Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
p62 Expression in primary carcinomas of the digestive system.

AIM To characterize p62 expression and define the relationship between p62 expression and cell proliferation in primary carcinomas of the digestive system. METHODS p62 expression was characterized in surgically resected tumor specimens from 60 patients with primary carcinomas of the digestive tract (including 22 esophageal carcinomas, 17 gastric carcinomas, and 21 colorectal carcinomas) and 40 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The cell proliferation was determined by IHC of Ki-67 in 40 patients with HCC. RESULTS Twenty-two cases of esophageal carcinoma were histopathologically diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma. We combined the gastric and colorectal carcinomas based on the equivalent histology. The 38 tumors in the combined groups, consisted of 17 well-differentiated, eight moderately differentiated, nine poorly differentiated carcinomas, and four mucinous adenocarcinomas. According to the criteria of Edmondson and Steiner, 40 patients with HCC were graded (2 grade I, 17 grade II and 21 grade III). p62 expression in primary carcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract (60/60,100%) was higher than that (27/40, 67.5%) of HCC (P<0.01, chi(2) = 19.63). High expression levels of p62 were positively correlated with histological grades in gastric and colorectal carcinomas (P<0.0001) and inversely associated with those in HCC (P = 0.0322). No significant correlations were observed for esophageal carcinomas (P = 0.8246). p62 expression was also detected in the cytoplasm of morphologically normal columnar epithelial cells adjacent to the cancer foci of gastric and colorectal carcinomas. In 40 HCC specimens, the mean Ki-67 labeling index (LI) was (19.6+/-16.0)%. It was (28.3+/-18.73)% in 12 cases with high p62 expression (+++), (7.53+/-14.83)% in 13 cases without p62 expression(-). Patients with a high p62 expression showed a significantly higher level of Ki-67 staining than those without p62 expression (P<0.05, t = 2.069). CONCLUSION p62 expression is common in carcinomas of the digestive system and higher in carcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract than in primary HCC. p62 is a cellular differentiation-related protein. Cancer cells with a high p62 expression exhibited highgrowth fractions in HCC.
The Prediction Predicament: Rethinking Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections Mortality.

BACKGROUND Our study sought to identify independent risk factors predisposing patients with necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) to mortality from among laboratory values, demographic data, and microbiologic findings in a small population. To this end, a retrospective review was conducted of the medical records of all patients with NSTI who had been treated at our institution from 2003 to 2012 (n=134). METHODS Baseline demographics and comorbidities, clinical and laboratory values, hospital course, and the microbiologic characteristics of surgical incision cultures were recorded. Each variable was tested for association with survival status and all associated variables with p<0.15 were included in a logistic regression model to seek factors associated independently with mortality. RESULTS Surprisingly, no demographic or pre-existing condition proved to be a predictor of mortality. Two laboratory values had an inverse correlation to mortality: High C-reactive protein (CRP) and highest recorded CRP. Of surgical incisions that grew bacteria in culture, 33.6% were polymicrobial. Mortality rates were highest with Enterococcus-containing polymicrobial infections (50%), followed by those containing Pseudomonas (40%), and Streptococcus spp. (27%). Understanding why so many studies across the literature, now including our own, find such disparate results for correlation of NSTI mortality with patient data may lie in the fundamentally dynamic nature of the organisms involved. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that no single factor present on admission is a robust predictor of outcome; it is likely that survival in NSTI is predicated upon a complex interaction of multiple host and microbial factors that do not lend themselves to reduction into a simple formula. It is also abundantly clear that the well-established principles of NSTI surgery should continue to be followed in all cases, with an emphasis on early debridement, irrespective of apparent severity of initial presentation.
Presynaptic inhibition of synaptic potentials evoked in cat spinal motoneurones by impulses in single group Ia axons.

1. Single‐fibre group Ia excitatory post‐synaptic potentials (e.p.s.p.s) were evoked in triceps surae motoneurones. These e.p.s.p.s were reduced by conditioning stimulation of group I axons in posterior biceps‐semitendinosus nerves. 2. The investigation concentrated on e.p.s.p.s of somatic origin, because the amplitude of these e.p.s.p.s is not reduced by post‐synaptic conductance increases. Any reduction in these e.p.s.p.s could therefore be attributed to presynaptic inhibition. 3. The reduction in somatic e.p.s.p. amplitude was greatest when the conditioning stimulus preceded the e.p.s.p. by 30 ms, and was negligible when the conditioning interval was extended to 200‐300 ms. 4. The percentage reduction of somatic e.p.s.p.s was independent of their unconditioned peak amplitude. 5. E.p.s.p.s of somatic origin were reduced by the same amount, on average, as e.p.s.p.s of dendritic origin. 6. E.p.s.p.s evoked in the same motoneurone by impulses in different Ia axons were reduced by different amounts and e.p.s.p.s evoked in different motoneurones by impulses in the same Ia axon were also reduced by different amounts. 7. Analysis of fluctuations in e.p.s.p.s before and after conditioning indicated that after conditioning, larger discrete amplitudes became less probable, while smaller discrete amplitudes became more probable. The average increment between discrete amplitudes did not alter; nor were the discrete amplitudes reduced. 8. The probabilities of transmitter release at synaptic boutons were calculated before and during presynaptic inhibition. The maximum decrease in release probability was 0.64, suggesting a reduction in calcium influx of 10‐15%.
Myosin Light Chain Kinase Inhibitors Can Block Invasion and Adhesion of Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines

Introduction Invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer (PC) require cell motility and adhesion, which depend on the activity of cytoskeleton. A cytoskeletal component indispensable for these processes is myosin II, the cytoplasmic analogue of smooth and skeletal muscle myosin. Aims and methodology Because the activity of myosin II is accelerated by phosphorylation of myosin II on its regulatory light chain (RLC) by myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), we used two specific MLCK inhibitors, ML-7 and ML-9, for suppression of motility and adhesion of PC cell lines. Results Both drugs were potent inhibitors, as measured by in vitro motility assay and adhesion assay. When treated with the same concentration of ML-7, the PC cells were rounded up, and the number of stress fibers was reduced markedly. The in vitro migration and adhesion of PC cells were inhibited by ML-7 and ML-9 in a dose-dependent manner, supporting a specific and competitive inhibition of MLCK by these drugs. The inhibition occurred at nontoxic concentrations. Conclusions These results highlight the importance of myosin II in the invasion and metastasis of PC cells and suggest the possibility that blocking of myosin II activity by a specific MLCK inhibitor may be a therapeutic strategy for preventing the invasion and metastasis of PC.
DEVELOPMENT OF A SARIMA MODEL TO FORECAST TUBERCULOSIS DETECTION RATE IN THE DIBRUGARH DISTRICT OF ASSAM, INDIA

Predicting the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) plays an important role in planning health control strategies for the future, developing intervention programs and allocating resources. The techniques of time series analysis and forecasting have become a major tool in predicting different health issues. In this context, an attempt has been made to fit seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model to the historical data of quarterly TB detection rate in Dibrugarh district of India for the period of 2001-2011, a total of 44 data points. We investigated and found that ARIMA (0,0,0)×(1,1,0)4 model is suitable for the given data set.
Chondrocyte phenotype and cell survival are regulated by culture conditions and by specific cytokines through the expression of Sox-9 transcription factor.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of culture conditions, serum and specific cytokines such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1 and interleukin (IL) 1alpha on phenotype and cell survival in cultures of Syrian hamster embryonic chondrocyte-like cells (DES4(+). 2). METHODS Proteins and RNA extracted from subconfluent and confluent early- and late-passage DES4(+). 2 cells cultured in the presence or absence of serum and IL-1alpha or IGF-1 or both cytokines together were analysed for the expression of chondrocyte-specific genes and for the chondrogenic transcription factor Sox-9 by Western and Northern blotting. Apoptosis was assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis of labelled low-molecular weight DNA extracted from DES4(+). 2 cells and another Syrian hamster embryonic chondrocyte-like cell line, 10W(+). 1, cultured under the different conditions and treatments. RESULTS Early passage DES4(+). 2 cells expressed chondrocyte-specific molecules such as collagen types alpha1(II) and alpha1(IX), aggrecan, biglycan and link protein and collagen types alpha1(I) and alpha1(X) mRNAs, suggesting a prehypertrophic chondrocyte-like phenotype. The expression of all genes investigated was cell density- and serum-dependent and was low to undetectable in cell populations from later passages. Early-passage DES4(+). 2 and 10W(+). 1 cells survived when cultured at low cell density, but died by apoptosis when cultured at high cell density in the absence of serum or IGF-1. IGF-1 and IL-1alpha had opposite and antagonistic effects on the chondrocyte phenotype and survival. Whereas IL-1alpha acting alone suppressed cartilage-specific gene expression without significantly affecting cell survival, IGF-1 increased the steady-state mRNA levels and relieved the IL-1alpha-induced suppression of all the chondrocyte-specific genes investigated; it also enhanced chondrocyte survival. Suppression of the chondrocyte phenotype by the inflammatory cytokine IL-1alpha correlated with marked down-regulation of the transcription factor Sox-9, which was relieved by IGF-1. The expression of the Sox9 gene was closely correlated with the expression of the chondrocyte-specific genes under all conditions and treatments. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that the effects of cartilage anabolic and catabolic cytokines IGF-1 and IL-1alpha on the expression of the chondrocyte phenotype are mediated by Sox-9. As Sox-9 appears to be essential for matrix production, the potent effect of IL-1alpha in suppressing Sox-9 expression may limit the ability of cartilage to repair during inflammatory joint diseases.
Compact 12.5 MW, 55 kV solid state modulator

This paper describes the development of a very compact solid state, actively switched MOSFET modulator system, capable of switching 55 kV at 250 A, with pulse widths up to 6 /spl mu/s, at a duty cycle of 0.1%. The modulator, which measures only 12''/spl times/12''/spl times/40'' (0.3 m/spl times/0.3 m/spl times/1 m), is combined with a specially developed capacitor recharging DC supply and integrated control unit to form a system capable of driving high peak power, pulse magnetrons (up to 5 MW of peak RF output), for radar and linear accelerator applications. The novel mechanical realisation, the design concept and key features of the modulator are discussed. The paper describes the overall system performance in the context of significant potential for the improvement of tube lifetimes and concludes with a brief outline of future enhancements and developments to the modulator.
Rhizospheric fungi and their link with the nitrogen‐fixing Frankia harbored in host plant Hippophae rhamnoides L

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a pioneer plant used for land reclamation and an appropriate material for studying the interactions of symbiotic microorganisms because of its nitrogen‐fixing root nodules and mycorrhiza. We used high‐throughput sequencing to reveal the diversities and community structures of rhizospheric fungi and their link with nitrogen‐fixing Frankia harbored in sea buckthorn collected along an altitude gradient from the Qinghai Tibet Plateau to interior areas. We found that the fungal diversities and compositions varied between different sites. Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Zygomycota were the dominant phyla. The distribution of sea buckthorn rhizospheric fungi was driven by both environmental factors and the geographic distance. Among all examined soil characteristics, altitude, AP, and pH were found to have significant (p < 0.05) effect on the rhizospheric fungal community. The rhizospheric fungal communities became more distinct as the distance increased. Moreover, co‐inertia analysis identified significant co‐structures between Frankia and AMF communities in the rhizosphere of sea buckthorn. We conclude that at the large scale, there are certain linkages between nitrogen‐fixing bacteria and the AMF expressed in the distributional pattern.
Changes in symptoms, peak expiratory flow, and sputum flora during treatment with antibiotics of exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in general practice.

BACKGROUND--Bacterial infections of the lower airways during an exacerbation in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be the cause of an exacerbation or the consequence of a viral infection or an increase in airways limitation. To determine whether bacterial infection is an important component in the pathogenesis of an exacerbation, the effects of antimicrobial treatment must be studied. METHODS--Patients with asthma or COPD seen in general practice were studied in a double blind randomised manner to investigate whether the antimicrobial drugs amoxicillin (500 mg three times daily), cotrimoxazole (960 mg twice daily), or a placebo, each when added to a short course of oral corticosteroids, can accelerate recovery from exacerbations. Patients were instructed to contact their own physician early in the morning when complaints of increased shortness of breath, wheezing, or exacerbations of cough with or without sputum production occurred. Treatment effects were evaluated over the next 14 days by studying symptom scores (wheeze, dyspnoea, cough with and without mucus production, and awakening with dyspnoea), peak expiratory flow values (PEF, expressed as % predicted), and sublingual temperature. Bacteriological study of the sputum was made at the onset of an exacerbation and 7, 21 and 35 days afterwards. RESULTS--Of 195 patients enrolled 71 (36%) contacted their physician for symptoms of an exacerbation. Symptoms improved in all three groups, improvements ranging from 0.54 to 0.75 points per day on a four point scale. PEF% predicted showed improvements in the three groups after the exacerbation, ranging from 0.34% to 0.78% predicted per day, finally returning to baseline values. Sublingual temperature did not change. Six of 71 patients consulted their physician because of a relapse between four and 24 days after the start of treatment. In only two of the 50 sputum samples, collected during an exacerbation, and which contained > or = 10(5) bacteria in culture sensitive to the chosen antibiotic given, did any benefit from antimicrobial treatment occur. During the recovery period sputum purulence improved irrespective of antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSIONS--Antibiotics given with a short course of oral prednisolone during an exacerbation do not accelerate recovery as measured by changes in peak flow and symptom scores in ambulatory patients with mild to moderate asthma or COPD when treated by their general practitioners. Moreover, antibiotics do not reduce the number of relapses after treating an exacerbation.
Change in β-cell mass in Japanese nondiabetic obese individuals.

AIM The aim of this study was to clarify the change in β-cell mass in Japanese obese individuals. METHODS We obtained the pancreas at autopsy from 39 lean and 33 obese Japanese nondiabetic individuals (aged 47 ± 13 vs 47 ± 12 y, P = .83, body mass index 20.4 ± 1.6 vs 28.5 ± 3.9 kg/m(2), P < . 01). Pancreatic sections were stained for insulin, and β-cell area (%BCA) was measured as the fraction of the β-cell area to the total pancreas area. β-Cell mass was then calculated as the product of %BCA and estimated pancreas weight. β-Cell replication and apoptosis were assessed by double staining for insulin and Ki67 and insulin and single-stranded DNA, respectively. The frequencies of insulin-positive duct cells and scattered β-cells were assessed as the surrogate markers of β-cell neogenesis. The α-cell area (%ACA) was also measured, and the %ACA to %BCA ratio was determined. RESULTS There was no increase in β-cell mass in obese individuals compared with lean individuals (0.6 ± 0.4 vs 0.7 ± 0.4 g, P = .12). β-Cell replication, β-cell neogenesis, and β-cell apoptosis were not significantly increased in the presence of obesity. There was no significant difference in %ACA to %BCA ratio between obese and lean individuals (0.91 ± 1.09 vs 0.75 ± 0.51, P = .47). CONCLUSION There was no increase in β-cell mass and no detectable change in β-cell turnover in Japanese obese individuals.
Screening Indian Plant Species for Antiplasmodial Properties – Ethnopharmacological Compared with Random Selection

In the search for biologically active plant species, many studies have shown that an ethnopharmacological approach is more effective than a random collection. In order to determine whether this is true in the case of plant species used for the treatment of malaria in Orissa, India, the antiplasmodial activities of extracts prepared from 25 traditionally used species were compared with those of 25 species collected randomly. As expected, plant species used traditionally for the treatment of malaria were more likely to exhibit antiplasmodial activity (21 species (84%) active against Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7) than plant species collected randomly (9 species (32%)). However, of the nine active randomly collected species, eight had not previously been reported to possess antiplasmodial activity while one inactive species had been reported to be active in another study. Of the 21 active species of traditional antimalarial treatments, only six had been reported previously. This study suggests that while the selection of traditional medicinal plants is more predictive of antiplasmodial study, random collections may still be of value for the identification of new antiplasmodial species. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
After the National Curriculum: teacher stress and morale

Stress is an integral and inescapable part of life; in healthy amounts it motivates people to achieve their goals. The term is, however, most often used in contexts where levels are harmful to health. This article deals with definitions of teacher stress which result in negative physiological and psychological symptoms, the most serious of which is 'burn-out', which Kyriacou and Sutcliffe (1978) define as 'The experience by a teacher of unpleasant emotions such as tension, frustration, anxiety, anger and depression, resulting from aspects of his work as a teacher'. As early as 1933 Hicks found that 1 7 per cent of teachers surveyed were unusually nervous and that a further 11 per cent had suffered a nervous breakdown. More recent studies-for example, Cox and Brockley (1984)-have found that 79 per cent of teachers mention their occupation as their main source of stress. They also report that, compared with a broad cross-section of professions, teachers exhibit some of the highest levels of occupational stress. With the increased awareness of the importance of environmental health as one of the key factors in well-being, it is now recognised that stress, anxiety and ultimately depression are major contributing factors to serious illness, such as coronary heart disease. The ultimate goal of any research into teacher stress is to assess the extent, causes and symptoms of stress, its impact on the welfare of teachers, the quality of their work and, in the long run, any harmful effects on pupils' education.
Recent Therapeutic Advances in Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Whole plasma infusion, in our experience, has been highly effective in the management of patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. The effectiveness of plasma infusion in the treatment of this severe disorder implies the deficiency of a factor in the patient's plasma. Furthermore, we have observed that when platelets are suspended in plasma obtained during active, untreated thrombotic purpura, aggregation occurs. This effect is neutralized by preincubation of the thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura plasma with normal plasma. Thus, there is both a correlation with the clinical pathogenic mechanism, disseminated platelet aggregation, and with the therapeutic response to plasma infusion. Based upon our experience and the concept that thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a plasma factor deficiency state, we recommend initial infusion of a full plasma volume equivalent over the first 24 hours. This should be done under an intensive care setting. After this initial plasma infusion, we advise the infusion of 3 units of plasma daily until a full remission is obtained. When the clinical situation has stabilized, we stop the daily plasma infusions and cautiously observe for recurrence of the manifestations of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. If there is a recurrence, plasma is again infused in substantial quantity during the first 24 hours and then 3 units daily until a full remission is again evident. Whether the plasma requirement might be attenuated or the course of the disease shortened by the concomitant use of antiplatelet agents, corticosteroids or other means remains to be determined.
1.56 Å structure of mature truncated human fibroblast collagenase

The X‐ray crystal structure of a 19 kDa active fragment of human fibroblast collagenase has been determined by the multiple isomorphous replacement method and refined at 1.56 Å resolution to an R‐factor of 17.4%. The current structure includes a bound hydroxamate inhibitor, 88 waters and three metal atoms (two zincs and a calcium). The overall topology of the enzyme, comprised of a five stranded β‐sheet and three α‐helices, is similar to the thermolysin‐like metalloproteinases. There are some important differences between the collagenase and thermolysin families of enzymes. The active site zinc ligands are all histidines (His‐218, His‐222, and His‐228). The presence of a second zinc ion in a structural role is a unique feature of the matrix metalloproteinases. The binding properties of the active site cleft are more dependent on the main chain conformation of the enzyme (and substrate) compared with thermolysin. A mechanism of action for peptide cleavage similar to that of thermolysin is proposed for fibroblast collagenase. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New Practical Bayes Estimators for the 2-Parameter Weibull Distribution

New Bayes estimators for the 2-parameter Weibull model are proposed when both parameters are unknown. In many life testing situations there is prior information which can be reasonably quantified in terms of: 1) range of the shape parameter, and 2) anticipated value of a quantile (reliable life) of the sampling distribution. This paper directly incorporates such information into the estimation process, using a new (not completely specified) prior distribution. Since analytic tractability is not possible, the estimates are obtained with easy numerical integration. A Monte Carlo simulation (carried out each time on 1000 samples and also using very poor priors) has shown that these estimators are quite s-unbiased and s-efficient for a large range of parameter values of poor priors.