Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Portal Vein Thrombus With the Use of Contrast‐Enhanced Sonography

Objectives. To select an appropriate treatment regimen, it is essential to accurately characterize the nature of a thrombus. This study prospectively assessed the ability of contrast‐enhanced sonography to differentiate between benign and malignant portal vein thrombosis in a population of high‐risk patients. Methods. Fifty‐five patients (43 men and 12 women; mean age, 66 years; range, 55–83 years) with thrombi of the portal venous system were examined by power Doppler sonography and contrast‐enhanced sonography with the intravenous contrast agent SH U 508A (Levovist; Schering AG, Berlin, Germany). Of the thrombi, 40 were characterized as malignant and 15 as benign. Pulsatile flow in the thrombus on power Doppler sonography and positive enhancement of the thrombus on contrast‐enhanced sonography were judged as indications of a malignant thrombus. The sensitivity and specificity of both methods in differentiating the nature of the thrombus were evaluated. Results. The detection of pulsatile flow in a portal vein thrombus as the criterion for diagnosing malignant portal vein thrombus yielded overall sensitivity of 82.5% and specificity of 100%, whereas positive enhancement of the portal vein thrombus itself as a criterion for diagnosing malignancy yielded overall sensitivity and specificity of 100% for each. Conclusions. Contrast‐enhanced sonography can be helpful in discriminating between benign and malignant portal vein thrombi.
The convergence between mainstream and alternative asset management

Over the last few years institutional investors' traditional portfolios have failed to meet their objectives in terms of risk and performance. Investors have thus demonstrated a growing interest in new forms of diversification and especially in vehicles offering better protection during extreme market conditions. This has naturally led them to increasingly consider hedge funds as part of their investment universe, but also to search for access to sophisticated risk management techniques within the regulated and transparent world of mutual fund products.
The Transcription Factor RFX Protects MHC Class II Genes against Epigenetic Silencing by DNA Methylation1

Classical and nonclassical MHC class II (MHCII) genes are coregulated by the transcription factor RFX (regulatory factor X) and the transcriptional coactivator CIITA. RFX coordinates the assembly of a multiprotein “enhanceosome” complex on MHCII promoters. This enhanceosome serves as a docking site for the binding of CIITA. Whereas the role of the enhanceosome in recruiting CIITA is well established, little is known about its CIITA-independent functions. A novel role of the enhanceosome was revealed by the analysis of HLA-DOA expression in human MHCII-negative B cell lines lacking RFX or CIITA. HLA-DOA was found to be reactivated by complementation of CIITA-deficient but not RFX-deficient B cells. Silencing of HLA-DOA was associated with DNA methylation at its promoter, and was relieved by the demethylating agent 5-azacytidine. Surprisingly, DNA methylation was also established at the HLA-DRA and HLA-DQB loci in RFX-deficient cells. This was a direct consequence of the absence of RFX, as it could be reversed by restoring RFX function. DNA methylation at the HLA-DOA, HLA-DRA, and HLA-DQB promoters was observed in RFX-deficient B cells and fibroblasts, but not in CIITA-deficient B cells and fibroblasts, or in wild-type fibroblasts, which lack CIITA expression. These results indicate that RFX and/or enhanceosome assembly plays a key CIITA-independent role in protecting MHCII promoters against DNA methylation. This function is likely to be crucial for retaining MHCII genes in an open chromatin configuration permissive for activation in MHCII-negative cells, such as the precursors of APC and nonprofessional APC before induction with IFN-γ.
Comparison of the stability and pharmacokinetics in dogs of modified ciclosporin capsules stored at -20°C and room temperature.

BACKGROUND Placement of ciclosporin (Atopica(®); Novartis Animal Health, Greensboro, NC, USA) capsules in a freezer prior to administration may reduce the incidence of vomiting in dogs. However, its impact on ciclosporin stability and pharmacokinetics is unknown. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stability of Atopica(®) capsules and pharmacokinetics of ciclosporin in dogs after storage at -20°C in comparison with storage of capsules at 15-25°C. We hypothesized that there would be no difference in stability or pharmacokinetic parameters between freezer-stored and room-temperature Atopica(®) capsules. ANIMALS Eight healthy research beagle dogs received one 5.0 mg/kg oral dose each of freezer-stored and room-temperature Atopica(®) capsules with a 1 week washout period between. METHODS Ciclosporin concentrations of all available Atopica(®) capsule strengths were assessed for stability after -20°C storage at five time points over 30 days and at room temperature (15-25°C). A blinded, randomized cross-over study was also performed to compare blood concentrations of ciclosporin after capsule storage for 28 days at -20 versus 15-25°C. Blood samples were obtained over a 24 h period after administration. Capsule and whole-blood ciclosporin concentrations were assessed via high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS There was no significant difference in stability between freezer-stored and room-temperature Atopica(®) capsules at any time point. In the cross-over study, there were no significant differences in pharmacokinetic parameters assessed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Placing Atopica(®) capsules in a -20°C freezer for 28 days does not affect stability or absorption in the dog.
GLOBAL ADVERTISING IN THE INTERNET ERA: THE STANDARDIZATION-CUSTOMIZATION DEBATE REVISITED

Advertising is a huge worldwide industry growing in importance due to the high penetration rate through mainstream media channels and the internet, reflecting social values worldwide. While the standardization versus localization debate has quite matured in the case of traditional advertising, it has not yet touched upon most critical issues related to digital marketing. The paper reviews the literature, compares both the strategies, and conclude with recommendations for global advertising decision makers.
On Random Betweenness Constraints

Ordering constraints are formally analogous to instances of the satisfiability problem in conjunctive normal form, but instead of a boolean assignment we consider a linear ordering of the variables in question. A clause becomes true given a linear ordering if and only if the relative ordering of its variables obeys the constraint considered. The naturally arising satisfiability problems are NP-complete for many types of constraints. We look at random ordering constraints. Previous work of the author shows that there is a sharp unsatisfiability threshold for certain types of constraints. The value of the threshold, however, is essentially undetermined. We pursue the problem of approximating the precise value of the threshold. We show that random instances of the betweenness constraint are satisfiable with high probability if the number of randomly picked clauses is ≤0.92n, where n is the number of variables considered. This improves the previous bound, which is <0.82n random clauses. The proof is based on a binary relaxation of the betweenness constraint and involves some ideas not used before in the area of random ordering constraints.
Origins of individual differences in anxiety proneness: a twin/adoption study of the anxiety‐related scales from the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP)

The genetic and environmental origins of individual differences in scores on the anxiety‐proneness scales from the Karolinska Scales of Personality were explored using a twin/adoption study design in a sample consisting of 15 monozygotic twin pairs reared apart, and 26 monozygotic and 29 dizygotic twin pairs reared together. The results showed that genetic factors accounted for individual differences in scores on the psychasthenia and somatic anxiety scales. The genetic determinants were not specific to each scale, but were common to both scales. Shared‐rearing environmental determinants were important for individual differences in lack of assertiveness and psychic anxiety, and were common to both scales. Individual differences in muscular tension were found to be attributable to the effects of correlated environments. The most important factor explaining individual differences for all scales was the non‐shared environment component. The evidence for an aetiologically heterogeneous anxiety‐proneness construct emphasizes the appropriateness of a multi dimensional approach to anxiety proneness.
Dynamics of ECT normalization of low G protein function and immunoreactivity in mononuclear leukocytes of patients with major depression.

OBJECTIVE Heterotrimeric G proteins were previously implicated in the biochemical mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology and treatment of mood disorders. Low function and immunoreactivity of G proteins were observed in patients with major depression. In the present study the authors evaluated the effects of ECT on the low measures of G proteins in patients with major depression. METHOD Repeated G protein measurements in mononuclear leukocytes of 10 patients with major depression were made. Each patient was examined while untreated and after successive sessions of ECT; 14 normal subjects were also studied. G protein function was evaluated through beta-adrenergic- and muscarinic-agonist-enhanced guanine nucleotide binding capacity, substantiated by quantitative measures of G proteins through immunoblot analyses using polyclonal antibodies against Gs alpha, Gi alpha, and G beta proteins. RESULTS Mononuclear leukocytes of patients with depression showed immunoreactive levels of Gs alpha and Gi alpha that were significantly lower than those of normal subjects; the depressed patients also had markedly hypofunctional Gs and Gi. The low levels of G protein function and immunoreactivity were alleviated by ECT. Repeated measurements in the same patients after successive ECT sessions showed that the normalization of G protein measures preceded, and thus predicted, clinical improvement. The function and quantity of Gs and Gi proteins in patients given ECT were significantly correlated. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the implication of G proteins in the pathophysiology and treatment of mood disorders. G protein measurements in patients with depression may potentially serve not only as a biochemical marker for affective state but also for biochemical prediction and evaluation of responses to ECT.
Analysis of Functional Conservation in the Surface and Transmembrane Glycoprotein Subunits of Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) and HTLV-2

ABSTRACT Human T-cell leukemia virus types 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2) are closely related retroviruses with nucleotide sequences that are 65% identical. To determine whether their envelope glycoproteins function similarly and to define the molecular determinants of HTLV-2 envelope-mediated functions, we have used pseudotyped viruses and have introduced mutations into regions of the HTLV-2 glycoproteins homologous to those known to be important for HTLV-1 glycoprotein functions. The envelopes of the two viruses could be exchanged with no loss of infectivity, suggesting that the glycoproteins function in broadly similar ways. However, comparative analysis of the HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 glycoproteins showed subtle differences in the structure-function relationships of the two surface glycoprotein (SU) subunits, even though they recognize the same receptor. Indeed, mutations introduced at equivalent positions in the two SU glycoproteins resulted in different phenotypes in the two viruses. The scenario is the opposite for the transmembrane glycoprotein (TM) subunits, in which the functional domains of the two viruses are strictly conserved, confirming the involvement of the TM ectodomain in postfusion events required for full infectivity of the HTLVs. Thus, although they recognize the same receptor, the HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 SU subunits have slightly different ways of transducing the conformational information that primes a common fusion mechanism effected by similar TM subunits.
Origins of High Mobility and Low Operation Voltage of Amorphous Oxide TFTs: Electronic Structure, Electron Transport, Defects and Doping*

Amorphous oxide semiconductors (AOSs) are expected as new channel materials in thin-film transistors (TFTs) for large-area and/or flexible flat-panel displays and other giant-microelectronics devices. So far, many prototype displays have been demonstrated in these four years since the first report of AOS TFT. The most prominent feature of AOS TFTs is that they operate with good performances even if they are fabricated at low temperatures without a defect passivation treatment. The TFT mobilities exceed 10 cm2/(Vmiddots), which are more than ten times larger than those of conventional amorphous semiconductor devices. In addition, they operate at low voltages, e.g., < 5 V owing to their small subthreshold voltage swings. These features indicate that electron transport in oxide semiconductors are insensitive to random structures and these oxides do not form high-density defects that affect electron transport and TFT operation. In this paper, we discuss the origins of the prominent features of AOS devices from the viewpoint of materials science of AOS.
AKT Promotes rRNA Synthesis and Cooperates with c-MYC to Stimulate Ribosome Biogenesis in Cancer

In addition to promoting translation, AKT also stimulates protein synthesis and cell growth by enhancing ribosome biogenesis. Building the Building Blocks Ribosomes translate mRNA into protein, and the activity of signaling pathways that promote ribosome formation (or biogenesis) is often increased in cancer cells, which have high rates of protein synthesis and cell growth. Thus, each step of ribosome biogenesis can limit cell growth, including the synthesis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA), which encodes the RNA components of the ribosome. Chan et al. found that the kinase AKT, which is frequently activated in cancer cells and was previously implicated in promoting protein translation, also promotes rRNA synthesis. Cells with increased AKT activity showed increased rRNA abundance and more ribosomes. The transcription factor c-MYC is required for ribosome biogenesis, and the gene encoding c-MYC is frequently mutated in tumors. The ability of c-MYC to promote ribosome biogenesis and cell growth in a mouse model of lymphoma was attenuated by an AKT inhibitor. These results suggest that reducing ribosome biogenesis may in part underlie the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer drugs that target AKT signaling. Precise regulation of ribosome biogenesis is fundamental to maintain normal cell growth and proliferation, and accelerated ribosome biogenesis is associated with malignant transformation. Here, we show that the kinase AKT regulates ribosome biogenesis at multiple levels to promote ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis. Transcription elongation by RNA polymerase I, which synthesizes rRNA, required continuous AKT-dependent signaling, an effect independent of AKT’s role in activating the translation-promoting complex mTORC1 (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1). Sustained inhibition of AKT and mTORC1 cooperated to reduce rRNA synthesis and ribosome biogenesis by additionally limiting RNA polymerase I loading and pre-rRNA processing. In the absence of growth factors, constitutively active AKT increased synthesis of rRNA, ribosome biogenesis, and cell growth. Furthermore, AKT cooperated with the transcription factor c-MYC to synergistically activate rRNA synthesis and ribosome biogenesis, defining a network involving AKT, mTORC1, and c-MYC as a master controller of cell growth. Maximal activation of c-MYC–dependent rRNA synthesis in lymphoma cells required AKT activity. Moreover, inhibition of AKT-dependent rRNA transcription was associated with increased lymphoma cell death by apoptosis. These data indicate that decreased ribosome biogenesis is likely to be a fundamental component of the therapeutic response to AKT inhibitors in cancer.
Fully automated blink detection for uveal melanoma radiotherapy

Uveal melanoma is a widespread neoplasm in the eye that cause vision defects. The disease may result in loss of eye, even loss of life with a risk of metastasis to other tissues. There have been proposed various treatment methods to overcome the disease including enucleation and radiotherapy. Radiotherapy treatment is certainly preferable since it avoids the loss of eye. The treatment is applied with radioactive beam directed to the tumor, and thus the eye must be kept steady usually with local anesthesia. However, anesthesia has many health risks; therefore it is preferable to perform this operation without it. This paper presents an approach where a camera will be recording the eye and the radiotherapy will immediately be halted when the eye is closed to avoid unnecessary beams directed to healthy regions of the eye. System is based on the classification of the acquired image frames as “eye open” and “eye closed”. The speed of the algorithm is aimed as close as possible to real time so that it can respond instantly to any change in present eye state. A total of 480 video frames, 120 frames for each open and closed eyes in bright and dark lighting conditions separately, were used for experimentation. Test results indicate that developed features are successful in terms of being very fast providing no classification error.
Growth arrest, apoptosis, and telomere shortening of Barrett's-associated adenocarcinoma cells by a telomerase inhibitor.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Barrett's esophageal adenocarcinoma (BEAC) is a complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease, with no effective chemotherapy and poor prognosis. BEAC cells, like many other types of cancers, may reactivate telomerase to achieve unlimited proliferative potential, making telomerase a unique therapeutic target. The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of telomerase inhibition on BEAC. METHODS We examined the effect of a selective G-quadruplex intercalating telomerase inhibitor, 2,6-bis[3-(N-Piperidino)propionamido]anthracene-9,10-dione (PPA), on telomerase activity, telomere length, colony size distribution, and proliferative potential in 2 BEAC cell lines, BIC-1 and SEG-1. RESULTS Telomerase activity was >10-fold and >600-fold elevated in the adenocarcinoma cells as compared with normal gastric/intestinal cells and normal diploid fibroblasts, respectively. Telomeres were short, being less than 4 kilobase pair in both tumor cell lines. Exposure to PPA effectively inhibited telomerase activity and shortened telomeres. PPA also arrested cell proliferation and reduced colony number and size after a lag period of about 10 cell generations, consistent with the attrition of telomeres. The growth arrest was not due to senescence but was due to apoptosis. Expression analysis of the cells following PPA treatment did not show significant change in the expression of genes involved in cell-cycle proliferation and apoptosis. Exposure to PPA had no effect on proliferative potential of normal intestinal cells. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that telomerase inhibition by PPA induces cell growth arrest in BEAC cells and demonstrate the potential of telomerase inhibitors in chemoprevention and treatment of Barrett's-associated esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Lactate and pyruvate in the brain of rats during hyperventilation.

AbstractExperiments on anesthetized and curarized rats under artificial ventilation show that during hyperventilation lactate and pyruvate are markedly increased both in blood and in brain. The lactate/pyruvate ratio which remains in blood the same as in control conditions, is systematically decreased in brain. During hypoxia (ventilation with 7 % oxygen in nitrogen) lactate rises markedly in blood and in brain. The lactate/pyruvate ratio which is strongly increased in blood shows a small rise in brain. These observations could indicate that a different mechanism is responsible for the rise of lactate in brain during hypoxia and hyperventilation. The important augmentation of lactate in brain during hyperventilation can give an explanation for the delayed rise which is seen in the lactate level in cerebrospinal fluid in these conditions.
Anesthesiologists in prehospital care make a difference to certain groups of patients

Background: Knowledge of the population using prehospital emergency services is scarce except for selected subgroups. Interventions are often made without evaluation. The aim of this study was (1) to describe mortality, hospitalization and the diagnostic pattern among emergency ambulance users and (2) to evaluate the impact of one mobile emergency care unit (MECU) staffed by an anesthesiologist.
Strategic capacity competition and overcapacity in shipping

ABSTRACT A game theory model is developed to study the overcapacity in shipping from ocean carriers’ strategic behavior with regard to capacity expansion in a competitive market. Capacity expansion is found to be a rational decision in both peak and trough shipping markets. The benefit of expansion is greater when the competitor also expands, but this in turn leads to chronic oversupply and Prisoner’s Dilemma. A numerical simulation is then applied to confirm the analytical results. This research explains the persistent low freight rate in shipping, and points out possible strategies for stakeholders in the shipping industry to maintain a healthy global logistics system in maritime transportation.
Numerical Methods for Genetic Regulatory Network Identification Based on a Variational Approach

Abstract This paper studies differential equation-based mathematical models and their numerical solutions for genetic regulatory network identification. The primary objectives are to design, analyze, and test a general variational framework and numerical methods for seeking its approximate solutions for reverse engineering genetic regulatory networks from microarray datasets. In the proposed variational framework, no structure assumption on the genetic network is presumed, instead, the network is solely determined by the microarray profile of the network components and is identified through a well chosen variational principle which minimizes an energy functional. The variational principle serves not only as a selection criterion to pick up the right solution of the underlying differential equation model but also provides an effective mathematical characterization of the small-world property of genetic regulatory networks which has been observed in lab experiments. Five specific models within the variational framework and efficient numerical methods and algorithms for computing their solutions are proposed and analyzed. Model validations using both synthetic network datasets and subnetwork datasets of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) and E. coli are performed on all five proposed variational models and a performance comparison versus some existing genetic regulatory network identification methods is also provided.