Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation of 5′-Promoter Activity of the Rat Growth Hormone and Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Receptor Genes in the MtT/S and MtT/E Cells

The MtT/E and MtT/S cells have been established from a mammotrophic pituitary tumor, and postulated to be progenitor and premature growth hormone (GH) cells, respectively. The difference in the regulation of GH and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) receptor gene transcription in relation to the developmental stage of GH cells were examined in these two cell lines. In MtT/S cells, triiodothyronine (T3), all-trans retinoic acid (RA) and 9-cis retinoic acid (9cRA) stimulated GH promoter activity but dexamethasone (DEX) did not. On the other hand, DEX stimulated GHRH-receptor promoter alone. T3, RA and 9cRA showed little effect alone but each of them augmented the effect of DEX when used together with DEX. In MtT/E cells, DEX, RA and 9cRA showed similar effect as observed in MtT/S cells on both GH and GHRH-receptor promoter activity. However, T3 neither stimulated GH promoter activity nor augmented the DEX-induced GHRH-receptor gene transcription in MtT/E cells. RT-PCR analyses revealed that both cell types expressed TRα1, TRβ1 and TRα2, but expression of TRβ2, a pituitary specific isoform of TR, was only detected in MtT/S cells. However, the deficiency of TRβ2 for its own sake does not appear to be a reason why T3 action was not observed in MtT/E cells, because co-transfection of expression plasmids for TRβ2 and RXRα failed in conferring on the cells an ability to respond to T3 by increased GH or GHRH-receptor promoter activity. These results suggest that the acquisition of mechanisms responsible for the regulation of GH or GHRH-receptor transcription by T3 may be involved in the process of functional development of GH cells.
The aging male population and medical care for benign prostatic hyperplasia in Canada.

BACKGROUND The male Canadian population is aging and more men will be seeking medical care for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We examined the projected increase in older Canadian males between 2005 and 2018 to evaluate urologic health-care needs. METHODS We used Statistics Canada population projections to derive predictions of the male population aged 50 or more from 2005 to 2018 and results from the Olmsted County Study of Urinary Symptoms to estimate numbers of males aged >/=50 with moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms (msLUTS) in the same period. Data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information were used to estimate the number of urologists in 2018. RESULTS The number of Canadian men aged >/=50 is projected to rise between 2005 and 2018 by 39.5% and the number with msLUTS by 41.3%. However, the number of practicing urologists in Canada in 2018 is likely to be similar to the 584 practicing in 2007. An increase in the number of urologists proportional to the increase in men aged >/=50 with msLUTS would require 799 urologists in 2018. INTERPRETATION Little opportunity exists to expand the number of trainees in urology. Other alternatives must be sought to deal with increased numbers of older men with msLUTS. Initial management of BPH has moved towards being a responsibility of primary care physicians, but they appear to view BPH as a quality-of-life issue. It is crucial that urologists work closely with primary care physicians to ensure that the management of LUTS progression is optimized.
HIF‐1α triggers long‐lasting glutamate excitotoxicity via system xc− in cerebral ischaemia–reperfusion

Hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) controls many genes involved in physiological and pathological processes. However, its roles in glutamatergic transmission and excitotoxicity are unclear. Here, we proposed that HIF‐1α might contribute to glutamate‐mediated excitotoxicity during cerebral ischaemia–reperfusion (CIR) and investigated its molecular mechanism. We showed that an HIF‐1α conditional knockout mouse displayed an inhibition in CIR‐induced elevation of extracellular glutamate and N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activation. By gene screening for glutamate transporters in cortical cells, we found that HIF‐1α mainly regulates the cystine–glutamate transporter (system xc−) subunit xCT by directly binding to its promoter; xCT and its function are up‐regulated in the ischaemic brains of rodents and humans, and the effects lasted for several days. Genetic deletion of xCT in cortical cells of mice inhibits either oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGDR) or CIR‐mediated glutamate excitotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. Pharmaceutical inhibition of system xc− by a clinically approved anti‐cancer drug, sorafenib, improves infarct volume and functional outcome in rodents with CIR and its therapeutic window is at least 3 days. Taken together, these findings reveal that HIF‐1α plays a role in CIR‐induced glutamate excitotoxicity via the long‐lasting activation of system xc−‐dependent glutamate outflow and suggest that system xc− is a promising therapeutic target with an extended therapeutic window in stroke. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lead Precipitation by Vibrio harveyi: Evidence for Novel Quorum-Sensing Interactions

ABSTRACT Three pleiotropic, quorum sensing-defective Vibrio harveyi mutants were observed to precipitate soluble Pb2+ as an insoluble compound. The compound was purified and subjected to X-ray diffraction and elemental analyses. These assays identified the precipitated compound as Pb9(PO4)6, an unusual and complex lead phosphate salt that is produced synthetically at temperatures of ca. 200°C. Regulation of the precipitation phenotype was also examined. Introduction of a luxO::kan allele into one of the mutants abolished lead precipitation, indicating that the well-characterized autoinducer 1 (AI1)-AI2 quorum-sensing system can block lead precipitation in dense cell populations. Interestingly, the V. harveyi D1 mutant, a strain defective for secretion of both AI1 and AI2, was shown to be an effective trans inhibitor of lead precipitation. This suggests that a previously undescribed V. harveyi autoinducer, referred to as AI3, can also negatively regulate lead precipitation. Experiments with heterologous bacterial populations demonstrated that many different species are capable of trans regulating the V. harveyi lead precipitation phenotype. Moreover, one of the V. harveyi mutants in this study exhibited little or no response to intercellular signals from other V. harveyi inocula but was quite responsive to some of the heterologous bacteria. Based on these observations, we propose that V. harveyi carries at least one quorum sensor that is specifically dedicated to receiving cross-species communication.
Head‐to‐head comparison of eight late gadolinium‐enhanced cardiac MR (LGE CMR) sequences at 1.5 tesla: From bench to bedside

To compare—theoretically and experimentally—clinically available two‐dimensional/three‐dimensional (2D/3D), breathhold and non‐breathhold, inversion‐recovery (IR) gradient‐echo (GRE) sequences used to differentiate between nonviable injured and normal myocardium with late gadolinium‐enhanced techniques (IR‐GRE2D sequence is used as a reference), and to evaluate their respective clinical benefit.
2,4,6-Trinitrophenyl 4-methylbenzoate

In the title compound, C14H9N3O8, the benzene rings form a dihedral angle of 69.02 (5)°. The central ester group is rotated by 25.86 (9)° relative to the p-tolyl group. In the crystal, the molecules are linked by C—H⋯O interactions into helical chains along [010].
Initially unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma: hepatic regeneration after transarterial embolization.

PURPOSE To assess with volumetric computed tomography (CT) the pattern and extent of hepatic regeneration induced with transarterial embolization of initially unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma (Klatskin tumor). MATERIALS AND METHODS In this prospective study, 13 patients (four men, nine women) with hilar cholangiocarcinoma, aged 43-74 years (mean +/- 1 standard deviation, 59.9 years +/- 9.6), underwent preoperative embolization of the right hepatic lobe. Embolization was performed transarterially by using four to 15 embolization coils. Volumetric measurements of the entire liver, left hepatic lobe, and spleen were performed with contrast material-enhanced and unenhanced helical CT before and after embolization in all patients. RESULTS After right lobe embolization, volumetric helical CT measurements revealed a 2%-33% decrease (mean, 10%) in the volume of the affected right hepatic lobe, an 11%-68% increase (mean, 37%) in the volume of left hepatic lobe parenchyma, and variations in splenic volume of -5% to +28% (mean, +11%). Nine patients underwent extended hepatectomy 27-75 days (mean, 44 days) after embolization. No patient had severe complications due to embolization. CONCLUSION In patients with an initially unresectable bilateral Klatskin tumor, right lobar arterial coil embolization results in enlargement of the left hepatic lobe (as verified with volumetric helical CT), thus allowing right hemihepatectomy.
The New World screwworm fly in Libya: a review of its introduction and eradication

Abstract. The New World screwworm fly, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), became established in the Old World for the first time during 1988, in the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. An obligate parasite of mammals in its larval stages, causing wound myiasis, it is one of the most serious insect pests of livestock in the Americas. To avert a major disaster for the livestock industry and wildlife of Africa and southern Europe, the Libyan Government and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations launched a massive screwworm eradication programme, based on the sterile insect technique, SIT. An initial containment operation involved veterinary teams working in the infested area (25,000km2 around Tripoli), regularly inspecting livestock and, if necessary, treating them with insecticide. Quarantine stations were also set up, to prevent the movement of infested livestock out of the area. Sterile flies from the Mexican‐American Commission for Eradication of Screwworms were first released in December 1990 at the rate of 3.5 million per week. This built up to 40 million per week by May 1991. The release of sterile flies was terminated on 17 October 1991, 6 months after the last detected case of screwworm myiasis in Libya. Intensive surveillance and quarantine activities will, however, continue through 1992. During 1992 the Libyan Government should be able to officially declare the New World screwworm eradicated from Libya, making it one of the most important success stories of pest control.
Energetics of Growth of a Defined Mixed Culture of Desulfovibrio vulgaris and Methanosarcina barkeri: Interspecies Hydrogen Transfer in Batch and Continuous Cultures

Interspecies hydrogen transfer was studied in Desulfovibrio vulgaris-Methanosarcina barkeri mixed cultures. Experiments were performed under batch and continuous growth culture conditions. Lactate or pyruvate was used as an energy source. In batch culture and after 30 days of simultaneous incubation, these organisms were found to yield 1.5 mol of methane and 1.5 mol of carbon dioxide per mol of lactate fermented. When M. barkeri served as the hydrogen acceptor, growth yields of D. vulgaris were higher compared with those obtained on pyruvate without any electron acceptor other than protons. In continuous culture, all of the carbon derived from the oxidation of lactate was recovered as methane and carbon dioxide, provided the dilution rate was minimal. Increasing the dilution rate induced a gradual accumulation of acetate, causing acetate metabolism to cease at above μ = 0.05 h−1. Under these conditions all of the methane produced originated from carbon dioxide. The growth yields of D. vulgaris were measured when sulfate or M. barkeri was the electron acceptor. Two key observations resulted from the present study. First, although sulfate was substituted by M. barkeri, metabolism of D. vulgaris was only slightly modified. The coculture-fermented lactate produced equimolar quantities of carbon dioxide and methane. Second, acetogenesis and methane formation from acetate were completely separable.
Early evaluation results from a statewide quality improvement training program for local public health departments in North Carolina.

CONTEXT Many state and local public health agencies have developed accreditation systems and are utilizing quality improvement (QI) methods and tools to improve the public health infrastructure. Development of strategies to support and build the capacity of the public health workforce to apply QI can help advance these efforts. OBJECTIVE This article describes the adaptation and creation of a standardized QI training program for local health departments (LHDs), explores the effectiveness of the program in increasing the confidence of the LHD staff to apply QI methods and tools, and discusses lessons learned from the first cohort of the program. METHODS An existing program designed for health care professionals was pilot tested, adapted, and used in 8 LHDs. A formative evaluation of the new public health QI training program was conducted through a hybrid internal and external evaluation model. Pre/postsurveys were used to measure participant satisfaction and the capacity of LHD staff to conduct QI. RESULTS Staff from 8 LHDs successfully completed the program and 94% of participants reported that they were satisfied with the overall training program. Seventy percent of participants reported a higher perceived confidence in conducting a QI project, and all participants reported sharing QI tools and methods with their coworkers. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that QI training programs using methods and tools previously applied in health care and other industries can be successfully adapted to public health. Although additional studies are needed to validate the results, this training model can be used to inform future work in developing a standardized QI training program in public health.
A wavelet coding scheme used in Multi-Source Relay-Based Cooperative Communication

The Multi-Source Relay-Based Cooperative Communication (MRBCC) is widely used to improve the channel reliability. Recently, there are two major Network Coding (NC) methods proposed for MRBCC. One is the Galois Fields NC (GFNC) which implements the NC scheme by randomly choosing encoding vectors from a high order Galois field. The other is the Complex Field NC (CFNC) where the author proposes an approach by mapping packets to orthogonal sinusoidal waves therefore to transmit the symbol level data simultaneously. Unlike the above two methods, in this paper, we propose a Wavelet Network Coding (WNC) scheme to achieve the NC purpose. Not only does the new scheme solve the problem of wireless throughput limitation of GFNC, but also it conquers Inter-Symbol Interference (ISI) issues caused by CFNC. Moreover, thanks to the property of a wavelet transform, we can easily group the symbols by the frequency-time domain analysis base on the symbol's priority, then determine whether to use redundant correction or not - if not, the transmission of source-to-relay and relay-to-sink can be paused and sub-channels allocated to the relay can be released. Through this way, a flexible resource-saving scheme in MRBCC is achieved.
Synergistic effects of co‐expression of the Th1 cytokines il‐2 and IFNγ on generation of murine tumor‐reactive cytotoxic cells

While the effect of cytokines on the generation of tumor‐reactive cytotoxic cells has been a topic of active investigation, the effect of physiological cytokine combinations has not been determined. We have investigated the effect of co‐expression of IL‐2 and IFN‐γ on the generation of cytotoxic cells against the murine line 1 tumor in vivo. These cytokines were selected because they are normally produced in concert by a subset of T‐helper cells called T‐helper 1 (Th1). We transfected the line 1 murine carcinoma with cDNA for IL‐2 and IFN‐γ, alone or combined. IFN‐γ alone does not elicit rejection of the transfectant, but IL‐2 increases the tumorigenic dose by 10,000‐fold above the parental cells. Co‐expression of IFN‐γ and IL‐2 increases this rejection to at least 100,000‐fold above parental line 1. Unlike IL‐2 transfectants, tumor cells expressing both IFN‐γ and IL‐2 can also elicit rejection of admixed parental tumor cells. Finally, the IFN‐γ/IL‐2 transfectants are more effective at generating memory cells that are cytolytic for the parental tumor. Our results show that synergistic interactions of Th1 cytokines can remarkably enhance the cytotoxic response to tumors. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thogoto Virus Infection Induces Sustained Type I Interferon Responses That Depend on RIG-I-Like Helicase Signaling of Conventional Dendritic Cells

ABSTRACT Type I interferon (IFN-α/β) induction upon viral infection contributes to the early antiviral host defense and ensures survival until the onset of adaptive immunity. Many viral infections lead to an acute, transient IFN expression which peaks a few hours after infection and reverts to initial levels after 24 to 36 h. Robust IFN expression often is conferred by specialized plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) and may depend on positive-feedback amplification via the type I IFN receptor (IFNAR). Here, we show that mice infected with Thogoto virus (THOV), which is an influenza virus-like orthomyxovirus transmitted by ticks, mounted sustained IFN responses that persisted up to 72 h after infection. For this purpose, we used a variant of THOV lacking its IFN-antagonistic protein ML, an elongated version of the matrix (M) protein [THOV(ΔML)]. Of note, large amounts of type I IFN were also found in the serum of mice lacking the IFNAR. Early IFN-α expression seemed to depend on Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling, whereas prolonged IFN-α responses strictly depended on RIG-I-like helicase (RLH) signaling. Unexpectedly, THOV(ΔML)-infected bone marrow-derived pDC (BM-pDC) produced only moderate IFN levels, whereas myeloid DC (BM-mDC) showed massive IFN induction that was IPS-1-dependent, suggesting that BM-mDC are involved in the massive, sustained IFN production in THOV(ΔML)-infected animals. Thus, our data are compatible with the model that THOV(ΔML) infection is sensed in the acute phase via TLR and RLH systems, whereas at later time points only RLH signaling is responsible for the induction of sustained IFN responses.
Offering people a choice for colorectal cancer screening

Objectives To assess the population coverage and diagnostic yield of offering an immunochemical faecal occult blood test (FIT) to non-responders to a flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) invitation. Design A cohort study conducted in a population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programme. In this programme, eligible men and women aged 58 (Turin; 43 748 subjects) or 60 (Verona; 19 970 subjects) are invited, with a personal letter signed by their general practitioner, to undergo an FS. Bowel preparation is limited to a single enema self-administered at home. Subjects in whom one distal polyp >5 mm (≥10 mm in Turin) or at least one adenoma (one advanced adenoma or more than two adenomas in Turin) is detected at FS are referred for colonoscopy. People who do not respond to the invitation to undergo an FS are invited to have an FIT (OC-Sensor; Eiken, Tokyo, Japan; single sample, cut-off 100 ng/ml). Attendance rate and neoplasia yield were analysed in four consecutive birth cohorts. Results Overall participation rate for the FS invitation was 39.3% in Verona and 29.9% in Turin. Of the eligible non-responders to the FS invitation, 19.3% (95% CI 18.9% to 19.7%) underwent an FIT. As a result, the proportion of people undergoing screening by FS or FIT was 55.2% in Verona and 39.3% in Turin, with no gender differences in either centre. FIT detected 8.3% of all advanced adenomas and 20.4% of all CRCs diagnosed at screening. Conclusions A strategy involving the sequential offer of FS and FIT is a feasible and efficient approach. FIT in people not attending for FS increases screening uptake and detection of advanced adenomas and CRCs.
Somatic acquisition and signaling of TGFBR1*6A in cancer.

CONTEXT TGFBR1*6A is a common polymorphism of the type I transforming growth factor beta receptor (TGFBR1). Epidemiological studies suggest that TGFBR1*6A may act as a tumor susceptibility allele. How TGFBR1*6A contributes to cancer development is largely unknown. OBJECTIVES To determine whether TGFBR1*6A is somatically acquired by primary tumors and metastases during cancer development and whether the 3-amino acid deletion that differentiates TGFBR1*6A from TGFBR1 is part of the mature receptor or part of the signal sequence and to investigate TGFBR1*6A signaling in cancer cells. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS Tumor and germline tissues from 531 patients with a diagnosis of head and neck, colorectal, or breast cancer recruited from 3 centers in the United States and from 1 center in Spain from June 1, 1994, through June 30, 2004. In vitro translation assays, MCF-7 breast cancer cells stably transfected with TGFBR1*6A, TGFBR1, or the vector alone, DLD-1 colorectal cancer cells that endogenously carry TGFBR1*6A, and SW48 colorectal cancer cells that do not carry TGFBR1*6A. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES TGFBR1*6A somatic acquisition in cancer. Determination of the amino terminus of the mature TGFBR1*6A and TGFBR1 receptors. Determination of TGF-beta-dependent cell proliferation. RESULTS TGFBR1*6A was somatically acquired in 13 of 44 (29.5%) colorectal cancer metastases, in 4 of 157 (2.5%) of colorectal tumors, in 4 of 226 (1.8%) head and neck primary tumors, and in none of the 104 patients with breast cancer. TGFBR1*6A somatic acquisition is not associated with loss of heterozygosity, microsatellite instability, or a mutator phenotype. The signal sequences of TGFBR1 and TGFBR1*6A are cleaved at the same site resulting in identical mature receptors. TGFBR1*6A may switch TGF-beta growth inhibitory signals into growth stimulatory signals in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and in DLD-1 colorectal cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS TGFBR1*6A is somatically acquired in 29.5% of liver metastases from colorectal cancer and may bestow cancer cells with a growth advantage in the presence of TGF-beta. The functional consequences of this conversion appear to be mediated by the TGFBR1*6A signal sequence rather than by the mature receptor. The results highlight a new facet of TGF-beta signaling in cancer and suggest that TGFBR1*6A may represent a potential therapeutic target in cancer.
Contribution of dynein light intermediate and intermediate chains to subcellular localization of the dynein–dynactin motor complex in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

In fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, cytoplasmic dynein drives oscillatory nuclear movement during meiotic prophase, which may facilitate pairing of homologous chromosomes. Here, we report the identification of a dynein light intermediate chain (LIC) in fission yeast, termed Dli1p, and show that Dli1p and dynein intermediate chain (IC) Dic1p are essential for the appropriate subcellular localization and proper function of dynein during meiotic prophase. Expression of both the dli1 and dic1 genes was observed only in cells undergoing meiosis. Dli1p interacted and colocalized with dynein heavy chain Dhc1p. The subcellular localization of Dli1p was dependent on Dhc1p, and vice versa. The Dhc1p–Dli1p subcomplex could localize to the spindle pole body (SPB) with no aid of Dic1p and dynactin subunit Ssm4p, but its localization to microtubules was dependent on these two proteins. Dic1p localized to microtubules depending on Ssm4p, but not on Dhc1p and Dli1p. Its localization to the SPB, however, was dependent on Dhc1p and Dli1p. Localization of Ssm4p to the SPB was largely dependent on Dhc1p, Dli1p and Dic1p. Thus, Dli1p and Dic1p contribute differently in localizing the dynein–dynactin motor complex to organelles, providing novel insight into the in vivo function of dynein subunits in fission yeast.