Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of Circulatory Dendritic Cells and Regulatory T-Cells in Patients With Different Subsets of Coronary Artery Disease

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs), regulators of innate and adaptive immunity, may play an important role in atherosclerosis. DC invasion was found in early atherosclerotic lesions. We aimed to characterize circulating DC gene expression in patients with different subsets of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence activated cell sorting in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI], n = 35; non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI], n = 30) and stable CAD (6 months after stent implantation without progression, n = 15) compared with control subjects (n = 15). DCs and T-cells (TCs) were characterized using specific primers for CD1a (immature), CD86 (mature), CD123 (plasmacytoid), BDCA1 (myeloid), CD178 (activated TCs), and FOXP3 (regulatory TCs). To evaluate whether serum of patients with STEMI induces DC differentiation, incubation of patient serum was performed. Results: CD86 was upregulated and CD1a downregulated in all patients with CAD (P < 0.05). Patients with STEMI and NSTEMI showed a downregulation of CD1a compared with patients with stable CAD (P ≤ 0.01). In contrast, stable patients with CAD had elevated CD178 levels compared with patients with STEMI and NSTEMI (P ≤ 0.04). In patients with STEMI, FOXP3 was downregulated compared with control subjects (P < 0.0001). Incubation of STEMI serum induced an upregulation of CD1a and CD86 in a human DC cell line. Coincubation with a blocking antibody for heat shock protein 60 inhibited this upregulation. Conclusions: DCs are differentially regulated in patients with different subsets of CAD. Mature DCs are upregulated and immature DCs are downregulated in patients with CAD. Patients with STEMI show a significant downregulation of regulatory TCs. Circulating shock protein 60 induces DC differentiation in patients with STEMI.
A Short Term Load Forecasting Model Using Core Vector Regression Optimized by Memetic Algorithm

In this paper, a new model, core vector regression (CVR) optimized by memetic algorithm (MA), is presented to predict electric daily load. Support vector regression (SVR) has obtained wide focus in recent years to solve nonlinear regression problems in many fields. However, it is limited on large scale dataset problem because of its high time and space complexity. Hence, CVR is proposed to improve the SVR on solving large scale dataset problem. Proper parameters selection of CVR model determines the complexity and accuracy of the model. In this paper, MA is proposed to optimize the parameters of CVR, which is called MA-CVR. Electric load is the time-dependent data which shows recurrent pattern weekly, seasonally and yearly. In this paper, we adopt MA optimization method and choose adaptive parameters dynamically based on time recurrent character of electric load data. Experimental results show that MA-CVR outperforms the existing model optimized by genetic algorithm which is called GA-CVR.
Modulation of the oncogenic potential of β‐catenin by the subcellular distribution of plakoglobin

Plakoglobin (Pg) and β‐catenin are homologous proteins that function in cell–cell adhesion and signaling. The cadherin‐associated form of these proteins mediates adhesion, whereas the cytosolic/nuclear form has a signaling role. Despite their interactions with common cellular partners, β‐catenin has a well‐documented oncogenic potential while Pg has a less characterized tumor suppressor activity. We showed previously that Pg overexpression in Pg‐deficient SCC9 cells (SCC9‐Pg‐WT) induced Bcl‐2 expression and inhibited apoptosis. To assess the exact role of Pg in Bcl‐2 expression, we generated and characterized SCC9 transfectants expressing Pg with a restricted cytoplasmic (Pg‐NES) or nuclear (Pg‐NLS) distribution. We show that Bcl‐2 was expressed regardless of Pg localization, although its level was substantially lower in SCC9‐Pg‐NLS cells. Bcl‐2 expression coincided with increased nuclear β‐catenin levels (Pg‐NES) or a decrease in the level of total and nuclear β‐catenin associated with N‐cadherin and α‐catenin (Pg‐WT and ‐NLS) cells. Bcl‐2 expression also was induced in SCC9 cells overexpressing β‐catenin. In contrast, SCC9 cells expressing mutant Pg proteins, unable to interact with N‐cadherin and α‐catenin, had noticeably lower Bcl‐2 levels. Our data suggest that Bcl‐2 expression is induced by β‐catenin and modulated by Pg. We show that the inhibition of β‐catenin‐dependent TCF transactivation had no effect on Bcl‐2 levels, suggesting that induction of Bcl‐2 expression by β‐catenin and its modulation by Pg may involve factors other than, or in addition, to, TCF. These results provide a possible mechanism for the tumor suppressor activity of Pg via its role as a regulator of the oncogenic potential β‐catenin. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An Efficient Protocol for Cyclic Somatic Embryogenesis in Neem (Azadirachta indica A Juss.)

Neem is a highly heterozygous and commercially important perennial plant. Conventionally, it is propagated by seeds which loose viability within two weeks. Strictly cross pollinating nature of the plant causes serious barrier to the genetic improvement by conventional methods. Alternative methods of tree improvement such as somatic hybridization, mutagenesis and genetic transformation require an efficient in vitro plant regeneration system. In this regard, somatic embryogenesis particularly secondary somatic embryogenesis may offer an effective system for large scale plant propagation without affecting the clonal fidelity of the regenerants. It can be used for synthetic seed production, which further bolsters conservation of this tree species which is otherwise very difficult The present report describes the culture conditions necessary to induce and maintain repetitive somatic embryogenesis, for the first time, in neem. Out of various treatments tested, the somatic embryos were induced directly from immature zygotic embryos of neem on MS + TDZ (0.1 µM) + ABA (4 µM), in more than 76 % cultures. Direct secondary somatic embryogenesis occurred from primary somatic embryos on MS + IAA (5 µM) + GA3 (5 µM) in 12.5 % cultures. Embryogenic competence of the explant as well as of the primary embryos was maintained for a long period by repeated subcultures at frequent intervals. A maximum of 10 % of these somatic embryos were converted into plantlets.
Sensorimotor Contingencies for Cognitive Robotics

The sensorimotor approach to cognition states, that the key to bring semantics to the world of a robot, requires making the robot learn the relation between the actions that the robot performs and the change it experiences in its sensed data because of those actions. Those relations are called sensorimotor contingencies. This special issue presents a variety of recent developments in sensorimotor contingencies with a particular focus on cognitive robotics applications.
Segment Routing in multi-layer networks

Segment Routing (SR) has been recently introduced to enable efficient traffic engineering while simplifying control plane operations. Thanks to the source routing paradigm, traffic flows can be dynamically routed along the network, effectively exploiting network resources. In this paper, dynamic SR operations for multi-layer networking are presented and experimentally demonstrated. In particular, SR-based dynamic optical bypass and effective load balancing are validated in a multi-layer network testbed, showing enhanced capabilities to achieve effective resource utilization while guaranteeing lightweight control operations.
Clinical Presentation and Outcome of Pediatric Ovarian Germ Cell Tumor: A Study of 40 Patients

Background Germ cell tumor is a rare malignancy accounting for 3% of all pediatric tumors. They are highly curable malignancies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical presentation, management, and outcome in this subset. Methodology The study population included 40 patients with age less than 18 years at diagnosis. They were treated in Cancer Institute Chennai, India from 1990 to 2002. They were analyzed for the various clinical, pathologic presentations, and survival outcomes. Actuarial method was used to estimate the overall survival and relapse-free survival. Results The mean age of the study group was 14+2.7 years with most of the patients being postpubertal. The common histologies being mixed germ cell tumor (32%) and dysgerminoma (27%). Ten percent of patients presented with ovarian torsion. Sixty-two percent of patients presented in advanced stage. Fertility preservation surgery was possible in 70% of the patients. Relapses were seen in 25% of the patients. The median duration of follow-up was 7.5 years with a 5 years disease-free survival of 72.8% and overall survival of 94.9%. Most of the patients achieved a good quality of life with normal menstrual cycles. Conclusions This study confirms an excellent outcome for girls with ovarian germ cell tumor, although majority of the patients presented in advanced stage. Patients with initial histology of Teratoma and Mixed germ cell tumor relapsed frequently. The mainstay of treatment being fertility preservation and cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
Evolution of cancer epidemiology.

As the 20th century passes into history, it seems timely to reflect upon current directions and progress in epidemiologic studies of cancer. The most important legacy of cancer epidemiology to date is the general recognition that an array of exogenous exposures are responsible for most cancer occurrence (1). Evidence supporting this conclusion includes: 1) the notable variation in cancer incidence internationally, 2) migrants' and/or their descendants' frequent development of cancer rates characteristic of the new area of residence, and 3) etiologic studies demonstrating a substantial fraction of cancer arising from exogenous exposures. An important watershed was a 1981 article by Doll and Peto estimating the proportion of US cancer deaths due to major categories of exposures (1). The two most important categories were nutritional factors (estimated to be responsible for approximately 35 percent of cancer occurrence) and tobacco use (30 percent); others included reproductive factors/sexual behavior (7 percent); occupation (4 percent); alcohol drinking (3 percent); geophysical factors, including ionizing radiation and ultraviolet radiation from sunlight (3 percent); pollution (2 percent); iatrogenic exposures (1 percent); food additives (<1 percent); industrial products (<1 percent); and other and unknown factors. In an ongoing debate, some epidemiologists have questioned the entire premise of these estimates; others proclaim their continuing accuracy, while a few suggest rigorous reevaluation at periodic intervals to direct cancer epidemiologic research priorities. Differences as well as similarities between cancer epidemiology and other areas of epidemiology have changed over time. Prior to the second half of the 20th
Model-Based API Testing for SMT Solvers

Verification back ends such as SMT solvers are typically highly complex pieces of software with performance, correctness and robustness as key requirements. Full verification of SMT solvers, however, is difficult due to their complex nature and still an open question. Grammar-based black-box input fuzzing proved to be effective to uncover bugs in SMT solvers but is entirely input-based and restricted to a certain input language. State-of-theart SMT solvers, however, usually provide a rich API, which often introduces additional functionality not supported by the input language. Previous work showed that applying model-based API fuzzing to SAT solvers is more effective than input fuzzing. In this paper, we introduce a model-based API testing framework for our SMT solver Boolector. Our experimental results show that model-based API fuzzing in combination with delta debugging techniques is effective for testing SMT solvers.
Molecular Markers of Pesticide Resistance and Pathogens in Human Head Lice (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) From Rural Georgia, USA

Abstract Although the head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer, and body louse, Pediculus humanus humanus L. , both have a worldwide distribution, the occurrence of head louse pediculosis appears to be more prevalent in modern societies despite systematic use of various pediculicides. This study tested head lice collected in rural Georgia and body lice collected in Russia for the prevalence of a kdr-biomarker that is associated with permethrin resistance. This study also screened lice for the presence of DNA from Bartonella quintana and Acinetobacter species. The kdr-permethrin resistance biomarker for the T917I mutation was detected by RFLP and PCR in 99.9% of head lice tested from Georgia, whereas only 2.9% of body lice from Russia tested positive for this kdr biomarker. DNA of B. quintana was detected in 10.3% of head lice from Georgia, whereas 84.8% of body lice from Russia tested positive. Acinetobacter DNA was detected in 80.8% (95% CI, 68–89%) of head lice from Georgia and all body lice from Russia tested.
Homocysteine in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

OBJECTIVES To compare serum concentrations of homocysteine in healthy dogs and those fitting the criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome and to compare these values to commonly measured B-vitamins. METHODS Study dogs were classified into non-infectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis groups and blood was drawn on Day 1 of the patient's hospitalisation for measurement of serum homocysteine, folate and cobalamin concentrations. Homocysteine concentration was measured in 51 clinically healthy dogs to serve as the control group. RESULTS A statistically significant difference was found between the homocysteine concentrations of the healthy group when compared to non-infectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis groups. Homocysteine values were not correlated with folate, cobalamin or APPLEfast severity scores. Homocysteine concentrations were significantly lower in sick dogs when compared to the control group, which is dissimilar to the human population. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The clinical significance of homocysteine changes in critically ill dogs is currently unknown.
BMP‐2 Controls Alkaline Phosphatase Expression and Osteoblast Mineralization by a Wnt Autocrine Loop

Wnt/β‐catenin signaling has recently been suggested to be involved in bone biology. The precise role of this cascade in osteoblast differentiation was examined. We show that a Wnt autocrine loop mediates the induction of alkaline phosphatase and mineralization by BMP‐2 in pre‐osteoblastic cells.
In vitro MR imaging of the resected stomach with a 4.7-T superconducting magnet.

PURPOSE To study the effects of formalin fixation, signal intensity characteristics of the stomach-wall layers, and findings suggestive of cancerous invasion to the stomach wall in vitro with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS MR images of nine specimens of stomach cancer and 29 normal specimens were obtained at 4.7 T; 26 of the normal specimens were fixed in 10% formalin for 2 hours to 187 days before imaging. The field gradient was 10 G/cm; the spatial resolution, 0.1 mm. RESULTS The mucosal, submucosal, and proper-muscle layers were clearly identifiable. The submucosa of the fresh specimens had the lowest signal intensity of all specimens on both T1- and T2-weighted images (P < .01). No statistical correlation existed between signal intensity and duration of fixation. Tumor invasion was detected in seven of eight specimens with mucosal invasion, all eight specimens with submucosal invasion, and three of six specimens with muscle invasion. CONCLUSION In vitro MR imaging enabled differentiation of all three layers of the stomach wall, detection of the cancer, and measurement of the depth of invasion.
Adaptive Script-Independent Text Line Extraction

In this paper, an adaptive block-based text line extraction algorithm is proposed. Three global and two local parameters are defined to adapt the method to various handwritings in different languages. A document image is segmented into several overlapping blocks. The skew of each block is estimated. Text block is de-skewed by using the estimated skew angle. Text regions are detected in the de-skewed text block. A number of data points are extracted from the detected text regions in each block. These data points are used to estimate the paths of text lines. By thinning the background of the image including text line paths, text line boundaries or separators are estimated. Furthermore, an algorithm is proposed to assign to the extracted text lines the connected components which have intersections with the estimated separators. Extensive experiments on different standard datasets in various languages demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms previous methods.
Detection of p16INK4a Promoter Methylation Status &1QJ;in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer by a Fluorescence Polarization Assay

The detection of the p16INK4a promoter methylation status has a good value for the prognosis, early detection, and individualized management of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. A novel method detecting the p16INK4a promoter methylation status of primary carcinoma tissue samples by a fluorescence polarization assay was developed in this research. A pair of general primers was used to amplify a 305-basepair fragment in the promoter region of p16INK4a. Two probes specific for either methylated p16INK4a or unmethylated p16INK4a DNA labeled with either tetramethyl 6-carboxyrhodamine or 6-carboxy-fluorescein hybridized, respectively, with their target amplicons, and the hybridization increased the fluorescence polarization values. The p16INK4a promoter methylation status was determined by the analysis of the fluorescence polarization values. One hundred and twenty-nine non-small cell lung cancer samples were analyzed in parallel with a fluorescence polarization assay and a gel-based methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. There was no significant difference between the results of the p16INK4a promoter methylation status obtained with the fluorescence polarization assay and the results obtained with the gel-based methylation-specific PCR assay. The minimum detection level of the fluorescence polarization assay was 25 copies/&mgr;L. The fluorescence polarization assay allowed the semiautomated detection of the methylated p16INK4a and unmethylated p16INK4a promoters directly in the solution with 1 PCR cycle, and it was much simpler than methylation-specific PCR and methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assays.
Immunocytochemical differences in adenohypophyseal cells among adult Mongolian pony mares, stallions, and geldings.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the sex difference in 6 kinds of adenohypophyseal cells of Mongolian ponies and the effect of prepubertal orchidectomy on adenohypophyseal cells. SAMPLE POPULATION Pituitary glands collected from 15 adult Mongolian ponies, 5 to 10 years old: 5 stallions, 5 mares, and 5 geldings, orchidectomized between the ages of 1 and 2 years. PROCEDURE Morphologic comparison of 6 kinds of adenohypophyseal cells among mares, stallions, and geldings was done, using immunocytochemistry and morphometry. RESULTS A sex difference was evident in the percentage of somatotrophs, gonadotrophs (follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH] and luteinizing hormone [LH] cells), and lactotrophs in adult ponies: somatotrophs were more numerous (P = 0.0003) in stallions (approx 40%) than in mares (approx 25%), whereas FSH and LH cells and lactotrophs were more numerous (P = 0.0116, P = 0.0044, P = 0.0085, respectively) in mares (approx 10, 20, and 24%, respectively) than in stallions (approx 6, 15, and 15%, respectively). Prepubertal orchidectomy markedly reduced the proportion of somatotrophs (approx 28%; P = 0.0016) and increased that of lactotrophs (approx 22%; P = 0.0318) in geldings, compared with stallions. The LH cell area was larger in mares than stallions (P < 0.0001). Prepubertal orchidectomy increased FSH (P = 0.0005) and LH (P < 0.0001) cell areas in adult geldings, compared with stallions. CONCLUSIONS A sex difference exists in adenohypophyseal cells of adult ponies: somatotrophs are more abundant in stallions; FSH and LH cells and lactotrophs are more abundant in mares. Our data indicate that equine testes during postnatal life may stimulate development of GH cells while suppressing development of FSH and LH cells and lactotrophs. The effects of prepubertal orchidectomy on pony somatotrophs and lactotrophs differ greatly from effects on those cells in mice.
A Survey of Deep Learning-Based Human Activity Recognition in Radar

Radar, as one of the sensors for human activity recognition (HAR), has unique characteristics such as privacy protection and contactless sensing. Radar-based HAR has been applied in many fields such as human–computer interaction, smart surveillance and health assessment. Conventional machine learning approaches rely on heuristic hand-crafted feature extraction, and their generalization capability is limited. Additionally, extracting features manually is time–consuming and inefficient. Deep learning acts as a hierarchical approach to learn high-level features automatically and has achieved superior performance for HAR. This paper surveys deep learning based HAR in radar from three aspects: deep learning techniques, radar systems, and deep learning for radar-based HAR. Especially, we elaborate deep learning approaches designed for activity recognition in radar according to the dimension of radar returns (i.e., 1D, 2D and 3D echoes). Due to the difference of echo forms, corresponding deep learning approaches are different to fully exploit motion information. Experimental results have demonstrated the feasibility of applying deep learning for radar-based HAR in 1D, 2D and 3D echoes. Finally, we address some current research considerations and future opportunities.
Chromosome Evolution in Domestic Bovids as Revealed by Chromosome Banding and FISH-Mapping Techniques

The present review summarizes the basic cytogenetic information available pertaining to the most important Bovidae species, namely cattle, buffalo, sheep and goat, with the aim of tracing their evolutionary relationships and to provide – for the first time – the hypothetical ancestral karyotype of the Bovinae-Caprinae subfamilies, also in relation to the other nondomestic species which are included in this important taxonomic family. Evolution of the Bovinae-Caprinae autosomes and gonosomes is discussed on the basis of the most recent advances in chromosome banding, linkage studies, FISH-mapping and molecular information.
Short- and long-term effects of a pilot prevention program to reduce alcohol consumption.

This study examined the effects of a brief, pilot alcohol prevention intervention for 211 disadvantaged 6th grade school children at posttest and 1-year follow-up. Process data indicated that the intervention was successfully implemented and well received by youth and parent/guardian participants. ANCOVA analyses indicated a significant difference on alcohol use frequency for drinking subjects at 1-month posttest, with less frequent use reported by intervention subjects than subjects receiving the minimal control materials, F(1,22) = 5.37, p = . 03. No differences were found between intervention and control subjects on alcohol use measures at 1-year follow-up. Critical issues to be resolved related to the success of future prevention research and practice are discussed.