Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prognostic significance of tissue miR-345 downregulation in non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND MiRNAs might function as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes in the tumorigenesis process. Dysregulation of miR-345 is a frequent event in many types of human cancers. However, the tissue miR-345 expression level in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its potential clinical significance remains unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS Real-time PCR was conducted to evaluate the expression level of miR-345 in NSCLC tissues as well as cell lines. Then the association between tissue miR-345 expression level and clinical outcome was investigated. RESULTS The expression level of miR-345 was significantly decreased in NSCLC tissues and cell lines compared with the controls (P<0.05; P<0.01). Tissue miR-345 expression level was associated with various clinicopathological parameters including LN metastasis (P=0.012), distant metastasis (P=0.007), TNM stage (P=0.008) and grade (P=0.030). In addition, the NSCLC patients in thelow tissue miR-345 expression group had significantly shorter 5-year overall survival time than those in the high tissue miR-345expression group (P=0.016). Multivariate analysis showed that tissue miR-345 was an independent risk factor for NSCLC (HR=3.921, 95% CI: 2.285-10.540; P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS The expression level of miR-345 was reduced in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Low tissue miR-345 expression was associated with progression and poor prognosis of NSCLC, indicating that tissue miR-345 may serve as a novel prognostic marker in NSCLC.
Comparison of work-related symptoms and visual contrast sensitivity between employees at a severely water-damaged school and a school without significant water damage.

BACKGROUND The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a health hazard evaluation (HHE) of a water-damaged school in New Orleans (NO), Louisiana. Our aim in this evaluation was to document employee health effects related to exposure to the water-damaged school, and to determine if VCS testing could serve as a biomarker of effect for occupants who experienced adverse health effects in a water-damaged building. METHODS NIOSH physicians and staff administered a work history and medical questionnaire, conducted visual contrast sensitivity (VCS) testing, and collected sticky-tape, air, and dust samples at the school. Counting, culturing, and/or a DNA-based technology, called mold-specific quantitative PCR (MSQPCR), were also used to quantify the molds. A similar health and environmental evaluation was performed at a comparable school in Cincinnati, Ohio which was not water-damaged. RESULTS Extensive mold contamination was documented in the water-damaged school and employees (n = 95) had higher prevalences of work-related rashes and nasal, lower respiratory, and constitutional symptoms than those at the comparison school (n = 110). VCS values across all spatial frequencies were lower among employees at the water-damaged school. CONCLUSIONS Employees exposed to an extensively water-damaged environment reported adverse health effects, including rashes and nasal, lower respiratory, and constitutional symptoms. VCS values were lower in the employees at the water-damaged school, but we do not recommend using it in evaluation of people exposed to mold. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:844-854, 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Hippocampal sclerosis in temporal lobe epilepsy demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging

The value of magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of hippocampal sclerosis has been controversial. We studied 10 patients aged 22.5 ± 6.0 years with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy selected because of a history of a prolonged childhood convulsion, which is characteristic of a group of patients in whom hippocampal sclerosis is a constant finding. All 10 patients showed reduction in size of one hippocampus associated with increased signal intensity on T2‐weighted magnetic resonance images. These changes were reliably detected on coronal spin‐echo images, perpendicular to the long axis of the hippocampus. Appreciation of the normal imaging anatomy of the hippocampus allowed correct interpretation of the relative changes in signal intensities of the hippocampus and adjacent temporal horn on sequential echo images. The side of the abnormal hippocampus on magnetic resonance imaging accorded with the electroencephalographic localization in all 10 patients, and with the lateralization of the early convulsions in all 6 patients where this was known. Temporal lobectomy was performed in all 10 patients. Hippocampal sclerosis was confirmed in the 3 patients in whom hippocampal tissue was available for histological examination. The value of this technique was reinforced by the excellent postoperative results, with 80% being seizure free at a mean follow‐up time of 33 ± 4 months.
Regular Perturbation Analysis for Trajectory Linearization Control

Trajectory linearization control (TLC) is a nonlinear control design method, which combines an open-loop nonlinear dynamic inversion and a linear time-varying feedback stabilization. TLC achieves exponential stability along the nominal trajectory, therefore it provides robust stability and performance. In this paper, stability analysis of TLC with regular perturbation is presented. By integrating the Lyapunov second method with the linear time-varying (LTV) system spectra theory, which is a first method of Lyapunov. The analysis assesses stability robustness of TLC and identifies its relationship with the closed-loop PD-eigenvalues. Thus the analysis provides a guideline to design and real-time tuning of the time-varying closed-loop PD-eigenvalues.
Job Duration, Seniority, and Earnings

The stylized fact that seniority and earnings in a cross-section are positively related, even after controlling for total labor market experience, has served as the basis for theoretical analyses of implicit labor contracts suggesting that workers post bonds in the form of deferred compensation in order to ensure their continued performance at an adequate level. An alternative interpretation is that good workers or workers in good jobs or good matches both earn more throughout the job and have longer job durations. Another stylized fact, that labor market experience and earnings in a cross section are positively related, has been taken as evidence of the importance of general human capital accumulation. An alternative interpretation of this evidence is that workers with more experience have had more time to find good jobs and/or good matches, resulting in higher earnings. Earnings functions are estimated including a measure of the completed duration of jobs in order to distinguish between the competing hypotheses regarding both seniority and experience. These yield three main results. First, workers in longer jobs earn significantly more in every year of the job than do workers in shorter jobs. Second, controlling for completed job duration eliminates most of the apparent return to seniority found in standard cross-section models. Thus, it appears that implicit contracts that provide for workers posting bonds through deferred wage payments are less important than has been believed. Third, for blue collar workers there is evidence thata part of the small observed (cross-sectional) return to labor market experience is due to sorting of workers into better jobs over time. There is no evidence of sorting for white collar workers.
Enhancement of TiO_2 photocatalytic activity by structuring the photocatalyst film as photonic sponge

A TiO_2 film having “photonic sponge” architecture (ps-TiO2) has been prepared using titania Degussa P25 nanoparticles that have been infiltrated into a template obtained through the arrangement of a mixture of different size latex spheres. The resulting photonic sponge exhibits 3.3 fold higher initial photocatalytic degradation rate for succinonitrile disappearance than analogous films of the same thickness made of unstructured P25 TiO2nanoparticles. When corrected for the three fold lower mass of the ps-TiO_2 films with respect to more dense P25, the enhancement of the photocatalytic activity by the photonic sponge morphology for the same mass of photocatalyst is about one order of magnitude. It was also observed that films of photonic sponge of 3 1/2m depth are more efficient than thicker films (5 and 7 1μm).
Human Saphenous Vein Endothelial Cells Express a Tetrodotoxin-resistant, Voltage-gated Sodium Current*

Whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiological investigation of endothelial cells cultured from human saphenous vein (HSVECs) has identified a voltage-gated Na+ current with a mean peak magnitude of −595 ± 49 pA (n = 75). This current was inhibited by tetrodotoxin (TTX) in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC50value of 4.7 μm, suggesting that it was of the TTX-resistant subtype. An antibody directed against the highly conserved intracellular linker region between domains III and IV of known Na+ channel α-subunits was able to retard current inactivation when applied intracellularly. This antibody identified a 245-kDa protein from membrane lysates on Western blotting and positively immunolabeled both cultured HSVECs and intact venous endothelium. HSVECs were also shown by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to contain transcripts of the hH1 sodium channel gene. The expression of Na+ channels by HSVECs was shown using electrophysiology and cell-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to be dependent on the concentration and source of human serum. Together, these results suggest that TTX-resistant Na+ channels of the hH1 isoform are expressed in human saphenous vein endothelium and that the presence of these channels is controlled by a serum factor.
Land plants and DNA barcodes: short-term and long-term goals

Land plants have had the reputation of being problematic for DNA barcoding for two general reasons: (i) the standard DNA regions used in algae, animals and fungi have exceedingly low levels of variability and (ii) the typically used land plant plastid phylogenetic markers (e.g. rbcL, trnL-F, etc.) appear to have too little variation. However, no one has assessed how well current phylogenetic resources might work in the context of identification (versus phylogeny reconstruction). In this paper, we make such an assessment, particularly with two of the markers commonly sequenced in land plant phylogenetic studies, plastid rbcL and internal transcribed spacers of the large subunits of nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS), and find that both of these DNA regions perform well even though the data currently available in GenBank/EBI were not produced to be used as barcodes and BLAST searches are not an ideal tool for this purpose. These results bode well for the use of even more variable regions of plastid DNA (such as, for example, psbA-trnH) as barcodes, once they have been widely sequenced. In the short term, efforts to bring land plant barcoding up to the standards being used now in other organisms should make swift progress. There are two categories of DNA barcode users, scientists in fields other than taxonomy and taxonomists. For the former, the use of mitochondrial and plastid DNA, the two most easily assessed genomes, is at least in the short term a useful tool that permits them to get on with their studies, which depend on knowing roughly which species or species groups they are dealing with, but these same DNA regions have important drawbacks for use in taxonomic studies (i.e. studies designed to elucidate species limits). For these purposes, DNA markers from uniparentally (usually maternally) inherited genomes can only provide half of the story required to improve taxonomic standards being used in DNA barcoding. In the long term, we will need to develop more sophisticated barcoding tools, which would be multiple, low-copy nuclear markers with sufficient genetic variability and PCR-reliability; these would permit the detection of hybrids and permit researchers to identify the ‘genetic gaps’ that are useful in assessing species limits.
Optimal path planning for mobile robot using Intelligent Water Drops algorithm

In this paper, the generalized intelligent water drops (IWD) algorithm is proposed to solve robot path planning problem. Path planning is modeled by IWD algorithm, because there is inherent similarity between this and finding most appropriate route in natural rivers, that occurs by interaction between water drops and the river bed. The proposed algorithm has two levels; first level, finds the best global feasible path. Second level, performs local search at relatively near distances of global path and reduces its length and time to reach optimal solution. The IWD algorithm, like other inspired nature algorithms, has not a mechanism to deal with constrained optimization problem in its original version. So, a mechanism has been proposed based on repair of infeasible solutions. In this mechanism, a fuzzy inference system is proposed for selecting the best possible infeasible solution and then the local search operator repairs any of them in violation locations. Another innovation of this paper provides a mechanism to local soil update, which is based on fuzzy systems and is independent of size and complexity of environment and its soil altering will be defined in fixed range. Simulation result shows ability of IWD algorithm in finding of the optimal path.
Impact of Postdischarge Surveillance on the Rate of Surgical Site Infection After Orthopedic Surgery

Objective. To evaluate the impact of postdischarge surveillance on surgical site infection (SSI) rates after orthopedic surgery. Setting. Nine hospitals participating in the Finnish Hospital Infection Program. Patients. All patients who underwent hip or knee arthroplasty or open reduction of a femur fracture during 1999-2002. Results. The date of discharge was available for 11,812 procedures (90%). The median length of hospital stay was 8 days (range per hospital, 6-9 days). The overall SSI rate was 3.3% (range, 0.8%-6.4%). Of 384 SSIs detected, 216 (56%; range, 28%-90%) were detected after discharge: 93 (43%) were detected on readmission to the hospital, 73 (34%) at completion of a postdischarge questionnaire, and 23 (11%) at a follow-up visit. For 27 postdischarge SSIs (13%), the location of detection was unknown. Altogether, 32 (86%) of 37 of organ/space SSIs, 57 (80%) of 71 deep incisional SSIs, and 127 (46%) of 276 superficial incisional SSIs were detected after discharge. Most SSIs (70%) detected on readmission were severe (organ/space or deep incisional), whereas most SSIs (86%) detected at follow-up visits or at completion of a postdischarge questionnaire were superficial. Of all SSIs, 78% (range, 48%-100%) were microbiologically confirmed. Microbiologic confirmation was less common after discharge than during postoperative hospital stay (66% vs 93%; P< .001). Conclusions. Postdischarge surveillance had a large impact on the rate of SSI detected after orthopedic surgery. However, postdischarge surveillance conducted by means of a questionnaire detected only a minority of deep incisional and organ/space SSIs.
Wheat Acreage Response: Investigation a Regional Econometric Investigation

Abstract An econometric model of planted wheat acreage was estimated for five distinct production regions in the United States. This structural investigation represents an update of previous published work with specific attention given to policy program variables, weather, production cost, risk, market price influences, and program participation. Estimated results indicated regional divergence in responsiveness to government program variables. The most significant divergence occurred in the Cornbelt and Southeast—soft red winter wheat areas. Results indicate that management of the wheat program from the USDA level will contain countervailing production incentives unless these regional characteristics are taken into consideration in policy directives.
Infrapopliteal Stents: Overview and Unresolved Issues

Minimally invasive infrapopliteal angioplasty procedures are becoming the gold standard for treatment of below-the-knee arterial disease. To date, sirolimus-eluting stents have shown significant promise in inhibiting restenosis of the infrapopliteal arteries and thereby reducing recurrent leg ischemia and repeat revascularization procedures. Longer self-expanding bare stents are available to better suit the diffuse nature of atherosclerosis usually associated with critical limb ischemia. Bioabsorbable stents for transient vessel scaffolding are an elegant endovascular concept, but positive data below the knee are still lacking. It remains to be answered whether bare or drug-eluting, balloon-expandable or self-expanding, or metal versus bioabsorbable stents will have a positive impact on limb salvage to support their primary use in below-the-knee endovascular treatment.
Conservative management of placenta previa complicated by abnormal placentation

Abstract Objective: Abnormal implantation of placenta previa is life-threatening condition. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the conservative management of pregnancies with such complication on maternal morbidity rate and the chance for uterine preservation (fertility). Methods: Eleven patients with abnormal implantation of placenta previa were analyzed prospectively. This complication was diagnosed antenatally by two-dimensional ultrasound and color flow Doppler. The following outcomes were analyzed: need for blood transfusion, admission and duration of stay in intensive care unit, infections, coagulopathies, time between cesarean section and delivery of placenta, hysterectomy and preservation of uterus. Results: Among the 20 085 women who had a singleton gestation, 11 (0.054%) were identified with placenta previa with abnormal placentation. In five patients (group A), hysterectomy was performed because of hemorrhage or placenta ablation. In six patients (group B), conservative management succeeded and placenta were preserved. In group A, placenta were delivered earlier (2 d–8 weeks) in comparison with group B (6–15 weeks). Estimated blood loss during the delayed delivery of placenta was higher in the group with hysterectomy (respectively, 450–1600 and 300–500 ml). Conclusions: Conservative management of placenta previa with abnormal implantation decreases the risk of severe hemorrhage at the time of delivery and can preserve fertility.
Hierarchy of classes of personal illness

Synopsis A hierarchy of classes of personal illness model is proposed and was assessed using a new self-report measure, the Delusions-Symptoms-States Inventory (DSSI). Of 480 psychiatric patients 93.3% had symptom patterns conforming to the model. It was additionally found that single syndrome patterns, within a particular class, occurred significantly more often in those not classifiable in any higher class. Finally, the relationship between each possible pair of the 12 syndromes was examined. Some of the implications of the model and the data are discussed in terms of the development, remission, assessment, and treatment of personal illness.
Clinical Significance of Focal Periodic Discharges in Neonates

Of 1,114 EEG recordings obtained for 592 neonates, focal periodic discharges were noted on 57 (5%) of recordings for 34 neonates (26 preterm and eight term). Periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs) were noted on four of these recordings. Sixteeen patients (47%) with focal periodic discharges also had electrographic seizures on the same or a subsequent record. Stroke was the most common brain lesion (53%) in this neonatal population. Preterm neonates had discharges that were less than 60 seconds in duration and located in the parasagittal regions, while discharges in term neonates were longer in duration and were located in the temporal regions. Of the 34 neonates, 15 (44%) died, and 58% (11/19) of the survivors were abnormal with respect to neurological development. Focal periodic discharges in neonates, including PLEDs, have the same clinical significance as PLEDs recorded on EEGs in older children and adults. (J Child Neurol 1989;4:175-185).
The Hepato-Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal-Renal Axis: Mathematical Modeling of Cortisol’s Production, Metabolism, and Seasonal Variation

Cortisol dynamics are governed by the integration of influences from the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and metabolic enzymes, such as the 11β–hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) family, which are highly expressed in hepatic and renal tissue. The coordinated regulation of cortisol dynamics is essential for the maintenance of a healthy state, and aberrant cortisol circadian rhythms are associated with various pathophysiological conditions. The duration of the light-dark cycle, or photoperiod, which regulates SCN activity, varies seasonally, and the shorter photoperiod winter season is associated with elevated cortisol levels, peak inflammatory disease incidence, and symptom exacerbation. Elevated expression and activity of 11β-HSD1 protein, assumed to also occur during the winter, have been allied with numerous inflammatory conditions. A comprehensive understanding of the communication between the underlying regulatory mechanisms of cortisol as well as how changes in their activity could lead to the development of disease is yet to be elucidated. In this work, we propose the use of a semimechanistic mathematical model to explore the impact of the hepato-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-renal axis in modulating neuroendocrine-immune system dynamics. Our model predicts the predominance of a winter proinflammatory state and that genetic variations could alter 11β-HSD enzyme functionality, rendering certain subpopulations more susceptible to disease as a consequence of HPA axis dysregulation.
MicroRNA Expression Profiling of Exfoliated Colonocytes Isolated from Feces for Colorectal Cancer Screening

To reduce the colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality rate, we have reported several CRC screening methods using colonocytes isolated from feces. Expression analysis of oncogenic microRNA (miRNA) in peripheral blood was recently reported for CRC detection. In the present study, we conducted miRNA expression analysis of exfoliated colonocytes isolated from feces for CRC screening. Two hundred six CRC patients and 134 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. miRNA expression of the miR-17-92 cluster, miR-21, and miR-135 in colonocytes isolated from feces as well as frozen tissues was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. The expression of the miR-17-92 cluster, miR-21, and miR-135 was significantly higher in CRC tissues compared with normal tissues. The exfoliated colonocytes of 197 CRC patients and 119 healthy volunteers were analyzed because of the presence of sufficient miRNA concentration. miR-21 expression did not differ significantly between CRC patients and healthy volunteers (P = 0.6). The expression of miR-17-92 cluster and miR-135 was significantly higher in CRC patients than in healthy volunteers (P < 0.0001). The overall sensitivity and specificity by using miRNA expression was 74.1% (146/197; 95% confidence interval, 67.4-80.1) and 79.0% (94/119; 95% confidence interval, 70.6-85.9), respectively. Sensitivity was dependent only on tumor location (P = 0.0001). miRNA was relatively well conserved in exfoliated colonocytes from feces both of CRC patients and healthy volunteers. miRNA expression analysis of the isolated colonocytes may be a useful method for CRC screening. Furthermore, oncogenic miRNA highly expressed in CRC should be investigated for CRC screening tests in the future. Cancer Prev Res; 3(11); 1435–42. ©2010 AACR.