Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic polymorphisms of TGF-beta1 & TNF-beta and breast cancer risk.

OBJECTIVE The proliferation of malignant breast epithelial cells is regulated by various stimuli including cytokines and growth factors, thus the variants of those genes may modify the breast cancer risk. To evaluate the potential influences of TGF-beta1 T29C and TNF-beta A252G gene polymorphisms on breast cancer risk, a case-control study was conducted in Korea. METHODS Histologically confirmed breast cancer cases (n=560) and controls (n=509) with no previous history of cancer were recruited from three teaching hospitals in Seoul, Korea. Genotypes were determined by PCR-CTPP (polymerase chain reaction with confronting two-pair primers) method. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by unconditional logistic regression model adjusting for age, body mass index, education, parity, age at first full-term pregnancy, and family history of breast cancer. RESULTS The TGF-beta1 29C-allele containing genotypes posed an increased risk of breast cancer (OR=1.3, 95% CI=1.02-1.79), especially in postmenopausal women (OR=1.6, 95% CI=1.01-2.44). Similarly, the TNF-beta 252G-allele containing genotypes posed an increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer (OR=1.7, 95% CI=1.09-2.55). The risk of postmenopausal breast cancer increased in parallel with the number of the risk genotypes (p for trend <0.01). When data were stratified by the presumed non-genetic risk factors, TGF-beta1 C-allele containing genotypes were found to increase breast cancer risk almost two-fold in postmenopausal women with greater than median body mass index (>22.8 kg/m2) (OR=1.9, 95% CI=1.04-3.37). CONCLUSION The results of this study therefore suggest that polymorphisms of TGF-beta1 and TNF-beta genes may modify individual susceptibility to breast cancer in Korean women.
Glucose Oxidase-Based Glucose-Sensitive Drug Delivery for Diabetes Treatment

The glucose-sensitive drug delivery systems based on glucose oxidase (GOD), which exhibit highly promising applications in diabetes therapy, have attracted much more interest in recent years. The self-regulated drug delivery systems regulate drug release by glucose concentration automatically and continuously to control the blood glucose level (BGL) in normoglycemic state. This review covers the recent advances at the developments of GOD-based glucose-sensitive drug delivery systems and their in vivo applications for diabetes treatment. The applications of GOD-immobilized platforms, such as self-assembly layer-by-layer (LbL) films and polymer vesicles, cross-linking hydrogels and microgels, hybrid mesoporous silica nanoparticles, and microdevices fabricated with insulin reservoirs have been surveyed. The glucose-sensitive drug delivery systems based on GOD are expected to be a typical candidate for smart platforms for potential applications in diabetes therapy.
Reliable computational design of biological-inorganic materials to the large nanometer scale using Interface-FF

Abstract The function of nanomaterials and biomaterials greatly depends on understanding nanoscale recognition mechanisms, crystal growth and surface reactions. The Interface Force Field (IFF) and surface model database are the first collection of transferable parameters for inorganic and organic compounds that can be universally applied to all materials. IFF uses common energy expressions and achieves best accuracy among classical force fields due to rigorous validation of structural and energetic properties of all compounds in comparison to perpetually valid experimental data. This paper summarises key aspects of parameterisation, including atomic charges and transferability of parameters and current coverage. Examples of biomolecular recognition at metal and mineral interfaces, surface reactions of alloys, as well as new models for graphitic materials and pi-conjugated molecules are described. For several metal–organic interfaces, a match in accuracy of computed binding energies between of IFF and DFT results is demonstrated at ten million times lower computational cost. Predictive simulations of biomolecular recognition of peptides on phosphate and silicate surfaces are described as a function of pH. The use of IFF for reactive molecular dynamics is illustrated for the oxidation of Mo3Si alloys at high temperature, showing the development of specific porous silica protective layers. The introduction of virtual pi electrons in graphite and pi-conjugated molecules enables improvements in property predictions by orders of magnitude. The inclusion of such molecule-internal polarity in IFF can reproduce cation–pi interactions, pi-stacking in graphite, DNA bases, organic semiconductors and the dynamics of aqueous and biological interfaces for the first time.
Human Mast Cells Adhere to and Migrate on Epithelial and Vascular Basement Membrane Laminins LM-332 and LM-511 via α3β1 Integrin1

Mast cells (MCs) are multifunctional effectors of the immune system that are distributed in many tissues, often in close association with the basement membrane of blood vessels, epithelium and nerves. Laminins (LMs), a family of large αβγ heterotrimeric proteins, are major components of basement membrane that strongly promote cell adhesion and migration. In this study, we investigated the role of LM isoforms and their integrin receptors in human MC biology in vitro. In functional assays, α3-(LM-332) and α5-(LM-511) LMs, but not α1-(LM-111), α2-(LM-211), or α4-(LM-411) LMs, readily promoted adhesion and migration of cultured MCs. These activities were strongly enhanced by various stimuli. α3-LM was also able to costimulate IL-8 production. Among LM-binding integrins, MCs expressed α3β1, but not α6β1, α7β1, or α6β4, integrins. Blocking Abs to α3β1 integrin caused inhibition of both cell adhesion and migration on α3- and α5-LMs. Immunohistochemical studies on skin showed that MCs colocalized with epithelial and vascular basement membranes that expressed α3- and α5-LMs and that MCs expressed α3 integrin but not α6 integrin(s). These results demonstrate a role for α3- and α5-LMs and their α3β1 integrin receptor in MC biology. This may explain the intimate structural and functional interactions that MCs have with specific basement membranes.
IL10 and IL12B polymorphisms each influence IL‐12p70 secretion by dendritic cells in response to LPS

Dendritic cells (DC) are the main producers of the cytokine IL‐12p70, through which they play a direct role in the development of IFN‐γ‐secreting Th1 cells, costimulation of CTL differentiation and NK‐cell activation. In contrast, IL‐10, which is also produced by DC, negatively regulates IL‐12 production. IL‐12p70 production varies widely between individuals, and several polymorphisms in the gene encoding IL‐12p40 (IL12B) have been identified that influence susceptibility and severity of infectious, autoimmune and neoplastic disease. Here we show that polymorphisms not only of IL12B, but also in the IL10 promoter, influence IL‐12p70 secretion by monocyte‐derived DC in response to LPS. Although IL12B promoter homozygotes were prone to making more IL‐12p70, presence of the IL10 high genotype restricted IL‐12p70 production in these individuals. These observations provide a further genetic control of IL‐12p70 regulation and emphasize the complexity of production of this cytokine. They also suggest genotypes that might influence the outcome of DC immunotherapy.
Teriparatide Treatment of a Glucocorticoid-associated Resorbing Nonunion of a Type III Odontoid Process Fracture: A Case Report

Study Design: This is a unique case report. Objectives: To describe a successful case of Teriparatide treatment of odontoid nonunion. Summary of Background Data: Animal models suggest that this drug may enhance fracture healing, and there are 3 similar cases previously published elsewhere. Methods: We describe the evolution of our case over time with serial computed tomography scan imaging confirming the treatment success. Results: Drug treatment of the odontoid nonunion was successful. Conclusion: Drug treatment of the odontoid nonunion may be an option and merits formal study.
A novel group consensus protocol for heterogeneous multi-agent systems

In this paper, we consider the group consensus problem of heterogeneous multi-agent systems. Based on the feature of heterogeneous agents, a novel protocol is proposed for heterogeneous multi-agent systems. First, the state transformation method is used and an equivalent system is obtained. Then, the group consensus problem is analysed and some sufficient and/or necessary conditions are given for heterogenous multi-agent systems under undirected and directed networks, respectively. Finally, simulation examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Research on a dynamic adjust crawling algorithm for guiding the topic crawler through Tunnels

The problem of Tunnels is always the focus of topic crawler. Based on the study of VSM, the paper added the impact of the text structure of web documents to the topic similarity, improved VSM text classification algorithm to make the prediction more accurate, and applied to the dynamic adjustment topic crawler algorithm through the tunnel. By analyzing the influence by features of Web Community and tunneling, taking the genetic factors of parent page and child pages into account, applied to the web page similarity calculation. In order to improve the shortcomings of the traditional tunnel method, this paper designed a new algorithm to make crawler dynamically adjust the K values according to the corresponding calculated strategy during crawling the pages, Making Web Community and tunnels to form a relatively complete thematic clusters to improve the web crawl rate.
Caffeine content of dietary supplements consumed on military bases.

tes and hypertension. The Steno-2 follow-up study found that intensive control of BP, HbA1c, and LDL-C among patients with diabetes and persistent microalbuminuria reduced cardiovascular-related adverse event and death rates 5.5 years after trial completion. It is also possible that resource use declined because GMC patients learned to address health concerns directly with their usual physicians; GMC patients self-reported significantly greater confidence in managing diabetes at the completion of the trial compared with usual care.
Mobilizing the TV ecosystem

In order to bring mobile TV applications to the market, service providers have to deal with a large set of external stakeholders, such as broadcasters, media houses and operators. Such external stakeholders should be involved early in the design cycle in order to get their commitment for commercialization. In this paper, we describe a case in which external stakeholders are involved half-way through the design cycle, that is, while testing the prototype of a mobile TV application. We explore whether greater satisfaction and adoption levels of stakeholders during prototype testing increase their willingness to be involved in commercializing the service concept. We analyze survey data, but also log data on adoption levels. While reported satisfaction and adoption levels from the survey are positively correlated with the intention to be involved in commercialization and expected market success, this is not the case for the log data on adoption levels. Our results contribute to academic discussion on how to involve stakeholders in design research.
The New Zealand Dairy Cooperatives’ Adaptation toChanging Market Conditions

This article examines the market conditions, the strategies, and the organizational structures of agricultural cooperatives. Based on the growing literature on cooperative organizational models, it is expected that the new organizational patterns in the New Zealand dairy cooperatives in the early 2000s are a consequence of market changes. Case studies of the three cooperatives are conducted, focusing on the organizational structures in terms of collective versus individualized attributes. The dissolution of the New Zealand Dairy Board created new market opportunities for the cooperatives. Hence, the co-operatives had reason to develop new market strategies, and in order to pursue these well, they changed their organizational structures. The observations indicate that more liberalized and open markets require cooperative organizational models with more individualized traits.
Carotid stenosis and coexisting ipsilateral intracranial aneurysm. A problem in management.

• A patient treated by surgical correction of carotid stenosis later died of subarachnoid hemorrhage from rupture of a previously asymptomatic ipsilateral cerebral aneurysm. When the two conditions coexist, the increase in blood flow resulting from repair of the stenosis may promote rupture of the higher aneurysm.
Pancreas graft thrombosis: causes, prevention, diagnosis, and intervention

Purpose of reviewPancreas graft thrombosis remains one of the most common reasons for pancreas transplant loss. Patients with a history of thrombotic events should be identified and evaluated for thrombophilia to identify transplant candidates at highest risk. Recent findingsEarly after transplant, vascular thrombosis is multifactorial, but beyond 2 weeks, inflammation or acute rejection predominate as the cause of thrombosis. Most pancreas transplant centers utilize some form of anticoagulation following transplantation. Aspirin is highly recommended. Unfractionated or low-molecular-weight heparin is often administered, but some centers use heparin selectively and typically at low dose to avoid postoperative bleeding. Warfarin is less frequently given and its use should probably be limited to patients with thrombophilia. SummaryThrombectomy, either surgical or percutaneous, may salvage the pancreas graft if performed early after the occurrence of thrombosis.
Prophet, poetry and ethics: A study of Jeremiah 5:26-29

This article is not just about reading and interpreting a few verses from a prophetic poetic text; instead, the aim is to consider ethical issues raised by the passage in question. The first step is to come to grips with the prophetic message in Jeremiah 5:26-29, and then to relate it to the debate on ethics, the Old Testament and our present-day context. The idea is therefore to relate the biblical text to our context, while realising that there is not a direct correlation between the two. The world of the Bible and our world are in many respects far removed from each other. This implies that many ethical questions we are confronted with will fall outside the scope of the Bible. Indeed, many of the issues that the people of Israel had to face are no longer relevant in our context. The Old Testament therefore cannot be used as precept when it comes to ethics, but it makes a valuable contribution in terms of the examples it offers. In engaging in dialogue with the biblical text, we are not only confronted with an ancient world, but in the process we come face to face with our own world, our own ideas, and the challenges we ourselves have to face.
Efeitos colaterais da terapia antitumoral em pacientes submetidos à químio e à radioterapia

Os efeitos colaterais da terapia antitumoral tem sido alvo de varios estudos. Afetam comumente os pacientes em tratamento quimio e radioterapico, variando de acordo com o sexo, a idade, o local da neoplasia e o tempo de tratamento do paciente. Este deve ser esclarecido quanto as finalidades do tratamento, como ele se realizara e quais os seus possiveis efeitos colaterais do mesmo. As orientacoes auxiliarao no desenvolvimento adequado do tratamento, permitindo obter melhores resultados. No presente estudo, foram avaliados 32 pacientes em tratamento quimio e radioterapico, de ambos os sexos, com idades variando entre 12 e 89 anos e com diversos tipos de neoplasias. Verificou-se, nos pacientes entrevistados, a xerostomia como o efeito colateral prevalente e a nausea como o sintoma mais incomodo. Eles relataram ainda, estarem bem informados com relacao aos efeitos colaterais e as caracteristicas do tratamento. O medico foi indicado como o principal profissional a esclarecer tais pontos. Os pacientes tambem relataram nao haver mudancas no convivio social e que as relacoes com amigos e familiares se intensificaram apos o inicio do tratamento. A maioria afirmou nao haver interferencia do tratamento em suas atividades diarias, porem, parte deles indicou mudancas bruscas em simples atividades do dia-a-dia.
The role of the ubiquitin proteasome system in Alzheimer's disease

Today, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most important age-related neurodegenerative diseases, but its etiology remains still unknown. Since the discovery that the hallmark structures of this disease i.e. the formation of amyloid fibers could be the product of ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation defects, it has become clear that the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS), usually essential for protein repair, turnover and degradation, is perturbed in this disease. Different aspects of normal and pathological aging are discussed with respect to protein repair and degradation via the UPS, as well as consequences of a deficit in the UPS in AD. Selective protein oxidation may cause protein damage, or protein mutations may induce a dysfunction of the proteasome. Such events eventually lead to activation of cell death pathways and to an aberrant aggregation or incorporation of ubiquitinated proteins into hallmark structures. Aggresome formation is also observed in other neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that an activation of similar mechanisms must occur in neurodegeneration as a basic phenomenon. It is essential to discuss therapeutic ways to investigate the UPS dysfunction in the human brain and to identify specific targets to hold or stop cell decay.
Methane monooxygenase gene expression mediated by methanobactin in the presence of mineral copper sources

Methane is a major greenhouse gas linked to global warming; however, patterns of in situ methane oxidation by methane-oxidizing bacteria (methanotrophs), nature's main biological mechanism for methane suppression, are often inconsistent with laboratory predictions. For example, one would expect a strong relationship between methanotroph ecology and Cu level because methanotrophs require Cu to sustain particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO), the most efficient enzyme for methane oxidation. However, no correlation has been observed in nature, which is surprising because methane monooxygenase (MMO) gene expression has been unequivocally linked to Cu availability. Here we provide a fundamental explanation for this lack of correlation. We propose that MMO expression in nature is largely controlled by solid-phase Cu geochemistry and the relative ability of Cu acquisition systems in methanotrophs, such as methanobactins (mb), to obtain Cu from mineral sources. To test this hypothesis, RT-PCR expression assays were developed for Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b (which produces mb) to quantify pMMO, soluble MMO (the alternate MMO expressed when Cu is “unavailable”), and 16S-rRNA gene expression under progressively more stringent Cu supply conditions. When Cu was provided as CuCl2, pMMO transcript levels increased significantly consistent with laboratory work. However, when Cu was provided as Cu-doped iron oxide, pMMO transcript levels increased only when mb was also present. Finally, when Cu was provided as Cu-doped borosilicate glass, pMMO transcription patterns varied depending on the ambient mb:Cu supply ratio. Cu geochemistry clearly influences MMO expression in terrestrial systems, and, as such, local Cu mineralogy might provide an explanation for methane oxidation patterns in the natural environment.
Neonatal (cord blood) T cells can competently raise type 1 and 2 immune responses upon polyclonal activation.

In the neonate, cellular immunity has generally been hypothesized as being incompetent. Accumulating evidence from several recent studies, together with our present report, contradicts this hypothesis. T-helper cell and T cytotoxic type 1 and 2 (Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2, respectively) cytokine responses to polyclonal T cell receptor (TCR) activation were assessed in medium-term cultures of human cord blood T cells using intracellular cytokine staining, which could measure the frequencies of cytokine-producing cells. In this study, we examined the responses of cord blood CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in regard to the production of interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-4 and compared the responses with those obtained from T cells of healthy adults. We found that the responses in cord blood T cells activated with TCR stimulation were comparable to those of their adult counterparts. Moreover, the Th/Tc cells that developed in cord blood were as competent as adult cells for both IFN-gamma and IL-4 secretion. In addition, IL-12 production, which is critical for both Th1 and Tc1 responses, was equally comparable in the two groups. The production of two major cross-regulatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-10, was similarly comparable and not significantly different between the two groups. Taken together, these results indicate that, though naive, the neonatal T cell is competent to respond to TCR-mediated stimulation and to produce both type 1 and type 2 cytokines.
Incidence of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow in repetitive work.

OBJECTIVES Despite the high frequency of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, the relation between work conditions and ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow has not been the object of much research. In the present study, the predictive factors for such ulnar nerve entrapment were determined in a 3-year prospective survey of upper-limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders in repetitive work. METHODS In 1993-1994 and 3 years later, 598 workers whose jobs involved repetitive work underwent an examination by their occupational health physicians and completed a self-administered questionnaire. Predictive factors associated with the onset of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow were studied with bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS The annual incidence was estimated at 0.8% per person-year, on the basis of 15 new cases during the 3-year period. Holding a tool in position was the only predictive biomechanical factor [odds ratio (OR) 4.1, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.4-12.0]. Obesity increased the risk of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.2-16.2), as did the presence of medial epicondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, radial tunnel syndrome, and cervicobrachial neuralgia. The associations with "holding a tool in position" and obesity were unchanged when the presence of other diagnoses was taken into account. CONCLUSIONS Despite the limitations of the study, the results suggest that the incidence of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow is associated with one biomechanical risk factor (holding a tool in position, repetitively), overweight, and other upper-limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders, especially medial epicondylitis and other nerve entrapment disorders (cervicobrachial neuralgia and carpal and radial tunnel syndromes).