Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genistein and Daidzein Stimulate Hyaluronic Acid Production in Transformed Human Keratinocyte Culture and Hairless Mouse Skin

We examined the effects of the soy isoflavones genistein (Gen) and daidzein (Dai) on the production of hyaluronic acid (HA) in a transformed human keratinocyte culture and in hairless mouse skin following topical application for 2 weeks. Gen and Dai, but not the glycosides thereof, significantly enhanced the production of HA in vitro and in vivo. Histochemistry using an HA-binding protein revealed that topical Gen and estradiol raised both the density and intensity of HA staining, which was abundant in the murine dermis. It is suggested that Gen and Dai are not released from their respective glycosides in culture or murine skin. Moreover, topical Gen and Dai may prevent and improve the cutaneous alterations caused by the loss of HA in skin.
C282Y mutation in the HLA-H Gene is Not a Risk Factor for Patients with Myocardial Infarction

Background Iron is suspected to play a role in the development of atherosclerosis and in the progression of the disease, and consequently in myocardial infarction. Authors of a recent study identified a mutation in HLA-H gene, C282Y, that is an excellent marker for hemochromatosis, which is the most common cause of iron overload. There is a high prevalence of carriers of heterozygous hemochromatosis, most of whom are asymptomatic even with abnormalities of iron metabolism. Objective To study C282Y mutation in the HLA-H gene of 173 survivors of myocardial infarction matched with 172 controls by age, race, and sex, and 119 patients upon diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Methods Identification of the mutation was performed by PCR amplification of the DNA fragment followed by Rsal digestion. Results The prevalence of heterozygotes for the mutated allele both among patients and among controls was 1.74%. None of the 119 patients studied upon diagnosis was a carrier of the mutation. Conclusion Our data suggested that the most common cause of iron overload is not associated with myocardial infarction.
‘She met her (boy)friend online’: negotiating gender identity and sexuality among young Thai women in online space

This paper focuses on the experiences of women 15–24 years old living in one suburban district in Bangkok. Its objectives are to analyse processes of building and negotiating social identity and femininity in online spaces by young women; the ways in which young women express their sexuality using online technologies; connections between the ‘online’ and ‘offline’ worlds in terms of emotions as well as social and sexual networks; and traditional values regarding female sexuality reproduced through online media and how young women negotiate and resist these. Content and narrative analyses were conducted using qualitative data from 9 focus-group discussions and 14 narrative interviews. Findings indicated that the online media serve as tools that help young women develop and express their gender identities. Mobile phones and the Internet facilitate communication in order to express love, responsibility, intimacy and sexual desires. Discourse on women's chastity, which puts pressure on women to maintain their virginity, still influences online and mobile contents, messages and images among young women. However, women also exerted agency in negotiating and expressing their sexuality, both online and offline.
Significance of Palpable Tendon Friction Rubs in Early Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis

Palpable tendon friction rubs (TFRs) in systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) have been associated with diffuse skin thickening, increased disability, and poor survival. Our objective was to quantify the prognostic implications of palpable TFRs on the development of disease complications and longer‐term mortality in an incident cohort of early diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) patients.
Search Complementarities, Aggregate Fluctuations, and Fiscal Policy

We develop a quantitative business cycle model with search complementarities in the inter-firm matching process that entails a multiplicity of equilibria. An active static equilibrium with strong joint venture formation, large output, and low unemployment can coexist with a passive static equilibrium with low joint venture formation, low output, and high unemployment. Changes in fundamentals move the system between the two static equilibria, generating large and persistent business cycle fluctuations. The volatility of shocks is important for the selection and duration of each static equilibrium. Sufficiently adverse shocks in periods of low macroeconomic volatility trigger severe and protracted downturns. The magnitude of government intervention is critical to foster economic recovery in the passive static equilibrium, while it plays a limited role in the active static equilibrium.
Tissue-based quantitative proteome analysis of human hepatocellular carcinoma using tandem mass tags

Abstract Context and objective: Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a severe malignant disease, and accurate and reliable diagnostic markers are still needed. This study was aimed for the discovery of novel marker candidates by quantitative proteomics. Methods and results: Proteomic differences between HCC and nontumorous liver tissue were studied by mass spectrometry. Among several significantly upregulated proteins, translocator protein 18 (TSPO) and Ras-related protein Rab-1A (RAB1A) were selected for verification by immunohistochemistry in an independent cohort. For RAB1A, a high accuracy for the discrimination of HCC and nontumorous liver tissue was observed. Conclusion: RAB1A was verified to be a potent biomarker candidate for HCC.
Caveolin‐1 is a novel regulator of K‐RAS‐dependent migration in colon carcinogenesis

Caveolin‐1 is an essential component of membrane caveolae. It is an important regulator of cellular processes such as signal transduction and endocytosis. We report here, for the first time, that caveolin‐1 is a target of the K‐RAS oncogene in colon carcinogenesis. Caveolin‐1 is induced in colon cancer cells and in human colon tumor samples, in response to K‐RAS activating mutations. An activated K‐RAS oncogene transcriptionally induces caveolin‐1 expression in human colon cancer cells and this effect is not restricted to the type of activating K‐RAS mutation. Inhibition of the P‐I3 Kinase‐AKT pathway, but not the ERK MAPK pathway, both important K‐RAS effectors, leads to a decrease in caveolin‐1 expression indicating that the AKT pathway is involved in caveolin‐1 expression in response to an activated K‐RAS. Increased AKT signaling induces caveolin‐1 expression by increasing the activity of the transcription factor, Sp1. Interestingly; caveolin‐1 depletion alters K‐RAS‐dependent signaling by decreasing Grb2‐SOS activity. Consistent with these finding, caveolin‐1‐depleted cells shows decreased migration in vitro. However, caveolin‐1 overexpression by itself does not increase migration whereas an activated Src can increase migration in a caveolin‐1‐dependent manner. This increased migration is highly dependent on the RhoA GTPase, indicating that an activated K‐RAS modulates migration in part via caveolin‐1 induction, and increasing RhoA activity via phospho‐caveolin‐1. Our findings indicate that K‐RAS regulates both caveolin‐1 expression and other factors affecting caveolin‐1 functions in colon cancer‐derived cell migration.
Mobility performance in glaucoma.

PURPOSE To determine whether glaucoma affects mobility performance and whether there is a relationship between mobility performance and stage of disease as estimated from vision-function measures. METHODS The mobility performance of 47 glaucoma subjects was compared with that of 47 normal-vision subjects who were of similar age. Mobility performance was assessed by the time required to complete an established travel path and the number of mobility incidents. The subjective assessment of falling and fear of falling were also compared. Vision function was assessed by measures of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, monocular automated threshold perimetry, and suprathreshold; binocular visual fields were assessed with the Esterman test. RESULTS The glaucoma subjects walked on average 10% more slowly than did the normal-vision subjects. The number of people who experienced bumps, stumbles, or orientation problems was almost twice as high in the glaucoma group than the normal-vision group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. The difference between groups also was not significant with respect to the number of people who reported falling in the past year (38% for the glaucoma group and 30% for the normal-vision group) or a fear of falling (28% for the glaucoma group and 23% for the normal-vision group). The visual fields assessed with a Humphrey 24-2 test were more highly correlated with walking speed in glaucoma than the visual fields scored by the Esterman scale or than visual acuity or contrast sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS Glaucoma is associated with a modest decrease in mobility performance. Walking speed decreases with severity of the disease as estimated by threshold perimetry.
Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Cardioversion: A Review of Current Evidence

Objective: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are recommended for the prevention of stroke or systemic embolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban represent possible alternatives to warfarin in the setting of cardioversion. A literature review was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DOAC use pericardioversion. Data Sources: A PubMed and MEDLINE search through August 2017 was conducted using the following search terms alone or in various combinations: dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, betrixaban, DOAC, NOAC, TSOAC, cardioversion. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All English-language, human studies comparing the safety and efficacy of DOACs with that of other anticoagulants in the setting of cardioversion were eligible for inclusion. References from published articles were reviewed for additional relevant citations for study inclusion. Four retrospective and 2 prospective trials comparing DOACs with warfarin were identified. Data Synthesis: The majority of studies included patients undergoing electric cardioversion. Based on current evidence, the DOACs perform similarly to warfarin in the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism, and bleeding rates are comparable. Conclusions: DOACs may be an attractive alternative to warfarin because of fast onset of action, potentially reducing delay to cardioversion. More robust studies are needed in patients with renal dysfunction and patients undergoing pharmacological cardioversion.
Comparison of the conventional diagnostic modalities, bactec culture and polymerase chain reaction test for diagnosis of tuberculosis.

PURPOSE To evaluate the performance of 65 kDa antigen based PCR assay in clinical samples obtained from pulmonary and extrapulmonary cases of tuberculosis. METHODS One hundred and fifty six samples were processed for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by ZN smear examination, LJ medium culture, BACTEC radiometric culture and PCR tests. RESULTS A significant difference was seen in the sensitivities of different tests, the figures being 74.4% for PCR test, 33.79% for ZN smear examination, 48.9% for LJ culture and 55.8% for BACTEC culture (P< 0.05). However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) as far as specificity of different tests was concerned. PCR test sensitivity in pulmonary and extrapulmonary clinical samples were 72.7% and 75.9% respectively and found to be significantly higher (P< 0.05) when compared with those of other tests. The mean detection time for M.tuberculosis was 24.03 days by LJ medium culture, 12.89 days by BACTEC culture and less than one day by PCR test. CONCLUSIONS PCR is a rapid and sensitive method for the early diagnosis of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Admixture mapping of prostate cancer in African Americans participating in the North Carolina‐Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project (PCaP)

Few genetic risk factors have been uncovered that contribute specifically to the racial disparity in prostate cancer (CaP) observed in African Americans (AA). With the advent of ancestry informative marker (AIM) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panels and powerful genetic strategies such as mapping by admixture linkage disequilibrium (MALD) it is possible to discover genes that underlie ethnic variation in disease risk.
Ongoing disease activity and changing categories in a long-term nordic cohort study of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To describe the disease characteristics, long-term course, and outcome of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in a population-based setting. METHODS Consecutive cases of JIA from defined geographic areas of Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway in whom disease onset occurred in 1997-2000 were included in a prospective, multicenter cohort study. The study was designed to be as close to a population-based study as possible, with centers participating only if they were able to include in their catchment area all children in whom JIA was diagnosed. RESULTS Of 500 children included, 440 (88.0%) had repeated visits, with the last visit occurring at least 7 years after disease onset (median 98 months, range 84-147 months). Changes in the International League of Associations for Rheumatology category were observed in 10.8% of the children, and, in addition, extended oligoarthritis developed in 34.7% of the group with oligoarticular JIA. During the observation period, 58.0% of the children were treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, including biologic medications. Ongoing disease activity was mostly mild, but some JIA-related damage developed in 22.9% of the children. At the last followup visit, remission off medication was observed in 42.4% of the children, 8.9% were in remission on medication, and 48.7% were not in remission. The highest rates of remission were observed in patients with persistent oligoarticular JIA and in those with systemic JIA. CONCLUSION In this long-term prospective study of JIA in a population-based Nordic setting, ongoing disease was evident in a majority of the children. The present results underline the need to identify early predictors of outcome, to further improve therapy, and to continue long-term followup of patients with JIA.
Variable switching point predictive torque control for the four-switch three-phase inverter

This paper presents a model predictive control (MPC) strategy for the four-switch three-phase inverter (FSTPI) driving an induction machine (IM). A state-space model of the plant, that takes into account the capacitor voltage imbalance, is introduced. The objectives of the proposed MPC-based approach are to control the machine torque and stator flux and to minimize capacitor voltage fluctuations. Furthermore, in order to reduce the high torque and flux ripples, a variable switching time point approach is implemented. The algorithm and mathematical calculations for the determination of the switching time point are presented. Simulation data verify the performance of the presented control strategy.
Novel anticancer compounds induce apoptosis in melanoma cells

We previously described the identification of a nucleoside analog transcriptional inhibitor ARC (4-amino-6-hydrazino-7-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-7H-Pyrrolo[2,3-d]-pyrimidine-5-carboxamide) and FoxM1 inhibitor, thiazole antibiotic Siomycin A that were able to induce apoptosis in cancer cell lines of different origin. Here, we report the characterization of these drugs on a panel of melanoma cell lines. We found that in contrast to the common anti-melanoma drug dacarbazine (DTIC), ARC and thiazole antibiotics, Siomycin A and thiostrepton, efficiently inhibited growth and induced cell death in melanoma cell lines in low concentrations. Overexpression of the antiapoptotic protein Mcl-1 protected melanoma cells from apoptosis induced by these compounds. Furthermore, we found that ARC and Siomycin A synergistically induce apoptosis in DM833 melanoma cell line suggesting that they may antagonize different anti-apoptotic pathways in melanoma cells. In general, these drugs may represent important candidates for anti-cancer drug development against melanoma.
Potential renal transplant donors: evaluation with gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography and MR urography.

PURPOSE To determine prospectively the feasibility and accuracy of combined gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) angiography, MR urography, and MR nephrography in the presurgical evaluation of potential renal transplant donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-two potential donors for renal transplantation were evaluated with 1.5-T MR imaging. MR angiograms were evaluated for the number of renal arteries, presence of early arterial branches, and renal artery stenoses. The renal collecting system and ureters were evaluated on the MR urograms. Renal parenchyma was assessed on the MR nephrogram. Prospective interpretation of MR images was compared with that of conventional angiograms and excretory urograms and with surgical findings. RESULTS Gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography enabled correct identification of the arterial supply to all 44 native kidneys (44 single or dominant renal arteries and nine accessory renal arteries), four of five early arterial branches arising in the proximal 2 cm of the renal artery, a mild truncal stenosis in one renal artery, and two anomalies of the draining renal veins. The MR urogram accurately depicted a duplicated collecting system and mild unilateral pelvicalicectasis. The MR nephrogram showed renal size and a solitary cyst in one kidney, confirmed with sonography. CONCLUSION Combined gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography, MR urography, and MR nephrography can accurately depict the arterial supply, collecting system, and renal parenchyma of donor kidneys.
Maximum shortening SNR design for MIMO channels

A time domain equalizer is a finite impulse response filter that shortens the channel impulse response to mitigate inter-symbol interference (ISI). Melsa, Younce, and Rohrs proposed a MSSNR channel shortening method for single input single output (SISO) channel based on minimizing the energy of the SIR outside the target window while keeping the energy inside constant. In our previous paper, we proposed a new structure of TEQ for MIMO channels, which simplified the original MMSE for MIMO channels. Still following this structure, in this paper, we propose a MSSNR channel shortening method for MIMO channels, which extends the MSSNR method from SISO to MIMO case. Finally, we demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach compared to the MMSE method based on measured channels, where the NEXT channels are simultaneously shortened with the direct channels.
Horizontal mismatch and vocational education

ABSTRACT Recent literature suggests that vocational education and training (VET) provides individuals with smoother transitions into the labour market but lower wages over the lifecycle, compared to general education. A possible mechanism explaining lower wages is horizontal mismatch, defined as a mismatch between the type of qualifications acquired by individuals and those required for their current job. Some studies have found higher mismatch wage penalties when individuals’ education is more specific, suggesting higher penalties for workers with VET. Therefore, we analyse horizontal mismatch in Switzerland, the country with the highest proportion of firm-based VET in the OECD. We use two measures from the Swiss Household Panel that cover different aspects of horizontal mismatch. While we find sizable mismatch wage penalties in OLS estimations, effects are small or insignificant in fixed-effects regressions. This holds for workers with vocational and general education background alike. We conclude that VET is more transferable than often assumed. We finish with recommendations on concept and methods for future analyses of horizontal mismatch.
Gene expression profiling reveals stromal genes expressed in common between Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Barrett's esophagus is a precursor of esophageal adenocarcinoma. DNA microarrays that enable a genome-wide assessment of gene expression enhance the identification of specific genes as well as gene expression patterns that are expressed by Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma compared with normal tissues. Barrett's esophagus length has also been identified as a risk factor for progression to adenocarcinoma, but whether there are intrinsic biological differences between short-segment and long-segment Barrett's esophagus can be explored with microarrays. METHODS Gene expression profiles for endoscopically obtained biopsy specimens of Barrett's esophagus or esophageal adenocarcinoma and associated normal esophagus and duodenum were identified for 17 patients using DNA microarrays. Unsupervised and supervised approaches for data analysis defined similarities and differences between the tissues as well as correlations with clinical phenotypes. RESULTS Each tissue displays a unique expression profile that distinguishes it from others. Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma express a unique set of stromal genes that is distinct from normal tissues but similar to other cancers. Adenocarcinoma also showed lower and higher expression for many genes compared with Barrett's esophagus. No difference in gene expression was found between short-segment and long-segment Barrett's esophagus. CONCLUSIONS The genome-wide assessment provided by current DNA microarrays reveals many candidate genes and patterns not previously identified. Stromal gene expression in Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma is similar, indicating that these changes precede malignant transformation.
Gender differences in the predictors of depression among patients with heart failure

Background: Depression is common in patients with heart failure. The prevalence of depression is known to differ in male and female patients with heart failure, but little is known about whether these patients differ in predictors of depression. The purposes of this study were to: (1) determine whether the prevalence of depression in patients with heart failure differed by gender: (2) examine if predictors of depression differed by patient gender. Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, 147 patients with a primary diagnosis of heart failure completed five self-report questionnaires: demographic and clinical characteristic questionnaire, Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Social Support Scale and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. Data were analyzed with logistic regression. Results: The majority of subjects were male (54.4%), with a mean age of 71.04 ± 13.29 years and mean ejection fraction of 46.42 ± 17.02%. About two-thirds of male patients (65%) and of female patients (65.7%) had significant depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II score ≥14). More female than male patients had moderate or severe depressive symptoms. Stratified analyses revealed that significant independent predictors of depressive symptoms among males were being unemployed (odds ratio=.09, 95% confidence intervals=.02– .54), lower ejection fraction (odds ratio=.96, 95% confidence intervals=.92–1.00), and worse quality of life (odds ratio=1.09, 95% confidence intervals=1.05–1.14); among females, predictors were uncertainty (odds ratio=1.09, 95% confidence intervals=1.04–1.32) and worse quality of life (odds ratio=1.17, 95% confidence intervals=1.08–1.48). Conclusions: Different variables predicted the presence of significant depressive symptoms in male and female patients with heart failure, but quality of life was an important factor in predicting depression in both genders.