Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human papillomavirus‐16 and ‐18 in penile carcinomas: DNA methylation, chromosomal recombination and genomic variation

Penile carcinomas are frequently associated with high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types. Because little is known about the molecular biology of this association, we investigated three properties of HPV genomes in penile carcinomas from Brazilian patients: (i) HPV DNA methylation, (ii) junctions between HPV and cellular DNA and (iii) genomic variation. In cervical carcinogenesis, recombination between HPV and chromosomal DNA is frequent and likely necessary for progression, and DNA hypermethylation—specifically of the L1 gene—is a biomarker for cancerous progression. The same mechanisms apparently occur during penile carcinogenesis, because 95 HPV‐16 molecules derived from 19 penile lesions had 58% of the CpGs in L1 and 22% in the 5′ part of the long control region methylated, more than the percentages found in cervical carcinomas. In addition, 2 out of 3 HPV‐18 infections, all present in double infections with HPV‐16, showed L1 specific methylation typical of malignant cervical lesions. In 11 out of 15 HPV‐16 lesions, we confirmed chromosomal integration by reverse ligation inverted PCR, while 4 samples had concatemeric integrations or episomes. Nine of 17 penile carcinomas contained HPV‐16 AA variants, and 8 E variants. As AA variants are relatively rare in Brazilian cohorts of asymptomatic women, the high prevalence in penile carcinomas may indicate a higher risk of progression of AA lesions, as suspected for cervical infections. Our observations of frequent viral DNA methylation, chromosomal integration and the prevalence of high risk variants suggest that HPV‐dependent carcinogenesis of the penis and cervix follows similar etiological and epidemiological parameters. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sodium butyrate protects the intestinal barrier function in peritonitic mice.

OBJECTIVE Peritonitis is a commonly seen disease with high morbidity and mortality. It is prevalently considered that the impaired intestinal barrier during peritonitis is the access point of gut microbes into the blood system, and acts as the engine of the following systemic infection. In our previous study, we found that Sodium Butyrate (NaB) was protective on intestinal barrier function. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effects of NaB on overwhelming infection animal models of peritonitis. METHODS Mouse cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model was used to study the effects of NaB on the intestinal barrier. Experimental animals were fed of NaB by gavage. Post-CLP mortality, gut permeability and intestinal histological alterations were studied. RESULTS Gastrointestinal NaB pharmacodynamics profiles after medication were studied. Measurements of NaB concentration in chyme showed significantly higher intestinal concentration of NaB in the NaB treated group than that of the control group. CLP-induced mortality was significantly decreased by oral NaB treatments. Gut permeability was largely increased after CLP, which was partially prevented by NaB feeding. Histological study showed that intestinal, especially ileal injury following peritonitis was substantially alleviated by NaB treatments. Moreover, tissue regeneration was also prompted by NaB. CONCLUSION NaB has a potential protective effect on intestinal barrier function in peritonitis.
[The transfer and expression of human clotting factor IX in muscle mediated by electroporation].

OBJECTIVE To probe into the feasibility of increasing hFIX cDNA transfer and expression in muscle. METHODS The high-frequency electric field was used to promote both Lac-Z-encoding plasmid pCMV beta and hFIX-expressing plasmid G1NaMCIX to transfer and express in muscle. The effects of frequency and length of square pulse, as well as eletroporation time on hFIX expression were investigated. RESULTS Electric stimulation could increase the transfer and expression of pCMV beta in muscle, the number of X-gal positive myofiber cells in electroporation-treated mice is 2.1 times larger than that of mice not treated by electroporation (P<0.01). The most optimal electric simulation condition for hFIX cDNA transfer and expression was obtained, under this condition, the highest level of hFIX antigen in plasma is (40+/- 5.4) ng/ml and 7 times higher than that of mice without electroporation P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Electroporation is able to enhance hFIX cDNA transfer and expression in muscle efficiently.
E‐cigarette use of young adults motivations and associations with combustible cigarette alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit drugs

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Although the prevalence of e-cigarette use among adolescents and young adults has caught up to or eclipsed that of combustible cigarette use, there is relatively little known about (a) the link between e-cigarettes and other substances and (b) the reasons underlying this increase in e-cigarette use. To address this gap in knowledge, the current study examined associations between e-cigarette use and other substances and identified motives for e-cigarette use among young adults. METHODS Participants included an ethnically diverse sample of African American, White, and Hispanic young adults (N = 662; 61% female) who were participating in an ongoing survey-based longitudinal study of health and risky behaviors. RESULTS Hispanic, White, and male young adults reported significantly greater past year e-cigarette use compared to their African American and female counterparts. Bivariate correlations showed that use of e-cigarettes was positively associated with use of combustible cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, inhalants, hallucinogens, ecstasy, and misuse of over-the-counter and prescription medications. Furthermore, e-cigarette users reported a higher prevalence of substance use relative to those who did not use e-cigarettes. The taste of e-cigarettes was identified as an important motive for use. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE Although the potential harm associated with e-cigarettes remains largely unknown, e-cigarettes appear to be a risk marker for the use of substances that are known to pose substantial health problems. Health care providers should screen for e-cigarette use, and youth substance use prevention programs should target the reduction of e-cigarette use with particular attention to addressing their taste appeal. (Am J Addict 2017;26:343-348).
The histone‐like nucleoid structuring protein H‐NS represses the Escherichia coli bgl operon downstream of the promoter

Specificity of repression by the histone‐like nucleoid structuring protein and pleiotropic regulator, H‐NS, is exceptionally high in case of the Escherichia coli bgl (β‐glucoside) operon. Here we present evidence that H‐NS represses the operon at two levels. The binding of H‐NS to an upstream silencer results in an ∼threefold repression of the catabolite gene regulator protein (CRP) dependent bgl promoter. In addition, H‐NS binds to a silencer region located approximately 600–700 base pairs downstream of the promoter, within the coding region of first gene, bglG, resulting in a ∼sevenfold further decrease of expression. Repression by H‐NS at the downstream silencer requires termination factor Rho and is reduced by translation of the bglG mRNA, but is independent of the promoter. This suggests that H‐NS induces polarity of transcription by acting as a roadblock to the elongat‐ing RNA polymerase. The control of the bgl operon by H‐NS at two levels results in a highly specific repression.
The Interdependence of Planning and Learning among Internal Corporate Ventures

The novelty of new business domains demands that internal corporate ventures (ICVs) exhibit an ability to learn over the course of the venture's development. Nonetheless, ICV learning proficiency may be differentially related to venture performance as a function how various aspects of business planning for the venture are initially approached and evolve. Results from the current research indicate that ICV learning proficiency is more positively related to venture performance when the ICV's initial value propositions are unclear and when the ICV's goals do not extensively evolve over the course of the venture's development.
Oligomerization state and supramolecular structure of the HIV‐1 Vpu protein transmembrane segment in phospholipid bilayers

HIV‐1 Vpu is an 81‐residue protein with a single N‐terminal transmembrane (TM) helical segment that is involved in the release of new virions from host cell membranes. Vpu and its TM segment form ion channels in phospholipid bilayers, presumably by oligomerization of TM helices into a pore‐like structure. We describe measurements that provide new constraints on the oligomerization state and supramolecular structure of residues 1–40 of Vpu (Vpu1–40), including analytical ultracentrifugation measurements to investigate oligomerization in detergent micelles, photo‐induced crosslinking experiments to investigate oligomerization in bilayers, and solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance measurements to obtain constraints on intermolecular contacts between and orientations of TM helices in bilayers. From these data, we develop molecular models for Vpu TM oligomers. The data indicate that a variety of oligomers coexist in phospholipid bilayers, so that a unique supramolecular structure can not be defined. Nonetheless, since oligomers of various sizes have similar intermolecular contacts and orientations, molecular models developed from our data are most likely representative of Vpu TM oligomers that exist in host cell membranes.
Cl− flux through a non‐selective, stretch‐sensitive conductance influences the outer hair cell motor of the guinea‐pig

Outer hair cells underlie high frequency cochlear amplification in mammals. Fast somatic motility can be driven by voltage‐dependent conformational changes in the motor protein, prestin, which resides exclusively within lateral plasma membrane of the cell. Yet, how a voltage‐driven motor could contribute to high frequency amplification, despite the low‐pass membrane filter of the cell, remains an enigma. The recent identification of prestin's Cl− sensitivity revealed an alternative mechanism in which intracellular Cl− fluctuations near prestin could influence the motor. We report the existence of a stretch‐sensitive conductance within the lateral membrane that passes anions and cations and is gated at acoustic rates. The resultant intracellular Cl− oscillations near prestin may drive motor protein transitions, as evidenced by pronounced shifts in prestin's state‐probability function along the voltage axis. The sensitivity of prestin's state probability to intracellular Cl− levels betokens a more complicated role for Cl− than a simple extrinsic voltage sensor. Instead, we suggest an allosteric modulation of prestin by Cl− and other anions. Finally, we hypothesize that prestin sensitivity to anion flux through the mechanically activated lateral membrane can provide a driving force that circumvents the membrane's low‐pass filter, thus permitting amplification at high acoustic frequencies.
Penetration of Rod Projectiles in Semi-Infinite Targets: A Validation Test for Eulerian X-FEM in Alegra

Abstract : The finite-element shock hydrodynamics code ALEGRA has recently been upgraded to include an X-FEM implementation in 2D for simulating impact, sliding, and release between materials in the Eulerian frame. For validation testing purposes, the problem of long-rod penetration in semi-infinite targets is considered in this report, at velocities of 500 to 3000 m/s. We describe testing simulations done using ALEGRA with and without the X-FEM capability, in order to verify its adequacy by showing X-FEM recovers the good results found with the standard ALEGRA formulation. The X-FEM results for depth of penetration differ from previously measured experimental data by less than 2%, and from the standard formulation results by less than 1%. They converge monotonically under mesh refinement at first order. Sensitivities to domain size and rear boundary condition are investigated and shown to be small. Aside from some simulation stability issues, X-FEM is found to produce good results for this classical impact and penetration problem.
Estimation of an errors‐in‐variables regression model when the variances of the measurement errors vary between the observations

It is common in the analysis of aggregate data in epidemiology that the variances of the aggregate observations are available. The analysis of such data leads to a measurement error situation, where the known variances of the measurement errors vary between the observations. Assuming multivariate normal distribution for the ‘true’ observations and normal distributions for the measurement errors, we derive a simple EM algorithm for obtaining maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters of the multivariate normal distributions. The results also facilitate the estimation of regression parameters between the variables as well as the ‘true’ values of the observations. The approach is applied to re‐estimate recent results of the WHO MONICA Project on cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, where the original estimation of the regression coefficients did not adjust for the regression attenuation caused by the measurement errors. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
IPTV CAS using efficient group key management scheme

IPTV service provider only allows the users authorized by CAS to access to the contents. In CAS, hierarchical key structure is used to manage users efficiently and securely. The amount of message transmission for key update increases as the number of users goes up. In this paper, we propose the IPTV CAS using group key management scheme based on bottom-up hash tree. The proposed scheme can update key using one message regardless of the number of users.
A Novel Frequency Synchronization Method for OFDM System with Frequency Domain Selection Combining Diversity

A frequency synchronization method for the specific OFDM receive diversity system, with implemented frequency domain subcarrier selection combining (SC), is proposed. It has been shown that the assumed diversity system is even more sensitive to frequency synchronization errors than standard OFDM system. Thus, a novel frequency synchronization method for the analyzed system is proposed. Using the simulation method, bit error rate (BER) performance of this system in the presence of frequency offset are examined, for the case of slow time varying and frequency selective channel. The obtained results show that the performance of the considered system slightly differ comparing with the performance of the perfectly synchronized system, what proves that the proposed synchronization method can be considered as adequate.
Combined Anterolateral Thigh and Anteromedial Thigh Flap for Extensive Extremity Reconstruction: Vascular Anatomy and Clinical Application

Abstract Background The combined anterolateral thigh (ALT) and anteromedial thigh (AMT) flap has been previously reported for use in complicated head and neck reconstruction. However, it has not gained popularity due to the vascular variation. Here, we explore the vascular basis of this combined flap, and report its application in extremity reconstruction. Methods This study was divided into two parts: vascular anatomy and clinical application. In the anatomical study, 52 sides of adult thighs were dissected to identity vascular perforators supplying the combined ALT and AMT flap, with focus on sizeable perforators (larger than 0.5 mm) arising from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. Clinically, five male patients were treated by combined ALT and AMT flaps for extensive extremity reconstruction from January 2006 to December 2010. The mean age was 32 years (range, 23–45 years). The combined flap was used for covering large soft-tissue defects in forearm (n = 3) and calf (n = 2). For each patient, esthetic and functional results were recorded. Results The anatomical study showed that sizeable perforators supplying the ALT flap were present in 50 thighs (96.2%), and the perforators supplying the AMT flap were present in 32 thighs (61.5%). The combined ALT and AMT flaps were available in 30 thighs (57.7%). All five combined flaps survived completely. Skin grafts covering the donor sites healed uneventful. The mean follow-up was 9.6 months (range, 6–12 months). No complications were recorded during the follow-up. Conclusion The combined ALT and AMT flap may be used for extensive extremity reconstruction in selected patients for its great maneuverability and acceptable donor-site morbidity.
Assessment of arterial stiffness in periodontitis using a novel pulse wave imaging methodology

AIM We investigated the cross-sectional relationship between periodontal status and arterial stiffness, assessed through a novel Pulse Wave Imaging methodology. METHODS Eighty volunteers were enrolled (39% male, age range 24-78 years) and 33 pairs were formed of periodontitis patients/periodontally healthy controls, matched by age and gender. A full-mouth periodontal examination was performed and the degree of stiffness of the right and left carotid arteries was assessed by measuring pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the uniformity in pulse wave propagation (R2 ). Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for paired observations were used to compare periodontitis patients and healthy controls. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the association between PWV and R2 and potential explanatory variables. RESULTS Patients with periodontitis had a statistically significantly lower uniformity in wave propagation (R2 ) than controls (p = .01), but PWV did not differ between the two groups. Univariate analysis showed a significant negative association between R2 and periodontitis, body mass index and smoking; periodontitis remained statistically associated with R2 in the multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS Patients with periodontitis and no established cardiovascular disease presented with lower degree of uniformity in the transmission of the pulse wave through the carotid arteries, suggesting an association between periodontitis and arterial stiffness/functional alterations.
Developing Teachers' Professional Learning: Canadian Evidence and Experiences in a World of Educational Improvement.

This article discusses the current international emphasis on educational improvement and, particularly, approaches to developing teachers’ professional learning. I begin by arguing for the importance of Canadian narratives and evidence within global debates. I turn then to an example of a recently conducted study of the state of educators’ professional learning in Canada to examine research-informed principles and examples from policies and practices across Canada. I conclude by arguing for the importance of the Canadian education community learning with, from, and for Canada, appreciating that diversity is our strength, but recognizing that inequities are our greatest challenge.
Transforming growth factor-beta selectively inhibits branching morphogenesis but not tubulogenesis.

When cultured in type I collagen gels, two kidney-derived cell lines, Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells and murine inner medullary collecting duct (mIMCD3) cells, from branching tubular structures in the presence of Swiss 3T3 conditioned medium, in which hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is the major branching tubule inducing factor. However, upon incubation with transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in the presence of 3T3 conditioned medium, MDCK tubulogenesis and branching was markedly inhibited. In contrast, mIMCD3 cells, which are much less susceptible to growth and tubulogenesis inhibition by TGF-beta, formed long straight tubulelike structures in presence of TGF-beta, suggesting a dissociation between tubulogenesis and branching morphogenesis. Interestingly, those long tubules that did branch often superficially resembled the early branching ureteric bud in embryonic kidneys. Quantitation of branching events revealed a selective branch-inhibiting effect of TGF-beta on mIMCD3 cells at concentrations between 0.02 and 2 ng/ml. There was no qualitative or quantitative difference among TGF-beta 1, -beta 2, and -beta 3 on inhibition of branching events, suggesting existence of potentially redundant mechanisms for modulating branching morphogenesis. Concentrations of TGF-beta that resulted in long nonbranching tubules also altered the profile of extracellular matrix-degrading proteases and their inhibitors expressed by developing tubules. Ratios of urokinase type plasminogen activator (u-PA) to plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-l) and matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-1 to tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease (TIMP)-1 were both markedly decreased. In addition, apart from a direct effect on epithelial cell branching morphogenesis, TGF-beta downregulated the expression of HGF mRNA in Swiss 3T3 cells. Thus TGF-beta exerts at least three distinct effects relevant to tubulogenesis and branching morphogenesis inhibition of branching morphogenesis alone (mIMCD3 cells), inhibition of both tubulogenesis and branching morphogenesis (MDCK cells), and inhibition of the expression of growth factor which induce tubulogenesis and branching morphogenesis (3T3 cells). In the context of epithelial tissue development, which requires tightly regulated branching tubulogenesis of epithelial cells, the data suggest a model where branching patterns are regulated by a precise temporal and spatial balance between branching morphogens such as HGF and inhibitory morphogens such as members of the TGF-beta superfamily [e.g., TGF-beta isoforms, certain bone morphogenetic proteins].
Dose‐dependent cardiac effect of oestrogen replacement in mice post‐myocardial infarction

Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) has recently been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular events in women. However, it is not clear whether the adverse effect of HRT is related to dosage and/or the presence of progestin. Using a mouse model of myocardial infarction (MI), we studied the dose‐effect of oestrogen replacement on mortality and cardiac remodelling and dysfunction post‐MI in the absence of progestin. Six‐week‐old females were subjected to ovariectomy (OVX). A pellet containing a low, moderate or high dose of 17β‐oestradiol (E2; 0.42, 4.2 or 18.8 μg day−1) or placebo was implanted subcutaneously on the day of OVX. Myocardial infarction was induced 8 weeks later, and cardiac morphology and function were evaluated 8 weeks after MI. We found that E2 at moderate and high doses adversely affected mortality. A low dose of E2 that restored plasma oestrogen close to physiological levels had no significant effect on mortality but tended to improve cardiac function and remodelling, associated with reduced fibrosis and increased capillary density. At the moderate dose, E2 exacerbated cardiac fibrosis, hypertrophy, dysfunction and dilatation, associated with liver and kidney enlargement and ascites. Protein kinase C and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase were increased by MI but were not affected by E2. In summary, E2 at a low dose tended to be cardioprotective. At increased doses that raised plasma oestrogen far beyond the physiological level, E2 was detrimental to the heart. Our data suggest that dosage should be an important consideration when studying the effect of oestrogen replacement on the heart.