Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Correction of the disease phenotype of myocilin-causing glaucoma by a natural osmolyte.

PURPOSE To characterize a novel Asp384Asn (D384N) mutant myocilin (MYOC) that causes juvenile-onset open-angle glaucoma (JOAG) and investigate the correction of mutant phenotype by a natural osmolyte, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). METHODS A Chinese JOAG family was recruited and genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood obtained from 44 family members. Coding regions of the MYOC were sequenced. Two hundred individuals (>60 years old) without ocular hypertension or glaucoma were the control subjects. Full-length human wild-type MYOC cDNA was cloned in p3xFLAG-myc-CMV-25 and missense mutation was introduced by site-directed mutagenesis. Transfected human trabecular meshwork cells were treated with small-molecule chemical chaperones. Secreted MYOC was analyzed by combined immunoprecipitation-Western blot analysis. Intracellular myocilin was fractionated into Triton X-100-soluble and insoluble fractions, and analyzed by Western blot analysis. Intracellular aggregate and apoptosis were assayed by immunofluorescence. The effect of TMAO on subcellular myocilin distribution was analyzed by density gradient fractionation, followed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS A novel c.1150G>A change of MYOC was identified. Screening of optineurin, WDR36, and CYP1B1 showed an absence of disease-causing polymorphisms. Mutated D384N myocilin had reduced solubility and was aggregation-prone and nonsecreted. Treatment of transfected cells with TMAO improved the solubility of the D384N mutant, which was corrected for secretion in a dose-response manner. TMAO reduced the distribution of the D384N mutant in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), alleviated ER stress, and rescued cells from apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that TMAO, with chaperoning activity, facilitated the folding and secretion of mutant MYOC. This therapeutic approach assisted by a chemical chaperone can be developed for treating glaucoma.
An algorithm for encoding and decoding the 3-D Hilbert order

Spatial ordering is a transformation relating an n-dimensional voxel to a set of natural numbers. Interest in the Hilbert order (H-order) has been high because of its desirable performance when applied to image processing. In this correspondence, an encoding/decoding algorithm for the three-dimensional (3-D) Hilbert order is presented.
Analysis of Image Denoising Methods Using Various Wavelet Transform

 Abstract— Image denoising is a method of removal of noise from original image. Spatial filtering methods and transform filtering methods are two classes of the image denoising. This survey mainly focused on various wavelet transform. A wavelet transform domain method gives a superior performance in image denoising applications. Wavelet transform mentioned here are DTWCT, OWT, RADL, and TIDFT, CT. These transform are used for representing edges and textures of an image. This makes it possible to separate noise from image signal distinctly in image denoising. Performances of various transform are compared by analyzing different parameters. In this paper a detailed survey has been carried out on various image denoising approaches and their performances on natural images were analyzed in case of visual quality.
Lesion Size and Iodine Quantification to Distinguish Low-Grade From High-Grade Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Using Dual-Energy Spectral Computed Tomography

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the utility of lesion size and iodine quantification using dual-energy spectral computed tomography to distinguish between low-grade and high-grade clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCCs). Methods Spectral parameters of 75 patients with pathologically proven ccRCCs who underwent preoperative dual-energy spectral computed tomography examinations were divided into low-grade and high-grade groups. Independent sample t test, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and Spearman rank correlation were analyzed. Results The lesion size was significantly smaller, and spectral parameters were significantly higher in the low-grade ccRCC. The significant correlation (r = −0.412, P < 0.001) by the Spearman rank correlation was between the normalized iodine concentration and lesion size. The receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that 0.710 was the optimal cutoff value, which yielded the following: sensitivity, 97.6%; specificity, 97.1%; positive predictive value, 97.6%; negative predictive value, 97.1%; and accuracy, 97.3%. Conclusions Iodine quantification can play an important role in distinguishing low-grade from high-grade ccRCC.
Are You Following Me? A Content Analysis of TV Networks’ Brand Communication on Twitter

Abstract This study provides a content analysis of television networks’ relational messages on Twitter by employing Bales’s interaction process analysis method. It also explores the phenomena of information diffusion and influence through retweeting behavior. The findings show that television networks employed more task than socioemotional communication across program genres, but suggestions were the most frequently used message content. In addition, more positive than negative socioemotional messages appeared, and socioemotional messages were retweeted more often than task-oriented messages. In response to the ever-changing media marketplace, this study extends the scope of current media branding research and suggests managerial implications for networks’ brand management and relationship-building efforts through social networking sites.
Pedagogical context knowledge: Toward a fuller understanding of what good science teachers know

A codified model of teacher knowledge, situated in school science teaching, is proposed as a synthesis of a number of models, metaphors, and notions already described in the literature about teachers' knowledge. This model, called pedagogical context knowledge, suggests that in discussion of their classroom practice, exemplary science teachers utilize four kinds of knowledge: academic and research knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, professional knowledge, and classroom knowledge. The model is used to examine data collected through interviews with science teachers about the ways in which they design and implement science lessons. Analysis of the data shows that the model is sufficiently robust to provide a simple and rapid, yet effective and efficient way of examining teachers' views and the knowledge base in which they are embedded. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sci Ed85:426–453, 2001.
Nonlinear Rayleigh–Bénard convection between poorly conducting boundaries

The convective instability of a layer of fluid heated from below is studied on the assumption that the flux of heat through the boundaries is unaffected by the motion in the layer. It is shown that when the heat flux is above the critical value for the onset of convection, motion takes place on a horizontal scale much greater than the layer depth. Following Childress & Spiegel (1980) the disparity of scales is exploited in an expansion scheme that results in a nonlinear evolution equation for the leading-order temperature perturbation. This equation which does not depend on the vertical co-ordinate, is solved analytically where possible and numerically where necessary; most attention is concentrated on solutions representing two-dimensional rolls. It is found that for any given heat flux a continuum of steady solutions is possible for all wave numbers smaller than a given cut off. Stability analysis reveals, however, that each mode is unstable to one of longer wavelength than itself, so that any long box will eventually contain a single roll, even though the most rapidly growing mode on linear theory has much shorter wavelength.
Epigenetic Impact on EBV Associated B-Cell Lymphomagenesis

Epigenetic modifications leading to either transcriptional repression or activation, play an indispensable role in the development of human cancers. Epidemiological study revealed that approximately 20% of all human cancers are associated with tumor viruses. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the first human tumor virus, demonstrates frequent epigenetic alterations on both viral and host genomes in associated cancers—both of epithelial and lymphoid origin. The cell type-dependent different EBV latent gene expression patterns appear to be determined by the cellular epigenetic machinery and similarly viral oncoproteins recruit epigenetic regulators in order to deregulate the cellular gene expression profile resulting in several human cancers. This review elucidates the epigenetic consequences of EBV–host interactions during development of multiple EBV-induced B-cell lymphomas, which may lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic interventions against EBV-associated B-cell lymphomas by alteration of reversible patho-epigenetic markings.
The globalization of journalism online

Some British news websites are attracting larger audiences than their American competitors in US regional and national markets. At the British news websites studied, Americans made up an average of 36 per cent of the total audience with up to another 39 per cent of readers from countries other than the USA. Visibility on portals like the Drudge Report and on indexes such as Google News brings considerable international traffic but is partly dependent on particular genres of story and fast publication times. Few news websites are willing to disclose breakdowns of their large numbers of international readers fearing a negative reaction from domestic advertisers. Some see little value in international readers — some of whom read 3 to 4 times fewer pages than their domestic counterparts. Others are actively selling advertising targeted at their international audience and even claiming their presence is beginning to change their news agenda.
Better and Worse: A Dual-Process Model of the Relationship between Core Self-evaluation and Work-Family Conflict

Based on both resource allocation theory (Becker, 1965; Bergeron, 2007) and role theory (Katz and Kahn, 1978), the current study aims to uncover the relationship between core self-evaluation (CSE) and three dimensions of work interference with family (WIF). A dual-process model was proposed, in which both work stress and career resilience mediate the CSE-WIF relationship. The mediation model was tested with a sample of employees from various organizations (N = 561). The results first showed that CSE was negatively related to time-based and strain-based WIF and positively related to behavior-based WIF via the mediation of work stress. Moreover, CSE was positively associated with behavior-based and strain-based WIF via the mediation of career resilience, suggesting that CSE may also have its “dark-side. ”
Immunomodulatory Effects in a Phase II Study of Lenalidomide Combined with Cetuximab in Refractory KRAS-Mutant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients

This study assessed the immunomodulatory effects in previously treated KRAS-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer patients participating in a phase II multicenter, open-label clinical trial receiving lenalidomide alone or lenalidomide plus cetuximab. The main findings show the T cell immunostimulatory properties of lenalidomide as the drug induced a decrease in the percentage CD45RA+ naïve T cells 3-fold while increasing the percentage HLA-DR+ activated T helper cells and percentage total CD45RO+ CD8+ memory T cytotoxic cells, 2.6- and 2.1-fold respectively (p<0.0001). In addition, lenalidomide decreased the percentage of circulating CD19+ B cells 2.6-fold (p<0.0001). Lenalidomide increased a modest, yet significant, 1.4-fold change in the percentage of circulating natural killer cells. Our findings indicate that lenalidomide significantly activates T cells, suggestive of an immunotherapeutic role for this drug in settings of maintenance therapy and tumor immunity. Furthermore, reported for the first time is the effect of lenalidomide in combination with cetuximab on T cell function, including increases in circulating naïve and central memory T cells. In summary, lenalidomide and cetuximab have significant effects on circulating immune cells in patients with colorectal carcinoma. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01032291
Uterine Vein Infusion of Interferon Tau (IFNT) Extends Luteal Life Span in Ewes1

Interferon tau (IFNT) from the ovine conceptus has paracrine actions on the endometrium that alter release of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF) and protect the corpus luteum (CL). Antiviral activity in uterine vein blood and expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in CL is greater in pregnant than in nonpregnant ewes. We hypothesized that IFNT contributes to antiviral activity in uterine vein blood and has endocrine actions on the CL. Preadsorption of IFNT with antiserum against recombinant ovine (ro) IFNT revealed that antiviral activity in uterine vein blood from pregnant ewes was mediated by IFNT. Endocrine actions of IFNT were examined after infusing either roIFNT or bovine serum albumin (BSA; 200 μg/24 h; mini-osmotic pump) into the uterine vein of nonpregnant ewes from Day 10 to Day 11 postestrus. The abundance of ISG15 mRNA and protein was greater in CL (P < 0.05) from ewes receiving 24-h roIFNT infusion compared to that from ewes receiving 24-h BSA infusion. Injection of PGF at 12 h following insertion of mini-osmotic pumps resulted in a decline in serum progesterone concentrations 6 through 12 h later in BSA-infused ewes; however, in roIFNT-infused ewes, a similar decline in progesterone concentrations at 6 h was followed by recovery to control values at 12 h. Ewes then received infusions (200 μg/day) of either roIFNT or BSA for 7 days beginning on Day 10 of the estrous cycle. All BSA-infused ewes returned to estrus by Day 19, whereas 80% of roIFNT-infused ewes maintained luteal-phase concentrations of progesterone through Day 32. In conclusion, IFNT is released from the uterus into the uterine vein and acts through an endocrine mechanism to induce ISGs in the CL and delay luteolysis.
Low cardiac vagal tone index by heart rate variability differentiates bipolar from major depression

Abstract Objectives: Major depressive disorder (MDD) and depression in bipolar disorder (BD) are often difficult to distinguish from each other. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation is associated with various depressive symptoms and inflammatory response disinhibition. The beat-to-beat pattern of heart rate (heart rate variability, HRV) offers a non-invasive portal to ANS function and provides a reliable index of resting cardiac vagal tone. We quantified HRV and measured inflammatory biomarkers in MDD and BD patients in an effort to derive potential diagnostic criteria for MDD and BD. Methods: Sixty-four MDD and 37 BD patients were enrolled. HRV was assessed and blood was drawn at baseline after antidepressant washout and prior to study initiation. HRV was quantified and corrected for artefacts. Results: MDD subjects had significantly higher baseline respiratory sinus arrhythmia (P = 0.05) and LF-HRV (P < 0.01) in comparison to BD subjects. Compared to MDD subjects, BD subjects had significantly higher baseline levels of IL-10 (P < 0.01) and MCP-1 (P < 0.01). In the MDD group only, baseline LF-HRV was significantly positively correlated to baseline levels of IL-10 (r = 0.47, P < 0.01). Conclusions: Reduced vagal tone and higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers may distinguish BD from MDD and reveal an underlying pathophysiology of depression involving ANS dysfunction and chronic immune system dysregulation.
Cyclooxygenase as a Target in Lung Cancer

Preclinical studies suggest that cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 may be involved in the molecular pathogenesis of some types of lung cancer. Most of the available studies point to its involvement in non-small cell lung cancer. Survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer expressing high levels of COX-2 is markedly reduced. Treatment of humans with the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib augments the antitumor effects of chemotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. COX-2 has been shown to regulate some aspects of tumor-associated angiogenesis. Most of the results we have published point to effects on the regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor. However, prostaglandins derived from COX-2 affect other signaling pathways as well, such as the epidermal growth factor and its receptor. Others have recently shown that non-small cell lung cancer exhibits a COX-2 downstream enzyme expression pattern that is altered in lung tumor cells and tumor-supplying vessels. Therefore, COX-2 and prostaglandins may have a major impact on lung tumor progression and tumor-associated inflammation. Clinical trials currently underway are exploring the potential of targeting COX-2 in lung cancer.
Listening to Music during Warming-Up Counteracts the Negative Effects of Ramadan Observance on Short-Term Maximal Performance

Aim The aim of the present study was to examine whether listening to music during warming-up might influence short-term maximal performance (STMP), cognitive anxiety, self-confidence, and enjoyment during Ramadan, and whether these affects might predict STMP. Methods Nine male physical education students (age: 21 ± 1.1 years; height: 1.8 ± 0.04 m; body mass: 83 ± 5 kg) volunteered to participate in the present study. A within-subjects design consisted of four experimental sessions: Two sessions occurred one week before Ramadan and two others took place during Ramadan. They were scheduled at 5 p.m. and were conducted as follows: After a 10-minute warm-up either with or without listening to music, each participant performed a 5-m multiple shuttle run test, after which he was asked to answer items intended to assess his affective state during the experimental task. Results Our findings revealed that STMP was lower during Ramadan than before Ramadan in the no-music condition. Additionally, it was found that STMP was higher in the music condition than in the no-music condition during Ramadan, and that STMP measured before Ramadan did not differ from that measured during Ramadan in the music condition. Regarding affects, the findings revealed that enjoyment was lower during Ramadan than before Ramadan in the music condition, and that cognitive anxiety was lower in the music condition than in the no-music condition before Ramadan. Self-confidence was not influenced by the experimental conditions. Conclusion This study showed that listening to music during warming-up not only would be beneficial for STMP in Ramadan fasters, but also would counteract the negative effects of Ramadan observance on STMP.
A detection mechanism of DoS attack using adaptive NSA algorithm in cloud environment

Security of any distributed system is not only complex in nature, it also needs much more attention as most of the applications being used and developed in recent past are on distributed platform. Denial of Service (DoS) attack causes drop in quality of service and may also reach to entire absence of service for some `real' users. Identifying some users as attackers also need appropriate algorithm. Negative selection algorithm (NSA) is a very effective approach in identifying some user as attacker. However declaring some `real' user as an attacker is a very common limitation of these types of algorithms unless and until the mechanism of detection is updated at regular intervals. In this research work we have modified NSA algorithm to take into account the necessity of updating the detector set from time to time. We have introduced a second detection module to accommodate the updation. Both the algorithms are implemented on common data set and comparative study is presented. Our proposed algorithm comes out with much improved results and significantly reduces false positive (false alarm) cases.
Social Networks and Physical Activity Behaviors Among Cancer Survivors: Data From the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey

The study examined the relation between social networks and physical activity behaviors among cancer survivors. The authors examined 873 cancer survivors (596 women, 277 men) 50 years of age or older who participated in the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that survivors who talked about health with friends/family were more likely to pay attention to new physical activity recommendations (OR = 2.89, CI [1.01, 8.33]). Female survivors were more likely to pay attention to new physical activity recommendations (OR = 2.65, CI [1.55, 4.53]) and more likely to have seen, heard, or read physical activity/exercise and cancer information within the past 12 months (OR = 2.09, CI [1.13, 3.85]) compared with their male counterparts. For male survivors, those who were a member of at least one community organization were more likely to pay attention to new physical activity/exercise recommendations (OR = 5.31, CI [1.32, 21.22]) than the men who were not members. Overall, cancer survivors with a social network (i.e., talking to family/friends about health) were more likely to pay attention to new exercise recommendations compared with those who did not have a social network. Significant differences were also observed by gender with physical activity levels, knowledge, and attitudes. Social networking is an important component in cancer survivorship and further research is needed to encourage social networking strategies that might facilitate in increasing physical activity behaviors among cancer survivors.
Effects of Temperature, Salinity, and Medium Composition on Compatible Solute Accumulation byThermococcus spp

ABSTRACT The effects of salinity and growth temperature on the accumulation of intracellular organic solutes were examined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) in Thermococcus litoralis,Thermococcus celer, Thermococcus stetteri, andThermococcus zilligii (strain AN1). In addition, the effects of growth stage and composition of the medium were studied inT. litoralis. A novel compound identified as β-galactopyranosyl-5-hydroxylysine was detected in T. litoralis grown on peptone-containing medium. Besides this newly discovered compound, T. litoralis accumulated mannosylglycerate, aspartate, α-glutamate, di-myo-inositol-1,1′(3,3′)-phosphate, hydroxyproline, and trehalose. The hydroxyproline and β-galactopyranosyl-5-hydroxylysine were probably derived from peptone, while the trehalose was derived from yeast extract; none of these three compounds was detected in the other Thermococcus strains examined. Di-myo-inositol-1,1′(3,3′)-phosphate, aspartate, and mannosylglycerate were detected in T. celer and T. stetteri, and the latter organism also accumulated α-glutamate. The only nonmarine species studied, T. zilligii, accumulated very low levels of α-glutamate and aspartate. The levels of mannosylglycerate and aspartate increased in T. litoralis, T. celer, and T. stetteri in response to salt stress, while di-myo-inositol-1,1′(3,3′)-phosphate was the major intracellular solute at supraoptimal growth temperatures. The phase of growth had a strong influence on the types and levels of compatible solutes in T. litoralis; mannosylglycerate and aspartate were the major solutes during exponential growth, while di-myo-inositol-1,1′(3,3′)-phosphate was the predominant organic solute during the stationary phase of growth. This work revealed an unexpected ability of T. litoralis to scavenge suitable components from the medium and to use them as compatible solutes.