Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
1 HUMAN ANTI-MACROPHAGE MIGRATION INHIBITORY FACTOR ( MIF ) ANTIBODIES INHIBIT GROWTH OF HUMAN PROSTATE CANCER CELLS IN VITRO AND IN VIVO

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine, originally discovered for its eponymous effect and now known for pleiotropic biological properties in immunology and oncology. Circulating MIF levels are elevated in several types of human cancer including prostate cancer. MIF is released presumably by both, stromal and tumor cells and enhances malignant growth and metastasis by diverse mechanisms, such as stimulating tumor cell proliferation, suppressing apoptotic death, facilitating invasion of the extracellular matrix and promoting angiogenesis. Recently described fully human anti-MIF antibodies were tested in vitro and in vivo for their ability to influence growth rate and invasion of the human PC3 prostate cancer cell line. In vitro, the selected candidate antibodies BaxG03, BaxB01 and BaxM159 reduced cell growth and viability by inhibiting MIF-induced phosphorylation of the central kinases p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK1/2) and protein kinase B (AKT). Incubation of cells in the presence of the antibodies also promoted activation of caspases 3/7. The antibodies furthermore inhibited MIF-promoted invasion and chemotaxis as transmigration through matrigel along a MIF gradient was impaired. In vivo, pharmacokinetic parameters (half-life, volume of distribution and bioavailability) of the antibodies were determined and a proof of concept was obtained in a PC3-xenograft mouse model. Treatment with human anti-MIF antibodies blunted xenograft tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner. We therefore conclude that the anti-MIF antibodies described neutralize some of the key tumor promoting activities of MIF and thus limit tumor growth in vivo. on November 6, 2017. © 2013 American Association for Cancer Research. mct.aacrjournals. org Downloaded from Author manuscripts have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication but have not yet been edited. Author Manuscript Published OnlineFirst on April 25, 2013; DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-12-0988
Surgery in nonagenarians: morbidity, mortality, and functional outcome.

BACKGROUND There are few studies that document the outcomes experienced by very old patients who undergo major surgery. METHODS This is a case series and 7-year follow-up of 116 consecutive patients who were aged 90 years or older and underwent major surgery at a large university-affiliated community hospital. We describe the functional status, short- and long-term mortality, and predictors of mortality in this group of frail elders. RESULTS The 116 nonagenarians in this study underwent 134 major operations. Sixty-three patients were admitted to the hospital from a nursing home. The most common surgical procedures were for hip fracture, lower extremity amputation, and abdominal problems. Nineteen patients died in the hospital following surgery, and 23 patients died within 30 days of operation. Follow-up at 7 years revealed that all but three patients had died. Survival was worse for patients admitted from nursing homes, those who were nonambulatory before surgery, and those with major or complete functional impairment. CONCLUSIONS Major surgery in nonagenarians is associated with a 20% perioperative mortality. Functional status and ambulatory ability are maintained in most patients. Whether to operate on these frail elders is a complex decision.
An Intrusion Detection System for Fog Computing and IoT based Logistic Systems using a Smart Data Approach

The Internet of Things (IoT) is widely used in advanced logistic systems. Safety and security of such systems are utmost important to guarantee the quality of their services. However, such systems are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Development of lightweight anomaly based intrusion detection systems (IDS) is one of the key measures to tackle this problem. In this paper, we present a new distributed and lightweight IDS based on an Artificial Immune System (AIS). The IDS is distributed in a three-layered IoT structure including the cloud, fog and edge layers. In the cloud layer, the IDS clusters primary network traffic and trains its detectors. In the fog layer, we take advantage of a smart data concept to analyze the intrusion alerts. In the edge layer, we deploy our detectors in edge devices. Smart data is a very promising approach for enabling lightweight and efficient intrusion detection, providing a path for detection of silent attacks such as botnet attacks in IoT-based systems.
Iodine knowledge is positively associated with dietary iodine intake among women of childbearing age in the UK and Ireland

Abstract Adequate I intake is important before conception and during pregnancy for optimal infant neurodevelopment. Recent studies have highlighted the prevalence of I deficiency in the UK and Ireland. It is possible that optimal I intake may be impeded by a poor knowledge of I nutrition. This study aimed to investigate I knowledge among women of childbearing age in the UK and Ireland and to determine whether a relationship exists between I knowledge and dietary I intake. Females (aged 18–45 years) were invited to complete an online questionnaire, which assessed knowledge of I and estimated dietary I intake using a FFQ. A total of 520 females of childbearing age completed the study. I knowledge was poor; only one-third (32 %) of the participants correctly identified pregnancy as the most important stage of the lifecycle for I, and 41 % of participants could not correctly identify any health problem related to I deficiency. The median daily I intake was estimated as 152 µg/d. Almost half (46 %) of the participants failed to meet dietary recommendations (140 µg/d) for I. A higher dietary I intake was positively associated with greater I knowledge (r 0·107; P=0·016). This study suggests that knowledge of I nutrition is low among women of childbearing age, and those with a greater knowledge of I nutrition had a higher dietary I intake. Initiatives to educate women of childbearing age on the importance of I nutrition should be considered as part of a larger public health strategy to address I deficiency.
A sensitive and specific ELISA for plasma pentosidine.

BACKGROUND Advanced glycation end products are formed by non-enzymatic glycation and oxidation reaction. Pentosidine is a well-known and characterized structure among them, and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of complications associated with chronic renal failure and long-term dialysis, such as dialysis-related amyloidosis and atherosclerosis. METHODS We established a highly sensitive and specific competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for plasma pentosidine and applied it to large numbers of plasma samples including haemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. We compared their plasma pentosidine levels determined by the competitive ELISA with those determined by high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay currently used. RESULTS The plasma pentosidine levels determined by the ELISA were correlated well with those determined by sophisticated instrumental HPLC assay, both in non-diabetic and diabetic dialysis patients. Both analyses yielded comparable results, with over 8-fold higher plasma pentosidine levels in HD and CAPD patients, irrespective of the presence or absence of diabetes, as compared to normal subjects and non-uraemic diabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS The competitive ELISA will provide a rapid and convenient determination of plasma pentosidine content and thus be useful to assess the carbonyl stress in uraemic patients.
Creatin kinase in human tissues.

ANUMBER of enzymes are known to occur in the body in one or more distinct forms, usually called isozymes.1-3The molecular basis for this phenomenon is known in the case of two soluble enzymes: creatine kinase and lactic dehydrogenase. In both cases the isozymes are formed of polymers of two kinds of subunits, each of which is under separate genetic control. Both enzymes, more particularly lactic dehydrogenase, have come under intensive investigation in the past few years, in part because of the inherent interest of the phenomenon of isozyme structure, and also because it has been hoped that the pattern of isozymes in a cell would give information or insight of clinical value. This paper reports the isozyme types and normal levels of creatine kinase from human tissues obtained at autopsy. These values are of interest because of the widespread use of serum creatine kinase activity as an indicator
Association of stomatin (band 7.2b) with Glut1 glucose transporter.

Employing a monoclonal antibody directed against the C-terminal peptide of glucose transporter molecule 1 (Glut1), we identified a approximately 30-kDa polypeptide which coimmunoprecipitated with Glut1 from sample of human red blood cells (RBC) membranes. The approximately 30-kDa polypeptide reacted with an antibody directed against stomatin, an integral plasma membrane protein which is also present at a high abundance in the human RBC plasma membrane. Likewise, employing anti-stomatin antibody, we found that Glut1 coimmunoprecipitated with stomatin from samples of RBC membranes. However, neither band 3, which is the most abundant integral membrane protein in the RBC, nor actin coimmunoprecipitated with Glut1, indicating a specific interaction between Glut1 and stomatin. Similar to the results obtained in the RBC, Glut1 and stomatin immunoprecipitated with each other in lysates of Clone 9 cells, a rat liver cell line in which Glut1 is expressed at approximately 1/200 the level present in RBC. Employing conditions that resulted in immunoprecipitation of approximately 10% of Glut1 in RBC membranes led to a approximately 3% coimmunoprecipitation of stomatin. A mixed population of Clone 9 cells stably transfected with a plasmid overexpressing the mouse stomatin exhibited 30 +/- 3% reduction in the basal rate of glucose transport compared to control cells or cells stably transfected with the empty vector. The above results suggest that stomatin is closely associated with Glut1 in the plasma membrane and that overexpression of stomatin results in a depression in the basal rate of glucose transport.
Acceptability of HIV Testing and Counseling by Antenatal Clients of a Tertiary Institution in Northern Nigeria

Background: HIV testing and counseling (HTC) plays a central role in specific prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) interventions, as these interventions depend on the woman knowing her HIV status. Over ninety percent of HIV infection in children is acquired through mother-to-child transmission. Objectives: This study assessed pregnant women’s knowledge of HIV/AIDS, their awareness of HIV testing and counseling, and compared the uptake of HTC to the previously practiced voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) in a teaching hospital in northern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A pre-tested, structured interview questionnaire was administered on a cross-section survey of 270 antenatal clients in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Nigeria. Information about knowledge of HIV/AIDS and attitude towards HTC was elicited among respondents. Results: Eighty-nine percent of respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS. The knowledge of route of disease transmission was high, with 87.4% and 81.1% of studyparticipants mentioning sexual activity and mother-to-child transmission, respectively. Majority of respondents (98.9%) were aware of HTC and approved of it (91.1%) while 7.8% declined and the remaining 1.1% were undecided. Fourteen percent of respondents didn’t approve of retesting in labour. Sixty-eight percent of respondents were aware of interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Switching from VCT to HTC has dramatically improved the uptake of testing from 78.9% in 2006 to 91.1% in 2012. Conclusion: Routine HIV testing and counseling is more acceptable than voluntary counseling and testing among antenatal clients. Although the awareness and uptake of HTC were quite high among the antenatal clients, there is still a need to intensify health education and incorporate husbands into the counseling session when necessary to convince the remaining minority who are still ignorant of the benefits of HTC.
Beyond the Threshold Hypothesis

The assertion that ability differences no longer matter beyond a certain threshold is inaccurate. Among young adolescents in the top 1% of quantitative reasoning ability, individual differences in general cognitive ability level and in specific cognitive ability pattern (that is, the relationships among an individual’s math, verbal, and spatial abilities) lead to differences in educational, occupational, and creative outcomes decades later. Whereas ability level predicts the level of achievement, ability pattern predicts the realm of achievement. Adding information on vocational interests refines prediction of educational and career choices. Finally, lifestyle preferences relevant to career choice, performance, and persistence often change between ages 25 and 35. This change results in sex differences in preferences, which likely have relevance for understanding the underrepresentation of women in careers that demand more than full-time (40 hours per week) commitment.
The Impact of the Brassicaceae Plant Materials Added to the Soil on the Population of FUSARIUM SOLANI (Mart.) SACC. and FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM Schlecht

Abstract Soil with the spores of fungi in dormant stage from previous years infections belonging to the genus Fusarium caused significant loss of onion yield in Poland. The most important form of Fusarium inoculum in the field are chlamydospores, which may survive in soil for many years. There are no available methods to eradicate chlamydospores from soil environment. Inspired by data from the literature and own prelimi–nary observation, we evaluated the effect of application of Brassicaceae plant material to the soil infested with F. oxysporum and F. solani isolates, which are pathogenic to onion. Obtained results showed that addition of fresh plant material from B. juncea and B. alba had no effect on amount of Fusarium propagules in the soil. Moreover amendment of infested soil with dry plants or milled seeds of B. juncea or B. nigra significantly stimulated the population of Fusarium in the soil.
Concurrent enterprise: a conceptual framework for enterprise supply-chain network activities

ABSTRACT Supply-chain management (SCM) in manufacturing industries has evolved significantly over the years. Recently, a lot more relevant research has picked up on the development of integrated solutions. Thus, seeking a collaborative optimisation of geographical, just-in-time (JIT), quality (customer demand/satisfaction) and return-on-investment (profits), aspects of organisational management and planning through ‘best practice’ business-process management – concepts and application; employing system tools such as certain applications/aspects of enterprise resource planning (ERP) – SCM systems information technology (IT) enablers to enhance enterprise integrated product development/concurrent engineering principles. This article assumed three main organisation theory applications in positioning its assumptions. Thus, proposing a feasible industry-specific framework not currently included within the SCOR model’s level four (4) implementation level, as well as other existing SCM integration reference models such as in the MIT process handbook’s – Process Interchange Format (PIF), the TOVE project, etc. which could also be replicated in other SCs. However, the wider focus of this paper’s contribution will be concentrated on a complimentary proposed framework to the SCC’s SCOR reference model. Quantitative empirical closed-ended questionnaires in addition to the main data collected from a qualitative empirical real-life industrial-based pilot case study were used: To propose a conceptual concurrent enterprise framework for SCM network activities. This research adopts a design structure matrix simulation approach analysis to propose an optimal enterprise SCM-networked value-adding, customised master data-management platform/portal for efficient SCM network information exchange and an effective supply-chain (SC) network systems–design teams’ structure. Furthermore, social network theory analysis will be employed in a triangulation approach with statistical correlation analysis to assess the scale/level of frequency, importance, level of collaborative-ness, mutual trust as well as roles and responsibility among the enterprise SCM network for systems product development (PD) design teams’ technical communication network as well as extensive literature reviews.
Effects of Local Administration of L‐, N‐, and P/Q‐Type Calcium Channel Blockers on Spontaneous Dopamine Release in the Striatum and the Substantia Nigra: A Microdialysis Study in Rat

Abstract: The pivotal role for voltage‐sensitive calcium channels in initiating synaptic transmitter release is undisputed, but it is only partly known to what extent the different subtypes contribute in vivo. Their importance for the dendritic release of dopamine has not been investigated in vivo previously. To evaluate comprehensively the relative importance of different voltage‐sensitive calcium channel subtypes for striatal dopamine release, and to further investigate the mechanism of dendritic dopamine release in the reticulate part of substantia nigra, dopamine was measured by in vivo microdialysis in the striatum or substantia nigra of awake rats. The calcium channel blockers nimodipine, ω‐conotoxin‐GVIA, ω‐agatoxin‐IVA, and neomycin were administered locally through the dialysis probes and compared with calcium‐free perfusion. Results indicate that dopamine release in the striatum is mainly dependent on N‐ and P/Q‐type channels, but the dendritic dopamine release in the substantia nigra is mediated mainly by some other calcium‐dependent mechanism, for example, calcium mobilization through T‐, O‐, or R‐type calcium channels. A portion of the dendritic release is calcium independent but can be inhibited partially by neomycin, which might suggest a role for inositol 4,5‐bisphosphate breakdown products.
Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients with Unstable Angina and Non–ST‐Segment‐Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Findings from the CRUSADE National Quality Improvement Initiative

Evidence‐based clinical practice guidelines encapsulate current knowledge to guide health care professionals in the treatment of patients with unstable angina or non–ST‐segment‐elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), yet adherence to guideline recommendations is suboptimal. Guideline adherence may be improved by quality improvement programs such as the CRUSADE (Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes with Early Implementation? ) National Quality Improvement Initiative of the American College of Cardiology–American Heart Association Guidelines. The CRUSADE data have been analyzed to demonstrate that overall guideline adherence is directly associated with mortality and that improvement in guideline adherence saves lives. Also, the CRUSADE data have determined that the real‐life mortality risk associated with unstable angina and NSTEMI is greater than suggested by clinical trials. The newer antiplatelet drugs recommended in early intervention and discharge treatment strategies are underused across many segments of the unstable angina–NSTEMI population. Glycoprotein IIb‐IIIa inhibitors are underused in high‐risk populations, and clopidogrel is markedly underused in patients who are medically managed rather than undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft surgery. In addition, often the specialty of the treating physician and the status of the hospital influence the use of antiplatelet therapy. The reasons for underprescribing of antiplatelet drugs by physicians are not entirely clear but may be related to a lack of guideline familiarity and understanding, as well as factors such as drug novelty, safety, and cost. Continued education and data dissemination are therefore vital in promoting the prescription of guideline‐recommended drugs, both in the early hospitalization phase and as patients transition to community‐based care. The role of the pharmacist is pivotal in ensuring adherence to clinical guidelines by interacting with both the physician and patient.
Syngeneic bone marrow transplantation and adoptive transfer of peripheral blood lymphocytes combined with zidovudine in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

OBJECTIVE To examine the role of syngeneic bone marrow transplantation and peripheral blood lymphocyte infusions combined with zidovudine in the treatment of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. DESIGN A partially randomized outpatient trial. SETTING Outpatient and inpatient facility of the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health, a research-based referral facility. PATIENTS Sixteen patients with HIV infection (15 symptomatic, 1 asymptomatic). INTERVENTIONS Symptomatic patients were treated with zidovudine, 500 mg orally every 4 hours for 12 weeks, combined with six peripheral blood lymphocyte infusions (four at week 10, two at week 12) and bone marrow transplantation (at week 12) using HIV-seronegative identical twins as donors. After transplantation, patients were randomly assigned to receive either zidovudine, 100 mg every 4 hours, or placebo for 12 months. The asymptomatic patient received zidovudine for the first 12 weeks, discontinuing therapy after transplantation. Immunologic and virologic monitoring were done monthly. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Immediately after lymphocyte infusions and bone marrow transplantation, there was an increase in the mean (+/- SE) CD4 cell percent (19.1% +/- 3.1% to 28.1% +/- 3.0%), an increase in the fraction of patients with delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to tetanus toxoid (4 of 13 to 11 of 13) and the development of delayed-type hypersensitivity to keyhole-limpet hemocyanin (a primary immunogen to which only the donor had been immunized) in 8 of 12 patients tested. No significant clinical improvement was noted, however, and there was no overall sustained immunologic improvement. No differences in CD4 cell percents, delayed-hypersensitivity skin tests, HIV cultures, or p24 antigenemia were seen between patients treated with zidovudine or placebo after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS Although they establish the feasibility of combining zidovudine with cellular immune reconstitution in treating patients with HIV infection, our results show that any benefits from such combination therapy are at best transient. Future attempts at cellular immune reconstitution may need to use improved antiretroviral regimens as well as immunization of donors with HIV-specific antigens.
Assessing the Impact of the Grid-Connected Pacific Marine Energy Center Wave Farm

A new wave energy test site, Pacific Marine Energy Center-South Energy Test Site (PMEC-SETS) - is being proposed for construction off the coast of Newport, Oregon, U.S. The intermittent nature of wave energy presents a unique challenge for the transmission system operator, as the integration of a wave energy farm onto the electrical grid creates the potential for disturbance to the operation and stability of the grid. Consequently, this paper assesses the PMEC-SETS development and the impact of its connection to the Oregon (and the rest of the Western Interconnection) network, in terms of steady-state, dynamic, and transient characteristics. The electrical infrastructure analysis is implemented using two power system simulation tools: 1) PowerWorld and 2) DIgSILENT PowerFactory. Power-World is used to create an equivalent model of the transmission system, and DIgSILENT PowerFactory is used to examine the impact of the wave farm at the point of connection, under normal and faulted conditions. A case study of 20 wave energy converters is used to illustrate the results.