Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical features of patients with nodal marginal zone lymphoma compared to follicular lymphoma: similar presentation, but differences in prognostic factors and rate of transformation

Abstract Nodal marginal zone lymphoma (NMZL) is a rare type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This study assessed the clinical features of 56 patients with NMZL in comparison to 46 patients with follicular lymphoma (FL). Patients with NMZL and FL had a largely similar clinical presentation, but patients with FL had a higher disease stage at presentation, more frequent abdominal lymphadenopathy and bone marrow involvement, and showed more common transformation into diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) during the course of disease. Overall survival and event-free survival were similar for patients with NMZL and FL, but factors associated with worse prognosis differed between the two groups. Transformation into DLBCL was associated with a significantly poorer outcome in both groups, but the phenotypes were different: DLBCL arising in FL was mainly of germinal center B-cell phenotype, whereas DLBCL arising in NMZL was mainly of non-germinal center B-cell phenotype.
Brillouin frequency shift dependences on temperature and strain in PMMA-based polymer optical fibers estimated by acoustic velocity measurement

We estimated the dependences of Brillouin frequency shift (BFS) on temperature and strain in poly(methyl methacrylate)-based polymer optical fibers using ultrasonic pulse-echo technique at ~10 MHz. The estimated BFS dependence on temperature was linear with a coefficient of approximately -17 MHz/K at 650 nm pump, which was -34 times larger than that of silica fibers at 650 nm pump. In contrast, its strain dependence was found to be nonlinear, probably originating from the elastic-to-plastic transition.
A model for the calmodulin—peptide complex based on the troponin C crystal packing and its similarity to the NMR structure of the calmodulin—myosin light chain kinase peptide complex

In the crystal structure of troponin C, the holo C‐domain is bound in a head‐to‐tail fashion to the A‐helix of the apo N‐domain of a symmetry‐related molecule. Using this interaction, we have proposed a model for the calmodulin‐peptide complex. We find that the interaction of the C‐domain with the A‐helix is similar to that observed in the NMR structure of the calmodulin‐myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) peptide complex. This similarity in binding has enabled us to make a precise sequence alignment of the target peptides in the calmodulin‐binding cleft and to rationalize the amino acid sequence‐dependent binding strengths of various peptides. Our model differs from that proposed by Strynadka and James (Proteins Struct. Funct. Genet. 7, 234–248, 1990) in that the peptides are rotated by 100° in the calmodulin binding cleft.
Dissemination of NDM-1-Producing Enterobacteriaceae Mediated by the IncX3-Type Plasmid

The emergence and spread of NDM-1-producing Enterobacteriaceae have resulted in a worldwide public health risk that has affected some provinces of China. China is an exceptionally large country, and there is a crucial need to investigate the epidemic of bla NDM-1-positive Enterobacteriaceae in our province. A total of 186 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates (CRE) were collected in a grade-3 hospital in Zhejiang province. Carbapenem-resistant genes, including bla KPC, bla IMP, bla VIM, bla OXA-48 and bla NDM-1 were screened and sequenced. Ninety isolates were identified as harboring the bla KPC-2 genes, and five bla NDM-1-positive isolates were uncovered. XbaI-PFGE revealed that three bla NDM-1-positive K. pneumoniae isolates belonged to two different clones. S1-PFGE and southern blot suggested that the bla NDM-1 genes were located on IncX3-type plasmids with two different sizes ranging from 33.3 to 54.7 kb (n=4) and 104.5 to 138.9 kb (n=1), respectively, all of which could easily transfer to Escherichia coli by conjugation and electrotransformation. The high-throughput sequencing of two plasmids was performed leading to the identification of a smaller 54-kb plasmid, which had high sequence similarity with a previously reported pCFNDM-CN, and a larger plasmid in which only a 7.8-kb sequence of a common gene environment around bla NDM-1 (bla NDM-1-trpF- dsbC-cutA1-groEL-ΔInsE,) was detected. PCR mapping and sequencing demonstrated that four smaller bla NDM-1 plasmids contained a common gene environment around bla NDM-1 (IS5-bla NDM-1-trpF- dsbC-cutA1-groEL). We monitored the CRE epidemic in our hospital and determined that KPC-2 carbapenemase was a major risk to patient health and the IncX3-type plasmid played a vital role in the spread of the bla NDM-1 gene among the CRE.
Event Related Potentials in Terms of Visual and Auditory Stimuli

Abstract—Event-related potential (ERP) is one of the useful tools for investigating cognitive reactions. In this study, the potential of ERP components detected after auditory and visual stimuli was examined. Subjects were asked to respond upon stimuli that were of three categories; Target, Non-Target and Standard stimuli. The ERP after stimulus was measured. In the experiment of visual evoked potentials (VEPs), the subjects were asked to gaze at a center point on the monitor screen where the stimuli were provided by the reversal pattern of the checkerboard. In consequence of the VEP experiments, we observed consistent reactions. Each peak voltage could be measured when the ensemble average was applied. Visual stimuli had smaller amplitude and a longer latency compared to that of auditory stimuli. The amplitude was the highest with Target and the smallest with Standard in both stimuli.
The effect of cognitive-motor dual task training with the biorescue force platform on cognition, balance and dual task performance in institutionalized older adults: a randomized controlled trial

[Purpose] This study investigates whether cognition, balance and dual task performance in institutionalized older adults improves by a virtual reality dual task training. [Subjects and Methods] Randomized controlled trial; Twenty institutionalized older adults with mild cognitive impairment (13 female, 7 male; average age, 87.2 ± 5.96 years) were randomized to the intervention (i.e. Virtual reality dual-task training using the BioRescue) or control group (no additional training). The intervention group took part in a 6-week training program while the elderly in the control group maintained their daily activities. Balance was measured with the Instrumented Timed Up-and-Go Test with and without a cognitive task. The Observed Emotion Rating Scale and Intrinsic Motivation Inventory were administered to evaluate the emotions and motivation regarding the exergaming program. [Results] The intervention group improved significantly on the total Timed Up-and-Go duration and the turn-to-sit duration during single-task walking in comparison to the control group who received no additional training. Participants found the virtual reality dual task training pleasant and useful for their concentration, memory and balance. Pleasure and alertness were the two emotions which were mostly seen during the intervention. [Conclusion] The BioRescue is a pleasant and interesting treatment method, well suited for institutionalized older adults in need of lifelong physical therapy.
lectrolyte effects on hydrogen evolution and solution resistance in microbial lectrolysis cells

Protonated weak acids commonly used in microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) solutions can affect the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) through weak acid catalysis, and by lowering solution resistance between the anode and the cathode. Weak acid catalysis of the HER with protonated phosphate, acetate, and carbonate electrolyte species improved MEC performance by lowering the cathode’s overpotential by up to 0.30 V at pH 5, compared to sodium chloride electrolytes. Deprotonation of weak acids into charged species at higher pHs improved MEC performance primarily by increasing the electrolyte’s conductivity icrobial electrolysis cell ydrogen evolution reaction
Cucurbitacin L 2-O-β-Glucoside Demonstrates Apoptogenesis in Colon Adenocarcinoma Cells (HT-29): Involvement of Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species Regulation

Emerging evidence suggests that reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species can contribute to diverse signalling pathways of inflammatory and tumour cells. Cucurbitacins are a group of highly oxygenated triterpenes. Many plants used in folk medicine to treat cancer have been found to contain cucurbitacins displaying potentially important anti-inflammatory actions. The current study was designed to investigate the anti-ROS and -RNS effects of cucurbitacin L 2-O-β-glucoside (CLG) and the role of these signaling factors in the apoptogenic effects of CLG on human colon cancer cells (HT-29). This natural cucurbitacin was isolated purely from Citrullus lanatus var. citroides (Cucurbitaceae). The results revealed that CLG was cytotoxic to HT-29. CLG increased significantly (P < 0.05) RNA and protein levels of caspase-3 in HT-29 cells when verified using a colorimetric assay and realtime qPCR, respectively. The results showed that lipopolysaccharide/interferon-gamma (LPS/INF-γ) increased nitrous oxide (NO) production inR AW264.7macrophages, whereas N(G)-nitro-L-argininemethyl ester (L-NAME) and CLG curtailed it. This compound did not reveal any cytotoxicity on RAW264.7 macrophages and human normal liver cells (WRL-68) when tested using the MTT assay. Findings of ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) assays demonstrate the antioxidant properties of CLG. The apoptogenic property of CLG on HT-29 cells is thus related to inhibition of reactive nitrogen and oxygen reactive species and the triggering of caspase-3-regulated apoptosis.
Strain Effect on the Electrical Conductivity of CB/SEBS and GP/SEBS Composites

Carbon black (CB) and Graphite (GP) were embedded in poly(styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene) (SEBS) to form CB/SEBS and GP/SEBS composites. The electrical resistance was monitored in situ during tensile, compressive and dynamic mechanical tests, obtaining a correlation between the electrical response and strain. In the dynamic test the conductivity of the composites showed almost the same behavior than the elastic modulus, decreasing at deformations higher than 1 %.
Activation processes in ligand‐activated G protein‐coupled receptors: A case study of the adenosine A2A receptor

Here we review concepts related to an ensemble description of G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs). The ensemble is characterized by both inactive and active states, whose equilibrium populations and exchange rates depend sensitively on ligand, environment, and allosteric factors. This review focuses on the adenosine A2 receptor (A2AR), a prototypical class A GPCR. 19F Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) studies show that apo A2AR is characterized by a broad ensemble of conformers, spanning inactive to active states, and resembling states defined earlier for rhodopsin. In keeping with ideas associated with a conformational selection mechanism, addition of agonist serves to allosterically restrict the overall degrees of freedom at the G protein binding interface and bias both states and functional dynamics to facilitate G protein binding and subsequent activation. While the ligand does not necessarily “induce” activation, it does bias sampling of states, increase the cooperativity of the activation process and thus, the lifetimes of functional activation intermediates, while restricting conformational dynamics to that needed for activation.
miR-103 promotes 3T3-L1 cell adipogenesis through AKT/mTOR signal pathway with its target being MEF2D

Abstract MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that partially bind to the 3’ untranslated (3’UTR) regions of target genes in animals and regulate protein production of the target transcripts. MiR-103 has been confirmed to play a critical role in lipid metabolism, however, the target genes and signaling pathway regulated by miR-103 is still unclear. In our experiment, we observed a positive function of miR-103 on the adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte. Furthermore, we proved that this function of miR-103 worked through activating AKT/mTOR signal pathway and impairing target gene MEF2D. By inhibiting and over-expressing the MEF2D gene, we found that MEF2D had a negative role in regulating adipocyte key genes, and this function of MEF2D could be impaired by miR-103. In conclusion, we found that miR-103 can promote 3T3-L1 cells differentiation by targeting MEF2D and activating AKT/mTOR signal pathway. These results will shed a light on further study of microRNAs.
The origin, evolution and proposed stabilization of the terms 'genome size' and 'C-value' to describe nuclear DNA contents.

BACKGROUND Perusing the literature on nuclear 'genome size' shows that the term is not stabilized, but applied with different meanings. It is used for the DNA content of the complete chromosome complement (with chromosome number n), for which others use 'C-value', but also for the DNA content of the monoploid chromosome set only (with chromosome number x). Reconsideration of the terminology is required. AIM Our purpose is to discuss the currently unstable usage of the terms 'genome size' and 'C-value', and to propose a new unified terminology which can describe nuclear DNA contents with ease and without ambiguity. PROPOSALS We argue that there is a need to maintain the term genome size in a broad sense as a covering term, because it is widely understood, short and phonetically pleasing. Proposals are made for a unified and consensual terminology. In this, 'genome size' should mean the DNA content based on chromosome number x and n, and should be used mainly in a general sense. The necessary distinction of the kinds of genome sizes is made by the adjectives 'monoploid' and the neology 'holoploid'. 'Holoploid genome size' is a shortcut for the DNA content of the whole chromosome complement characteristic for the individual (and by generalization for the population, species, etc.) irrespective of the degree of generative polyploidy, aneuploidies, etc. This term was lacking in the terminology and is for reasons of linguistic consistency indispensable. The abbreviated terms for monoploid and holoploid genome size are, respectively, Cx-value and C-value. Quantitative data on genome size should always indicate the C-level by a numerical prefix, such as 1C, 1Cx, 2C, etc. The proposed conventions cover general fundamental aspects relating to genome size in plants and animals, but do not treat in detail cytogenetic particularities (e.g. haploids, hybrids, etc.) which will need minor extensions of the present scheme in a future paper.
Does noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary‐like nuclear features have distinctive features on sonography?

The noninvasive encapsulated follicular variant of papillary carcinoma (nEFVPTC) has recently been reclassified to “noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary‐like nuclear features (NIFTP),” removing this entity from the malignant category. This re‐categorization has had major implications for clinical management. NIFTP has overlapping cytohistologic features with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and with follicular adenomas (FA), but sonographic data comparing NIFTP to PTC and FA is lacking. Our study examines the sonographic features of NIFTP as compared with PTC and FA.
Fabrication and mechanical properties of porous Al2O3-based multiphase composite through surface charge

The bi-reinforcement phases of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and TiC have been incorporated into Al2O3 matrix prepared with Al(OH)3, to improve the mechanical properties of porous Al2O3 matrix. The reinforcement phases were mixed using their surface charges for the uniform dispersion into the Al2O3 matrix, with the content of reinforcement phase and the variation of potential hydrogen in a suspension. MWCNTs were purified and modified by an acid to enhance their dispersibility in an aqueous solution. The modified MWCNTs were added in the TiC suspension with potential hydrogen of 7. The TiC-coated MWCNTs solution was filtered, dried, and heat-treated at 500℃. The prepared TiC-coated MWCNTs were mixed with the Al(OH)3 solution with potential hydrogen of 2 and filtered at room temperature. The prepared multiphase composites show higher mechanical properties than porous Al2O3 matrix because of the reinforcing effect of TiC particle.
The effects of differences between e-commerce and m-commerce on the consumers' usage transfer from online to mobile channel

From the perspective of perceived differences in technology and value between mobile commerce and Internet-based electronic commerce, the study establishes the model of consumers' usage transfer behaviour from online to mobile channel. Based on a sample of 323 respondents, we conduct logistic regression analysis. The results indicate that perceived differences in technology, namely, perceived differences in end user devices and communication network, have significantly positive impacts on transferring usage from online to mobile channel. The results also show that perceived differences in value, that is, perceived differences in convenience perceptions, personalisation perceptions, and risk perceptions, influence consumers' usage transfer from online to mobile channel significantly. Among all the factors, the effect of perceived difference in risk perceptions is negative. Managerial implications for practitioners and researchers are discussed to promote consumers' usage transfer from online to mobile channel and enhance consumers' use of mobile services.
Regularized Discriminant Analysis Incorporating Prior Knowledge on Gene Functional Groups

In the last decade, the renaissance of interest in discriminant analysis has been primarily motivated by possible applications to tumor classification using highdimensional microarray-based data. In this thesis, we do three things: 1. First, we introduce a new regularizing covariance estimation procedure we refer to as SHIP: SHrinking and Incorporating Prior knowledge. The resulting covariance estimator is based on the shrinkage estimator by Ledoit and Wolf [31, 33, 32], but additionally incorporates prior knowledge on gene functional groups extracted from the database KEGG. In order to integrate this knowledge into the shrinkage estimator, we develop multiple options. Instead of using a standard cross-validation procedure for determining the optimal shrinkage intensity, we determine it analytically as introduced by Ledoit and Wolf. 2. Second, we propose a variant of regularized linear discriminant analysis. This method generalizes the idea of the shrinkage estimator from above into the linear discriminant analysis (LDA). 3. Third, we apply our method to public gene expression data sets and examine the classification performance in both the binary and the c-nary case, where c > 2. We choose the diagonal linear discriminant analysis and the nearest shrunken centroids method [15] as competitors. It is shown that the rlda.TG one of our variants of LDA ‘via the SHIP’ performs well in all classification problems and even outperforms, albeit marginally, the competitors in some situations. Unexpectedly, we find that another variant of LDA which is based on the shrinkage estimator by Ledoit and Wolf and which does not incorporate any biological knowledge is as competitive as the rlda.TG.
Clinical outcome with half-dose depot triptorelin is the same as reduced-dose daily buserelin in a long protocol of controlled ovarian stimulation for ICSI/embryo transfer: a randomized double-blind clinical trial (NCT00461916).

BACKGROUND Traditional doses of depot GnRH agonist may be excessive for ovarian stimulation. We compared half-dose depot triptorelin (Group I) with reduced-dose daily buserelin (Group II) in a long protocol ICSI/embryo transfer through a double-blind randomized clinical trial. METHODS Controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) was started by a pretreatment with oral contraceptives for 21 days. Then, 182 patients were randomized into two groups of 91. Group I received 1.87 mg triptorelin depot i.m. followed by daily s.c. injections of saline. Group II (reduced-dose protocol) received a bolus injection of i.m. saline followed by daily s.c. injections of 0.5 mg buserelin, which was then reduced to 0.25 mg at the start of human menopausal gonadotrophin stimulation. When transvaginal ultrasound showed at least two follicles of 16-20 mm diameter, HCG was given and ICSI was performed 40-42 h later. RESULTS No significant differences were seen in the mean (SD) number of follicles at HCG administration, as our primary outcome [10.3 (4.4) in Group I versus 11.1 (4.2) in Group II, P = 0.180, mean difference = 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.39-2.11]. The other early results of COS, clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates, or early pregnancy loss were also not significantly different between the groups. Group I endured longer stimulation period [11.2 (1.8) days versus 10.6 (1.9), P = 0.030]. CONCLUSIONS Clinical outcomes were not significantly different between Group I and Group II.
Experimental Investigation of Average Heat-Transfer and Friction Coefficients for Air Flowing in Circular Tubes Having Square-Thread-Type Roughness

An investigation of forced-convection heat transfer and associated pressure drops was conducted with air flowing through electrically heated Inconel tubes having various degrees of square-thread-type roughness, an inside diameter of 1/2 inch, and a length of 24 inches. were obtained for tubes having conventional roughness ratios (height of thread/radius of tube) of 0 (smooth tube), 0.016, 0.025, and 0.037 over ranges of bulk Reynolds numbers up to 350,000, average inside-tube-wall temperatures up to 1950deg R, and heat-flux densities up to 115,000 Btu per hour per square foot. Data The experimental data showed that both heat transfer and friction increased with increase in surface roughness, becoming more pronounced with increase in Reynolds number; for a given roughness, both heat transfer and friction were also influenced by the tube wall-to-bulk temperature ratio. Good correlation of the heat-transfer data for all the tubes investigated was obtained by use of a modification of the conventional Nusselt correlation parameters wherein the mass velocity in the Reynolds number was replaced by the product of air density evaluated at the average film temperature and the so-called friction velocity; in addition, the physical properties of air were evaluated at the average film temperature. The isothermal friction data for the rough tubes, when plotted in the conventional manner, resulted in curves similar to those obtained by other investigators; that is, the curve for a given roughness breaks away from the Blasius line (representing turbulent flow in smooth tubes) at some value of Reynolds number, which decreases with increase in surface roughness, and then becomes a horizontal line (friction coefficient independent of Reynolds number). A comparison of the friction data for the rough tubes used herein indicated that the conventional roughness ratio is not an adequate measure of relative roughness for tubes having a square-thread-type element. The present data, as well as those of other investigators, were used to isolate the influence of ratios of thread height to width, thread spacing to width, and the conventional roughness ratio on the friction coefficient. A fair correlation of the friction data was obtained for each tube with heat addition when the friction coefficient and Reynolds number were defined on the basis of film properties; however, the data for each tube retained the curve characteristic of that particular roughness. The friction data for all the rough tubes could be represented by a single line for the complete turbulence region by incorporating a roughness parameter in the film correlation. No correlation was obtained for the region of incomplete turbulence.