Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between brain‐derived neurotrophic factor 196 G/A polymorphism and personality traits in healthy subjects

Several lines of evidence suggest that a certain type of personality or temperament is at risk for developing neuropsychiatric diseases, and that brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) might be involved in pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases such as mood disorders. Considering the role of BDNF and personality traits in the neuropsychiatric diseases, it is of interest to examine the association between BDNF gene polymorphism and personality test scores. In this study, we examined the association between 196 G/A the polymorphism in the coding region of the BDNF gene and personality traits scores (temperament and character inventory (TCI) and NEO personality inventory (NEO‐PI)) in Japanese healthy subjects. We found that female, but not male, subjects with BDNF genotype A/A have high scores in reward dependence on TCI and high scores in extraversion on NEO‐PI as compared with other genotypes (G/A or G/G), suggesting an association between reward dependence (or extraversion) personality traits and BDNF genotype in female subjects. Our findings suggest that BDNF 196 A/G polymorphism might be associated with personality traits in female, but not male, healthy subjects. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spiegelneuronen in der sozialwissenschaftlichen Diskussion

Zusammenfassung: Seit ihrer Entdeckung Mitte der 1990er Jahre sind Spiegelneuronen kontinuierlicher Gegenstand neuro- wie sozialwissenschaftlicher Debatten. Das besondere Interesse von Wissenschaftler/innen auserhalb der biologischen Disziplinen beruht auch darauf, dass Spiegelneuronen nicht nur allgemeine erkenntnistheoretische Bedeutung haben, sondern auch im Zusammenhang mit fundamentalen sozialen Erkenntnis- und Empfindungsformen wie Empathie eine wichtige Rolle zu spielen scheinen. Mit dem Buch von Nadia ZABOURA wird ein jungerer Beitrag aus sozial- und kulturwissenschaftlicher Perspektive kritisch in Bezug zur gegenwartigen Diskussion um Spiegelneuronen und die sich aus deren Entdeckung ergebenden sozial- und geisteswissenschaftlichen Konsequenzen dargestellt. Vor dem Hintergrund philosophischer Zugange zum Geist-Materie-Dualismus und der Frage nach der Moglichkeit von Intersubjektivitat lotet die Autorin aus, welche Bedeutung Spiegelneuronen heute fur die Debatte um Empathie und Kommunikation haben. In der Auseinandersetzung mit kommunikationswissenschaftlichen und philosophischen Konzepten wie auch den vorliegenden neurowissenschaftlichen Ergebnissen zu Spiegelneuronen kommt sie zu dem Schluss, dass auch jene keine tragfahige Begrundung fur einen materiellen Reduktionismus bieten, der Phanomene der Intersubjektivitat allein aufgrund beschreibbarer neuronaler Prozesse erklaren wollte. Die Auseinandersetzung mit einer Vielzahl von Bezugstheorien (von DESCARTES uber MEAD bis zu TOMASELLO) ist dabei ebenso anregend, wie sie oft eher kursorisch bleibt. So bietet das Buch vor allem Impulse fur eine weitere Auseinandersetzung mit der Thematik und liefert hier "Routenvorschlage", entlang derer man das Thema der Spiegelneuronen und die diesbezugliche Forschung weiter vertiefen kann.
VULNERABILIDADE ESTRATÉGICA: UM ESTUDO DE CASO EM UMA SIDERÚRGICA

A vulnerabilidade estrategica surge quando o estado atual de uma empresa apreseta pontos que podem comprometer seu desempenho no longo prazo, devido a configuracao de ativos estrategicos. Baseado neste principio este artigo tem como proposito analisar a vulnerabilidade estrategica de uma empresa siderurgica brasileira. Para isso e utilizado o estudo de caso, em que analisa-se em profundidade varias caracteristicas estrategicas da referida firma. Como resultado apresenta-se uma analise sistematica dos aspectos estrategicos que podem ameacar a empresa no futuro. Esta tecnica pode ser util para analise de firmas, que devem evitar pontos de vulnerabilidade estrategica e fortalecer sua competitividade.
Association Between MDM 2 SNP 309 T > G and Risk of Gastric Cancer : A Meta-analysis

Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the world. It is estimated 21,600 newly diagnosed cases of gastric cancer and 10,990 deaths would occur in the USA in 2013, although gastric cancer (3.1%) enjoyed the second largest annual declines in death rates over the past 10 years of data (2000-2009) (Siegel et al., 2013; Society, 2013). It is reported nearly two-thirds of gastric cancer cases and deaths occur in developing countries, such as China, Korea, Central and South America and Middle East (Crew et al., 2006; Zhao et al., 2010; Jemal et al., 2011). Take China as an example, the crude gastric cancer mortality rate was 22.97 per 100,000 in urban areas and 25.58 per 100,000 in rural areas in 2004-2005 (Yang et al., 2006; Jemal et al., 2010). The famous tumor suppressor gene TP53 is mutated in minimally half of all cancers. As a negative regulator of p53, mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) could bind to it with high affinity, leading to the reduction of p53 expression and functional inhibition; on the other hand, p53 enhances MDM2 transcription, which forms an important feedbackloop (Eischen et al., 2009). A polymorphism in MDM2
Association analysis of Krüppel-like factor 11 variants with type 2 diabetes in Pima Indians.

CONTEXT Krüppel-like factor 11 (KLF11) is a transcription factor of the zinc finger domain family that has been shown to regulate expression of the insulin gene. An initial study reported that a KLF11 variant predicting a Q62R was associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in French Caucasians; however, subsequent studies have failed to identify an association between this variant and T2D in subjects from a similar Northern-European ancestry. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether the Q62R or other variants within KLF11 were associated with T2D in Pima Indians, a population with an extremely high prevalence of this disease. DESIGN, SETTING, AND SUBJECTS KLF11 was sequenced in 24 Pima Indians to identify potentially novel variants. There were 18 variants genotyped in a family-based sample of 1337 Pima Indians to analyze the linkage disequilibrium pattern of this gene and identify representative variants. Four representative variants were further genotyped in a population-based sample of 3501 full-heritage Pima Indians for association analyses. Among these subjects, 413 had undergone metabolic studies when they were nondiabetic to measure traits that predict T2D. RESULTS Neither the Q62R nor any other common variant in KLF11 was associated with T2D in the Pima population. In addition, no variant was associated with insulin secretion or insulin-stimulated glucose disposal rate. CONCLUSIONS Common variation in KLF11 variation does not appear to influence the population-based risk for developing T2D among full-heritage Pima Indians. Thus, KLF11 is unlikely to play a major role in the etiology of T2D among this Native American population.
Effect of Microbial Antigens on Irradiation Mortality in Mice.∗

Summary Mortality is reduced by approximately 50% in mice injected with zymosan (1000 γ) or with thermostable antigens from Proteus morganii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Escherichia coli. Soluble antigens from Gram-positive organisms, however, are ineffective. The greatest reduction of mortality is obtained by means of a Typhoid-Paratyphoid vaccine.
UHF electrically large near-field RFID reader antenna using segmented loop unit

An ultra high frequency (UHF) electrically large near-field RFID reader antenna using segmented loop unit is proposed to enlarge the interrogation zone. The proposed antenna is composed of two segmented loops with one common side and a feeding network. Each loop has a uniform and single direction flowing current itself. By providing reverse-direction flowing current to the two segmented loops, the strong and uniform magnetic field distribution over a large interrogation zone can be achieved.
Comparison of a dot immunobinding assay and the serum agglutination test for detecting serological responses in vaccinated and unvaccinated chickens following challenge with Salmonella gallinarum.

A dot immunobinding assay (DIA) was compared with the standard tube agglutination test (SAT) for detecting antibodies in sera from vaccinated and unvaccinated chickens challenged with Salmonella gallinarum var duisburg . The virulence plasmid-cured S. gallinarum vaccine was given at 7 and 21 days, and the challenge at 35 days. The DIA was very sensitive and detected antibodies to high titres in challenged birds. It also detected high titres in vaccinated, unchallenged birds which failed to react by SAT.
Segmentation and coding of Arabic handwritten words

We propose a segmentation method and handwritten word coding method by human observation for automatic document processing in Arabic. The system is composed of three levels. The first level deals with the word segmentation into portions of characters called graphemes. The second level analyses these graphemes and codes the word by a sequence of observations similar to human perception. The results of these two levels are used in the recognition level (the third level) which are presented as perspective in this paper.
A Novel “Four-Rod Technique” for Lumbo-Pelvic Reconstruction: Theory and Technical Considerations

Study Design. Surgical technique with case example. Objective. To report on a novel technique that allows for the placement of 4 separate longitudinal rods across the lumbo-pelvic junction. Summary of Background Data. Despite advances in surgical techniques and instrumentation, lumbo-pelvic fixation remains a significant challenge. Fusions to the pelvis create long lever arms and generate high forces across the lumbosacral junction, resulting in high rates of screw pullout and implant fracture. In the attempt to achieve better bony fixation, techniques described include the use of bone cement, hydroxyapatite, and expandable screws. Although this process has decreased the incidence of screw pullout, it has not addressed the problem of rod fracture at the lumbo-pelvic junction. Method. There are 4 separate longitudinal rods placed across the lumbo-pelvic junction that couples proximal lumbar screw anchors to 4 separate pelvic fixation points. Proximal lumbar fixation anchors are based on alternating Roy-Camille “straight ahead” screws and Magerl “lateral to medial converging” pedicle screws. There are 4 distal pelvic fixation anchors used based on 1 pair of Galveston-like screws and 1 pair of proximal iliac wing screws. Results. Early results of both ex vivo and in vivo reconstruction show that careful insertion of the lumbar and pelvic screws allows for divergent placement of the pedicle screw heads in a manner that 2 longitudinal rods can be placed per side, resulting in a total of 4 longitudinal rods across the lumbo-pelvic junction. Selection of cross-links in various combinations allows for additional axial and torsional stability, depending on the desired reconstruction. Conclusion. Longer follow-up is necessary, and biomechanical and finite element studies are needed to show long-term efficacy of this technique, however, early results indicate that such a construct is feasible. Furthermore, depending on the general medical condition of the patient, immediate postoperative weight bearing is possible and reasonable.
HydraView: A Synchronized 360◦-View of Multiple Sensors for Autonomous Vehicles

Today’s autonomous vehicles will deploy multiple sensors to achieve safe and reliable navigation and precise perception of the environment. Although multiple sensors can be advantageous in terms of providing a robust and complete description of the surrounding area, the synchronization of multi-sensors in real-time processing is extremely important. When data is synchronized, primary functional systems such as localization, perception, planning, and control, will all benefit. In this paper, we proposed a synchronized data illustration and collection method to assist the data processing applications for autonomous driving. Our proposed solution among different sensors can be directly deployed on autonomous vehicles for data integration and environment analysis to support the driving model construction. The experimental results validate that our proposed method can present a 360◦ synchronized view while providing the capability of real-time scanning with up to 80% reduced latency.
Purple corn color inhibition of prostate carcinogenesis by targeting cell growth pathways

Purple corn color is a widely used food colorant that was reported to have attenuating effects on hypertension, diabetes, and to have anti‐cancer effects on colon and breast cancer. Our study is the first on its possible chemoprevention effects against prostate cancer. For this purpose an androgen‐dependent prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP, was used to examine effects in vitro. Purple corn color inhibited the proliferation of LNCaP cells by decreasing the expression of Cyclin D1 and inhibiting the G1 stage of the cell cycle. Thirty‐six male transgenic rats for adenocarcinoma of prostate were fed basic diet or diet with purple corn color for 8 weeks. Purple corn color decreased the incidence of adenocarcinoma in the lateral prostate and slowed down the progression of prostate cancer. A lower Ki67 positive rate, a decrease of the expression of Cyclin D1, and downregulation of the activation of Erk1/2 and p38 MAPK were observed in the group consuming purple corn color in the diet. Since purple corn color is a mixture, determining its active component should help in the understanding and usage of purple corn color for prostate cancer chemoprevention. Therefore, the three major anthocyanins in purple corn color, cyanidin‐3‐glucoside, pelargonidin‐3‐glucoside and peonidin‐3‐glucoside, were tested with LNCaP cells. The results suggested that cyanidin‐3‐glucoside and pelargonidin‐3‐glucoside are the active compounds.
Using urinary biomarkers to evaluate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure in 126 preschool children in Ohio

Limited data exist on exposures of young children to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the United States (US). The urinary metabolite of pyrene, 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHPyr), is widely used as a biomarker of total PAH exposure. Our objectives were to quantify urinary 1-OHPyr levels in 126 preschool children over a 48-h period and to examine associations between selected sociodemographic/lifestyle factors and urinary 1-OHPyr levels. Monitoring was performed at 126 homes and 16 daycares in Ohio in 2001, and questionnaires and urine samples were collected. The median urinary 1-OHPyr level was 0.33 ng/mL. In a multiple regression model, sampling season (p = 0.0001) and natural log (ln)-transformed creatinine concentration (p = 0.0006) were highly significant predictors of ln-transformed 1-OH-Pyr concentration; cooking appliance type (p = 0.096) was a marginally significant predictor of ln(1-OHPyr). These children had higher median urinary 1-OHPyr levels compared to other US children (≤ 0.15 ng/mL) in previously published studies, which suggests possible geographical differences in PAH exposure.
Classification Algorithm for Subspecies Identification within the Mycobacterium abscessus Species, Based on Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

ABSTRACT Mycobacterium abscessus, as a species, has been increasingly implicated in respiratory infections, notably in cystic fibrosis patients. The species comprises 3 subspecies, which can be difficult to identify. Since they differ in antibiotic susceptibility and clinical relevance, developing a routine diagnostic tool discriminating Mycobacterium abscessus at the subspecies level is a real challenge. Forty-three Mycobacterium abscessus species isolates, previously identified by multilocus sequence typing, were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). A subspecies identification algorithm, based on five discriminating peaks, was drawn up and validated by blind identification of a further 49 strains, 94% of which (n = 46) were correctly identified. Two M. abscessus subsp. massiliense strains were misidentified as M. abscessus subsp. abscessus, and for 1 other strain identification failed. Inter- and intralaboratory reproducibility tests were conclusive. This study presents, for the first time, a classification algorithm for MALDI-TOF MS identification of the 3 M. abscessus subspecies. MALDI-TOF MS proved effective in discriminating within the M. abscessus species and might be easily integrated into the workflow of microbiology labs.
Increased sensitivity of CLL‐derived lymphocytes to apoptotic death activation by the proteasome‐specific inhibitor lactacystin

Ubiquitin‐proteasome‐dependent protein processing appears to be an essential component in the control of radiation‐induced apoptosis in human lymphocytes. This control is altered in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), compared to that of normal human lymphocytes which mainly showed high apoptotic values after irradiation, but in some cases no sensitivity was observed. Interestingly, lactacystin activated the apoptotic pathway in both radio‐resistant and sensitive CLL cells, at doses which had no effect in normal cells where significantly higher concentrations were required. Therefore the resistance of some CLL cells to apoptosis initiation by radiation does not correlate to observed increased sensitivity to lactacystin. The nuclear level of the transcription factor NF‐κB or the cytoplasmic level of IκBα remained unaltered upon irradiation or lactacystin CLL cells treatment, suggesting that the activity of the other factors involved in apoptotic death control were altered through proteasomal inhibition. These results strongly suggest an essential role of the ubiquitin system in apoptotic cell death control in CLL lymphocytes. The inhibition of proteasome‐ubiquitin‐dependent processing could be a discriminatory apoptotic stimulus between normal versus malignant lymphocytes and therefore might potentially be of use in this specific human pathology.
Fault Tolerance in a Cloud of Databases Environment

We will focused the concept of serializability in order to ensure the correct processing of transactions. However, both serializability and relevant properties within transaction-based applications might be affected. Ensure transaction serialization in corrupt systems is one of the demands that can handle properly interrelated transactions, which prevents blocking situations that involve the inability to commit either transaction or related sub-transactions. In addition some transactions has been marked as malicious and they compromise the serialization of running system. In such context, this paper proposes an approach for the processing of transactions in a cloud of databases environment able to secure serializability in running transactions whether the system is compromised or not. We propose also an intrusion tolerant scheme to ensure the continuity of the running transactions. A case study and a simulation result are shown to illustrate the capabilities of the suggested system.
Mast Cell Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 Is Cleaved and Inactivated Extracellularly by α-Chymase1

We previously reported that mast cell α-chymase cleaves and activates progelatinase B (progel B). Outside of cells, progel B is complexed with tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, which hinders zymogen activation and inhibits activity of mature forms. The current work demonstrates that dog BR mastocytoma cells, HMC-1 cells, and murine bone marrow-derived mast cells secrete TIMP-1 whose electrophoretic profile in supernatants suggests degranulation-dependent proteolysis. α-Chymase cleaves uncomplexed TIMP-1, reducing its ability to inhibit gel B, whereas tryptase has no effect. Sequencing of TIMP-1’s α-chymase-mediated cleavage products reveals hydrolysis at Phe12-Cys13 and Phe23-Val24 in loop 1 and Phe101-Val102 and Trp105-Asn106 in loop 3 of the NH2-terminal domain. TIMP-1 in a ternary complex with progel B and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin is also susceptible to α-chymase cleavage, yielding products like those resulting from processing of free TIMP-1. Thus, α-chymase cleaves free and gel B-bound TIMP-1. Incubation of the progel B-TIMP-1-neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin complex with α-chymase increases gel B activity 2- to 5-fold, suggesting that α-chymase activates progel B whether it exists as free monomer or as a complex with TIMP-1. Furthermore, inhibition of α-chymase blocks degranulation-induced TIMP-1 processing (absent in α-chymase-deficient HMC-1 cells). Purified α-chymase processes TIMP-1 in BR supernatants, generating products like those induced by degranulation. In summary, these results suggest that controlled exocytosis of mast cell α-chymase activates progel B even in the presence of TIMP-1. This is the first identification of a protease that overcomes inhibition by bound TIMP-1 to activate progel B without involvement of other proteases.
Endothelin inhibition: novel therapy for prostate cancer.

PURPOSE Androgen refractory prostate cancer continues to evade effective treatment. The potent vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 is produced by prostate cancer and appears to have a role in prostate cancer progression and morbidity. Background on the endothelin axis (endothelin-1 and endothelin receptors ET(A) and ET(B)), preclinical studies of its role in prostate cancer, results of phases I and II clinical trials, and future directions are reviewed. MATERIALS AND METHODS A review was conducted of the published data on the endothelin axis in prostate cancer. RESULTS Based on preclinical and clinical trial data, the endothelin axis is emerging as potentially important in the biology of prostate cancer progression and morbidity. Drugs targeting the endothelin axis, such as the potent ET(A) receptor antagonist atrasentan (ABT-627), have been studied in large clinical trials and appear to have an impact on disease progression and morbidity. CONCLUSIONS The role of the endothelin axis in prostate cancer deserves further investigation in the laboratory and clinic. This new strategy for intervention is promising.
Multi-value sequence generated by trace function and power residue symbol over proper sub extension field

The authors in this paper have proposed a multi-value sequence generated by a primitive polynomial, trace function, k-th power residue symbol, and a certain mapping function over the proper sub extension field. Here, the trace function actually maps an element of the extension field to an element of the proper sub extension field, which is actually a vector space. The distribution of numbers within the sequence becomes more balanced by considering the proper sub extension field. In addition, its period and autocorrelation properties also observed in this paper.