Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Overview of the Postulated Mechanisms Linking Cancer and Thrombosis

Blood coagulation appears to play an important role in the occurrence of cancer and its effects may be twofold. First, in patients with cancer, blood coagulation is activated in the direction of a prothrombotic state. Second, a procoagulant environment may promote cancer in different ways. In this chapter we discuss some of the mechanisms that may be involved in this interplay between coagulation and cancer. Blood coagulation proteins interact with cells in the vasculature to maintain hemostasis. However, many proteins that are involved in coagulation and anticoagulation, as well as fibrinolysis, are also found in extravascular tissues. In different organs, these proteins may be involved in cell-signaling mechanisms, through interaction with cell receptors like protease-activated receptors (PARs). Such interactions may drive inflammation, angiogenesis and cell proliferation. The potential procarcinogenic actions of proteases like thrombin may be counteracted by the anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory actions of the protein C-thrombomodulin mechanism. In the blood of cancer patients, the balance is usually shifted towards a procoagulant direction. The resulting excess thrombin- and fibrin-forming activity promotes venous thrombosis and may in the extravascular compartment stimulate cancer progression. The activation of platelets and their interaction with leukocytes may propagate this process. In addition to the therapeutic modulation of the prothrombotic environment, the induction of specific anticoagulant proteins including thrombomodulin may have effects on tumor growth or dissemination, but the nature of these effects still remains hard to predict. The interplay between cancer and blood coagulation merits further experimental and clinical research.
Functional Inhibitory Cross-talk between Constitutive Androstane Receptor and Hepatic Nuclear Factor-4 in Hepatic Lipid/Glucose Metabolism Is Mediated by Competition for Binding to the DR1 Motif and to the Common Coactivators, GRIP-1 and PGC-1α*

The role of the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) in xenobiotic metabolism by inducing expression of cytochromes P450 is well known, but CAR has also been implicated in the down-regulation of key genes involved in bile acid synthesis, gluconeogenesis, and fatty acid β-oxidation by largely unknown mechanisms. Because a key hepatic factor, hepatic nuclear factor-4 (HNF-4), is crucial for the expression of many of these genes, we examined whether CAR could suppress HNF-4 transactivation. Expression of CAR inhibited HNF-4 transactivation of CYP7A1, a key gene in bile acid synthesis, in HepG2 cells, and mutation of the DNA binding domain of CAR impaired this inhibition. Gel shift assays revealed that CAR competes with HNF-4 for binding to the DR1 motif in the CYP7A1 promoter. TCPOBOP, a CAR agonist that increases the interaction of CAR with coactivators, potentiated CAR inhibition of HNF-4 transactivation. Furthermore, inhibition by CAR was reversed by expression of increasing amounts of GRIP-1 or PGC-1α, indicating that CAR competes with HNF-4 for these coactivators. Treatment of mice with phenobarbital or TCPOBOP resulted in decreased hepatic mRNA levels of the reported genes down-regulated by CAR, including Cyp7a1 and Pepck. In vivo recruitment of endogenous CAR to the promoters of Cyp7a1 and Pepck was detected in mouse liver after phenobarbital treatment, whereas association of HNF-4 and coactivators, GRIP-1, p300, and PGC-1α, with these promoters was significantly decreased. Our data suggest that CAR inhibits HNF-4 activity by competing with HNF-4 for binding to the DR1 motif and to the common coactivators, GRIP-1 and PGC-1α, which may be a general mechanism by which CAR down-regulates key genes in hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism.
Uterine rupture, perioperative and perinatal morbidity after single-layer and double-layer closure at cesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to evaluate the risks and benefits of single-layer uterine closure at cesarean delivery on the index and subsequent pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective study of women delivered of their first live-born infants by primary low transverse cesarean delivery (1989-2001) and their subsequent pregnancy at our institution was performed. RESULTS Of 768 women studied, 267 had single-layer and 501 had double-layer uterine closures in the index pregnancy. Single-layer closure was associated with slightly decreased blood loss (646 vs 690 mL, P<.01), operative time (46 vs 52 minutes, P<.001), endometritis (13.5% vs 25.5%, P<.001), and postoperative stay (3.5 vs 4.1 days, P<.001). In the second pregnancy, prior single-layer closure was not associated with uterine rupture after a trial of labor (0% vs 1.2%, P=.30), or other maternal or infant morbidities. Prior single-layer closure was associated with increased uterine windows (3.5% vs 0.7%, P=.046) at subsequent cesarean delivery. CONCLUSION Single-layer uterine closure is associated with decreased infectious morbidity in the index surgery, but not uterine rupture or other adverse outcomes in the subsequent gestation.
The analysis of electron fluxes at geosynchronous orbit employing a NARMAX approach

The methodology based on the Error Reduction Ratio (ERR) determines the causal relationship between the input and output for a wide class of nonlinear systems. In the present study, ERR is used to identify the most important solar wind parameters, which control the fluxes of energetic electrons at geosynchronous orbit. The results show that for lower energies, the fluxes are indeed controlled by the solar wind velocity, as was assumed before. For the lowest energy range studied here (24.1 keV), the solar wind velocity of the current day is the most important control parameter for the current day's electron flux. As the energy increases, the solar wind velocity of the previous day becomes the most important factor. For the higher energy electrons (around 1 MeV), the solar wind velocity registered 2 days in the past is the most important controlling parameter. Such a dependence can, perhaps, be explained by either local acceleration processes due to the interaction with plasma waves or by radial diffusion if lower energy electrons possess higher mobility. However, in the case of even higher energies (2.0 MeV), the solar wind density replaces the velocity as the key control parameter. Such a dependence could be a result of solar wind density influence on the dynamics of various waves and pulsations that affect acceleration and loss of relativistic electrons. The study also shows that statistically the variations of daily high energy electron fluxes show little dependence on the daily averaged Bz, daily time duration of the southward IMF, and daily integral ∫Bsdt (where Bs is the southward component of IMF).
Acquisition and Colonization Stability of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis in Children

ABSTRACT The presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis has been shown to be a risk factor for periodontitis in adults, andActinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans has been implicated as a pathogen in early-onset periodontitis. Both species have been shown to establish stable colonization in adults. In cross-sectional studies, both A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalishave been detected in over one-third of apparently healthy children. Information on the stability of colonization with these organisms in children could help to elucidate the natural history of the development of periodontitis. For this purpose, samples previously collected from a cohort of 222 children between the ages of 0 and 18 years and previously examined for the presence of P. gingivalis with a PCR-based assay were examined for the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans. It was detected in 48% of subjects and, like P. gingivalis, was found at similar frequencies among children of all ages (P = 0.53), suggesting very early initial acquisition. One hundred one of the original subjects were recalled after 1 to 3 years to determine the continuing presence of both A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis. The prevalence of both species remained unchanged at resampling. However, in most children both species appeared to colonize only transiently, with random concordance between the results of the first and second sampling. Stability of colonization was unrelated to age for A. actinomycetemcomitans, but P. gingivalis was more stable in the late teenage years.
Individual trust and development of online business communities

Purpose – This paper seeks to examine the notion of trust as an enabler or restrictor to online engagement. The purpose of the inquiry is to improve knowledge acquisition within small businesses (SMEs) through engagement in an online network.Design/methodology/approach – The paper explains the outcomes from a three‐year long Action Research (AR) study into online participation utilising a purpose built Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based networking tool.Findings – The paper finds that the overall notion of trust is deconstructed into component conditions, which are shown to represent conflicting priorities for individuals. These components are reconstructed to form a model that illustrates how trust needs to develop at the level of the individual for an online community to be formed. The paper provides an insight into the complexities of socio‐technological engagements in an online environment.Research limitations/implications – The paper shows that the proposed model is context‐specific .
Characterization of the receptors and mechanisms involved in the cardiovascular actions of sCCK‐8 in the pithed rat

1 The cardiovascular actions of cholecystokinin and related peptides were investigated in the pithed rat. The receptors and the mechanisms involved in these experiments were characterized. 2 Sulphated cholecystokinin octapeptide (sCCK‐8, 0.1–100 nmol kg−1, i.v.) elicited a dose‐dependent bradycardia and increase in mean arterial blood pressure. Neither gastrin‐17 nor pentagastrin had any effect at concentrations up to 100 nmol kg−1. 3 Both the pressor response and bradycardia elicited by sCCK‐8 were reduced by the selective CCKA receptor antagonists, devazepide (0.5–50 nmol kg−1) and lorglumide (1–7 μmol kg−1). The selective CCKB receptor antagonists, CI‐988 (1 μmol kg−1) and L‐365,260 (15 μmol kg−1) did not inhibit the effects of sCCK‐8. 4 The pressor response induced with sCCK‐8 was reduced by treatment with either phentolamine (3 μmol kg−1) or guanethidine (2 μmol kg−1) and was unaffected by treatment with propranolol, atropine or hexamethonium. The pressor response also persisted following bilateral adrenalectomy. 5 The bradycardia induced with sCCK‐8 was unaffected by treatment with phentolamine, propranolol, guanethidine, atropine, hexamethonium or bilateral adrenalectomy. 6 The tetrapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK‐4) elicited a dose‐dependent pressor response but did not induce bradycardia. The pressor response was unaffected by devazepide (50 nmol kg−1), L‐365260 (15 μmol kg−1) or phentolamine (3 μmol kg−1). 7 In the pithed rat, sCCK‐8 acted via CCKA receptors to increase arterial blood pressure indirectly, at least in part, through activation of α‐adrenoceptors. The observed bradycardia was also mediated by CCKA receptors but possibly through a direct action on the heart.
How Do Investors Judge the Risk of Financial Items?

This paper proposes and tests a new risk model that explains how investors perceive financial risks. The model combines conventional decision theory variables - probabilities and outcomes - with variables from psychology research by Slovic (1987). The latter includes variables such as the extent to which a risky item is new, causes worry, and is controllable. To test our model, we conduct two studies in which financial statement users judge the risk of a broad range of financial items. Our results indicate that both decision theory and Slovic variables are important in explaining investors' risk judgments. Further, we demonstrate that loss outcome information contained in mandated risk disclosures not only directly influences investors' risk judgments but also indirectly affects such judgments via its effect on select Slovic variables. These results provide new theoretical insights that should be useful to accounting and psychology researchers studying how people judge risk. Our results also imply that to fully understand the effects of current and future accounting risk disclosures, managers and regulators must consider the effects of these disclosures on decision theory and Slovic variables.
Transiting exoplanets from the CoRoT space mission - XXIV. CoRoT-25b and CoRoT-26b: two low-density giant planets

We report the discovery of two transiting exoplanets, CoRoT-25b and CoRoT-26b, both of low density, one of which is in the Saturn mass-regime. For each star, ground-based complementary observations through optical photometry and radial velocity measurements secured the planetary nature of the transiting body and allowed us to fully characterize them. For CoRoT-25b we found a planetary mass of 0.27 similar to 0.04 M-Jup, a radius of 1.08(-0.10)(+0.3) R-Jup and hence a mean density of 0.15(-0.06)(+ 0.15) g cm(-3). The planet orbits an F9 mainsequence star in a 4.86-day period, that has a V magnitude of 15.0, solar metallicity, and an age of 4.5(-2.0) (+1.8)-Gyr. CoRoT-26b orbits a slightly evolved G5 star of 9.06 +/- 1.5-Gyr age in a 4.20-day period that has solar metallicity and a V magnitude of 15.8. With a mass of 0.52 +/- 0.05 MJup, a radius of 1.26(-0.07)(+0.13) R-Jup, and a mean density of 0.28(-0.07)(+0.09) g cm(-3), it belongs to the low-mass hot-Jupiter population. Planetary evolution models allowed us to estimate a core mass of a few tens of Earth mass for the two planets with heavy-element mass fractions of 0.52(-0.15)(+0.08) and 0.26(-0.08)(+0.05), respectively, assuming that a small fraction of the incoming flux is dissipated at the center of the planet. In addition, these models indicate that CoRoT-26b is anomalously large compared with what standard models could account for, indicating that dissipation from stellar heating could cause this size.
Molecular analysis of HLA class II associations with hepatitis B virus clearance and vaccine nonresponsiveness

Clearance of acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with a vigorous CD4+ T‐cell response focusing on the core protein. HLA class II glycoproteins present viral peptides to CD4+ T cells and influence the immune responses. HLA‐DRB1*1301/2 have been associated with viral clearance, and HLA‐DRB1*0301 is associated with nonresponse to vaccination with envelope proteins. Binding affinities of overlapping peptides covering the core and envelope proteins of HBV were measured to HLA glycoproteins encoded by HLA‐DRA1*0101,‐DRB1*0101 (HLA‐DR1), HLA‐DRA1*0101,‐DRB1*0301 (HLA‐DR3), HLA‐DRA1*0101,‐DRB1*0701 (HLA‐DR7) and HLA‐DRA1*0101,‐DRB1*1301 (HLA‐DR13) molecules and compared with published peptide‐specific CD4+ T‐cell responses. There are more high‐affinity ligands (IC50 < 1 μmol/L) derived from the core protein than the surface antigen (P < .04 for HLA‐DR1/7/13), but there was no increase in the number or the affinity of ligands for HLA‐DR13. Clusters of particular core peptides bound to multiple HLA types, explaining the immunodominance of these regions for T‐cell responses. Within the envelope protein, the low‐affinity ligands (IC50 < 10 μmol/L) are found mainly in the surface antigen, with a marked paucity of ligands for HLA‐DR3 (HLA‐DR3 vs. non‐DR3; P < .05) consistent with the lower vaccination responses for this HLA type. Of all peptides tested, 8 to 10 bound mainly to one HLA type, allowing a substantially greater breadth of response in heterozygotes. In conclusion, these data offer a mechanistic explanation for the dominant response to the HBV core protein during infection and support the direct involvement of the HLA‐DRB1 gene in vaccine nonresponsiveness but not altered susceptibility to viral persistence. (HEPATOLOGY 2005;41:1383–1390.)
Comparative sequence analysis of 5·8S rRNA genes and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of trichomonadid protozoa

The taxonomic situation in the genus Tritrichomonas is the subject of controversial discussion: potentially T. foetus and T. suis, the tritrichomonads from cattle and swine, respectively, could belong to the same species. In order to shed some light on this question, a molecular biological analysis was performed. The 5·8S rRNA gene and the flanking internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1 and ITS2) of 12 different isolates of 3 Tritrichomonas species T. foetus, T. suis and T. mobilensis were enzymatically amplified by PCR and subcloned. Also, the corresponding regions of the trichomonads Trichomonas vaginalis, T. tenax, T. gallinae and Pentatrichomonas hominis were included in this study. Sequence analysis of cloned fragments was used to compare the parasite isolates. The genus Tritrichomonas exhibited an extremely high degree of homogeneity. All T. foetus and T. suis isolates had identical sequences, and only 1 substitution was found in the ITS2 region of T. mobilensis. In contrast, the genus Trichomonas shared more diversity. The results obtained in this study support a possible future revision of the taxonomic classification of tritrichomonads.
Adverse Reactions to Radiopharmaceuticals in France

Background: Radiopharmaceuticals are regarded as safe by the nuclear medicine community, but up to now, no survey has been conducted with from the perspective of pharmacovigilance. Objective: To describe the adverse reactions to radiopharmaceuticals (ARRPs) reported to the French Pharmacovigilance Database (FPVD). Methods: We selected and described all reports encompassing at least one radiopharmaceutical in the FPVD. The annual incidence of reported ARRPs used in diagnosis was also estimated. Results: From 1989 to 2013, 304 reports of ARRPs were identified (43.0% serious, 12 deaths) in 54.6% women and 45.4% men; the median age was 58 years. Five therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals (131I-sodium iodide, 131I-lipiodol, 89Sr-chloride, 153Sm-lexidronam, and 90Y-ibritumomab-tiuxetan) were involved in 48 reports (97 adverse reactions: 86.6% serious, 9 deaths). Pulmonary disorders represented 44.3% of ARRPs used for therapy, mainly related to 131I-lipiodol. There were 34 diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals involved in 256 reports (451 adverse reactions: 38.1% serious, 3 deaths); 8 diagnostic products (99mTc-oxidronate, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose, 99mTc-tin pyrophosphate, 99mTc-tetrofosmin, 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid, 201Tl-chloride, 99mTc-sestamibi, and 111In-pentetate) accounted for two-thirds of ARRPs. The most frequent adverse reactions were skin (34.4%), general (18.2%), nervous (9.0%), and gastrointestinal disorders (7.0%). There were 25 cases of altered images and 10 medication errors. The annual incidence of reported adverse reactions ranged from 1.2 × 10−5 to 3.4 × 10−5 diagnostic administrations. Conclusions: Reported ARRPs occurred rarely and were more serious in the therapeutic than in the diagnostic field. The notification of ARRPs was able to provide new guidance for safe use, as was the case for 131I-lipiodol. Therefore, it is important to report ARRPs to a pharmacovigilance system.
Assessment of Lead Intakes and Dose-response for a Population in Ayr Exposed to a Plumbosolvent Water Supply

1 Dietary lead intakes, blood lead concentrations and water lead concentrations were measured and their relationships investigated for 31 adults and 11 infants living in dwellings in Ayr with lead plumbing. 2 For adults, some lead intakes were found to be higher than the provisional tolerable weekly intake for lead, and for infants most of the intakes were high. 3 A cube root relationship fitted the data on blood lead versus water lead better than a linear relationship. Similarly, blood lead varied with the cube root of weekly dietary lead intake. 4 These cube root equations provided a means of estimating the impact on blood lead concentrations of exposure to lead from food and water. If cube root relationships correctly describe the association between these parameters, then the curve fitted to the results for adults indicates that the contribution to the blood lead concentrations from sources other than the diet and water was relatively small.
Development of the instructional model by integrating information literacy in the class learning and teaching processes

This study was aimed at developing an instructional model by integrating information literacy in the instructional process of general education courses at an undergraduate level. The research query, “What is the teaching methodology that integrates information literacy in the instructional process of general education courses at an undergraduate level? ” was set with an aim to develop the teaching methodology that integrates information literacy in general education courses of undergraduate curricula. The research method was based on quasi-experimental design and a non-randomized control group pretest-posttest design. The two general education courses under study included SWU 142 Sciences for the Development of Quality of Life and the Environment, and SWU 151 General Studies for Human Development . T he research was divided into 4 stages: (1) The teaching plan involving the outcomes of information literacy acquisition in general education courses was analyzed and written so that it integrated information literacy. (2) The knowledge and competency related to student information literacy were measured before and after the experiment using an information literacy proficiency test. (3) The teaching was conducted according to the teaching plan. (4) The case study reports by the students where information literacy skills were applied were evaluated by the teacher. The findings indicate that instruction which integrated information literacy of two general education courses comprised 8 components: learning outcomes, teaching method, learning activities, teachers’ roles, librarians’ roles, students’ roles, teaching media, and learning assessment and evaluation. The instruction that integrated information literacy involved seven steps: assignment of case studies, selection of case study topics, retrieval of related information, stipulation of teaching topics, self-access learning, research presentation, and evaluation of the case studies. The experiment on the developed teaching approach in courses SWU 142 and SWU 151 indicated that the experimental groups of both courses showed a higher level of information literacy and higher scores of group assignments after the experiment.