Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HP1β Is a Biomarker for Breast Cancer Prognosis and PARP Inhibitor Therapy

Members of the heterochromatin protein 1 family (HP1α, β and γ) are mostly associated with heterochromatin and play important roles in gene regulation and DNA damage response. Altered expression of individual HP1 subtype has profound impacts on cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. We analyzed the expression profile of HP1 family by data mining using a published microarray data set coupled with retrospective immunohistochemistry analyses of archived breast cancer biospecimens. We found that the patient group overexpressing HP1β mRNA is associated with poorly differentiated breast tumors and with a significantly lower survival rate. Immunohistochemical staining against HP1α, HP1β and HP1γ shows that respective HP1 expression level is frequently altered in breast cancers. 57.4 - 60.1% of samples examined showed high HP1β expression and 39.9 - 42.6 % of examined tumors showed no or low expression of each HP1 subtype. Interestingly, comparative analysis on HP1 expression profile and breast cancer markers revealed a positive correlation between the respective expression level of all three HP1 subtypes and Ki-67, a cell proliferation and well-known breast cancer marker. To explore the effect of individual HP1 on PARP inhibitor therapy for breast cancer, MCF7 breast cancer cells and individually HP1-depleted MCF7 cells were treated with PARP inhibitor ABT-888 with or without carboplatin. Notably, HP1β-knockdown cells are hypersensitive to the PARP inhibitor ABT-888 alone and its combination with carboplatin. In summary, while increased HP1β expression is associated with the poor prognosis in breast cancer, compromised HP1β abundance may serve as a useful predictive marker for chemotherapy, including PARP inhibitors against breast cancer.
Wood Chemical Composition in Species of Cactaceae: The Relationship between Lignification and Stem Morphology

In Cactaceae, wood anatomy is related to stem morphology in terms of the conferred support. In species of cacti with dimorphic wood, a unique process occurs in which the cambium stops producing wide-band tracheids (WBTs) and produces fibers; this is associated with the aging of individuals and increases in size. Stem support and lignification have only been studied in fibrous tree-like species, and studies in species with WBTs or dimorphic wood are lacking. In this study, we approach this process with a chemical focus, emphasizing the role of wood lignification. We hypothesized that the degree of wood lignification in Cactaceae increases with height of the species and that its chemical composition varies with wood anatomy. To test this, we studied the chemical composition (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin content) in 13 species (2 WBTs wood, 3 dimorphic, and 8 fibrous) with contrasting growth forms. We also analyzed lignification in dimorphic and fibrous species to determine the chemical features of WBTs and fibers and their relationship with stem support. The lignin contents were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and high performance liquid chromatography. We found that 11 species have a higher percentage (>35%) of lignin in their wood than other angiosperms or gymnosperms. The lignin chemical composition in fibrous species is similar to that of other dicots, but it is markedly heterogeneous in non-fibrous species where WBTs are abundant. The lignification in WBTs is associated with the resistance to high water pressure within cells rather than the contribution to mechanical support. Dimorphic wood species are usually richer in syringyl lignin, and tree-like species with lignified rays have more guaiacyl lignin. The results suggest that wood anatomy and lignin distribution play an important role in the chemical composition of wood, and further research is needed at the cellular level.
Determinants of Health-Related Quality of Life in School-Aged Children: A General Population Study in the Netherlands

Background Health related quality of life is the functional effect of a medical condition and/or its therapy upon a patient, and as such is particularly suitable for describing the general health of children. The objective of this study was to identify and confirm potential determinants of health-related quality of life in children aged 4-11 years in the general population in the Netherlands. Understanding such determinants may provide insights into more targeted public health policy. Methods As part of a population based cross sectional study, the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) Parental Form 28 was used to measure health-related quality of life in school-aged children in a general population sample. Parents of 10,651 children aged 4-11 years were interviewed from January 2001 to December 2009. Results Multivariate and regression analyses demonstrated a declined CHQ Physical Summary score for children who had >1 conditions, disorders or acute health complaints and who were greater consumers of healthcare; children with a non-western immigrant background; and children whose parents did not work. Lower CHQ Psychosocial Summary score was reported for children who had >1 conditions, disorders or acute health complaints, boys, children of single parents and obese children. Conclusion The best predictors of health-related quality of life are variables that describe use of health care and the number of disorders and health complaints. Nonetheless, a number of demographic, socio-economic and family/environmental determinants contribute to a child’s health-related quality of life as well.
Impact of Maternal HIV Seroconversion during Pregnancy on Early Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (MTCT) Measured at 4-8 Weeks Postpartum in South Africa 2011-2012: A National Population-Based Evaluation

Background Mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) depends on the timing of HIV infection. We estimated HIV-seroconversion during pregnancy (HSP) after having a HIV-negative result antenatally, and its contribution to early MTCT in South Africa (SA). Methods and Findings Between August 2011 and March 2012, we recruited a nationally representative sample of mother-infant pairs with infants aged 4-to-8 weeks from 578 health facilities. Data collection included mother interviews, child health-card reviews, and infant dried-blood-spots sample (iDBS). iDBS were tested for HIV antibodies and HIV-deoxyribonucleic-acid (HIV-DNA). HSP was defined as maternal self-report of an HIV-negative test during this pregnancy, no documented use of antiretroviral drugs and a matched HIV sero-positive iDBS. We used 20 imputations from a uniform distribution for time from reported antenatal HIV-negative result to delivery to estimate time of HSP. Early MTCT was defined based on detection of HIV-DNA in iDBS. Estimates were adjusted for clustering, nonresponse, and weighted by SA’s 2011 live-births. Results Of 9802 mother-infant pairs, 2738 iDBS were HIV sero-positive, including 212 HSP, resulting in a nationally weighted estimate of 3.3% HSP (95% Confidence Interval: 2.8%-3.8%). Median time of HIV-seroconversion was 32.8weeks gestation;28.3% (19.7%- 36.9%) estimated to be >36 weeks. Early MTCT was 10.7% for HSP (6.2%-16.8%) vs. 2.2% (1.7%-2.8%) for mothers with known HIV-positive status. Although they represent 2.2% of all mothers and 6.7% of HIV-infected mothers, HSP accounted for 26% of early MTCT. Multivariable analysis indicated the highest risk for HSP was among women who knew the baby’s father was HIV-infected (adjusted-hazard ratio (aHR) 4.71; 1.49-14.99), or who had been screened for tuberculosis (aHR 1.82; 1.43-2.32). Conclusions HSP risk is high and contributes significantly to early MTCT. Identification of HSP by repeat-testing at 32 weeks gestation, during labor, 6 weeks postpartum, in tuberculosis-exposed women, and in discordant couples might reduce MTCT.
Primary extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: A retrospective analysis of its clinicopathological features and treatment outcomes in a tertiary cancer center of eastern India

Background: Primary extranodal non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas (NHL) is an uncommon entity. It is diverse in its presentation, morphology, histology, and immunophenotyping. No clear-cut consensus exists regarding its management. Indian data is lacking regarding biology and treatment of disease. Aim: The aim of this study is to analyze the clinicopathological features and assess treatment modalities utilized and their outcomes in patients with primary extranodal NHL and also the outcome with involved field radiotherapy (IFRT). Settings and Design: This is a retrospective observational study from prerecorded hospital data. Materials and Methods: Cases of primary extranodal NHL attending the radiotherapy outpatient department of our institute during the last 5 years (July 2007-June 2012) were taken for this study. Hospital recorded data were taken and analyzed regarding the demography, clinical features, histopathological features, and treatment modalities and their outcomes. Result: Total 41 patients were identified, out of which six patients did not turn up for any form of treatment. Almost all patients (33 out of 35, 94.28%) received chemotherapy while around 55% (19 out of 35) patients received radiotherapy. During follow-up, around 23% patients had relapsed, that too mostly outside the primary site. Conclusion: Immunohistochemistry is essential in all cases to identify the subset which would respond excellently to rituximab (CD20 positive). IFRT has definite role in the management of extranodal NHL in patients having residual disease following chemotherapy.
Differential analysis of human kidney stone samples using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Kidney stones may be caused by many factors, including ingestion of melamine for a relatively long time. The diagnosis of melamine-induced kidney stones and the understanding of how the melamine is involved in the formation of kidney stones are of practical importance. To establish a sensitive method based on widely used electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) for diagnosis of melamine-induced kidney stones and to probe the differential formation of melamine-induced kidney stones at molecular levels. Human kidney stones were collected in hospital from 6 groups of patients at different ages. ESI-MS was employed as the main technique with the principal component analysis for data processing. Using principal component analysis (PCA) of the ESI-MS fingerprints, a set of 21 melamine-induced kidney stone samples and 21 uric acid derived kidney stone samples were successfully differentiated from the other groups, rendering ESI-MS method a potential platform for differential analysis of the human kidney stones of various causes at molecular levels. The experimental results also indicate that in addition to the melamine, the chemical compounds enwrapped in the melamine-induced kidney stone samples are different from other kidney stone samples. These findings suggest that ESI-MS is a useful tool for diagnosis of melamine-induced kidney stone samples and the melamine-induced kidney stone could be formed by different mechanisms.
Tyrosine Hydroxylase Is Short-Term Regulated by the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System in PC12 Cells and Hypothalamic and Brainstem Neurons from Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats: Possible Implications in Hypertension

Aberrations in the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) are implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamines biosynthesis, is involved in hypertension development. In this study we investigated whether UPS regulated TH turnover in PC12 cells and hypothalamic and brainstem neurons from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and whether this system was impaired in hypertension. PC12 cells were exposed to proteasome or lysosome inhibitors and TH protein level evaluated by Western blot. Lactacystin, a proteasome inhibitor, induced an increase of 86±15% in TH levels after 30 min of incubation, then it started to decrease up to 6 h to reach control levels and finally it rose up to 35.2±8.5% after 24 h. Bafilomycin, a lysosome inhibitor, did not alter TH protein levels during short times, but it increased TH by 92±22% above basal after 6 h treatment. Before degradation proteasome substrates are labeled by conjugation with ubiquitin. Efficacy of proteasome inhibition on TH turnover was evidenced by accumulation of ubiquitinylated TH after 30 min. Further, the inhibition of proteasome increased the quantity of TH phosphorylated at Ser40, which is essential for TH activity, by 2.7±0.3 fold above basal. TH protein level was upregulated in neurons from hypothalami and brainstem of SHR when the proteasome was inhibited during 30 min, supporting that neuronal TH is also short-term regulated by the proteasome. Since the increased TH levels reported in hypertension may result from proteasome dysfunction, we evaluate proteasme activity. Proteasome activity was significantly reduced by 67±4% in hypothalamic and brainstem neurons from SHR while its protein levels did not change. Present findings show that TH is regulated by the UPS. The impairment in proteasome activity observed in SHR neurons may be one of the causes of the increased TH protein levels reported in hypertension.
Influence of natural bovine enamel roughness on bond strength after etching.

OBJECTIVE To determine and compare the longitudinal and transverse roughness parameters of the enamel surface of bovine teeth and evaluate the influence of these parameters on bond strength. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ninety bovine incisors were used. The surface roughness of enamel was measured with a profilometer. For each tooth, five readings were taken in the longitudinal plane and five were taken in the transverse plane of the long axis of the tooth in an area equal to the size of the bracket base. The metal brackets were bonded with Transbond XT, and bond strength was evaluated in a universal test machine. RESULTS There was a statistical correlation (P < .01) between the longitudinal and transverse roughness measurements. There was no correlation between roughness measurements (longitudinal and transverse) and bond strength (P > .05), nor was there a correlation between total roughness (longitudinal Ra and transverse Ra) and bond strength. The Student's t-test showed that there was a statistically significant difference (P < .05) between longitudinal and transverse roughness. CONCLUSION The transverse roughness is greater than the longitudinal roughness, there is a strong correlation between longitudinal and transverse roughness, and there is no correlation between enamel roughness and bond strength.
Treatment effects of the Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device used with miniscrew anchorage.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the dentofacial effects of the Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device (FRD) used with miniscrew anchorage (FRDMS) and compare them with those of conventional FRD and an untreated Class II control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS The sample consisted of 48 Class II subjects. Sixteen patients (13.68 ± 1.09 years of age) were treated with FRDMS, whereas 17 subjects (14.64 ± 1.56 years of age) were treated with only FRD. Also, a control sample of 15 untreated Class II subjects (14.13 ± 1.50 years of age) was constructed. Angular and linear measurements were made on 96 lateral cephalograms. Paired t, one-way analysis of variance, and Tukey tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Class I molar relationship and overjet correction were achieved in an average period of 6.5 ± 1.97 and 5.5 ± 1.80 months in the FRDMS and FRD groups, respectively. No skeletal effect was determined in both treatment groups. Greater overbite correction was found in the FRD group. Retrusion and extrusion of maxillary incisors, distalization of maxillary molars, and extrusion of mandibular molars were significant in both treatment groups. Labial tipping of mandibular incisors was significantly greater in the FRD group than in the FRDMS group. CONCLUSION Overjet and molar correction was totally dentoalveolar. Unfavorable labial tipping of mandibular incisors was effectively minimized with the usage of miniscrews.
Identificação do limiar anaeróbio em indivíduos com diabetes tipo-2 sedentários e fisicamente ativos

Identification of the anaerobic threshold in sedentary and physically active individuals with type 2 diabetes Objective: To compare anaerobic threshold (AT) intensities determined from blood lactate, blood glucose and ventilatory responses among sedentary (SD) and physically active (AD) type-2 diabetics and active non-diabetics (AND), and to correlate metabolic, hemodynamic and body composition variables with the AT. Method: The SD (n= 9, 56.7 ± 11.9 years), AD (n= 9, 50.6 ± 12.7 years) and AND (n= 10, 48.1 ± 10.8 years) groups performed a cycle ergometer test with increases of 15 watts every three minutes until exhaustion. Heart rate, arterial pressure, perceived exertion, blood lactate, blood glucose and ventilatory variables were measured during the last 20 seconds of each incremental stage, to determine the lactate, ventilatory and glucose thresholds. Results: The AT intensities identified by the different methods did not differ from each other (p> 0.05). However, the absolute intensities were lower for SD than for the active groups (p< 0.05). No differences in intensity were found between the groups in relation to maximum oxygen consumption (%VO 2 peak) and maximum power (%Ppeak) at which the AT was observed. There was a significant correlation between AT and percentage fat (r= -0.52), and there was a trend towards correlation between AT and ambulatory blood glucose (r= -0.33). The hemodynamic variables did not show any correlations with AT. Conclusion: The AT was identified by means of the techniques studied, among type 2 diabetics and non-diabetics. Despite the differences between the groups with regard to absolute intensities (watts), diabetes did not appear to influence the relative intensities at which the AT was observed. The AT presented a correlation with body composition and a trend towards correlation with ambulatory blood glucose, thus suggesting that the AT is an important parameter in clinical assessments for such patients.
Examining the consequences of inadequate induction for beginning teachers

Research indicates that many beginning teachers are not experiencing induction that reflects their needs (Sharp, 2005, unpublished manuscript). In addition, poor induction has a large impact on the perceptions beginning teachers have of their own teaching skills and standards, how they feel about their profession and their relationships with school administrators and students. As part of a larger study, beginning teachers from all Queensland government schools were invited to participate in this study. Twenty four beginning teachers participated in an online survey, which was designed to gauge their views of inductions received in their first year of teaching and to actively examine the perceptions beginning teachers have on their competence as a classroom teacher, based on feedback received during induction programs. Further, this paper focuses on the professional consequences for beginning teachers who receive inadequate induction during their first year of teaching, including consideration in leaving the teaching profession due to perceived inadequacies. This paper looks thematically at the consequences of inadequate induction, from the perspectives of individual teachers. Their stories illuminate the need to ensure that government policies on employee induction are carried out in schools, which would then enable teachers to have positive perceptions and increased confidence in their abilities to carry out their professional duties. The paper concludes with recommendations for schools and Education Departments to better provide support for first year teachers
Applying Research and Theory in Program Planning: An Example from a Nutrition Education Intervention

Public health practitioners often hear that effective interventions are theory-based and draw from practice and research. However, operationalizing this integration of theory, research, and practice to develop a concrete program that can be delivered in communities is a difficult task that many practitioners feel illequipped to accomplish. This article describes the steps and processes used in designing the Teens Eating for Energy at School (TEENS) study, a school-based nutrition education program. The goal of TEENS is to increase middle and junior high students’ intake of fruits, vegetables, and lower fat foods to reduce their future risk of cancer. In this article, the authors describe a 10-step process of creating health behavior change programs. The authors use examples from the TEENS study to illustrate how a very concrete, community-based intervention is developed from behavioral theory, research, and knowledge of practice and the target audience.
Exercise intolerance in obese children and adolescents

Abstract Background: Abnormal lung function has been reported in the obese population and is associated with the severity of obesity. Objectives: To identify abnormal lung function in obese children and adolescents, and examine the cardiopulmonary response of those who have abnormal lung functions during exercise, and to reveal predictors of exercise intolerance in this population. Methods: Fifty obese participants aged 8–18 years (56% male; mean age 13.2 ± 2.0 years; mean BMI 33.0 ± 3.6 kg/m2, mean BMI z score 3.1 ± 0.3) underwent spirometry, lung volume evaluation, and a cardiopulmonary exercise test. Results: Lung function abnormalities and exercise intolerance because of pulmonary limitations were found in 36% and 74% of the participants, respectively. A comparison of participants with normal and abnormal lung functions revealed a lower breathing reserve and a higher ventilatory equivalent for CO2 production (VE/VCO2) during exercise in those who had lung function abnormalities (18 ± 15 vs 30±10%, P <0.001 and 30.3 ± 3.3 vs 29.6 ± 3.1; P = 0.02, respectively). Exercise intolerant participants had a higher BMI z score compared with those who were not (3.1 ± 0.3 vs 2.9 ± 0.3; P = 0.03). BMI z score ≥ 2.84 had an 80% sensitivity and 67% specificity for predicting exercise intolerance in this population. Conclusions: Evaluations of lung function and exercise capacity should be included in the follow-up planning for obese children and adolescents. A BMI z score ≥ 2.84 was most sensitive for predicting exercise intolerance in this population.
Conventional frontal radiographs compared with frontal radiographs obtained from cone beam computed tomography.

AIM To test the hypothesis that there is no difference between measurements performed on conventional frontal radiographs (FRs) and those performed on FRs obtained from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study consisted of conventional FRs and CBCT-constructed FRs obtained from 30 young adult patients. Twenty-three landmarks were identified on both types of cephalometric radiographs. Twenty-one widely used cephalometric variables (14 linear distances, 4 angles, and 3 ratios) were calculated. Paired t-tests were performed to compare the means of corresponding measurements on two cephalometric radiographs of the same patient. RESULTS Reproducibility of measurements ranged from 0.85 to 0.99 for CBCT-constructed FRs, and from 0.78 to 0.96 for conventional FRs. A statistically significant difference was observed between conventional FRs and CBCT-constructed FRs for all linear measurements (eurR-eurL, loR-loL, moR-moL, zygR-zygL, lapR-lapL, mxR-mxL, maR-maL, umR-umL, lmR-lmL, agR-agL, me-ans) (P < .05), except for the ans-cr measurement (P > .05). However, no statistically significant differences were noted between conventional FRs and CBCT-constructed FRs for ratios and angular measurements (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS The hypothesis was rejected. A difference has been noted between measurements performed on conventional FRs and those performed on CBCT-constructed FRs, particularly in terms of linear measurements.