Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Messenger RNA Expression Levels of CXCR4 Correlate with Metastatic Behavior and Outcome in Patients with Osteosarcoma

Purpose: To determine if osteosarcoma cells express chemokine receptors and if their presence or absence relates to clinical features. Experimental Design: Using fluorescent quantitative real-time PCR, the pattern of 17 chemokine receptors in 3 osteosarcoma cell lines and 68 osteosarcoma patient samples was analyzed. Results: The expression of the chemokine receptors was generally low among the cell lines. In the high-grade osteosarcoma patient samples (n = 47), CXCR4 was the most commonly expressed (63%) and its expression level was inversely correlated to overall survival (P < 0.0001), event-free survival (P < 0.001), and metastasis-free survival (MFS; P = 0.002). There was also a correlation between the expression level of CXCR4 and the presence of metastasis at diagnosis (P = 0.002). CCR7 was expressed in 43% of the samples and its expression level was inversely correlated with overall survival (P = 0.03) and MFS (P = 0.007). CCR10 mRNA expression level was inversely correlated with MFS (P = 0.009). There was no association between the expression of CXCR4, CCR7, and CCR10. Of the 26 samples studied for stromal cell–derived factor-1 expression, 77% expressed it, but there was no correlation with the clinical variables or CXCR4 expression. Multivariate analysis revealed that mRNA expression level of CXCR4 was the only significant variable for overall survival (P = 0.0006), event-free survival (P = 0.004), and MFS (P = 0.025). Conclusions: These data suggest that CXCR4 could be useful as a prognostic factor and as a predictor of potential metastatic development in osteosarcoma. If further studies confirm that it is relevant to metastases in this disease, it could represent a new therapeutic target.
Clinical skills assessment: comparison of student and examiner assessment in an objective structured clinical examination.

BACKGROUND Learning of basic clinical skills is introduced in Years 1 and 2 of the MBBS Program; the Aga Khan University, Pakistan, through a structured Clinical Skills Teaching program. Acquisition of competence in performing these skills is assessed through use of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Self-assessment is defined broadly as the involvement of learners in judging whether or not learner-identified standards have been met. OBJECTIVE Compared Year 2 students' self-assessment of clinical skills with examiners' assessment of performance in an OSCE using a standard rating scale. METHODS A self-assessment questionnaire was completed by all Year 2 students immediately after the OSCE. Students assessed their performance at three stations, using a performance rating scale. Examiners observed and evaluated the students during history-taking and physical examination using the same rating scale. RESULTS There were significant positive correlations between examiners' assessments of performance and students' self-assessed ratings in taking consent, obtaining demographic information, history of presenting problems and summarization. Significant differences were observed in pre-procedural skills, comment on prostate, liver palpation percussion and spleen percussion. CONCLUSIONS Findings highlight the strengths and weaknesses in clinical competence at the end of Year 2 and provide a direction to improve the gaps in the Clinical Skills Teaching program.
Brain targeted delivery of mucoadhesive thermosensitive nasal gel of selegiline hydrochloride for treatment of Parkinson's disease

Abstract Selegiline hydrochloride (SL), is an anti-Parkinson’s agent, has low-oral bioavailability due to its high first pass metabolism and scarce oral absorption. In the present study, SL mucoadhesive nasal thermosensitive gel (SNT-gel) was prepared to enhance the bioavailability and subsequently, its concentration in the brain. The SNT-gel was prepared using Poloxamer 407-Chitosan combination and optimised formulation was further evaluated for physicochemical parameters. The comparative pharmacodynamic studies including behavioural studies, biochemical testing and histopathology of the brain was carried out in rats for SNT-gel, SL-nasal solution and SL Marketed Tablets. The optimised SNT-gel formulation (SNT-V) revealed sol-gel transition at 33–34°C. In-vitro diffusion study of SNT-V showed 102.37 ± 2.1% diffusion at 12 h which reduced to 89.64 ± 1.2% in Ex-vivo diffusion. Comparative results of behavioural studies indicated an improved score of photoactometer and reduced motor deficit (catalepsy score) in SNT-gel treatment group as compared with other groups. Similarly, a significant increase in brain dopamine, reduction in monoamine oxidase B level, increase in catalase activity and level of reduced glutathione upon treatment with SNT-gel indicated its effectiveness which was also supported by histopathology results. Therefore, nasal thermosensitive gel holds better potential for brain targeting in Parkinson’s disease over the conventional nasal or oral formulations.
Water Quality of the Weija Reservoir after 28 Years of Impoundment

The water quality of the Weija Reservoir was assessed and the various sources of contaminants were identified in order to provide scientific basis for finding appropriate remedies to the contamination problems that may confront the Reservoir. Monthly water samples were taken from three sampling stations in the Weija Reservoir and analysed for physico-chemical parameters in the laboratory. The mean pH values of the sampling sites were within the recommended range of 6.5–8.5 for potability and sustenance of aquatic life. The ionic dominance pattern observed was Na > Ca > Mg > K and HCO3 > Cl > SO4, indicating partial cationic characteristics of sea water and anionic characteristics intermediate between fresh water and sea water. Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels were 102.5%, 81.5% and 82.7% saturation for Weija Intake, Machigani and Galilea, respectively. Thus, the oxygen conditions in the Weija Reservoir were sufficient to support fish and other aquatic life. Maximum BOD level was 8.1 mg/l at Weija Intake. Compared with previous studies on the Weija Reservoir, results of the study show a slight increase in nitrate, ammonia, sulphate and phosphate levels. Generally, the levels of nitrate, sulphate, phosphate, trace elements (e.g. manganese and iron) and BOD were moderately high. Anthropogenic activities, such as stone quarrying, dumping of domestic wastes, as well as run-offs from agricultural activities and the occurrence of algae, are some of the sources of contamination identified in the study. Tougher legislation, stricter enforcement of existing regulations, matching of non-technical and technosocial remedial measures and education are among the recommendations made for the protection of the Weija Reservoir. West African Journal of Applied Ecology Vol. 13 2008: pp. 125-131
Draft Genome Sequence of Cronobacter sakazakii GP1999, Sequence Type 145, an Epiphytic Isolate Obtained from the Tomato’s Rhizoplane/Rhizosphere Continuum

ABSTRACT We present here the draft genome of Cronobacter sakazakii GP1999, a sequence type 145 strain isolated from the rhizosphere of tomato plants. Assembly and annotation of the genome resulted in a genome of 4,504,670 bp in size, with 4,148 coding sequences, and a GC content of 56.8%.
Diversity and Expression of RubisCO Genes in a Perennially Ice-Covered Antarctic Lake during the Polar Night Transition

ABSTRACT The autotrophic communities in the lakes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, have generated interest since the early 1960s owing to low light transmission through the permanent ice covers, a strongly bimodal seasonal light cycle, constant cold water temperatures, and geographical isolation. Previous work has shown that autotrophic carbon fixation in these lakes provides an important source of organic matter to this polar desert. Lake Bonney has two lobes separated by a shallow sill and is one of several chemically stratified lakes in the dry valleys that support year-round biological activity. As part of an International Polar Year initiative, we monitored the diversity and abundance of major isoforms of RubisCO in Lake Bonney by using a combined sequencing and quantitative PCR approach during the transition from summer to polar winter. Form ID RubisCO genes related to a stramenopile, a haptophyte, and a cryptophyte were identified, while primers specific for form IA/B RubisCO detected a diverse autotrophic community of chlorophytes, cyanobacteria, and chemoautotrophic proteobacteria. Form ID RubisCO dominated phytoplankton communities in both lobes of the lake and closely matched depth profiles for photosynthesis and chlorophyll. Our results indicate a coupling between light availability, photosynthesis, and rbcL mRNA levels in deep phytoplankton populations. Regulatory control of rbcL in phytoplankton living in nutrient-deprived shallow depths does not appear to be solely light dependent. The distinct water chemistries of the east and west lobes have resulted in depth- and lobe-dependent variability in RubisCO diversity, which plays a role in transcriptional activity of the key gene responsible for carbon fixation.
Congenital elbow luxation in the dog.

Anatomical and pathological descriptions of five congenital elbow luxations and subluxations in three dogs were based on palpation, radiographs, gross dissection and in one dog, surgical correction. The primary defect in all five joints was hypoplasia, or aplasia, of the medial collateral ligament. The osseous deformities consisted of outward rotation of the proximal ulna, hypoplasia, or aplasia, of the coronoid process, anconeal process and radial notch and a shallow trochlear notch. The proximal ulna was rotated approximately 40–45°. The olecranon was deviated laterally and dorso-cranially. The syndrome was compared with the deformities of congenital luxation of the radial head in children. An embryonic pathogenesis for congenital elbow luxations in dogs was hypothesized.
Appetitive and aversive classical conditioning of female sexual response.

INTRODUCTION There is only limited evidence for appetitive classical conditioning of female sexual response, and to date modulation of female sexual response by aversive conditioning has not been studied. AIM The aim of this article is to study appetitive and aversive classical conditioning of sexual responses in women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Vaginal pulse amplitude was assessed by vaginal photoplethysmography and ratings of affective value were obtained. METHOD Two differential conditioning experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, on appetitive conditioning, neutral pictures served as conditional stimuli (CSs) and genital vibrotactile stimulation as the unconditional stimulus (US). In Experiment 2, on aversive conditioning, erotic pictures served as CSs and a pain stimulus as US. In both experiments, only one CS (the CS+) was followed by the US during the acquisition phase. Conditioned responses were assessed during the extinction phase. RESULTS In Experiment 1, during the extinction phase, as expected vaginal pulse amplitude was higher in response to the CS+ than during the CS-. Also, the CS+ was rated as marginally more positive than the CS-. In Experiment 2, during the extinction phase, as expected vaginal pulse amplitude was lower in response to the CS+ than during the CS-, and the CS+ was rated as more negative than the CS-. CONCLUSIONS The results provide evidence for appetitive classical conditioning of sexual response in women, and are the first to show attenuation of sexual response in women by aversive conditioning.
Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs Suppress Pain-Related Behaviors, but Not Referred Hyperalgesia of Visceral Pain in Mice

Visceral pain is characterized by spontaneous pain and referred hyperalgesia. After inducing visceral pain in mice using intracolonic mustard oil administration, we examined the effects of various nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on pain-related behavior and on Evans blue dye extravasation. Animals were given one of the following: saline, ethanol, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), morphine, ketoprofen, ketorolac, or DFU (a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor). After drug treatment, mice underwent intracolonic administration of 50 &mgr;L 1.5% mustard oil. Spontaneous pain-related responses were assessed for the next 20 min. The frequency of withdrawal responses to the application of von Frey hairs to the abdomen, foot, and tail was determined. After completion of the behavioral tests, Evans blue was injected into the animals via the tail vein. Two hours later, the colon was removed postmortem and Evans blue content was measured. Spontaneous pain behaviors were significantly less in animals administered 3 and 10 mg/kg morphine, 50 mg/kg ketorolac, 100 mg/kg ketoprofen, and 20 mg/kg DFU (P < 0.05). Response frequencies to the application of von Frey hairs were lower in mice administered 3 and 10 mg/kg morphine (P < 0.05) but were not affected by ketorolac, ketoprofen, or DFU treatment. Colonic Evans blue content was smaller in mice given 100 mg/kg ketoprofen and 20 mg/kg DFU (P < 0.05). We concluded that NSAIDs reduced pain behavior and inflammation but had little effect on referred hyperalgesia.
In vivo microcirculation mapping of human skin keloid by 40-MHz ultrafast ultrasound imaging

Keloid is a kind of benign dermal lesion that caused by the collagen deposition and growth beyond the boundaries of the original wound margin. Many studies have reported that the density of blood vessel within keloid is higher than normal skin. Therefore, the density of blood vessel is the potential determinant for understanding the pathogenesis of keloids. However, to date, the techniques for extracting the microcirculation of keloids are still lacking. Thus, the purpose of this study is to visualize the microcirculation of keloid by using 40-MHz ultrafast ultrasound imaging. In the present study, the data from a volunteer who suffered with a skin keloid on the abdomen was collected. The size of keloid is 6 mm× 2.5 mm. A singular value decomposition (SVD)-based algorithm was used in this study to extract the microcirculation mapping within keloid. In order to avoid the computation burden of SVD-based algorithm, a sliding window scheme was also proposed. Finally, the microcirculation within keloids was visualized. All the presented data implies the potential of using 40-MHz ultrafast ultrasound imaging for extracting the microvasculature of keloid.
Constructing high‐dimensional neural network potentials: A tutorial review

A lot of progress has been made in recent years in the development of atomistic potentials using machine learning (ML) techniques. In contrast to most conventional potentials, which are based on physical approximations and simplifications to derive an analytic functional relation between the atomic configuration and the potential-energy, ML potentials rely on simple but very flexible mathematical terms without a direct physical meaning. Instead, in case of ML potentials the topology of the potential-energy surface is “learned” by adjusting a number of parameters with the aim to reproduce a set of reference electronic structure data as accurately as possible. Due to this bias-free construction, they are applicable to a wide range of systems without changes in their functional form, and a very high accuracy close to the underlying first-principles data can be obtained. Neural network potentials (NNPs), which have first been proposed about two decades ago, are an important class of ML potentials. Although the first NNPs have been restricted to small molecules with only a few degrees of freedom, they are now applicable to high-dimensional systems containing thousands of atoms, which enables addressing a variety of problems in chemistry, physics, and materials science. In this tutorial review, the basic ideas of NNPs are presented with a special focus on developing NNPs for high-dimensional condensed systems. A recipe for the construction of these potentials is given and remaining limitations of the method are discussed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Book Review: How Did Morality Originate?

The main thing that prospective readers of a book want to know is whether the book is any good. Christopher Boehm’s book, Moral Origins: The Evolution of Virtue, Altruism, and Shame, is definitely a good read. It is interesting, informative, insightful, full of compelling examples, well-documented, and well-written, though somewhat repetitive in places. We recommend it to anyone interested in moral origins. That said, we would not earn our stripes as reviewers if we did not question some aspects of Boehm’s account of the origins of morality.
Travelling in time with COPD

In the last 8 years the FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 s) of a ‘typical’ patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has fallen by ∼400 ml. However, the knowledge of those caring for this hypothetical patient has grown rapidly in this same period and Thorax has played a vital role in this change of fortune. In 2003 there were 1698 citations to COPD articles in PubMed, compared with 1494 in the first 6 months of 2010 alone, a remarkable growth in the interest in and perhaps quality of research in this field. Many themes have been considered in this last 8 years, not least how to diagnose the disease. Swanney et al 1 defined population norms for the lower limit of normal of the FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio to avoid overdiagnosis of airflow obstruction in the elderly. However, not all were convinced, especially when there appeared to be no difference in mortality when the definition was varied in this way.2 The absence of bronchodilator reversibility proved to be an unreliable defining feature in COPD,3 and the treatment guidelines changed to reflect this new research.4 Classifying patients with GOLD (global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease) stage 1 disease (reduced FEV1/FVC but FEV1 >80% predicted) proved difficult as some patients were not reproducibly obstructed. However, those with symptoms did show more rapid decline in lung function,5 were more likely to have previous bronchitic symptoms6 and responded physiologically to inhaled bronchodilators.7 So, contrary to earlier views, GOLD stage 1 may be a clinically relevant entity after all. COPD is …
Gender differences in publication and citation counts in librarianship and information science research

An analysis is presented of the publications by, and citations to, 57 male and 48 female academics in five departments of librarianship and information science. After taking account of differences in subject and differences in numbers of academics, it is shown that male academics publish significantly more papers on average than do female authors, but that there is no significant difference in the numbers of citations to published papers.
Risk factors for biliary tract cancers

Objective: Little is known regarding risk factors for biliary tract cancer, i.e., gallbladder carcinoma and extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma. This is the first case-control study conducted in the U.S. regarding risk factors for these cancers. Methods: In this hospital-based case-control study, we reviewed the medical records of 69 patients with primary biliary tract cancer who were admitted to Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center for surgery between January 1, 1980, and April 4, 1994, and of 138 controls, consisting of patients admitted for surgery for benign conditions. Results: We found a significant association between cholelithiasis and biliary tract cancers (odds ratio, 19.5; 95% confidence interval, 6.4–59.4). Risk factors associated with gallbladder cancer included female gender, age, cigarette smoking, and postmenopausal status in women. Risk factors associated with extrahepatic bile duct cancer included history of cholecystectomy and hysterectomy in women. Conclusion: The risk factors for biliary tract cancers that have been identified in our study delineate a high-risk population, which in the future may be targeted for preventive measures.
Nanoparticle distribution and temperature elevations in prostatic tumours in mice during magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia

Among a variety of hyperthermia methods, magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia is a highly promising approach for its confined heating within the tumour. In this study we perform in vivo animal experiments on implanted prostatic tumours in mice to measure temperature distribution in the tumour during magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia. Temperature elevations are induced by a commercially available ferrofluid injected via a single injection to the centre of the tumour, when the tumour is subject to an alternating magnetic field. Temperature mapping in the tumours during magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia has demonstrated the feasibility of elevating tumour temperatures higher than 50°C using only 0.1 cm3 ferrofluid injected in the tumour under a relatively low magnetic field (3 kA/m). Detailed 3-D nanoparticle concentration distribution is quantified using a high-resolution microCT imaging system. The calculated nanoparticle distribution volume based on the microCT scans is useful to analyse nanoparticle deposition in the tumours. Slower ferrofluid infusion rates result in smaller nanoparticle distribution volumes in the tumours. Nanoparticles are more confined in the vicinity of the injection site with slower infusion rates, causing higher temperature elevations in the tumours. The increase in the nanoparticle distribution volume in the tumour group after the heating from that in the tumour group without heating suggests possible nanoparticle re-distribution in the tumours during the heating.
Effects of twinning, birth size, and postnatal growth on glucose tolerance and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function in postpubertal sheep.

Low birth weight is associated with postnatal physiological changes, including impaired glucose tolerance and increased cortisol secretion, that may predispose to disease in adulthood. Twins are born lighter than singletons, but there are conflicting data regarding the association between birth weight and postnatal physiology in twins. We studied glucose tolerance and ACTH and cortisol responses to a combined corticotropin-releasing hormone and arginine vasopressin (CRH + AVP) challenge in postpubertal female twin (n = 7 twin pairs) and singleton (n = 13) sheep from the same flock. There were no differences in glucose tolerance between twins and singletons and no association with birth weight. Twins had a greater ACTH (P < 0.05), but not cortisol, response to CRH + AVP than singletons. ACTH area under the curve was inversely related to birth weight in both singletons [R(2) = 0.31, P = 0.05; -8,311 (SD 3,736) pg.min.ml(-1). kg(-1)] and twins (R(2) = 0.49); in twins, this was due to the within-twin pair rather than the between-twin pair coefficient in the regression analysis [P = 0.02, -26,856 (9,806) vs. P = 0.1, 8,619 (4,950) pg.min.ml(-1). kg(-1)]. We conclude that the reduced fetal growth in twins has postnatal consequences for hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function and that this is determined by factors specific to the fetus (within-twin pair) rather than by shared maternal factors (between-twin pair). Studies investigating the associations between fetal growth and postnatal outcomes in twins benefit from an appropriate singleton control group and from analyses evaluating the contribution from both between- and within-pair coefficients in twins.