Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Down‐regulation of connexin43 expression reveals the involvement of caveolin‐1 containing lipid rafts in human U251 glioblastoma cell invasion

Glioblastoma cells are characterized by high proliferation and invasive capacities. Tumor development has been associated with a decrease of gap‐junctional intercellular communication, but the concrete involvement of gap junction proteins, connexins, remains elusive since they are also suspected to promote cell invasion. In order to better understand how connexins control the glioma cell phenotype, we studied the consequences of inhibiting the intrinsic expression of the major astrocytic connexin, Connexin43, in human U251 glioblastoma cells by the shRNA strategy. The induced down‐regulation of Cx43 expression has various effects on the U251 cells such as increased clonogenicity, angiogenesis and decreased adhesion on specific extracellular matrix proteins. We demonstrate that the invasion capacity measured in vitro and ex vivo correlates with Cx43 expression level. For the first time in a cancer cell context, our work demonstrates that Cx43 cofractionates, colocalizes and coimmunoprecipitates with a lipid raft marker, caveolin‐1 and that this interaction is inversely correlated to the level of Cx43. This localization of Cx43 in these lipid raft microdomains regulates both homo‐ and heterocellular gap junctional communications (respectively between U251 cells, or between U251 cells and astrocytes). Moreover, the adhesive and invasive capacities are not dependent, in our model, on Cav‐1 expression level. Our results tend to show that heterocellular gap junctional communication between cancer and stroma cells may affect the behavior of the tumor cells. Altogether, our data demonstrate that Cx43 controls the tumor phenotype of glioblastoma U251 cells and in particular, invasion capacity, through its localization in lipid rafts containing Cav‐1. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exploring the context of visual information seeking

Information seeking is an interactive behaviour of the end users with information systems, which occurs in a real environment known as context. Context affects information-seeking behaviour in many different ways. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that potentially constitute the context of visual information seeking. ,The authors used a Straussian version of grounded theory, a qualitative approach, to conduct the study. Using a purposive sampling method, 28 subjects participated in the study. The data were analysed using open, axial and selective coding in MAXQDA software. ,The contextual factors influencing visual information seeking were classified into seven categories, including: “user characteristics”, “general search features”, “visual search features”, “display of results”, “accessibility of results”, “task type” and “environmental factors”. ,This study contributes to a better understanding of how people conduct searches in and interact with visual search interfaces. Results have important implications for the designers of information retrieval systems. ,This paper is among the pioneer studies investigating contextual factors influencing information seeking in visual information retrieval systems.
Isolation and biological properties of three classes of rabbit antibody to Vibrio cholerae.

The three classes of rabbit immunoglobulin containing specific antibody to Vibrio cholerae were isolated in pure form. Sera from rabbits immunized parenterally with V. cholerae were used for the isolation and purification of both IgG and IgM. Only those immunization schedules confined to the oral route gave significantly elevated titers of IgA antibody in both intestinal washings and colostrum. Various tests of antibacterial efficacy were done on the purified immunoglobulins. Preparations of IgA contained little complement-mediated vibriocidal or opsonic activity. Specific IgA was a good protective antibody in the infant mouse cholera model; on the basis of weight, it protected as well as IgG and IgM.
Prevalence of epilepsy—An unknown quantity

The incidence, prevalence, and mortality of epilepsy vary across countries with different economies. Differences can be explained by methodological problems, premature mortality, seizure remission, socioeconomic factors, and stigma. Diagnostic misclassification—one possible explanation—may result from inclusion of patients with acute symptomatic or isolated unprovoked seizures. Other sources of bias include age and ethnic origin of the target population, definitions of epilepsy, retrospective versus prospective ascertainment, sources of cases, and experienced and perceived stigma. Premature mortality is an issue in low‐income countries (LICs), where treatment gap, brain infections, and traumatic brain injuries are more common than in high‐income countries (HICs). Death rates may reflect untreated continued seizures or inclusion of acute symptomatic seizures. Lack of compliance with antiepileptic drugs has been associated with increased risk for death, increased hospital admissions, motor vehicle accidents, and fractures in poor communities. Epilepsy is a self‐remitting clinical condition in up to 50% of cases. Studies in untreated individuals from LICs have shown that the proportion of remissions overlaps that of countries where patients receive treatment. When the identification of patients is based on spontaneous reports (e.g., door‐to‐door surveys), patients in remission may be less likely to disclose the disease for fear of stigmatization with no concurrent benefits. This might lead to underascertainment of cases when assessing the lifetime prevalence of epilepsy. In LICs, the proportion of people living in poverty is greater than in HICs. Poverty is associated with risk factors for epilepsy, risk for developing epilepsy, and increased mortality. The high incidence and prevalence of epilepsy found in LICs is also observed in low income individuals from HICs. Epileptogenic conditions are associated with an increased mortality. This may partly explain the difference between incidence and lifetime prevalence of epilepsy in LICs. Poverty within LICs and HICs could be a preventable cause of mortality in epilepsy.
Biological, Psychological and Behavioral, and Social Variables Influencing Colorectal Cancer Screening in African Americans

Background: Provider recommendation of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is an important predictor of screening in African Americans. Little is known about influences of screening in African Americans without provider recommendations. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to test, using the biopsychosocial (BPS) model, the relative predictive strength for screening of variables grouped into biological, psychological and behavioral, and social system factors and to compare CRC screening predictors in African Americans with and without provider recommendations. Methods: Secondary analysis of the 2002 Maryland Cancer Survey data was done using (a) hierarchical logistic regression to examine the relative influence of factors on screening and (b) simultaneous logistic regression to examine predictors of screening in individuals with and without provider recommendations to screen. Factors included biological (age and gender), psychological and behavioral (mammogram, prostate specific antigen, body mass index, activity level, fruit and vegetable consumption, alcohol, smoking, and cancer perceptions), and social system (education, employment, insurance, and healthcare provider access). Results: The social system factor influenced CRC screening in the overall sample (n = 492). In African Americans with provider recommendations (n = 337), the very active were 2.43 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11-5.28) times more likely to screen than were less active. Insured were 3.25 (95% CI = 1.14-9.31) times more likely to screen than were uninsured. In African Americans without provider recommendations (n = 155), 65- to 69-year-olds were 9.99 (95% CI = 2.31-43.32) times more likely to screen than were those 50- to 54-year-olds without screening. Discussion: The BPS model confirms social system factor strength in influencing CRC screening in African Americans. Identifying other social system variables that enhance healthcare provider access is critical to increase provider visits, which will generate recommendations and subsequent CRC screening.
The impact of social factors on economic growth: Empirical evidence for Romania and European Union countries

This study analyzes the relationship between the social factors and the economic growth. A summary of social and economic environment is presented for Romania. As such, the paper analyzes the global evolution of social and economic environment over time and establishes a direct correlation between human development and economic welfare. An econometric model and a clustering model are tested for European Union countries. The results of the paper reveal the social factors that are positively correlated with the economic growth (i.e. the expected years of schooling and the life expectancy) and, respectively, the factors that are negatively correlated with the economic growth (i.e. the population at risk of poverty and the unemployment rate).
Volatile Constituents and Antioxidant Activity of Peel, Flowers and Leaf Oils of Citrus aurantium L. Growing in Greece

The volatile constituents of the essential oils of the peel, flower (neroli) and leaves (petitgrain) of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) growing in Greece were studied by GC-MS. The analytical procedures enabled the quantitative determination of 31 components. More specifically, the components of the essential oils identified were: twelve in the peel, twenty-six in the flowers, and twenty and sixteen in old and young leaves, respectively. The major constituents of the different parts of Citrus aurantium L. essential oils were: β-pinene (0.62%–19.08%), limonene (0.53%–94.67%), trans-β-ocimene (3.11%–6.06%), linalool (0.76%–58.21%), and α-terpineol (0.13%–12.89%). The DPPH test demonstrated that the essential oils in the old leaves had the maximum antioxidant activity, followed by the flowers, young leaves and the peel in that order. This study updates the data in the literature on the essential oils of bitter orange, and provides information on the composition of the oils for a further evaluation of this product.
Carcinoma of the breast in women under 30 years of age. A clinical and histopathological study of all cases reported as carcinoma to the Swedish Cancer Registry, 1958–1968

During 1958 through 1968, 91 cases of breast carcinoma in women below 30 years of age were reported to the Swedish Cancer Registry. A histologic re‐examination showed that 16 of these women had only benign proliferative conditions. Among the remaining 75 patients, two had noninvasive carcinoma, eight advanced carcinoma, and 65 operable invasive carcinoma. The carcinomas were characterized by little fibrous stroma and little or no elastosis. The survival rate of the patients with invasive breast carcinomas was similar to that in a total geographic material of all ages with breast carcinoma. The carcinoma was treated during pregnancy or within 1 year after delivery in 15 patients, with the same survival rate as for those whose carcinoma was not complicated by pregnancy. Cancer 40:916–923, 1977.
Swallowing outcomes following laryngectomy and pharyngolaryngectomy.

OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of dysphagia (defined as the inability to manage a diet of normal consistencies) at hospital discharge and beyond 1 year postsurgery and examine the impact of persistent dysphagia on levels of disability, handicap, and well-being in patients. DESIGN Retrospective review and patient contact. SETTING Adult acute care tertiary hospital. PATIENTS The study group, consecutively sampled from January 1993 to December 1997, comprised 55 patients who underwent total laryngectomy and 37 patients who underwent pharyngolaryngectomy with free jejunal reconstruction. Follow-up with 36 of 55 laryngectomy and 14 of 37 pharyngolaryngectomy patients was conducted 1 to 6 years postsurgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Number of days until the resumption of oral intake; swallowing complications prior to and following discharge; types of diets managed at discharge and follow-up; and ratings of disability, handicap, and distress levels related to swallowing. RESULTS Fifty four (98%) of the laryngectomy and 37 (100%) of the pharyngolaryngectomy patients experienced dysphagia at discharge. By approximately 3 years postsurgery, 21 (58%) of the laryngectomy and 7 (50%) of the pharyngolaryngectomy patients managed a normal diet. Pharyngolaryngectomy patients experienced increased duration of nasogastric feeding, time to resume oral intake, and incidence of early complications affecting swallowing. Patients experiencing long-term dysphagia identified significantly increased levels of disability, handicap, and distress. Patients without dysphagia also experienced slight levels of handicap and distress resulting from taste changes and increased durations required to complete meals of normal consistency. CONCLUSIONS The true incidence of patients experiencing a compromise in swallowing following surgery has been underestimated. The significant impact of impaired swallowing on a patient's level of perceived disability, handicap, and distress highlights the importance of providing optimal management of this negative consequence of surgery to maximize the patient's quality of life.
Ror2 Receptor Mediates Wnt11 Ligand Signaling and Affects Convergence and Extension Movements in Zebrafish*

Background: The impact of receptor-tyrosine kinase superfamily members on zebrafish embryonic development is not well understood. Results: Zebrafish dominant-negative ror2 mRNA and ror2 mRNA expression induced incomplete eye separation in zebrafish embryos. Conclusion: Ror2 mediates Wnt11 signaling and regulates gastrulation convergence and extension movements in zebrafish. Significance: These results provide novel insights into convergence and extension movements in vertebrate gastrulation. The receptor-tyrosine kinase Ror2 acts as an alternative receptor or co-receptor for Wnt5a and mediates Wnt5a-induced convergent extension movements during embryogenesis in mice and Xenopus as well as the polarity and migration of several cell types during development. However, little is known about whether Ror2 function is conserved in other vertebrates or is involved in other non-canonical Wnt ligands in vivo. In this study we demonstrated that overexpression of dominant-negative ror2 (ror2-TM) mRNA in zebrafish embryos resulted in convergence and extension defects and incompletely separated eyes, which is consistent with observations from slb/wnt11 mutants or wnt11 knockdown morphants. Moreover, the co-injection of ror2-TM mRNA and a wnt11 morpholino or the coexpression of ror2 and wnt11 in zebrafish embryos synergetically induced more severe convergence and extension defects. Transplantation studies further demonstrated that the Ror2 receptor responded to the Wnt11 ligand and regulated cell migration and cell morphology during gastrulation. DnRor2 inhibited the action of Wnt11, which was revealed by a decreased percentage of Wnt11-induced convergence and extension defects. Ror2 physically interacts with Wnt11. The intracellular Tyr-647 and Ser-863 sites of Ror2 are essential for mediating the action of Wnt11. Dishevelled and RhoA act downstream of Wnt11-Ror2 to regulate convergence and extension movements. Overall, our data suggest an important role of Ror2 in mediating Wnt11 signaling and in regulating convergence and extension movements in zebrafish.
Empidomermis cozii n.gen., n.sp. (Mermithidae: Nematoda) a parasite of Anopheles funestus (Culicidae: Diptera) in West Africa.

A new genus and species of mermithid nematode parasitizing adult females of Anopheles funestus (Giles) in Upper Volta is described. The new genus Empidomermis is characterized by having six head papillae, eight hypodermal cords, cuticle without noticeable cross fibers, two short slightly curved spicules (equal to or less than body width at cloaca), a relatively short S-shaped vagina, small amphids, and postparasitic juveniles with a well-developed tail appendage.The nematodes could only be successfully reared to maturity if the hosts were held on glucose 3–4 days after the blood meal. Postparasitic juvenile mermithids molted to the adult stage about 17 days after leaving their mosquito hosts and mating and oviposition occurred immediately afterwards. The eggs hatched about 54 days after oviposition when mosquito larvae were added to the container. Parasitized adult female A. funestus were sterilized and died soon after the nematodes emerged.
Solarization of soil in piles for the control of Meloidogyne incognita in olive nurseries in southern Spain

47·4 ° C in 1999 and 48·2 ° C in 2000, compared with 32·9 ° C and 31·7 ° C in nonsolarized piles. Solarization reduced egg hatch by > 95% compared with nonsolarized samples, irrespective of type, burial depth and location of inocula in a soil pile. Egg hatch of egg mass-infested samples buried at 20 cm depth was higher than that of free eggs buried at the same depth. The differential effect associated with burial depth and type of inoculum was not found in solarized piles. In nonsolarized piles, hatch of free eggs from samples buried at 40 cm depth was higher than that from samples buried at 20 cm depth. Egg hatch in samples from solarized piles was lower than that from nonsolarized piles. A bioassay of tomato plants in 2000 confirmed the reduction in infectivity of free eggs buried in solarized soil piles. Under the conditions in southern Spain, solarization of 40 cm-high piles of soil for 3 weeks can therefore be used for the control of root-knot nematodes in potting soil for olive nursery production.
Coronary heart disease incidence in northern and southern European populations: a reanalysis of the seven countries study for a European coronary risk chart

OBJECTIVE A systematic reanalysis of 10 year coronary heart disease incidence data from the northern and the southern European cohorts of the seven countries study, to contribute indirectly to the production of a European coronary risk chart. DESIGN AND SETTING Men aged 40–59 years at entry were studied in three northern European cohorts based in Finland and Netherlands (n = 2213); and in 10 southern European cohorts based in Italy, former Yugoslavia, and Greece (n = 5897). Multiple logistic models for the prediction of coronary deaths, coronary incidence (hard criteria), and coronary incidence (any criterion) were solved for the two geographical groups and their pool. Risk factors fed into the models were age, systolic blood pressure, serum total cholesterol, and cigarette smoking. RESULTS 10 year coronary heart disease mortality and incidence were higher in northern than in southern Europe, with ratios around 2.65. Ratios among the three coronary heart disease manifestations were identical in the two cultural groupings. Coefficients of the multiple logistic models were similar and not significantly different between the two groupings. When applying the coefficients back to the same or the opposite population, the relative risk was large and similar in the different cultures. Relative risk was larger for more severe coronary heart disease manifestations. The absolute risk was overestimated when applying the northern European model to southern European populations and vice versa, with ratios of about 1.5 and 0.5, respectively. Coronary risk charts created to reproduce the shape of those incorporated in recent European guidelines confirmed the excess of absolute risk in the northern compared with the southern European cohorts, all else being equal. CONCLUSIONS In theory, a more appropriate European coronary risk chart could be produced by adopting coefficients to correct for different background incidence rates in different cultures. Other coefficients could appropriately be used to transform mortality risk into incidence risk.
Non-territorial floaters in Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus)

The ecology and behavior of non-territorial owls are basically unknown. I studied the integration of young Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus) into the territorial breeding population from 1988-1993 in the southwestern Yukon, Canada, during a peak and decline of the population cycle of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus). Fifty-five fledglings were equipped with radio-transmitters that allowed weekly monitoring of individuals for 2-3 years.
The molecular characterization of von Willebrand disease: good in parts

Since the cloning of the gene that encodes von Willebrand factor (VWF), 27 years ago, significant progress has been made in our understanding of the molecular basis of the most common inherited bleeding disorder, von Willebrand disease (VWD). The molecular pathology of this condition represents a range of genetic mechanisms, some of which are now very well characterized, and others that are still under investigation. In general, our knowledge of the molecular basis of type 2 and 3 VWD is now well advanced, and in some instances this information is being used to enhance clinical management. In contrast, our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of the most common form of VWD, type 1 disease, is still at an early stage, with preliminary evidence that this phenotype involves a complex interplay between environmental factors and the influence of genetic variability both within and outside of the VWF locus.
Role of anti‐human leucocyte antigen class II alloantibody and monocytes in development of transfusion‐related acute lung injury

summary Recently, evidence implicating the roles of the anti‐human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class II antibody in the development of transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI), which is one of the most serious possible side effects of transfusion, has been accumulating. The aim of this study is to clarify the roles of the anti‐HLA DR alloantibody in TRALI development. Cultured human lung microvascular endothelial (LME) cells were incubated with either HLA‐DR15‐positive or HLA‐DR15‐negative monocytes together with serum from a single multiparous donor previously implicated in a clinical case of TRALI and known to contain anti‐HLA DR15 antibody. Production of soluble leukotriene B4 (LTB4) was measured in the supernatant and found to be markedly increased in the presence of HLA‐DR15‐positive monocytes but not with the HLA‐DR15‐negative monocytes or in the absence of LME cells. The vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 expression in LME cells and leucocyte‐function‐associated molecule‐1 (LFA‐1) expression in HLA‐DR15‐positive monocytes were notably enhanced after combined culture of LME cells, HLA‐DR15‐positive monocytes and TRALI‐inducing anti‐HLA DR15 antibody‐positive serum. In conclusion, anti‐HLA DR alloantibodies may be implicated in LME dysfunction that leads to TRALI, in a monocyte‐dependent manner.