Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased cyclooxygenase-2 levels in carcinogen-induced rat colonic tumors.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Multiple studies show that continuous use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) lowers the risk of colon cancer in humans and carcinogen-treated rodents. One target for NSAIDs is cyclooxygenase (COX), and two isoforms of this enzyme have been identified: COX-1 and COX-2. The present study was undertaken to determine if there is differential expression of COX in colonic tumors in azoxymethane-treated rats. METHODS COX-1 and COX-2 messenger RNA levels were determined by Northern blot analysis of total RNA isolated from colonic tumors and normal adjacent mucosa. COX-2 protein levels were determined by Western blotting analysis. Quantitation of relative band densities was performed using standard densitometry scanning techniques. RESULTS There was a marked increase in COX-2 RNA levels in six of six colonic tumors compared with paired normal mucosa. In contrast, there was equivalent intensity of the COX-1 RNA transcript between the normal mucosa and tumor in all of the specimens examined. Western blotting analysis showed an increase in the level of the COX-2 protein in four of five of the colonic tumor samples. CONCLUSIONS COX-2 but not COX-1 gene expression is markedly elevated in most colonic tumors examined in azoxymethane-treated rodents. COX-2 may provide a target for chemopreventive strategies for colorectal cancer.
Expression of TMEFF2 in Human Pancreatic Cancer Tissue and the Effects of TMEFF2 Knockdown on Cell, Proliferation, and Apoptosis in Human Pancreatic Cell Lines

Background The TMEFF2 gene encodes the transmembrane protein with EGF like and two follistatin-like domains 2 and has been reported to be a tumor suppressor gene, but its role remains unknown in pancreatic cancer. This study aimed to investigate the expression of TMEFF2 in human pancreatic cancer tissue and the effects of knockdown of TMEFF2 on cell, proliferation, and apoptosis in human pancreatic cell lines. Material/Methods Thirty-five samples of human pancreatic tissue and adjacent normal pancreatic tissue, and five human pancreatic cancer cell lines, CAPAN1, ASPC1, BXPC3, SW1990, and CFPAC were studied. RNA expression, protein expression, cell proliferation, and apoptosis were studied using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. A co-immunoprecipitation assay evaluated protein interactions. Results TMEFF2 expression was down-regulated in pancreatic cancer tissue compared with normal pancreas. In human pancreatic cancer cell lines, overexpression of TMEFF2 suppressed cell proliferation and enhanced apoptosis, suppressed the expression of p-STAT3, MCL1, VEGF and increased the expression of the tyrosine-specific protein phosphatase, SHP-1. The co-immunoprecipitation assay showed that TMEFF2 interacted with SHP-1. Knockdown of expression of TMEFF2 resulted in the increased expression of p-STAT3, MCL1, and VEGF, increased cell proliferation and decreased cell apoptosis, which were reversed by overexpression of SHP-1. Conclusions In pancreatic cancer, TMEFF2 exerted as a tumor suppressor effect by regulating p-STAT3, MCL1, and VEGF via SHP-1.
Methods for measuring financial toxicity after cancer diagnosis and treatment: a systematic review and its implications

Abstract Patients experiencing financial distress as a side-effect of cancer are not only reported in the United States, but also in third-party payer healthcare systems in Europe. Since validated survey instruments are a prerequisite for robust and comparable results, we aimed to compile and classify available instruments to enable both a better understanding of the underlying construct of financial toxicity and to facilitate further studies that are adjustable to various healthcare systems. We did a systematic literature search on studies that provide data on perceived cancer-related financial distress experienced by adult patients using PubMed, CINAHL and Web of Science databases up to 2018. We analyzed all detected instruments, items domains and questions with regard to their wording, scales and the domains of financial distress covered. Among 3298 records screened, 41 publications based on 40 studies matched our inclusion criteria. Based on the analysis of 352 different questions we identified 6 relevant subdomains that represent perceptions of and reactions to experienced financial distress: (i) active financial spending, (ii) use of passive financial resources, (iii) psychosocial responses, (iv) support seeking, (v) coping with care or (vi) coping with ones’ lifestyle. We found an inconsistent coverage and use of these domains that makes it difficult to compare and quantify the prevalence of financial distress. Moreover, some existing instruments do not reflect relevant domains for patients in third-party payer systems. There is neither a consistent understanding of the construct of financial burden nor do available instruments cover all relevant aspects of a patients’ distress perception. We encourage using the identified six domains to further develop survey instruments and adjust them to different health systems.
Demand Elasticity, Risk Classification and Loss Coverage: When Can Community Rating Work?

This paper investigates the effects of high or low fair-premium demand elasticity in an insurance market where risk classification is restricted. High fair-premium demand elasticity leads to a collapse in loss coverage, with an equilibrium premium close to the risk of the higher risk population. Low fair-premium demand elasticity leads to an equilibrium premium close to the risk of the lower risk population, and high loss coverage – possibly higher than under more complete risk classification. The elasticity parameters which are required to generate a collapse in coverage in the model in this paper appear higher than the values for demand elasticity which have been estimated in several empirical studies of various insurance markets. This offers a possible explanation of why some insurance markets appear to operate reasonably well under community rating, without the collapse in coverage which insurance folklore suggests.
Neurocognitive Risk in ChildrenWith Cochlear Implants

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In this prospective, cross-sectional study, 73 children at a hospital-based clinic who received their CIs before 7 years of age and 78 children with NH, with average to above average mean nonverbal IQ scores, were recruited in 2 age groups: preschool age (age range, 3-5 years) and school age (age range, 7-17 years). No children presented with other developmental, cognitive, or neurologic diagnoses.
Establishment of pancreatic cancer cell lines with endoscopic ultrasound‐guided biopsy via conditionally reprogrammed cell culture

Recent studies have identified the mutational landscape of pancreatic cancer and suggested tumor‐specific subtypes. However, the major hurdle against personalized treatment is the difficulty to obtain sufficient cancer tissues from most inoperable cases. We investigated whether patient‐derived conditionally reprogrammed cells (CRCs) can be constructed using a small piece of tumor tissue using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)‐guided fine needle biopsy (FNB). Thirty patients with pancreatic solid mass (mean size, 34.6 mm) were enrolled prospectively. Among 22 patients who were diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, we established patient‐derived pancreatic cancer cell lines from eight patients (36.4%). Immunofluorescence colony staining for CRCs showed that the cytoplasm of cancer cells was clearly stained with anti‐cytokeratin 19 monoclonal antibody. In the soft agar colony formation assay, CRCs formed colonies compared with the negative control by day 15. In vivo, implanted CRCs showed tumor engraftment and hematoxylin and eosin staining showed pancreatic cancer ductal structure. All established CRCs showed a KRAS mutation. In conclusion, we established patient‐derived pancreatic cancer cell lines with a small tumor tissue obtained by EUS‐FNB. With in vitro drug sensitivity and genomic studies, established patient‐derived cell lines can be used in identification of new targets for diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
THE LAST GASP OF GAS GIANT PLANET FORMATION: A SPITZER STUDY OF THE 5 Myr OLD CLUSTER NGC 2362

Expanding upon the Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) survey from Dahm & Hillenbrand, we describe Spitzer IRAC and Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer observations of the populous, 5 Myr old open cluster NGC 2362. We analyze the mid-IR colors of cluster members and compared their spectral energy distributions (SEDs) to star+circumstellar disk models to constrain the disk morphologies and evolutionary states. Early/intermediate-type confirmed/candidate cluster members either have photospheric mid-IR emission or weak, optically thin IR excess emission at λ ⩾ 24 μm consistent with debris disks. Few late-type, solar/subsolar-mass stars have primordial disks. The disk population around late-type stars is dominated by disks with inner holes (canonical “transition disks”) and “homologously depleted” disks. Both types of disks represent an intermediate stage between primordial disks and debris disks. Thus, in agreement with previous results, we find that multiple paths for the primordial-to-debris disk transition exist. Because these “evolved primordial disks” greatly outnumber primordial disks, our results undermine standard arguments in favor of a ≲105 yr timescale for the transition based on data from Taurus–Auriga. Because the typical transition timescale is far longer than 105 yr, these data also appear to rule out standard ultraviolet photoevaporation scenarios as the primary mechanism to explain the transition. Combining our data with other Spitzer surveys, we investigate the evolution of debris disks around high/intermediate-mass stars and investigate timescales for giant planet formation. Consistent with Currie et al., the luminosity of 24 μm emission in debris disks due to planet formation peaks at ≈10–20 Myr. If the gas and dust in disks evolve on similar timescales, the formation timescale for gas giant planets surrounding early-type, high/intermediate-mass (≳1.4 M☉) stars is likely 1–5 Myr. Most solar/subsolar-mass stars detected by Spitzer have SEDs that indicate their disks may be actively leaving the primordial disk phase. Thus, gas giant planet formation may also occur by ∼5 Myr around solar/subsolar-mass stars as well.
Design of a Taper Slot Low Profile Vivaldi Antenna for Ultra-Wideband Microwave Breast Imaging Applications

This paper presents parametric study and design of a taper slotted low profile Vivaldi antenna for ultra wide band near field microwave breast imaging applications. A phantom enclosed in a dielectric container of size 150mm*150mm*150mm at a center frequency of 2.5GHz with low dielectric constant of 9 and conductivity of 0.4. The phantom is scanned with the proposed antenna of size 62.8mm*36mm*2.82 mm at center frequency range of 1 to 4GHz. Stimulated results indicate that the proposed antenna is a good candidate for the breast imaging applications. Keywords— cancer detection; microwave imaging; near field imaging; ultra-wideband; ultrawideband antenna; vivaldi antenna .
A Novel Texture Rendering Approach for Electrostatic Displays

Generating realistic texture feelings on tactile displays using data- driven methods has attracted a lot of interest in the last decade. However, the need for large data storages and transmission rates complicates the use of these methods for the future commercial displays. In this paper, we propose a new texture rendering approach which can compress the texture data significantly for electrostatic displays. Using three sample surfaces, we first explain how to record, analyze and compress the texture data, and render them on a touchscreen. Then, through psychophysical experiments conducted with nineteen participants, we show that the textures can be reproduced by a significantly less number of frequency components than the ones in the original signal without inducing perceptual degradation. Moreover, our results indicate that the possible degree of compression is affected by the surface properties.
Seasonal Imbalances in Natural Gas Imports in Major Northeast Asian Countries: Variations, Reasons, Outlooks and Countermeasures

The seasonal imbalances and price premiums of natural gas imports (NGIs) seriously affect the sustainability of these imports in major Northeast Asian countries, namely, China, Japan, and South Korea. Research on NGI seasonality might provide new insights that may help solve these issues. Unfortunately, little research has been conducted on this topic. Therefore, this paper examined the seasonalities of Chinese, Japanese, and South Korean NGIs using the X-12-ARIMA model to analyze monthly and quarterly data. The results suggest that Chinese NGIs lacks identifiable monthly or quarterly seasonality, while South Korea and Japan exhibit clearly identifiable seasonality. In Japan, NGIs exceed their average levels in January, February, July, August, September, and December; that is, Japan imports more natural gas during the winter and summer. In South Korea, NGIs exceed their average levels in January, February, March and December. In other words, South Korea typically imports more natural gas during the winter. The seasonal differences in NGIs among these countries might be explained by differences in natural gas consumption characteristics, domestic natural gas production capacity, NGI capacity, price sensitivity, and means of transportation. Based on seasonal differences and their probable causes, some suggestions are provided to promote the sustainable development of NGI.
Asymmetric Scanner Design for Interventional Scenarios in Magnetic Particle Imaging

Magnetic particle imaging is an imaging modality that acquires quantitative information about the spatial distribution of magnetic nanoparticles. In combination with an excellent spatial and temporal resolution and due to the fact that no harmful radiation is used, the imaging technique offers possibilities with respect to medical application. As such, interventional scenarios, where it is mandatory to visualize the used instruments, are a perfectly suitable area of application. This paper describes the results of a feasibility study where a novel single-sided coil arrangement based on approximated elliptical coils is designed to be integrated into a patient table. Using such coils perfectly matches the requirements of good patient access, large field of view (FOV), and available space in the table. A small change in the aspect ratio leads to an enlarged FOV with sufficient gradient strength in all directions.
Acupuncture for patients with premature ovarian insufficiency

Background: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a difficult-to-treat gynecological disorder with complex etiologies. Although acupuncture has gained increased popularity for the management of POI, evidence regarding its efficacy is lacking. This systematic review protocol aims to describe a meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for patients with POI. Methods: The following 10 databases will be searched from the publishment to July 2019: PubMed, Embase, the Web of Science, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, 4 Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Digital Periodicals, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database database), 1 Korean medical database (KoreaMed), 1 Japanese medical database (National Institute of Informatics). The primary outcomes will be the resumption of menstruation and the serum FSH levels, and the secondary outcomes include the serum Estradiol levels, anti-Mullerian hormone levels, antral follicle count, follicular growth, endometrial thickness, and adverse events. We will use RevMan V.5. 3 to conduct the meta-analysis, if possible. If it is not allowed, a descriptive analysis or a subgroup analysis will be conducted. Risk ratio for dichotomous data and mean differences or standardized mean differences for continuous data will be calculated with 95% confidence intervals using a random effects model or a fixed effects model. Results: This study will provide the latest analysis of the currently available evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture in treating POI. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019125996.
The International Organization for Standardization and the International Electro Technical

The fact that the number of users of open source software (OSS) is practically unlimited and that ultimately the software quality is determined by end user's experience, makes the usability an even more critical quality attribute than it is for proprietary software. With the sharp increase in use of open source projects by both individuals and organizations, the level of usability and related issues must be addressed more seriously. The research model of this empirical investigation studies and establishes the relationship between the key usability factors from contributors' perspective and OSS usability. A data set of 78 OSS contributors that includes architects, designers, developers, testers and users from 22 open source projects of varied size has been used to study the research model. The results of this study provide empirical evidence by indicating that the highlighted key factors play a significant role in improving OSS usability. 1. INTRODUCTION Open Source Software systems provide their users with both free access and the ability to modify the source code [1]. One of the indications of progress and development in OSS is that it has influenced almost every dimension of the software development arena. The most successful examples include the GNU/Linux operating system, the Apache HTTP server, the Mozilla Firefox internet browser, and the MySQL database system. Since OSS systems have 46 neither the physical nor commercial boundaries of proprietary software, users from all over the world can make use of them. On one hand, this is advantageous because as more and more users are able to access any OSS, there are more chances of improvement. On the other hand, quality assurance (QA) and its measurement and the post-release management of OSS projects are some of the areas where closed source proprietary software is superior. Viorres et al. [2] relate the OSS popularity " to the audience that OSS addressees ". They identify " the usability of the product, the support of OS communities, the notion of accessibility and software engineering usability " as four HCI related challenges to OSS community. Laplante et al. [3] observe that still many organizations feel reluctant in using open source software mainly due to " an inherent distrust of OSS quality ". However according to them, higher quality level may be achieved using OSS as compared to closed proprietary software. Commission ISO/IEC 9126-1 [4] categorizes software quality attributes into six categories namely functionality, reliability, usability, efficiency, maintainability …
Tactile display for the visually impaired using TeslaTouch

TeslaTouch is a technology that provides tactile sensation to moving fingers on touch screens. Based on TeslaTouch, we have developed applications for the visually impaired to interpret and create 2D tactile information. In this paper, we demonstrate these applications, present observations from the interaction, and discuss TeslaTouch's potential in supporting communication among visually impaired individuals.
Selenium and GPX activity in blood from pregnant and non-pregnant ewes and selenium in forage on sheep farms of various scrapie categories in Iceland

A field trial, a pot experiment and a survey in organically farmed leys were undertaken to investigate whether the N-fixation in red clover pastures in Norway was limited by a low supply of Co and/or Mo. Fertilization with Mo did not cause any higher production nor Nfixation, whereas the N-yield both from established clover leys and red clover grown in pots increased slightly after application of Co to many of the investigated soils. In the organically farmed leys there was a significant and positive correlation between the Co-content and the N-content of the red clover. As many of the investigated clover-soil systems were of those previously known to be very low in Co and Mo, and the gain in N-yield obtained by extra Cosupply was marginal, it is not likely that deficiency of these trace elements is a problem that deserves any great concern in legume based forage production systems in Norway. Note: This work has previously been published in Acta Agric Scand, Sect B, Soil and Plant Sciences.
Na+-Ca2+ Exchanger Remodeling in Pressure Overload Cardiac Hypertrophy*

Perturbations of Ca2+metabolism are central to the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy. The electrogenic Na+-Ca2+ exchanger mediates a substantial component of transmembrane Ca2+ movement in cardiac myocytes and is up-regulated in heart failure. However, the role of the exchanger in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy is poorly understood. Thoracic aortic banding in mice induced 50–60% increases in heart mass and cardiomyocyte size. Despite the absence of myocardial dysfunction, steady-state NCX1 transcript and protein levels were increased to an extent similar to that reported in heart failure. As recent studies indicate that calcineurin is critical to the expression of Na+-Ca2+ exchanger genes, we inhibited calcineurin with cyclosporin. Calcineurin inhibition blunted the increases in NCX1 transcript and protein levels and eliminated the increases in heart mass and cell volume normally associated with pressure overload. To examine the functional significance of these changes, we measured Na+-Ca2+ exchanger current in two independent ways. Surprisingly, exchanger current density was decreased in hypertrophied myocytes, and this down-regulation was eliminated by calcineurin inhibition. Together, these data reveal a role for Na+-Ca2+ exchanger current in the electrical remodeling of hypertrophy and implicate calcineurin signaling therein. In addition, these data suggest the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger is functionally regulated in hypertrophy.
Reproductive biology Oct4 regulates the expression of Stella and Foxj 2 at the Nanog locus : implications for the developmental competence of mouse oocytes

Maurizio Zuccotti1,7, Valeria Merico2, Lucia Sacchi3, Michele Bellone2, Thore C. Brink4, Mario Stefanelli3, Carlo Alberto Redi5, Riccardo Bellazzi3, James Adjaye4, and Silvia Garagna2,6,7 Sezione di Istologia ed Embriologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Universita’ degli Studi di Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43100 Parma, Italy Laboratorio di Biologia dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia Animale, Universita’ degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy Dipartimento di Informatica e Sistemistica, Universita’ degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy Molecular Embryology and Aging Group, Department of Vertebrate Genomics, Max-Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany Fondazione I.R. C.C. S. Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy Centro di Ricerca Interdipartimentale di Ingegneria Tissutale and Centro di Eccellenza in Biologia Applicata, Universita’ degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy