Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CHEK2 mutations and HNPCC‐related colorectal cancer

Recently, the 1100delC variant of cell cycle checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2) has been reported to confer a colorectal cancer risk in hereditary non‐polyposis‐colorectal cancer (HNPCC) and HNPCC‐related families in the Netherlands. To investigate whether CHEK2 mutations confer increased cancer risk in HNPCC and HNPCC‐related families in Poland, we genotyped 463 probands from HNPCC and HNPCC‐related families, and 5,496 controls for 4 CHEK2 alleles (1100delC, IVS2+1G>A, del5395, I157T). All 463 probands were screened for mutations in the HNPCC‐related genes MSH2, MLH1 and MSH6. A positive association was observed for HNPCC‐related cancer and the I157T missense CHEK2 mutation (OR = 1.7; p = 0.007), but not for the truncating alleles (OR = 1.0; p = 1.0). The association with the I157T was seen both for the 117 cases who fulfill Amsterdam criteria (OR = 1.9; p = 0.1) and for the 346 cases who do not fulfill the criteria (OR = 1.6; p = 0.03). One hundred forty‐five of the 463 families had a mutation in MSH2, MLH1 or MSH6 (MMR‐positive families). A positive association between the CHEK2 I157T mutation and HNPCC‐related cancer was observed only for MMR‐negative cases (OR = 2.1; p = 0.0004), but not for MMR‐positive cases (OR = 0.8; p = 0.9). The association with I157T was particularly strong for MMR‐negative cases with familial colorectal cancer (2 or more first‐degree relatives affected) (OR = 2.5; p < 0.0001). We conclude that the I157T variant of CHEK2 increases the risk of colorectal cancer among MMR‐negative, HNPCC/HNPCC‐related families in Poland.
A. J. BROWN, “PHILLIPS’S CURVE,” AND ECONOMIC NETWORKS IN THE 1950S

This paper examines the role of the English economist Arthur (A. J.) Brown in the 1950s debate surrounding the wage-rate change/unemployment relationship. While the publication of William (Bill) Phillips’s 1958 paper and the subsequent moniker of the “Phillips Curve” attracted a wealth of attention, Brown’s book on the subject, The Great Inflation, and his later work on inflation have received much less. Here, the focus is on redressing this situation somewhat by looking at Brown’s work to see how much it predates Phillips’s paper, and what differences there are to it. We also consider this within the changing institutional structure of English economic networks in the 1950s that led to a relatively rapid acceptance of Phillips’s analysis and, in many cases, to a strong, ordinal interpretation of the Phillips Curve that overshadowed Brown’s work.
The Time-Varying Degree of Inflation Expectation Anchoring in Bolivia

This paper analyzes the time-varying degree of inflation expectations anchoring in Bolivia and, more precisely, whether inflation expectations have been in line with the inflation objectives announced by the Central Bank of Bolivia (BCB, for its acronym in Spanish) and if they have become better anchored over time. Two considerations are particularly relevant in this regard. First, the main sources of information are the BCB survey and Focus Economics survey, which only have data for short and medium-term inflation expectations. Second, monetary policy in Bolivia is under a monetary-targeting regime, so BCB projections represent the main references. The anchoring degree analysis of short-term inflation expectations was performed considering BCB projections, while the medium-term analysis used an implicit inflation target. In both cases, the results indicate there is a high degree of anchoring of inflation expectations in Bolivia, especially during the last four years. This study considers information from July 2005 to June 2017, with monthly frequency.
Stability of lenalidomide suspension after preparation by a simple suspension method for enteral tube administration

Purpose A simple suspension method has been developed for tube administration, in which tablets (and capsules) are disintegrated in hot water (55℃) without grinding (or opening) them. In the present study, we evaluated the feasibility of this simple suspension method for the preparation of lenalidomide (Celgene, Summit, New Jersey and USA) suspension by testing the stability of this drug at 55℃ and its adsorbability on the tube. Methods We examined, by high-performance liquid chromatography, the time-dependent changes in the concentration of lenalidomide in suspensions of the drug prepared by the simple suspension method. The high-performance liquid chromatography analyses of lenalidomide were performed on Prominence LC-20AB/SPD-20 A (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan) with a ZORBAX SB-C18 RR analytical column (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, California, USA; particle size: 2.1 × 100 mm, 3.5 µm) at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. A solvent system consisting of 10 mM ammonium acetate (pH 7.0)/acetonitrile was used as the eluent and the eluate was detected by UV at 254 nm. Results Lenalidomide was confirmed to remain stable in hot water at 55℃ for 24 h in the prepared suspension by the simple suspension method, and more than 99% of the drug could be recovered from the suspension. In addition, 94.5–98.0% of the drug amount could pass through a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube. Lenalidomide was scarcely adsorbed on to the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube made of polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride. Conclusion Lenalidomide was found to be stable even in hot water and was not adsorbed on to the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube.
In Pursuit of an Orientation for Life-preparation: A Case Study of the Subject Mathematical Literacy in South Africa

Current practices in the South African secondary school subject Mathematical Literacy afford a limiting education experience for thousands of learners, the majority of whom are black and located in poor socio-economic environments: learners are confronted with pseudo-realistic contexts and engage only elementary mathematical contents. The consequence is limited mathematical competence and preparation for real-world participation, and dilution of their aspirations and hopes. This article employs a case study method to highlight the problematic nature of current practices and offers theoretically and analytically informed generalisations of an alternative structure of practice centred on the notion of a life-preparedness orientation. Theoretically, Bernstein’s work on horizontal and vertical discourses is used to identify the discursive structure of the practices associated with this orientation and to distinguish these from mathematical practice. Analytically, the orientation is characterised by a dominant agenda for sense-making in authentic contextual scenarios, and is facilitated through engagement with four domains of practice comprising everyday knowledge, mathematical competency, modelling and criticality borne of contextual reasoning and reflective knowing. Each of these characteristics is demonstrated in reference to a text-based task drawn from the subject Mathematical Literacy. The requirement for further research to assess the realisability of this construct in assessment and pedagogic practices, and the associated complexities of this, is highlighted.
Decision-making competence and attempted suicide.

OBJECTIVE The propensity of people vulnerable to suicide to make poor life decisions is increasingly well documented. Do they display an extreme degree of decision biases? The present study used a behavioral-decision approach to examine the susceptibility of low-lethality and high-lethality suicide attempters to common decision biases that may ultimately obscure alternative solutions and deterrents to suicide in a crisis. METHOD We assessed older and middle-aged (42-97 years) individuals who made high-lethality (medically serious) (n = 31) and low-lethality suicide attempts (n = 29). Comparison groups included suicide ideators (n = 30), nonsuicidal depressed participants (n = 53), and psychiatrically healthy participants (n = 28). Attempters, ideators, and nonsuicidal depressed participants had nonpsychotic major depression (DSM-IV criteria). Decision biases included sunk cost (inability to abort an action for which costs are irrecoverable), framing (responding to superficial features of how a problem is presented), underconfidence/overconfidence (appropriateness of confidence in knowledge), and inconsistent risk perception. Data were collected between June 2010 and February 2014. RESULTS Both high- and low-lethality attempters were more susceptible to framing effects as compared to the other groups included in this study (P ≤ .05, ηp2 = 0.06). In contrast, low-lethality attempters were more susceptible to sunk costs than both the comparison groups and high-lethality attempters (P ≤ .01, ηp2 = 0.09). These group differences remained after accounting for age, global cognitive performance, and impulsive traits. Premorbid IQ partially explained group differences in framing effects. CONCLUSIONS Suicide attempters' failure to resist framing may reflect their inability to consider a decision from an objective standpoint in a crisis. Failure of low-lethality attempters to resist sunk cost may reflect their tendency to confuse past and future costs of their behavior, lowering their threshold for acting on suicidal thoughts.
DzyNA-PCR: use of DNAzymes to detect and quantify nucleic acid sequences in a real-time fluorescent format.

BACKGROUND DzyNA-PCR is a general strategy for the detection and quantification of specific genetic sequences associated with disease or the presence of foreign agents. The method allows homogeneous gene amplification coupled with signal detection in a single closed vessel. METHODS The strategy involves in vitro amplification of genetic sequences using a DzyNA primer that harbors the complementary (antisense) sequence of a 10-23 DNAzyme. During amplification, amplicons are produced that contain active (sense) copies of DNAzymes that cleave a reporter substrate included in the reaction mixture. The accumulation of amplicons during PCR can be monitored in real time by changes in fluorescence produced by separation of fluoro/quencher dye molecules incorporated into opposite sides of a DNAzyme cleavage site within the reporter substrate. The DNAzyme and reporter substrate sequences can be generic and hence can be adapted for use with primer sets targeting various genes or transcripts. RESULTS Experiments using K-ras plasmid as template demonstrated that DzyNA-PCR allows quantification of DNA over at least six orders of magnitude (r = 0.992). Studies with human genomic DNA demonstrated the ability to resolve as little as twofold differences in the amount of starting template. DzyNA-PCR allowed the detection of 10 or fewer copies of the target. The clinical utility of the assay was demonstrated using DzyNA-PCR to analyze DNA that was isolated from human serum. CONCLUSION DzyNA-PCR is a simple, rapid, and sensitive technique for homogeneous amplification and quantification of nucleic acids in clinical specimens.
Circulating hepatocyte growth factor is correlated with resistance to cetuximab in metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM The epidermal growth factor family (EGF) has been suggested to influence the sensitivity to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy. We examined the correlation between circulating levels of the epidermal growth factors amphiregulin and transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) and the MET ligand hepatocyte growth factor and sensitivity to the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Plasma levels of each ligand were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 51 patients with wild-type KRAS CRC. RESULTS Patients with high hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels had a significantly lower disease control rate (DCR) and shorter median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) than those with low expression levels. Amphiregulin was correlated with objective response rate (ORR) but not with PFS or OS. Cetuximab response and survival were not associated with TGF-α. CONCLUSION Circulating HGF may help identify CRC patients most likely to benefit from anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody therapy.
High‐level long‐term white blood cell microchimerism after transfusion of leukoreduced blood components to patients resuscitated after severe traumatic injury

BACKGROUND: Long‐term white blood cell (WBC) microchimerism (MC), of at least 2 years, has been reported in trauma patients receiving fresh nonleukoreduced (non‐LR) blood. It is unknown, however, whether this occurs with LR blood products that are nearly devoid of WBCs. Twenty‐seven patients transfused with LR and non‐LR blood products were studied after severe traumatic injury. A secondary aim was to explore donor‐recipient mixed lymphocyte reactivity in vitro.
Stochastic modeling of pause insertion using context-free grammar

We propose a model for predicting pause insertion using a stochastic context-free grammar (SCFG) for an input part of speech sequence. In this model, word attributes and stochastic phrasing information obtained by a SCFG trained using phrase dependency bracketings and bracketings based on pause locations are used. Using the inside-outside algorithm for training, corpora with phrase dependency brackets are first used to train the SCFG from scratch. Next, this SCFG is re-trained using the same corpora with bracketings based on pause locations. Then, the probabilities of each bracketing structure are computed using the SCFG, and these are used as parameters in the prediction of the pause locations. Experiments were carried out to confirm the effectiveness of the stochastic model for the prediction of pause locations. In test with open data, 85.2% of the pause boundaries and 90.9% of the no-pause boundaries were correctly predicted.
Association of Serum Cotinine Levels and Hypertension in Never Smokers

Hypertension is a major public health problem. Identifying novel risk factors for hypertension, including widely prevalent environmental exposures, is therefore important. Active smoking is a well-known risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. However, there are no studies investigating the relationship between secondhand smoke exposure, measured objectively by serum cotinine, and high blood pressure among never smokers. We examined 2889 never smokers from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2008. Our exposure of interest was secondhand smoke exposure among never smokers, estimated by serum cotinine level, and our main outcome was hypertension (n=1004). We found that in never smokers, higher serum cotinine levels were positively associated with hypertension. In comparison with those with serum cotinine levels ⩽0.025 ng/mL, the multivariable odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of hypertension among those with serum cotinine levels ≥0.218 ng/mL was 1.44 (1.01–2.04). In addition, higher serum cotinine was positively associated with mean change in systolic blood pressure (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 3.24 [0.86–5.63]; P=0.0061). However, no association was present with diastolic blood pressure. In conclusion, in never smokers, higher secondhand smoke exposure measured objectively by serum cotinine levels was found to be associated with systolic blood pressure and hypertension independent of age, sex, ethnicity, education, alcohol drinking, body mass index, glycohemoglobin, total cholesterol, and other confounders.
Political cleavages, party voter linkages and the impact of voters’ socio-economic status on vote-choice in Iceland, 1983-2016/17

In the research presented in this paper, we analyse whether the structure of the political cleavage system in Iceland has changed since 1983, as well as whether the impacts of party-voter linkages and the social structure of the vote have changed between 1983 and 2016/2017. Based on official data and the Icelandic National Election Study (ICENES), we find that the rural-urban cleavage and left-right cleavage, which are reflected in party polarisation on the left-right spectrum, are as important today as previously. Our main results regarding the impacts of party-voter linkages and the social-structure of the vote is that the core bonds of party identification, left-right distances and the social structure of the vote have weakened over time, whereas the impact of party sympathy has become stronger. This, we argue, reflects that while there has been a gradual change in the impact of party-voter linkages and the social structure of the vote, opening up a space for new parties to succeed, the political cleavage system has remained intact. The major change has thus occurred in the bond between voters and parties and not in the structure of party competition in Iceland.
Energy and Redox States in the C6 Glioma Cells Following Acute Exposure to Zn, Se+4, and Se+6 and the Correlation with Apoptosis

Changes in cellular energy and redox states in the C6 glioma cells exposed to increasing concentrations of either Zn or Se were studied to examine whether different elements cause different patterns of changes in cellular metabolism. Following a 3-h exposure, both Zn and Se+4 caused dose-dependent decreases in cell viability and total adenosine nucleotides (TAN = ATP + ADP + AMP). In addition, Zn caused a dose-dependent increase in cellular ATP/TAN and a decrease in the ADP/TAN and AMP/TAN. These changes resulted in a significant increase in energy charge potential (ECP = [ATP + 0.5ADP]/TAN). Se+4, on the other hand, caused a dose-dependent decrease in ATP/TAN but an increase in both ADP/TAN and AMP/TAN, resulting in a dose-dependent decrease in ECP. Both Zn and Se+4 caused a dose-dependent decrease in GSH/GSSG and an increase in GSH + GSSG when compared to TAN. In contrast to Zn and Se+4, the nontoxic Se+6 caused no significant changes in cellular energy states but reduced the GSH/GSSG ratio from 3.14 ± 0.49 to 2.05 ± 0.29, which could be explained by the effect of Se on enzymes responsible for GSH metabolism. As the cellular ATP level has been considered an important element that mediates the mode of cell death, it was suggested that a significant increase in ATP/TAN upon exposure to Zn would indicate that cell death occurred via apoptosis, while Se+4 caused a different pattern of cell death. This was confirmed by the appearance of cells with fragmented nucleus in cells treated with Zn, but not Se+4 and Se+6. The results demonstrated that different chemicals caused different patterns of metabolic changes. The correlation between metabolic changes and the mode of cell death was discussed.
An interactive interface for multi-pilot ROV intervention

As we endeavor to deploy and maintain evermore complex infrastructure underwater, the tools used for subsea maintenance and intervention must also evolve to meet new needs. Whether for scientific sampling and exploration, subsea mining, offshore oil & gas production, or installation and maintenance of marine renewable energy devices, there is a regular and increasing need for intervention to conduct maintenance work or repair failed equipment. As work is conducted in hostile, deep and remote locations where divers cannot be used, the use of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) is commonplace. Despite advances in sensing and machinery, however, significant challenges persist with ROV operations. Inadequate situational awareness, data deluge, and cumbersome operator controls combine to create a technological hurdle that is yet to be overcome. In this work we address the problem of using multiple pilots to collaboratively operate a single robotic system to perform a variety of tasks underwater. This is done via an interactive interface making use of 3D visualization, enhanced feedback using haptics, and an intuitive control scheme that incorporates input from multiple sources. This paper presents a method for fusing multimodal sensor data to build a model-based representation of the ROV and its workspace, details of a prototype ROV manipulator test bed, and results from recent in-water testing where multiple pilots work together to successfully complete a complex underwater task.
Rapid identification of Streptococcus bovis by using combination constitutive enzyme substrate hydrolyses

Several studies have documented the association of blood and rectal-culture positivity for Streptococcus bovis with gastrointestinal neoplasia, especially colonic carcinoma. Conventional methods using bile-esculin hydrolysis, salt tolerance, and sugar fermentations to differentiate S. bovis from other streptococci are laborious, slow, and relatively expensive. Commercially available systems are costly and require at least 24 to 48 h of incubation. A rapid identification procedure for S. bovis and related bacteria was developed. The method uses a reagent containing two hydrolyzable substrates, p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-galactopyranoside and 4-methylumbilliferyl-beta-D-glucoside, in the presence of 2.5% sodium deoxycholate. This combination test, performed with a rapid assay for L-pyrrolidonyl-aminopeptidase, could distinguish S. bovis, Streptococcus equinus, Enterococcus spp. , Streptococcus pneumoniae, and the viridans group streptococci in culture within 30 min. Twelve species of the genera Streptococcus and Enterococcus were tested. The rapid method correlated well with conventional techniques. The reagents are readily available, inexpensive, and easy to make and can be stored in the refrigerator for at least 6 months.
Analysis of Crime Factors Correlation Based on Data Mining Technology

In the process of controlling crimes, public security often faces a lot of information which is incomplete, fuzzy and random information. How to extract useful and potential information and knowledge from above information has become a difficult problem for public security. The data explosion but the data mining technology rapid development and application of lack of knowledge of the status quo, data mining technology is introduced into public service, in order to improve the crime prevention and control, information science and the construction of public security has become the direction of further development, and a data mining method based on sample data is introduced in this paper.
An optical multi wavelength oscillator based on fiber phase sensitive amplification

We introduce a new concept for photonic components, an optical multi wavelength oscillator based on fiber phase sensitive parametric amplification. Two experimental setups demonstrated, one for continuous wave pump and second for pulsed pump. On each setup, several simultaneous oscillations observed. The spectral spacing of the source lines and their power variance depends on the physical properties of the system as well as the pump wavelength. The pulsed pump setup also offers tunability over hundreds of nanometers with several simultaneous oscillating lines.
NONINVASIVE MONITORING OF HUMAN CARDIAC ALLOGRAFT REJECTION

The frequency of donor-reactive cytolytic T lymphocytes was measured in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell population of a group of 12 cardiac allograft recipients immediately before and at various time points after transplantation. At each of the time points after transplantation the donor heart was biopsied and the rejection status of the graft was determined by applying standard histological criteria. The results of this study showed that the preoperative frequency of donor-reactive cytolytic T lymphocytes in the blood was not predictive of a future tendency toward graft rejection. However, when all the data were examined it was apparent that the frequency of donor-reactive cytolytic T lymphocytes was significantly higher (P<0.05) in blood samples from patients whose simultaneous biopsy showed histological evidence of acute cardiac allograft rejection than in blood samples from transplant patients showing no evidence of rejection.