Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protein kinase Cδ amplifies ceramide formation via mitochondrial signaling in prostate cancer cells

We studied the role of protein kinase C isoform PKCδ in ceramide (Cer) formation, as well as in the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway induced by anticancer drugs in prostate cancer (PC) cells. Etoposide and paclitaxel induced Cer formation and apoptosis in PKCδ-positive LNCaP and DU145 cells but not in PKCδ-negative LN-TPA or PC-3 cells. In contrast, these drugs induced mitotic cell cycle arrest in all PC cell lines. Treatment with Rottlerin, a specific PKCδ inhibitor, significantly inhibited drug-induced Cer formation and apoptosis in LNCaP cells, as did overexpression of dominant negative–type PKCδ. Overexpression of wild-type PKCδ had an opposite effect in PC-3 cells. Notably, etoposide induced biphasic Cer formation in LNCaP cells. The early and transient Cer increase resulted from de novo Cer synthesis, while the late and sustained Cer accumulation was derived from sphingomyelin hydrolysis by neutral sphingomyelinase (nSMase). Cer, in turn, induced mitochondrial translocation of PKCδ and stimulated the activity of this kinase, promoting cytochrome c release and caspase-9 activation. Furthermore, the specific caspase-9 inhibitor LEHD-fmk significantly inhibited etoposide-induced nSMase activation, Cer accumulation, and PKCδ mitochondrial translocation. These results indicate that PKCδ plays a crucial role in activating anticancer drug–induced apoptosis signaling by amplifying the Cer-mediated mitochondrial amplification loop.
Frequent mutations in TP53 and CDKN2A found by next-generation sequencing of head and neck cancer cell lines.

OBJECTIVE To conduct high-throughput mutational analysis in 6 commonly used head and neck cancer cell lines. Comprehensive mutation analysis of primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tumors has recently been reported, and mutations in the NOTCH receptors, TP53 and CDKN2A, were key findings. Established cell lines are valuable tools to study cancer in vitro. Similar high-throughput mutational analysis of head and neck cancer cell lines is necessary to confirm their mutational profile. DESIGN DNA was extracted from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) cell lines Cal27, Detroit562, FaDu, SCC4, SCC15, and SCC25. Cell line identity was confirmed by short tandem repeat (STR) analysis, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection status was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. A total of 535 cancer-associated genes were sequenced through a limited exome capture on the Illumina HiSeq system. SETTING London Regional Cancer Program. RESULTS The identity of the 6 cell lines was confirmed by STR analysis, and all lines tested negative for HPV infection. We achieved an average of 129-fold coverage with paired-end 100 base-pair reads. Sequencing revealed an average of 38 damaging mutations in each cell line (range, 30-45). The TP53 mutations, predicted to confer loss of function, were noted in all cell lines, and damaging CDKN2A mutations were found in all lines except SCC15. CONCLUSIONS High-throughput sequencing of head and neck cancer cell lines revealed similar mutations to those observed in primary tumors. Thus, these lines reflect the tumor biology of HNSCC and can serve as valuable models to study HNSCC in vitro.
Long-term Evolution of Subjective Visual Vertical after Vestibular Neurectomy and Labyrinthectomy

Subjective visual vertical (SVV) tilt, observed after vestibular neurectomy and labyrinthectomy, is considered to be due to the deafferentation of the otolithic organs. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term evolution of the SVV up to 4 years after surgery. Between 1993 and 1998 the SVV was measured in 35 patients (18 men, 17 women) aged from 21 to 71 years (mean 36 years). Vestibular neurectomy was performed in 30 patients and labyrinthectomy in 6. SVV was measured with a binocular test (vertical frame) and a monocular test (Maddox rod). Immediately after operation, the SVV showed a 10-30 degrees tilt toward the operated ear with the vertical frame (normal 0 +/- 2 degrees) and a 5-22 degrees tilt with the Maddox rod (normal 0 +/- 4 degrees). After labyrinthectomy, SVV returned to normal values after 1 year in all patients. SVV also returned to normal within 1 year after vestibular neurectomy in 20 patients; in the other 10 patients SVV was still slightly tilted 1-4 years after neurectomy: > 2 degrees with the vertical frame and > 4 degrees with the Maddox rod, particularly on the eye ipsilateral to the operated ear. Some of these 10 patients also had persisting disequilibrium.
Expression of RhoC Is Associated with Metastasis of Gastric Carcinomas

Objectives:RhoC, a member of the ras-related small GTPase protein family, regulates cytoskeletal structures and has the potential to transform cultured cells. It has recently been reported that RhoC contributes to the metastatic phenotype of melanoma cells. The purpose of this study was to clarify its biological relevance to gastric carcinogenesis and metastasis. Methods: We examined the expression of RhoC by quantitative RT-PCR in 51 cases of gastric carcinoma tissues from prior surgical cases (intestinal type: 24 cases, diffuse type: 27 cases) and in 8 gastric carcinoma cell lines. Results:RhoC expression levels in primary tumors were significantly higher in cases with metastasis than in those without metastasis (p = 0.0202; Mann-Whitney U test). RhoC expression levels in primary tumor and their metastatic tumors were significantly higher than their corresponding nonneoplastic mucosa (p = 0.0357, and 0.0173, respectively; Wilcoxon signed rank test). RhoC mRNA expression was confirmed in the gastric carcinoma cell lines. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that elevated expression of the RhoC gene may be involved in the metastasis of gastric carcinomas and may be a good genetic marker for the prediction of a metastatic potential.
Hippocampal size positively correlates with verbal IQ in male children

Historically, there have been numerous proposals that the size of the brain correlates with its capacity to process information. Little is known, however, about which specific brain regions contribute to this correlation in children and adolescents. This study evaluated the relationship between intelligence and the size of various brain structures in typically developing male children 8–18 yrs of age. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were used to measure the volume of the cerebrum, cerebral gray and white matter, cerebellum, amygdala, and hippocampus. Gray matter and hippocampal volume significantly correlated with full scale and verbal IQ. Since the hippocampus strongly correlated with verbal but not performance IQ, our findings reinforce the hypothesis that the hippocampus is involved in declarative and semantic learning, which contributes more notably to verbal IQ, than to performance IQ. Given the substantial evidence for environmentally induced changes in hippocampal structure, an unresolved issue is whether this relationship reflects genetically determined individual variation or learning induced plasticity. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of selenium on kidney function following ischemic injury in rats; protective effects and antioxidant activity

Introduction: Renal dysfunction is caused by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, which is a common problem in kidney surgery or kidney transplantation. The human body consists of enormous complex antioxidant systems, which inquires adequate selenium (Se) absorption for normal physiologic function. It is known that Se has some antioxidant effects. Objectives: In the present research, effects of the Se on damages caused by I/R injury investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental research, four groups of rats (weighing 220±10 g) used, include control group, I/R group, healthy group treated with Se for two weeks, and I/R group with two-week Se treatment. On the test day, I/R was treated in both right and left renal arteries for 45 minutes and the reperfusion was done for 24 hours. Results: In I/R group, the amount of urea and serum creatinine (Cr) was an injury indicator of the kidney cells which showed a significant increase compared with the control group. When the treatment with Se significantly reduced these indicators, glutathione (GSH) enzyme levels reduced significantly in the second group and the enzyme levels increased due to Se treatment in the fourth group. Furthermore, malondialdehyde (MDA) enzyme levels increased in I/R group due to the Se treatment in the fourth group which was significantly reduced. In addition, the tissue damage was reduced in the fourth group compared with I/R group. Conclusion: Se has a protective effect against the I/R injury. This effect might be due to the antioxidant properties of Se.
Characteristics of Children with Moderate Mathematics Deficiencies: A Longitudinal Perspective

The reading and mathematics achievement and specific mathematical competencies of 74 children were followed over four time points during second and third grades. At the beginning of the study, children were classified into one of four groups: moderate mathematics deficiencies but normal reading (MMD–only); moderate mathematics and reading deficiencies (MMD/MRD); moderate reading deficiencies but normal mathematics (MRD–only); and normal achievement in reading and mathematics (NA). Although the MMD–only and the MMD/MRD groups started out at the same level in mathematics, the MMD–only group surpassed the MMD/MRD group over time. A parallel pattern in reading was not observed for the MRD–only and MMD/MRD groups, with children in both groups performing at consistently low levels. Weaknesses in fact retrieval and estimation characterized children with MMD, with or without RD. The MMD–only group showed an advantage over the MMD/MRD group in problem solving. Reading and language strengths help children compensate for deficiencies in selected areas of mathematics.
On the Assessment of the Strategic Value of Information Technologies: Conceptual and Analytical Approaches

This study compares two conceptual (resource-centered and contingency-based) and two analytical (linear and nonlinear) approaches that can be used to assess the strategic value of information technology. Two hypotheses related to these approaches are developed and tested based on matched survey data collected from the CEOs and CIOs of 110 firms. The results indicate that the resource-centered and contingency-based approaches provide complementary understanding of the strategic value of IT. On the one hand, the contingency-based approach is better at explaining the impact of cost-related IT applications on firm performance. Alignment between business strategy and information systems strategy on cost reduction was found to have a significant negative association with firm expense. On the other hand, the resource-centered perspective has a stronger predictive ability of IT impact on firm revenue and profitability. Our results indicate that investments in growth-oriented applications were directly and positively related to firm revenue. An ANOVA test indicates that the nonlinear approaches provide additional insights that help to better understand the relationship between alignment and performance. The response surface method (RSM) shows that high-end strategic alignment (i.e., fit occurring when business strategy and IT strategy are both high) leads to superior performance compared to low-end strategic alignment (i.e., fit occurring when business strategy and IT strategy are both low). We discuss the implications of this study for research and practice and conclude with suggestions for future research directions.
Assessment of the Personal Losses Suffered by Correctional Officers due to Burnout Syndrome

Background: Professional burnout is defined as a state of depletion and loss of motivation accompanied by different mental and physical symptoms. Objective: To assess personal losses suffered by correctional officers due to burnout. Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted between June and December 2012 included 201 correctional officers in two Bulgarian prisons. The mean age of the whole group was 41.2 (SD 8.0) years. The respondents was mostly male (56.7%), married (72.6%), had a secondary educational level (61.7%), and 76.1% of them had been in current prison work over 5 years. Results: The demographic characteristics had no influence on the occurrence of burnout but there was a correlation between level of burnout and the number of sick-leaves, the need for medical help, and the expenses spent on medications. Officers affected by burnout took more sick-leaves and this affected adversely their remuneration as they lost 3.1% of their annual wages. Their expenses spent on user fees for medical services were 3 times higher. Their monthly expenses spent on medications were 3.14 times higher than those of people without the burnout syndrome. Conclusion: The high level of burnout has a negative personal economic effect on the prison employees.
Explaining the environmental Kuznets curve. The case of sulpher emissions

Environmental Kuznets Curves have been estimated using a simple econometric model that hampers interpretation of the various determinants underlying the inverted-U-shaped relationship between some pollutants and income. Explanations for the observed patterns have been offered ex-post without reference to theoretical or empirical investigations. The influence of environmental policy and structural change through sectoral shifts are frequently mentioned as important determinants of the achieved reductions of some pollutants in developed economies. Reviewing the literature on decomposition analysis and applying this method to sulphur emissions fails to find evidence for structural change to be an important determinant of the recorded reductions in sulphur emissions. Environmental policy, fostered by international agreements, has presumably been the main determinant of the reduction in emissions. A regression analysis on the determinants of the non-uniform reductions agreed under the Second Sulphur Protocol makes clear that higher income countries have a more ambitious environmental policy. This provides an explanation for the observed inverted-U curve between sulphur emissions and levels of income.
Toward more meaningful evaluation of contributions and journals across different specialties: introducing specialty impact factor.

In the current scenario of leprosy elimination, lepra reactions (LRs) remain a major persistent problem. Type 1 LR (T1LR) and type 2 LR (T2LR) are the major causes of nerve damage and permanent disabilities. The immunopathogenesis of LR have recently become an important fi eld of research, since it may provide the relevant targets for the early detection and control of these episodes. Presently, there are no uniformly acceptable laboratory markers for LR. Genetic and serum markers in human host may predict susceptibility to reactions as well as progression of nerve damage in leprosy. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in LR may provide a rational strategy for early diagnosis and prevention of the catastrophic consequences of LR.
Abstract Meaning Representation Parsing using LSTM Recurrent Neural Networks

We present a system which parses sentences into Abstract Meaning Representations, improving state-of-the-art results for this task by more than 5%. AMR graphs represent semantic content using linguistic properties such as semantic roles, coreference, negation, and more. The AMR parser does not rely on a syntactic pre-parse, or heavily engineered features, and uses five recurrent neural networks as the key architectural components for inferring AMR graphs.
Three-year follow-up of children with open-set speech recognition who use the MED-EL cochlear implant system

Abstract Improvement in implant technology and the fact that children with cochlear implants have surpassed all expectations have led the field to believe that open-set speech understanding is a common and expected outcome. The available literature suggests this to be the case in open-set word understanding. This study shows the results of 41 pre-lingually deafened children with a minimum of 3 years' cochlear implant experience assessed on the EARS test battery, which includes open-set phoneme, word and sentence tests. Results show that some open-set skills emerge by 6 months after implantation. There was significant improvement over time, even after 3 years of cochlear implant experience. A significant effect of age at implantation was also demonstrated. Results suggest that cochlear-implanted children develop open-set speech recognition soon after implantation, and these skills develop over a long period of time, highlighting the need for continued therapy to maximize listening and learning.
Study the properties of honey powder produced from spray drying and vacuum drying method.

In this study, honey powder produced from vacuum and spray drying method were characterized for their yield, chemical and physical properties (moisture content, pH, total and reducing sugar content, sugar composition, HMF content, DN, a w , color and glass transition temperature), hygroscopic rate and hygroscopicity and hedonic test. The destruction effect of heating is more prominent on honey powder of vacuum drying than that of spray drying and is markedly reduced by the addition of Arabic gum in both drying methods. The honey powder yield of vacuum drying is higher than that of spray drying (72.985 - 73.745% versus 9.72 - 36.596%). The addition of arabic gum increase the higroscopicity of the honey powder compared to the addition of maltodextrin. In adition, Arabic gum increases the wetability and dispersing time of the honey powder. The panelist indicated their preferences for the honey powder produced by vacuum drying due to its aroma and taste and that the hedonic scale of the honey powder is within the range of neutral to like.
Apolipoprotein E polymorphism, life stress and self-reported health among older adults

Objective: To examine the association of self-reported health (SRH) with the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene, life stress, and sociobehavioural factors in adults aged 55 and over. Design: Secondary analysis of data from the Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study (SEBAS) in Taiwan in 2000, comprising 1023 individuals in 24 communities, using multilevel logistic regression. Results: Allele frequencies are 7.9%, 84.7% and 7.4% for E2, E3 and E4, respectively, similar to those reported in other populations of Asian origins. The apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) allele was significantly associated with poor SRH overall (odds ratio (OR) 1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03 to 2.35), but the association was stronger in women (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.17 to 3.88) than in men. Individuals who were not satisfied with their living arrangement (OR 3.24, 95% CI 1.99 to 5.29), lived with more than five people in a household (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.09) or suffered from housing damage in the 1999 earthquake (OR 1.54, 95% CI 0.99 to 2.39) were more likely to report negatively on their heath. Individuals who had secondary education (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.91), often ate vegetables and fruits (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.5 to 0.94) or exercised often (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.77) were less likely to negatively rate their health. A significant interaction between the APOE4 allele and physical exercise was found to be associated with SRH. Conclusions: The APOE4 allele and life-stress factors are associated with SRH, especially in women. Physical exercise is good for health, but benefits may be attenuated among APOE4 allele carriers. This is the first evidence associating a genetic factor and an interaction between APOE4 and physical exercise with SRH. We suggest that well studied genetic factors should be included in health research to control potential heterogeneity.
An exploration of pre-performance routines, self-efficacy, anxiety and performance in semi-professional soccer

Abstract Whilst much research has suggested a positive link between pre-performance routines (PPRs) and performance, the specific mechanisms of the process have yet to be understood fully. It has been suggested that the PPR may influence performance through lowering the athlete's anxiety, and/or increasing their self-efficacy, but to date this has not specifically been explored in detail. As a result the aim of the current study was to explore the impact of specific individualised PPRs on performance, anxiety and self-efficacy in semi-professional soccer players. Participants were 20 male semi-professional soccer players (M = 19.45, SD = 2.81) recruited from clubs in England. Adopting a repeated measure design, players were tested on performance, anxiety, and self-efficacy pre- and post a 7-day intervention period in which the participants learnt a new PPR. The data were analysed using factorial mixed measures analysis of variance (ANOVAs), with the results revealing a significant difference in somatic anxiety for the experimental group and a decrease in performance for the control group. The study provides further support for the suggestion that the PPR can enhance performance by reducing experiences of anxiety prior to performance.
Ginkgo biloba Extract Inhibits Tumor Necrosis Factor-&agr;–Induced Reactive Oxygen Species Generation, Transcription Factor Activation, and Cell Adhesion Molecule Expression in Human Aortic Endothelial Cells

Objective—This study was conducted to examination whether Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), a Chinese herb with antioxidant activity, could reduce cytokine-induced monocyte/human aortic endothelial cell (HAEC) interaction, a pivotal early event in atherogenesis. Methods and Results—Pretreatment of HAECs with GBE (50 and 100 &mgr;g/mL for 18 hours) significantly suppressed cellular binding between the human monocytic cell line U937 and tumor necrosis factor-&agr; (TNF-&agr;)-stimulated HAECs by using in vitro binding assay (68.7% and 60.1% inhibitions, respectively). Cell enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot analysis showed that GBE (50 &mgr;g/mL for 18 hours) significantly attenuated TNF-&agr;–induced cell surface and total protein expression of vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (63.5% and 69.2%, respectively; P <0.05). However, pretreatment with probucol (5 &mgr;mol/L for 18 hours) reduced the expression of vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 but not intracellular adhesion molecule-1. Preincubation of HAECs with GBE or probucol significantly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species formation induced by TNF-&agr; (76.8% and 68.2% inhibitions, respectively; P <0.05). Electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that both GBE and probucol inhibited transcription factor nuclear factor-&kgr;B activation in TNF-&agr;–stimulated HAECs (55.2% and 65.6% inhibitions, respectively) but only GBE could inhibit the TNF-&agr;–stimulated activator protein 1 activation (45.1% inhibition, P <0.05). Conclusions—GBE could reduce cytokine-stimulated endothelial adhesiveness by downregulating intracellular reactive oxygen species formation, nuclear factor-&kgr;B and activator protein 1 activation, and adhesion molecule expression in HAECs, supporting the notion that the natural compound Ginkgo biloba may have potential implications in clinical atherosclerosis disease.