Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hypermethylation pattern of ESR and PgR genes and lacking estrogen and progesterone receptors in human breast cancer tumors: ER/PR subtypes.

BACKGROUND The option of endocrine therapy in breast cancer remains conventionally promising. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate how accurately the pattern of hypermethylation at estrogen receptor (ESR) and progesterone receptor (PgR) genes may associate with relative expression and protein status of ER, PR and the combinative phenotype of ER/PR. METHODS In this consecutive case-series, we enrolled 139 primary diagnosed breast cancer. Methylation specific PCR was used to assess the methylation status (individual test). Tumor mRNA expression levels were evaluated using real-time RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry data was used to present hormonal receptor status of a tumor (as test reference). RESULTS Methylation at ESR1 was comparably frequent in ER-breast tumors (83.0%, P< 0.001; sensitivity = 83.0%, specificity = 65.2% and diagnostic odds ratio, DOR = 12.0) and strongly correlated with ER-/PR- conditions (Cramer's V= 0.44, P< 0.001). Methylated PgRb promoter frequently was observed in tumors recognised as ER- or negative ER/PR (77.1%, P< 0.01). Assessment of DNA methylation of ESR1 harbouring methylation at PgRb was a case significantly suggested to be able to detect the lack of ER/PR expressions (55.6%, P< 0.01; sensitivity = 80.6%, specificity = 68.7% and DOR = 8.7). However, methylated PgRb was quite acceptable determinant to contribute with methylated ESR1 to rank tumors as ER-/PR- (64.4%, P< 0.01; sensitivity = 78.0%, specificity = 62.5% and DOR = 6.0). CONCLUSIONS Despite the methylation status of ESR1 showed preponderant contribution to tumoral phenotypes of ER- and ER-/PR-, the hypermethylation of PgRb seem another epigenetic signalling variable actively associate with methylated ESR1 to show lack of ER+/PR+ tumors in breast cancer.
Anticorrosion epoxy coating enriched with hybrid nanozinc dust and halloysite nanotubes

In this study, the performance of an epoxy coating with hybrid nanozinc dust and halloysite nanotube (HNT) fillers on the corrosion protection of a carbon steel substrate was investigated. The epoxy resin was mixed with a constant amount of nanozinc dust (1%) and different contents of HNTs (0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5%) with a high speed mixer. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis were used to analyze the interactions between the components in the coating material and the thermal stability of the epoxy coating, respectively. Open-circuit potential, salt spray testing, and microscopy were also used to assess the corrosion resistance of the carbon steel substrate coated with these coating materials. The incorporation of nanozinc in the epoxy coating enhanced the corrosion protection of the carbon steel substrate compared with the pure coating. Furthermore, HNTs further enhanced the corrosion protection. The best protection was achieved when 1% nanozinc and 1% HNT were used. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 955-960, 2013
Self interference digital holographic microscopy approach for inspection of technical and biological phase specimens

Quantitative holographic phase contrast imaging enables high-resolution inspection of reflective surfaces and technical phase specimen as well as the minimally invasive analysis of living cells. However, a drawback of many experimental arrangements is the requirement for a separate reference wave which results in a phase stability decrease and the demand for a precise adjustment of the intensity ratio between object and reference wave. Thus, a self interference digital holographic microscopy (DHM) approach was explored which only requires a single object illumination wave. Due to the Michelson interferometer design of the proposed setup two wave fronts with an almost identical curvature are superimposed. This results in a nearly ideal pattern of spatial off-axis carrier fringes and a constant interferogram contrast in the hologram plane. Moreover, the hologram evaluation with spatial phase shifting reconstruction algorithms and Fourier transformation-based spatial filtering methods as well as the integration of DHM in common research microscopes is simplified. Furthermore, the use of laser light sources with a short coherence length is enabled. The applicability of the proposed self interference principle is illustrated by data from the analysis of technical and biological phase specimens. The obtained results demonstrate that the method prospects to be a versatile tool for quantitative phase contrast imaging.
Effect of some manufacturing parameters on mechanical properties of particleboards with the core layer made from willow Salix viminalis

Effects of manufacturing parameters on mechanical properties of particleboards with the core layer made from willow Salix viminalis. Three-layer experimental particleboards were prepared using the willow Salix viminalis particles for the core layer and industrial pine particles for the face layers. The press temperature (180 and 200C), press time (4 and 6 min) and shelling ratio (0.3 and 0.4) were variable parameters. The modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bond (IB) and screw holding strength (SHS) of particleboards were investigated. In general, the considered factors significantly affected the mechanical properties of particleboards.
Transport in Laser Microfabrication: Fundamentals and Applications

1. Fundamentals of laser energy absorption 2. Lasers and optics 3. Thermal processes in laser materials interactions 4. Desorption at low laser energy densities 5. Dynamics of laser ablation C. Grigoropoulos and S. Mao 6. Ultra-fast laser interactions with materials C. Grigoropoulos and S. Mao 7. Laser processing of thin semiconductor films 8. Laser-induced surface modification 9. Laser processing of organic materials S. Mao 10. Pulsed laser interaction with liquids 11. Laser cleaning of particulate contaminants 12. Laser interactions with nanoparticles 13. Laser-assisted microprocessing 14. Nano-structuring using pulsed laser radiation.
Autoregulation and Virulence Control by the Toxin-Antitoxin System SavRS in Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems play diverse physiological roles, such as plasmid maintenance, growth control, and persister cell formation, but their involvement in bacterial pathogenicity remains largely unknown. Here, we have identified a novel type II toxin-antitoxin system, SavRS, and revealed the molecular mechanisms of its autoregulation and virulence control in Staphylococcus aureus. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay and isothermal titration calorimetry data indicated that the antitoxin SavR acted as the primary repressor bound to its own promoter, while the toxin SavS formed a complex with SavR to enhance the ability to bind to the operator site. DNase I footprinting assay identified the SavRS-binding site containing a short and long palindrome in the promoter region. Further, mutation and DNase I footprinting assay demonstrated that the two palindromes were crucial for DNA binding and transcriptional repression. More interestingly, genetic deletion of the savRS system led to the increased hemolytic activity and pathogenicity in a mouse subcutaneous abscess model. We further identified two virulence genes, hla and efb, by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and demonstrated that SavR and SavRS could directly bind to their promoter regions to repress virulence gene expression.
Mineral trioxide aggregate enriched with iron disulfide nanostructures: an evaluation of their physical and biological properties

The purpose of this study was to characterize mineral trioxide aggregates (MTA) enriched with iron disulfide (FeS2 ) nanostructures at different concentrations, and to investigate their storage modulus, radiopacity, setting time, pH, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial activity. Iron disulfide nanostructures [with particle size of 0.357 ± 0.156 μm (mean ± SD)] at weight ratios of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 wt% were added to white MTA (wMTA). The radiopacity, rheological properties, setting time, and pH, as well as the cytotoxicity (assessed using the MTT assay) and antibacterial activity (assessed using the broth microdilution test) were determined for MTA/FeS2 nanostructures. The nanostructures did not modify the radiopacity values of wMTA (~6 mm of aluminium); however, they reduced the setting time from 18.2 ± 3.20 min to 13.7 ± 1.8 min, and the storage modulus was indicative of a good stiffness. Whereas the wMTA/FeS2 nanostructures did not induce cytotoxicity when in contact with human pulp cells (HPCs) and human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), they showed bacteriostatic activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis. Adding FeS2 nanostructures to MTA might be an option for improving the root canal sealing and antibacterial effects of wMTA in endodontic treatments.
Simulation of Burning Objects

Physically correct simulations of nature phenomenon recently gathered significant attention in computer graphics research community. Considering recent strides in solid object deformation modelling and physically based flame simulation, one would expect that robust model for burning objects was proposed. Surprisingly, no physically correct system for simulating burning objects can be found despite the desperate need for such systems in generating realistic CG effects in entertainment industry. Burning object simulations could also be extensively used in civil engineering and other fields, potentially saving lives or making buildings more efficient for evacuation. This project provides a physically correct model for burning object simulation and a robust reference implementation. It also addresses commonly ignored issues in underlying fluid simulation and voxelization methods. The resulting simulation reproduces state of art flame modelling results and marginally improves on the rendering capabilities. It also provides simple model of deformations, which can be used for modelling extremely rigid or flammable materials, such as wood or cotton. Moreover, the simulation targets interactive performance on publicly available hardware, such as gaming rated GPUs and high-medium end CPUs. Finally, the proposed simulation model can be extended to include more sophisticated deformation forms and, such as plastic deformations or phase transitions, or other features.
Exhaled nitric oxide after high‐intensity exercise at 2800 m altitude

Nitric oxide (NO) concentration in exhaled gas is a marker of some inflammatory processes in the lung, and endogenous NO plays a role in the physiological responses to exercise and altitude. The aim of this study was to compare changes in exhaled NO concentration 5–60 mins after high‐intensity exercise at 2800 m and at 180 m altitude.
Quality Outcomes in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit after Electronic Health Record Implementation

Summary Background: The electronic health record (EHR) is increasingly viewed as a means to provide more coordinated, patient-centered care. Few studies consider the impact of EHRs on quality of care in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. Objectives: To evaluate key quality measures of a surgical intensive care unit (SICU) following implementation of the Epic EHR system in a tertiary hospital. Methods: A retrospective chart review was undertaken to record quality indicators for all patients admitted to the SICU two years before and two years after EHR implementation. Data from the twelve-month period of transition to EHR was excluded. We collected length of stay, mortality, central line associated blood stream infection (CLABSI) rates, Clostridium difficile (C. diff.) colitis rates, readmission rates, and number of coded diagnoses. To control for variation in the patient population over time, the case mix indexes (CMIs) and APACHE II scores were also analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference in length of stay, C. diff. colitis, readmission rates, or case mix index before and after EHR. After EHR implementation, the rate of central line blood stream infection (CLABSI) per 1 000 catheter days was 85% lower (2.16 vs 0.39; RR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.61, p < .005), and SICU mortality was 28% lower (12.2 vs 8.8; RR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.71, p < .01). Moreover, after EHR there was a significant increase in the average number of coded diagnoses from 17.8 to 20.8 (p < .000). Conclusions: EHR implementation was statistically associated with reductions in CLABSI rates and SICU mortality. The EHR had an integral role in ongoing quality improvement endeavors which may explain the changes in CLABSI and mortality, and this invites further study of the impact of EHRs on quality of care in the ICU.
The effect of polarization plane rotation on binary superlattice transmission

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to examine what influence on the transmission has a rotation of the vibration plane, which electric field vector of the electromagnetic wave lies, on the transmission properties of the binary superlattice. In the literature, the most common transmission structure are given for the P or S wave polarization. This article aims to verify the nature of the transmission when the polarization is not strictly defined. Design/methodology/approach: In the paper the transmission of quasi one-dimensional binary structures is analized depending on the angle of incidence and wavelength of electromagnetic wave and on torsion angle of the plane of the electric field, using the matrix method. Findings: Changing the angle of rotation of the incident electromagnetic wave electric field vibration plane affects the size of the interband transmission and causes separation of fixed transmission bands locations for specific wavelength and angle of incidence. Research limitations/implications: Quasi one-dimensional binary superlattices composed of lossless, non dispersive isotropic materials were analyzed. It would be important to investigate influence of loss factor and the twoand three-dimensional periodic and aperiodic structures on the electromagnetic wave transmission. Also important would be to compare results with those obtained from the use of finite increments algorithm in the time domain (FDTD) and the correlation with experimental data. Practical implications: The test structures may be used as filters of electromagnetic wave propagation. The structure and thickness of the layers has a significant influence on the characteristics of the transmission, which will allow to design the structure in order to met the conditions of specific applications. Originality/value: In this paper, a method for the analysis of the electromagnetic waves transmission characteristics in the case where the electric field is not polarized in the S, or P directions only.
Mitochondria and Oxidative Stress in the Cardiorenal Metabolic Syndrome

Mitochondria play a fundamental role in the maintenance of normal structure, function, and survival of tissues. There is considerable evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction in association with metabolic diseases including insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes, and the cardiorenal metabolic syndrome. The phenomenon of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced ROS release through interactions between cytosolic and mitochondrial oxidative stress contributes to a vicious cycle of enhanced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Activation of the cytosolic and mitochondrial NADPH oxidase system, impairment of the mitochondrial electron transport, activation of p66shc pathway-targeting mitochondria, endoplasmic reticular stress, and activation of the mammalian target of the rapamycin-S6 kinase pathway underlie dysregulation of mitochondrial dynamics and promote mitochondrial oxidative stress. These processes are further modulated by acetyltransferases including sirtuin 1 and sirtuin 3, the former regulating nuclear acetylation and the latter regulating mitochondrial acetylation. The regulation of mitochondrial functions by microRNAs forms an additional layer of molecular control of mitochondrial oxidative stress. Alcohol further exacerbates mitochondrial oxidative stress induced by overnutrition and promotes the development of metabolic diseases.
BREATH: Web-Based Self-Management for Psychological Adjustment After Primary Breast Cancer--Results of a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE Early breast cancer survivors (BCSs) report high unmet care needs, and easily accessible care is not routinely available for this growing population. The Breast Cancer E-Health (BREATH) trial is a Web-based self-management intervention to support the psychological adjustment of women after primary treatment, by reducing distress and improving empowerment. PATIENTS AND METHODS This multicenter, randomized, controlled, parallel-group trial evaluated whether care as usual (CAU) plus BREATH is superior to CAU alone. BREATH is delivered in sixteen fully automated weekly modules covering early survivorship issues. Two to 4 months post-treatment, BCSs were randomly assigned to receive CAU + BREATH (n = 70) or CAU alone (n = 80) using a stratified block design (ratio 1:1). Primary outcomes were distress (Symptom Checklist-90) and empowerment (Cancer Empowerment Questionnaire), assessed before random assignment (baseline, T0) and after 4 (T1), 6 (T2), and 10 months (T3) of follow-up. Statistical (analysis of covariance) and clinical effects (reliable change index) were tested in an intention-to-treat analysis (T0 to T1). Follow-up effects (T0 to T3) were assessed in assessment completers. RESULTS CAU + BREATH participants reported significantly less distress than CAU-alone participants (-7.79; 95% CI, -14.31 to -1.27; P = .02) with a small-to-medium effect size (d = 0.33), but empowerment was not affected (-1.71; 95% CI, 5.20 to -1.79; P = .34). More CAU + BREATH participants (39 of 70 [56%]; 95% CI, 44.1 to 66.8) than CAU-alone participants (32 of 80 [40%]; 95% CI, 30.0 to 51.0) showed clinically significant improvement (P = .03). This clinical effect was most prominent in low-distress BCSs. Secondary outcomes confirmed primary outcomes. There were no between-group differences in primary outcomes during follow-up. CONCLUSION Access to BREATH reduced distress among BCSs, but this effect was not sustained during follow-up.
Modeling the Spread of Biologically-Inspired Internet Worms

Infections by malicious software, such as Internet worms, spreading on computer networks can have devastating consequences, resulting in loss of information, time, and money. To better understand how these worms spread, and thus how to more effectively limit future infections, we apply the household model from epidemiology to simulate the proliferation of adaptive and non-adaptive preference-scanning worms, which take advantage of biologically-inspired strategies. From scans of the actual distribution of Web servers on the Internet, we find that vulnerable machines seem to be highly clustered in Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) address space, and our simulations suggest that this organization fosters the quick and comprehensive proliferation of preference-scanning Internet worms.
Specific PKC βII inhibitor: one stone two birds in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers

To explore whether or not inhibition of protein kinase C βII (PKC βII) stimulates angiogenesis as well as prevents excessive NETosis in diabetics thus accelerating wound healing. Streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/kg/day for 5 days, i.p.) was injected to induce type I diabetes in male ICR mice. Mice were treated with ruboxistaurin (30 mg/kg/day, orally) for 14 consecutive days. Wound closure was evaluated by wound area and number of CD31-stained capillaries. Peripheral blood flow cytometry was done to evaluate number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). NETosis assay and wound tissue immunofluorescence imaging were done to evaluate the percentage of neutrophils undergoing NETosis. Furthermore, the expression of PKC βII, protein kinase B (Akt), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and histone citrullation (H3Cit) were determined in the wound by Western blot analysis. Ruboxistaurin accelerated wound closure and stimulated angiogenesis in diabetic mice. The number of circulating EPCs was increased significantly in ruboxistaurin-treated diabetic mice. Moreover, ruboxistaurin treatment significantly decreases the percentages of H3Cit+ cells in both peripheral blood and wound areas. This prevented excess activated neutrophils forming an extracellular trap (NETs) formation. The expressions of phospho-Akt (p-Akt), phospho-eNOS (p-eNOS), and VEGF increased significantly in diabetic mice on ruboxistaurin treatment. The expressions of PKC βII and H3Cit+, on the other hand, decreased with ruboxistaurin treatment. The results of the present study suggest that ruboxistaurin by inhibiting PKC βII activation, reverses EPCs dysfunction as well as prevents exaggerated NETs formation in a diabetic mouse model; thereby accelerating the wound healing process.
Carbon Nanotubes-Based Radiation Detectors

Since lots of events in nature are followed by the emission of electromagnetic (e.m.) radiation in certain wavelengths regions, the necessity to observe, measure and analyze such events have driven the development of suitable radiation detectors. Electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectral region and its spectroscopical neighbourhood, Ultraviolet as well as Infrared, are of major interest since produced into a wide range of observable phenomena, from Sun emission to molecules fluorescence. In this field of investigation, for decades, the main detectors have been photomultipliers and silicon based photo-detectors. The firsts are based on the emission of electrons from the photocathode whereas the latter work by exploiting the generation of an electron-hole pair inside silicon junctions. Today the trend in photo-detectors research is twofold. On one hand the increase of sensitivity is constant in the development process. On the other hand, the extension of the photo-detector sensitivity to other spectral regions different from visible has gained increasing interest. The latter is mainly driven by new finding in the space observations of UV (300-400 nm) fluorescence tracks and the Cherenkov reflected bump of the extensive air shower induced by ultrahigh-energy particles traversing the atmosphere (Ebisuzaki et al., 2009). For space physics and for astroparticle physics envisaged for the next decade it will be indispensable to develop UV sensitive detectors, high pixelled and with high quantum efficiency, as described in the Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 plan for the ESA science program that cites: "The proposed mission will be based on large openings and large field-of-view optics with high throughput, as well as on large area, highly pixelled, fast and high detection efficiency near-UV camera". It is necessary therefore to start the job of developing matrices of detectors, suitable for single photon counting, finely pixelled on great surfaces, with great quantum efficiency and obviously low cost. Detectors that at the moment do not exist. In accelerators and space physics it is acquiring great importance the identification of particles through Cerenkov detectors like the RICH used in the ALICE experiment at CERN and AMS2 in the space station. Also in this case the Cerenkov light to detect is ultraviolet. In order to reconstruct the intersection ring of the emitted light cone with the sensitive surface of the detector it is necessary a finely pixelled UV detector with high quantum efficiency. Actually the most promising detectors are the SiPM for their fine structure and the ability to achieve amplification factors up to 106. However they introduce severe limitations: the