Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Early Exposure to Diethylstilbestrol on Cellular Protein Expression by Mouse Vaginal Epithelium and Fibromuscular Wall

Abstract Epithelia and fibromuscular walls were dissociated from the vaginae of ovariectomized BALB/cCrgl mice (ca. 41 days old) exposed neonatally to diethylstilbestrol (DES) or sesame oil and purified by centrifugation through Percoll density gradients. Neonatal exposure to DES caused the vaginal epithelium to become permanently proliferated and partially keratinized; the control epithelium was low cuboidal. The major cellular proteins expressed in each tissue compartment were examined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of [35S]methionine-labeled tissues. The epithelia and fibromuscular walls displayed distinctive two-dimensional protein patterns. In the DES-exposed vaginal epithelium, the expression of two proteins (one had a molecular size of 65 kDa and a pl of 6.0, and the other had a molecular size of 38 kDa and a pl of 6.3) was increased, while the expression of three proteins with molecular sizes of 25, 30, and 140 kDa and pls of 5.6, 5.6 and 6.7, respectively, was reduced, relative to the control epithelium. In the DES-exposed vaginal fibromuscular walls, the expression of 9 proteins was increased whereas the levels of 21 specific proteins, distinct from those in the epithelium, were decreased. Thus, long-term tissue-specific alterations in the synthesis of a select number of cellular proteins occur in the DES-exposed vagina.
Mobilization of Selenite by Ralstonia metallidurans CH34

ABSTRACT Ralstonia metallidurans CH34 (formerlyAlcaligenes eutrophus CH34) is a soil bacterium characteristic of metal-contaminated biotopes, as it is able to grow in the presence of a variety of heavy metals. R. metalliduransCH34 is reported now to resist up to 6 mM selenite and to reduce selenite to elemental red selenium as shown by extended X-ray absorption fine-structure analysis. Growth kinetics analysis suggests an adaptation of the cells to the selenite stress during the lag-phase period. Depending on the culture conditions, the medium can be completely depleted of selenite. Selenium accumulates essentially in the cytoplasm as judged from electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Elemental selenium, highly insoluble, represents a nontoxic storage form for the bacterium. The ability of R. metallidurans CH34 to reduce large amounts of selenite may be of interest for bioremediation processes targeting selenite-polluted sites.
Food frequency information--relationships to body composition and apparent growth in 4-year-old children in the Pacific Island Family Study.

AIMS To record at the 4-year measurement point for the Pacific Island Family Study the most frequently eaten foods and to identify associations with growth and body composition. METHODS A food frequency questionnaire relating to consumption of 111 foods over a 4 week period was administered to the 739 children, to be completed by a parent. Body composition of the children was measured by anthropometry and body fatness by bioimpedance analysis. Patterns of association between body composition and food frequency were examined using correlation analyses. RESULTS The foods most frequently consumed were bread (1.32 times/day) and total milk (1.63), followed by breakfast cereal (0.83), and fruits (0.78-0.83). 77% of respondents consumed white bread only while 85% consumed standard milk and 7% consumed milk less than once a month or never. Recommended frequency of consumption for fruit was attained by 60%, while only 35% achieved the recommended level for vegetables. Traditional Pacific food consumption made up 5% of the dietary pattern. Protein consumption was positively associated with weight and BMI at 4 years, along with weight gain (0 to 4 years), while frequency of fat consumption was negatively correlated with these variables, in addition to body fat %. Dairy consumption showed a positive correlation with body fat % and BMI. CONCLUSIONS This diet and body size analysis as part of a longitudinal study provides practical evidence to inform practical dietary advice and food policies. Further research is needed to explore association of growth with food patterns and quality.
Macro-Economic Effects of Inward and Outward FDI in Canada

Abstract Using a detailed data on 27 Canadian NAICS industries over the period 1999–2015, we estimate a small macro-econometric model for assessing the macro-economic impacts of inward and outward foreign direct investment (FDI) in Canada. The estimated coefficients of the model in turn are used to simulate the medium to longer-term macro-economic impacts of a 10 percent increase in the two FDI stocks in Canada. The simulation results show a significant positive impact of the two FDI stocks on investment, innovation, trade flows, employment creation and real GDP. The economic impacts of inward FDI on real GDP and employment, however, are significantly bigger than the outward FDI impacts. A sustained 10% increase in the two FDI stocks would raise Canada’s real GDP in the medium term by 1.2% per year.
MMICs in the millimeter-wave regime

On the basis of the current status of silicon based MMICs, it is possible to implement millimeter-wave SOC in silicon-based technologies that include the antenna, a medium-power amplifier, a transceiver, an LO (frequency synthesizer), and baseband circuits in a single chip. With certain interconnection schemes, such as flip-chip, to connect the chip to the substrate, it is also possible to integrate the best possible chips for a millimeter-wave communication system. Currently, CMOS is the best choice for the baseband circuits, while GaAs and InP MMICs can provide the best noise/power performance in the transceiver. High-efficiency antennas can be implemented directly on the packaging substrate. The SIP approach has the optimal combinations of the components for the best performance in a particular system. For example, a system in a package including CMOS baseband circuits, GaAs/InP-based transceiver, high-efficiency antenna, and high-power amplifier can achieve the best system characteristics. As we have discussed, the scope of SOC can be expanded along with more advanced MMIC fabrication technology and design techniques.
Comparison of four model for end‐stage liver disease–based prognostic systems for cirrhosis

Serum sodium (Na) has been suggested for incorporation into the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) to enhance its prognostic ability for patients with cirrhosis. Three Na‐containing models—the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease with the incorporation of serum sodium (MELD‐Na), the integrated Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (iMELD), and the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease to sodium (MESO) index—were independently proposed for this purpose. This study investigated the accuracy of these 4 MELD‐based models for outcome prediction. The c‐statistic equivalent to the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), used to predict 3‐ and 6‐month mortality, was calculated and compared in 825 patients with cirrhosis. The MELD score tended to be lower with increasing Na level. At 3 months of enrollment, the iMELD had the highest AUC (0.807) and was followed by the MELD‐Na (0.801), MESO (0.784), and MELD (0.773); the difference between the MESO and MELD was statistically significant (P = 0.013). At 6 months, the iMELD still had the highest AUC (0.797) and was followed by the MELD‐Na (0.778), MESO (0.747), and MELD (0.735); all comparisons showed significant differences between each other (all P < 0.01), with the exception of iMELD and MELD‐Na (P = 0.18). With the most discriminative cutoffs, the specificity and negative predictive value were 70%‐85% and 89%‐97%, respectively, at 3 and 6 months for the 4 models. Patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) consistently had significantly higher MELD‐derived scores in all 4 models compared to patients without SBP (all P < 0.01). Patients with hepatic encephalopathy also had higher scores in all 4 models, although the statistical significance was established only for the iMELD (41.0 ± 11.5 versus 37.6 ± 9.1, P = 0.037). In conclusion, the incorporation of Na into the MELD may enhance prognostic accuracy. Both the iMELD and MELD‐Na are better prognostic models for outcome prediction in patients with cirrhosis. Patients with SBP have a higher MELD‐derived score. Future studies are warranted to define the optimal MELD‐based prognostic model for cirrhosis. Liver Transpl, 2008. © 2008 AASLD.
Development of pseudointima and stenosis after transjugular intrahepatic portasystemic shunts: Characterization of cell phenotype and function

The clinical utility of transjugular intrahepatic portasystemic shunts (TIPS) is frequently complicated by the ingrowth of tissue into the stent lumen, causing stent stenosis. These studies were undertaken to define the cellular and matrix components of the pseudointima, define the phenotype and function of the mesenchymal cells in the pseudointima and maintain them in culture, and to study the differences between stenotic and nonstenosed stents. A total of 35 stents were evaluated. TIPS pseudointima were examined histologically, by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization to determine the cellular and connective tissue constituents. Mesenchymal cells were grown from tissue within the TIPS and around it, and their phenotype was studied and compared with control smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts. Masson's trichrome staining of histological sections demonstrated that TIPS tissue was composed of collagen and palisades of mesenchymal cells and was lined by an endothelium. Immunostaining demonstrated strong and uniform α‐smooth muscle staining in TIPS mesenchymal cells and peri‐TIPS cells. Type I procollagen mRNA expression was demonstrated in mesenchymal cells in and around the stent by in situ hybridization. TIPS mesenchymal cells secreted less radiolabeled fibronectin, and far more type III, relative to type I, collagen compared with peri‐TIPS cells. TIPS cells also expressed high levels of type III procollagen mRNA compared with peri‐TIPS cells. There was no difference between stenotic stents and nonstenosed stents with respect to clinical features, time from stenting, gross morphology, histology, presence of bile fistulae, and cell phenotype. However, smooth muscle cells (SMC) from stenotic stents demonstrated both greater cell proliferation and collagen I and III secretion compared with those from nonstenosed stents. These data demonstrate that TIPS stenosis results from an accumulation of collagen and proliferation of SMC within the stent lumen.
Antibody Response to Polyhistidine-Tagged Peptide and Protein Antigens Attached to Liposomes via Lipid-Linked Nitrilotriacetic Acid in Mice

ABSTRACT Particulate delivery systems enhance antibody responses to subunit antigens. However, covalent attachment of protein antigens can disrupt protein structure and mask critical epitopes, altering the antibody response to the antigen. In this report, we evaluate noncovalent metal chelation via nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) as a nondestructive method to attach peptide and protein antigens to liposomes. Two model antigens, ovalbumin (OVA) and a peptide derived from the membrane-proximal region of HIV-1 gp41 (N-MPR), were polyhistidinylated and attached to liposomes via monovalent NTA (mono-NTA; KD [equilibrium dissociation constant], ∼10 μM), trivalent NTA (tris-NTA; KD, ∼1 nM), or a covalent linkage. Attachment of N-MPR, but not OVA, to liposomes via an NTA lipid elicited stronger antibody responses in BALB/c mice than a formulation in which unassociated antigen was simply admixed with control liposomes lacking NTA. However, the tris-NTA linkage did not increase antibody responses to either N-MPR or OVA compared to the level for the mono-NTA linkage, despite the greater liposomal association of the antigen. For both antigens, covalently attaching them to a lipid elicited significantly stronger antibody responses than NTA-anchored antigens (OVA titer, 3.4 × 106 versus 1.4 × 106 to 1.6 × 106 [P < 0.001]; N-MPR titer, 4.4 × 104 versus 5.5 × 102 to 7.6 × 102 [P < 0.003]). The data indicate that NTA linkages may increase antibody titers to weak antigens such as N-MPR, but NTA-mediated attachment remains inferior to covalent conjugation. Moreover, enhancements in antigen-liposome affinity do not result in increased antibody titers. Thus, additional improvements of NTA-mediated conjugation technology are necessary to achieve an effective, nondestructive method for increasing the humoral response to antigens in particulate vaccines.
IL‐10 deficiency blocks the ability of LPS to regulate expression of tolerance‐related molecules on dendritic cells

Interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) is an anti‐inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in regulating the local inflammatory immune response, but regulatory mechanisms of this cytokine have not been fully elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that IL‐10 deficiency renders LPS treatment ineffective in regulating the expression of CD40, CD80, CD86, B7‐H2, and B7‐DC on dendritic cells (DCs) and blocks upregulation of IL‐27. This inability to respond to LPS was found in both IL‐10−/− bone marrow derived and splenic DCs. Compared with wild‐type DCs, IL‐10−/– DCs expressed similar levels of TLR4 and CD14, but produced less LPS‐binding protein. The deficiency in LPS‐binding protein production may explain the failure of IL‐10−/− DCs to respond normally to LPS. Moreover, lack of IL‐10 modulated the proportions of CD11c+CD8+ and CD11c+B220+ DCs, which play an important role in local inflammatory responses and tolerance. IL‐10 deficiency also blocked expression of galectin‐1, CD205, and CD103, which are necessary for central and peripheral tolerance. While they did not respond to LPS, IL‐10−/− DCs produced increased levels of IL‐6 and CCL4 after TNF‐α treatment. Together, our results demonstrate that IL‐10 deficiency affects the immune functions of DCs, which may contribute to the increased severity of autoimmune diseases seen in IL‐10−/− mice.
Alterations in the vascular extracellular matrix of granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) ‐deficient mice

GM‐CSF takes part in the cytokine network regulating the metabolism of extracellular matrix (ECM) during atherogenesis. Since data also point to an effect of GM‐CSF on the vascular ECM in general, the vascular collagenous matrix was studied in wild‐type and GM‐CSF‐deficient mice. Histological examination revealed a disorganized vascular ECM in GM‐CSF‐deficient mice involving the collagenous matrix and elastic fiber system. As shown by electron microscopy, collagen bundles were disrupted and reduced. The diameter of fibrils varied widely. mRNA expression of collagens and related molecules was studied. Fibrillar collagens were markedly reduced, α1(I)procollagen to 16.5% of control levels α1(III)procollagen was abolished whereas the expression level of network‐forming α1(VIII)procollagen was not altered. As shown by in situ hybridization, the number of collagen‐expressing cells was reduced. Matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitor 1 were not affected by GM‐CSF deficiency. Our studies demonstrate that GM‐CSF plays a major role in the cytokine network regulating the metabolism of vascular collagens. GM‐CSF deficiency leads to an altered composition of the vascular collagenous matrix, i.e., reduced amount of fibrillar collagen, altered ratio of fibrillar and network‐forming collagen, and failures in the fibrillogenesis. We suggest that GM‐CSF is a basic requirement for the maintenance of vessel wall integrity and resilience. —Plenz, G. , Eschert, H. , Beissert, S. , Arps, V. , Sindermann, J. R. , Robenek, H. , Völker, W. Alterations in the vascular extracellular matrix of granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) ‐deficient mice, FASEB J. 17, 1451–1457 (2003)
The Rating of Sectoral Stocks Based on Their Capital Gain

This study aims to determine the amount of capital gains of sectoral stocks and find out sectoral/ industrial stock rankings based on their capital gains in Indonesia at 2017. Capital gain is a part of the return of stock investment that gets great attention of investors. An understanding of the ranks difference of capital gain will be useful in stock analysis especially in phase of the fundamental analysis of industry, i.e. when potential investors will determine the industry/sector to be object of the stock investment. Data of the sectoral capital gain were obtained by processing index data of sectoral stocks in Indonesia Stock Exchange (ISE). Descriptive analysis was conducted to explain the existing capital gain of the sectoral stocks. Test of Means Difference was conducted to ensure the difference of capital gain among the sectors. Analysis of variance was conducted to test the difference in the rankings of the capital gains among the sectors. The result show that the sectoral capital gains are not significantly different, where the mean is 0.97%. The result also find that the ranks of their sectoral capital gains are significantly different, with Financial Sector as highest rank and Sharia Stock as the lowest rank. The ranks sequentially are: Financial sector, Basic Industry Sector, Consumption Sector, Agriculture Sector, Mining Sector, Manufacturing Sector, Miscellaneous Industry Sector, Infrastructure Sector, Trade Sector, Property Sector, and Sharia Stock. Keywords— capital gain; rating; sectoral stock
TRANSITORY ISCHEMIA/ANOXIA IN YOUNG CHILDREN AND THE PREDICTION OF QUALITY OF SURVIVAL

When rigor mortis has set in, the person is dead according to all criteria. If exceptions occur, these are probably due to errors of observation and judgment, as, sad to say, miracles are no longer fashionable. The central nervous system is particularly sensitive to alterations in general body metabolism, including the oxygen and carbon dioxide content of the perfusing blood. The electrical activity of the brain, as recorded from scalp electrodes, may be considered a running commentary of the functional state of the underlying brain, which largely depends on the metabolic state of cerebral tissues. The range of cerebral tolerance for alterations in acid/ base balance, calcium, potassium, or blood sugar levels is relatively wide in comparison with alterations in hydration and plasma sodium level, which affect brain function over a much narrower range, of the order of 10 percent. The electroencephalogram (EEG) , like any other physical sign in medicine, should not be interpreted in isolation but together with other clinical data such as the biochemical, respiratory and circulatory condition of the patient. Correlations between EEG changes and more general metabolic events may be misleading if the electrophysiologic and biochemical data are not sampled concurrently. This is particularly important in the intensive care situation and following resuscitation procedures, when the assessment of cerebral function determines subsequent management. The concept of “death of the brain” and its relevance to death of other organs was carefully studied by Marie Francois Xavier Bichat, who in 1800 published in Paris a concise book entitled Recherches Physiologiques sur la Vie et la M0rt.l He explained the importance of brain function in the process of death, listing the sequence of events in the rest of the body following death of the brain. He made an important distinction between the functions of “animal life” (consciousness, sensation, voluntary movement) and “organic life” (cardiorespiratory, digestive, liver and kidney function). In comparison with present-day knowledge, however, two aspects were missing from Bichat’s outstanding observations: (1 ) the possibility that with the improvement of medical and nursing techniques resuscitation of the heart could become a fairly common event; and (2) that the development of investigational procedures, such as electroencephalography, would enable us to assess important aspects of brain function that cannot be otherwise measured. Bichat would have been fascinated by the reports presented at this meeting of The New York Academy of Sciences! When blood perfusion to the brain becomes suddenly inadequate, BS when cardiac arrest occurs, there is only a narrow margin of time between reversible and irreversible changes in brain function.
Health Insurers’ Claims and Premiums Under the Affordable Care Act: Evidence on the Effects of Bright Line Regulations

The Affordable Care Act's medical loss ratio (MLR) provisions require that health insurers spend a minimum percentage of premiums on medical costs, thereby limiting administrative costs and profits. Analyses of annual MLR changes indicate that plans both below and above the minimum MLR manage their ratios toward the minimum standard. Our finding that plans with excess MLR manage their MLRs downward suggests that compliant plans exploit their MLR “cushions,” thus increasing profits while typically continuing to satisfy the MLR requirement. We show that 52 percent of noncompliant plans in a given year subsequently become compliant, while 14 percent of compliant plans subsequently become noncompliant.
Image-based fuzzy c-means clustering and connected component labeling subsecond fast fully automatic complete cardiac cycle left ventricle segmentation in multi frame cardiac MRI images

A rapid method for left ventricle extraction from MRI images of cardiac patients is presented in this research. This facilitates cardiologists to critically assess the cardiac function or dysfunction in a patient in terms of their left ventricle's performance, measured as its ejection fraction. Fuzzy c-means based pixel clustering is used for automatic segmentation. The left ventricle in all frames in the complete cardiac heartbeat cycle are extracted after being automatically loaded and segmented. In each image, pixels are grouped into two clusters - foreground and background. After the clustering, connected component analysis labels the pixels into connected regions. The left ventricle region is heuristically selected based on the distance from the image center and eccentricity. This novel original pixel clustering with labeling approach avoids manual initialization or user intervention. This method fully automatically extracts the left ventricle with more accuracy than manual tracing on all slices in the MRI images of the complete cardiac heartbeat cycle. The average computational processing speed per frame is 0.6 seconds, making it much more efficient than level sets, active contours, or other deformable methods, which need many iterations for the evolution of the snake or contour. Accuracy of the automated method presented herein was validated against manual tracing-based extraction. After performing the comparison on four MRI frames, it was found that an average correlation coefficient of 0.95 between the automatic and manual left ventricle segmented boundaries was higher than an average correlation coefficient of 0.85 between two manual tracing-based segmentations of the same.