Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Oncogenesis of Prostate Adenocarcinoma: Role of the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER-2/neu)

The potential mechanisms involving the genesis and growth of androgen-independent prostate cancer include super-expression of the androgen receptor (AR), in an attempt to compensate for the low androgenic plasma levels and mutations of this specific receptor, which could determine resistance to anti-androgenic therapy. However, most advanced prostate tumors have no mutations or amplifications of the AR, suggesting a potential role of non-androgenic growth factors, including epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor α, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and fibroblast growth factor. More specifically, these factors, and their receptors like EGFR (HER-1) and HER-2/neu, through paracrine and autocrine mechanisms, may contribute to the proliferation and growth of prostate cancer. Free full text available at www.tumorionline. it
VISITOR EXPERIENCE IN GOOGLE ART PROJECT AND IN SECOND LIFE-BASED VIRTUAL MUSEUMS : A COMPARATIVE STUDY

The advances of interactive 3D technologies and the rapid expansion of the Internet have led to the development of a wide variety of solutions for the dissemination of cultural heritage using digital technologies. One such promising approach are Virtual Museums, i.e. digital environments for the presentation of exhibit collections. Currently one may identify two distinct trends in Virtual Museums: exhibition spaces built in Virtual Worlds such as Second Life, and the Google Art Project. A common characteristic of these approaches is that they both aim to replicate the experience of visiting the physical museum space and observing the exhibits. However, looking deeper into several aspects of their interface, one can notice significant differences: modelled vs digitized exhibition space, low-res vs hi-res image presentation, singlevs multi-user visiting experience, static vs interactive exhibits, etc. The aim of our research is to compare the two environments in terms of their effect on the visiting experience and to attempt to identify the critical design features that contribute mostly to the experience. We have setup a study for the comparative evaluation of the two approaches based on the visiting experience of the same exhibition space. We have selected a museum wing already present in the Google Art Project (the 5th floor of the Museum of Modern Art of New York MoMA) and modelled a replicate of it in OpenSimulator, an open source alternative to Second Life. The analysis of the results indicate that both approaches have been found attractive by the users, but for different reasons, and led to the identification of a number of features that positively affected the experience and have been considered important by the participants.
Exposure to children as a risk factor for bacteremic pneumococcal disease: changes in the post-conjugate vaccine era.

BACKGROUND The introduction of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has been associated with a shift in the serotypes responsible for bacteremic pneumococcal disease. We examined recent trends in serotypes responsible for disease and current risk factors among adults. METHODS Data were obtained from 48 acute care hospitals in the 5-county region surrounding Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from October 1, 2002, through September 30, 2008, on all hospitalized adult patients with community-acquired bacteremic pneumococcal disease. Isolates were serotyped and patient characteristics were compared with data from a household survey of the adult population in the region. RESULTS During the study period, the annual rate of disease due to vaccine serotypes declined by 29% per year, but the rate of disease due to nonvaccine serotypes increased 13% per year, yielding an overall 7% increase in the annual rate of disease among adults. Advanced age was a risk factor for infection with nonvaccine serotypes compared with vaccine serotypes. Comparing all patients with the source population, African Americans were at increased risk of infection, and the presence of additional children in the home was associated with decreased risk of disease. Smoking, advanced age, and diabetes mellitus remained important risk factors in adults. CONCLUSIONS New serotypes are replacing the serotypes covered in the conjugate vaccine. While some risk factors for pneumococcal disease remain unchanged, the observation that exposure to children in the home is associated with lower risk of disease suggests that the changing epidemiology of pneumococcal disease may be altering the dominant modes of transmission in the community.
Analysis of pressure pulsations during the fast transition of a pump turbine from pumping to generating mode

Variable speed motor-generators based on full size converter offer new options for operation of reversible pump-turbines. To explore the challenges related with this new technology a specific test rig configuration is developed to perform such transition with a PT reduced scale model. Transition from pump to turbine and vice versa are performed with various guide vanes opening and transition time. In order to validate the predictive capabilities of state-of-the-art CFD methods to predict the flow field under fast transition through off design operating conditions, pressure pulsations are measured as well in the rotating as in the stationary frame. Since some phenomena are likely to occur only for short periods of time, wavelet transformation methods are used to compare the pressure pulsations occurring during the transitions for different times of transition ranging from 20s to 4s.
Symmetry Breaking and Spectral Statistics of Acoustic Resonances in Quartz Blocks.

We study experimentally the spectral statistics of acoustic resonances in quartz blocks. About 1400 well resolved resonances are measured. The short range fluctuations are well described by random matrix theory. The properties of quartz allow us to measure the gradual breaking of a point-group symmetry. This is statistically fully equivalent to the breaking of a symmetrylike parity or isospin in a quantum system.
Fixation of mid-third clavicular fractures with Knowles pins: 78 patients followed for 2-7 years

From January 1993 to December 1997, we treated 78 (75 fresh, 1 delayed union and 2 non-union) fractures of the mid-third clavicle with open reduction and internal fixation using 3.8 mm Knowles pins. All patients used an arm sling for 2-6 weeks after surgery, and were told to avoid vigorous exercise or work with heavy loads for the next 6 weeks. 73 fractures healed within 6 months. 3 complications occurred relating to the surgical procedures. The final rate of bone union was 77/78, although 3 patients showed a delay in bone union and 1 fracture was revised because of a loosened Knowles pin. After a mean follow-up of 49 (24-86) months, the average shoulder function, as evaluated by a modified Constant-Murley score, was 97% versus the contralateral shoulder. We suggest that if surgery is indicated, open reduction and internal fixation using a Knowles pin is an effective method for managing mid-third clavicular fractures.
Dissociable neural responses in the hippocampus to the retrieval of facial identity and emotion: An event‐related fMRI study

In studies with brain‐damaged patients and experimental animals, the medial temporal lobe, including the hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus, has been found to play a critical role in establishing declarative or episodic memory. We measured the neural response in these structures, using event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging, while six healthy subjects performed the retrieval task for facial identity and emotion, respectively. Under the identity condition, the subjects participated in a yes/no recognition test for neutral faces learned before the scanning. Under the emotion condition, the subjects learned the faces with positive or negative expression and retrieved their expressions from neutral cue faces. The results showed that the left hippocampus is primarily involved in the identification of learned faces, and that the adjacent parahippocampal gyrus responds more to target than to distracter events. These results indicate a specific engagement of the left hippocampal regions in conscious recollection and identification of physiognomic facial features. The activity in the right hippocampus increased under both the identity and emotion conditions. The present results may relate with the functional model of face recognition in which the left hemisphere contributes to the processing of detailed features and the right hemisphere is efficient in the processing of global features. Hippocampus 2003;13:429–436. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interleukin-18 enhances monocyte tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1beta production induced by direct contact with T lymphocytes: implications in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE At sites of inflammation, T cells exert pathologic effects through direct contact with monocyte/macrophages, inducing massive up-regulation of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha). We examined the regulatory effects of IL-18 on monocyte activation by direct contact with T lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS Activated T cells were isolated from RA synovial fluid. Resting T cells and monocytes were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RA synovial T cells or phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated T cells were fixed by paraformaldehyde and then cocultured with monocytes at a ratio of 4:1. Levels of TNFalpha, IL-1beta, IL-10, and IL-18 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of adhesion molecules, IL-18 receptor, and TNF receptors was analyzed by flow cytometry. Expression of NF-kappaB p65, phosphorylated IkappaBalpha, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) p110 was analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS IL-18 dose-dependently enhanced the production of IL-1beta and TNFalpha, but not IL-10, by monocytes following contact with RA synovial T cells or PHA-prestimulated T cells. NF-kappaB inhibitors N-acetyl-L-cysteine and Bay 11-7085 and PI 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 inhibited the enhancing effects of IL-18, but MAPK p38 inhibitor SB203580, ERK inhibitor PD98059, and JNK inhibitor SP600125 did not. Increased levels of NF-kappaB in the nucleus, phosphorylated IkappaB, and PI 3-kinase were confirmed in monocytes cocultured with PHA-prestimulated T cells, and the levels were further increased by stimulation with IL-18. Neutralizing antibody to IL-18 inhibited monocyte activation induced by direct contact with PHA-prestimulated T cells. Via cell-cell contact, PHA-prestimulated T cells increased autocrine production of IL-18 by monocytes, which was mediated by activation of the NF-kappaB and PI 3-kinase pathways, and up-regulated the expression of the IL-18 receptor in monocytes. IL-18 up-regulated the expression of the TNF receptors vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) on monocytes. Blocking the binding of the TNF receptors VCAM-1 or ICAM-1 on monocytes to their ligands on stimulated T cells suppressed the IL-18-enhanced production of TNFalpha and IL-1beta in monocytes induced by contact with PHA-prestimulated T cells. CONCLUSION IL-18 augments monocyte activation induced by contact with activated T cells in RA synovitis, which is dependent on activation of the NF-kappaB and PI 3-kinase pathways. IL-18 up-regulates the expression of the TNF receptors VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 on monocytes, which mediate the enhancing effects of IL-18 on T cell-monocyte contact.
Low‐dose carcinogenicity of 2‐amino‐3‐methylimidazo[4,5‐f ]quinoline in rats: Evidence for the existence of no‐effect levels and a mechanism involving p21Cip / WAF1

The carcinogenicity of the low amounts of genotoxic carcinogens present in food is of pressing concern. The purpose of the present study was to determine the carcinogenicity of low doses of the dietary genotoxic carcinogen 2‐amino‐3‐methylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoline (IQ) and to investigate mechanisms by which IQ exerts its carcinogenic effects. A total of 1595 male F344 rats were divided into seven groups and administered with IQ at doses of 0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 p.p.m. in the diet for 16 weeks. We found that IQ doses of 1 p.p.m. and below did not induce preneoplastic lesions in either the liver or the colon, while IQ doses of 10 and 100 p.p.m. induced preneoplastic lesions in both of these organs. These results demonstrate the presence of no‐effect levels of IQ for both liver and colon carcinogenicity in rats. The finding that p21Cip/WAF1 was significantly induced in the liver at doses well below those required for IQ mediated carcinogenic effects suggests that induction of p21Cip/WAF1 is one of the mechanisms responsible for the observed no‐effect of low doses of IQ. Furthermore, IQ administration caused significant induction of CYP1A2 at doses of 0.01–10 p.p.m. , but administration of 100 p.p.m. IQ induced CYP1A1 rather than CYP1A2. This result indicates the importance of dosage when interpreting data on the carcinogenicity and metabolic activation of IQ. Overall, our results suggest the existence of no‐effect levels for the carcinogenicity of this genotoxic compound. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 88–94)
A Comparison of the MCMI-III Personality Disorder and Modifier Indices With the MMPI-2 Clinical and Validity Scales

In this study, we examined the relationship of the MCMI-III (Millon, Davis, & Millon, 1997; Millon, Millon, & Davis, 1994) modifier indices and personality disorder scales to the validity and basic clinical scales of the MMPI-2 (Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989). The MCMI-III modifier indices highly correlated with all of the MMPI-2 validity scales except for the F(p) scale. Similarly, the MCMI-III personality disorder scales strongly covaried with the MMPI-2 validity and clinical scales except for the F(p) and 5 (Mf) scales. A factor analysis with Promax rotation revealed substantial relationships between the MMPI-2 and MCMI-III. However, the MMPI-2 F(p) scale did not tend to correlate with MMPI-2 or MCMI-III scales, indicating that F(p) scale variance was largely independent of other scales. The results suggest that clinicians should consider the interrelationship between personality characteristics and dissimulation.
Natural variation of poliovirus neutralization epitopes

Poliovirus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies were prepared against type 1, type 2, and type 3 wild laboratory (Mahoney, MEF1, and Saukett) and Sabin vaccine strains. Fifty-five poliovirus laboratory strains and field isolates were assayed by neutralization index test with a panel of homotypic monoclonal antibodies. A total of 27 monoclonal antibodies were used. Two categories of neutralization epitopes were found, i.e., cross-reacting (K), which is present on almost all strains of the same serotype, and strain-specific (V, variable), either wild (VW) or Sabin (VS). Several distinct neutralization epitopes were defined for each of the three poliovirus serotypes in almost every category. The study of antigenic variation of the Sabin type 1 vaccine virus during replication in human intestine showed that the VS neutralization epitope may be lost and even replaced by the VW epitopes of the parental Mahoney virus. A late isolate from a vaccine-fed infant recovered the complete neutralization epitope pattern of the Mahoney strain. Upon in vivo virus replication, a different kind of antigenic variation was also detected in which an epitope lost its function in virus neutralization but kept its antigenic conformation unaltered. Neutralization epitope analysis demonstrated that the presence of VS epitopes on a field isolate suggests the Sabin origin of the strain when the isolate displays the same epitope pattern as the original Sabin virus, or confirms it when the VS epitope(s) is mutually exclusive of VW epitopes. The lack of VS epitopes on a field isolate does not rule out its being of Sabin origin.
Epidermal growth factor: effects of androgens and adrenergic agents.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a polypeptide extracted from male mouse submaxillary glands which promotes epidermal growth and keratinization in the immature mouse. Androgens markedly increase submaxillary gland EGF content but have no apparent effect on basal plasma or urine EGF levels; they appear to stimulate synthesis and storage, but not release, of submaxillary gland EGF. EGF is released into plasma by α-adrenergic agents and by cervical sympathetic nerve stimulation, suggesting that its release is regulated by the sympathetic nervous system. If androgens have induced a sufficient concentration of EGF in the gland, plasma levels of EGF rise dramatically as submaxillary gland levels of EGF fall in response to α-adrenergic agents. The increase in plasma EGF in response to a-adrenergic stimulation is abolished by excision of the submaxillary glands, but basal plasma and urine levels are unchanged. This raises the possibility that EGF is secreted by other tissues as well. Immunoreactive EGF is also pr.
Levels of Bioaccumulation of Some Heavy Metals in Fish (Tilapia zilli) and Their Concentration in Water and Sediment of Owubu Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Bioaccumu lation of some heavy metals were determined in water, sediment and fish samples fro m owubu creek using atomic absorption spectrometer. The result indicated that the order of b ioaccumulat ion of heavy metals in water were 2.85, 0.35, 0.03 and 0.02 for Cu>Pb>Fe>Mg, with Cu having the highest bioaccumulation. In sediment the order of bioaccumulat ion was Fe>Cu>Pb >Cd with their values of 674, 8.31, 6.22 and 0.01 respectively, with Fe having the h ighest value. The order of bioaccumu lation of metals in fish tissue and digestive systems were Fe>Cu>Pb and Fe>Cu>Pb with their values of 72.17, 4.29, 0.01 and 46.12, 2,55, 0.13 respectively, there was high bioaccu mulation of heavy metal in tissue system than in digestive system. The bioaccu mulation factor in fish tissue were 26.81, 0.10, and 0.01 for Cu, Fe, and Pb, while the bioaccumulat ion factor in the d igestive system were 15.93, 0.06 and 0.02 for Cu, Fe and Pb. The b ioaccumulat ion factor in tissue was higher than in d igestive system, th is suggest that the fish samp les could be used to monitor Cu, Fe, Pb pollution levels in owubu creek.
miR ‐ 27 a suppresses the clonogenic growth and migration of human glioblastoma multiforme cells by targeting BTG 2

miR-27a and BTG2 are implicated in gliomagenesis and glioma progression. However, hitherto, a link between miR-27a and BTG2 in glioma has not been reported. In the present study, we investigated the effects of miR-27a on the proliferation and invasiveness of glioblastoma cells in vitro and in a mouse xenograft model and further studied the relation between miR-27a expression and its target gene BTG2, which was identified by computation prediction algorithms. Our MTT and clonogenic assays showed that miR-27a overexpression significantly increased the clonogenic growth of glioblastoma U87MG and U251MG cells. The Transwell assays further revealed that miR-27a overexpression markedly increased the number of migrated U87MG and U251MG cells. TargetScan and other prediction algorithms identified BTG2 as a target gene of miR‐27a, which was confirmed by EGFP reporter and immunoblotting assays showing an inverse relation between miR-27a expression and endogenous BTG2 expression. BTG2 overexpression also increased the proliferation and invasiveness of glioblastoma cells and BTG2 functioned downstream of miR-27a in modulating the proliferation and migration of glioblastoma cells. In conclusion, miR-27a modulates human glioblastoma growth and invasion by targeting BTG2.
Platelets arachidonic acid metabolism in patients with essential hypertension

Arachidonic acid's (AA) metabolites, eicosanoids, exert a tremendous influence on circulatory and vascular homeostasis, and in humans are generated by many organs and cell types. In this study we wanted to verify whether platelets AA metabolism play a significant role in pathogenesis of essential hypertension (EH). Participants were divided into the study (EH) and the control group. Plasma and urine concentrations of isoprostanes (8-iPF2α-III) and thromboxane B2 (TxB2) were determined using the ELISA method. The levels of 5- and 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic (HETE) acids, generated by platelets, were analysed using RP-HPLC. In a suspension of not stimulated and AA-stimulated platelets TxB2 level was statistically lower in the study than in the control group (p < 0.0001 and 0.001 respectively). The concentration of 12-HETE was significantly elevated in EH patients compared to the control group; however, only in the non-stimulated conditions (p < 0.05). Plasma and urine F2-isoprostanes levels were significantly higher in hypertensive individuals than in the control group (p < 0.00002 and p < 0.01 respectively). Moreover, EH patients excreted more TxB2 in urine than normotensive individuals (p < 0.05). Our results highlight the mutual connections between the platelets AA metabolism and indicate its possible role in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension. Moreover, we hypothesize that platelets AA metabolism may exert a pro-atherosclerotic effect. Finally, we suggest the use of (5-HETE+12-HETE)/TxB2 parameter in further studies.
‘Speech Initiation Hesitation’ following Subthalamic Nucleus Stimulation in a Patient with Parkinson’s Disease

‘Speech Initiation Hesitation’ following Subthalamic Nucleus Stimulation in a Patient with Parkinson’s Disease R. Moretti a–c, P. Torre b, c, R.M. Antonellob, c, L. Capusb, M. Gioulisb, S. Zambito Marsalab, G. Cazzatob, A. Bava a aDipartimento di Fisiologia e Patologia, bDipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Neurologia, UCO di Clinica Neurologica, and cDipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Neurologia, UCO di Clinica Neurologica, Sezione Disturbi Cognitivi, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
Theory of Mind, Language and Adaptive Functioning in ASD: A Neuroconstructivist Perspective.

INTRODUCTION Neuroconstructivist theories of development highlight the potential effect one developmental domain may have on constraining or facilitating another. Empirical validation of this theory requires further testing in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and may illuminate the complex interplay of developmental trajectories, particularly in the relationship between predictor and outcome variables. In ASD, language ability is an early predictor of important functional outcomes such as communication and socialization. We aimed to investigate whether theory of mind (ToM) mediates the relation between language ability and adaptive functioning in more cognitively able children with ASD (IQ > 70). METHODS Thirty-nine children were followed prospectively every two years from 4-6 years to 12-14 years. Their language and theory of mind abilities and adaptive functioning were tested using the Test of Language Development-2 (the independent variable, at age 6-8 years), the "Eyes Test" (a measure of ToM, the mediator, at age 10-12) and the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (the outcome variable, at age 12-14). RESULTS ToM mediated an association between language and adaptive functioning in the communication domain, but not in the social domain. CONCLUSION These results challenge the usefulness of ToM as a unifying theory for ASD deficits and highlight the potential usefulness of a neuroconstructivist framework for prospective studies.