Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy as first-line therapy in advanced gastric cancer: a biomarker evaluation from the AVAGAST randomized phase III trial.

PURPOSE The AVAGAST study showed that adding bevacizumab to chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer improves progression-free survival and tumor response rate but not overall survival. To examine the hypothesis that angiogenic markers may have predictive value for bevacizumab efficacy in gastric cancer, AVAGAST included a prospective, mandatory biomarker program. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with previously untreated, locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer were randomly assigned to bevacizumab (n = 387) or placebo (n = 387) in combination with chemotherapy. Blood and tumor tissue samples were collected at baseline. Prespecified biomarkers included plasma vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), protein expression of neuropilin-1, and VEGF receptors-1 and -2 (VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2). Correlations between biomarkers and clinical outcomes were assessed by using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS Plasma was available from 712 patients (92%), and tumor samples were available from 727 patients (94%). Baseline plasma VEGF-A levels and tumor neuropilin-1 expression were identified as potential predictors of bevacizumab efficacy. Patients with high baseline plasma VEGF-A levels showed a trend toward improved overall survival (hazard ratio [HR], 0.72; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.93) versus patients with low VEGF-A levels (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.77 to 1.31; interaction P = .07). Patients with low baseline expression of neuropilin-1 also showed a trend toward improved overall survival (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.97) versus patients with high neuropilin-1 expression (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.81 to 1.40; interaction P = .06). For both biomarkers, subgroup analyses demonstrated significance only in patients from non-Asian regions. CONCLUSION Plasma VEGF-A and tumor neuropilin-1 are strong biomarker candidates for predicting clinical outcome in patients with advanced gastric cancer treated with bevacizumab.
The Bal I and Msp I Polymorphisms in the dopamine D3 receptor gene display, linkage disequilibrium with each other but no association with Tourette syndrome

The D3-dopamine receptor gene, DRD3, has been considered as a candidate gene in several disorders in which the dopaminergic system has been implicated including Tourette syndrome and schizophrenia. The DRD3 studies to date have all used as the gene marker a Bal I polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR RFLP). There have been recent reports on a second marker, an Msp I PCR RFLP, that lies 40 kb downstream. We have typed a sample of 16 Tourette syndrome families with both markers and observed significant linkage disequilibrium between the two markers but no apparent association of either marker with Tourette syndrome. Psychiatr Genet 8:49–52 c 1998 Lippincott-Raven Publishers.
Identification of early-responsive genes correlated to valproic acid-induced neural tube defects in mice.

BACKGROUND Valproic acid (VPA) causes the failure of neural tube closure in newborn mice. However, the molecular mechanism of its teratogenesis is unknown. This study was conducted to investigate the genomewide effects of VPA disruption of normal neural tube development in mice. METHODS Microarray analysis was performed on the head part of NMRI mouse embryos treated for 1 hr with VPA on gestational day (GD) 8. Subsequently, we attempted to isolate genes that changed in correlation with the teratogenic action of VPA by employing reduced teratogenic VPA analogs, valpromide (VPD) and valnoctamide (VCD), in a real-time PCR study. RESULTS Microarray results demonstrated that during neurulation, many genes, some of whose functions are known and some unknown, were either increased or decreased after VPA injection. Some genes were affected by VPD or VCD in the same way as VPA, but others were not changed by the analogs. In this way, our system identified 11 increased and 20 decreased genes. Annotation analysis revealed that the increased genes included gadd45b, ier5, per1, phfl3, pou3f1, and sox4, and the decreased genes included ccne2, ccnl, gas5, egr2, sirt1, and zfp105. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that expression changes in genes having roles in the cell cycle and apoptosis pathways of neural tube cells were strongly expected to relate to the teratogenic, but not antiepileptic, activity of VPA. Our approach has allowed the expansion of the catalog of molecules immediately affected by VPA in the developing neural tube.
Reputation, Diversification and Organizational Explanations of Performance in Professional Service Firms

Growing interest in knowledge as a competitive asset suggests the benefit of studying professional service firms (PSFs). These firms are highly successful examples of organizations whose ability to manage knowledge is critical to their success. Furthermore, they are worthy of study because they constitute a significant sector of the economy, whether measured by their size, numbers, or influence. Despite their significance, little is known of the determinants of their performance. This paper proposes that the core tasks of PSFs raise unusual strategic and organizational challenges, the resolution of which affects organizational performance. We elaborate the effects of reputation and diversification and contrast them to theory for goods-producing industries. We also hypothesize that PSF managers face a choice in designing structures between the retention and motivation of the professional workforce and transferring knowledge from partners to other professionals. These predictions are tested and supported by data from the largest 100 U.S. accounting firms for the period 1991-2000. The paper thus contributes to a theory of professional service firm management.
Y-box binding protein-1 expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: an impact on prognosis in the rituximab era

The expression of YB-1 has been reported to predict poor clinical outcome in many human malignancies, including hematopoietic malignancies. In this study, we investigated the correlations between YB-1 expression and the clinicopathological features of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in a single institution. The expression of YB-1 was analyzed in 168 cases by immunohistochemistry. Fifteen out of 168 cases (8.9%) showed cytoplasmic expression of YB-1. The expression of YB-1 was significantly associated with 5-year overall survival (OS) (p = 0.023). Rituximab plus CHOP therapy (n = 94) improved the 5-year survival rate in both YB-1-positive and -negative patients. In conclusion, the data presented in this report provide evidence that the cytoplasmic expression of YB-1 is a poor prognosis factor in DLBCL treated with CHOP therapy, whereas rituximab improves the survival of both YB-1-positive and -negative patients with DLBCL.
Acid-Responsive Gene Induction of Ammonia-Producing Enzymes in Helicobacter pylori Is Mediated via a Metal-Responsive Repressor Cascade

ABSTRACT Although the adaptive mechanisms allowing the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori to survive acid shocks have been well documented, the mechanisms allowing growth at mildly acidic conditions (pH ∼5.5) are still poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that H. pylori strain 26695 increases the transcription and activity of its urease, amidase, and formamidase enzymes four- to ninefold in response to growth at pH 5.5. Supplementation of growth medium with NiCl2 resulted in a similar induction of urease activity (at low NiCl2 concentration) and amidase activity (at ≥500 μM NiCl2) but did not affect formamidase activity. Mutation of the fur gene, which encodes an iron-responsive repressor of both amidases, resulted in a constitutively high level of amidase and formamidase activity at either pH but did not affect urease activity at pH 7.0 or pH 5.5. In contrast, mutation of the nikR gene, encoding the nickel-responsive activator of urease expression, resulted in a significant reduction of acid-responsive induction of amidase and formamidase activity. Finally, acid-responsive repression of fur transcription was absent in the H. pylori nikR mutant, whereas transcription of the nikR gene itself was increased at pH 5.5 in wild-type H. pylori. We hypothesize that H. pylori uses a repressor cascade to respond to low pH, with NikR initiating the response directly via the urease operon and indirectly via the members of the Fur regulon.
Impact factor of a scientific journal: Is it a measure of quality of research?

Publications in reputed journals is one of the criteria often used by research and scientific organizations to evaluate the potential and aptness of a researcher in recruitment, promotions, research fellowships, expert assignments, awards, etc. In combination with the number of publications and the number of first authorships, the journal ranking is often used as a metric to evaluate the merit of a researcher.
Intraspecific variation in two species of Rhizomucor assessed by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis

Twenty‐three Rhizomucor isolates were characterized by random amplified polymorphic DNA‐PCR (RAPD‐PCR) with 10‐bp oligonucleotide primers. These data were used for numerical analyses to obtain information on the intraspecific genetic polymorphism of Rhizomucor species. The genetic variability in Rhizomucor pusillus and Rhizomucor miehei isolates was found to differ; the latter revealed less intraspecific polymorphism. The different levels of genotypic diversity suggest a correlation with the different forms of mating behaviour of these species. Rhizomucor tauricus displayed amplification patterns similar to those of the investigated R. pusillus strains, reinforcing the assumption that R. tauricus does not represent a separate species. Characteristic RAPD markers allowing PCR‐based species identification of Rhizomucor isolates were determined.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN STRESS FOR INSULATION PERFORMANCE IN HIGH VOLTAGE POWER TRANSFORMER

Original scientific paper In electrical power system, variety of solid, liquid and gaseous materials are used for insulation target to protect the incipient failure inside the high voltage power transformers. The insulation is practically ended when the insulation system has become fragile enough to flourish cracks under the electrical and mechanical stresses to which it is subjected. The electrical and mechanical stresses are induced by short circuit currents, thermal expansion and contraction of the conductors and vibration. The dielectric strength of insulation is not vitally diminished by brittleness alone, but electrical breakdown will rapidly follow the improvement of ensuing cracks. The purpose of this paper is to briefly cover the methods favourable for determining the insulating value of the insulation on high voltage power transformer windings and bushings. Many failures of insulation are caused by the entrance of moisture. Insulating materials used on high voltage power transformer windings have a high affinity for moisture from the surrounding atmosphere or oil. Effects of the stressed oil volume and stressing time on the breakdown stress of high voltage power transformer insulation were experimentally investigated. The factors influencing the effects and the results obtained based on them were statistically analysed and systematized by the Weibull distribution method. A Four-dimensional volume theory allowing good estimation of breakdown stress in terms of specific probable values has been established.
Remarkable Postvaccination Spatiotemporal Changes in United States Rotavirus Activity

Analyses of US laboratory surveillance data during 1991 to 2004 established annual peak rotavirus activity occurred first in the Southwest and last in the Northeast. We compared spatiotemporal patterns during the 2 years preceding vaccine introduction in 2006 with the first 2 years following introduction. The postvaccine introduction years failed to demonstrate the typical Southwest to Northeast spread of rotavirus activity.
Antigen Presentation by Activated Murine CD 8 1 T Cells Induces Anergy and Apoptosis 1

Using an IL-2-secreting, noncytolytic, H-Y-specific, CD8 T cell clone, the functional consequences of Ag presentation by T cells to T cells were investigated. Incubation of the T cells with H-Y-soluble peptide led to nonresponsiveness to Ag rechallenge. This was due to the simultaneous induction of apoptosis, involving approximately 40% of the T cells, and of anergy in the surviving cells. These effects were strictly dependent upon bidirectional T:T presentation, in that exposure of C6 cells to peptide-pulsed T cells from the same clone induced proliferation but not apoptosis or anergy. The inhibitory effects of T:T presentation were not due to a lack of costimulation, since the T cells expressed levels of CD80 and CD86 higher than those detected on cultured dendritic cells and equipped them to function as efficient APCs for primary CD8 T cell responses. Following incubation with soluble peptide, CD80 expression increased, and high levels of CTLA-4 (CD152) expression were induced. Although addition of antiCTLA-4 Ab augmented proliferation in response to soluble peptide, no protection from apoptosis or anergy was observed. Neither Fas nor TNF-a was expressed/produced by the C6 cells, and coligation of MHC class I molecules and TCR failed to reproduce the effects of T:T presentation. Taken together, these data suggest that T:T Ag presentation induces anergy and apoptosis in murine CD8 T cells and may reflect the regulatory consequences of T:T interactions in the course of clonal expansion in vivo. The Journal of Immunology,1998, 160: 3655–3665.
The man behind the mask.

Interestingly, man behind the mask that you really wait for now is coming. It's significant to wait for the representative and beneficial books to read. Every book that is provided in better way and utterance will be expected by many peoples. Even you are a good reader or not, feeling to read this book will always appear when you find it. But, when you feel hard to find it as yours, what to do? Borrow to your friends and don't know when to give back it to her or him.
A Role of Androgen Receptor Protein in Cell Growth of an Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer Cell Line

Prostate cancer, which develops due to androgen and is initially responsive to androgen deprivation therapy, often comes to acquire androgen deprivation therapy resistance in short order. We investigated the role of androgen receptor (AR) protein in an androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line using AR ligands and AR siRNA. Although the androgen-independent cell line scarcely responded to AR ligands, their growth was attenuated by ablation of AR protein by siRNA.
Hepatic arterial anatomy for right liver procurement from living donors

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using right liver grafts is now widely performed. Anatomic classifications of the hepatic artery for right liver procurement, however, are limited. In this study, celiac and mesenteric angiograms of 223 consecutive living donors in a single institution were evaluated. Details of the arterial anastomosis and results were reviewed in 72 patients who underwent primary LDLT using right liver grafts. There was a 6% incidence of hepatic arterial bifurcations that might provide multiple orifices in a right liver graft. Only one right liver graft (1%) had multiple arterial orifices. Single arterial anastomosis without interposition was possible in all patients with right liver grafts and none of them were complicated with hepatic arterial thrombosis. Single arterial anastomosis, therefore, has a high probability of success in right liver graft implantation. (Liver Transpl 2004;10:129–133.)
Effect of Range of Motion on Muscle Strength and Thickness

Abstract Pinto, RS, Gomes, N, Radaelli, R, Botton, CE, Brown, LE, and Bottaro, M. Effect of range of motion on muscle strength and thickness. J Strength Cond Res 26(8): 2140–2145, 2012—The purpose of this investigation was to compare partial range-of-motion vs. full range-of-motion upper-body resistance training on strength and muscle thickness (MT) in young men. Volunteers were randomly assigned to 3 groups: (a) full range of motion (FULL; n = 15), (b) partial range of motion (PART; n = 15), or (c) control (CON; n = 10). The subjects trained 2 d·wk−1 for 10 weeks in a periodized program. Primary outcome measures included elbow flexion maximal strength measured by 1 repetition maximum (1RM) and elbow flexors MT measured by ultrasound. The results indicated that elbow flexion 1RM significantly increased (p < 0.05) for the FULL (25.7 ± 9.6%) and PART groups (16.0 ± 6.7%) but not for the CON group (1.7 ± 5.5%). Also, FULL 1RM strength was significantly greater than the PART 1RM after the training period. Average elbow flexor MT significantly increased for both training groups (9.65 ± 4.4% for FULL and 7.83 ± 4.9 for PART). These data suggest that muscle strength and MT can be improved with both FULL and PART resistance training, but FULL may lead to greater strength gains.
Ultrasonography of carotidynia.

Carotidynia is an unilateral neck pain syndrome associated with tenderness to palpitation over the carotid bifurcation, first described by Fay in 1927 ([1][1]). We performed ultrasonographic (US) investigation in six consecutive cases that fulfilled clinical criteria of idiopathic carotidynia
Particle deposition in casts of the human upper tracheobronchial tree.

Particle deposition in the human tracheobronchial tree was studied by means of hollow Silastic casts extending from the trachea through the segmental bronchi. Tagged, monodisperse test aerosol was drawn at a constant inspiratory flow rate through the casts. Total deposition was low for particles with aerodynamic diameters below 3.5 µm and increased rapidly with increasing diameter between 3.5 and 12.2 µm. Deposition per generation increased with depth down to the segmental bronchi. Most of the impaction occurred at the bifurcations. At the tracheal bifurcation, the greatest particle accumulation was found along the carina. The reported distribution of sites of bronchial carcinoma was related to the distribution of sites of impaction observed in this study.
Identification and mapping of neutralizing epitopes of human parvovirus B19 by using human antibodies

We identified and mapped the regions responsible for neutralization in the human parvovirus B19 structural protein by using region-specific human antibodies derived from seropositive blood donors. The region-specific antibodies were purified by using affinity columns coupled with synthetic peptides of the hydrophilic regions including the beta-turn structure deduced by the predicted secondary structure of VP2. Fifteen highly specific antibodies against the synthetic peptides were obtained. Ten of them were able to precipitate the radiolabeled virus. Six of them proved to be able to protect the colony-forming unit erythroid cells in human bone marrow cell cultures from injury by the virus. The sequences recognized by the six neutralizing antibodies were sites corresponding to amino acids 253 to 272, 309 to 330, 325 to 346, 359 to 382, 449 to 468, and 491 to 515 from the amino-terminal portion of VP2. These observations suggest that the neutralizing epitopes were distributed in the region from amino acid 253 in the amino-terminal portion of VP2 to the carboxyl terminus of VP2.
Reappraising the theme of breeding systems in Echinococcus: is outcrossing a rare phenomenon?

SUMMARY Selfing has been considered the most common mode of reproduction in Echinococcus flatworms. However, population genetic studies on the asexual larval stage involving nuclear co-dominant markers have not always revealed significant heterozygote deficiencies – the expected outcome of a regularly and highly inbred population. In this study, we analysed the genetic structure of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato populations from Southern Brazil during their adult (sexual) stage using 1 mitochondrial and 1 nuclear marker (cox 1 and mdh, respectively). We show that parasite genetic differentiation is largest among definitive hosts (domestic dogs) from different farms, suggesting that transmission is mostly maintained within a farm. Moreover, we show that heterozygote deficiencies are not significant, and we suggest that outbreeding is the most common mode of reproduction of the parasite in that region.
Cycle Extendability and Hamiltonian Cycles in Chordal Graph Classes

A cycle $C$ in a graph is extendable if there exists a cycle ${C^{\prime}}$ such that $V(C) \subseteq V({C^{\prime}})$ and $\mid V({C^{\prime}}) \mid = \mid V(C) \mid + 1$. A graph is cycle extendable if every non-Hamiltonian cycle in the graph is extendable. An unresolved question is whether or not every Hamiltonian chordal graph is cycle extendable. We show that Hamiltonian graphs in classes such as interval, split, and in some subclasses of strongly chordal graphs, are cycle extendable. We also address efficiently finding a Hamilton cycle in some cases. A unifying theme to our approach is the use of appropriate vertex elimination orders.
Path decompositions and perfect path double covers

We consider edge-decompositions of regular graphs into isomorphic paths. An m-PPD (perfect path decomposition) is a decomposition of a graph into paths of length m such that every vertex is an end of exactly two paths. An m-PPDC (perfect path double cover) is a covering of the edges by paths of length m such that every edge is covered exactly two times and every vertex is an end of exactly two paths of the covering. We show that if m :S 2g 3 then: (1) every 2m-regular graph G of girth 9 has an m-PPD, (2) for even m, every m-regular bipartite graph G of girth 9 has a decompositon into paths of length m; moreover such a graph has an m-PPDC.
Conservative care of De Quervain's tenosynovitis/ tendinopathy in a warehouse worker and recreational cyclist: a case report.

OBJECTIVE This case study was conducted to evaluate the conservative management of a patient presenting with right sided wrist and thumb pain diagnosed as De Quervain's tenosynovitis/tendinopathy. CLINICAL FEATURES A 49-year-old female warehouse worker and recreational cyclist with right-sided De Quervain's tenosynovitis/tendinopathy that began after a long-distance cycling trip. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME Treatment included ultrasound, soft tissue and myofascial release therapy, tool assisted fascial stripping or "guasha", acupuncture, mobilizations and kinesiology taping. Home advice included icing, rest, wrist bracing, elevation and eccentric rehabilitation exercises. The positive outcome was a complete resolution of the patient's complaint. SUMMARY This case demonstrates how De Quervain's disease is a challenging condition to treat with conservative methods and can be aggravated with new exacerbating factors as treatment continues. In this case, the addition of the active care (including eccentric exercises and self-care) helped to reinforce the passive care given in the office and accelerate the recovery.
Role of thyroxine-binding globulin in the early distribution of thyroxine and triiodothyronine.

ABSTRACT The thyroxine (T4)-binding capacity of the T4-binding globulin (TBG) affects the distribution within the body and the rate of disappearance from plasma of both labeled T4 and triiodothyronine (T3). Thus, estrogens, which increase T4-binding by TBG, reduce the hepatic incorporation, hepatic volume of distribution (VL) and hepatic clearance (CL) of both hormones in normal adults without altering the extrahepatic fractions of T4 or T3. Conversely, in 2 brothers who lack TBG, the hepatic uptake, VL and CL were much greater than in normals. We infer that increased T4-binding capacity is responsible for the reduced VL and CL produced by estrogens in normal subjects. The qualitatively similar effects of estrogens on the hepatic incorporation and VL of T3 show that TBG also influences the distribution of T3. Comparison of the rates of plasma disappearances of T3 and T4 with the rates of hepatic uptake suggests that the period of time from 20 to 50 min after injection reflects principally hepatic uptake o.