Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recombination resulting in unusual features in the polyomavirus genome isolated from a murine tumor cell line

Polyomavirus-induced tumor formation in the adult natural mouse host has been investigated. Tumors were produced in nude mice with the transformation-defective mutant strain NG18 after a long latency period by apparent activation of a cryptic endogenous transforming viral function. A tumor cell line, designated ScB, was established and characterized. Cells from this morphologically distinct line were unusual in that they grew in soft agar but did not form foci. They were highly tumorigenic. They had a 3.1-kilobase major viral transcript that hybridized to probes derived from regions encoding both the T antigens and the structural proteins. ScB cells expressed polyomavirus small T antigen, a slightly altered middle T antigen, and a truncated large T antigen but no capsid proteins. Middle T antigen preserved its interactions with host proteins of 60 and 37 kilodaltons and with c-src. Analysis of cDNA and genomic clones indicated that the stable viral insert in the ScB genome contained multiple copies of the viral B-enhancer. The genome contained two intragenic inversions which created novel early- to late-strand switches. A simple model for the generation of one inversion is proposed that involves the juxtaposition of two stem-loop structures at an illegitimate recombination site; the location of the inverted segment within the integrated sequence permits use of the viral late polyadenylation signal in early-region transcripts, as confirmed by DNA sequence. A repetitive sequence may facilitate recombination at the other inversion site. Both the biological consequences of the observed rearrangements and the structure of the integrated viral DNA suggest that the recombination events are nonrandom.
Diagnostic Accuracy of MRI for Assessment of T Category and Circumferential Resection Margin Involvement in Patients With Rectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of rectal cancer is directly related to the stage of the tumor at diagnosis. Accurate preoperative staging is essential for selecting patients to receive optimal treatment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of MRI in tumor staging and circumferential resection margin involvement in rectal cancer. DATA SOURCES: A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Web of Science database. STUDY SELECTION: Original articles from 2000 to 2016 on the diagnostic performance of MRI in the staging of rectal cancer and/or assessment of mesorectal fascia status were eligible. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pooled diagnostic statistics including sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio were calculated for invasion of muscularis propria, perirectal tissue, and adjacent organs and for circumferential resection margin involvement through bivariate random-effects modeling. Summary receiver operating characteristic curves were fitted, and areas under summary receiver operating characteristic curves were counted to evaluate the diagnostic performance of MRI for each outcome. RESULTS: Thirty-five studies were eligible for this meta-analysis. Preoperative MRI revealed the highest sensitivity of 0.97 (95% CI, 0.96–0.98) and specificity of 0.97 (95% CI, 0.96–0.98) for muscularis propria invasion and adjacent organ invasion. Areas under summary receiver operating characteristic curves indicated good diagnostic accuracy for each outcome, with the highest of 0.9515 for the assessment of adjacent organ invasion. Significant heterogeneity existed among studies. There was no notable publication bias for each outcome. LIMITATIONS: This meta-analysis revealed relatively high diagnostic accuracy for preoperative MRI, although significant heterogeneity existed. Therefore, exploration should be focused on standardized interpretation criteria and optimal MRI protocols for future studies. CONCLUSIONS: MRI showed relatively high diagnostic accuracy for preoperative T staging and circumferential resection margin assessment and should be reliable for clinical decision making.
Texas Coral Snake (Micrurus tener) Bites

Background: The clinical features of bites from Texas coral snakes (Micrurus tener) have not been well studied. Our goal was to review the largest number of victims of Texas coral snakebites to determine their characteristics, effects, treatment, and outcome. Methods: Retrospective case series of Micrurus tener exposures reported to the Texas Poison Center Network from 2000 to 2004. Results: Eighty-two patients were included in the analysis. Most (57.3%) were 18 to 49-year-old men. Almost 90% had local swelling, pain, erythema, or paresthesias. Only 7.3% had systemic effects, and none of these were severe. Over half received coral snake antivenin, and 15.9% were given opioids for pain. No patient died and no patient required mechanical ventilation due to hypoventilation from the snakebite. Conclusions: There were more local findings and less severe systemic effects than previously reported. Antivenin is not needed for most of these patients, and opioids may be administered safely.
Cellular mechanisms underlying the regulation of dendritic development by hepatocyte growth factor

Acquisition of a mature dendritic morphology is critical for neural information processing. In particular, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) controls dendritic arborization during brain development. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying the effects of HGF on dendritic growth remain elusive. Here, we show that HGF increases dendritic length and branching of rat cortical neurons through activation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Activation of MAPK by HGF leads to the rapid and transient phosphorylation of cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB), a key step necessary for the control of dendritic development by HGF. In addition to CREB phosphorylation, regulation of dendritic growth by HGF requires the interaction between CREB and CREB‐regulated transcription coactivator 1 (CRTC1), as expression of a mutated form of CREB unable to bind CRTC1 completely abolished the effects of HGF on dendritic morphology. Treatment of cortical neurons with HGF in combination with brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophin family that regulates dendritic development via similar mechanisms, showed additive effects on MAPK activation, CREB phosphorylation and dendritic growth. Collectively, these results support the conclusion that regulation of cortical dendritic morphology by HGF is mediated by activation of the MAPK pathway, phosphorylation of CREB and interaction of CREB with CRTC1.
Celiac disease and markers of celiac disease latency in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome

OBJECTIVE:Many autoimmune diseases occur concomitantly with celiac disease. We investigated prospectively the occurrence of celiac disease and small-bowel mucosal inflammation in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.METHODS:A total of 34 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome and 28 controls underwent small bowel biopsy. Villous morphology, jejunal intraepithelial lymphocytes, and mucosal HLA-DR were evaluated and DQA and DQB alleles, serum antiendomysial, and antigliadin antibodies were examined.RESULTS:Five (14.7%) of 34 Sjögren's syndrome patients were found to have celiac disease. The density of jejunal intraepithelial γδ+ T cells was increased in all celiac and in four nonceliac patients. All celiac patients, 69% of nonceliac Sjögren's syndrome patients, and 11% of control subjects showed enhanced HLA-DR expression (p < 0.001). HLA DQ2 was present in 19 (56%) patients with Sjögren's syndrome, including all five with celiac disease.CONCLUSIONS:The findings show a close association between Sjögren's syndrome and celiac disease. Even among nonceliac patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome, an ongoing inflammation is often present in the small bowel mucosa.
Nonspherical Noble Metal Nanoparticles: Colloid‐Chemical Synthesis and Morphology Control

Metal nanoparticles have been the subject of widespread research over the past two decades. In recent years, noble metals have been the focus of numerous studies involving synthesis, characterization, and applications. Synthesis of an impressive range of noble metal nanoparticles with varied morphologies has been reported. Researchers have made a great progress in learning how to engineer materials on a nanometer length scale that has led to the understanding of the fundamental size‐ and shape‐dependent properties of matter and to devising of new applications. In this article, we review the recent progress in the colloid‐chemical synthesis of nonspherical nanoparticles of a few important noble metals (mainly Ag, Au, Pd, and Pt), highlighting the factors that influence the particle morphology and discussing the mechanisms behind the nonspherical shape evolution. The article attempts to present a thorough discussion of the basic principles as well as state‐of‐the‐art morphology control in noble metal nanoparticles.
Efficacy of transabdominal sonoelastography in the diagnosis of caesarean section scar endometrioma: A pilot study

Transabdominal sonoelastography (TASE) is a new imaging technique that maps the elastic properties of soft tissue. We evaluated 34, consecutive women with suspected scar endometrioma using standard B-mode ultrasound and elastography. Twenty-three women (23/34) underwent surgical excision and had the diagnosis confirmed by histopathology. All endometriomas (23 patients) in B-mode imaging appeared as hypoechoic masses along the line of a previous caesarean section incision and the outer borders were difficult to define precisely. By TASE, the endometrioma presented a typical blue-green-red appearance and the outer borders were clearly defined. (red and green area corresponds with the central hypoechoic soft areas). Strain ratios varied from 0.02 to 0.75. Real-time TASE is a simple, useful technique in confirming a clinical diagnosis of endometrioma in a caesarean section scar. Compared with B-mode ultrasound, it provides additional, preoperative information about the extent of the lesion that may be helpful to the surgeon.
Precision-cut organ slices to investigate target organ injury

Drug-induced organ injury is a multifaceted process, involving numerous cell types and mediators, and remains a significant safety issue in pharmaceutical development and clinical therapy. Organ slices, an in vitro model representing the multicellular, structural and functional features of in vivo tissue, is a promising model for elucidating mechanisms of drug-induced organ injury and for characterising species susceptibilities. Time- and concentration-dependent drug-induced effects on organ slice gene expression, function and morphology are providing insight into the molecular and biochemical pathways leading to organ dysfunction, an altered morphology and the induction of repair pathways. Human organ slice studies are valuable for bridging the extrapolation of animal-derived data and for identifying mechanisms relevant for humans. The liver is the major organ used in organ slice studies; however, the utility of extrahepatic-derived slices, as well as cocultures for investigating multiple organ involvement in tissue injury is increasing. Organ slice investigations can further our understanding of the cell types and cell interactions involved in drug-induced injury and the consequences of drug-induced off-target effects for identifying compound liabilities that will impact safety.
Organic strawberry in Mediterranean greenhouse: Effect of different production systems on soil fertility and fruit quality

Abstract In Europe, the lack of specific rules regulating organic vegetable production in protected conditions has led to the implementation of extremely diversified systems of production, at different level of intensification. In this study, we compared three strawberry organic production systems based on the following main criteria of soil fertility management: input substitution (SB), a simplified system of organic production that mimics conventional agricultural practices and two systems characterized by a more complex soil fertility management, based on the introduction, in the rotation of agroecological service crops (ASCs) and compost (AC), and of ASCs and cattle manure (AM). Strawberry yields, in the compared systems, were not significantly different in both years of our research, while, as a whole, the yield in 2013 (30.3 Mg ha−1) was significantly higher than in 2014 (28.9 Mg ha−1). Crop nitrogen (N) needs, during the entire cycle of production, were satisfied according to the same pattern by SB, AC and AM, while green manuring and organic amendments in AM and AC determined a higher soil organic N content, compared with SB. As far as the production quality is concerned, both AM and AC treatments yielded strawberry fruits similar to SB, but with better characteristics in terms of color and phenolic content. AM and AC did not differentiate statistically in the two year period of our research.
Intratumoral injection of interferon‐α and systemic delivery of agonist anti‐CD137 monoclonal antibodies synergize for immunotherapy

CD137 artificial costimulation results in complete tumor rejection in several mouse models. Type I interferons (IFN) exert antitumor effects through an array of molecular functions on malignant cells, tumor stroma and immune system cells. The fact that agonist anti‐CD137 mAb induce tumor regressions in mice deficient in the unique receptor for Type I IFNs (IFNAR−/−) indicated potential for treatment combinations. Indeed, combination of intratumor injections of mouse IFN‐α and intraperitoneal injections of anti‐CD137 mAb synergized as seen on subcutaneous lesions derived from the MC38 colon carcinoma, which is resistant to each treatment if given separately. Therapeutic activity was achieved both against lesions directly injected with IFN‐α and against distant concomitant tumors. Experiments in bone marrow chimeras prepared with IFNAR−/− and WT mice concluded that expression of the receptor for Type I interferons is mainly required on cells of the hematopoietic compartment. Synergistic effects correlated with a remarkable cellular hyperplasia of the tumor draining lymph nodes (TDLNs). Enlarged TDLNs contained more plasmacytoid and conventional dendritic cells (DC) that more readily cross‐presented. Importantly, numbers of both DC subtypes inversely correlated with the tumor size. Numbers of CD8 T cells specific for a dominant tumor antigen were increased at TDLNs by each separate treatment but only with slight augments due to the combination. Combined antitumor effects of the therapeutic strategy were also seen on subcutaneous TC‐1 tumors established for 24 days before treatment onset. The described strategy is realistic because (i) agents of each kind are clinically available and (ii) equivalent procedures in humans are feasible.
Defining regions of interest using cross-frequency coupling in extratemporal lobe epilepsy patients

Objective. Clinicians identify seizure onset zones (SOZs) for resection in an attempt to localize the epileptogenic zone (EZ), which is the cortical tissue that is indispensible for seizure generation. An automated system is proposed to objectively localize this EZ by identifying regions of interest (ROIs). Methods. Intracranial electroencephalogram recordings were obtained from seven patients presenting with extratemporal lobe epilepsy and the interaction between neuronal rhythms in the form of phase–amplitude coupling was investigated. Modulation of the amplitude of high frequency oscillations (HFOs) by the phase of low frequency oscillations was measured by computing the modulation index (MI). Delta- (0.5–4 Hz) and theta- (4–8 Hz) modulation of HFOs (30–450 Hz) were examined across the channels of a 64-electrode subdural grid. Surrogate analysis was performed and false discovery rates were computed to determine the significance of the modulation observed. Mean MI values were subjected to eigenvalue decomposition (EVD) and channels defining the ROIs were selected based on the components of the eigenvector corresponding to the largest eigenvalue. ROIs were compared to the SOZs identified by two independent neurologists. Global coherence values were also computed. Main results. MI was found to capture the seizure in time for six of seven patients and identified ROIs in all seven. Patients were found to have a poorer post-surgical outcome when the number of EVD-selected channels that were not resected increased. Moreover, in patients who experienced a seizure-free outcome (i.e., Engel Class I) all EVD-selected channels were found to be within the resected tissue or immediately adjacent to it. In these Engel Class I patients, delta-modulated HFOs were found to identify more of the channels in the resected tissue compared to theta-modulated HFOs. However, for the Engel Class IV patient, the delta-modulated HFOs did not identify any of the channels in the resected tissue suggesting that the resected tissue was not appropriate, which was also suggested by the Engel Class IV outcome. A sensitivity of 75.4% and a false positive rate of 15.6% were achieved using delta-modulated HFOs in an Engel Class I patient. Significance. LFO-modulated HFOs can be used to identify ROIs in extratemporal lobe patients. Moreover, delta-modulated HFOs may provide more accurate localization of the EZ. These ROIs may result in better surgical outcomes when used to compliment the SOZs identified by clinicians for resection.
Education All A'Twitter: Twitter's Role in Educational Technology

xiv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 Background . 2 Technology in Our Schools . 2 Twitter . 4 Problem Statement . 7 Purpose of the Study . 8 Research Questions . 8 Nature of the Study . 9 Operational Definitions . 9 Study Assumptions . 10 Significance of the Study . 10 CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE . 12 Technology in Schools . 12 Social Media . 14 Social Media in West Virginia Public Schools . 18 Challenges and Concerns . 23
Circulating tumour cells early predict progression-free and overall survival in advanced colorectal cancer patients treated with chemotherapy and targeted agents.

BACKGROUND Early predictive markers for response are needed for advanced colorectal cancer (ACC) patients. We assessed the value of circulating tumour cells (CTC) in ACC patients treated with chemotherapy plus targeted agents (CAIRO2 phase III trial) and compared the results with computed tomography (CT) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS CTC were determined at baseline and at different time points during treatment. Patients were stratified into low (less than three CTC per 7.5 ml of blood) or high CTC (three or more CTC per 7.5 ml of blood). RESULTS A total of 467 patients were assessable for CTC analysis. Among them, 129 patients (29%) with high baseline CTC had a significantly decreased progression-free survival [PFS; hazard ratio (HR) 1.5] and overall survival (OS; HR 2.2) compared with 322 patients with low baseline CTC. This difference remained statistically significant during treatment. The sensitivity and specificity of high CTC at baseline for the prediction of progressive disease on CT imaging were 16.7% and 70.1%, respectively, and of high CTC at 1-2 weeks after the start of treatment 20.0% and 95.1%, respectively. The combined analysis of CTC and CT imaging provided a more accurate outcome assessment than either modality alone. CONCLUSIONS The CTC count before and during treatment independently predicts PFS and OS in ACC patients treated with chemotherapy plus targeted agents and provides additional information to CT imaging.
Career intentions of medical students trained in six sub-Saharan African countries.

INTRODUCTION Sub-Saharan Africa(SSA) is the world region worst affected by physician migration. Identifying reasons why medical students wish to stay or leave Africa could assist in developing strategies which favour retention of these graduates. This study investigated the career intentions of graduating students attending medical schools in SSA to identify interventions which may improve retention of African physicians in their country of training or origin. METHODS Final year medical students attending nine medical schools in SSA were surveyed--students from four schools in South Africa and one school each in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda. The response rate was 78.5% (990 of 1260 students); data from the 984 students who indicated they were remaining in medicine were entered into a database, and descriptive statistics were obtained. RESULTS Most (97.4%) of the 984 responding students were African by birth. The majority (91.2%) intended to undertake postgraduate training; the top three specialty choices were surgery (20%), internal medicine (16.7%), and paediatrics (9%). Few were interested in family medicine (4.5%) or public health (2.6%) or intended to practice in rural areas (4.8%). Many students (40%) planned to train abroad. About one fifth (21%) intended to relocate outside sub-Saharan Africa. These were about equally divided between South Africans (48%) and those from the other five countries (52%). The top perceived career-related factors favouring retention in Africa were career options and quality and availability of training opportunities. Several factors were reported significantly more by South African than the other students. The top personal factors for staying in Africa were a desire to improve medicine in Africa, personal safety, social conditions and family issues. The top career-related factors favouring relocation outside Africa were remuneration, access to equipment and advanced technology, career and training opportunities, regulated work environment and politics of health care in Africa. Several of these were reported significantly more by students from the other countries as compared with South Africans. The top personal factors favouring relocation outside Africa were personal safety, opportunity for experience in a different environment, social conditions and greater personal freedom. DISCUSSION The career intentions of African medical students are not aligned with the continent's health workforce needs. A number of interventions that warrant further attention were identified in this study.