Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gap‐junctional communication in normal and neoplastic prostate epithelial cells and its regulation by cAMP

Gap‐junctional communication and expression of gap junction‐forming proteins were investigated in normal human prostate epithelial cells and in several malignant prostate cell lines. In comparison with normal cells, gap‐junctional communication in malignant cells, as assayed by the transfer of 443‐Da fluorescent tracer Lucifer yellow, was either reduced or not detected. Malignant cells expressed mRNA transcripts for connexin (Cx) 43, whereas normal cells expressed mRNA transcripts for Cx32 and Cx40. In both normal and malignant cells, gap‐junctional communication was enhanced twofold to fivefold by treatment with forskolin, an agent known to increase intracellular levels of cAMP. Immunocytochemical staining with a Cx43‐specific antibody revealed that in malignant cells this enhancement correlated with the number of gap junctions and occurred without any qualitative or quantitative alteration in Cx43 mRNA or protein. Moreover, western blot analyses showed that both control and forskolin‐treated malignant cells expressed only one form of Cx43. Our data suggest that gap‐junctional communication in both normal and malignant prostate cells may be regulated by hormones that work via a cAMP‐dependent signal transduction pathway. Thus, both normal and malignant cells offer a new experimental model system in which interactions between a hormonal form of cellular communication and intercellular communication mediated via gap junctions can be studied. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Methods for Detecting Anaplasma Marginale Infection in Lactating Dairy Cattle of Puerto Rico

Bovine anaplasmosis (BA) is a hemoparasitic disease of great importance in cattle within the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Control programs for BA require accurate diagnostic assays but validation can be challenging because the true disease status of all animals is frequently not known with certainty. The objective of this study was to estimate the accuracy of assays for detection of Anaplasma marginale infection in lactating dairy cattle of Puerto Rico using Bayesian methods without a perfect reference test. There were 2,331 cattle with complete diagnostic results sampled from 79 herds, and the prevalence of BA was estimated as 22% (95% probability interval [PI]: 19–25%). The sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of a major surface protein 5 competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MSP-5 cELISA) were estimated as 99% (95% PI: 96–100%) and 89% (95% PI: 87–92%), respectively. The Se and Sp of a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were 67% (95% PI: 60–74%) and 99% (95% PI: 99–100%). The Se and Sp of a card agglutination test were 34% (95% PI: 29–39%) and 99% (95% PI: 99–100%). Area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for the MSP-5 cELISA was 0.748 (95% PI: 0.71–0.79). The MSP-5 cELISA appears to be the test of choice for screening cattle for subclinical BA based on the high estimated Se, rapidity of results, relative low cost, and ease of standardization.
Development of the assisting hand assessment for adults following stroke: a Rasch-built bimanual performance measure

Abstract Aims: To describe the development of a new test of bimanual performance for adults following Stroke, the Adult-Assisting Hand Assessment Stroke, and to report the evidence of internal and external validity. Methods: Scale development included: (i) establishing the test situation; (ii) constructing test items; (iii) evaluating internal construct validity by use of Rasch measurement analysis on 144 assessments of adults with hemiparesis, mean age 53 years (SD11.45); and (iv) investigating external validity by correlation to the Jebsen and Taylor Test of Hand Function and the ABILHAND Stroke. Results: The Adult-Assisting Hand Assessment Stroke scale, scored on 19 items using a four-point rating scale, provided a valid measure of bimanual performance. The rating scale structure, goodness of fit, and principal component analysis demonstrated evidence of a unidimensional construct. The strong reliability and high person separation ratio indicated high probability for the scale to be responsive to change. Correlation to outcomes of the Jebsen and Taylor Test of Hand Function and the ABILHAND Stroke indicated strong external validity. Conclusion: Using two hands together is a critical aspect for performance of most daily life tasks. However, assessments of hand function commonly focus on measuring aspects of unimanual function. The Adult-Assisting Hand Assessment Stroke has the potential to contribute new and clinically important knowledge to stroke rehabilitation by providing an observation-based valid functional measure of bimanual performance. Implications for rehabilitation Hand function assessments commonly focus on unimanual aspects, although the use of two hands together is critical to perform most daily life tasks. The Adult-Assisting Hand Assessment Stroke measures how effectively a patient with a hemiparesis uses his/her affected hand together with the unaffected hand to perform bimanual tasks. The Adult-Assisting Hand Assessment Stroke contributes a new and clinically important aspect to stroke rehabilitation by providing a valid bimanual observation-based measure to guide intervention and measure change over time.
Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans Containing a Glypican 5 Core and 2-O-Sulfo-iduronic Acid Function as Sonic Hedgehog Co-receptors to Promote Proliferation*♦

Background: The nature of proteoglycans that function as co-receptors for Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) is not known. Results: Glypican 5 and 2-O-sulfo-iduronic acid are expressed in neural precursors, adjacent to primary cilia. Elimination of these components reduce Shh signaling. Conclusion: Glypican 5 bearing 2-O-sulfo-iduronic acid at the nonreducing ends is a Shh co-receptor. Significance: Attributes of Shh co-receptors have been identified. Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling is crucial for growth, cell fate determination, and axonal guidance in the developing nervous system. Although the receptors Patched (Ptch1) and Smoothened (Smo) are required for Shh signaling, a number of distinct co-receptors contribute to these critical responses to Shh. Several membrane-embedded proteins such as Boc, Cdo, and Gas1 bind Shh and promote signaling. In addition, heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) have also been implicated in the initiation of Shh responses. However, the attributes of HSPGs that function as co-receptors for Shh have not yet been defined. Here, we identify HSPGs containing a glypican 5 core protein and 2-O-sulfo-iduronic acid residues at the nonreducing ends of the glycans as co-receptors for Shh. These HSPG co-receptors are expressed by cerebellar granule cell precursors and promote Shh binding and signaling. At the subcellular level, these HSPG co-receptors are located adjacent to the primary cilia that act as Shh signaling organelles. Thus, Shh binds to HSPG co-receptors containing a glypican 5 core and 2-O-sulfo-iduronic acid to promote neural precursor proliferation.
Low socioeconomic status and body mass index as risk factors for inflammation in older adults: conjoint influence on C-reactive protein?

BACKGROUND Low socioeconomic status and high levels of body mass are two risk factors for elevated C-reactive protein, a biomeasure signifying inflammation. Though past research identifies the additive effect of these particular risk factors, this study examines their interactive effects to uncover whether body mass index exacerbates or levels the detrimental consequences of occupying a disadvantaged social position. METHODS This study employs a representative survey of American adults, aged 57-84 years, using self-reported and laboratory measures. Additive and multiplicative linear regression models are used to analyze logged C-reactive protein levels (mg/l) drawn from assayed blood samples. RESULTS Significant negative interactions were observed between body mass index and two indicators of low socioeconomic status on C-reactive protein, reflecting a cross-over effect. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrated the importance of a multiplicative model for studying risk factor accumulation and identify low socioeconomic status as an early and primary risk factor for elevated C-reactive protein.
Thrombin Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor Activation Peptide Shows Association With All Major Subtypes of Ischemic Stroke and With TAFI Gene Variation

Objective—Thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) attenuates fibrinolysis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible association between TAFI and overall ischemic stroke and ischemic stroke subtypes. Methods and Results—The Sahlgrenska Academy Study on Ischemic Stroke (SAHLSIS) comprises 600 cases (18 to 69 years) and 600 matched population controls. Stroke subtype was defined by the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification. TAFI was investigated at the protein level, by analyzing plasma levels of intact TAFI and released activation peptide [AP], and at the genetic level, by genotyping a selection of eleven single nucleotide polymorphisms. After adjustment for traditional risk factors, both TAFI measurements showed association with overall ischemic stroke (AP: odds ratio, 2.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.89 to 2.61; intact TAFI: odds ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 1.38; for 1-SD increase in AP and intact TAFI, respectively). AP showed associations with all 4 major subtypes of ischemic stroke and intact TAFI to large vessel disease and cryptogenic stroke. TAFI genotypes and haplotypes showed significant associations with both TAFI measurements. In contrast, no association was observed between genetic variants and overall ischemic stroke. Conclusion—TAFI levels show independent association with overall ischemic stroke. This association is stronger for released AP than for intact TAFI, and for released AP, it is present in all ischemic stroke subtypes.
Assessment of perceived attributes and instructional use of information communication technology by lecturers in technical training institutions in Kenya

In the past ten years, Information Communication Technology (ICT) has become an essential part of our learning and development in education. Today it is no longer an option to learn the basic skills of ICT but rather a prerequisite for academic qualifications. The rapid development of these new technologies coupled with the worldwide challenge to educate all children has led to a global reform and development of teacher education and motivated educational institutions to redesign and restructure their teaching methods to enable students equip themselves for the future. The main purpose of this study therefore was to explore the relationship between Perceived Attributes and instructional use of ICT by Lecturers in Technical Training institutions in Kenya. The specific objectives of this study were, to establish the relationship between Perceived Attributes (ease of use, usefulness, cultural relevance, and government policy) and instructional use of ICT. The study adopted the quantitative research design. A sample size of 629 respondents was drawn from a total population of 2909 Lecturers in Technical Training institutions in Kenya. The sampling frame was obtained from a list provided by the Ministry of Education Science and Technology 2013. Data was collected using questionnaires. Piloting of the research tools was conducted and the sample obtained was subjected to the Cronbach‟s alpha. The quantitative data obtained from the administrated questionnaires was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The study determined that ICT use has created a new platform for instruction. The findings also indicated that use of ICT by lecturers‟ greatly improved instruction. The study found out that; use of ICT improved ones relationship with others, and was fashionable. The study further found out that ICT policies enhanced use of ICT. The study concludes that perceived attributes are critical in instructional use of ICT. The study recommends that higher education qualifications are to be preferred for lecturers as it enables skilled use of available ICT technology. The study recommends the provision of Cisco Networking Academy Programme to provide more ICT exposure to students and staff. The study recommends that lecturers be encouraged to use ICT to access current and upto date information resources. The study recommends that the government should operationalize, the ICT lecturers competencies framework to enable lecturers have policy direction when planning for competence training. Lecturers are encouraged to use ICT for instructional purposes because it is the trend in modern communication, and has globalized the world. Lastly, the study recommends use of ICT for instruction as it greatly improves the instruction.
Lifetime drinking trajectories among veterans in treatment for HIV.

BACKGROUND Previous work on the course of drinking across the life course identified 4 distinct patterns of problem drinking: severe chronic (SC), severe nonchronic (SNC), late onset (LO), and young adult (YA). The purpose of the current study was to determine the generalizability of these findings to a sample of midlife veterans with quite different characteristics from those previously assessed; specifically, veterans in treatment for HIV and veterans in treatment for non-HIV medical issues. METHODS Participants were drawn from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study that included HIV-positive and matched non-HIV participants. As in our earlier studies, the lifetime drinking history was used to assess drinking phases, and latent growth mixture models were used for analyses. RESULTS Similar to previous findings, both the HIV+ and non-HIV groups exhibited 4 patterns of drinking (SC, SNC, LO, and YA). SC drinkers had younger ages of onset for drinking and longer duration of smoking. SC drinkers also had the highest rates of cocaine use. Within the HIV+ subsample, SC and LO drinkers increased their drinking after their HIV diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to examine lifetime drinking patterns among those treated for HIV and provides an excellent starting point for examining finer-grained relationships involving drinking, onset of HIV, and treatment outcomes. Absent from the current study and of particular importance to future work in this area is the need for precise information regarding the temporal relationship between date of HIV diagnosis, onset of treatment, and changes in drinking behavior over the life course.
Gender‐related differences in erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity in healthy subjects

objective The antioxidant property of oestrogens may partly explain the gender differences in atherosclerotic heart disease and a reduction in the incidence of coronary heart disease, as well as mortality from cardiovascular disease in women undergoing postmenopausal oestrogen therapy. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the antioxidant glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) erythrocyte activity is gender related and is correlated with oestradiol serum levels.
Weight loss associated with HIV seroconversion among injection-drug users.

To describe symptoms associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion, we studied a cohort of 366 injection-drug users (IDUs) with a study design that included recall every 3 months to collect symptom histories using a structured questionnaire. Eleven HIV seroconversions were observed in 621.5 person years at risk (PYAR), equivalent to 1.8 seroconversions/100 PYAR. Cox regression analysis showed age < or = 35 years to be a significant risk factor for HIV seroconversion after controlling for gender, race, and the frequency of drug injection. An embedded case-control analysis then compared symptom histories of HIV seroconverters with those of age-(+/- 5 years) and visit number-matched controls who remained HIV seronegative for > or = 3 months longer than the HIV-seroconverters. Multivariate case-control analysis adjusted for injection frequency yielded significant associations of HIV seroconversion with histories of weight loss > or = 4.5 kg (seven of 11 cases; odds ratio [OR] = 11.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.1, 43.1) and oral ulcers (three of 11 cases; OR = 7.6, 95% CI = 1.2, 48.2) in the 3 months before the subjects' first HIV-seropositive study visit. We conclude that histories of recent symptoms reported by HIV-seroconverting IDUs differ from those reported by non-HIV-seroconverting IDUs, and weight loss may be particularly common among IDUs experiencing primary HIV infection.
Assessment of the ability of the health management information system in India to use information for action

11 CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION . 13 1.1 THE PROBLEM SETTING . 13 1.2 THE THEORETICAL PROBLEM . 15 1.3 THE RESEARCH PROBLEM . 19 CHAPTER 2 : LITERATURE REVIEW . 21 2.1 MICRO ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION USE IMPEDIMENTS . 21 2.2 A POLITICAL ANALYSIS AROUND HEALTH INFORMATION USE . 25 2.3 DESIGN CHALLENGES TO INFORMATION USE . 29 2.4 CONCLUSION . 32 CHAPTER 3 : METHODOLOGY . 34 3.1 STUDY DESIGN . 34 3.2 STUDY POPULATION . 42 3.3 RESEARCH CONTEXT AND DATA COLLECTION . 45 3.4 DATA ANALYSIS . 53
Harmful effect of ERβ on BCRP‐mediated drug resistance and cell proliferation in ERα/PR‐negative breast cancer

The role of estrogen receptor β (ERβ) in breast cancer is still under investigation. Various studies have provided evidence that ERβ behaves as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer, whereas some studies of estrogen receptor α (ERα) negative breast cancer reported a positive correlation between high ERβ expression and poor prognostic phenotypes, such as induced proliferation, invasion and metastasis. In the present immunohistochemistry study of 99 ERα/progesterone receptor (PR)‐negative breast cancer samples, nuclear expression of ERβ was positively associated with membranous expression of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), Ki67 (proliferation marker) and tumor size. Moreover, both endogenous and exogenous ERβ upregulated BCRP expression which induced BCRP‐mediated drug resistance and enhanced proliferation of ERα−/PR− breast cancer cells in the presence of 17β‐estradiol, whereas these effects were reversed by additional use of tamoxifen (TAM). In addition, the regulation of BCRP via specific binding between ERβ and estrogen response element (ERE) was demonstrated in an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Overall, our findings manifest that ERβ might act as a tumor promoter of cell proliferation and BCRP‐mediated drug resistance in ERα−/PR− breast cancer. TAM routinely used for patients with ERα+/PR+, ERα+/PR− and ERα−/PR+ breast cancer might also be effective in ERα−/PR− but ERβ+ breast cancer. Therefore, the detection of ERβ in clinic is valuable and should not be neglected in breast cancer, especially for the ERα−/PR− phenotype.
FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT (FDI) DI KAWASAN ASIA TENGGARA

The need for investment as factors triggering the development of a country has a very important role. Foreign direct investment can be one of the important sources of capital in developing countries, and contribute, the national development by transfer of asset, management, and technology to stimulate the economy of the country. The purpose of this research is to determine the effects of interest rate, inflation, economic growth, openness on foreign direct investment (cases study in 5 South-east Asia countries namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, and Vietnam period of 2005 to 2012). The analytical method in this study is linear regression analytical method of panel data with Fixed Effect Model (FEM) method to calculate the data is used by Eviews 8 software. The result of this research showed that during 2005 to 2012 the economic growth ha s positive and significant effect on f oreign direct investment. Interest rate, inflation, and openness have negative and significant on foreign direct investment . Simultaneously, independent variable is significantly affect on dependent variable.
Dendritic Inhibition Provided by Interneuron-Specific Cells Controls the Firing Rate and Timing of the Hippocampal Feedback Inhibitory Circuitry

In cortical networks, different types of inhibitory interneurons control the activity of glutamatergic principal cells and GABAergic interneurons. Principal neurons represent the major postsynaptic target of most interneurons; however, a population of interneurons that is dedicated to the selective innervation of GABAergic cells exists in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. The physiological properties of these cells and their functional relevance for network computations remain unknown. Here, we used a combination of dual simultaneous patch-clamp recordings and targeted optogenetic stimulation in acute mouse hippocampal slices to examine how one class of interneuron-specific (IS) cells controls the activity of its GABAergic targets. We found that type 3 IS (IS3) cells that coexpress the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and calretinin contact several distinct types of interneurons within the hippocampal CA1 stratum oriens/alveus (O/A), with preferential innervation of oriens-lacunosum moleculare cells (OLMs) through dendritic synapses. In contrast, VIP-positive basket cells provided perisomatic inhibition to CA1 pyramidal neurons with the asynchronous GABA release and were not connected with O/A interneurons. Furthermore, unitary IPSCs recorded at IS3–OLM synapses had a small amplitude and low release probability but summated efficiently during high-frequency firing of IS3 interneurons. Moreover, the synchronous generation of a single spike in several IS cells that converged onto a single OLM controlled the firing rate and timing of OLM interneurons. Therefore, dendritic inhibition originating from IS cells is needed for the flexible activity-dependent recruitment of OLM interneurons for feedback inhibition.