Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic value of serum tumor markers in asymptomatic individuals.

PURPOSE Tumor markers, particularly carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), are widely used in oncology, either in monitoring patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CEA) or surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC/AFP). The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of CEA, CA19-9 or AFP in asymptomatic individuals. METHODS 12 asymptomatic individuals (6 males), with age range 55-82 years, referred to outpatient Gastroenterology- Oncology department for second opinion, with slightly elevated serum CEA (8 persons), CA19-9 (2 persons), and AFP (2 persons). The tumor markers were ordered from the primary practitioner or internist in order to avoid further specific examinations, such as colonoscopy. All individuals were totally asymptomatic. One of them had a known-history of 5-year surgically removed malignant pediculated sigmoid polyp and remained asymptomatic since then. RESULTS After continuous and repeated meticulous examinations in all individuals, no specific pathology was found to explain the slightly elevated tumor markers. In one male (59 years) and one female (75 years) with slightly elevated CEA levels, 2 small colonic polyps were found, which were endoscopically removed. Repeated CEA levels 3 months later remained borderline high. During follow-up, 3 years after the discovery of slightly elevated tumor markers all individuals remained asymptomatic (positive predictive value / PPV 0%). CONCLUSION Although further prospective studies are necessary, the preliminary results of this study showed that tumor markers are not useful for primary prevention of gastrointestinal malignancy. Moreover, slightly elevated tumor markers are confusing, leading to unnecessary examinations and stress from the individual's point of view.
Antiviral responses induced by the TLR3 pathway

Antiviral responses are successively induced in virus‐infected animals, and include primary innate immune responses such as type I interferon (IFN) and cytokine production, secondary natural killer (NK) cell responses, and final cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses and antibody production. The endosomal Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) and cytoplasmic RIG‐I‐like receptors (RLRs), which recognize viral nucleic acids, are responsible for virus‐induced type I IFN production. RLRs are expressed in most tissues and cells and are primarily implicated in innate immune responses against various viruses through type I IFN production, whereas nucleic acid‐sensing TLRs, TLRs 3, 7, 8 and 9, are expressed on the endosomal membrane of dendritic cells (DCs) and play distinct roles in antiviral immunity. TLR3 recognizes viral double‐stranded RNA taken up into the endosome and serves to protect the host against viral infection by the induction of a range of responses including type I IFN production and DC‐mediated activation of NK cells and CTLs, although the deteriorative role of TLR3 has also been reported in some virus infections. Here, we review the current knowledge on the role of TLR3 during viral infection, and the current understanding of the TLR3‐signalling cascade that operates via the adaptor protein TICAM‐1 (also called TRIF). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High frequency of submicroscopic hemizygous deletion is a major mechanism of loss of expression of PTEN in uveal melanoma.

PURPOSE Although cytogenetic aberrations at 10q have been reported in up to 27% of uveal melanomas, the role of PTEN in the pathogenesis of uveal melanoma is largely unknown. Our aim was to determine the frequency and clinical significance of PTEN alterations in uveal melanomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS We examined PTEN expression using immunohistochemistry in 75 sporadic uveal melanomas, with an average follow-up of 89 months. Molecular cytogenetic alterations were studied using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Genotyping was carried out using an intragenic PTEN marker and two flanking markers. Mutational analysis of PTEN was also carried out. RESULTS Of the 75 tumors, 12 (16%) showed no PTEN immunostaining, 32 (42.7%) showed weak to moderate staining and the remaining 31 (38.2%) showed staining similar to the normal internal controls. Using CGH, only two (15.4%) of 13 samples showed any loss of 10q. However, in the 38 tumors with informative genotyping, we found that 29 (76.3%) had loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of at least one PTEN marker, and 15 (39.5%) showed LOH of at least two markers. Mutations in the coding region of PTEN were identified in four (11.4%) of 35 tumors. Further, loss of cytoplasmic PTEN expression by immunohistochemistry was associated with shortened disease-free survival (P = .029). CONCLUSION This is the first demonstration that PTEN is a tumor suppressor involved in uveal melanoma pathogenesis and may be associated with clinical outcome. Our data also suggest that submicroscopic deletion, but not large deletions, is the major mechanism of loss of PTEN expression in uveal melanomas.
Fast voluntary trunk flexion movements in standing: primary movements and associated postural adjustments.

Movement patterns were studied during fast voluntary forward flexions of the trunk from an erect standing position. Three healthy subjects performed three series of six consecutive trunk flexions at maximum velocity and with successively increasing amplitude, covering a major part of the range of motion (range for all subjects: 13-97 degrees). Angular displacements of the trunk, hip, knee and ankle were measured together with the tilt of the pelvis and the flexion of the spine using a Selspot optoelectronic system. Trunk flexion was the result of a simultaneous forward pelvic tilt and flexion of the spine. For trunk movements up to 55 degrees, spine flexion dominated the movement, whereas for larger movements a major part of the amplitude was caused by pelvic tilt. During flexion of the trunk a simultaneous hip flexion and ankle extension was seen. At the knee there was an initial flexion and a subsequent extension. The net amplitude of the knee flexion showed a negative correlation with net trunk flexion amplitude for movements up to 50 degrees, whereas for larger amplitudes the correlation was positive. Time from onset of the trunk movement to peak knee flexion showed a weak correlation to net trunk flexion amplitude (r = 0.34) whereas the corresponding correlation was higher for pelvic tilt, spine flexion, hip flexion, ankle extension, and knee extension (r = 0.60-0.91). Each successive trial during a series of trunk movements was started from an increasing degree of knee flexion. This gradual adaptation was also present when successive trunk flexions were performed with constant movement amplitude. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Mismatch-Insensitive Skew Compensation Architecture for Clock Synchronization in 3-D ICs

Traditional die-to-die (DTD) clock skew compensation topologies prerequisite matched delay lines or equal through-silicon via (TSV) delays. Unlike previous techniques, the proposed mismatch-insensitive skew compensation architecture can maintain a synchronous clock signal between two dies, while completely eliminating any skew arising from code-dependent mismatch in delay lines or unequal TSV delays. The performance of our design is verified in theory and simulation in light of mismatch/finite resolution of delay lines, clock jitter, phase detector dead zone, TSV delay, and buffer mismatch. Postsynthesis timing verification of this cell-based design was done in a 65-nm CMOS process. Under similar worse case mismatch conditions, the residual skew in the proposed architecture was delimited to 32 ps at 1 GHz, compared with 116 ps for a recent DTD topology, while consuming only 2.1 mW.
Developmental transitions and dynamics of the cortical ER of Arabidopsis cells seen with green fluorescent protein.

Arabidopsis thaliana plants were stably transformed with DNA encoding green fluorescent protein and with sequences ensuring retention in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Confocal laser scanning microscopy shows fluorescent ER in many cells of seedlings so allowing developmental changes to be documented. The arrangement of the cortical ER changes as cells mature in the hypocotyl and root epidermis. In the root, cells that have completed expansion have reticulate cortical ER resembling the ER described in many previous studies. Expanding cells, however, show extensive perforated sheets of cortical ER which transform quite abruptly into a loose reticulum at the basipetal end of the elongation zone. The reticulum compacts in trichoblasts beginning at sites where root hairs are about to emerge. The compacted form is maintained throughout the hair until growth ceases and the open reticulate form returns. All forms of cortical ER are dynamic and we use a color overlay method to distinguish stable and moving structures in a single composite image. Reticulate ER continuously rearranges its polygonal layout and perforations move and change their shape in the ER sheets of younger cells. ER deeper in the cell (i.e. not close to the plasma membrane) moves more actively so that almost no tubules remain stable even over short periods of less than one minute. The function of the perforated sheets of cortical ER present in growing cells is unknown.
Withdrawing performance indicators: retrospective analysis of general practice performance under UK Quality and Outcomes Framework

Objectives To investigate the effect of withdrawing incentives on recorded quality of care, in the context of the UK Quality and Outcomes Framework pay for performance scheme. Design Retrospective longitudinal study. Setting Data for 644 general practices, from 2004/05 to 2011/12, extracted from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Participants All patients registered with any of the practices over the study period—13 772 992 in total. Intervention Removal of financial incentives for aspects of care for patients with asthma, coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and psychosis.
Targeted disruption of the heat shock transcription factor (hsf)‐2 gene results in increased embryonic lethality, neuronal defects, and reduced spermatogenesis

Summary: Heat shock transcription factors (Hsfs) are major transactivators of heat shock protein (Hsp) genes in the response to stress stimuli, but are also thought to be involved in embryonic development and spermatogenesis. Among the three known mammalian Hsfs, Hsf1 is recognized as the most effective transactivator of Hsps in response to thermal challenge, but the role of Hsf2 in regulation of genes under normal or increased stress conditions in vivo remains elusive. To study its physiological function in vivo, we generated mice deficient in hsf2 by gene targeting. We report here that hsf2−/− mice exhibit multiple phenotypes, including an increased prenatal lethality occurring between mid‐gestation to birth, with fetal death probably due to central nervous system defects including collapse of the lateral ventricles and ventricular hemorrhages. Approximately 30% of hsf2−/− animals surviving to adulthood exhibited brain abnormalities characterized by marked dilation of the third and lateral ventricles. In addition, disruption of hsf2 resulted in reduced female fertility; however, despite ubiquitous expression in the testes and markedly reduced testis size and sperm count, only a small reduction in fertility was apparent in hsf2−/− male mice. Immunoblotting and gene expression microarray analysis of hsf2−/− embryos did not reveal reduced Hsp expression levels, indicating that the defects observed in hsf2−/− embryos may not result from disruption of Hsp expression. These findings suggest that hsf2 has a major function in controlling expression of genes important for embryonic development and maintenance of sperm production. genesis 36:48–61, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy

Background Previous studies have shown that eccentric training has a positive effect on chronic Achilles tendinopathy. A new strategy for the treatment of chronic Achilles tendinopathy is the AirHeel brace. Hypothesis AirHeel brace treatment improves the clinical outcome of patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy. The combination of the AirHeel brace and an eccentric training program has a synergistic effect. Study Design Randomized controlled clinical trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods One hundred patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: (1) eccentric training, (2) AirHeel brace, and (3) combination of eccentric training and AirHeel brace. Patients were evaluated at 6, 12, and 54 weeks after the beginning of the treatment protocol with ultrasonography, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle score, and Short Form-36 (SF-36). Results The VAS score for pain, AOFAS score, and SF-36 improved significantly in all 3 groups at all 3 follow-up examinations. At the 3 time points (6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 54 weeks) of follow-up, there was no significant difference between all 3 treatment groups. In all 3 groups, there was no significant difference in tendon thickness after treatment. Conclusions The AirHeel brace is as effective as eccentric training in the treatment of chronic Achilles tendinopathy. There is no synergistic effect when both treatment strategies are combined. Clinical Relevance The AirHeel brace is an alternative treatment option for chronic Achilles tendinopathy.
[Quantitative evaluation of residual endodontic microorganisms after mechanical root canal preparation different chemical preparations by real-time PCR].

PURPOSE To establish a quick, sensitive method for quantifying root canal flora and investigate the effects of different root canal preparations on the pathogenic bacteria at RNA level. METHODS A total of 24 single-rooted teeth with chronic apical periodontitis were selected and prepared using 3% H2O2 combined with 1% NaClO, EDTA combined with 3% H(2)O(2),1% NaClO, respectively,the samples were taken before and after root canal preparation. After isolation of total RNA from the root canal samples, cDNA was synthesized by reverse transcription, and detected by real-time PCR. The data were analyzed with SAS 6.12 software package. RESULTS The number of bacteria in the root canal reduced dramatically after mechanical preparation and irrigated using 3% H(2)O(2) and 1% NaClO(P<0.01). Further combined with EDTA, its effect was better than that of simply irrigated using 3% H(2)O(2) and 1% NaClO(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Real-time PCR can be employed in the identification of bacteria flora in the root canal, both methods of root canal preparation can effectively reduce the number of bacteria flora.
Moderate physical activity level as a protective factor against metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and older women.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To investigate whether physical activity is a protective factor against metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and older women. BACKGROUND Socio-demographic and lifestyle behaviour factors contribute to metabolic syndrome. To minimise the risk of metabolic syndrome, several global guidelines recommend increasing physical activity level. However, only limited research has investigated the relationship between physical activity levels and metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and older women after adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle behaviour factors. DESIGN Cross-sectional design. METHODS A convenience sample of 326 middle-aged and older women was recruited. Metabolic syndrome was confirmed according to the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines, and physical activity levels were measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. RESULTS The sample had a mean age of 60·9 years, and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 43·3%. Postmenopausal women and women with low socioeconomic status (low-education background, without personal income and currently unemployed) had a significantly higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome. After adjusting for significant socio-demographic and lifestyle behaviour factors, the women with moderate or high physical activity levels had a significantly lower (OR = 0·10; OR = 0·11, p < 0·001) risk of metabolic syndrome and a lower risk for each specific component of metabolic syndrome, including elevated fasting plasma glucose (OR = 0·29; OR = 0·26, p = 0·009), elevated blood pressure (OR = 0·18; OR = 0·32, p = 0·029), elevated triglycerides (OR = 0·41; OR = 0·15, p = 0·001), reduced high-density lipoprotein (OR = 0·28; OR = 0·27, p = 0·004) and central obesity (OR = 0·31; OR = 0·22, p = 0·027). CONCLUSIONS After adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle behaviour factors, physical activity level was a significant protective factor against metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and older women. Higher physical activity levels (moderate or high physical activity level) reduced the risk of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and older women. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Appropriate strategies should be developed to encourage middle-aged and older women across different socio-demographic backgrounds to engage in moderate or high levels of physical activity to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome.
Mannose-specific adherence of Escherichia coli freshly excreted in the urine of patients with urinary tract infections, and of isolates subcultured from the infected urine

The mannose-specific adherence to yeast cells of Escherichia coli excreted in the urine of patients with urinary tract infections was compared with that of isolates from the same urine after growth of the bacteria in broth. The results revealed that although E. coli excreted in only 2 of 24 urine specimens exhibited mannose-specific adherence, about half of the broth cultures from these specimens did so. Examination of representative specimens of E. coli excreted in urine showed that coating antibodies, mannose-containing glycoproteins, and encapsulation were not responsible for the lack of the mannose-specific adherence. Our results suggest that E. coli strains that are genetically capable of exhibiting mannose-specific adherence may, when growing in the bladder, be in a phase of growth which suppresses the phenotypic expression of this trait. Mannose-specific adherence is indicative of the presence on the bacterial surface of adhesions (lectins) that bind the organisms to mannose residues on both epithelial and phagocytic cells. We propose that whereas at the initial stages of infection the bacteria may benefit from their ability to bind to mannose residues on epithelial cells, loss of this ability at the later stages of the infection is also beneficial, since the bacteria can no longer adhere to mannose residues on phagocytes, and are thus resistant to nonimmune phagocytosis.
Development of a Mission-Aligned Campus-Community Partnership Model: The Urban Institute Flu Vaccine Initiative for the Indigent of NYC

Incredible advances in health care have been made over the past century. Despite its position as a powerful country which offers the opportunity for state-of-the-art high-quality patient-centered care, many people within the U.S. do not have access to or cannot afford health care. Recently, the U.S. has seen the passage and early implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Even with this recent reform and expanded access, many people living in the U.S. remain marginalized, uninsured and underinsured and are therefore challenged in accessing necessary health care services. Universities have a unique opportunity and responsibility to explore and identify solutions for such problems of society. This paper describes the methodology and results of a novel campus-community partnership that serves to directly respond to an unmet yet important health care need of a marginalized patient population. The Urban Institute of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at St. John’s University was successful in developing a community outreach initiative that provided free flu vaccines to an underserved indigent patient population in New York City in an effort to decrease their risk for flu-related morbidity and mortality. The initiative utilized the knowledge, expertise and skills of pharmacy practice faculty (and student pharmacists) and provided the flu vaccine to 200 people at community partner sites of the University. This Urban Institute initiative serves as a model for other campus-community partnerships that will search out the causes of poverty and social injustice and provide effective concrete solutions for our community. Author: John M. Conry, Pharm.D. , AAHIVP, FNAP Clinical Professor and Assistant Dean for Service Programs Director, The Urban Institute College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Chair, Faculty Research Consortium Vincentian Institute for Social Action Senior Research Fellow, Vincentian Center for Church and Society St. John’s University Contact Information: St. John’s University St. Albert Hall, Room 114
Sidelobe Reduction in Cognitive Radio Systems Using Hybrid Technique

 Abstract — Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is one of the best candidates for dynamic spectrum access due to its flexibility of spectrum shaping. However, the high sidelobes of the OFDM signal that result in high out-of-band radiation, introduce significant interference to the users operating in its vicinity. This problem becomes more critical in cognitive radio (CR) system that enables the secondary users (SUs) users to access the spectrum holes not used by the primary users (PUs) at that time. In this paper, we present a generalized OFDM framework that has a capability of describing any sidelobe suppression techniques, despite of whether one or a number of techniques are used. Based on that framework, we propose cancellation carrier (CC) technique in conjunction with the generalized sidelobe canceller (GSC) to reduce the out-of-band radiation in the region where the licensed users are operating. Simulation results show that the proposed technique can reduce the out-of-band radiation better when compared with the existing techniques found in the literature.
Addition of 14 anchored loci to the porcine chromosome 8 comparative map.

Source/description: Porcine chromosome 8 is homologous to human chromosome 4, but a significant number of rearrangements in gene order exist when compared with human. Genes expected to linkage map specifically in quantitative trait loci (QTL) regions for uterine capacity and ovulation rate were chosen by their position on human chromosome 4 (UCSC version hg16 based on NCBI Build 34; Golden Path web site; http://genome.ucsc.edu/) and availability of EST sequences in TIGR Gene Indices (TIGR web site; http://www.tigr.org/tdb/ ssgi/) that aligned to human genes. Primer pairs (Table 1) were designed using primer 3 (code available at: http://www-geno me.wi.mit.edu/genome_software/other/primer3.html) to flank introns or 3¢-UTR regions of porcine genes for amplification and SNP discovery.
Use of Electroacupuncture at ST36 to Inhibit Anaphylactic and Inflammatory Reaction in Mice

Objective: Electroacupuncture (EA) has been used to treat myalgia, allergy and gastroenteropathy in Korea. To determine whether EA can treat anaphylactic and inflammatory reactions, the effect of EA was investigated in a murine model. Methods: EA stimulation of the ST36 acupoint was performed for 10 min. Using a passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) model, the antianaphylactic effects of EA were examined. Interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α were measured using the ELISA method. The level of nuclear factor (NF)-ĸB/RelA protein and NF-ĸB DNA-binding activity was determined using the Western blot analysis and the transcription factor enzyme-linked immunoassay method. Results: EA inhibits PCA and β-hexosaminidase release, IL-6 secretion on the PCA, and in addition, EA reduces NF-ĸB DNA-binding activity. Conclusion: These results indicate that EA may possess antianaphylactic and antiinflammatory properties.