Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Analysis of the Quality of Life of CEE-8, Baltic and CIS-4 Countries

The main aims of this article is to analyze quality of life before and after the economic crisis of the former Soviet Bloc countries or other new EU Member States from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE-8) and the Baltic States, and to compare them on the level of the old Europe (EU-15) and CIS-4 (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan) countries. The literature review shows the quality of life is in previous publications of author. The Eastern European countries were part of the Soviet Bloc. Based on this and previous publications, we will offer a number of generalized suggestions.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV 16–Variant Distribution in Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Sweden

Objective To investigate the human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV type 16–variant distribution in a series of vulvar squamous cell carcinomas (VSCC) and to evaluate the impact of HPV and HPV 16–variant on prognosis. Methods A series of 133 patients who had a diagnosis of VSCC (1983-2008) was selected for the study. Detection of 11 high-risk HPV types (16, 18, 31, 33, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, and 59) and 2 low-risk HPV types (6 and 11) was performed with real-time polymerase chain reaction. Samples positive for HPV 16 were further analyzed for variant determination of 7 positions in the E6 gene with polymerase chain reaction and pyrosequencing. Results Forty (30.8%) of 130 tumors were found to be HPV positive. Human papillomavirus type 16 was found in 31 cases, HPV 18 was found in 2 cases, HPV 33 was found in 5 cases, and HPV 56 and HPV 59 were found in one case each. All but one tumor harboring HPV 16 were of European linage, and the 3 most common variants were E-p (n = 13), E-G350 (n = 7), and E-G131 (n = 5). HPV positivity was associated with the basaloid tumor type and occurred in significantly younger patients. Overall and recurrence-free survival rates were better in HPV-positive cases, but after correction for age and tumor size, HPV status was no longer an independent and significant prognostic factor. The survival rates of the various HPV 16 variants were not significantly different, but there was a trend of worse outcome for the E-G131–variant group. Conclusions Human papillomavirus positivity of 30.8% is similar to other reports on VSCC. To our knowledge, this first variant determination of HPV 16 in vulvar carcinoma in a Swedish cohort indicated that the variant E-G131 may have an increased oncogenic potential in patients with VSCC.
Association of the Tetraspan Protein CD9 with Integrins on the Surface of S‐16 Schwann Cells

Abstract: The cell surface glycoprotein CD9 is a member of a group of proteins known as the “tetraspan” or “transmembrane 4 superfamily. ” Previous work with non‐neural cells has shown that CD9 associates in cis with integrins and small GTP‐binding proteins on the cell surface. To extend our recent findings showing that perturbation of CD9 alters Schwann cell adhesion, proliferation, and migration, as well as neurite outgrowth in sympathetic neurons, we have searched for CD9‐associated proteins in S‐16 Schwann cells. We demonstrate here that CD9 is specifically coprecipitated from S‐16 cell extracts by antibodies against integrins α3, α6, and β1. In addition, double immunofluorescence labeling and co‐capping experiments indicate that CD9 is specifically colocalized with these integrins on the cell membrane of S‐16 Schwann cells.
Does Zero Tillage Improve the Livelihoods of Smallholder Cropping Farmers

The biophysical benefits of zero tillage (ZT) are well documented in the literature. However, the literature on its economic benefits, especially in the context of small and medium-scale farmers in the temperate developing world is scanty. Using a study of 621 wheat farmers in Syria, we provide empirical evidence on the impacts of adoption of ZT on farm income and wheat consumption. We use propensity score matching (PSM) and endogenous switching regression (ESR) approaches to account for potential selection biases. After controlling for confounding factors, we find that adoption of the ZT technology leads to a US$ 189/ha (33%) increase in net crop income and a 26 kg (34%) gain in per capita wheat consumption per year (adult equivalent) – an indication of meaningful changes in the livelihoods of the farm households. Besides the biophysical and environmental benefits documented elsewhere, our results suggest that adoption of ZT can also be justified on economic and food security grounds. Therefore, ZT can have sizeable impacts in transforming the agricultural sector in the temperate developing world provided that the technology is well promoted and adopted.
[ENTERAL NUTRITION ON THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CANCER].

OBJECTIVE to identify what effect causes enteral nutrition on nutritional status of cancer. METHOD a search was performed using the keywords "Cancer" AND "Enteral Nutrition" AND "Supplementation" in four document databases: Pubmed, EBSCO, ProQuest, and Web of Science. INCLUSION CRITERIA age of the sample, major than 18 years; submitted to surgery for cancer; that the intervention program was including diet and employment or not of nutritional Supplementation; clinical trials published between January 2004 and December 2014, in scientific journals indexed. RESULTS we analyzed 660 articles, of which only 2% has been included. 58% of intervention programs are applied outside Spain; 84% of the interventions was carried out in a hospitable ambient; 58% of the sample is formed by adults older than 54 years; 33% of the interventions were multidisciplinary and its duration ranges between 1 and 4 years. DISCUSSION we found just a few national interventions in cancer participants and there two types of interventions: by exclusive polymeric enteral formula or mixed with immunonutrition. CONCLUSIONS enteral nutrition shows against the parenteral and its introduction at an early stage, it helps to improve nutritional status of the patient; polymeric formulas next immunonutrition, it helps to reduce the time of hospitalization; the analytical parameters are shown as a measurement pattern when assessing the improvement in nutritional status in cancer. It is recommended to increase the research in this field, especially in children.
The fold recognition of CP2 transcription factors gives new insights into the function and evolution of tumor suppressor protein p53

The CP2 transcription factor (TFCP2) is a critical regulator of erythroid gene expression. Apart from the involvement in the transcriptional switch of globin gene promoters it activates an array of cellular and viral gene promoters. A number of homologous proteins was identified in genomes of Metazoa, with additional five homologues encoded by the human genome (TFCP2L1, UBP1, GRHL1, GRHL2, GRHL3). Although several experimental studies have already been published, the knowledge on the molecular mechanism of activity of this transcription factors remains very limited. Here we present the application of fold recognition and protein structure prediction in drafting the structure-to-function relationship of the CP2 family. The employed procedure clearly shows that the family adopts a DNA binding immunoglobulin fold homologous to the p53 (TP53) core domain, and a novel type of ubiquitin-like domain and a sterile alpha motif (SAM) form oligomerization modules. With a traceable evolution of CP2 family throughout the Metazoa group this protein family is highly likely to represent an ancestor of the critical cell cycle regulator p53. Based on this observation several functional hypotheses on structure-to-function relationship of p53 were drawn. The DNA motif recognized by p53 is a result of further specialization of the CP2 DNA-binding module. The analysis also shows the critical role of protein oligomerization for the function of this protein superfamily. Finally, the identification of distant homologs of TP53 allowed performing a phylogenetic footprinting analysis explaining the role of the specific amino acids important for both - the protein folding and the binding of DNA.
Association of Admission Blood Glucose Level with Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Acute Coronary Syndrome; a Cohort Study

Introduction: Appropriate management of abnormal admission blood glucose level (ABGL) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients still remains a common issue. This study aims to assess the influence of ABGL on development of 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in patients with suspected ACS. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study based on analysis of data collected from patients suspected to acute coronary syndrome admitted to emergency department. ABGL of patients was measured and its association with development of MACEs (MI, CVA, mortality) within 30 days of follow-up was studied. Results: 814 participants with the mean age of 61.8 ± 13.4 years were studied (58.1% male). MACE endpoints were developed in 166 (39.0%) hyperglycemic, 30 (46.9%) hypoglycemic, and 53 (16.4%) normoglycemic patients (p<0.001). Mean admission blood glucose level of patients who developed MACE within 30 days was significantly higher than others (210.6 ± 123.4 vs 157.4 ± 86.6mg/dL; p<0.001; OR: 1.006 (1.005 to 1.008)). There was a significant correlation between male gender (p=0.027), abnormal admission blood glucose level (p<0.001), diabetes (p = 0.001), hyoerlipidemia (p=0.059), prior CABG (p=0.008), first and second blood troponin levels (p<0.001), first and second abnormal ECGs (p<0.001), and also ECG changes (p<0.001) with developing MACE. Abnormal ABGL, first and second blood troponin levels, and the history of diabetes were among independent risk factors of developing MACE within 30 days. Conclusion: It seems that abnormal admission blood glucose level in suspected ACS patients was an independent predictor of major adverse cardiac events within 30 days.
Subscapularis Muscle Mechanics in Children with Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy

This study investigates the passive mechanical properties of the subscapularis muscle in children with a contracture as a result of obstetrical brachial plexus palsy. Muscle biopsies were harvested from nine children undergoing open surgery for shoulder contracture. Passive mechanical testing of single cells and muscle bundles was performed. Corresponding comparisons were made using muscle biopsies from seven healthy controls. Single muscle fibres from patients with obstetric brachial plexus palsy displayed a shorter slack sarcomere length, linear deformation of the fibre within a wider zone of sarcomere length and a greater relative increase in stiffness compared with muscle bundles. We conclude that secondary changes in muscle fibre properties will occur as a result of a longstanding lack of sufficient passive stretch, leading to compensatory changes in the extracellular matrix. These results suggest the presence of a dynamic feedback system constituting a muscle-to-extracellular matrix communication interface.
Cystic fibrosis screening and community genetics.

Cystic fibrosis (CF), the commonest serious recessively inherited disease of Caucasians, is fast becoming preventable. The gene in which mutation can lead to CF, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), has recently been identified, and a deletion of three DNA base pairs that removes a phenylalanine residue from position 508 of the protein product accounts for 60 to 80% ofCF mutations in the UK population. ' This mutation can be detected by relatively simple DNA methods.2 3 Consequently, geneticists are now confronting an imminent need to set up population screening for CF carriers, a challenge that, if appropriately seized, could greatly improve the delivery of genetics services as a whole. At present, clinical geneticists are mainly concerned with diagnosis, counselling, and prenatal diagnosis for families referred to them. Relatively few have yet been drawn into the issues of population screening and the outreach approach to the community that it entails. However, a recent report of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP)4 pointed out the existence of a range of 'community genetics services', that is, preventive genetics services based on population screening that are often delivered by obstetricians and others, rather than by clinical geneticists. They include (1) neonatal screening for phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism, and other disorders; (2) screening in pregnancy for rhesus blood group and viral infections, maternal serum AFP screening, the offer of fetal karyotyping to older women, and midtrimester ultrasound scanning for fetal anomalies; (3) population screening for carriers of haemoglobin disorders or Tay-Sachs disease. The RCP report noted many shortcomings in the delivery of these services and proposed that they
Dickkopf‐1 is overexpressed in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells and is involved in invasive growth

The protein products of the Dickkopf (DKK) genes are antagonists of Wnt glycoproteins, which participate in tumor development and progression by binding to frizzled receptors. In this study, the expression of DKK‐1 was analyzed in a panel of 43 human cultured carcinoma cell lines. DKK‐1 expression was consistently and significantly upregulated in pancreatic carcinoma cell lines. Low level of DKK‐3 expression was also seen. In contrast, the expression of DKK‐2 and ‐4 was not detectable in most pancreatic carcinoma cell lines. The overexpression of DKK‐1 was confirmed in surgically resected human pancreatic cancer tissues, in which the mRNA level was evaluated in paired samples from cancerous and noncancerous pancreatic tissues. In ductal adenocarcinomas (23 cases), DKK‐1 mRNA levels were significantly upregulated compared to corresponding noncancerous tissues in a statistically significant level. To test the biological role of DKK‐1 in pancreatic carcinoma cells, we performed a knockdown of DKK‐1 in SUIT‐2 human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line and S2‐CP8, its metastatic subline, using a retroviral short hairpin RNA expression vector. DKK‐1 knockdown resulted in reduced migratory activity of SUIT‐2 in vitro. The in vitro growth rate and Matrigel invasion were also suppressed by DKK‐1 knockdown in S2‐CP8 cells. Collectively, the evidence suggests that, despite of its presumed antagonistic role in Wnt signaling, DKK‐1 may have a role in the aggressiveness of pancreatic carcinoma cells and could, therefore, serve as a novel biomarker of pancreatic cancer.
Autophagy Inhibition Synergistically Enhances Anticancer Efficacy of RAMBA, VN/12-1 in SKBR-3 Cells, and Tumor Xenografts

VN/12-1 is a novel retinoic acid metabolism blocking agent discovered in our laboratory. The purpose of the study was to elucidate the molecular mechanism of anticancer activity of VN/12-1 in breast cancer cell lines and in tumor xenografts. We investigated the effects of VN/12-1 on induction of autophagy and apoptosis in SKBR-3 cells. Furthermore, we also examined the impact of pharmacologic and genomic inhibition of autophagy on anticancer activity of VN/12-1. Finally, the antitumor activity of VN/12-1 was evaluated as a single agent and in combination with autophagy inhibitor chloroquine in an SKBR-3 mouse xenograft model. Short exposure of low dose (<10 μmol/L) of VN/12-1 induced endoplasmic reticulum stress, autophagy, and inhibited G1–S phase transition and caused a protective response. However, a higher dose of VN/12-1 initiated apoptosis in vitro. Inhibition of autophagy using either pharmacologic inhibitors or RNA interference of Beclin-1 enhanced anticancer activity induced by VN/12-1 in SKBR-3 cells by triggering apoptosis. Importantly, VN/12-1 (5 mg/kg twice weekly) and the combination of VN/12-1 (5 mg/kg twice weekly) + chloroquine (50 mg/kg twice weekly) significantly suppressed established SKBR-3 tumor growth by 81.4% (P < 0.001 vs. control) and 96.2% (P < 0.001 vs. control), respectively. Our novel findings suggest that VN/12-1 may be useful as a single agent or in combination with autophagy inhibitors for treating human breast cancers. Our data provides a strong rationale for clinical evaluation of VN/12-1 as single agent or in combination with autophagy inhibitors. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(4); 898–908. ©2012 AACR.
Proton tunneling in the A∙T Watson-Crick DNA base pair: myth or reality?

The results and conclusions reached by Godbeer et al. in their recent work, that proton tunneling in the A∙T(WC) Watson–Crick (WC) DNA base pair occurs according to the Löwdin’s (L) model, but with a small (~10−9) probability were critically analyzed. Here, it was shown that this finding overestimates the possibility of the proton tunneling at the A∙T(WC)↔A*∙T*(L) tautomerization, because this process cannot be implemented as a chemical reaction. Furthermore, it was outlined those biologically important nucleobase mispairs (A∙A*↔A*∙A, G∙G*↔G*∙G, T∙T*↔T*∙T, C∙C*↔C*∙C, H∙H*↔H*∙H (H – hypoxanthine)) – the players in the field of the spontaneous point mutagenesis – where the tunneling of protons is expected and for which the application of the model proposed by Godbeer et al. can be productive.
Inducible Silencing of Protein Kinase D3 Inhibits Secretion of Tumor-Promoting Factors in Prostate Cancer

Protein kinase D (PKD) acts as a major mediator of several signaling pathways related to cancer development. Aberrant PKD expression and activity have been shown in multiple cancers, and novel PKD inhibitors show promising anticancer activities. Despite these advances, the mechanisms through which PKD contributes to the pathogenesis of cancer remain unknown. Here, we establish a novel role for PKD3, the least studied member of the PKD family, in the regulation of prostate cancer cell growth and motility through modulation of secreted tumor-promoting factors. Using both a stable inducible knockdown cell model and a transient knockdown system using multiple siRNAs, we show that silencing of endogenous PKD3 significantly reduces prostate cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In addition, conditioned medium from PKD3-knockdown cells exhibits less migratory potential compared with that from control cells. Further analysis indicated that depletion of PKD3 blocks secretion of multiple key tumor-promoting factors including matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and GROα but does not alter mRNA transcript levels for these factors, implying impairment of the secretory pathway. More significantly, inducible depletion of PKD3 in a subcutaneous xenograft model suppresses tumor growth and decreases levels of intratumoral GROα in mice. These data validate PKD3 as a promising therapeutic target in prostate cancer and shed light on the role of secreted tumor-promoting factors in prostate cancer progression. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(7); 1389–99. ©2012 AACR.
Physiological profiles of the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team (1980).

In order to establish baseline data and to prescribe training programmes to off-set weaknesses, selected measures of aerobic fitness (VO2max), muscular power (peak torque and watt output) and performance times on-ice were collected on the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team (1980). VO2max values (54 ml. kg. min) were similar to other non-endurance athletes. Peak torque values relative to body weight in knee extension at 30 degrees and 180 degrees . s-1 (3.62 an 1.85 Nm . kg-1) were the same at low speed but lower at high speed than other selected power athletes. The on-ice performance times showed higher speed of over 180' than professional and junior level players but the speed drop-off over six repeats was greater. There were no differences between positions on these measures. These data offer a baseline from which to compare other hockey players and suggest that the aerobic fitness levels and torque outputs at high speed are not well developed.
Mercury bioaccumulation in hair and skin of arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) and silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in rural and urbanized region.

Mercury bioaccumulation in hair and skin of silver and arctic foxes farmed in typically rural and urbanized regions (Wielkopolskie Voivodship, Poland) was assessed. Hair and skin samples were collected and analyzed for total Hg content using atomic absorption spectrometry. Hairs and skin of foxes farmed in the rural region accumulated higher amount of Hg compared to animals from the urbanized one. Species effect (lower Hg concentration in V. lagopus) was noted, females having higher accumulation compared with males. The highest Hg content was observed in hairs of V. vulpes females in the rural region (0.207 mg/kg on aver - age), and in skin of V. lagopus females (0.0082 mg/kg on average). Highly significant correlation ( r = 0.796) was noted between Hg content in skin and hairs of farm foxes. The present study confirms the previous finding that non-invasively collected hair samples are a good tool applicable in evaluating heavy metal load of different environments.
Adrenalectomy for Metastatic Melanoma: Current Role in the Age of Nonsurgical Treatments

Surgical resection of metastases to the adrenal gland can improve overall survival of patients with stage IV melanoma, but its relative value with respect to current nonsurgical therapies is unknown. We hypothesized that surgery remains an optimal first-line treatment approach for resectable adrenal metastases. A search of our institution's prospectively collected melanoma database identified stage IV patients treated for adrenal metastases between January 1, 2000, and August 11, 2014. The 91 study patients had a mean age of 60.3 years at diagnosis of adrenal metastasis and 24 had undergone adrenalectomy. Improved survival was associated with an unknown primary lesion, surgical resection, and nonsurgical therapies. Median overall survival from diagnosis of adrenal metastases was 29.2 months with adrenalectomy versus 9.4 months with nonoperative treatment. Adrenalectomy, either as complete metastasectomy or targeted to lesions resistant to systemic therapy, is associated with improved long-term survival in metastatic melanoma.
Innovation, Poverty and Inequality: Cause, Coincidence, or Co-evolution?

Innovation system research has long acknowledged the importance of the socio-economic context shaping the capability of organizations, regions or countries to develop, diffuse and use innovations. Innovation is embedded in specific social, political and economic relationships and it is largely influenced by the particular institutional context in which these relationships take place. As a consequence, innovation is considered to be highly dependent not just on epochs (Freeman and Perez 1988), but also on the particularities of specific countries or regions.