Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a natural polyphenol, inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cells.

BACKGROUND Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a polyphenol constituent present in green tea previously shown to inhibit cancer growth. However, studies on human ovarian cancer are limited. This study evaluated, the effects of EGCG as a potential anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic agent in the human ovarian cancer line, SKOV-3. MATERIALS AND METHODS The MTS assay which measures metabolic activity of cells, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay, and flow cytometry were used for the cell proliferation studies and cell morphology, DNA fragmentation analysis and the TUNEL assay for apoptotic effects. RESULTS The EGCG treated SKOV-3 cells showed inhibition of cell viability and proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, EGCG-mediated SKOV-3 cell growth inhibition was associated with apoptotic changes as evident by cell cycle arrest and accumulation of cells in the apoptotic phase, cell morphological changes, DNA fragmentation and TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells. CONCLUSION In SKOV-3 cells, EGCG inhibits cell proliferation via DNA synthesis reduction and induces apoptotic cell death via DNA damage, thus elucidating a novel, plausible mechanism of EGCG anti-tumorigenic property.
Multinomial Bayesian Learning for Modeling Classical and Nonclassical Receptive Field Properties

We study the interplay of Bayesian inference and natural image learning in a hierarchical vision system, in relation to the response properties of early visual cortex. We particularly focus on a Bayesian network with multinomial variables that can represent discrete feature spaces similar to hypercolumns combining minicolumns, enforce sparsity of activation to learn efficient representations, and explain divisive normalization. We demonstrate that maximal-likelihood learning using sampling-based Bayesian inference gives rise to classical receptive field properties similar to V1 simple cells and V2 cells, while inference performed on the trained network yields nonclassical context-dependent response properties such as cross-orientation suppression and filling in. Comparison with known physiological properties reveals some qualitative and quantitative similarities.
Primary gastric mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: clinical data predicted treatment outcome.

AIM To determine clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of gastric lymphoma after chemotherapy and immuno-chemotherapy. METHODS Thirty four patients with primary gastric mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma (Ann Arbor stages I to IV) were enrolled. All had upper gastric endoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, CT and H pylori status assessment (histology and serology). After anti-H pylori treatment and initial chemotherapy, patients were re-examined every 4 mo. RESULTS Histological regression of the lymphoma was complete in 22/34 (64.7%) and partial in 9 (26.5%) patients. Median follow up time for these 31 responders was 60 mo (range 48-120). No regression was noted in 3 patients. Among the 25 (73.5%) H pylori positive patients, the eradication rate was 100%. CONCLUSION Using univariate analysis, predictive factors for overall survival were international prognostic index (IPI) score, hemoglobin level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and platelet numbers (P < 0.005). In addition to this, Cox proportion hazard model differentiate IPI score, ESR, and platelets as predictors of survival.
The Impact of Brand Image on Consumer Behavior: A Literature Review

The concept “brand image” has drawn significant attention from academics and practitioners since it was put forward, because it played an important role in marketing activities. Although brand image was recognized as the driving force of brand asset and brand performance, few studies have elaborated on the relationship between brand image and brand equity. Based on the brand image theories, this study reviewed extant studies about the impact of brand image on consumer from perspective of customer equity. It also presented the shortcomings of current research and pointed out the trends for future study.
ECT Seizure Duration: Database Information

Aim: In this naturalistic study the aim was to examine the impact on seizure duration of stimulus intensity, previous treatments (during the first course of ECT), age, gender, and electrode placement. Method: The database of the ECT Service of the Royal Hobart Hospital was examined for the 15 years ending in 2010. First courses of ECT were identified in which the stimulus intensity was not altered and at least 5 treatments were provided. Seizure duration was determined by cessation of clonic movements. Result: 383 patients (164 males) met selection criteria. A multiple regression analysis revealed that previous treatments, age, gender, and electrode placement had non-significant regression coefficient on the seizure length. The stimulus intensity, however, showed significant regression coefficient (-.267, p <.001), indicating that higher stimulus intensity induced shorter seizure duration. Conclusion: It was suggested that electrode placement and the number of treatments had negligible influence on seizure duration, while high stimulus intensity reduced seizure duration. If fixed high dose ECT is being provided, and there is concern due to the brevity of seizures, rather than taking steps to increase the output of the machine, a modest reduction of dose (perhaps to < 428.4 mC, or < 85% of machine output) may increase seizure duration (German J Psychiatry 2011; 14: 35–39).
Pseudomonas costantinii sp. nov., another causal agent of brown blotch disease, isolated from cultivated mushroom sporophores in Finland.

Pathogenic bacteria are frequently associated with mushroom sporophores exhibiting brown blotch disease symptoms. These bacteria belong mainly to Pseudomonas tolaasii or occasionally to 'Pseudomonas reactans'. Although a group of isolates originating from some Finnish mushroom farms satisfied the two characteristic criteria for diagnosis of infection with P. tolaasii (i.e. yielding a typical brown blotch symptom on Agaricus bisporus sporophores and producing a typical white line in agar when streaked towards the 'P. reactans' LMG 5329 inducing strain), results based on numerical taxonomy, siderotyping, DNA-DNA hybridizations and 16S rDNA phylogenetic analyses supported the view that these isolates constituted a novel species within the genus Pseudomonas, Pseudomonas costantinii. The type strain is PS 3a(T) (= CFBP 5705(T) = HAMBI 2444(T)).
MECP2 duplication in a patient with congenital central hypoventilation

MECP2 Duplication in a Patient With Congenital Central Hypoventilation Elga F. Belligni, Rodger W. Palmer, and Raoul C.M. Hennekam* Department of Pediatrics, University of Torino, Torino, Italy Department of Clinical Genetics, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK Regional Cytogenetics Laboratory, North East London Regional Genetics Service, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK Clinical and Molecular Genetics Unit, Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, UK and Department of Pediatrics, Academic Medical Center, UVA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Tubulin acetylation promoting potency and absorption efficacy of deacetylase inhibitors

Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) and silent information regulator 2 (SIRT2) control the dynamics of the microtubule network via their deacetylase activities. Tubulin polymerization promoting protein (TPPP/p25) enhances microtubule acetylation by its direct binding to HDAC6. Our objective was to characterize the multiple interactions of the deacetylases and to establish the inhibitory potency and the pharmacokinetic features of the deacetylase inhibitors, trichostatin A (TSA) and AGK2.
Aero-Optic Measurements Using a Laser-Induced Air Breakdown Beacon (PrePrint)

Abstract : An experimental investigation into the optical behavior of a laser-induced air breakdown spark is described. The investigation concentrates on qualities of the air-breakdown spark, particularly the non-point-source character of the spark, that have a critical influence on the accuracy with which aero-optic aberration can be measured using the return light from the spark. Data are presented that show that the spark dimensions conform to established physical models, and baseline spark wavefront noise figures are presented as a function of the optical system parameters. Wavefront measurements are shown that indicate that a well-designed beacon system should be capable of accurately measuring aero-optic aberration created by realistic compressible shear-layer flows.
Effects of UV-, Visible-, Near-Infrared Beams in Three Therapy Resistance Case Studies of Fungal Skin Infections

Fungal and bacterial diseases, directly infecting various parts of body, have received much attention in recent years. Bacterial infections, such as Tinea Pedis, Pityriasis versicolor and Mycetoma can secondarily occur in superficial fungal damaged skin. They often occur in immune compromised individuals including diabetics and patients with peripheral arterial diseases. Mycetoma infections can travel through the bloodstream affecting different organs. In this paper, we investigate the photo-inactivation of the pathogens causing Tinea Pedis, Pityriasis versicolor, and Mycetoma infections in three therapy resistant patients without photosensitizing drugs. We have used a combination of visible to near-infrared (VIS/NIR) laser beams in association with blue (B), red (R) and ultra-violet (UV) light emitted diodes (LEDs) with incident doses of 0.63 - 21.43 J/cm 2 . These beams have minimum side effects on the normal part of the skin. According to the physicians’ assessments, all case study patients achieved an observable progress such as decreases in inflammatory lesions, rapid process of wound healing and scars improvements. Side effects such as inflammation, crusting, or hypopigmentation were not observed. The presented irradiation protocol may be a valuable complementary treatment for patients suffering from fungal and bacterial skin infections.
Decision support for supply chain planning under uncertainty

In order to support decision making, this article investigates the planning process of a production unit within a supply chain. The aim is to satisfy the customer demand while respecting the internal constraints of the production unit and those of its supply chain partners. In that purpose, we suggest a mixed-integer linear programming model which is embedded in a dynamic procedure simulating a rolling horizon planning process. A special attention is given to the temporal features of the production unit and of its suppliers (cycle times, anticipation delays) as well as those of the planning process itself (planning horizon, frozen horizons, planning periodicity). Moreover, the proposed framework takes into account flexible demands and to evaluate different planning strategies to face with these flexible demands. Finally, a numerical example highlighting the interest of our approach is given.
KERATOACANTHOMA ARISING AFTER AN ARTHROPOD STING

To the Editor: Rastas et al. highlight an important point, well described but less well recognized in clinical practice. Their study demonstrates the practical implications of acting upon blood pressure (BP) values and provides more insights into the effect on the very old. Their conclusion seems to concur more or less with a recent study by Mant et al. in the United Kingdom questioning the applicability to primary care of national clinical guidelines on BP lowering based on the Protection Against Recurrent Stroke Study (PROGRESS) in the U.K. elderly stroke population. They suggested that patients in the community were 12 years older than participants in the PROGRESS trial, on the basis of which many national guidelines are based, and called urgently for more research in appropriate populations before the international guidelines are implemented in primary care. However, the choice of therapy is relevant and could well be applicable to the very old. As an illustrative example, a substudy of the Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertension (LIFE) conservatively projected that hypertension and electrocardiograph-diagnosed left ventricular hypertrophy affect an estimated 7.8 million individuals aged 55 to 80 in the European Union, and it was anticipated that the use of a losartan-based antihypertensive treatment in this population would prevent approximately 125,000 first strokes over a 5.5-year period. The observation that, among those in the LIFE study, these high-risk hypertensive patients had higher rates of stroke than those who remained in sinus rhythm indicated the importance of preventing new-onset atrial fibrillation in such patients, yet more interesting was the observation that there were fewer composite end points (hazard ratio (HR) 5 0.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5 0.38–0.94, P 5.03) and strokes (HR 5 0.49, 95% CI 5 0.29–0.86, P 5.01) in patients who developed new-onset atrial fibrillation in the losartan arm than in the atenolol treatment arm of the study. Similar results were also demonstrated in the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial Study. Thus, the recent recognition of the importance of the shift from electrical to structural therapy for targeting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is gaining further momentum. Therefore, it is crucial to analyze the results based on the type of therapy in this select group of patients. The prothrombotic state in hypertension can be reversed to a reasonable extent, depending on the antihypertensive agent used to treat high BP due to the effects of these medications in addition to their actions of lowering BP, and this will also be relevant in older people.
Treatment adherence in cognitive processing therapy for combat-related PTSD with history of mild TBI.

OBJECTIVE This retrospective study examined treatment adherence in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) with and without history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). METHOD Medical record review of consecutive referrals to an outpatient PTSD clinic identified veterans diagnosed with combat-related PTSD who began treatment with CPT. The sample (N = 136) was grouped according to positive (n = 44) and negative (n = 92) mTBI history. Groups were compared in terms of presenting symptoms and treatment adherence. RESULTS The groups were not different on a pretreatment measure of depression, but self-reported and clinician-rated PTSD symptoms were higher in veterans with history of mTBI. The treatment completion rate was greater than 61% in both groups. The number of sessions attended averaged 9.6 for the PTSD group and 7.9 for the mTBI/PTSD group (p = .05). IMPLICATIONS Given the lack of marked group differences in treatment adherence, these initial findings suggest that standard CPT for PTSD may be a tolerable treatment for OEF/OIF veterans with a history of PTSD and mTBI as well as veterans with PTSD alone.
Clinical observation of three dimensional conformal radiotherapy with tamoxifen in treatment of postoperative malignant glioma.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of three dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) with tamoxifen in treating patients with postoperative malignant glioma. PATIENTS AND METHODS 60 patients of postoperative malignant glioma were randomly assigned into two groups, 30 patients were treated with 3D-CRT plus tamoxifen (treatment group), and the other 30 patients with 3D-CRT plus temozolomide (control group). All patients were radiated by 6MV X-ray, 2.0 Gy per fraction, once daily, with a total dose (DT) of 56~60 Gy. Tamoxifen was delivered at 60 mg /m2/d, temozolomide was given at 75 mg/m2/d. All patients were treated with concurrent radiotherapy. RESULTS One, 2, 3 year survival rates of treatment and control group were 63.3%, 30.0%, 23.0% and 70.0%, 33.3%, 26.7%, respectively (χ2=0.01, 0.23, 0.09, P>0.05). The rate of thromboembolism in treatment group was 6.7%. CONCLUSION Therapeutic efficacy of two groups was similar, but it was more cost- effective in treatment group, and toxicity did not increase.
Efficacy of milnacipran on poststroke depression on inpatient rehabilitation

Abstract Post‐stroke depression (PSD) has a negative impact on rehabilitation following stroke. No satisfactory antidepressant treatment for PSD has yet been developed. The present study examined the effect of milnacipran, a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, on PSD patients. Eleven PSD patients taking milnacipran in a rehabilitation hospital were compared to age‐matched, sex‐matched, and severity of depression at admission‐matched PSD patients hospitalized during 2001 who did not take any antidepressant as historical control. Severity of depression was measured using self‐rating depression scale for depression (SDS) assessed at admission and discharge after 3 months inpatient rehabilitation. Activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL) were measured, respectively, by the functional independence measure (FIM) and a self‐completed questionnaire for QOL (QUIK) as outcomes of rehabilitation. For the SDS score, the group taking milnacipran showed significant improvement compared to the control group in our study. FIM was improved in both groups. In the end QUIK did not change significantly in either group. We found no major side‐effects of milnacipran among the patients. These results suggest that milnacipran is a safe and effective treatment for PSD for inpatients undergoing rehabilitation.
Differences in Physician Referral Drive Disparities in Surgical Intervention for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective:To determine whether sociodemographic and geographic factors are associated with referral for surgery and receipt of recommended surgical intervention. Background:Surgical interventions confer survival advantages compared with palliative therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but disparities exist in use of surgical intervention. Few have investigated referral for surgery as a potential barrier to surgical intervention, and little is known about the effects of patient geographic factors, including proximity to surgical centers. Methods:Data were abstracted from the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry for patients with a diagnosis of HCC from 2006 to 2011. Using hospital procedure volume data from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council, we calculated proximity to a surgical center. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine whether geographic, racial, socioeconomic, and clinical factors were associated with referral for surgery and receipt of a recommended surgical intervention. Results:Of 3576 patients with HCC, 41.0% were referred for surgery. Patients who lived closer to a surgical center were less likely to be referred for surgery (adjusted odds ratio = 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.68–0.92). Surgical referral was less likely among older, male patients with Medicaid insurance and advanced tumor stage at diagnosis. Of those referred, 1276 (87.0%) underwent surgical intervention. Proximity to a surgical center was not associated with receipt of surgical intervention (P = 0.27). Patients with distant tumor stage at diagnosis were less likely to receive recommended surgical intervention (adjusted odds ratio = 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.15–0.50). Conclusions:Geographic and sociodemographic disparities in referral for surgery may be major barriers to surgical intervention for patients with HCC.
Expression of superoxide dismutase in whole lens prevents cataract formation.

PURPOSE Oxidative damage is a major factor causing cataracts, which account for almost half of human blindness cases worldwide. In this study, we wished to determine if overexpression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in intact lenses could prevent cataract formation induced by oxidative stress. METHODS Fresh, intact lenses from 6-week-old male/female Sprague Dawley rats were incubated with plasmid DNA encoding the human SOD1 (Cu/Zn-SOD) gene at 37 degrees C in a CO2 cell culture chamber with 95% air and 5% CO2. SOD1 expression was determined by western blotting and SOD enzyme activity. Lenses with or without overexpression of SOD1 were treated with H2O2 and cataract formation was examined. SOD1 regulation of protein kinase Cgamma (PKCgamma) was determined by PKCgamma enzyme activity assay. Intact lens gap junctions were determined by dye transfer assay. RESULTS In the lens overexpression system, SOD1 cDNA was fused to EYFP to generate EYFP:SOD1 fusion proteins which allow detection from endogenous SOD1. Incubation of intact lenses with plasmid DNA produced EYFP:SOD1 fusion proteins as determined by western blot using anti-GFP or anti-SOD1 antibodies. This caused significant increases in SOD enzyme activity. Data indicated that SOD1 plasmid DNA can be expressed as a functional enzyme in intact lenses in culture. Lenses overexpressing SOD1 remained clear after H2O2 treatment at 100 muM for 24 h, similar to control. Overexpression of SOD1 diminished the effect of H2O2 on PKCgamma activation and subsequent inhibition of gap junctions, indicating that overexpression of SOD1 may reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and this would prevent the normal H2O2 effect on cataract formation. CONCLUSIONS Overexpression of SOD1 in whole lens prevents H2O2-induced oxidative damage (cataract formation) to the lens and subsequent control of gap junctions by protein kinase Cgamma.
Effects of Catecholamines and Atropine on Cardiovascular Response to Exercise in the Dog

The manner in which the administration of epinephrine, norepinephrine, isoproterenol, and atrophic modifies the cardiovascular response to exercise has been studied in 12 dogs. In control observations, exercise increased the cardiac output by 116 per cent, the heart rate by 102 per cent, and the stroke volume by 8 per cent. When epinephrine was infused during identical exercise, the cardiac output was similar; however, the stroke volume was increased by 50 per cent. During infusion of norepinephrine, the cardiac output was reduced by 11 per cent compared with that during control exercise, and the stroke volume was increased by 25 per cent. With isoproterenol, the cardiac output exceeded that during control exercise, but the stroke volume was unchanged. Prior to administration of atropine, the cardiac output at rest averaged 4.2 L. per minute. After injection of atropine, the cardiac output averaged 3.7 L. per minute, the heart rate increased from 121 to 249 beats per minute, and the stroke volume decreased from 35 to 15 ml. Before atropinization, the cardiac output, heart rate, and stroke volume during exercise were increased by 95, . 90, and 2 per cent over the resting values; after atropinization, the corresponding increases were 110, 7, and 100 per cent. Thus, while cardiac output during exercise normally is regulated mainly by changes in the heart rate, the stroke volume may make a major contribution under other circumstances.
Government Spending Multipliers Under the Zero Lower Bound: Evidence from Japan

Using a rich dataset on government spending forecasts in Japan, we provide new evidence on the effects of unexpected changes in government spending when the nominal interest rate is near the zero lower bound (ZLB). The on-impact output multiplier is 1.5 in the ZLB period and 0.6 outside of it. We estimate that government spending shocks increase both private consumption and investment during the ZLB period, but crowd them out in the normal period. There is evidence that expected inflation increases more in the ZLB period than in the normal period. (JEL E21, E22, E23, E31, E43, E52, E62)