Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Autocrine TGF-β Induces Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells

Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) have been the object of intense research due to their potential therapeutic use. In this paper, we present molecular evidence of a bona fide epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) undergone by hAECs. Amniotic membrane (AM)-derived hAECs showed the presence of typical epithelial markers such as E-cadherin and cytokeratins. hAECs in culture, however, underwent morphological changes acquiring a mesenchymal shape. Epithelial cell markers were lost and typical mesenchymal markers, such as vimentin and α-SMA, appeared. Several genes associated with EMT, such as SNAI1, MMP9, PAI1, or ACTA2, increased their expression. The expression of the transcription activators KLF4 or MTA3 was consistent with the downregulation of CDH1. We have shown that hAECs undergo EMT due to the autocrine production of TGF-β. Furthermore, the addition of the TGF-β receptor I (ALK5) inhibitor SB-431542 or TGF-β neutralizing antibody to hAECs prevented EMT and preserved the hAECs' epithelial phenotype. Altogether, these results suggest that cultured hAECs undergo EMT through the autocrine production of TGF-β.
Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness in Preeclampsia: Comparison with Normal Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women

ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in preeclampsia, normal pregnancy, and non-pregnant women using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). Methods: One hundred nineteen volunteers were enrolled in this prospective and comparative study. The participants were divided into three groups: group 1 (33 preeclamptic women), group 2 (46 normal pregnant), and group 3 (40 non-pregnant healthy women). The SFCT was measured by EDI-OCT. The refractive error, intraocular pressure (IOP), axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) were also measured. Medical records of pregnant women, including gestational age, maternal weight gain, weight, and proteinuria, were noted. Results: Mean SFCT of groups 1, 2, and 3 were 333.8 ± 55.3 μm (range 235-440 μm), 368.6 ± 67.6 μm (range 223-517 μm), and 334.8 ± 59.9 μm (range 197-432 μm), respectively. The mean SFCT was thicker in group 2 than that in groups 1 and 3 (p = 0.045 and p = 0.038, respectively), whereas no significant difference was seen between groups 1 and 3 (p = 1.0). In group 1, SFCT showed a negative correlation with the CCT (p = 0.009, r = -0.493). In group 2, SFCT showed a positive correlation with OPP (p = 0.030, r = 0.321) and a negative correlation with gestational age and fetal weight (p = 0.008, r = -0.387 and p = 0.011, r = -0.373, respectively). Conclusion: Our results suggested that SFCT was significantly thicker in normal pregnant women than non-pregnant women. However, SFCT values of preeclamptic women were similar to those of non-pregnant women.
Antitumor action of curcumin in human papillomavirus associated cells involves downregulation of viral oncogenes, prevention of NFkB and AP‐1 translocation, and modulation of apoptosis

Curcumin (diferuloyl methane), the major yellow pigment from the rhizomes of turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn), has anticancer properties. Infection with high‐risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) leads to development of cervical carcinoma, predominantly through the action of viral oncoproteins E6 and E7.The present study aims at analyzing the antitumor and antiviral properties of curcumin, on HPV associated cervical cancer cells. Our findings indicate curcumin to be cytotoxic to cervical cancer cells in a concentration‐dependent and time‐dependent manner. The cytotoxic activity was selectively more in HPV16 and HPV18 infected cells compared to non‐HPV infected cells. Balance between tumor cell proliferation and spontaneous cell death via apoptosis had an important role in regulation of tumor cell growth. Curcumin‐induced apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. Morphological hallmarks of apoptosis such as nuclear fragmentation and internucleosomal fragmentation of DNA were observed. Curcumin also selectively inhibited expression of viral oncogenes E6 and E7, evident from RT‐PCR and Western blotting data. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed that activation of NFκB‐induced by TNFα is downregulated by curcumin. Curcumin blocked IkBα phosphorylation and degradation, leading to abrogation of NFκB activation. Curcumin also downregulated the expression of COX‐2, a gene regulated by NFκB. Binding of AP‐1, an indispensable component for efficient epithelial tissue‐specific gene expression of HPV was also selectively downregulated by curcumin. These results provide attractive data for the possible use of curcumin in the management of HPV associated tumors. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Investigation of soy protein hydrogels for biomedical applications: Materials characterization, drug release, and biocompatibility

Soy protein is emerging as a novel material for biomedical applications due to its abundance in nature, ease of isolation and processing, and inherent properties for mediating cell adhesion and growth. In this study, mechanically robust soy protein hydrogels were fabricated with varying weight percentages in water (15, 18, and 20 wt.%) without the use of chemical modifiers or crosslinkers. This fabrication method is beneficial because it allows for the direct injection of these soy hydrogels in vivo. The material properties, drug releasing capability, and biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo were assessed. The different concentrations of soy protein varied the rheological, swelling, and mechanical properties and affected the release of the model drug fluorescein from the hydrogels in vitro. Higher weight percent of soy increased the robustness of the hydrogels and released a lower amount of fluorescein over one week. Viability and growth of seeded L929 mouse fibroblasts demonstrated that the hydrogels were biocompatible in vitro for one week. Soy hydrogels were injectable in vivo into the subcutaneous pocket of mice, and histological staining showed minimal fibrous capsule formation for up to 20 days. The ease of fabrication and tailorable properties of soy hydrogels render it a promising biomaterial for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications, particularly for wound healing.
Learning Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy Safely

Main Outcome Measures: Donor morbidity and graft function in the laparoscopic group were compared with those in the open group. Results:Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy was completed in 99 patients. One patient required conversion to open donor nephrectomy because of intraoperative hemorrhage. Minor complications occurred in 6 laparoscopic group donors (6%) and 3 open group donors (6%). Laparoscopic and open group donors were of similar age. Operativetimeswerelongerforlaparoscopicgroupdonors(231 vs 209 minutes). Mean hospital stay was shorter for laparoscopicgroupdonors (3.3vs4.7days). Graft functionwas comparablebetweenthelaparoscopicandopengroups,with equivalentpostoperativecreatininelevels.Graftsurvivalwas comparable.Recipientureteralcomplicationsoccurredwith less frequency (2% vs 6%) in the laparoscopic group.
Is the density of alcohol establishments related to nonviolent crime?

OBJECTIVE We examined the associations between the density of alcohol establishments and five types of nonviolent crime across urban neighborhoods. METHOD Data from the city of Minneapolis, MN, in 2009 were aggregated and analyzed at the neighborhood level. We examined the association between alcohol establishment density and five categories of nonviolent crime: vandalism, nuisance crime, public alcohol consumption, driving while intoxicated, and underage alcohol possession/consumption. A Bayesian approach was used for model estimation accounting for spatial auto-correlation and controlling for relevant neighborhood demographics. Models were estimated for total alcohol establishment density and then separately for off-premise establishments (e.g., liquor and convenience stores) and on-premise establishments (e.g., bars and restaurants). RESULTS We found positive associations between density and each crime category. The association was strongest for public consumption and weakest for vandalism. We estimated that a 3.3%-10.9% increase across crime categories would result from a 20% increase in neighborhood establishment density. Similar results were seen for on- and off-premise establishments, although the strength of the associations was lower for off-premise density. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that communities should consider the potential increase in nonviolent crime associated with an increase in the number of alcohol establishments within neighborhoods.
Fatty acid-binding protein in small intestine. Identification, isolation, and evidence for its role in cellular fatty acid transport.

A soluble fatty acid-binding protein (FABP), mol wt approximately 12,000 is present in intestinal mucosa and other tissues that utilize fatty acids, including liver, myocardium, adipose, and kidney. This protein binds long chain fatty acids both in vivo and in vitro.FABP was isolated from rat intestine by gel filtration and isoelectric focusing. It showed a reaction of complete immunochemical identity with proteins in the 12,000 mol wt fatty acid-binding fractions of liver, myocardium, and adipose tissue supernates. (The presence of immunochemically nonidentical 12,000 mol wt FABP in these tissues is not excluded.) By quantitative radial immunodiffusion, supernatant FABP concentration in mucosa from proximal and middle thirds of jejuno-ileum significantly exceeded that in distal third, duodenum, and liver, expressed as micrograms per milligram soluble protein, micrograms per gram DNA, and micrograms per gram tissue. FABP concentration in villi was approximately three times greater than in crypts. Small quantities of FABP were present in washed nuclei-cell membrane, mitochondrial and microsomal fractions. However, the amount of FABP solubilized per milligram membrane protein was similar for all particulate fractions, and total membrane-associated FABP was only about 16% of supernatant FABP. Intestinal FABP concentration was significantly greater in animals maintained on high fat diets than on low fat; saturated and unsaturated fat diets did not differ greatly in this regard.The preponderance of FABP in villi from proximal and middle intestine, its ability to bind fatty acids in vivo as well as in vitro, and its response to changes in dietary fat intake support the concept that this protein participates in cellular fatty acid transport during fat absorption. Identical or closely related 12,000 mol wt proteins may serve similar functions in other tissues.
Serum calcium, alkaline phosphotase and hemoglobin as risk factors for bone metastases in bladder cancer

Early detection of bone metastases is helpful for the treatment of bladder cancer (BC). In this study, we investigated the potential risk factors for bone metastasis in newly diagnosed patients with BC. A total of 902 patients diagnosed with BC between January 2000 and August 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Of these patient, 50 (5.5%) were identified with bone metastasis. The serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and calcium were significantly higher in patients with bone metastases than those without bone metastases (P = 0.015 and P<0.001). And the concentration of hemoglobin (HB) was significant lower in bone metastatic patients compared with non bone metastatic patients (P = 0.009). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that ALP, HB and calcium were independent risk factors for bone metastases in patients with BC. The cut off values of ALP, HB and calcium were 116 U/L, 37.5g/L and 2.54 mmol/L according to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis. And combined ALP, HB with calcium had the highest diagnostic accuracy for predicting bone metastases in BC patients (AUC = 0.760, P<0.001). Therefore, for newly diagnosed patients with BC, the concentrations of ALP >116 U/L, HB <37.5 g/Land calcium >2.54 mmol/L were the risk factors for developing bone metastases. Combined ALP, HB with calcium was more useful to diagnose the bone metastases.
Effects of Malaria, HIV Infection and Antiretroviral Therapy on Some Coagulation Profiles

This study was designed to determine the effects of HIV, Malaria and antiretroviral therapy on some Coagulation Profiles. The Participants were groups as follows; HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) with malaria (n=30), HIV on ART without malaria infection (n=29), HIV positive CDC classification stage I not on ART with malaria (n=30), HIV stage II not on ART with malaria (n=31), HIV stage I not on ART without malaria (n=31), HIV stage II not on ART without malaria (n=31), HIV negative without malaria and HIV positive with malaria control participants (n=61). HIV Screening, Malaria (Screening and density count), CD4 count, APTT, prothrombin time (PT), PCV, platelet, white blood cell counts were enumerated by standard laboratory techniques. The result showed that PCV were significantly different (p<0.05) among groups. On comparison within groups, PCV was significantly lower in HIV positive not on ART compared with control participants. Platelet count was significantly higher in HIV on ART compared with HIV positive not on ART (p<0.05). APTT was significantly higher in HIV positive stage II not on ART without malaria compared with HIV positive on ART without malaria. Also PT was significantly higher in HIV on ART with malaria compared with HIV positive stage II not on ART with malaria. This study suggests that the impact of ART improved PCV and Platelet levels and also the possible cause of mild prolongation in prothrombin time. Lupus anticoagulant is likely cause of observed prolonged APTT in HIV positive not on ART.
Robotic Navigation in Catheter Ablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: Midterm Efficacy and Predictors of Postablation Arrhythmia Recurrences

Robotic Navigation in Ablation of Paroxysmal AF. Introduction: Remote navigation systems represent a novel strategy for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). The goal of this study is to describe a single‐center experience with the electromechanical robotic system (Sensei, Hansen Medical) in treatment of patients with paroxysmal AF.
Maintenance of Clonogenic KIT(+) Human Colon Tumor Cells Requires Secretion of Stem Cell Factor by Differentiated Tumor Cells.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Colon tumors contain a fraction of undifferentiated stem cell-like cancer cells with high tumorigenic potential. Little is known about the signals that maintain these stem-like cells. We investigated whether differentiated tumor cells provide support. METHODS We established undifferentiated colonosphere cultures from human colon tumors and used them to generate stably differentiated cell lines. Antibody arrays were used to identify secreted factors. Expression of genes involved in stemness, differentiation, and the epithelial to mesenchymal transition was measured using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Expression of KIT in human tumors was analyzed with gene expression arrays and by immunohistochemistry. Colonospheres were injected into the livers of CBy.Cg-Foxn1nu/J mice. After liver tumors had formed, hypoxia was induced by vascular clamping. RESULTS Differentiated cells from various tumors, or medium conditioned by them, increased the clonogenic capacity of colonospheres. Stem cell factor (SCF) was secreted by differentiated tumor cells and supported the clonogenic capacity of KIT(+) colonosphere cells. Differentiated tumor cells induced the epithelial to mesenchymal transition in colonosperes; this was prevented by inhibition of KIT or SCF. SCF prevented loss of clonogenic potential under differentiation-inducing conditions. Suppression of SCF or KIT signaling greatly reduced the expression of genes that regulate stemness and the epithelial to mesenchymal transition and inhibited clonogenicity and tumor initiation. Bioinformatic and immunohistochemical analyses revealed a correlation between expression of KIT- and hypoxia-related genes in colon tumors, which was highest in relapse-prone mesenchymal-type tumors. Hypoxia induced expression of KIT in cultured cells and in human colon tumor xenografts and this contributed to the clonogenic capacity of the tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS Paracrine signaling from SCF to KIT, between differentiated tumor cells and undifferentiated stem-like tumor cells, helps maintain the stem-like features of tumor cells, predominantly under conditions of hypoxia.
Social Amplification of Wildfire Risk: The Role of Social Interactions and Information Sources

Wildfire is a persistent and growing threat across much of the western United States. Understanding how people living in fire‐prone areas perceive this threat is essential to the design of effective risk management policies. Drawing on the social amplification of risk framework, we develop a conceptual model of wildfire risk perceptions that incorporates the social processes that likely shape how individuals in fire‐prone areas come to understand this risk, highlighting the role of information sources and social interactions. We classify information sources as expert or nonexpert, and group social interactions according to two dimensions: formal versus informal, and generic versus fire‐specific. Using survey data from two Colorado counties, we empirically examine how information sources and social interactions relate to the perceived probability and perceived consequences of a wildfire. Our results suggest that social amplification processes play a role in shaping how individuals in this area perceive wildfire risk. A key finding is that both “vertical” (i.e., expert information sources and formal social interactions) and “horizontal” (i.e., nonexpert information and informal interactions) interactions are associated with perceived risk of experiencing a wildfire. We also find evidence of perceived “risk interdependency”—that is, homeowners’ perceptions of risk are higher when vegetation on neighboring properties is perceived to be dense. Incorporating social amplification processes into community‐based wildfire education programs and evaluating these programs’ effectiveness constitutes an area for future inquiry.
A study of the probing response of Aedes aegypti. 3. Effect of oviposition on probing.

The probing response of females of the yellow-fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (L.), was studied with respect to the human forearm and an artificial target (moist surface at 34°C) using females in different nutritional states. A highly significant (P<.005) difference was found in attraction between the living and the artificial target, as well as in the response among mosquito groups in different nutlitional states. No significant difference was observed in the probing response of mosquitoes from hour to hour for 6 hr water-starved mosquitoes probed on the artificial target as avidly as they did on the human forearm but the mosquitoes which had sugar water available continuously probed avidly on the skin and poorly on the artificial target. It is recommended that mosquitoes constantly supplied with 5% sugar solution be used for critical experiments on biting or probing.
Mobile Apps for Omnichannel Retailing: Revealing the Emerging Showroom Phenomenon

The transformation of the smartphone into a key integrating factor of the online & offline retailing environment has lead to the development of mobile applications that shape the omniretailing landscape. The present study provides evidence of the mobile retailing apps frequency of use inside physical stores and explores mobile retailing app assisted shoppers’ preferences of in-store omniretailing practices & technologies. Results reveal that price comparison that could lead to showrooming is of utmost important for consumers. In parallel, consumers that attach great importance to such practice significantly differ from the rest, in terms of the importance they attach to salespeople & omnichannel integration criteria, in order to purchase offline. In contrast, there weren’t found statistically significant differences in terms of the importance they attach to online & offline store atmosphere. Nevertheless, the importance attached to online store atmosphere is high among mobile retailing app assisted shoppers. Drawing on these results, the study provides feedback to retail entrepreneurs regarding the optimal design and features of the future physical retail store.
Marketization in a statist-corporatist nonprofit sector: the case of Hong Kong

In this article, an actor-centered approach was used to conceptualize marketization trends under statist-corporatist regimes and to critically examine theories on the trends and impact of marketization. A grounded theory method was used to guide data collection. A total of 65 critical incidents from the perspective of senior executives were collected from 18 nonprofit organizations in Hong Kong. Their annual budgets all exceeded US$6.5 million. Behavioral event interviews were conducted with the senior executives to understand how they conceptualized the organizational challenges and rationalized their decisions. The results show that commercialization was not a major marketization trend in statist-corporatist regimes. Nonprofit organizations were found enhancing self-governance capacities through building management competencies, articulating organizational policies and know-how, and adopting strategic management. It was not driven by institutional isomorphism. Second, strategic human resource management was revealed as another strategy to reduce resource dependence, which enriches the theory's current focus on earned-income strategies. Third, service expansions were observed as either directed at service gaps or driven by competition. By specifying the rationales for service expansion in exclusively nonprofit service markets, the study nuances the debate over the impact of marketization on nonprofit sectors. Points for practitioners For policymakers, it is important to be aware of the impact of market mechanisms on the nonprofit sector, which varies across countries due to the differences in the institutional framework for social service provision. For nonprofit managers, particularly those working in a statist-corporatist sector, they may benefit from self-governance strategies, revenue strategies such as active fundraising campaigns and regular donor programs, and strategic human resource management practices. More importantly, it is revealed that service expansions driven by competition for market shares and resources could render nonprofits, particularly those serve multiple types of target beneficiaries susceptible to the struggles of defining organizational identity and core competencies.