Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Fat Suppression Technique on Diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI in Lung Cancer

Purpose: To qualitatively and quantitatively investigate the effect of common vendor-related sequence variations in fat suppression techniques on the diagnostic performance of free-breathing DW protocols for lung imaging.Methods: 8 patients with malignant lung lesions were scanned in free breathing using two diffusion-weighted (DW) protocols with different fat suppression techniques: DWA used short-tau inversion recovery (STIR), and DWB used Spectral Adiabatic Inversion Recovery (SPAIR). Both techniques were obtained at two time points, between 1 hour and 1 week apart. Image quality was assessed using a 5-point scoring system. The number of lesions visible within lung, mediastinum and at thoracic inlet on the DW (b=800 s/mm2) images was compared. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) were calculated for lesions and para-spinal muscle. Repeatability of ADC values of the lesions was estimated for both protocols together and separately.Results: There was a signal void at the thoracic inlet in all patients with DWB but not with DWA. DWA images were rated significantly better than DWB images overall quality domains. (Cohen’s κ = 1). Although 8 more upper mediastinal/thoracic inlet lymph nodes were detected with DWA than DWB, this did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.23). Tumour ADC values were not significantly different between protocols (p=0.93), their ADC reproducibility was satisfactory (CoV=7.7%) and repeatability of each protocol separately was comparable (CoVDWA=3.7% (95% CI 2.5 – 7.1%) and CoVDWB=4.6% (95% CI 3.1 – 8.8%)). Conclusion: In a free-breathing DW-MRI protocol for lung, STIR fat suppression produced images of better diagnostic quality than SPAIR, while maintaining comparable SNR and providing repeatable quantitative ADC acceptable for use in a multicentre trial setting.
Candidate Serological Biomarkers for Cancer Identified from the Secretomes of 23 Cancer Cell Lines and the Human Protein Atlas*

Although cancer cell secretome profiling is a promising strategy used to identify potential body fluid-accessible cancer biomarkers, questions remain regarding the depth to which the cancer cell secretome can be mined and the efficiency with which researchers can select useful candidates from the growing list of identified proteins. Therefore, we analyzed the secretomes of 23 human cancer cell lines derived from 11 cancer types using one-dimensional SDS-PAGE and nano-LC-MS/MS performed on an LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometer to generate a more comprehensive cancer cell secretome. A total of 31,180 proteins was detected, accounting for 4,584 non-redundant proteins, with an average of 1,300 proteins identified per cell line. Using protein secretion-predictive algorithms, 55.8% of the proteins appeared to be released or shed from cells. The identified proteins were selected as potential marker candidates according to three strategies: (i) proteins apparently secreted by one cancer type but not by others (cancer type-specific marker candidates), (ii) proteins released by most cancer cell lines (pan-cancer marker candidates), and (iii) proteins putatively linked to cancer-relevant pathways. We then examined protein expression profiles in the Human Protein Atlas to identify biomarker candidates that were simultaneously detected in the secretomes and highly expressed in cancer tissues. This analysis yielded 6–137 marker candidates selective for each tumor type and 94 potential pan-cancer markers. Among these, we selectively validated monocyte differentiation antigen CD14 (for liver cancer), stromal cell-derived factor 1 (for lung cancer), and cathepsin L1 and interferon-induced 17-kDa protein (for nasopharyngeal carcinoma) as potential serological cancer markers. In summary, the proteins identified from the secretomes of 23 cancer cell lines and the Human Protein Atlas represent a focused reservoir of potential cancer biomarkers.
Associations of Demographic, Functional, and Behavioral Characteristics with Activity‐Related Fear of Falling Among Older Adults Transitioning to Frailty

OBJECTIVES: To determine, in a cohort of older individuals transitioning to frailty (defined by Speechley and Tinetti, 1991) who have previously fallen, whether there are significant associations between demographic, functional, and behavioral characteristics and activity‐related fear of falling, using both the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) and the Activities‐Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC).
ATPase Activity and Multimer Formation of PilQ Protein Are Required for Thin Pilus Biogenesis in Plasmid R64*

Plasmid R64 pilQ gene is essential for the formation of thin pilus, a type IV pilus. The pilQproduct contains NTP binding motifs and belongs to the PulE-VirB11 family of NTPases. The pilQ gene was overexpressed with an N-terminal His tag, and PilQ protein was purified. Purified His tag PilQ protein displayed ATPase activity with aV max of 0.71 nmol/min/mg of protein and aKm of 0.26 mm at pH 6.5. By gel filtration chromatography, PilQ protein was eluted at the position corresponding to 460 kDa, suggesting that PilQ protein forms a homooctamer. To analyze the relationship between structure and function of PilQ protein, amino acid substitutions were introduced within several conserved motifs. Among 11 missense mutants, 7 mutants exhibited various levels of reduced DNA transfer frequencies in liquid matings. Four mutant genes (T234I, K238Q,D263N, and H328A) were overexpressed with a His tag. The purified mutant PilQ proteins contained various levels of reduced ATPase activity. Three mutant PilQ proteins formed stable multimers similar to wild-type PilQ, whereas the PilQ D263N multimer was unstable. PilQ D263N monomer exhibited low ATPase activity, while PilQ D263N multimer did not. These results indicate that ATPase activity of the PilQ multimer is essential for R64 thin pilus biogenesis.
Grouping for the Criteria based Data Broadcast in Wireless Mobile Computing

Data broadcasting in wireless communication technology can provide mobile financial with location based services. Data can be reached in any time and place. The server fetches the requests and broadcasts the data to the air. The broadcast problem including the plan design is considered. A criteria based algorithm can discover the creation of a full or empty slot Broadcast Plan (BP) with equal spacing of repeated instances of items. This last property can guarantee the creation of a regular BP (RBP) and enable the servers use a single or a number of channels so that the users can catch their items avoiding their devices’ waste of energy. Moreover, the Grouping Dimensioning Algorithm (GDA) based on integrated relations can guarantee the discrimination of services using a minimum number of channels. The server broadcasting capability is increased for a single channel operation by the use of the HOL waiting time group (HOLWTG) scheduler, providing service priority along with bandwidth adjustment, diminishing the waste of bandwidth, and minimizing the number of rounds. This proposed work can enrich the server infrastructure for self-monitoring, self-organizing and channel availability as well. Simulation experiments are provided.
[The role of osteocalcin in the connection of bone and glucose metabolism in humans].

UNLABELLED The lack of osteoblast derived osteocalcin in mice causes reduced pancreatic beta-cell proliferation, decreased expression of insulin gene and adiponectin gene in adipocytes as well. METHODS The relationship between insulin sensitivity, osteocalcin and bone state in 45 healthy (20 females, 25 males) and 92 glucose intolerant (51 females, 41 males) subjects was examined. Body composition, bone density, markers of bone resorption and formation as well as glucose uptake (M value for insulin sensitivity) measured by hyperinsulinemic normoglycemic clamp were determined separately in males and females. RESULTS Osteocalcin levels were similar in the two genders, however, glucose intolerant men had lower osteocalcin levels than healthy men (24.5+/-11 vs. 18.1+/-9 ng/ml, p < 0.05). In the healthy group, we found positive correlation between osteocalcin and muscle M values (females: r = +0.319, p < 0.05, males: r = 0.481, p < 0.01), although this relationship disappeared in the glucose intolerant groups. Osteocalcin did not show correlation with adiponectin level in any of the genders. Based on a multivariate regression analysis, in all females significant independent predictors of osteocalcin level were fasting blood glucose, whole and lean body mass glucose uptake, metabolic clearance rate, estradiol and LDL-cholesterol levels (determined 92% of its value), while in all men these were serum calcium, OGTT glucose area under the curve, free fatty acid levels, insulogenic index, HOMA-R and waist/hip ratio (determined 95% of its value). The BMU index characterizing bone resorption/formation correlated significantly with the M values only in women. CONCLUSION This study confirmed the relationship between insulin sensitivity and osteocalcin in healthy human population, although basic difference was found between the two genders which was not related to osteocalcin.
Personality, motivations, and information quality: A comparative study across games for human computation

The popularity of games has motivated their adoption for pursuits beyond entertainment. One of the emerging strategies is the Human Computation Game (HCG) which channels players' time spent on games toward problem solving. Unlike entertainment‐oriented games, players of HCGs contribute output as a byproduct of gameplay. In this paper, we investigate the relationships between personality traits and motivations, and the differences in perceived information quality across HCGs with collaborative and competitive gameplay styles. Using a within‐subjects experimental design, 125 participants were recruited from two local universities. The findings demonstrate that the interaction between personality traits and gameplay styles influenced players' satisfaction of the need for autonomy, competence, and relatedness,. Further, perceived information quality was found to differ across HCG types.
Arterial lesions associated with neurofibromatosis.

The nature of the vascular lesions associated with neurofibromatosis is not clear. A histologic and ultrastructural study of a case of neurofibromatosis with renal lesions revealed no association of the abnormal vessels with neural malformation. The characteristic nodular aggregates of cells in the abnormal arterial wall were identified as smooth muscle. This and other changes described are suggestive of a primary mesodermal disorder. From the authors’ study of this and previously reported cases, descriptions of two basic types of vascular involvement in neurofibromatosis evolved.
Urine C-Peptide As Index of Integrated Insulin Secretion in Hypocalpric States in Obese Human Subjects

To determine the effects of different hypocaloric diets on insulin secretion, 24-h urine C-peptide was measured in 11 obese subjects on a weight-maintaining baseline diet, and the results were compared with values obtained during 14-day periods of diets containing 400 kcal/day of only protein (n = 6) or glucose (n = 5), followed by 14 days of fasting and 14 days of refeeding on 800-1000 kcal/day. A significant positive correlation between total caloric intake and urine C-peptide excretion was found once the C-peptide excretion reached steady state after several days on each diet. Multiple regression analysis showed no contribution of body weight to urine C-peptide during the different diets. In contrast, a significant correlation was found between body weight and urine C-peptide in the fasting state. A marked and identical decrease of ∼75% in urine C-peptide occurred over the first 5-7 days of the two 400-kcal diets, followed by a further decrease during fasting to 5% of baseline values. Refeeding was associated with a progressive increase. Plasma insulin and C-peptide followed the same trends as found for urine C-peptide, although the magnitude of change was much smaller. C-peptide clearance was not assessed because of the variation in plasma levels on eating meals. However, the same responses were found when C-peptide excretion was factored for creatinine excretion. Thus, the major determinant of urine C-peptide excretion appears to be food intake, and adaptations take 5-7 days to reach steady state. This probably accounts for the significant correlation between body mass and urine C-peptide seen only afterfasting, when the effect of ingested secretagogues is removed. Glucose andprotein appear to be equipotent insulin secretagogues in the hypocaloric diets studied.
The clinical spectrum of sarcoglycanopathies

Article abstract A group of 204 muscular dystrophy patients were screened for immunohistochemical and biochemical α-sarcoglycan defect and their DNA was analyzed for pathogenetic mutation in the four sarcoglycan genes. We identified 21 patients with α-, β-, or γ-sarcoglycan gene mutations. Patients with α-sarcoglycan gene mutations were clinically heterogeneous and showed either a rapid progressive or a late-onset slow course. In the slowly evolving group, a residual α-sarcoglycan protein was present, and its level correlated with a milder disease course and significant later inability to stand up from the floor (p < 0.00005). Most patients with β- and γ-sarcoglycan gene mutations presented a severe clinical course. There is a considerably different pattern of muscle involvement and disease course in these disorders, compared with dystrophinopathies.
Factor structure of the Spanish WAIS-III

The Spanish version of the WAIS-III scale was published two year after the American one only. Taking into account the polemic about the factor structure of the previous versions (WAIS, and WAIS-R), it is critical to test what this new scale is assessing. Several structural models were analysed in the total sample (N = 1369), and in every normative age group through confirmatory factor analysis procedures. A model with four first-order factors (Verbal, Perceptual Organisation, Working Memory and Processing Speed) presents the best fit in all samples. When a second-order factor (identified with the g factor) is added to this model, the fit indexes also show acceptable values. Results support that g would be the main cognitive ability assessed by the WAIS-III. Implications for the scores computed after the scale (Total IQ, Verbal IQ, Performance IQ, and four cognitive indexes) are discussed.
Proline dehydrogenase (oxidase) in cancer

Proline dehydrogenase (oxidase, PRODH/POX), the first enzyme in the proline degradative pathway, plays a special role in tumorigenesis and tumor development. Proline metabolism catalyzed by PRODH/POX is closely linked with the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and urea cycle. The proline cycle formed by the interconversion of proline and Δ1‐pyrroline‐5‐carboxylate (P5C) between mitochondria and cytosol interlocks with pentose phosphate pathway. Importantly, by catalyzing proline to P5C, PRODH/POX donates electrons into the electron transport chain to generate ROS or ATP. In earlier studies, we found that PRODH/POX functions as a tumor suppressor to initiate apoptosis, inhibit tumor growth, and block the cell cycle, all by ROS signaling. It also suppresses hypoxia inducible factor signaling by increasing α‐ketoglutarate. During tumor progression, PRODH/POX is under the control of various tumor‐associated factors, such as tumor suppressor p53, inflammatory factor peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), onco‐miRNA miR‐23b*, and oncogenic transcription factor c‐MYC. Recent studies revealed the two‐sided features of PRODH/POX‐mediated regulation. Under metabolic stress such as oxygen and glucose deprivation, PRODH/POX can be induced to serve as a tumor survival factor through ATP production or ROS‐induced autophagy. The paradoxical roles of PRODH/POX can be understood considering the temporal and spatial context of the tumor. Further studies will provide additional insights into this protein and on its metabolic effects in tumors, which may lead to new therapeutic strategies. © 2012 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.
Transdermal fentanyl for the management of acute pancreatitis pain.

Although the hazards of using Demerol for pain management is well documented, physicians at a 350-bed tertiary-care center in the upper midwest continued to follow the antiquated practice of ordering intramuscular Demerol and Vistaril to manage pain for patients with acute pancreatitis. Their reasoning was based on early evidence that Demerol, unlike morphine, does not cause biliary-tract spasms resulting in epigastric or right upper quadrant pain. In an effort to change practice patterns, a multidisciplinary team was formed to study the efficacy of using Transdermal Therapeutic System (TTS) fentanyl to manage pain in this patient population. Thirty-two subjects were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of using TTS fentanyl with intramuscular Demerol for breakthrough pain in comparison to using a placebo system and intramuscular Demerol. There was no statistically significant difference in self-reported pain intensity between the control and experimental groups on the first day of hospitalization. This finding would be expected because serum fentanyl concentrations rise gradually during the first 12 to 14 hours after application of the TTS fentanyl and plateau at 24 hours. There was a statistically significant difference between groups at 36 hours (exact p <.0154) and 45 hours (exact p <.0132) after application of the TTS fentanyl. This is probably because of greater serum fentanyl concentrations observed during the 36- to 48-hour period after application of TTS fentanyl. Although not statistically significant, trends in the data revealed that the experimental group had lower self-reported pain intensity scores than the control group throughout the course of hospitalization. Even though the experimental group had significantly more previous hospitalizations for acute pancreatitis and a higher pain intensity score on admission, this group had a significantly shorter length of stay in the hospital c2 (1, N = 31) = 4.3706 p <. 05. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for self-reported satisfaction with pain management.
Neuronal Calcium Sensor-1 and Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase β Regulate IgE Receptor-Triggered Exocytosis in Cultured Mast Cells 1

We examined the possible occurrence and function of neuronal Ca2+ sensor 1 (NCS-1/frequenin) in the mast cell line rat basophilic leukemia, RBL-2H3. This protein has been implicated in the control of neurosecretion from dense core granules in neuronal cells as well as in the control of constitutive secretory pathways in both yeast and mammalian cells. We show that RBL-2H3 cells, secretory cells of the immune system, endogenously express the 22-kDa NCS-1 protein as well as an immune-related 50-kDa protein. Both proteins associate in vivo with phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase β (PI4Kβ) and colocalize with the enzyme in the Golgi region. We show further that overexpression of NCS-1 in RBL-2H3 cells stimulates the catalytic activity of PI4Kβ, increases IgE receptor (FcεRI)-triggered hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2), and stimulates FcεRI-triggered, but not Ca2+ ionophore-triggered, exocytosis. Conversely, expression of a kinase-dead mutant of PI4Kβ reduces PI4Kβ activity, decreases FcεRI-stimulated phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis, and blocks FcεRI-triggered, but not Ca2+ ionophore-triggered, exocytosis. Our results indicate that PI(4)P, produced by the Golgi-localized PI4Kβ, is the rate-limiting factor in the synthesis of the pool of PI(4,5)P2 that serves as substrate for the generation of lipid-derived second messengers in FcεRI-triggered cells. We conclude that NCS-1 is involved in the control of regulated exocytosis in nonneural cells, where it contributes to stimulus-secretion coupling by interacting with PI4Kβ and positive regulation of its activity.
Role of the FcγR subclasses FcγRII and FcγRIII in the activation of human neutrophils by low and high valency immune complexes

Two Fcγ receptor (FcγR) subclasses on human neutrophils, FcγRII and FcγRIII, activate different cellular functions. To examine the involvement of each receptor subtype in polymorphonuclear leukocyte activation, Fab and F(ab')2 fragments of subclass‐specific monoclonal antibodies ([mAbs] mAb IV.3 against FcγRII and mAb 3G8 against FcγRIII, respectively) were used to block the binding of low valency immune complexes (LICs) and high valency immune complexes (HICs). Flow cytometry then permitted the simultaneous quantitation of antibody and ligand binding, the elicited intracellular Ca2+ concentration (Δ[Ca2+]int), initiation of the oxidative burst, and/or the phospholipase A activation in the same cell. We have previously demonstrated that subsaturating dosages of HIC bind uniformly to all the cells but elicit an “all‐or‐none” (i.e., dose independent) maximal Δ[Ca2+]int in a dose‐dependent subpopulation of the cells. In contrast, both the proportion of cells responding and the magnitude of the Δ[Ca2+]int transient depend on the subsaturating dose of LIC, even though it too binds uniformly to all the cells, nonresponding as well as responding. These earlier findings have here been extended by single cell flow cytometric analysis to demonstrate that F(ab')2 FcγRIII is the major FcγR involved in HIC binding (and [Ca2+]int mobilization), as well as in oxidative burst and phospholipase A activation. In contrast, both receptor subclasses must be available for LIC‐elicited Δ[Ca2+]int, as blockage by either of the mAb Fab or F(ab')2 fragments abrogates this response, even though LIC binding to the receptors is not decreased. Furthermore, LIC elicited little oxidative burst activity and failed to activate phospholipase A but cross‐linking to achieve multivalency, previously shown to induce [Ca2+]int and oxidative burst responses, elicited phospholipase A activity via FcγRIII. FcγRII's role appears to be modulation of the small, late Ca2+ influx observed at > 1 min, whereas FcγRIII modulates all the earlier larger events. Thus, simultaneous observation of receptor identity, receptor occupancy, and consequent activation parameters in the same cell by flow cytometry permits use to demonstrate that FcγRII is necessary for the small signal transduction elicited by LIC; it plays a relatively small role in polymorphonuclear leukocyte stimulation by HIC. FcγRIII is the main receptor responsible for immune complex‐elicited polymorphonuclear leukocyte responses; its efficacy is greatly enhanced when the receptors are cross‐linked, either by preequilibrated multivalent complexes or by in situ cross‐linking of bound LIC with excess antibody.
Patient and Surgeon Satisfaction with Extremity Blockade for Surgery in Remote Locations

In a practice that may be unique to military health care, extremity nerve blocks are established by anesthesiologists before transporting the patient to a remote clinic for surgery without further monitoring by anesthesia personnel.The safety and acceptance of this practice was assessed through a prospective survey of the surgeons and their patients. Six hundred seventy-seven blocks were performed in a 1-yr period with no adverse events related to this practice. Completed surveys were received from 406 (60%) of the surgeons and 232 (34%) of the patients. Of the blocks performed, 638 (94%) were brachial plexus blocks, with axillary blocks accounting for 87% of the brachial plexus blocks. Of the responding patients, 78% stated that they would be willing to undergo a repeat block. The surgeons were satisfied with the operating conditions in 96% of the cases. This study supports the safety and efficacy of this practice. (Anesth Analg 1997;84:773-6)