Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BCL6 represses NFκB activity in diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas

BCL6 is a transcriptional repressor whose deregulated expression plays a key role in diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas (DLBCLs). BCL6 expression characterizes one of the two main subtypes (GC type) of DLBCL, while the other (ABC type) is recognized by increased NFκB activation. The mechanistic basis of this distinction remains unclear and the BCL6 targets have been only partially explored. Here we describe how NFκB activity is increased after BCL6 silencing by shRNA in DLBCL cells, leading us to propose that BCL6 represses NFκB activity. We also demonstrate that this repression is brought about by a mechanism involving protein–protein interaction between BCL6 and NFκB members, both in vitro and in vivo. Analysis of a series of DLBCLs shows a negative correlation between the expression of NFκB target genes and BCL6. This combined approach using silenced cells and a series of human DLBCL samples leads us to a better understanding of the role of BCL6 as an NFκB regulator in B‐cells. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isolated hepatic perfusion for patients with liver metastases

Up to 80% of colorectal, melanoma, and neuroendocrine liver metastases are unresectable due to excessive tumor burden. Isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP) administers intensive therapy to the liver while limiting systemic toxicity and thus may have an important role in the management of unresectable liver metastases. This review s describes the development of IHP, initial clinical results, open and percutaneous IHP techniques, and contemporary long-term treatment outcomes. IHP with melphalan or tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) has been shown to achieve hepatic response rates of greater than 50% with progression-free survival of greater than 12 months among patients with refractory ocular melanoma liver metastases. The only series describing outcomes of IHP for neuroendocrine liver metastases notes an overall response rate of 50% and a median actuarial overall survival of 48 months after IHP treatment with melphalan or TNFα. The majority of studies that have evaluated IHP have been performed in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM). In aggregate, survival results from retrospective studies and phase I/II clinical trials suggest that IHP demonstrated no significant survival benefit compared with systemic chemotherapy alone as first-line therapy. In contrast, IHP does improve outcomes relative to that provided by second-line chemotherapy for CRCLM, with overall response rates of 60% and median duration of liver response of 12 months. Continued evaluation of IHP for unresectable liver metastases is necessary to establish its role in multidisciplinary treatment approaches.
The Importance of the Quality of Education: Some Determinants and its Effects on Earning Returns and Economic Growth

The aim of this paper is to provide a selective overview on the role played by the quality of education versus the quantity of education. After a presentation of some possible effects of the quality of education on both individual earnings and growth, the paper analyses some important school inputs and institutional characteristics of the education system which have been examined in the economic literature and could affect education achievements
Identification of Palmitoylation Sites within the L-type Calcium Channel β2a Subunit and Effects on Channel Function*

The hydrophilic β2a subunit of the L-type calcium channel was recently shown to be a membrane-localized, post-translationally modified protein (Chien, A. J., Zhao, X. L., Shirokov, R. E., Puri, T. S., Chang, C. F., Sun, D. D., Rios, E., and Hosey, M. M. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 30036-30044). In this study, we demonstrate that the rat β2a subunit was palmitoylated through a hydroxylamine-sensitive thioester linkage. Palmitoylation required a pair of cysteines in the N terminus, Cys3 and Cys4; mutation of these residues to serines resulted in mutant β2a subunits that were unable to incorporate palmitic acid. Interestingly, a palmitoylation-deficient β2a mutant still localized to membrane particulate fractions and was still able to target functional channel complexes to the plasma membrane similar to wild-type β2a. However, channels formed with a palmitoylation-deficient β2a subunit exhibited a dramatic decrease in ionic current per channel, indicating that although mutations eliminating palmitoylation did not affect channel targeting by the β2a subunit, they were important determinants of channel modulation by the β2a subunit. Three other known β subunits that were analyzed were not palmitoylated, suggesting that palmitoylation could provide a basis for the regulation of L-type channels through modification of a specific β isoform.
Smart surveillance system based on stereo matching algorithms with IP and PTZ cameras

In this paper, we describe a system for smart surveillance using stereo images with applications to advanced video surveillance systems. The system utilizes two smart IP cameras to obtain the position and location of objects. In this case, the object target is human face. The position and location of the object are automatically extracted from two IP cameras and subsequently transmitted to an ACTi Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) camera, which then points and zooms to the exact position in space. This work involves video analytics for estimating the location of the object in a 3D environment and transmitting its positional coordinates to the PTZ camera. The research consists of algorithms development in surveillance system including face detection, block matching, location estimation and implementation with ACTi SDK tool. The final system allows the PTZ camera to track the objects and acquires images in high-resolution quality.
Multi-state degradation analysis for a condition monitored device with unobservable states

The degradation process associated with a mechanical device can be represented by a discrete type of multi-state degradation model. Each discrete state in a multi-state degradation model corresponds to a certain health status of the device. In this paper, a general type of multi-state degradation model is considered for a device for which the health states are not directly observable and instead, indirect information is available through condition monitoring. We first demonstrate how nonhomogeneous continuous-time hidden semi-Markov process can be used to model a multi-state degradation process and then briefly review an unsupervised estimation procedure, which can be used to estimate the unknown characteristics of the stochastic processes associated with the degradation process and the observation process of a multi-state device. A simple numerical example is provided to demonstrate the application of the presented model.
Mannose‐binding lectin enhances phagocytosis and killing of Neisseria meningitidis by human macrophages

Deficiency of mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) is probably the most common human immunodeficiency and is associated with an increased risk of mucosally acquired infections including meningococcal disease. Tissue macrophages are an important component of mucosal defense, and so we determined the effect of MBL on uptake of meningococci by human monocyte‐derived macrophages. Opsonization with MBL significantly increased the capture and doubled the amount of internalization of Neisseria meningitidis. Inhibition of f‐actin polymerization indicated that MBL exerted this effect by a dose‐dependent acceleration of uptake into phagosomes, which was maximal within the normal physiological concentration of MBL (1.5 μg/ml) and was independent of scavenger receptors. MBL accelerated the acquisition and subsequent loss of the early endosome marker, early endosomal antigen‐1, and enhanced the acquisition of the late endosomal marker, lysosome‐associated membrane protein‐1. MBL reduced the survival of meningococci within macrophages by more than half, despite the increased uptake of organisms, and significantly reduced the number of viable extracellular bacteria by 80%. We conclude that MBL is a dependent opsonin able to accelerate microbial uptake and killing. These results suggest that MBL could modify disease susceptibility by modulating macrophage interactions with mucosal organisms at the site of initial acquisition.
Effect of the dietary exposure of rat to di(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate on their metabolic efficiency

The nutritional impact of di(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate (DEHP), specifically its energy efficiency and nitrogen utilization, was studied in the experimental rat. Groups of male Wistar rats were fed over 21 days with a standard diet alone or a standard diet supplemented with 2% (w/w) DEHP. Food intake, body weight and nitrogen compounds excretion were measured daily. The composition and energetic content of the carcass were determined in animals of both dietary groups after the feeding period, as well as in a separate group on day 0. The food and energy intakes were similar in both groups, however, the efficiencies of energy and nitrogen use were significantly reduced in the DEHP-fed rat. These alterations were reflected by a reduction of 31% on carcass energy retention and a decrease of 26% on cumulative nitrogen balance, without changes in the body composition. The increase of urinary nitrogen excretion, mainly as urea compound, is the major contributing factor to the lower nitrogen retention. These results indicate that DEHP decreases energy efficiency and nitrogen utilization, leading to a pronounced reduction in body weight gain. In addition, this study provides a possible conceptual framework that could explain the metabolic changes induced by DEHP and related compounds in experimental animals.
Increasing Contextual Demand Modulates Anterior and Lateral Prefrontal Brain Regions Associated with Proactive Interference

ABSTRACT Using a parametric version of a modified item-recognition paradigm with three different load levels and by means of event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging, this study tested the hypothesis that cerebral activation associated with intratrial proactive interference (PI) during working memory retrieval is influenced by increased context processing. We found activation of left BA 45 during interference trials across all levels of cognitive processing, and left lateralized activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC, BA 9/46) and the frontopolar cortex (FPC, BA 10) with increasing contextual load. Compared with high susceptibility to PI, low susceptibility was associated with activation of the left DLPFC. These results suggest that an intratrial PI effect can be modulated by increasing context processing of a transiently relevant stimulus set. Moreover, PI resolution associated with increasing context load involves multiple prefrontal regions including the ventro- and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex as well as frontopolar brain areas. Furthermore, low susceptibility to PI might be influenced by increased executive control exerted by the DLPFC.
Rotor loss reduction using segmented inverter in surface-mounted permanent magnet drive

In this paper, the influence of different switching modulation arrangements, i.e. current waveform modulation- and phase-shift, on the resultant current waveform of an electrical machine drive consisting of a two segment inter-leaved inverter feeding a surface-mounted permanent magnet (SPM) machine with two identical sets of three phase windings is investigated. The modulation- and phase-shift have been illustrated and the influence of the different modulation and frequency indices have been studied. Furthermore, the torque, and rotor eddy currents and core losses are calculated using FEA when either modulation-shifted or phase-shifted current waveforms are generated and fed to the machine. It is found that using modulation-shift can reduce the current harmonic substantially however the inverter requires two sets of input signals. On the other hand, although the current harmonic reduction is less than that of the modulation-shift, the phase-shift layout can be employed using one set of input signals with a signal delay.
Modeling and Analysis of a Transverse-Flux Flux-Reversal Motor

Transverse flux motors are of great interest in the low-speed high-torque direct-drive applications. In this paper, a novel transverse-flux flux-reversal motor structure is presented, which is more suitable than conventional transverse-flux motors when cost and torque density are both considered. The basic structure and operating principle are introduced. The three-dimensional (3-D) equivalent magnetic circuit model is established to obtain the expression of electromagnetic torque. A 3-D finite element model is built to analyze the influence of structure parameters on the torque density. A prototype is designed and manufactured based on the analysis result of finite element method (FEM), the experiments of no-load back-electromotive force and load torque are carried out. The experimental results agree with the results of FEM, which verifies the accuracy of FEM analysis.
Leucine-Rich Repeat kinase 2 G2385R variant is a risk factor for Parkinson disease in Asian population

To assess the effect of genetic factors on sporadic Parkinson disease, we performed a case–control study of a variant (G2385R) in Leucine-Rich Repeat kinase 2 among the Japanese population. The G2385R (c.7153G>A) variant was reported as a risk factor for sporadic Parkinson disease in the Chinese population from Taiwan and Singapore. Genotyping was conducted in 448 Parkinson disease patients and 457 healthy controls. The frequency of A allele in Parkinson disease was significantly higher than in the control (P=1.24×10−4, odds ratio 2.63, 95% confidence interval 1.56–4.35). Our results suggest that the G2385R variant is a risk factor for sporadic Parkinson disease in the Asian population.
Differentiation of Arrhythmia Risk of the Antibacterials Moxifloxacin, Erythromycin, and Telithromycin Based on Analysis of Monophasic Action Potential Duration Alternans and Cardiac Instability

Antibacterial drugs are known to have varying degrees of cardiovascular liability associated with QT prolongation that can lead to the ventricular arrhythmia torsade de pointes. The purpose of these studies was to compare the assessment for the arrhythmogenic risk of moxifloxacin, erythromycin, and telithromycin. Each drug caused dose-dependent inhibition of the rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium current encoded by the human ether-á-go-go-related gene (hERG) with IC20 concentrations of 31 μM (moxifloxacin), 21 μM (erythromycin), and 11 μM (telithromycin). These drugs were also evaluated in an anesthetized guinea pig model to measure changes in monophasic action potential duration (MAPD) and to quantify beat-to-beat alternations in MAPD during rapid ventricular pacing. Moxifloxacin dose dependently increased MAPD and caused a rate-dependent increase in alternans at the highest achieved free drug concentration (41 μM). Erythromycin also increased MAPD at its highest free drug concentration (58 μM), but alternans occurred at a relatively lower therapeutic multiple (13.9 μM), and the magnitude of alternans at higher concentrations was independent of pacing rate. Further analysis of the data showed that the beat-to-beat pattern of alternans with erythromycin was less stable than that with moxifloxacin and suggestive of greater arrhythmogenic liability. In contrast to erythromycin and moxifloxacin, telithromycin decreased both MAPD and alternans at the highest achievable drug concentration (7.9 μM). The relative risk at therapeutic concentrations is erythromycin > moxifloxacin > telithromycin and appears to be consistent with clinical observations of torsade de pointes in patients.
Variation at Diabetes‐ and Obesity‐Associated Loci May Mirror Neutral Patterns of Human Population Diversity and Diabetes Prevalence in India

South Asian populations harbor a high degree of genetic diversity, due in part to demographic history. Two studies on genome‐wide variation in Indian populations have shown that most Indian populations show varying degrees of admixture between ancestral north Indian and ancestral south Indian components. As a result of this structure, genetic variation in India appears to follow a geographic cline. Similarly, Indian populations seem to show detectable differences in diabetes and obesity prevalence between different geographic regions of the country. We tested the hypothesis that genetic variation at diabetes‐ and obesity‐associated loci may be potentially related to different genetic ancestries. We genotyped 2977 individuals from 61 populations across India for 18 SNPs in genes implicated in T2D and obesity. We examined patterns of variation in allele frequency across different geographical gradients and considered state of origin and language affiliation. Our results show that most of the 18 SNPs show no significant correlation with latitude, the geographic cline reported in previous studies, or by language family. Exceptions include KCNQ1 with latitude and THADA and JAK1 with language, which suggests that genetic variation at previously ascertained diabetes‐associated loci may only partly mirror geographic patterns of genome‐wide diversity in Indian populations.
Successful Use of Dexmedetomidine for Sedation in a 24-Week Gestational Age Neonate

Objective: To describe a case of dexmedetomidine use for sedation in a 24-week gestational age premature neonate. Case Summary: A 9-day-old, 24-week gestational age male neonate on high-frequency oscillatory mechanical ventilation was experiencing severe agitation refractory to high-dose intravenous narcotics and benzodiazepines. Since the infant's respiratory stability was reliant on adequate sedation, he was given dexmedetomidine after several days of suboptimal response to escalation of standard agents. Treatment prior to dexmedetomidine included continuous-infusion fentanyl 10 μg/kg/h, intravenous lorazepam 0.6 mg/kg every 4 hours, intermittent doses of both lorazepam and midazolam as needed, and a single bolus dose of phenobarbital. The patient calmed markedly during the dexmedetomidine loading dose infusion and remained adequately sedated while the drug was continued. The dexmedetomidine infusion allowed weaning of mechanical ventilation settings and eventual extubation of the infant, as well as rapid tapering of other sedative medications. The maximum dexmedetomidine infusion rate was 0.7 μg/kg/h, and total duration of therapy was 19 days. No significant adverse effects were directly attributed to dexmedetomidine use during this time. Discussion: Dexmedetomidine is a novel α2-agonist approved for short-term sedation in mechanically ventilated adults. Data describing its use in pediatric and neonatal patients continue to emerge. The prolonged use of dexmedetomidine in very-low-birth-weight neonates has not been described in the literature. Conclusions: Dexmedetomidine was an effective sedative and analgesic in a 24-week gestational age neonate treated for refractory agitation while on mechanical ventilation. Based on its documented efficacy for pain and sedation and its favorable adverse effect profile, dexmedetomidine warrants further study as first-line or adjunct therapy with narcotics for sedation in ventilated newborns.
Retained rectal foreign bodies.

BACKGROUND Retained rectal foreign bodies have been encountered more frequently and present a dilemma for management. Most of the reports on these cases were documented in the form of case report and from Western countries. The present study was a review on the authors' experiences in such cases. METHODS Data from January 1979 to January 2000 were extracted from a computerized database of Taipei Veterans General Hospital. The clinical features, treatment strategies and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS Ten male patients (mean age: 57.0 years) with 12 presentations of retained rectal foreign bodies were collected. Glass bottles and vibrators were the most common objects encountered, while anal eroticism was reported as the reason for insertion in 50% of the cases. The majority of the objects were extracted by non-surgical methods through either anoscope (n = 4), rigid sigmoidoscope (n = 2) or colonoscope (n = 1). Obstetric forceps was utilized to remove an incarcerated bowling bottle. Emergent laparotomies were performed in cases with overt peritonitis (n = 2), pelvic sepsis (n = 1) and an impacted high-lying glass bottle. Minor complications, such as mucosal abrasion or superficial tear, were found in 62.5% of the non-surgically treated cases. Delayed bleeding was found in 2 of them. There was no mortality in our series. CONCLUSIONS Despite its rarity, the retained rectal foreign body had varying clinical features. Most of the uncomplicated rectal foreign bodies could be simply extracted transanally under adequate anesthesia. Fiberoptic colonoscopic extraction provided an alternative choice. Open surgery should be reserved only for those patients with overt peritonitis or pelvic sepsis.
Strengthening Post‐Crisis Fiscal Credibility—Fiscal Councils on the Rise. A New Dataset

Institutions aimed at constraining policy discretion to promote sound fiscal policies are once again at the forefront of the policy debate. Interest in “fiscal councils,” independent watchdogs active in the public debate, has grown rapidly in recent years. This paper presents the first cross-country dataset summarizing key characteristics of fiscal councils among IMF members. The data documents a surge in the number of fiscal councils since the crisis. It also illustrates that well-designed fiscal councils are associated with stronger fiscal performance and better macroeconomic and budgetary forecasts. Key features of effective fiscal councils include operational independence from politics, the provision or public assessment of budgetary forecasts, a strong presence in the public debate, and the monitoring of compliance with fiscal policy rules.
How many remnant gibbon populations are left on Hainan? Testing the use of local ecological knowledge to detect cryptic threatened primates

For Critically Endangered “species of extreme rarity,” there is an urgent need to clarify the potential survival of remnant populations. Such populations can be difficult to detect using standard field methods. Local ecological knowledge (LEK) represents an important alternative source of information, but anecdotal reports of rare or possibly extinct species can contain uncertainty and error. The Hainan gibbon (Nomascus hainanus), the world's rarest primate species, is confirmed to only survive as a tiny remnant population in Bawangling National Nature Reserve, China, but unverified gibbon sightings have been reported from other forest areas on Hainan. We conducted a large‐scale community interview survey to gather new data on patterns of primate LEK from 709 respondents around seven reserves across Hainan, to investigate the possibility of gibbon survival outside Bawangling and assess whether LEK can provide useful information for conservation management of cryptic remnant populations. Comparative LEK data for gibbons and macaques are consistent with independent data on the relative status of these species across Hainan. Local awareness and experience of gibbons was low across Hainan, including at Bawangling, but we recorded recent anecdotal gibbon reports from most reserves. A follow‐up field survey at Limushan Provincial Nature Reserve did not detect gibbons, however, and documented intensive wildlife exploitation within this reserve. All other surveyed landscapes showed some statistically lower levels of respondent awareness, experience, or sighting histories of gibbons compared to Bawangling, and are therefore considered biologically unlikely to support gibbons. Unverified LEK data can provide important insights into the possible status of cryptic remnant populations when assessed carefully and critically in relation to data from known populations.