Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of the development of osteoblastic metastases

Although several neoplasms may produce osteoblastic metastases, carcinoma of the prostate is by far the most common. Biochemical and histologic studies indicate that osteolysis also is a manifestation of prostate carcinoma. Furthermore, factors such as parathyroid hormone‐related peptide, which mediate osteolysis in other cancers, also appear to be operative in the bone breakdown induced by prostate carcinoma. However, the most unique skeletal effect of this tumor is its consistent capacity to stimulate osteoblasts to deposit new bone. Several bone growth factors have been detected in prostatic tissue and may contribute to this process. These include transforming growth factor‐β, fibroblast growth factor, and bone morphogenetic proteins. The author isolated an amino‐terminal fragment (ATF) of the protease urokinase (uPA) from the conditioned medium of the prostate carcinoma cell line PC‐3 and demonstrated that this fragment has mitogenic activity for osteoblastic cells. The activity appears to reside in an epidermal growth factor‐like growth factor domain (GFD) within the ATF. Subsequently, the author cloned the rat uPA receptor (uPAR). uPAR is known to bind the ATF and can permit the uPA molecule to exhibit focal proteolysis. It was shown that the ATF also can induce c‐myc, c‐jun, and c‐fos in osteoblastic cells. This effect of ATF can be mimicked by the GFD and suggests that this signalling pathway in osteoblasts is via the uPAR. Consequently, the uPA molecule may contribute to growth factor effects in osteoblasts via the NH2‐terminal fragment and to tumor invasiveness via its COOH‐terminal proteolytic domain. This scenario is supported by results from studies with uPA‐overexpressing prostate carcinoma cells in rats. Additional studies will be required to further define the mechanisms of interaction of prostate carcinoma and other cancers with bone but each site of molecular interaction may provide a therapeutic window for curtailing the effects of these tumors on the skeleton. Cancer 1997; 80:1581‐7. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
Midface-Lifting: Evolution, Indications, and Technique

Abstract The youthful face is often defined by malar and lateral cheek fullness with associated submalar concavity, giving a smooth contour between the different subunits coupled with an aesthetically pleasing convex lower eyelid–cheek continuum. This article reviews the key anatomical concepts of midfacial aging, the evolution of midface-lifting techniques, and indications and contraindications for their use.
Analysis of risk factors associated with uterine perforation by intrauterine devices

Objective: To determine the risk factors for intrauterine devices (IUDs) being displaced into the abdominal cavity. Methods: This prospective follow-up study was conducted between 1996 and 2002, at the family planning clinic of a referral hospital. All 8343 women who had a copper T-380A IUD inserted underwent ultrasound examination after 1 year. Relative risk estimates and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the risk factors associated with uterine perforation by intrauterine devices. Results: Eighteen uterine perforations occurred during the study, giving an incidence of 2.2 per 1000 insertions. When the time elapsed after the last delivery until IUD insertion is considered, postplacental insertion and insertion after 6 months postpartum were found not to increase the risk of uterine perforation. However, IUD insertion 0-3 months postpartum increased the risk of uterine perforation (odds ratio (OR) 11.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8-49.2) as did insertions at 3-6 months postpartum (OR 13.2, CI 2.8-62). Increasing parity decreased the risk (OR 0.04, CI 0.01-0.1) and increasing number of abortions increased the risk (OR 2.1, CI 1.2-3.6). Conclusion: It is safer to postpone IUD insertion until 6 months after delivery.
Motion modelling using concepts of fuzzy artificial potential fields

Artificial potential fields (APF) are well established for reactive navigation of mobile robots. This paper describes a fast and robust fuzzy-APF on an ActivMedia AmigoBot.Obstacle-related information is fuzzified by using sensory fusion, which results in a shorter runtime. In addition, the membership functions of obstacle direction and range have been merged into one function, obtaining a smaller block of rules. The system is tested in virtual environments with non-concave obstacles. Then, the paper describes a new approach to motion modelling where the motion of intelligent travellers is modelled by consecutive path segments. In previous work, the authors described a reliable motion modelling technique using causal inference of fuzzy cognitive maps (FCM) which has been efficiently modified for the purpose of this contribution. Results and analysis are given to demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed motion modelling algorithm.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor counter‐regulates dexamethasone‐induced annexin 1 expression and influences the release of eicosanoids in murine macrophages

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a pro‐inflammatory cytokine and glucocorticoid (GC) counter‐regulator, has emerged as an important modulator of inflammatory responses. However, the molecular mechanisms of MIF counter‐regulation of GC still remain incomplete. In the present study, we investigated whether MIF mediated the counter‐regulation of the anti‐inflammatory effect of GC by affecting annexin 1 in RAW 264.7 macrophages. We found that stimulation of RAW 264.7 macrophages with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) resulted in down‐regulation of annexin 1, while GC dexamethasone (Dex) or Dex plus LPS led to significant up‐regulation of annexin 1 expression. RNA interference‐mediated knockdown of intracellular MIF increased annexin 1 expression with or without incubation of Dex, whereas Dex‐induced annexin 1 expression was counter‐regulated by the exogenous application of recombinant MIF. Moreover, recombinant MIF counter‐regulated, in a dose‐dependent manner, inhibition of cytosolic phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α) activation and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) release by Dex in RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with LPS. Endogenous depletion of MIF enhanced the effects of Dex, reflected by further decease of cPLA2α expression and lower PGE2 and LTB4 release in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Based on these data, we suggest that MIF counter‐regulates Dex‐induced annexin 1 expression, further influencing the activation of cPLA2α and the release of eicosanoids. These findings will add new insights into the mechanisms of MIF counter‐regulation of GC.
Adverse mental health effects of cannabis use in two indigenous communities in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia: exploratory study.

OBJECTIVE We investigated adverse mental health effects and their associations with levels of cannabis use among indigenous Australian cannabis users in remote communities in the Northern Territory. METHOD Local indigenous health workers and key informants assisted in developing 28 criteria describing mental health symptoms. Five symptom clusters were identified using cluster analysis of data compiled from interviews with 103 cannabis users. Agreement was assessed (method comparison approach, kappa-statistic) with a clinician's classification of the 28 criteria into five groups labelled: 'anxiety', 'dependency', 'mood', 'vegetative' and 'psychosis'. Participants were described as showing 'anxiety', 'dependency' etc., if they reported half or more of the symptoms comprising the cluster. Associations between participants' self-reported cannabis use and each symptom cluster were assessed (logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, other substance use). RESULTS Agreement between two classifications of 28 criteria into five groups was 'moderate' (64%, kappa = 0.55, p < 0.001). When five clusters were combined into three, 'anxiety-dependency', 'mood-vegetative' and 'psychosis', agreement rose to 71% (kappa = 0.56, p < 0.001). 'Anxiety-dependency' was positively associated with number of 'cones' usually smoked per week and this remained significant when adjusted for confounders (p = 0.020) and tended to remain significant in those who had never sniffed petrol (p = 0.052). Users of more than five cones per week were more likely to display 'anxiety-dependency' symptoms than those who used one cone per week (OR = 15.8, 1.8-141.2, p = 0.013). A crude association between the 'mood-vegetative' symptom cluster and number of cones usually smoked per week (p = 0.014) also remained statistically significant when adjusted for confounders (p = 0.012) but was modified by interactions with petrol sniffing (p = 0.116) and alcohol use (p = 0.276). There were no associations between cannabis use and 'psychosis'. CONCLUSIONS Risks for 'anxiety-dependency' symptoms in cannabis users increased as their level of use increased. Other plausible mental health effects of cannabis in this population of comparatively new users were probably masked by alcohol use and a history of petrol sniffing.
Colonization of broiler chickens by waterborne Campylobacter jejuni

Chickens on a broiler farm in southern England were found to be colonized with Campylobacter jejuni of a single serotype, Lior 1 Penner 4. The farm was the sole supplier of a local slaughterhouse associated with a campylobacter outbreak in 1984 caused by this serotype. The serotype persisted on the farm for at least 18 months after the outbreak; its prevalence in the human population served by the farm remained high until it disappeared from the farm in 1986. The possible sources and routes of transmission of C. jejuni to the broilers on the farm were investigated. The results showed that vertical transmission, feed, litter, small mammals, and environmental or airborne cross-contamination between sheds or successive crops could be excluded as persistent sources of C. jejuni. The predominant source of C. jejuni on the farm was shown to be the water supply. Direct microscopy and fluorescent antibody methods revealed presumptive campylobacters throughout the farm's water system. Campylobacter-free chickens raised in an animal house and given water from the farm supply became colonized with the serotype of C. jejuni endemic on the farm (Lior 1 Penner 4). An intervention program based on water chlorination, shed drinking system cleaning and disinfection, and withdrawal of furazolidone from feed reduced the proportion of birds colonized with campylobacter from 81 to 7% and was associated with a 1,000- to 10,000-fold reduction in campylobacters recoverable from the carcasses. Two months after the end of the intervention program colonization of the birds returned to high levels (84%), indicating that there was a temporal association between intervention and reduced colonization with C. jejuni. Investigations continue to establish the general applicability of these findings.
The human FGF-5 oncogene encodes a novel protein related to fibroblast growth factors

We previously described the isolation of a human oncogene which had acquired transforming potential by a DNA rearrangement accompanying transfection of NIH 3T3 cells with human tumor DNA (X. Zhan, A. Culpepper, M. Reddy, J. Loveless, and M. Goldfarb, Oncogene 1:369-376, 1987). We now term this oncogene the FGF-5 gene, since it specifies the fifth documented protein related to fibroblast growth factors (FGFs. Two regions of the FGF-5 sequence, containing 122 of its 267 amino acid residues, were 40 to 50% homologous to the sequences of acidic and basic FGFs as well as to the sequences of the FGF-related oncoproteins int-2 and hst/KS3. The FGF-5 gene bears the three exon structures typical for members of this family. FGF-5 was found to be expressed in the neonatal brain and in 3 of the 13 human tumor cell lines examined. Several experiments strongly suggested that FGF-5 is a growth factor with properties common to those of acidic and basic FGFs. The rearrangement which activated the FGF-5 gene during DNA transfection had juxtaposed a retrovirus transcriptional enhancer just upstream from the native promoter of the gene.
Reaching for the Stars: An Experimental Study of the Consumption Value of Social Approval

We present a theoretical model of a linear public good game in which heterogeneous players express social approval after observing contributions. The model explains how social approval is expressed and predicts positive contributions if subjects have a preference for social approval. Using a controlled laboratory experiment we test our model. In the experiment, subjects conduct computerized tasks that require substantial effort resulting in endowments from which contributions can be made to a linear public good. After observing others’ contributions subjects express social approval. Our main hypothesis is that subjects have a preference for social approval so that the expression of social approval will increase contributions, even if reputation building is impossible. We vary the information available to subjects and investigate how this affects the expression of social approval and individual contributions. Our main finding is that the expression of social approval significantly increases contributions. However, the increase in contributions is smaller if additional information is provided, suggesting that social approval is more effective if subjects receive a noisy signal about others’ contributions.
Review article: epidemiology and quality of life in functional gastrointestinal disorders

The epidemiology and health‐related quality of life associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders are reviewed, with particular emphasis on irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia. The literature supports the significant world‐wide prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia and chronic constipation. An increased female prevalence has been demonstrated in most studies in patients with IBS and chronic constipation, but not functional dyspepsia. The female to male ratio appears to be greater in the health care‐seeking population than in community populations. However, some differences in the reported general prevalence and gender‐related prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders may be due to cultural factors and study methodology. A significant health care burden is associated with IBS, with increased out‐patient services, abdominal and pelvic surgeries, and gastrointestinal‐ and non‐gastrointestinal‐related physician visits and health care costs. Health‐related quality of life is impacted significantly in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as functional dyspepsia and IBS, compared with the general healthy population, as well as patients with other chronic medical conditions, such as gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease and asthma. Impaired health‐related quality of life has been demonstrated, in particular, in patients with moderate to severe disease seen in referral settings. The health‐related quality of life appears to improve in treatment responders, or correlates with symptom improvement, with at least some treatment modalities studied in functional gastrointestinal disorders, but further studies are needed. Predictors of health‐related quality of life in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders include psychosocial factors, such as early adverse life events, and symptoms related to visceral perception, e.g. pain and chronic stress. The presence of extra‐intestinal symptoms appears to have a major if not greater impact on health care visits, excess health care costs and health‐related quality of life in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Effect of various substances on survival times of mice exposed to different high oxygen tensions.

Mice were exposed to various pressures of oxygen up to 10 atm. Survival times decreased abruptly between 0.7 and 1 atm. of oxygen, and reached a minimum value of 19 minutes at 10 atm. Cysteamine, reduced glutathione and thiourea had a detrimental effect at 1 or 1.5 atm. but protected mice at 6 atm. of oxygen. Cystamine and oxidized glutathione did not protect at 1 atm. but gave protection at 6 atm. of oxygen. AET (s-aminoethylisothiuronium) gave no protection at 1 or 10 atm. but increased the survival time of mice exposed to 2 and 2.5 atm. Cobalt increased the survival time of mice exposed to 1 atm. and either exerted no influence or had a slight detrimental effect at higher oxygen pressures. Ca EDTA (calcium salt of ethylenediamintetraacetic acid) did not change the survival time of mice exposed to 6 atm. of oxygen. DEDTC (diethyldithiocarbamic acid sodium salt) increased the survival time of mice in 6 atm. of oxygen. Trihydroxyphenone antioxidants showed some protective effect against oxygen toxicity in mice exposed to 6 atm. of oxygen. The results are not inconsistent with the notion of a possible common mechanism between oxygen poisoning and x-irradiation. The action of any given agent was found to depend upon the oxygen pressure used.
Is there evidence that strength training could help improve muscle function and other outcomes without reinforcing abnormal movement patterns or increasing reflex activity in a man who has had a stroke?

The purpose of “Evidence in Practice” is to illustrate the literature search process to obtain evidence that can guide clinical decision making. This article is not a case report. The examination, evaluation, and intervention sections are purposely abbreviated. A 72-year-old man was admitted to the inpatient rehabilitation facility where I was completing the clinical education requirement for my Master's of Physical Therapy degree. The patient had had a left cerebral vascular accident 10 days prior to his admission. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed an infarct consistent with a thrombosis in the area of the middle cerebral artery. The patient, a retired attorney, lived with his wife in a 2-story house that requires climbing 2 stairs to enter. His goals were to walk independently and to return to his hobbies of gardening and golfing. The patient's medical history included a 15-year history of hypertension, for which he has been treated with a cardioselective beta-blocker (metoprolol [Lopressor]). * Because his cardiac status was stable on admission to the rehabilitation facility, his physician cleared him to begin an exercise program. During my initial examination, I determined that the patient's right extremities were hemiparetic. He was able to hold his right shoulder in flexion, abduction, adduction, and extension and hold his right elbow in flexion and extension against gravity without using compensatory movements; however, he could not accept resistance without using compensatory movement at the scapulae and distal joints (3/5 muscle grade using manual muscle testing as described by Kendall et al1). He held his right wrist in flexion and extension against moderate resistance without recruiting compensatory movement patterns (4/5 muscle grade). He was able to hold his right hip in flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction and hold his right knee in flexion and extension against gravity without using compensatory movements; however, he could …
Analysis of the Human Sperm Proteome

Abstract: As part of our effort to identify putative protein targets for the development of male contraceptives, we performed an in‐depth proteomic analysis of human sperm by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Motile sperm were collected from a single fertile individual and fractionated into detergent‐soluble and detergent‐insoluble fractions. Sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis separation of these fractions, followed by manual cutting of the gel, yielded 35 gel sections for each fraction to include proteins across the full range of electrophoretic mobility. Proteomic analysis of these gel sections identified more than 1,760 proteins with high confidence, with 1,350 proteins identified in the soluble fraction, 719 identified in the insoluble fraction, and 309 identified in both fractions. This characterization of the human sperm proteome provides a high‐resolution, physiologically relevant index of the proteins that comprise human sperm.
Avoiding blood transfusion in surgical patients (including Jehovah’s Witnesses).

When treating Jehovah's Witnesses, the surgical team should carefully discuss the risks and clarify which products and treatments are available and might be acceptable to the patient. A range of multidisciplinary pre, peri and post-operative blood conservation strategies can be employed to reduce the need for transfusion and should be considered in the management of all surgical patients.
Differential Substrate Inhibition Couples Kinetically Distinct 4-Coumarate:Coenzyme A Ligases with Spatially Distinct Metabolic Roles in Quaking Aspen1

4-Coumarate:coenzyme A ligase (4CL) activates hydroxycinnamates for entry into phenylpropanoid branchways that support various metabolic activities, including lignification and flavonoid biosynthesis. However, it is not clear whether and how 4CL proteins with their broad substrate specificities fulfill the specific hydroxycinnamate requirements of the branchways they supply. Two tissue-specific 4CLs, Pt4CL1 and Pt4CL2, have previously been cloned from quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), but whether they are catalytically adapted for the distinctive metabolic roles they are thought to support is not apparent from published biochemical data. Therefore, single- and mixed-substrate assays were conducted to determine whether the 4CLs from aspen exhibit clear catalytic identities under certain metabolic circumstances. Recombinant Pt4CL1 and Pt4CL2 exhibited the expected preference forp-coumarate in single-substrate assays, but strong competitive inhibition favored utilization of caffeate andp-coumarate, respectively, in mixed-substrate assays. The Pt4CL1 product, caffeoyl-CoA, predominated in mixed-substrate assays with xylem extract, and this was consistent with the near absence of Pt4CL2 expression in xylem tissue as determined by in situ hybridization. It is interesting that the Pt4CL2 product p-coumaroyl-CoA predominated in assays with developing leaf extract, although in situ hybridization revealed that both genes were coexpressed. The xylem extract and recombinant 4CL1 data allow us to advance a mechanism by which 4CL1 can selectively utilize caffeate for the support of monolignol biosynthesis in maturing xylem and phloem fibers. Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), in contrast, possesses a single 4CL protein exhibiting broad substrate specificity in mixed-substrate assays. We discuss these 4CL differences in terms of the contrasts in lignification between angiosperm trees and their gymnosperm progenitors.
fnnlib: a flexible C++ library for recurrent neural network simulations

This thesis introduces fnnlib, a C++ library for recurrent neural network simulations that I developed between October 2009 and March 2010 at Osaka University's Graduate School of Engineering. After covering the theory behind recurrent neural networks, backpropagation through time, recurrent neural networks with parametric bias, continuous-time recurrent neural networks, and echo state networks, the design of the library is explained. All of the classes as well as their interrelationships are presented along with reasons as to why certain design decisions were made. Towards the end of the thesis, a small practical example is shown. Also, fnnlib is compared to other neural network libraries.