Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Defective Human Ether-à-go-go-related Gene Trafficking Linked to an Endoplasmic Reticulum Retention Signal in the C Terminus*

Mutations in the humanEther-à-go-go-Related gene (HERG), encoding the protein underlying the cardiac K+ current, IKr, cause chromosome 7-linked long QT syndrome (LQT2). In this study, we show that deletion of the C-terminal 147 amino acids (HERGΔ147) abolished IKr, whereas a larger, 159-amino acid deletion (HERGΔ159) identified in an LQT2 kindred did generate IKr, albeit with reduced amplitude compared with the wild type. The 12 amino acids present in HERGΔ147 and absent in HERGΔ159 include a potential endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal, RGR, which when mutated to LGL (HERGΔ147-LGL) restored IKr. Streptavidin selection of biotin-labeled surface proteins showed good expression of wild-type and HERGΔ159 at the cell surface and low expression of HERGΔ147-LGL and HERGΔ147. Additionally, a 100-amino acid peptide spanning the RGR triplet can rescue the defect in HERGΔ147 when co-expressed as an ER-targeted minigene. Failure of HERG trafficking is known to cause LQT2, and this identified a molecular mechanism underlying this defect. Further, our data indicate that a key function of the C-terminal 104 amino acids is to mask the RGR ER retention signal, which becomes exposed when mutations truncate the HERG C terminus.
Recurrence of focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) after renal transplantation.

Focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) is a pathological term to indicate glomerular lesions associated with distinctive clinical features. In most cases, FSGS is primary in nature and is called idiopathic. Idiopathic FSGS is often associated with a nephrotic syndrome (NS) and may affect both children and adults. While the prognosis of FSGS is relatively good for patients with subnephrotic proteinuria, most patients with persisting proteinuria progress to end stage renal disease (ESRD) in spite of glucocorticoid or immunosuppressive treatment. For most of these patients, renal transplantation should be considered as the treatment of choice. However, in FSGS, the success of renal transplantation may be impaired by the frequent risk of recurrence of the disease on the allograft and by the poor graft survival rate in patients with recurrence. This paper will focus on the risk factors for recurrence, the possible pathogenesis of recurrence and the clinical results of renal transplantation in patients with FSGS.
Lecithin-Based Microemulsion of a Peptide for Oral Administration: Preparation, Characterization, and Physical Stability of the Formulation

The objective of our study was to prepare and characterize a stable microemulsion formulation for oral administration of a peptide, e.g., rh-insulin. The microemulsions were prepared using Labrafil M 1944 CS, Phospholipon 90G (lecithin), absolute alcohol, and bidistilled water. Commercially available soybean lecithins (namely, Phospholipon 80, phosphatidylcholine purity 76 ± 3%, and Phospholipon 90G, phosphatidylcholine purity 93 ± 3%) were used in the study. The results showed that the phase diagram obtained using a low purity lecithin was not similar to that obtained with a high purity lecithin. We observed that the microemulsion area was wider at the phase diagram obtained with the higher purity lecithin. We found that the extent of the microemulsion region depended upon both the purity of the lecithin and the surfactant/co-surfactant (s/co-s) mixing ratios (Km). The rheological studies showed that microemulsions followed a Newtonian behavior. Such physical characteristics as viscosity, turbidity, density, conductivity, refractive index, droplet size, physical appearance, and phase separation of the microemulsion were measured at different temperatures (4°C, 25°C, and 40°C) during 6 months. The results indicated that the physical characteristics of the developed microemulsions did not change under different storage temperatures (p > 0.05).
E-collaboration of Virtual Teams: The Mediating Effect of Interpersonal Trust

This study examines the relationship between task communication and relationship communication, and collaboration by exploring the mediating effect of interpersonal trust in a virtual team environment. A theoretical model was developed to examine this relationship where cognitive trust and affective trust are defined as mediation variables between communication and collaboration. The main results of this study show that firstly, there is a significant correlation with a large effect size between communication, trust, and collaboration. Secondly, interpersonal trust plays an important role as a mediator in the relationship between communication and collaboration, especially in relationship communication within virtual teams.
Amelioration of the Salt-stressed Root Growth of Rice and Normalization of the Na+ Distribution between the Shoot and Root by (S)-α-Methylbenzyl-2-fluoro-4-methylphenylurea

Optically active α-methylbenzyl phenyl ureas (MBPUs) show diverse plant physiological properties. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the salt-stress response of just-germinated rice seedlings supplemented with the S-enantiomer of MBPUs by assessing the growth and Na+ content. This study indicates that S-MBPUs served as a unique stress reliever for just- germinated young seedlings of rice injured by salinity. NaCl severely affected the root growth of rice seedlings. Concomitant treatment with S-MBPUs effectively ameliorated the growth inhibition of rice by NaCl. Glycine betaine (GB) did not act as a reliever of the NaCl stress. The addition of S-α-methylbenzyl 2-fluoro-4-methylphenyl urea (7, denoted as S-FM) to the saline medium ameliorated not only the root growth but also the protein content and dry weight of roots depending upon its concentration. The protein content, Na+ content and growth rate were correlated to each other with a positive relationship. The Na+ distribution ratio (S/R(Na+)) between the shoot and root increased with increasing concentration of NaCl when added alone, viz. with increasing growth reduction. A concomitant treatment with S-FM (7), however, resulted in the S/R(Na+) value becoming smaller with growth amelioration. This indicates that S-FM (7) controlled the translation of Na+ from the roots to shoots. S-FM (7) would have influenced some inherent functions connected with the Na+ behavior in the rice plant, although details of the mechanism for normalization of the S/R(Na+) ratio are still not clear.
Choledochal Cyst Disease A Changing Pattern of Presentation

ObjectiveThe authors compared the presentation, treatment, and long-term outcome of children and adults with choledochal cysts. Summary Background DataThe typical patient with choledochal cyst disease has been the female infant with the triad of jaundice, an abdominal mass, and pain. However, the recent experience of the authors suggested that the disease currently is recognized more commonly in adults. MethodsForty-two patients (11 children, 32 adults) with choledochal cyst disease were treated primarily at this institution between 1976 and 1993. Patient presentation, clinical evaluation, and operative treatment were obtained from existing records. Long-term follow-up was obtained by records, physician, or direct patient contact. ResultsOne child—but no adults—had the classic triad of jaundice, abdominal mass, and pain. Children were more likely to have two of the three signs or symptoms (82% vs. 25%; p = < 0.05). Adult patients most commonly had abdominal pain and were thought to have pancreatitis (23%) or acute biliary tract symptoms, prompting cholecystectomy (50%). The type of choledochal cyst seen in children and adults was similar; the fusiform extrahepatic (Type I) was most common (50%), and the combined intrahepatic and extrahepatic (Type IVA) was the next most prominent (33%). For both children and adults, treatment consisted of excision of the cyst and biliary reconstruction with a hepaticojejunostomy. There was no surgical mortality. Gallbladder or cholangiocarcinoma was identified in three adults (9.7%), two of which were manifest on presentation. Long-term follow-up revealed one patient with a biliary stricture and three patients with Type IVA cysts who had intrahepatic stones. ConclusionsChildren and adults differ in presentation of choledochal cysts, with adults commonly having acute biliary tract or pancreatic symptoms. Surgical treatment with cyst excision and biliary bypass is safe and effective in children and adults with excellent long-term results that minimize the development of malignancy.
Chemoattractant Receptors BLT1 and CXCR3 Regulate Antitumor Immunity by Facilitating CD8+ T Cell Migration into Tumors

Immunotherapies have shown considerable efficacy for the treatment of various cancers, but a multitude of patients remain unresponsive for various reasons, including poor homing of T cells into tumors. In this study, we investigated the roles of the leukotriene B4 receptor, BLT1, and CXCR3, the receptor for CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11, under endogenous as well as vaccine-induced antitumor immune response in a syngeneic murine model of B16 melanoma. Significant accelerations in tumor growth and reduced survival were observed in both BLT1−/− and CXCR3−/− mice as compared with wild-type (WT) mice. Analysis of tumor-infiltrating leukocytes revealed significant reduction of CD8+ T cells in the tumors of BLT1−/− and CXCR3−/− mice as compared with WT tumors, despite their similar frequencies in the periphery. Adoptive transfer of WT but not BLT1−/− or CXCR3−/− CTLs significantly reduced tumor growth in Rag2−/− mice, a function attributed to reduced infiltration of knockout CTLs into tumors. Cotransfer experiments suggested that WT CTLs do not facilitate the infiltration of knockout CTLs to tumors. Anti–programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) treatment reduced the tumor growth rate in WT mice but not in BLT1−/−, CXCR3−/−, or BLT1−/−CXCR3−/− mice. The loss of efficacy correlated with failure of the knockout CTLs to infiltrate into tumors upon anti–PD-1 treatment, suggesting an obligate requirement for both BLT1 and CXCR3 in mediating anti–PD-1 based antitumor immune response. These results demonstrate a critical role for both BLT1 and CXCR3 in CTL migration to tumors and thus may be targeted to enhance efficacy of CTL-based immunotherapies.
An increased risk of motor vehicle accidents after prescription of methadone.

AIMS To investigate whether exposure to methadone affects the risk of motor vehicle accident with personal injury. DESIGN Cohort study linking three Norwegian administrative registries using unique person identifiers. SETTING Information was retrieved from the Norwegian Prescription Database on any prescriptions ever received by the individuals for methadone and all prescriptions for benzodiazepines. The Norwegian Road Accident Registry provided information about motor vehicle accidents involving personal injuries on Norwegian roads. The Central Population Registry provided demographic information on all residents in Norway. PARTICIPANTS All Norwegian adults aged 18-69 years were observed for 2.5 years. MEASUREMENTS Standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was calculated by comparing the incidence of traffic accidents with personal injuries in patients exposed to methadone with the incidence in those not exposed. FINDINGS During the 4626 person-years observed in patients exposed to methadone, there were 26 motor vehicle accidents. There were very few accidents among the females who received methadone and they had no increased risk of being involved in motor vehicle accidents (SIR 1.1; 95% CI 0.2-3.1). We observed an increased risk of involvement in accidents among males (SIR 2.4; 95% CI 1.5-3.6). This figure did not change significantly when exposure to benzodiazepines was excluded. CONCLUSIONS Men exposed to methadone appear to have an increased risk of being involved in motor vehicle accidents involving personal injuries. This increased risk could not be explained by exposure of benzodiazepines.
Elevated C-reactive protein is associated with the tumor depth of invasion but not with disease recurrence in stage II and III colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS We previously demonstrated that elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level is associated with depth of tumor invasion in operable colorectal cancer. There is also increasing evidence to show that raised CRP concentration is associated with poor survival in patients with colorectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between preoperative CRP concentrations and short-term disease recurrence in cases with stage II and III colorectal cancer. METHODOLOGY Of the 224 cases with resected colorectal cancer, 55 patients with TNM stage II and 50 with stage III were analyzed in this study. The clinical features were reviewed according to the CRP level, and statistical analysis was performed. In cases with stage II and III, 11 and 6 of which had elevated serum CRP (>=10mg/L), respectively. Recurrence-free interval was defined as the interval from surgery to the time disease recurrence was diagnosed. Among the cases with stage II and III colorectal cancer, 4 and 10 had recurrent disease. RESULTS Among various clinicopathological characteristics, depth of tumor invasion was independently associated with preoperative elevation of CRP in stage II and III colorectal cancer in multivariate subgroup analysis. However, recurrence-free interval by Kaplan-Meier curves did not differ significantly among patients with preoperative CRP concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that elevated serum CRP level is associated with depth of tumor, but not with recurrent disease in stage II and III colorectal cancer.
EBV‐negative and ‐positive burkitt cell lines variably express receptors for B‐cell activation and differentiation

The expression of receptors for proliferation and differentiation factors was analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence on 29 Burkitt lymphoma (BL) cell lines previously Classified into 3 groups on the basis of their reactivity with 8 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), including anti‐CALLA, BL13 and TÜ1. BL13 and HB5antibodies recognize different epitopes of the EBV/CR2 receptors. The determinant recognized by BL13has been previously shown to be expressed only on cell lines of the first two groups, supposed to derive from the germinal center and to be negative on a third group of lines of putative BM origin and established from sporadic cases of BL. In contrast, and as expected from its reactivity on normal B cells in the BM or in the lymph nodes, HB5 antibody reacts with all BL lines except one. The receptor for transferrin is expressed on the 29 lines. Two new MAbs, Bac‐1 and B1H5, could recognize respectively receptors for BCGF1 and BCGF2. Bac‐1 reacts with 15 of 17 BL lines belonging to the first two groups and 7 of 12 BL lines of the third group; 14 of 15 EBV+ lines express Bac‐1. No BL line expresses B1H5. The IL2 receptor is weakly expiressed on 5 EBV + cell lines and one EBV (−) line. All 6 are BCGF1‐positive. The almost constant expression of BCGFI receptor on EBV+ cell lines is the only strict relation between the expression of receptors for growth factors and their characteristics (i.e. EBV association, translocation, ethnic origin and clinical presentation). The maturation stage or the origin of BL cell lines in relation to the expression of growth factor receptors and the functional significance of these receptors will be discussed.
Does capsule endoscopy recognise gastric antral vascular ectasia more frequently than conventional endoscopy?

BACKGROUND Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a rare cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding which can be difficult to recognise endoscopically. Capsule endoscopy is primarily designed to image the small bowel, but may identify gastric and colonic lesions. There have been few reported cases of GAVE diagnosed by capsule endoscopy in the literature. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to assess the frequency of GAVE in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding referred for capsule endoscopy. DESIGN Case series. SETTING This study was conducted in a tertiary referral hospital. PATIENTS. This study comprised 128 consecutive patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. INTERVENTIONS All patients underwent capsule endoscopy. RESULTS. Six patients were diagnosed with GAVE on the basis of the capsule endoscopy findings (4.7%, five female, median age 71.5 years). All patients had previously had numerous gastrointestinal investigations prior to capsule endoscopy. Five patients to date have been treated with argon plasma coagulation of their vascular lesions. This has resulted in stabilisation of their haemoglobin and cessation of blood transfusions in 4/5 cases with an average follow up period of 15 months. CONCLUSIONS GAVE is commonly missed at gastroscopy and accounted for 4.7% of patients referred for capsule endoscopy with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (in our series). This case series represents the largest number of GAVE recognised by capsule endoscopy. In the presence of any of the reported risk/associated factors for GAVE the gastroenterologist interpreting the capsule images should have a high index of suspicion.
Nitrated α-Synuclein-Induced Alterations in Microglial Immunity Are Regulated by CD4+ T Cell Subsets1

Microglial inflammatory neuroregulatory activities affect the tempo of nigrostriatal degeneration during Parkinson’s disease (PD). Such activities are induced, in part, by misfolded, nitrated α-synuclein (N-α-syn) within Lewy bodies released from dying or dead dopaminergic neurons. Such pathobiological events initiate innate and adaptive immune responses affecting neurodegeneration. We posit that the neurobiological activities of activated microglia are affected by cell-protein and cell-cell contacts, in that microglial interactions with N-α-syn and CD4+ T cells substantively alter the microglial proteome. This leads to alterations in cell homeostatic functions and disease. CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells suppress N-α-syn microglial-induced reactive oxygen species and NF-κB activation by modulating redox-active enzymes, cell migration, phagocytosis, and bioenergetic protein expression and cell function. In contrast, CD4+CD25− effector T cells exacerbate microglial inflammation and induce putative neurotoxic responses. These data support the importance of adaptive immunity in the regulation of Parkinson’s disease-associated microglial inflammation.
Prognostic role of initial pan-endoscopic tumor length at diagnosis in operable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma undergoing esophagectomy with or without neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Background The objective of this study was to appraise the prognostic role of initial pan-endoscopic tumor length at diagnosis within or between operable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) undergoing upfront esophagectomy or neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (nCCRT) followed by esophagectomy. Methods Between Jan 2001 and Dec 2013 in Koo-Foundation Sun Yat-sen Cancer Center in Taiwan, 101 ESCC patients who underwent upfront esophagectomy (surgery group) and 128 nCCRT followed by esophagectomy (nCCRT-surgery group) were retrospectively collected. Prognostic variables, including initial pan-endoscopic tumor length at diagnosis (sub-grouped ≤3, 3-5 and >5 cm), status of circumferential resection margin (CRM), and pathological T/N/M-status and cancer stage, were appraised within or between surgery and nCCRT-surgery groups. Results Within surgery group, longer initial pan-endoscopic tumor length at diagnosis (≤3, 3-5 and >5 cm; HR =1.000, 1.688 and 4.165; P=0.007) was an independent prognostic factor that correlated with advanced T/N/M-status, late cancer stage, and CRM invasion (all's P<0.001). Based on the initial pan-endoscopic tumor length at diagnosis ≤3, 3-5 and >5 cm, nCCRT-surgery group had a poorer (P=0.039), similar (P=0.447) and better (P<0.001) survivals than did surgery group, respectively. For those with initial pan-endoscopic tumor length at diagnosis >5 cm, nCCRT-surgery group had more percentage of T0/N0-status and stage 0 (all's P<0.05), and fewer rate of CRM invasion (P=0.036) than did surgery group. Conclusions Initial pan-endoscopic tumor length at diagnosis could be a criterion to select proper ESCC cases for nCCRT followed by esophagectomy to improve survival and reduce CRM invasion.
Face Identification for Human Robot Interaction: Intelligent Security System for Multi-user Working Environment on PC

The ability to recognize people is positively necessary for interaction between robots and people. In this paper, we introduce intelligent security system that is able to recognize, track and remember user's face. System uses moving camera that has pan/tilt and zoom function like robot's eyes. In order to construct system, we propose the face identification method based on combining multiple features and applying multiple matching algorithms. Also, we address the benefits of multiple instances and show that identification ability can be improved by using proper combination strategy
The Need for a Global Language - SNOMED CT Introduction

SNOMED CT is the most comprehensive, multilingual clinical healthcare terminology in the world. It is a resource with comprehensive, scientifically validated clinical content. SNOMED CT enables consistent, processable representation of clinical content in electronic health records. When implemented in software applicationsSNOMED CT can be used to represent clinically relevant information consistently, reliabl comprehensively as an integral part of producing electronic health information. SNOMED CT supports the development of comprehensive high-quality clinical content in health records. It provides a standardized way to represent clinical phrases captured by the healthcare professional and enables automatic interpretation of these. SNOMED CT is a clinically validated, semantically rich, controlled vocabulary that facilitates evolutionary growth in expressivity to meet emerging requirements. SNOMED CT based clinical information benefits individual patients and clinicians as well as populations and it supports evidence based care. The use of an Electronic Health Record (EHR) improves communication and increases the availability of relevant information. IHTSDO works with other standards oganisations to ensure interoperability and a key area has been the work with ICN to enable the use of ICNP and SNOMED CT by the nursing profession internationally.
Morbidities associated with obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-induced biological changes include intermittent hypoxia, intermittent hypercapnia, intrathoracic pressure changes, sympathetic activation and sleep fragmentation. OSA can cause metabolic dysregulation, endothelial dysfunction, systemic inflammation, oxidative stress and hypercoagulation, and neurohumoral changes. There is evidence suggesting that OSA is independently associated with metabolic syndrome. OSA has been shown to increase the risk for systemic hypertension, pulmonary vascular disease, ischemic heart disease, cerebral vascular disease, congestive heart failure and arrhythmias. Although there are evidences accumulating that there may be a causal relationship between OSA and cardiovascular disorders, there is a need for more data from randomized controlled intervention trials to confirm this relationship. Many risk factors of OSA (age, male gender and obesity) are also known risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Severe OSA-hypopnea significantly increases the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events in both men and women, and continuous positive airway pressure treatment reduces this risk in both. Neurocognitive consequences of OSA include daytime sleepiness, loss of alertness, memory deficit, reduced vigilance, impaired executive function, increased risk for automobile and occupational accidents, and decreased quality of life.