjugate reduced the bacterial number in an animal model of Staphylococcus aureus infection. These results demonstrated that the conjugate has sufficient specificity and excellent potential as a stimulus-responsive, controlled drug release system.
High‐output external fistulae of the small bowel: Management with continuous enteral nutrition

Three hundred and thirty‐five patients with high‐output enterocutaneous fistulae arising from the small intestine are reported. Median fistula output was 1350 ml/24 h. Eighty‐two per cent of patients were referred from other institutions. The fistula opening was associated with evisceration in 165 cases (49 per cent). One or more severity factors were present in 75.5 per cent of the patients. Patients were divided into three groups according to their initial therapy: 21 patients (6 per cent) referred in a moribund state were not operated on (non‐intervention); 80 patients (24 per cent) were operated on as an emergency, and the fistula was either exteriorized or defunctioned; 234 patients (70 per cent) were initially managed conservatively. Appropriate local care and nutrition were provided in all cases. Enteral nutrition was the exclusive nutritional support in 285 patients (85 per cent). In 92 cases with proximal fistulae, methods limiting the fistula output or allowing reinfusion of chyme were required. The overall mortality rate was 34 per cent: 100 per cent in the non‐intervention group, 55 per cent after emergency surgery, and 19 per cent after conservative treatment. In the latter group, spontaneous closure was obtained in 88 patients (38 per cent). Overall mortality rate was reduced to 19 per cent in patients treated since 1980. Enteral nutrition with appropriate local care may be used in the majority of high‐output enterocutaneous fistulae, with an acceptable rate of spontaneous closure. Conservative management is the treatment of choice in the initial period. Emergency surgery should be restricted to the treatment of haemorrhage or intra‐abdominal abscesses associated with uncontrolled systemic sepsis.
Gadolinium‐enhanced arterial‐phase MR imaging of hypervascular liver tumors: Comparison between tailored and fixed scanning delays in the same patients

The purpose of this study was to compare in the same patients tailored and fixed scanning delays during gadolinium‐enhanced arterial‐phase magnetic resonance imaging of hypervascular liver tumors. Tailored scanning delays were obtained with automated region of interest threshold triggering. A delay of 23 seconds between the start of contrast material injection and imaging was used for fixed delay examinations. Quantitative and qualitative evaluation was performed in 21 patients with normal cardiac function referred for MR assessment of hypervascular liver tumors. In the tailored examinations, the median time delay between the start of contrast material injection and the start of magnetic resonance imaging was 21 seconds (range, 18–34 seconds). The median tumor‐to‐liver contrast during tailored examinations was 19.1 versus 14.7 during fixed delay examinations. This difference, however, was not significant. Similarly, the enhancement in the aorta, the portal vein, the liver, and the tumor did not differ significantly between examinations performed with tailored and fixed delays. It is concluded that in our group of patients with hypervascular liver tumors and normal cardiac function, no significant improvement in tumor‐to‐liver contrast and enhancement during the arterial phase was found when gadolinium‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging was performed with a tailored scanning delay rather than with a fixed delay. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2000;11:244–249. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Protein a Carrying Monosize PMMA Microbeads for the Removal of HlgG from Human Plasma

Protein A-incorporated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microbeads were investigated for specific removal of HlgG from human plasma. The microbeads were prepared by a phase inversion polymerization, and activated by periodate oxidation. Protein A was then incorporated by covalent binding onto these microbeads through hydroxyl groups coming from the stabilizer. The amount of incorporated protein A was controlled by the initial concentrations of protein A in the immobilization medium and pH. The maximum protein A immobilization of 0.615 mg protein A/g PMMA, was observed at a pH of 9.5 corresponding to an initial protein A concentration of 0.1 mg/ml. There was no HlgG adsorption onto the plain PMMA microbeads, while high HlgG adsorptions of up to 32 mg HlgG/g PMMA were achieved with human plasma.
Transducing the Hedgehog Signal Across the Plasma Membrane

Cell signaling mediated by the Hedgehog (Hh) family of secreted proteins is essential for metazoan development and its malfunction causes congenital disorders and cancer. The seven-transmembrane protein Smoothened (Smo) transduces the Hh signal across the plasma membrane in both vertebrates and invertebrates but the underlying mechanisms remain ill defined. In Drosophila, Hh induces phosphorylation of Smo at multiple sites by PKA and CK1, leading to its cell surface accumulation and activation. Recently, we have obtained evidence that Hh-induced phosphorylation promotes Smo activity by inducing a conformational switch and dimerization of its carboxy-terminal cytoplasmic tail (C-tail). Furthermore, we provided evidence that a similar mechanism regulates mammalian Smo. We discuss how Smo conformational change regulates the intracellular signaling complex and how Smo transduces the graded Hh signaling activities through different conformational states.
The N-oxidation of benzamidines in vitro.

The enzymic N-oxidation of a series of N-unsubstituted basic benzamidines (I) to a new type of metabolite, the amidoximes (II), is reported. Rabbit liver homogenates (9000 g supernatant) were used as enzyme source, and metabolites were identified by t.l. c. and mass spectral analysis using synthetic reference compounds. The microsomal NADPH- and oxygen-dependent hydroxylation of benzamidines was not detected after incubation of benzamidine in the presence of SKF 525-A, a known inhibitor of cytochrome P-450. Neither benzamidine or p-methoxybenzamidine is a good substrate for purified microsomal FAD-containing mono-oxygenase.
"I Really Liked That Movie"

The current study investigated the contributions of trait empathy and narrative transportation to audience members’ film enjoyment. Undergraduates (N = 199) evaluated two films they had seen recently and responded to items measuring different types of trait empathy, narrative transportation, film enjoyment, and perceived realism. Fantasy empathy, but not perspective taking, empathic concern, or personal distress, was found to be associated with narrative transportation. Transportation was found to be associated with enjoyment and perceived realism.
Dissociation of endothelial cell dysfunction and blood pressure in SHR.

This study was designed to examine the impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), to determine whether endothelial cell function is normalized by in vivo treatment with a thromboxane A2-prostaglandin endoperoxide (TP)-receptor blocker, and to establish whether endothelial dysfunction contributes to the elevated blood pressure. In isolated aortic rings from SHR, endothelium-dependent relaxations caused by acetylcholine, adenosine diphosphate, and alpha-thrombin were markedly impaired compared with those from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) normotensive rats. Arachidonic acid-induced contractions were significantly enhanced in aorta from SHR. In contrast, relaxations caused by direct smooth muscle vasodilators, nitroprusside and cromakalim, and contractions caused by U-46619 were not different between SHR and WKY rats. Treatment of SHR with the oral TP-receptor antagonist, ifetroban, at 20 and 50 mg.kg-1.day-1 fully restored endothelium-dependent relaxation toward normal. However, ifetroban produced no effect on blood pressure in SHR. In vitro incubation of aortic rings from SHR with ifetroban also normalized relaxations to acetylcholine but had no effect in aorta from WKY. In contrast, the thromboxane A synthase inhibitor, dazoxiben, only partially improved abnormal acetylcholine-induced relaxations in aorta from SHR. The results demonstrate that endothelial cell dysfunction in hypertension can be restored to normal by selective TP-receptor blockade. Furthermore, endothelial cell dysfunction and TP-receptor activation may not significantly contribute to elevated systemic blood pressure in SHR.
Literature Review of Information Technology Adoption Models at Firm Level

: Today, information technology (IT) is universally regarded as an essential tool in enhancing the competitiveness of the economy of a country. There is consensus that IT has significant effects on the productivity of firms. These effects will only be realized if, and when, IT are widely spread and used. It is essential to understand the determinants of IT adoption. Consequently it is necessary to know the theoretical models. There are few reviews in the literature about the comparison of IT adoption models at the individual level, and to the best of our knowledge there are even fewer at the firm level. This review will fill this gap. In this study, we review theories for adoption models at the firm level used in information systems literature and discuss two prominent models: diffusion on innovation (DOI) theory, and the technology, organization, and environment (TOE) framework. The DOI found that individual characteristics, internal characteristics of organizational structure, and external characteristics of the organization are important antecedents to organizational innovativeness. The TOE framework identifies three aspects of an enterprise's context that influence the process by which it adopts and implements a technological innovation: technological context, organizational context, and environmental context. We made a thorough analysis of the TOE framework, analysing the studies that used only this theory and the studies that combine the TOE framework with other theories such as: DOI, institutional theory, and the Iacovou, Benbasat, and Dexter model. The institutional theory helps us to understand the factors that influence the adoption of interorganizational systems (IOSs); it postulates that mimetic, coercive, and normative institutional pressures existing in an institutionalized environment may influence the organization’s predisposition toward an IT-based interorganizational system. The Iacovou, Benbasat, and Dexter model, analyses IOSs characteristics that influence firms to adopt IT innovations. It is based on three contexts: perceived benefits, organizational readiness, and external pressure. The analysis of these models takes into account the empirical literature, and the difference between independent and dependent variables. The paper also makes recommendations for future research.
Education and disability pension: A stronger association than previously found

Introduction: Although the Norwegian Welfare Law includes rigorous medical criteria for granting disability pensions, several non-medical factors have been shown to be associated with and possible causal factors of pensioning. Objectives: We analysed the relationship between disability pension and detailed information on educational attainment in different diagnostic groups. Methods: All ethnic Norwegians aged 18—66 years and alive on 31 December 2003 (n = 2,522,430) were included. Age, sex, the receipt of a disability pension on 31 December 2003, and the diagnosis on the medical certificate were taken from a national social security file. The file also included six levels of education: primary school, low-level secondary school, secondary school, low-level university, university, and research level. Results: We found a dramatic increase in the prevalence of persons granted disability pension with decreasing years of education across all levels of education. The disparities were much stronger than those seen for other health-related parameters and were especially strong for those with musculoskeletal diagnoses. The disability pension is more a consequence of health problems than a proxy for health status. The demonstrated relationship between education and disability pension may be partly explained by exclusion from the work force because of health-related work problems. Conclusions: To facilitate a more inclusive working life, attention should be focused on the work place’s capacity to include people with different levels of competence and functioning rather than on the health problems of the employees.
Microsatellites reveal high levels of gene flow among populations of the California squid Loligo opalescens

Information on the extent of genetic differentiation among populations of the squid Loligo opalescens is crucial for the conservation of this commercially utilized species. We analysed six highly variable microsatellite loci in 11 collections of L. opalescens from different locations and spawning seasons to estimate the relative influence of two major evolutionary forces, gene flow and genetic drift. Microsatellite allele frequency patterns suggest that gene flow prevents population differentiation in L. opalescens. Tests for genetic differentiation showed homogeneity of the samples with an overall FST/RST of 0.0028/−0.0013. Genetic uniformity among samples from different year classes indicates that allele frequency patterns in L. opalescens are relatively stable over time. However, a more complete and detailed picture of fine‐scale allele frequency shifts in this species will require a systematic microsatellite analysis of local populations over consecutive spawning cycles.
Combined metformin‐clomiphene in clomiphene‐resistant polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

Our objective was to compare the effectiveness of metformin plus clomiphene citrate vs. gonadotrophins, laparoscopic ovarian diathermy, aromatase inhibitors, N‐acetyl‐cysteine and other insulin sensitizers+clomiphene for improving fertility outcomes in women with clomiphene‐resistant polycystic ovary syndrome.
The antifungal drug ciclopirox inhibits deoxyhypusine and proline hydroxylation, endothelial cell growth and angiogenesis in vitro

The hypusine biosynthetic steps represent novel targets for intervention in cell proliferation. Hypusine is a rare amino acid, formed posttranslationally in one cellular protein, eIF5A, and is essential for cell proliferation. Deoxyhypusine hydroxylase, the metalloenzyme catalyzing the final step in hypusine biosynthesis, and prolyl 4‐hydroxylase, a non‐heme iron enzyme critical for collagen processing, can be inhibited by small chelating molecules that target their essential metal atom. We examined the effects of 5 compounds (ciclopirox, deferiprone, deferoxamine, mimosine and 2,2′‐dipyridyl) on these protein hydroxylases in HUVECs, on cell proliferation and on angiogenesis using 2 model assays: tube‐like vessel formation on Matrigel and the chick aortic arch sprouting assay. These compounds inhibited cellular deoxyhypusine hydroxylase in a concentration‐dependent manner, but their efficacy varied widely in the following order: ciclopirox→ deferoxamine→2,2′‐dipyridyl→deferiprone→mimosine (IC50 5–200 μM). Inhibition of DNA synthesis, following the same order (IC50 10–450 μM), correlated with G1 arrest of the cell cycle. These compounds also inhibited proline hydroxylation and maturation of collagen in HUVECs and caused inhibition of angiogenesis in vitro. Of the compounds tested, ciclopirox was by far the most effective inhibitor of HUVEC proliferation and angiogenesis. The strong antiangiogenic activity of this readily available antifungal drug along with its antiproliferative effects suggests a new potential application for ciclopirox in the treatment of solid tumors. Published 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nonlinear model predictive control with moving horizon state and disturbance estimation - Application to the normalization of blood glucose in the critically ill

Abstract In this paper we present a nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) strategy that can be used to tackle nonlinear control problems with changing model parameters, unknown disturbance factors and specifications on the rates of change of the inputs. The closed-loop performance of the proposed NMPC strategy is demonstrated by applying it to the problem of blood glucose normalization in critically ill patients. A nonlinear patient model, that is particularly developed for describing the glucose and the insulin dynamics of these patients, is used for online state and disturbance estimation and control under a realistic disturbance realization. The results are satisfactory both in terms of control behavior (set point tracking and the suppression of unknown disturbance factors) and clinical acceptability.
Exploring the Relationship Among Posttraumatic Growth, Life Satisfaction, and Happiness Among Korean Individuals With Physical Disabilities

A growing body of empirical evidence has demonstrated that individuals who experience traumatic and stressful life events can experience positive psychological changes as a result of their struggles with adversity, stress, and trauma. The purpose of the current study is to examine the relationship among five domains (e.g., as relating to others, recognition of new possibilities, a feeling of personal strength, and spiritual change) of posttraumatic growth, happiness, and life satisfaction among Korean individuals with physical disabilities. The results of this study show that three factors (i.e., recognition of new possibilities, experience of spiritual growth, and an appreciation of life) served as predictors of life satisfaction, and two factors (i.e., recognition of new possibilities and personal strength) predicted happiness. This result suggests that certain factors of posttraumatic growth can lead to particular health benefits and influence these benefits to varied extents.
Sequential attrition of secondary school student interest in IT courses and careers

Purpose – This paper aims to present results of interviews with Australian students in junior, middle and senior secondary‐school. It also aims to provide a current insight into the declining diversity of the information technology (IT) student cohort that is not captured in the existing literature. Educational psychology theories of self‐efficacy shed light on the development of like and dislike towards aspects of IT, it also seeks to consider the career choice decision‐making theories and models to understand the cost‐benefit dimensions of career choice in young people in the twenty‐first century. Socio‐cultural factors that condition young women for their expected role in society also apply to career choice and build a theoretical framework for the research.Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative research methodology of semi‐structured focus group interviews were conducted with students of both genders from three different year levels. The interviews were analysed using a meta matrix approach aligned.
Hirschsprung Disease in an Infant with a Contiguous Gene Syndrome of Chromosome 13

Hirschsprung disease is a developmental disorder resulting from the arrest of the craniocaudal migration of enteric neurons from the neural crest along gastrointestinal segments of variable length; see Behrman [Nelson textbook of pediatrics, 1992:954-956]. It is a heterogeneous disorder in which familial cases map to at least three loci whose function is necessary for normal neural crest-derived cell development. Homozygous mutations in the endothelin-B receptor gene (EDNRB) on 13q22 have been identified in humans and mice with Hirschsprung disease type 2 (HSCR2). The auditory pigmentary disorder, Waardenburg-Shah syndrome, comprises Waardenburg syndrome and Hirschsprung disease and has also been mapped to the EDNRB locus. Hirschsprung disease, malrotation, isochromia, a profound sensorineural hearing loss, and several other anomalies were found in an infant with an interstitial deletion of 13q, suggesting the existence of a contiguous gene syndrome involving developmental genes necessary for the normal growth of the neural crest derivatives of the eye, inner ear, and colon. We report on an additional patient with a deletion in 13q and Hirschsprung disease. Congenital anomalies associated with deletions of the distal long arm of chromosome 13 are sufficiently consistent to suggest a clinical syndrome.
Awareness of Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B among Residents in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor

A survey was carried out to assess the level of knowledge and vaccination coverage of hepatitis A and B among 753 subjects (>12 years of age) from rural areas, town areas, undergraduates and healthcare workers. The main objective of the study was to assess the relationship between the extent of hepatitis A and B knowledge and vaccination status of the participants. A questionnaire was distributed and completed by the subjects. The results showed that the overall level of knowledge among the public was low compared to healthcare workers and undergraduates. The hepatitis A vaccination coverage was very low among all the groups (<8%). The hepatitis B vaccination coverage was generally low among the groups of non healthcare workers (<35%) and higher among healthcare workers (65.6%). There was a strong correlation between the extent of knowledge of hepatitis A and B and the status of vaccination among the participants (p<0.01). The study concluded that health education on hepatitis A and B should be provided and vaccination programmes should be held more frequently among the public, especially in rural areas.