Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for cognitive decline in elderly people: findings from the two-year follow-up study in a Shanghai urban community.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of cognitive impairment (CI) and its associated risk factors among elderly peoples in China has been investigated. However, dynamic studies revealing the risk factors associated with cognitive decline from follow-up observations in China are rarely performed. OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to identify factors predicting late-life cognitive decline in China. METHODS Participants were 223 community-dwelling residents (≥65 years old) from the urban community of Shanghai with no CI upon comprehensive assessments at baseline. Cognitive decline at 2-year follow-up was defined as a drop of two or more points from baseline score in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Associations with baseline demographic, lifestyle, health, and medical factors were then determined within the population. RESULTS After 2 years, cognitive decline and incident CI developed in 75 (33.6%) and 25 (11.2%) participants, respectively. Across all participants, risk factors for cognitive decline included low education, high body mass index, and diabetes mellitus. Among participants with cognitive decline, points were predominantly lost in items relating to time orientation and complex commands in the MMSE. CONCLUSION This study confirms the differences in risk factors between cross-sectional and longitudinal studies for cognitive decline among the elderly population in urban Shanghai. Interventions tailored to potential risk factors associated with cognitive decline may offer further benefits.
Treatment of Fordyce spots with bichloracetic acid.

Fordyce spots are enlarged sebaceous glands located most commonly on the lips, adjacent to the vermilion border, and on the oral mucosa. They appear as multiple 0.1to 1-mm yellow to yellow-white papules often occurring bilaterally, and they may occasionally form plaques. These glands are similar to sebaceous glands found in the skin except that they lack an association with the hair follicle and have ducts that open directly onto the skin’s surface. Although these glands have been historically regarded as ectopic, they should be considered a variation of normal anatomy, although they can have a troubling cosmetic appearance. Normal sebaceous glands are present at birth, but hormonal changes with puberty stimulate enlargement producing Fordyce spots. The incidence continues to increase with age and the prevalence in adults is 70% to 80%, with a slight male predominance.
Müller cells express the neuronal progenitor cell marker nestin in both differentiated and undifferentiated human foetal retina

Tritiated thymidine studies suggest that Müller cells are the last cells born in the retina, although several authors describe Müller cells throughout the retina from very early ages. In this study immunohistochemistry was used to identify progenitor and Müller cells in human foetal retina. Antibodies to nestin (an intermediate filament protein expressed by neural progenitor cells), vimentin, cellular retinaldehyde binding protein (CRALBP) and glutamate and aspartate transporter (GLAST), which are each expressed by Müller cells, were used in combination with anti‐Ki67 to identify proliferating cells. By definition, Ki67‐positive proliferating cells were present in undifferentiated retina, but not in differentiated retina. Nestin‐immunoreactive (IR) cells colocalized with vimentin throughout the retina. CRALBP‐IR was detected in differentiated retina and in some proliferating cells. GLAST‐IR cells were present only within the differentiated region. Nestin, vimentin and CRALBP each colocalized with mitotic Ki67‐IR cells, suggesting that in foetal retina Müller cells and retinal progenitor cells are overlapping populations and that Müller cells are end‐stage progenitor cells.
P-Rex 1 Cooperates with PDGFR b to Drive Cellular Migration in 3 D Microenvironments

Expression of the Rac-guanine nucleotide exchange factor (RacGEF), P-Rex1 is a key determinant of progression to metastasis in a number of human cancers. In accordance with this proposed role in cancer cell invasion and metastasis, we find that ectopic expression of P-Rex1 in an immortalised human fibroblast cell line is sufficient to drive multiple migratory and invasive phenotypes. The invasive phenotype is greatly enhanced by the presence of a gradient of serum or plateletderived growth factor, and is dependent upon the expression of functional PDGF receptor b. Consistently, the invasiveness of WM852 melanoma cells, which endogenously express P-Rex1 and PDGFRb, is opposed by siRNA of either of these proteins. Furthermore, the current model of P-Rex1 activation is advanced through demonstration of P-Rex1 and PDGFRb as components of the same macromolecular complex. These data suggest that P-Rex1 has an influence on physiological migratory processes, such as invasion of cancer cells, both through effects upon classical Rac1-driven motility and a novel association with RTK signalling complexes. Citation: Campbell AD, Lawn S, McGarry LC, Welch HC, Ozanne BW, et al. (2013) P-Rex1 Cooperates with PDGFRb to Drive Cellular Migration in 3D Microenvironments. PLoS ONE 8(1): e53982. doi:10.1371/journal.pone. 0053982 Editor: Antonio Facchiano, IDI, Istituto Dermopatico dell’Immacolata, Italy Received June 15, 2012; Accepted December 5, 2012; Published January 30, 2013 Copyright: 2013 Campbell et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Funding: This work was funded by generous support from Cancer Research UK. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. * E-mail: j.norman@beatson.gla. ac.uk ¤ Current address: Southern Alberta Cancer Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada . These authors contributed equally to this work.
A Bayesian approach for temporally scaling climate for modeling ecological systems

Abstract With climate change becoming more of concern, many ecologists are including climate variables in their system and statistical models. The Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) is a drought index that has potential advantages in modeling ecological response variables, including a flexible computation of the index over different timescales. However, little development has been made in terms of the choice of timescale for SPEI. We developed a Bayesian modeling approach for estimating the timescale for SPEI and demonstrated its use in modeling wetland hydrologic dynamics in two different eras (i.e., historical [pre‐1970] and contemporary [post‐2003]). Our goal was to determine whether differences in climate between the two eras could explain changes in the amount of water in wetlands. Our results showed that wetland water surface areas tended to be larger in wetter conditions, but also changed less in response to climate fluctuations in the contemporary era. We also found that the average timescale parameter was greater in the historical period, compared with the contemporary period. We were not able to determine whether this shift in timescale was due to a change in the timing of wet–dry periods or whether it was due to changes in the way wetlands responded to climate. Our results suggest that perhaps some interaction between climate and hydrologic response may be at work, and further analysis is needed to determine which has a stronger influence. Despite this, we suggest that our modeling approach enabled us to estimate the relevant timescale for SPEI and make inferences from those estimates. Likewise, our approach provides a mechanism for using prior information with future data to assess whether these patterns may continue over time. We suggest that ecologists consider using temporally scalable climate indices in conjunction with Bayesian analysis for assessing the role of climate in ecological systems.
A new (propylphenyl)bibenzyl derivative from Dendrobium williamsonii

Abstract A new (propylphenyl)bibenzyl derivative, dendrowillol A (1), along with 22 known compounds were isolated from the whole plants of Dendrobium williamsonii. Their structures were elucidated by means of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Cytotoxicity evaluation against five human tumour lines showed that all the compounds tested displayed very weak cytotoxicity when compared with the positive control taxol, but selective inhibitory effects on HL-60 for several compounds tested were observed, with IC50 values ranging from 4.48 to 11.04 μM.
A Proteomics Analysis of Cell Signaling Alterations in Colorectal Cancer*S

To gain further insight into alterations in cellular pathways, tumor profiling, and marker discovery in colorectal cancer (CRC) we used a new antibody microarray specific for cell signaling. Soluble protein extracts were prepared from paired tumor/normal biopsies of 11 patients diagnosed with colorectal carcinoma at different stages; four liver carcinomas were used as a reference. Antibody microarray analysis identified 46 proteins that were differentially expressed between normal colorectal epithelium and adenocarcinoma. These proteins gave a specific signature for CRC, different from other tumors, as well as a panel of novel markers and potential targets for CRC. Twenty-four proteins were validated by using a specific colorectal cancer tissue microarray and immunoblotting analysis. Together with some previously well known deregulated proteins in CRC (β-catenin, c-MYC, or p63), we found new potential markers preferentially expressed in CRC tumors: cytokeratin 13, calcineurin, CHK1, clathrin light chain, MAPK3, phospho-PTK2/focal adhesion kinase (Ser-910), and MDM2. CHK1 antibodies were particularly effective in discriminating between tumoral and normal mucosa in CRC. Moreover a global picture of alterations in signaling pathways in CRC was observed, including a significant up-regulation of different components of the epidermal growth factor receptor and Wnt/β-catenin pathways and the down-regulation of p14ARF. The experimental approach described here should be applicable to other pathologies and neoplastic processes.
Organic and performance components in vocal and non‐vocal communication: unifying concepts of description and interpretation

This paper explores some conceptual and descriptive parallels between vocal and non‐vocal communication, paying particular attention to the physical phenomena and semiotic functions in both speech and gesture. The discussion focuses on the interplay between organic and performance components of speech and gestural behaviour. A central thesis of the paper is that dilemmas of semiotic attribution are likely to arise when a person's organic state constrains or alters their communicative behaviour, especially if the listener or observer is unaware of that organic state. This thesis is illustrated by a discussion of the changes in communicative behaviour that may result from the physical modifications and movement constraints that are typically associated with old age or with selected disorders of movement. The paper concludes that a more integrated programme of research into comparable descriptive and theoretical concepts would offer a timely and fresh perspective on both speech and gesture, and their semiotic role in conversational interaction.
Clinical laboratory reports in molecular pathology.

CONTEXT Molecular pathology is a rapidly growing area of laboratory medicine in which DNA and RNA are analyzed. The recent introduction of array technology has added another layer of complexity involving massive parallel analysis of multiple genes, transcripts, or proteins. OBJECTIVE As molecular technologies are increasingly implemented in clinical settings, it is important to bring uniformity to the way that test results are reported. DATA SOURCES The College of American Pathologists Molecular Pathology Resource Committee members summarize elements that are already common to virtually all molecular pathology reports, as set forth in the College of American Pathologists checklists used in the laboratory accreditation process. Consensus recommendations are proposed to improve report format and content, and areas of controversy are discussed. Resources are cited that promote use of proper gene nomenclature and that describe methods for reporting mutations, translocations, microsatellite instability, and other genetic alterations related to inherited disease, cancer, identity testing, microbiology, and pharmacogenetics. CONCLUSIONS These resources and recommendations provide a framework for composing patient reports to convey molecular test results and their clinical significance to members of the health care team.
Competition, collaboration and coordination – determining how cells bypass DNA damage

Cells must overcome replication blocks that might otherwise lead to genomic instability or cell death. Classical genetic experiments have identified a series of mechanisms that cells use to replicate damaged DNA: translesion synthesis, template switching and homologous recombination. In translesion synthesis, DNA lesions are replicated directly by specialised DNA polymerases, a potentially error-prone approach. Template switching and homologous recombination use an alternative undamaged template to allow the replicative polymerases to bypass DNA lesions and, hence, are generally error free. Classically, these pathways have been viewed as alternatives, competing to ensure replication of damaged DNA templates is completed. However, this view of a series of static pathways has been blurred by recent work using a combination of genetic approaches and methodology for examining the physical intermediates of bypass reactions. These studies have revealed a much more dynamic interaction between the pathways than was initially appreciated. In this Commentary, I argue that it might be more helpful to start thinking of lesion-bypass mechanisms in terms of a series of dynamically assembled ‘modules’, often comprising factors from different classical pathways, whose deployment is crucially dependent on the context in which the bypass event takes place.
Cellular Localization of Arabidopsis Xyloglucan Endotransglycosylase-Related Proteins during Development and after Wind Stimulation

A gene family encoding xyloglucan endotransglycosylase (XET)-related proteins exists in Arabidopsis. TCH4, a member of this family, is strongly up-regulated by environmental stimuli and encodes an XET capable of modifying cell wall xyloglucans. To investigate XET localization we generated antibodies against the TCH4 carboxyl terminus. The antibodies recognized TCH4 and possibly other XET-related proteins. These data indicate that XETs accumulate in expanding cells, at the sites of intercellular airspace formation, and at the bases of leaves, cotyledons, and hypocotyls. XETs also accumulated in vascular tissue, where cell wall modifications lead to the formation of tracheary elements and sieve tubes. Thus, XETs may function in modifying cell walls to allow growth, airspace formation, the development of vasculature, and reinforcement of regions under mechanical strain. Following wind stimulation, overall XET levels appeared to decrease in the leaves of wind-stimulated plants. However, consistent with an increase in TCH4 mRNA levels following wind, there were regions that showed increased immunoreaction, including sites around cells of the pith parenchyma, between the vascular elements, and within the epidermis. These results indicate that TCH4 may contribute to the adaptive changes in morphogenesis that occur in Arabidopsis following exposure to mechanical stimuli.
Normal blood pressure and preserved diurnal variation in offspring of type 2 diabetic patients characterized by features of the metabolic syndrome: the Fredericia Study.

OBJECTIVE To examine whether an elevated blood pressure (BP) level and an impaired reduction in nocturnal BP are already present in nondiabetic first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We examined 253 offspring of type 2 diabetic patients using ambulatory BP monitoring and compared the BP level and profile with 275 offspring of nondiabetic subjects. Anthropometric measures and cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and insulin levels were also compared between groups. RESULTS No significant differences in BP level (P > 0.05) or diurnal BP profile were evident between the nondiabetic glucose-tolerant offspring of type 2 diabetic subjects and the offspring of nondiabetic subjects. BMI (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, male vs. female), waist-to-hip ratio (P < 0.05), fasting blood glucose (P < 0.01), C-peptide (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, male vs. female), insulin resistance index (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, male vs. female), triglycerides (P < 0.05), apolipoprotein B (apoB) (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, male vs. female), and apoA1/apoB (P < 0.01) were significantly higher in the nondiabetic offspring of type 2 diabetic subjects than in the offspring of nondiabetic subjects. CONCLUSIONS This study shows a preserved diurnal BP profile and a normal BP level in the nondiabetic glucose-tolerant offspring of type 2 diabetic subjects compared with the offspring of nondiabetic subjects, although the offspring of diabetic patients are characterized by features of the metabolic syndrome.
The silent period produced by electrical stimulation of mixed peripheral nerves

The electromyographic silent period (SP) produced by electrical stimulation of the median and ulnar nerve, before and after lidocaine block of the ulnar nerve at the elbow, was recorded in the voluntarily contracting abductor pollicis brevis (APB) muscle of 4 normal subjects. Prior to block, stimulation of the corresponding segment in either nerve (e.g., wrist and elbow) elicited SPs with similar end points. With more proximal stimulation, the SPs consistently ended earlier. Following the block, ulnar nerve stimulation below the elbow failed to elicit a SP in any subject, despite a mechanical twitch caused by the antagonistic contraction of adductor pollicis muscle. Ulnar nerve stimulation above the block elicited a SP in all subjects similar to the preblock SP. In all 4 subjects, submaximal median nerve stimulation at the wrist produced an H‐reflex, followed by a SP in the absence of the direct M‐response. This SP, due to selective activation of sensory fibers, lacked a collision component, but, was otherwise similar to the SP elicited by supramaximal wrist stimulation. These findings indicate that the ascending volley following electrical stimulation of a mixed peripheral nerve produces the SP without apparent contribution from the descending motor volley.
Learning New Technologies by SMEs in Developing Countries

This paper, based on new field data, examines the ways in which small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in selected developing countries learn to use and augment their core capabilities with new technologies. This paper presents three findings. First, there is clear evidence of increasing complexity in the adoption and use of ICTs among developing country firms. Second, climbing the technological ladder requires skills upgrading through explicit learning of the new technologies. Third, firm performance is highly associated with learning capabilities, levels of technology, and a host of firm-level knowledge, skills and experience. The study found that across countries and sectors, non-formal learning is the dominant form of mastering new technologies. However, formal local and overseas training are positively associated with increasing technological complexity. There is also a close correlation between technical complexity of firms' internal ICT tools and available telecommunication infrastructure.
Comparisons of HPV DNA detection by MY09/11 PCR methods

Two modifications to the original L1 consensus primer human papillomavirus (HPV) PCR method, MY09–MY011, using AmpliTaq DNA polymerase (MY‐Taq), were evaluated for HPV DNA detection on clinical specimens from a cohort study of cervical cancer in Costa Rica. First, HPV DNA testing of 2978 clinical specimens by MY09–MY011 primer set, using AmpliTaq Gold DNA polymerase (MY‐Gold) were compared with MY‐Taq testing. There was 86.8% total agreement (κ = 0.72, 95%CI = 0.70–75) and 69.6% agreement among positives between MY‐Gold and MY‐Taq. MY‐Gold detected 38% more HPV infections (P < 0.0001) and 45% more cancer‐associated (high‐risk) HPV types (P < 0.0001) than MY‐Taq, including 12 of the 13 high‐risk HPV types. Analyses of discordant results using cytologic diagnoses and detection of HPV DNA by the Hybrid Capture 2 Test suggested that MY‐Gold preferentially detected DNA positive specimens with lower HPV viral loads compared with MY‐Taq. In a separate analysis, PGMY09–PGMY11 (PGMY‐Gold), a redesigned MY09/11 primer set, was compared with MY‐Gold for HPV DNA detection (n = 439). There was very good agreement between the two methods (κ = 0.83; 95%CI = 0.77–0.88) and surprisingly no significant differences in HPV detection (P = 0.41). In conclusion, we found MY‐Gold to be a more sensitive assay for the detection of HPV DNA than MY‐Taq. Our data also suggest that studies reporting HPV DNA detection by PCR need to report the type of polymerase used, as well as other assay specifics, and underscore the need for worldwide standards of testing. J. Med. Virol. 68:417–423, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Magnifying narrowband imaging is more accurate than conventional white-light imaging in diagnosis of gastric mucosal cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS It is difficult to accurately diagnose patients with depressed gastric mucosal cancer based on conventional white-light imaging (C-WLI) endoscopy. We compared the real-time diagnostic yield of C-WLI for small, depressed gastric mucosal cancers with that of magnifying narrow-band imaging (M-NBI). METHODS We performed a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial of patients with undiagnosed depressed lesions ≤10 mm in diameter identified by esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Patients were randomly assigned to groups that were analyzed by C-WLI (n = 176) or M-NBI (n = 177) immediately after detection; the C-WLI group received M-NBI after C-WLI. We compared the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity between C-WLI and M-NBI and assessed the diagnostic yield of M-NBI conducted in conjunction with C-WLI. RESULTS Overall, 40 gastric cancers (20 in each group) were identified. The median diagnostic values for M-NBI and C-WLI were as follows: accuracy, 90.4% and 64.8%; sensitivity, 60.0% and 40.0%; and specificity, 94.3% and 67.9%, respectively. The accuracy and specificity of M-NBI were greater than those of C-WLI (P < .001); the difference in sensitivity was not significant (P = .34). The combination of M-NBI with C-WLI significantly enhanced performance compared with C-WLI alone; accuracy increased from (median) 64.8% to 96.6% (P < .001), sensitivity increased from 40.0% to 95.0% (P < .001), and specificity increased from 67.9% to 96.8% (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS M-NBI, in conjunction with C-WLI, identifies small, depressed gastric mucosal cancers with 96.6% accuracy, 95.0% sensitivity, and 96.8% specificity. These values are better than for C-WLI or M-NBI alone.