Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased expression of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 2 (CDKN2A) gene product P16 INK4A in ovarian cancer is associated with progression and unfavourable prognosis

Paraffin sections from 190 epithelial ovarian tumours, including 159 malignant and 31 benign epithelial tumours, were analysed immunohistochemically for expression of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 2 (CDKN2A) gene product p16INK4A (p16). Most benign tumours showed no p16 expression in the tumour cells, whereas only 11% of malignant cancers were p16 negative. A high proportion of p16‐positive tumour cells was associated with advanced stage and grade, and with poor prognosis in cancer patients. For FIGO stage 1 tumours, a high proportion of p16‐positive tumour cells was associated with poorer survival, suggesting that accumulation of p16 is an early event of ovarian tumorigenesis. In contrast to tumour cells, high expression of p16 in the surrounding stromal cells was not associated with the stage and grade, but was associated with longer survival. When all parameters were combined in multivariate analysis, high p16 expression in stromal cells was not an independent predictor for survival, indicating that low p16 expression in stromal cells is associated with other markers of tumour progression. High expression of p16 survival in the stromal cells of tumours from long‐term survivors suggests that tumour growth is limited to some extent by factors associated with p16 expression in the matrix. Int. J. Cancer 74:57–63. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Typical cerebral metabolic patterns in neurodegenerative brain diseases

The differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative brain diseases on clinical grounds is difficult, especially at an early disease stage. Several studies have found specific regional differences of brain metabolism applying [18F]‐fluoro‐deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET), suggesting that this method can assist in early differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative brain diseases.
Model Checking for Biological Systems : Languages , Algorithms , and Applications

Formal methods hold great promise in promoting further discovery and innovation for complicated biological systems. Models can be tested and adapted inexpensively in-silico to provide new insights. However, development of accurate and efficient modeling methodologies and analysis techniques is still an open challenge. This thesis proposal is focused on designing appropriate modeling formalisms and efficient analyzing algorithms for various biological systems in three different thrusts: • Modeling Formalisms: we have designed a multi-scale hybrid rule-based modeling formalism (MSHR) to depict intraand intercellular dynamics using discrete and continuous variables respectively. Its hybrid characteristic inherits advantages of logic and kinetic modeling approaches. • Formal Analyzing Algorithms: 1) we have developed a LTL model checking algorithm for Qualitative Networks (QNs). It considers the unique feature of QNs and combines it with over-approximation to compute decreasing sequences of reachability set, resulting in a more scalable method. 2) We have developed a formal analyzing method to handle probabilistic bounded reachability problems for two kinds of stochastic hybrid systems considering uncertainty parameters and probabilistic jumps. Compared to standard simulationbased methods, it supports non-deterministic branching, increases the coverage of simulation, and avoids the zero-crossing problem. 3) We are designing a new framework, where formal methods and machine learning techniques take joint efforts to automate the model design of biological systems. Within this framework, model checking can also be used as a (sub)model selection method. 4) We will propose a model checking technique for general stochastic hybrid systems (GSHSs) where, besides probabilistic transitions, stochastic differential equations are used to capture continuous dynamics. • Applications: To check the feasibility of our modeling language and algorithms, we have constructed and studied 1) Boolean network models of the signaling network within pancreatic cancer cells, 2) QN models describing cellular interactions during skin cells’ differentiation, 3) a MSHR model of the pancreatic cancer micro-environment, 4) a hybrid automaton of our light-aided bacteria-killing process, 5) extended stochastic hybrid models for atrial fibrillation, prostate cancer treatment, and our bacteria-killing process, and 6) a GSHS model depicting population changes of different species within the algae-fishbird freshwater ecosystem considering distinct doses of estrogen injected.
Expression of CD1d in the Duodenum of Patients with Cow's Milk Hypersensitivity

CD1 cell surface glycoproteins represent a family of non‐major histocompatibility complex (MHC) encoded antigen‐presenting molecules. All members of the CD1 family appear to mediate the recognition of microbial or endogenous lipid and glycolipid antigens. The recognition of CD1d by a unique subset of natural killer (NK) T cells that leads to rapid production of large amounts of both type 1 and type 2 cytokines can be augmented by some synthetic glycolipids. Because of the proposed role of such CD1d‐restricted T cells in immunoregulation, we hypothesized that CD1d molecules participate in mucosal immune responses in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms owing to food hypersensitivity. Patients of that category represent a heterogeneous group in which poorly defined immunological mechanisms are believed to contribute to disease pathogenesis. The expression of CD1 in duodenal biopsy samples from six patients with verified intolerance to cow's milk and six healthy controls was studied by immunoperoxidase staining of cryostat sections using a panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) specific for CD1a, b, c, and d. Large numbers of CD1d positive cells were found in the lamina propria of all the patients, both during the symptomatic and the asymptomatic periods, whereas healthy controls were virtually devoid of CD1d expression in the duodenum. The localization of CD1d positive cells corresponded to areas where B cells, plasma cells and dendritic cells (DC) were present. A positive correlation was found between the numbers of CD1d+ and CD19+ cells in the lamina propria. In contrast to previous reports, no CD1d expression was found on the epithelial cells. Although less numerous than CD1d+, the CD1c+ cells were also present in all the patients and in five out of six controls. No staining for CD1a or CD1b was detected in the duodenal biopsy samples from any of the subjects. The exclusive presence of CD1d in the duodenal lamina propria of the patients with cow's milk hypersensitivity might suggest the participation of these molecules in the pathogenesis of allergic reactions to food.
Influence of a Company's Social Initiatives on the Consumer Attitude Towards It: Results of Experimental Research

This article constitutes an attempt to answer the question whether social initiatives undertaken by a company influence the consumer attitude towards it. The afore-mentioned aim has been achieved by presenting the results of experimental research. Six scenarios of social initiatives undertaken by a food sector company were used in the research. Research work was conducted using a sample of real consumers. It was shown that information about undertaking a single social initiative by a company does not lead to a more favourable consumer attitude towards it. The results obtained show that when undertaking a social programme, which is not consistent with the company’s actions to date, the attitude towards it can even become worse.
Expression of interleukin‐8 receptors in the gestational tissues before and after initiation of labor: Immunohistochemical study

Background. Interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) has an essential role in the mechanism of parturition. IL‐8 induces its effect through specific cell binding receptors. The main purpose of this research was to elucidate the presence of IL‐8 receptors in the gestational tissues and their relation to parturition.
Bronchioloalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of CMV pneumonitis in lung transplant recipients: An immunocytochemical study

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonitis is a common opportunistic infection in lung transplant recipients. Its diagnosis usually rests on the identification of viral inclusions in lung parenchyma obtained by transbronchial biopsy, or by examination of the cytologic material obtained by bronchioloalveolar lavage (BAL). To determine whether the use of immunocytochemistry (ICC) increases the sensitivity of cytology in the diagnosis of CMV pneumonitis, we retrospectively selected 17 cases in which transbronchial biopsy and BAL were performed simultaneously, and had positive histology with negative cytology. Five negative controls were selected. The 22 slides were decolorized and restained with ICC for CMV. Of the 17 slides, nine (53%) showed cells with positive nuclear staining. All controls were negative. These results were then correlated with the number of infected cells present in the biopsy tissue, and the location of the cells (interstitial vs. intraalveolar). A good correlation was found between positive cytology and intraalveolar location of infected cells, and no correlation was seen between number of infected cells in the biopsy and the positive cytology. In summary, although histologic evaluation of lung parenchyma obtained by transbronchial biopsy is more sensitive for diagnosis of CMV pneumonitis, the sensitivity of the cytologic evaluation of BAL material can be increased by the use of ICC. The likelihood of positive ICC seems to be related to the presence of infected cells in the alveolar space rather than to the number of infected cells. Diagn. Cytopathol. 16:350–352, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Four-Quadrant Control of 4/2 Switched Reluctance Machines

The main challenge in designing a four-quadrant (4Q) speed control algorithm for a 4/2 switched reluctance machine (SRM) lies in the existence of “dead” torque zones where the machine's capability to produce torque is considerably reduced. This makes its startup challenging and has so far hindered its 4Q control. This paper provides a solution for the 4/2 SRM startup problem and uses it to enable its 4Q operation. The proposed control algorithm respects the varying average torque bounds and explicitly enforces the maximum phase current limit. A parametric, open-loop, average torque control scheme is derived and employed to ensure efficient production of torque required to track the desired speed reference. The effectiveness of the proposed solution is verified experimentally on a high-speed hardware setup.
Isolation of Temperature-Sensitive Membrane Mutants of Escherichia coli K-12

Mutants with impaired biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids or altered metabolism of the phospholipids were isolated at a rather high frequency from a set of temperature-sensitive lysis mutants. It is suggested that preselection for the lysis phenotype makes it possible to isolate several kinds of mutants affected in the integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane.
T cell infiltration into class II MHC-disparate allografts and acute rejection is dependent on the IFN-gamma-induced chemokine Mig.

Direct evidence that cytokines with chemoattractant properties for leukocytes, chemokines, recruit alloantigen-primed T cells into transplanted allografts has been lacking. We present evidence that neutralization of a single chemokine inhibits T cell infiltration into class II MHC-disparate murine allografts and acute rejection. The chemokines IFN-gamma-inducible protein-10 and monokine induced by IFN-gamma (Mig) are expressed in allogeneic skin grafts during the late stages of acute rejection. Survival of class II MHC-disparate B6.H-2bm12 allografts is prolonged from day 14 to day 55 posttransplant when C57BL/6 recipients are given a short course treatment with an antiserum to Mig. This treatment also inhibits T cell and macrophage infiltration into the allografts. B6.H-2bm12 allografts are also not rejected by IFN-gamma-/- C57BL/6 recipients. Injection of Mig directly into B6.H-2bm12 grafts on IFN-gamma-deficient recipients restores T cell infiltration and rejection. Therefore, the inability of IFN-gamma-deficient recipients to reject the class II MHC-disparate allografts is due to the lack of intraallograft Mig production and alloantigen-primed T cell recruitment to the graft. These results indicate for the first time the potential utility of chemokine neutralization strategies in preventing T cell infiltration into allografts and abrogating acute rejection.
Ten-year results of a three-arm prospective cohort study on implants in periodontally compromised patients. Part 1: implant loss and radiographic bone loss.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to compare the long-term outcomes of implants placed in patients treated for periodontitis periodontally compromised patients (PCP) and in periodontally healthy patients (PHP) in relation to adhesion to supportive periodontal therapy (SPT). MATERIAL AND METHODS One hundred and twelve partially edentulous patients were consecutively enrolled in private specialist practice and divided into three groups according to their initial periodontal condition: PHP, moderate PCP and severe PCP. Perio and implant treatment was carried out as needed. Solid screws (S), hollow screws (HS) and hollow cylinders (HC) were installed to support fixed prostheses, after successful completion of initial periodontal therapy (full-mouth plaque score <25% and full-mouth bleeding score <25%). At the end of treatment, patients were asked to follow an individualized SPT program. At 10 years, clinical measures and radiographic bone changes were recorded by two calibrated operators, blinded to the initial patient classification. RESULTS Eleven patients were lost to follow-up. During the period of observation, 18 implants were removed because of biological complications. The implant survival rate was 96.6%, 92.8% and 90% for all implants and 98%, 94.2% and 90% for S-implants only, respectively, for PHP, moderate PCP and severe PCP. The mean bone loss was 0.75 (+/- 0.88) mm in PHP, 1.14 (+/- 1.11) mm in moderate PCP and 0.98 (+/- 1.22) mm in severe PCP, without any statistically significant difference. The percentage of sites, with bone loss > or =3 mm, was, respectively, 4.7% for PHP, 11.2% for moderate PCP and 15.1% for severe PCP, with a statistically significant difference between PHP and severe PCP (P<0.05). Lack of adhesion to SPT was correlated with a higher incidence of bone loss and implant loss. CONCLUSION Patients with a history of periodontitis presented a lower survival rate and a statistically significantly higher number of sites with peri-implant bone loss. Furthermore, PCP, who did not completely adhere to the SPT, were found to present a higher implant failure rate. This underlines the value of the SPT in enhancing the long-term outcomes of implant therapy, particularly in subjects affected by periodontitis, in order to control reinfection and limit biological complications.
Emergency treatment of 16 patients with necrotizing fasciitis caused by Vibrio vulnificus infection complicated with septic shock

DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0366-6999.20140145 Department of Emergency Medicine (Hong GL, Wu B, Li BF, Zhao GJ and Lu ZQ), Department of Burns Surgery (Lu CJ), First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China Correspondence to: Lu Zhongqiu, Department of Emergency Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China (Tel: 86-577-55579410. Fax: 86577-55578033. Email: lzq640815@163.com, honggl98@126.com) This study was supported by the grants from the Key Construction Academic Subject of Zhejiang Province (No. 11-CX26) and Key Construction Academic Subject of Zhejiang Province (No. 2012-XKA28). Short communication
Predicting the risk of "permanent" nursing home residence: the role of community help as indicated by family helpers and prior living arrangements.

OBJECTIVE This study examines the difference between permanent and transitory residence in a nursing home with special emphasis on the extent to which the risk of a long nursing home stay is reduced by the availability of informal help in the community. DATA SOURCE Secondary data were used, taken from the National Long-Term Care Surveys of 1982 and 1984. The 1982 NLTCS samples disabled elderly living in the community. For these community dwellers, the 1984 NLTCS provides information on continued residence in the community and on their nursing home episodes between 1982 and 1984. METHOD OF ANALYSIS: The analysis is based on estimates from a multinomial logit regression with three explicit categories: persons with at least one long nursing home stay (n = 292), persons with only short stays (n = 227), and persons who died without ever having had a nursing home stay (n = 945). The implicit category: persons living in the community in 1984 without having had any nursing home stay (n = 3,368). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS This study demonstrates the systematic differences in the personal characteristics that predict the risk of long stays from those that predict short stays in a nursing home. Controlling for limitations in physical and cognitive functioning, the regression analysis shows that indicators of informal help in the community have a statistically significant and relatively large effect on the risk of long stays; but the effects of these indicators on the risk of short stays is numerically smaller and not statistically significant. Specifically, when the burden of caregiving is shared by a spouse and children, the risk of a long stay in a nursing home is reduced by 9.3 percentage points; in contrast, the risk is increased by 18 percentage points for childless elders who are living alone and by 45.8 percentage points for elders living with adults other than a spouse or children. CONCLUSION The relatively strong effects of family helpers and living arrangements on the risk of long nursing home stays confirm the hypothesis that, after controlling for the effects of physical and cognitive functioning, adequate help in the community reduces the risk of permanent nursing home residence. But help in the community has no effect on the risk of short nursing home episodes because these episodes are likely to be extensions of acute hospital care. The findings provide essential information for designing a long-term care program because they suggest the magnitudes of the effects that such a program can have on reducing the risk of permanent nursing home residence.
The Economic Performance of European Cities and City Regions: Myths and Realities

The ever-increasing concentration of people and economic growth in the largest cities relative to the rest of the country has slowed down or even reversed in many of the developed European countries over the last decade. This trend contradicts what the global cities, urban economics and new economic geography literature would predict. This trend can be interpreted from two points of view: (1) the trend is due to large obstacles to further large city urbanization and thus is inefficient or (2) this trend highlights alternative pathways to growth than the mega-city approach and may be as, if not more, efficient. This trend may be linked to Europe's uniquely polycentric urban structure with high number of small- and medium-sized cities. In addition, improvements in the access to services, including broadband, outside large cities may have facilitated the higher growth rates of smaller centres and rural regions and increased their appeal for residents and firms. Last but not least, negative externalities in the large cities, such as congestion costs, pollution, labour crowding and high cost of living, may increase the appeal of smaller centres and rural regions.
The Effects of Splitting on the Ex: A Microstructure Reconciliation

Our research investigates stock splits: why they happen, how they affect shareholder wealth, and whether they enhance liquidity for splitting firms. Prior research has not reached a clear-cut answer as to the role of stock splits. While there is definitely a favorable stock price reaction to the announcement of splits, the reason for the positive announcement return is not well-determined. Conventional wisdom suggests that the benefit of splits comes from improved share liquidity; yet empirical evidence has produced ambiguous results on liquidity. More detailed theoretical arguments pose stock splits as part of a strategy used by management to signal value, yet such arguments seem overly complex for such a basic management decision. Moreover, in spite of complex explanations, an anomaly remains: splitting firms also experience positive returns on the split execution day. This event is known well in advance, so any associated favorable information should already be priced into the stock.
Priming and memory of stress responses in organisms lacking a nervous system

Experience and memory of environmental stimuli that indicate future stress can prepare (prime) organismic stress responses even in species lacking a nervous system. The process through which such organisms prepare their phenotype for an improved response to future stress has been termed ‘priming’. However, other terms are also used for this phenomenon, especially when considering priming in different types of organisms and when referring to different stressors. Here we propose a conceptual framework for priming of stress responses in bacteria, fungi and plants which allows comparison of priming with other terms, e.g. adaptation, acclimation, induction, acquired resistance and cross protection. We address spatial and temporal aspects of priming and highlight current knowledge about the mechanisms necessary for information storage which range from epigenetic marks to the accumulation of (dormant) signalling molecules. Furthermore, we outline possible patterns of primed stress responses. Finally, we link the ability of organisms to become primed for stress responses (their ‘primability’) with evolutionary ecology aspects and discuss which properties of an organism and its environment may favour the evolution of priming of stress responses.
Inhibition of FGFR Signaling Partially Rescues Hypophosphatemic Rickets in HMWFGF2 Tg Male Mice

&NA; Transgenic mice harboring high molecular weight fibroblast growth factor (FGF)2 isoforms (HMWTg) in osteoblast lineage cells phenocopy human X‐linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) and Hyp murine model of XLH demonstrating increased FGF23/FGF receptor signaling and hypophosphatemic rickets. Because HMWFGF2 was upregulated in bones of Hyp mice and abnormal FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling is important in XLH, HMWTg mice were used to examine the effect of the FGFR inhibitor NVP‐BGJ398, now in clinical trials for cancer therapy, on hypophosphatemic rickets. Short‐term treatment with NVP‐BGJ398 rescued abnormal FGFR signaling and hypophosphatemia in HMWTg. Long‐term treatment with NVP‐BGJ398 normalized tail, tibia, and femur length. Four weeks NVP‐BGJ398 treatment significantly increased total body bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in HMWTg mice; however, at 8 weeks, total body BMD and BMC was indistinguishable among groups. Micro‐computed tomography revealed decreased vertebral bone volume, trabecular number, and increased trabecular spacing, whereas femur trabecular tissue density was increased; however, NVP‐BGJ398 rescued defective cortical bone mineralization, increased thickness, reduced porosity, and increased endosteal perimeter and cortical tissue density in HMWTg. NVP‐BGJ398 improved femur cancellous bone, cortical bone structure, growth plate, and double labeling in cortical bone and also increased femur trabeculae double labeled surface, mineral apposition rate, bone formation rate, and osteoclast number and surface in HMWTg. The decreased NPT2a protein that is important for renal phosphate excretion was rescued by NVP‐BGJ398 treatment. We conclude that NVP‐BGJ398 partially rescued hypophosphatemic rickets in HMWTg. However, long‐term treatment with NVP‐BGJ398 further increased serum FGF23 that could exacerbate the mineralization defect.