Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Methylene blue-conjugated hydrogel nanoparticles and tumor-cell targeted photodynamic therapy.

Methylene blue-conjugated polyacrylamide nanoparticles are prepared through a microemulsion polymerization, after conjugation of the dye with a monomer. The nanoparticles have a 50-60 nm diameter in solution. This conjugation method enables a large increase in loading of methylene blue per nanoparticle and also minimizes dye leaching out of the nanoparticle. Furthermore, the dye content can be controlled by variation of the dye amount, enabling a more refined control of the singlet oxygen production ability. The nanoparticles are coated with F3 peptides, which give specific targeting to selected tumor cells, 9L, MDA-MB-435, and F98, in vitro. In addition, MTT assays reveal that the nanoparticles have no dark toxicity but excellent PDT efficacy increasing with the nanoparticle dose and irradiation time.
Ego-Involvement and the Difficulty Law of Motivation: Effects on Performance-Related Cardiovascular Response

Two experiments found that effort-related cardiovascular reactivity under ego-involvement follows the principles of motivational intensity theory. Experiment 1 manipulated ego-involvement and the difficulty of a memory task. Under high ego-involvement, cardiovascular reactivity during task performance increased with fixed task difficulty; an unfixed performance standard elicited the same high reactivity as a fixed high standard. Experiment 2 manipulated ego-involvement and administered a memory task with unfixed versus extremely high performance standards. High ego-involvement increased cardiovascular reactivity only when the performance standard was unfixed but not when success was obviously impossible. Both studies found associations between cardiovascular reactivity and achievement and controlled for emotional states. The findings clarify previous research and theorizing about ego-involvement and motivation.
Promoter demethylation accompanies reactivation of the HOX11 proto‐oncogene in leukemia

Despite considerable work on the epigenetic control of tumor suppressor genes, little is known about the potential role of promoter CpG demethylation in the activation of oncogenes in lymphoid tumors. The HOX11 proto‐oncogene is frequently activated in T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T‐ALL). HOX11 activation can occur in the absence of translocation of the gene to the T‐cell receptor locus (Salvati et al., 1995 ), implying that activation mechanisms must be involved other than the juxtaposition of the gene to adjacent enhancing sequences. We tested whether the methylation status of the proximal promoter was correlated with expression status in T‐ALL and found that, in all cases, expression of HOX11 in T‐ALL was associated with extensive demethylation of the proximal HOX11 promoter, regardless of whether or not translocation was involved. In contrast, cells that did not express HOX11 showed a more methylated pattern of CpG residues in the proximal promoter. Methylation of this sequence in vitro was sufficient to silence the proximal promoter. We propose a model in which the selection of leukemia clones via a pathway involving HOX11 expression requires the demethylation of its promoter as a prerequisite for additional gene activation mechanisms. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Endothelial cells incubated with platelet‐rich plasma express PDGF‐B and ICAM‐1 and induce bone marrow stromal cell migration

Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) is used to accelerate bone repair through the growth factors released by platelets. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if PRP induce human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) to express mRNA for osteogenic growth factors and stimulate the migration of bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC). The effects of PRP were compared to those induced by vascular endothelial growth factor‐A (VEGF‐A) or, as a negative control, by platelet poor plasma (PPP). After incubation with PRP, but not with PPP, HUVEC showed an increased expression of mRNA for platelet derived growth factor‐B (PDGF‐B), and this effect was not inhibited by an anti‐VEGF‐A antibody. The migration of BMSC was more stimulated by HUVEC incubated with PRP than by HUVEC incubated with low serum medium or PPP. Besides, PRP increased the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and osteoprotegerin, but did not affect the expression either of the receptor activator for nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) or of RANK. These findings support the hypothesis that PRP contribute to bone repair by favoring the pro‐osteogenic function of endothelial cells, including the recruitment of osteoblast precursors and the expression of adhesion molecules for monocyte/macrophages, while inhibiting their pro‐osteolytic properties. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27:1493–1498, 2009
House poor in Los Angeles: examining patterns of housing-induced poverty by race, nativity, and legal status

Housing affordability in the United States is generally operationalized using the ratio approach, with those allocating more than thirty percent of income to shelter costs considered to have housing affordability challenges. Alternative standards have been developed that focus on residual income, whether income remaining after housing expenditures is sufficient to meet non-housing needs. This study employs Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey data to consider racial/ethnic, nativity and legal status differences in one residual income standard. Logistic regression analyses of housing-induced poverty focus on whether there are differences among five distinct groups: US born Latinos, Non-Hispanic Whites, and African Americans, authorized Latino immigrants, and unauthorized Latino immigrants. Results suggest that: (1) Latino natives are significantly more likely to be in housing-induced poverty than African Americans and Latino immigrants, and (2) unauthorized Latino immigrants are not more likely to experience the outcome than other groups. The present work extends previous research. First, the results provide additional evidence of the value of operationalizing housing affordability using a residual income standard. Alternatives to the ratio approach deserve more empirical attention from a wider range of scholars and policymakers interested in housing affordability. Second, housing scholarship to date generally differentiates among Latinos by ethnicity, nativity, and citizenship. The present study contributes to emerging research investigating heterogeneity among Latinos by nativity and legal status.
US Traffic Fatalities, 1985-2014, and Their Relationship to Medical Marijuana Laws.

OBJECTIVES To determine the association of medical marijuana laws (MMLs) with traffic fatality rates. METHODS Using data from the 1985-2014 Fatality Analysis Reporting System, we examined the association between MMLs and traffic fatalities in multilevel regression models while controlling for contemporaneous secular trends. We examined this association separately for each state enacting MMLs. We also evaluated the association between marijuana dispensaries and traffic fatalities. RESULTS On average, MML states had lower traffic fatality rates than non-MML states. Medical marijuana laws were associated with immediate reductions in traffic fatalities in those aged 15 to 24 and 25 to 44 years, and with additional yearly gradual reductions in those aged 25 to 44 years. However, state-specific results showed that only 7 states experienced post-MML reductions. Dispensaries were also associated with traffic fatality reductions in those aged 25 to 44 years. CONCLUSIONS Both MMLs and dispensaries were associated with reductions in traffic fatalities, especially among those aged 25 to 44 years. State-specific analysis showed heterogeneity of the MML-traffic fatalities association, suggesting moderation by other local factors. These findings could influence policy decisions on the enactment or repealing of MMLs and how they are implemented.
Accelerated Up‐Regulation of L‐Sox5, Sox6, and Sox9 by BMP‐2 Gene Transfer During Murine Fracture Healing *

Fracture repair is the best‐characterized situation in which activation of chondrogenesis takes place in an adult organism. To better understand the mechanisms that regulate chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal progenitor cells during fracture repair, we have investigated the participation of transcription factors L‐Sox5, Sox6, and Sox9 in this process. Marked up‐regulation of L‐Sox5 and Sox9 messenger RNA (mRNA) and smaller changes in Sox6 mRNA levels were observed in RNAse protection assays during early stages of callus formation, followed by up‐regulation of type II collagen production. During cartilage expansion, the colocalization of L‐Sox5, Sox6, and Sox9 by immunohistochemistry and type II collagen transcripts by in situ hybridization confirmed a close relationship of these transcription factors with the chondrocyte phenotype and cartilage production. On chondrocyte hypertrophy, production of L‐Sox5, Sox9 and type II collagen were down‐regulated markedly and that of type X collagen was up‐regulated. Finally, using adenovirus mediated bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP‐2) gene transfer into fracture site we showed accelerated up‐regulation of the genes for all three Sox proteins and type II collagen in fractures treated with BMP‐2 when compared with control fractures. These data suggest that L‐Sox5, Sox6, and Sox9 are involved in the activation and maintenance of chondrogenesis during fracture healing and that enhancement of chondrogenesis by BMP‐2 is mediated via an L‐Sox5/Sox6/Sox9‐dependent pathway.
The Long-term Effects of Water Fluoridation on the Human Skeleton

Municipal water fluoridation has notably reduced the incidence of dental caries and is widely considered a public health success. However, ingested fluoride is sequestered into bone, as well as teeth, and data on the long-term effect of exposure to these very low doses of fluoride remain inconclusive. Epidemiological studies suggest that effects of fluoride on bone are minimal. We hypothesized that the direct measurement of bone tissue from individuals residing in municipalities with and without fluoridated water would reveal a relationship between fluoride content and structural or mechanical properties of bone. However, consonant with the epidemiological data, only a weak relationship among fluoride exposure, accumulated fluoride, and the physical characteristics of bone was observed. Analysis of our data suggests that the variability in heterogenous urban populations may be too high for the effects, if any, of low-level fluoride administration on skeletal tissue to be discerned.
Functional up‐regulation of KCNA gene family expression in murine mesenteric resistance artery smooth muscle

This study focused on the hypothesis that KCNA genes (which encode KVα1 voltage‐gated K+ channels) have enhanced functional expression in smooth muscle cells of a primary determinant of peripheral resistance – the small mesenteric artery. Real‐time PCR methodology was developed to measure cell type‐specific in situ gene expression. Profiles were determined for arterial myocyte expression of RNA species encoding KVα1 subunits as well as KVβ1, KVα2. 1, KVγ9. 3, BKCaα1 and BKCaβ1. The seven major KCNA genes were expressed and more readily detected in endothelium‐denuded mesenteric resistance artery compared with thoracic aorta; quantification revealed dramatic differential expression of one to two orders of magnitude. There was also four times more RNA encoding KVα2. 1 but less or similar amounts encoding KVβ1, KVγ9. 3, BKCaα1 and BKCaβ1. Patch‐clamp recordings from freshly isolated smooth muscle cells revealed dominant KVα1 K+ current and current density twice as large in mesenteric cells. Therefore, we suggest the increased RNA production of the resistance artery impacts on physiological function, although there is quantitatively less K+ current than might be expected. The mechanism conferring up‐regulated expression of KCNA genes may be common to all the gene family and play a functional role in the physiological control of blood pressure.
A pharmacokinetic model for quantitative evaluation of spinal cord injury with dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

A multicompartment pharmacokinetic model was proposed to quantitatively describe the distribution of the contrast agent gadopentetate‐dimeglumine (Gd) in an experimental spinal cord injury (SCI). Concentration of Gd was measured in different compartments with in vivo dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) in the acute phase of injury. The concentration data for each rat was fitted to the model to estimate transfer rates between different compartments. The results indicate: 1) lack of uptake of Gd in normal cord tissue, 2) rapid exchange of Gd between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in both normal and injured cord tissues, and 3) slower uptake of Gd in injured cord. With this approach, it is possible to quantify the integrity of the blood–spinal cord barrier (BSCB) in vivo, evaluate the pathobiology of injured cord, assess the efficacy of interventions, and monitor the progression of injury with postinjury time. Magn Reson Med 46:1099–1106, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evolution of pathogen virulence: the role of variation in host phenotype

Selection on pathogens tends to favour the evolution of growth and reproductive rates and a concomitant level of virulence (damage done to the host) that maximizes pathogen fitness. Yet, because hosts often pose varying selective environments to pathogens, one level of virulence may not be appropriate for all host types. Indeed, if a level of virulence confers high fitness to the pathogen in one host phenotype but low fitness in another host phenotype, alternative virulence strategies may be maintained in the pathogen population. Such strategies can occur either as polymorphism, where different strains of pathogen evolve specialized virulence strategies in different host phenotypes or as polyphenism, where pathogens facultatively express alternative virulence strategies depending on host phenotype. Polymorphism potentially leads to specialist pathogens capable of infecting a limited range of host phenotypes, whereas polyphenism potentially leads to generalist pathogens capable of infecting a wider range of hosts. Evaluating how variation among hosts affects virulence evolution can provide insight into pathogen diversity and is critical in determining how host–pathogen interactions affect the phenotypic evolution of both hosts and pathogens.
On the efficacy of techniques for evaluating multivariate volatility forecasts

The performance of techniques for evaluating multivariate volatility forecasts are not yet as well understood as their univariate counterparts. This paper aims to evaluate the efficacy of a range of traditional statistical-based methods for multivariate forecast evaluation together with methods based on underlying considerations of economic theory. It is found that a statistical-based method based on likelihood theory and an economic loss function based on portfolio variance are the most effective means of identifying optimal forecasts of conditional covariance matrices.
Analysis of Arg-Gly-Asp mimetics and soluble receptor of tumour necrosis factor as therapeutic modalities for concanavalin A induced hepatitis in mice.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It has been shown that synthetic non-peptidic analogues of Arg-Gly-Asp, a major cell adhesive ligand of extracellular matrix, prevented an increase in serum aminotransferase activity, as a manifestation of concanavalin A induced liver damage in mice. This study examined the effects of an Arg-Gly-Asp mimetic on liver histology and cytokine release in response to concanavalin A administration, and the efficacy of soluble receptor of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha in preventing hepatitis in this model of liver injury. METHODS: Mice were pretreated with either the Arg-Gly-Asp mimetic SF-6,5 or recombinant soluble receptor of TNF alpha before their inoculation with 10 mg/kg concanavalin A. Liver enzymes, histology, and the serum values of TNF alpha and interleukin (IL)6 were examined. RESULTS: The histopathological damage in the liver, and the concanavalin A induced release of TNF alpha and IL6 were significantly inhibited by the synthetic Arg-Gly-Asp mimetic (p < 0.001). Liver injury, manifested by the increase in serum aminotransferase and cytokines, as well as by histological manifestations of hepatic damage, was effectively prevented by pretreatment of the mice with the soluble TNF receptor (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the efficacy of a synthetic Arg-Gly-Asp mimetic and soluble TNF receptor in the prevention of immune mediated liver damage in mice.
Synergistic antimycobacterial activities of sesquiterpene lactones from Laurus spp.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the antimycobacterial potential of laurel oil, its fractions and its two sesquiterpene lactones against several mycobacterial strains and clinical isolates, and to establish the possibility of occurrence of some synergistic effects between those lactones using a modification of the fluorometric Alamar Blue microassay (FMABA). METHODS The in vitro antimycobacterial activity of whole oil and its fractions and pure active compounds were determined by FMABA. A bioassay-guided fractionation of the traditional preparation of laurel oil from Madeira Islands was performed, yielding pure compounds chemically identified by standard procedures. Synergism of pure compounds was established by X/Y quotient analysis adapted to FMABA. RESULTS Sesquiterpene lactones, costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone, were the compounds responsible for the antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv with MICs of 6.25 and 12.5 mg/L, respectively. Antimycobacterial activity against drug-resistant M. tuberculosis clinical isolates was better for the mixture than for pure compounds. CONCLUSIONS Both lactones presented synergistic activity, i.e. analysis of relative fluorescence units presented an X/Y value <0.5 at a concentration of 1/8 MIC of each compound in the combination. Establishment of synergism by FMABA represents another application of the microplate Alamar Blue assay.
The clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of ampulla of Vater carcinoma: the intestinal type is associated with a better prognosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS We wanted to compare the clinicopathological parameters with the immunohistochemical expression patterns and patient survival for the intestinal type (IT) and the pancreatobiliary type (PT) of ampulla of Vater carcinoma. Ampulla of Vater carcinoma can be classified histologically into either IT or PT. The biologic behavior and patient prognosis vary considerably in relation to the tumor type. METHODOLOGY From September, 1995, to February, 2004, 34 patients with the pathologic diagnosis of ampulla of Vater carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed and the prognostic factors were analyzed. To classify the phenotypes of the tumors, the keratin types (CK7 and CK20), the type of apomucin of the mucosa (MUC2), and the glucose transporter (GLUT1) were studied for differentiating the tumor types. RESULTS The 5-year survival rate of the 34 patients with ampulla of Vater carcinoma was 58.8%. Histologically, 12 patients had IT and 22 had PT, and the IT patients all survived. The long-term survival after resection of the tumor was significantly greater for the patients with IT than for the patients with PT. Although these differences were not statistically significant, the prognosis of IT group seemed more favorable (p = 0.0955). On the immunohistochemical staining, MUC2 (p < 0.0001), CK20 (p = 0.0002) and CK7 (p = 0.0368) were statistically effective, but not GLUT1, for differentiating IT from PT. CONCLUSIONS For the classification of the tumor phenotypes, performing immunohistochemical staining were helpful to differentiate the two types of tumor. A study with a larger number samples would probably elucidate the different clinical course between these two types of ampulla of Vater carcinoma.
Study on the tracking errors and their determinants: evidence from Hong Kong exchange traded funds

This article presents the first study on the magnitude of tracking error and the determinants of tracking errors using the daily figures of the Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) traded in Hong Kong stock market. In general, the results suggest that the tracking errors are comparatively higher than those documented in US and Australia. The magnitude of the tracking errors is also found to be negatively related to the size but positively related to the expense ratios of the funds, which are consistent with the previous studies.
Assessing fear of hypoglycemia among adults with type 1 diabetes - psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey II questionnaire

Background: Hypoglycemia is common in type 1 diabetes, but the overall frequency of both mild and severe hypoglycemia is difficult to estimate. The Hypoglycemia Fear Survey II (HFS-II) is often used to assess the fear of hypoglycemia. Material and methods: The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the HFS-II for adults, including the behavior (HFS-B) and worry (HFS-W) subscales, among 235 adults in Norway with type 1 diabetes. We assessed associations between HFS-II scores and other rating scales and demographic and clinical variables. Results: The Norwegian version of HFS-II had an acceptable factor structure in relation to HFS-W, whereas the structure within HFS-B was more questionable. The expected relationships between HFS-II subscales and measures of related constructs administered concurrently demonstrated adequate convergent and discriminant validity. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were satisfactory. Conclusion: Access to reliable and valid self-report instruments enables the early detection of psychosocial problems. HFS-W performs well, whereas HFS-B needs to be further examined and developed.
Lipid profile in women with preeclampsia: relationship between plasma triglyceride levels and severity of preeclampsia.

It has been hypothesized that, in preeclampsia, hypertriglyceridemia may lead to increased endothelial triglyceride accumulation that, in turn, may result in endothelial cell damage. The purpose of our study was to determine whether hypertriglyceridemia is associated with the severity of preeclampsia. We studied 29 preeclamptic patients and 46 normal pregnant women, aged 15 to 35 years, with singleton pregnancies, at 28 to 37 weeks' gestation. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were measured enzymatically. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol was determined using a dextran sulfate-magnesium precipitation method. Patients with mild preeclampsia had a significant increase in plasma triglyceride levels (P < .001), while patients with severe preeclampsia had triglyceride levels comparable to controls. Our findings suggest that there is no direct relationship between triglyceride levels and severity of preeclampsia.