Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in regenerating skeletal muscle: a study in experimentally injured and mdx muscles.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) cooperatively degrade all components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Remodeling of ECM during skeletal muscle degeneration and regeneration suggests a tight regulation of matrix-degrading activity during muscle regeneration. In this study, we investigated the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, in normal muscles and their regulation during regeneration process. We further investigated their secretion by C2C12 myogenic cell line. Two models of muscle degeneration-regeneration were used: (1) normal muscles in which necrosis was experimentally induced by cardiotoxin injection; (2) mdx muscles which exhibit recurrent signs of focal myofiber necrosis followed by successful regeneration. MMPs were studied by zymography; their free activity was quantified using 3H-labeled gelatin substrate and mRNA expression was followed by Northern hybridization. Muscle degeneration-regeneration was analyzed by conventional morphological methods and in situ hybridization was performed on muscle sections to identify the cells expressing these MMPs. Results show that MMP-2, but not MMP-9 expression, is constitutive in normal muscles. Upon injury, the active form of MMP-2 is transiently increased, whereas MMP-9 is induced within 24 h and remains present for several days. Quantitative assays of free gelatinolytic activity show a progressive and steady increase that culminates at 7 days postinjury and slowly returns to normal levels. In adult mdx mice, both pro and active forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 are expressed. Northern blot results support these findings. Zymography of C2C12-conditioned medium shows that myogenic cells produce MMP-2. By in situ hybridization we localized MMP-9 mRNA in inflammatory cells and putative activated satellite cells in injured muscles. Our data allow the correlation of the differential expression of pro and/or active forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 with different stages of the degeneration-regeneration process: MMP-9 expression is related to the inflammatory response and probably to the activation of satellite cells, whereas MMP-2 activation is concomitant with the regeneration of new myofibers.
Risk of Suicide Following Deliberate Self-poisoning.

IMPORTANCE Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, and its rate has risen by 16% in the past decade. Deliberate self-poisoning is the leading method of attempted suicide. Unlike more violent methods, which are almost universally fatal, survival following self-poisoning is common, providing an opportunity for secondary prevention. However, the long-term risk of suicide following a first episode of self-poisoning is unknown. OBJECTIVE To determine the risk of suicide and mortality from other causes following a first self-poisoning episode. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Population-based cohort study using multiple linked health care databases. We identified all individuals with a first self-poisoning episode in Ontario, Canada, from April 1, 2002, through December 31, 2010, and followed up all surviving participants until December 31, 2011, or death, whichever occurred first. For each individual with a deliberate self-poisoning episode, we randomly selected 1 control from the same population with no such history, matched for age (within 3 months), sex, and calendar year. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary analysis examined the risk of suicide following discharge after self-poisoning. The secondary analyses explored factors associated with suicide and examined the risk of death caused by accidents or any other cause. RESULTS We identified 65 784 patients (18 482 [28.1%] younger than 20 years) who were discharged after a first self-poisoning episode. During a median follow-up of 5.3 years (interquartile range, 3.1-7.6 years), 4176 died, including 976 (23.4%) by suicide. The risk of suicide following self-poisoning was markedly increased relative to controls (hazard ratio, 41.96; 95% CI, 27.75-63.44), corresponding to a suicide rate of 278 vs 7 per 100 000 person-years, respectively. The median time from hospital discharge to completed suicide was 585 days (interquartile range, 147-1301 days). Older age, male sex, multiple intervening self-poisoning episodes, higher socioeconomic status, depression, and recent psychiatric care were strongly associated with suicide. Patients with a self-poisoning episode were also more likely to die because of accidents (hazard ratio, 10.45; 95% CI, 8.10-13.47) and all causes combined (hazard ratio, 5.55; 95% CI, 5.12-6.02). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE A first self-poisoning episode is a strong predictor of subsequent suicide and premature death. Most suicides occur long after the index poisoning, emphasizing the importance of longitudinal, sustained secondary prevention initiatives.
Zinc octa-n-alkyl phthalocyanines in photodynamic therapy: photophysical properties, accumulation and apoptosis in cell cultures, studies in erythrocytes and topical application to Balb/c mice skin

Two octa-substituted phthalocyanines, namely 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octakis(decyl)phthalocyaninato zinc( ii ) (ZnODPc) and 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octakis(pentyl)phthalocyaninato zinc( ii ) (ZnOPPc), were investigated for their use in photodynamic therapy (PDT) after topical application. Both substances exhibited favourable properties as photosensitisers in vitro : absorption maxima around 700 nm with absorption coefficients of about 190000 (M^−1 cm^−1), a singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.47 ± 0.02 (ZnODPc), and good accumulation in keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Cell death after phthalocyanine-photosensitisation appeared to occur mainly via apoptosis. The in vivo experiments demonstrated a good accumulation of the phthalocyanines after topical application in a tetrahydrofuran–azone formulation onto the dorsal skin of Balb/c mice: [(4.6–4.7) ± 1.0]% of deposited dye could be recovered after 3 h from deposition. ZnODPc showed significantly better skin-photosensitising properties than ZnOPPc and is therefore a potential candidate for the treatment of psoriasis.
Low-Positive Antibody Titer against Helicobacter pylori Cytotoxin-Associated Gene A (CagA) May Predict Future Gastric Cancer Better Than Simple Seropositivity against H. pylori CagA or against H. pylori

Background: To investigate the IgG antibody titer against Helicobacter pylori CagA as a risk factor for future noncardia gastric cancer. Methods: A nested case-control study was done in the longitudinal cohort of atomic bomb survivors using stored sera before diagnosis (mean, 2.3 years). Enrolled were 299 cancer cases and 3 controls per case selected from cohort members matched on age, gender, city, and time and type of serum storage and countermatched on radiation dose. Results: H. pylori IgG seropositive with CagA IgG low titer was the strongest risk factor for noncardia gastric cancer [relative risk (RR), 3.9; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 2.1-7.0; P < 0.001], especially for intestinal-type tumor (RR, 9.9, 95% CI, 3.5-27.4; P < 0.001), compared with other risk factors, H. pylori IgG seropositive with CagA IgG negative (RR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.3-3.9; P = 0.0052), H. pylori IgG seropositive with CagA IgG high titer (RR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3-3.2; P = 0.0022), chronic atrophic gastritis (RR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.8-3.3; P < 0.001), current smoking (RR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.4-3.5; P < 0.001), or radiation dose (RR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.1; P = 0.00193). Current smoking showed significantly higher risk for diffuse-type than intestinal-type tumors (P = 0.0372). Radiation risk was significant only for nonsmokers, all noncardia, and diffuse-type gastric cancers. Conclusions: A low CagA IgG titer is a useful biomarker to identify a high-risk group and it also provides a clue to understanding host-pathogen interaction. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(6):1224–8)
Solving functional equations at higher types: some examples and some theorems

The solvability of higher type functional equations has been studied by a number of authors. Roughly speaking the literature sorts into four topics: con-structive solvability (e.g., Gόdel [5], Scott [7]); solvability in all models, i.e., unification (e.g., Andrews [1], Statman [8] and [9]); solvability in models of A.C. (e.g., Church [2], Friedman [4]); and the solvability of special classes of equations (e.g., Scott [7]). In this note we shall consider yet a fifth topic, namely, the solvability of functional equations in extensions of models. Our main result is the no counterexample theorem. This theorem equates the unsolvability of E in every extension of SI with the solvability of some other E in 21. The theorem can be iterated and applied to λ theories (in extended lan-guages) as well as to models. Thus, it can be used to explain, in a general way, a phenomenon well illustrated by the case of λU. This is a simple consequence of a Scott-type completion argument. It is also an immediate corollary to the no counterexample theorem. We adopt for the most part the notation and terminology of [8] and [9].
Steady-state somatosensory evoked potentials for brain-controlled wheelchair

This paper presents three-classes concentration task classification method using spatial-frequency feature of steady-state somatosensory evoked potentials (SSSEPs) for control of brain-controlled wheelchair. The feature extraction methods are based on common spatial pattern (CSP) filtering and fast Fourier-transform (FFT) analysis. A classification method is based on linear discriminant analysis (LDA). Three experimental tasks were performed to concentrate on vibration stimuli of left and right hand finger, and a toe; these tasks were associated with three wheelchair commands: turn left, turn right, and move forward, respectively. The vibration stimuli consisted of vibration motor controlled by micro controller unit (MCU). The experiment by simple paradigm was conducted with three subjects aged between 27 and 28 years old. The overall results show that using the spatial-frequency feature can increase the accuracy in classification of three concentration tasks.
Molecular Systematic Analysis Reveals Cryptic Tertiary Diversification of a Widespread Tropical Rain Forest Tree

The broad geographic range of many Neotropical rain forest tree species implies excellent dispersal abilities or range establishment that preceded the formation of current dispersal barriers. In order to initiate historical analyses of such widespread Neotropical trees, we sequenced the nuclear ribosomal spacer (ITS) region of Symphonia globulifera L. f. (Clusiaceae) from populations spanning the Neotropics and western Africa. This rain forest tree has left unmistakable Miocene fossils in Mesoamerica (15.5–18.2 Ma) and in South America (∼15 Ma). Although marine dispersal of S. globulifera is considered improbable, our study establishes three marine dispersal events leading to the colonization of Mesoamerica, the Amazon basin, and the West Indies, thus supporting the paleontological data. Our phylogeographic analysis revealed the spatial extent of the three Neotropical S. globulifera clades, which represent trans‐Andes ( \documentclass{aastex} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{bm} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{pifont} \usepackage{stmaryrd} \usepackage{textcomp} \usepackage{portland,xspace} \usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \usepackage[OT2,OT1]{fontenc} \newcommand\cyr{ \renewcommand\rmdefault{wncyr} \renewcommand\sfdefault{wncyss} \renewcommand\encodingdefault{OT2} \normalfont \selectfont} \DeclareTextFontCommand{\textcyr}{\cyr} \pagestyle{empty} \DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \begin{document} \landscape $$\mathrm{Mesoamerica}\,+\mathrm{west}\,$$ \end{document} Ecuador), cis‐Andes ( \documentclass{aastex} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{bm} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{pifont} \usepackage{stmaryrd} \usepackage{textcomp} \usepackage{portland,xspace} \usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \usepackage[OT2,OT1]{fontenc} \newcommand\cyr{ \renewcommand\rmdefault{wncyr} \renewcommand\sfdefault{wncyss} \renewcommand\encodingdefault{OT2} \normalfont \selectfont} \DeclareTextFontCommand{\textcyr}{\cyr} \pagestyle{empty} \DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \begin{document} \landscape $$\mathrm{Amazonia}\,+\mathrm{Guiana}\,$$ \end{document} ), and the West Indies. Strong phylogeographic structure found among trans‐Andean populations of S. globulifera stands in contrast to an absence of ITS nucleotide variation across the Amazon basin and indicates profound regional differences in the demographic history of this rain forest tree. Drawing from these results, we provide a historical biogeographic hypothesis to account for differences in the patterns of β diversity within Mesoamerican and Amazonian forests.
Assessment of the developmental competence of human somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos by oocyte morphology classification.

BACKGROUND The oocyte plays a key role in reprogramming the epigenetic status of donor cell nuclei, and the absence of reprogramming elements in the cytoplasm or aberrant accumulation of proteins can trigger the abnormal development of nuclear transfer (NT) embryos. Previous studies have demonstrated the relationship between oocyte morphology and both embryo development and pregnancy outcome. In the present study, we compared the morphology of oocytes with subsequent development of human somatic cell NT (SCNT) embryos. METHODS Piezo-assisted SCNT technology was used to produce reconstructed embryos, with almost 92% of oocytes reconstructed successfully. Depending on their morphologies, we separated metaphase II oocytes into four grades according to criteria which assess oocyte morphology, first polar body and perivitelline space, and especially, cytoplasm granula distribution. RESULTS Embryos from oocytes of Grades A and B could develop to the blastocyst stage with similar development efficiency for every developmental stage. However, embryos from Grade C oocytes arrested at or before the 8-cell stage then degraded, and the donor cell genome could not be activated and reprogrammed in such oocytes. For Grade D oocytes, cleavage was not observed in the reconstructed embryos, suggesting that the oocytes themselves have no developmental potential. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed that different levels of developmental competence of SCNT embryos resulting from different oocyte reprogramming potentials associated with different morphologies. The results suggest that effective methods for improving oocyte quality should be studied, and that human SCNT efficiency would be increased following simple assessment of established oocyte morphology criterion.
Differentiation of normal skin and melanoma using high resolution hyperspectral imaging

We investigated the use of high resolution hyperspectral imaging microscopy to detect abnormalities in skin tissue using hematoxylin-eosin stained preparations of normal and abnormal skin, benign nevi and melanomas. A goal of this study was to provide objective data that could be utilized by any researcher; and form the beginnings of a reference spectral data base. All spectral characterizations were acquired in percent transmission, and absorption, with contiguous wavelength acquisition between 400 and 800 nm; and a spectral resolution of ~1 nm. Biopsy sections were characterized with varying sample thickness, staining and magnification in order to determine their impact on spectral characterizations. Spectra were classified using spectral waveform cross correlation analysis, an algorithm that is linearity invariant. Classified spectra were incorporated into spectral libraries; and all spectra acquired from the field of view were correlated with library spectra to a quantified, user-determined, confidence threshold (minimum correlation coefficient). The results revealed that all skin conditions in our initial data sets could be objectively differentiated providing that staining and section thickness was controlled. We also demonstrated that it is likely that a reference spectral library database could be created to include bioinformatics and cluster analysis. This would assist multiple laboratories to participate in the input and retrieval of target spectral information.
Psychological distress and surveillance behaviors of women with a family history of breast cancer.

Women with a family history of breast cancer are at increased risk for developing the disease. This study investigated the beliefs of women at high risk for breast cancer (one or more first-degree relatives with breast cancer) about their breast cancer risk and the impact of this information on their surveillance behaviors and psychological distress. The Health Belief Model and the Fear Arousing Communications Theory were used in this study. Two hundred and seventeen women, enrolled in a breast protection program, completed a questionnaire regarding health beliefs and behaviors, social support, and psychological distress. While 94% came in for regularly scheduled mammograms, only 69% came in for regular clinical breast examinations. A discriminant function analysis revealed that increased cancer anxiety decreased regular clinical examinations (coefficient = -.65). Only 40% performed breast self-examination monthly, 10% never performed breast self-examination, and 50% did not perform breast self-examination regularly. High breast self-examination performance prior to coming to the program was the best predictor of current breast self-examination, and high anxiety predicted poor adherence to monthly breast self-examination (multiple R = .61). More than 27% of the women at high risk were defined as having a level of psychological distress consistent with the need for counseling. Women reporting more barriers to screening, fewer social supports, and low social desirability had more psychological distress (multiple R = .75). Higher anxiety was directly related to poor attendance at a clinical breast examination and poor adherence to monthly breast self-examination. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Cloning and nucleotide sequence of DNA mismatch repair gene PMS1 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae: homology of PMS1 to procaryotic MutL and HexB

The PMS1 gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, implicated in DNA mismatch repair in yeast cells (M. S. Williamson, J. C. Game, and S. Fogel, Genetics 110:609-646, 1985), was cloned, and the nucleotide sequence was determined. The nucleotide sequence showed a 2,712-base-pair open reading frame; the predicted molecular mass of the deduced protein is 103 kilodaltons. Deletion mutants of the open reading frame were constructed and genetically characterized. The deduced amino acid sequence of the PMS1 gene exhibited homology to those of the mutL gene from Salmonella typhimurium and the hexB gene from Streptococcus pneumoniae, genes required for DNA mismatch repair in these organisms. The homology suggests an evolutionary relationship of DNA mismatch repair in procaryotes and eucaryotes.
Role of Phosphorus and Vitamin D Analogs in the Pathogenesis of Vascular Calcification

Vascular calcification is a mortality risk factor for stage 5 chronic kidney disease patients. We investigated the role of phosphorus and vitamin D analogs in the pathogenesis of vascular calcification using in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro models. Our results demonstrate that uremic rats receiving a hyperphosphatemia-inducing diet did not exhibit aortic calcification despite elevated levels of serum phosphorus and calcium-phosphorus (CaxP) product. The vitamin D analog 1α-hydroxyvitamin-D2 [1α(OH)D2] at 0.17 μg/kg raised serum calcium, phosphorus, CaxP product, and aortic calcification in the uremic rats, but 19-nor-1α,25(OH)2D2 (19-nor) at the same dose had no significant effect. At 0.67 μg/kg, both 1α(OH)D2 and 19-nor had similar effects on serum calcium, phosphorus, and CaxP product, but only 1α(OH)D2 induced significant aortic calcification. Only aortic rings from 1α(OH)D2-treated uremic rats exhibited a significant increase in 45Ca uptake ex vivo. When aortic rings from normal rats or a primary culture of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells were treated with phosphorus or vitamin D analogs in vitro, high phosphorus induced calcium accumulation and/or 45Ca uptake in a dose- or time-dependent manner, whereas vitamin D analogs including 1α(OH)D2 up to 100 nM had no significant effect despite the presence of a functional vitamin D receptor. However, serum from 1α(OH)D2-treated uremic rats induced 45Ca uptake into smooth muscle cells cultured in high phosphorus. These results suggest that the regulation of vascular calcification in vivo cannot be easily replicated in the ex vivo or in vitro models, and high phosphorus and some vitamin D analogs such as 1α(OH)D2 exert interactive effects on modulating vascular calcification.
A tight upper bound on the average mutual information in correlated rayleigh fading MIMO channels

We derive a tight upper bound on the average mutual information in Rayleigh distributed channels with spatial Correlation among antenna elements in transmitter and receiver arrays. The derivation of the upper bound is based on calculation of expected values of elementary symmetric functions of complex Gaussian matrix quadratic forms. It can be used for arbitrary SNR, arbitrary number of antenna elements and arbitrary spatial Correlation matrix that can be presented as a Kronecker product of transmitter and receiver correlation matrices. Using the upper bound it is simple to evaluate how the mutual information depends on correlation among elements in transmitter and receiver arrays.
Analysis of thiamine concentrations in commercial canned foods formulated for cats.

OBJECTIVE To measure thiamine concentrations in commercial canned foods formulated for cats as an initial assessment of the variation among canned foods and to determine the effects of flavor (fish vs nonfish) of the food, texture (paté vs nonpaté) of the food, country of manufacture, and size of the company on thiamine concentration. DESIGN Prospective cross-sectional study. SAMPLE 90 canned, nontherapeutic diets formulated for cats (1 fish and 1 nonfish flavor for each of 45 brands). PROCEDURES Each canned food was homogenized, and thiamine concentration was analyzed with a fluorometric method. RESULTS Thiamine concentration was below the minimums of the Association of American Feed Control Officials in 12 of 90 (13.3%) foods and below the recommended allowance of the National Research Council in 14 of 90 (15.6%) foods. Paté foods had significantly lower thiamine concentrations than did nonpaté foods, and foods from smaller companies had significantly lower thiamine concentrations, compared with concentrations in foods from larger companies. Flavor of food and country of manufacture were not significantly associated with thiamine concentration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE A wide range of thiamine concentrations was found in the foods evaluated. Thiamine concentration in a substantial percentage of commercially available canned foods was below the amount recommended for adult cats. Additional research on interlot and intralot variation in thiamine concentrations of foods formulated for cats is warranted. Companies should implement strict quality control and analysis practices regarding food products. Clinicians should consider thiamine deficiency as a differential diagnosis in a cat with acute neurologic dysfunction.
Understanding the correlation of HCI and NBTI degradation in pLDMOSFETs from MR-DCIV technique

Multi-region DCIV technique(MR-DCIV) has demonstrated the capability to obtain the whole interface state profile in STI-based pLDMOSFETs. Based on its independence of forward bias and temperature, the unified MR-DCIV current modeling was established and verified. HCI and BTI related degradation in pLDMOSFETs has been experimentally studied, including Igmax/Ibmax, Vgmax and NBTI stresses. Our results reveal that Vgmax stress results in larger threshold voltage shift due to the higher interface state generation at channel and accumulation regions, linking to NBTI effect. Vgmax stress condition became the worse case degradation condition for pLDMOSFETs.