Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of HULC, a novel gene with striking up-regulation in hepatocellular carcinoma, as noncoding RNA.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Recent studies have highlighted the role of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in carcinogenesis, and suggested that this class of genes might be used as biomarkers in cancer. We searched the human genome for novel genes including ncRNAs related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS An HCC-specific gene library was generated and screened for deregulated genes with 46 HCCs, 4 focal nodular hyperplasias, and 7 cirrhoses utilizing cDNA arrays. Sequencing of library clones identified a novel ncRNA as the most up-regulated gene in HCC. This gene was also cloned from different monkeys and characterized by quantitative RT-PCR, Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization. Structural and functional studies included comparative sequence and protein expression analyses, quantitative RT-PCR of polysomal preparations, and siRNA-mediated knockdown experiments. RESULTS The most up-regulated gene in HCC named highly up-regulated in liver cancer (HULC) was characterized as a novel mRNA-like ncRNA. HULC RNA is spliced and polyadenlyated, and resembles the mammalian LTR transposon 1A. It does not contain substantial open reading frames, and no native translation product was detected. HULC is present in the cytoplasm, where it copurifies with ribosomes. siRNA-mediated knockdown of HULC RNA in 2 HCC cell lines altered the expression of several genes, 5 of which were known to be affected in HCC, suggesting a role for HULC in post-transcriptional modulation of gene expression. CONCLUSIONS HULC is the first ncRNA with highly specific up-regulation in HCC. Because HULC was detected in blood of HCC patients, a potential use as novel biomarker can be envisaged.
Política Monetária, Macroprudencial E Bancos: Análise Da Transmissão Por Meio De Um Modelo Dsge

The aim of this paper is apply a DSGE modeling with financial frictions to investigate how monetary and macroprudential policy shocks are conducted to the banking sector and economic activity. The findings show that despite the recessionary effect on credit and product, contractionary shock in such policies when pass through to the cost of bank credit in fin ancial markets operating in imperfect competition, may cause an immediate increase in the spread and earni ngs of banks with increased formation of capital buffers, which favors the stability of the financia l system. Further the relevance of a capital requir ement of shock to the banking sector and real economy, th e results also indicate that, due to different prac tices in reserve requeriments rules and / or the magnitude o f the capital requeriment ratio, there may be diffe rent influences in the transmission of monetary and macr oprudential policy shocks. This shows the relationship and the need for suitable coordination between policies. It is also noted that the study captures the effectiveness of macroprudential polic y, for reserve requirement or capital requirement a s complementary instruments to the interest rate poli cy in the monetary stability process.
Quantifying inter‐species differences in contractile function through biophysical modelling

To facilitate translation of data from animal models into clinical applications, it is important to analyse and quantify the differences and relevance of specific physiological mechanisms between species. We propose a novel approach for the quantification of inter‐species differences in terms of biophysical model parameters and apply this to elucidate the differences in cardiac contraction mechanisms between mouse, rat and human. Our results indicate that the parameters related to the sensitivity and cooperativity of calcium binding to troponin C and the activation and relaxation rates of tropomyosin/crossbridge binding kinetics differ most significantly between mouse, rat and human. Our results predict crossbridge binding to be slowest in human and fastest in mouse.
Passive tension in rat hindlimb during suspension unloading and recovery: muscle/joint contributions.

Muscle/joint stiffness associated with disuse conditions or weightlessness may seriously impair movement and work capacity. The purposes of this study were 1) to develop a noninvasive model to measure rat hindlimb passive tension, 2) to describe changes in passive tension (i.e., flexibility) during whole body suspension and weight-bearing recovery, and 3) to determine relative contributions of the posterior hindlimb to passive tension. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were suspended (14 days) and reloaded (14 days). On days 0, 7, 14, 17, 21, and 28, animals were anesthetized and hindlimb passive tension was measured during ankle dorsiflexion. Seven days of suspension significantly increased passive tension. Recovery of passive tension occurred by 14 days of weight bearing. In suspended animals, increased passive tension was due to musculotendinous units (75%) rather than to the joint (25%). Increased passive tension did not appear to be due to a shorter muscle, but changes in muscle architecture, cytoskeletal proteins, or viscoelastic properties of the muscle and its connective tissue elements cannot be excluded.
New low-volume resuscitation solutions containing PEG-20k

BACKGROUND Hypovolemic shock reduces oxygen delivery and compromises energy-dependent cell volume control. Consequent cell swelling compromises microcirculatory flow, which reduces oxygen exchange further. The importance of this mechanism is highlighted by the effectiveness of cell impermeants in low-volume resuscitation (LVR) solutions in acute studies. The objectives of this study were to assess impermeants in survival models and to compare them with commonly used crystalloid solutions. METHODS Adult rats were hemorrhaged to a pressure of 30 mm Hg to 35 mm Hg, held there until the plasma lactate reached 10 mM, and given an LVR solution (5–10% blood volume) with saline alone (control) and saline with various concentrations of polyethylene glycol-20k (PEG-20k), Hextend, or albumin. When lactate again reached 10 mM following LVR, full resuscitation was started with crystalloid and red blood cells. Rats were either euthanized (acute) or allowed to recover (survival). The LVR time, which is the time from the start of the LVR solution until the start of full resuscitation, was measured as was survival and diagnostic laboratory values. In some studies, the capillary oncotic reflection coefficient was determined for PEG-20k to determine its relative impermeant and oncotic effects. RESULTS PEG-20k (10%) significantly increased LVR times relative to saline (eightfold), Hextend, and albumin. Lower amounts of PEG-20k (5%) were also effective but less so than 10% doses. PEG-20k maintained normal arterial pressure during the low-volume state. Survival of a 180-minute LVR time challenge was 0% in saline controls and 100% in rats given PEG-20k as the LVR solution. Surviving rats had normal laboratory values 24 hours later. PEG-20k had an oncotic reflection coefficient of 0.65, which indicates that the molecule is a hybrid cell impermeant with significant oncotic properties. CONCLUSION PEG-20k–based LVR solutions are highly effective for inducing tolerance to the low-volume state and for improving survival.
Pressurised metered dose inhalers versus all other hand-held inhaler devices to deliver beta-2 agonist bronchodilators for non-acute asthma.

BACKGROUND A number of different inhaler devices are available to deliver beta2-agonist bronchodilators in asthma. These include hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) or chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-free propelled pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) and dry powder devices. OBJECTIVES To determine the clinical effectiveness of pMDI compared with any other available handheld inhaler device for the delivery of short-acting beta-2 agonist bronchodilators in non-acute asthma in children and adults. SEARCH STRATEGY The Cochrane Collaboration Clinical Trials register was searched for studies as well as separate additional searches carried out on MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and also on the Current Contents Index as well as the Science Citation Index. In addition, 17 individual online respiratory journals and 12 electronically available clinical trial databases were also searched. The UK pharmaceutical companies who manufacture inhaled asthma medication were contacted in order to obtain details of any published or unpublished studies. SELECTION CRITERIA - The full texts of all potentially relevant articles were reviewed independently by two reviewers. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Fixed and random effect models were used. Dichotomous outcomes were assessed using Odds Ratios or Relative Risks (RR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (95%CI). MAIN RESULTS Eighty-four randomised controlled trials were included in this review, but few could be combined to assess a specific outcome for a given delivery device comparison. Only two studies required demonstration of adequate pMDI technique as an entry requirement. There were no difference between a standard CFC containing pMDI and any other device for most outcomes. Regular use of HFA-pMDI containing salbutamol reduced the requirement for short courses of oral corticosteroids (3 trials, 519 patients: RR 0.67; 95% CI 0.49, 0.91); however the total number of exacerbations were unchanged (3 trials, 1271 patients: RR 1.0; 95% CI 0.75, 1.33). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS In patients with stable asthma, short-acting beta-2 bronchodilators in standard CFC-pMDI's are as effective as any other devices. The effect of HFA-pMDI on requirement for oral corticosteroid courses to treat acute exacerbations should be confirmed. Effectiveness studies that use an intention-to-treat analysis are required.
Immunosensor Characterization Using Impedance Spectroscopy

Non-invasive and high sensitive electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been used for qualitative characterization of stepwise surface preparation process for constructing an immunosensor, starting from plain silicon substrate, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) silanization, glutaraldehyde functionalization and analytes (rat immunoglobulin G immobilization, followed by protein G-coated gold nanoparticles), using both the horizontal direction (2 terminal) and vertical direction (3 terminal) characterization setup. The investigation demonstrated that 2-terminal setup is able to review the quality of antibody and antigen molecules bonding and distinguish the effects from the underlayers on the immuosensors; while 3-terminal setup is able to correlate the thickness and dielectric constant of each layers. It correlated well to the incubation time of preparing different sensors as well. The two different EIS measurement setups are able to serve different needs for immunosensor characterization and EIS measurement shows higher sensitivities compared with UV-Vis absorption measurement.
Higher education policies and question of social (in)equality: cases of Argentina and Finland.

This article studies the development of higher education (HE) policies in Argentina and Finland and examines what are the principles behind HE laws and policies, and whether the policies promote or prevent social equality. We apply genealogical document analysis and interpretive policy analysis to look for differences and similarities, and to place them in societal and historical context in order to make plausible interpretations. We contrast properties of social systems and patterns of policy practices that describe the character of HE institutions in Argentina and Finland. By creating country cases, we, analyze the HE policies of the democratic era in Argentina and Finland to find out whether and how the policies aim at reducing social inequalities in HE. We conclude that along with market logic in education policies, inequalities in HE tend to increase even in a Nordic welfare state like Finland.
Despite efficient intrathymic negative selection of host-reactive T cells, autoimmune disease may develop in porcine thymus-grafted athymic mice: evidence for failure of regulatory mechanisms suppressing autoimmunity1

Background. CD4 T-cell reconstitution and xenogeneic tolerance is achieved in T cell-depleted, thymectomized C57BL/6 (B6) mice and nude mice by grafting of fetal pig thymus (FP THY). Sixty percent of grafted nude mice and 10% of grafted thymectomized B6 mice develop a clinical illness resembling chronic graft-versus-host disease. Methods. Negative selection of mouse T cells in FP THY grafts was studied in “AND” TCR transgenic mice with a negative selecting MHC. Pathologic and immunohistochemical examinations and adoptive transfer assays were performed to determine the role of mouse CD4+ cells in the occurrence of autoimmune disease in this model. Results. Marked clonal deletion of mouse thymocytes bearing a transgenic TCR (“AND”), which recognizes H2s expressed by host hematopoietic cells, was observed in FP THY grafts. Pathologic and immunohistochemical examinations of the liver, skin, lungs, and kidneys of mice with wasting syndrome showed marked mouse CD4+ T-cell infiltration without detectable pig cells. After adoptive transfer of splenocytes, but not of CD4+ cell–depleted splenocytes, from sick mice along with B6 bone marrow cells to lethally irradiated syngeneic B6 mice, the secondary recipients developed a similar autoimmune syndrome as the donors. Cotransfer of naïve syngeneic splenocytes prevented the occurrence of autoimmune disease in secondary recipients of splenocytes from healthy FP THY-grafted BALB/c nude mice. Conclusion. These results demonstrate a key role for mouse CD4+ T cells in causing autoimmune disease in this model and suggest the importance of regulatory mechanisms in addition to intrathymic clonal deletion for the maintenance of tolerance to recipient antigens.
Increased hydrogen peroxide impairs angiotensin II contractions of afferent arterioles in mice after renal ischaemia–reperfusion injury

Renal ischaemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) increases angiotensin II (Ang II) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are potent modulators of vascular function. However, the roles of individual ROS and their interaction with Ang II are not clear. Here we tested the hypothesis that IRI modulates renal afferent arteriolar responses to Ang II via increasing superoxide ( O2− ) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
A Planar Shaped-Beam Antenna for Indoor Wireless LAN Access Points

A planar antenna is described that is made up of a line source embedded in a structure containing a metal reflector and a dielectric layer coated with metal strips. We have fabricated and measured the radiation characteristics, including the return loss and radiation pattern. In addition to the experimental studies, the rigorous mode-matching method incorporating the equivalent principle was employed to calculate the electromagnetic fields in the structure and the far-field radiation pattern, as well. Besides, the sensitivity analyses for the radiation pattern against the variations on the structure parameters and relative dielectric constant were carefully carried out. The good agreement between the measured and calculated results was found. Combining the leak-waves and space-wave radiating from this structure, such a linearly polarized antenna can radiate a rectangular footprint of uniform electric-field strength, with 9% bandwidth around 11.4 GHz.
Ultrastructural, Confocal and Viscoelastic Characteristics of Whole Blood and Plasma After Exposure to Cadmium and Chromium Alone and in Combination: An Ex Vivo Study

Background/Aims: Heavy metal pollution is increasing in the environment, contaminating water, food and air supplies. This can be linked to many anthropogenic activities. Heavy metals are absorbed through the skin, inhalation and/or orally. Irrespective of the manner of heavy metal entry in the body, the blood circulatory system is potentially the first to be affected following exposure and adverse effects on blood coagulation can lead to associated thrombotic disease. Although the plasma levels and the effects of cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) on erythrocytes and lymphocytes have been described, the environmental exposure to heavy metals are not limited to a single metal and often involves metal mixtures, with each metal having different rates of absorption, different cellular, tissue, and organ targets. Therefore the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the heavy metals Cd and Cr alone and whether Cr synergistically increases the effect of Cd on physiological important processes such as blood coagulation. Methods: Human blood was exposed to the heavy metals ex vivo, and thereafter morphological analysis was performed with scanning electron- and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) in conjunction with thromboelastography®. Results: The erythrocytes, platelets and fibrin networks presented with ultrastructural changes, including varied erythrocytes morphologies, activated platelets and significantly thicker fibrin fibres in the metal-exposed groups. CLSM analysis revealed the presence of phosphatidylserine on the outer surface of the membranes of the spherocytic erythrocytes exposed to Cd and Cr alone and in combination. The viscoelastic analysis revealed only a trend that indicates that clots that will form after heavy metal exposure, will likely be fragile and unstable especially for Cd and Cr in combination. Conclusion: This study identified the blood as an important target system of Cd and Cr toxicity.
The hepatitis B virus HBx protein is a dual specificity cytoplasmic activator of Ras and nuclear activator of transcription factors.

The HBx protein of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a transcriptional activator that is required for infection and may play an important role in HBV‐associated hepatocarcinogenesis. Recently, we and others have shown that HBx stimulates the Ras‐Raf‐MAP kinase cascade, which leads to enhanced cell proliferation and the activation of transcription factors AP‐1 and NF‐kappa B. Other studies have shown that HBx can activate transcription by interacting directly with nuclear components of the transcription machinery. Therefore we examined the basis for the different reported activities of HBx. Here, we show that HBx is a complex protein, displaying independent activities in different intracellular locations. The intracellular distribution of HBx protein was first investigated using scanning confocal laser immunomicroscopy and by genetic studies. Our work has established that HBx expressed in cultured cells is found authentically in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. HBx is not strongly associated with any intracellular structures, but some preferential accumulation was observed near the cell surface. Next, HBx variants were constructed containing a functional or mutant nuclear localization sequence. We show that when HBx is engineered to relocate exclusively to the nucleus, it no longer activates the Ras‐Raf‐MAP kinase cascade, nor does it activate transcription factors AP‐1 and NF‐kappa B. Surprisingly, nuclear HBx fully retains the ability to stimulate HBV enhancer I, which is activated independently of the Ras and protein kinase C pathways. Therefore HBx protein stimulates signal transduction pathways in the cytoplasm and transactivates transcription elements in the nucleus. Furthermore, SV40 T antigen is shown to induce the nuclear sequestration of HBx protein and to block its activation of NF‐kappa B, demonstrating that HBx is regulated by proteins that alter its intracellular distribution. The conflicting functions of HBx protein in viral infection and possibly carcinoma may involve the regulation of its differential distribution in the cell.
The Impact of Chinese FDI on Economic Growth in North Africa

Recently, the eyes of the world have been steadfastly concentrating on the different sources of economic progress in developed and developing countries. This paper aims to examine, the impact of Chinese foreign direct investments (FDI) on economic growth. Using panel data estimation fixed effect on six North Africa countries of the period from 2003 to 2015. The study findings show that Chinese-FDI inflows have no significant impact on economic growth. Keywords: key words, FDI; GDP; Chinese-FDI; random effect & fixed effect. DOI : 10.7176/JPID/48-09
Relative Packing Groups in Template-Based Structure Prediction: Cooperative Effects of True Positive Constraints

Most current template-based structure prediction methods concentrate on finding the correct backbone conformation and then packing sidechains within that backbone. Our packing-based method derives distance constraints from conserved relative packing groups (RPGs). In our refinement approach, the RPGs provide a level of resolution that restrains global topology while allowing conformational sampling. In this study, we test our template-based structure prediction method using 51 prediction units from CASP7 experiments. RPG-based constraints are able to substantially improve approximately two-thirds of starting templates. Upon deeper investigation, we find that true positive spatial constraints, especially those non-local in sequence, derived from the RPGs were important to building nearer native models. Surprisingly, the fraction of incorrect or false positive constraints does not strongly influence the quality of the final candidate. This result indicates that our RPG-based true positive constraints sample the self-consistent, cooperative interactions of the native structure. The lack of such reinforcing cooperativity explains the weaker effect of false positive constraints. Generally, these findings are encouraging indications that RPGs will improve template-based structure prediction.
XFGF‐9: A new fibroblast growth factor from Xenopus embryos

We have identified the Xenopus homologue of mammalian FGF‐9 (XFGF‐9). Sequence comparison between Xenopus and mammals shows that they share 93% identity at the amino acid level, making FGF‐9 the most highly conserved member within the family. The sequence shows that there is no N‐terminal signal sequence but that there is an internal hydrophobic sequence resembling a transmembrane domain. By using an in vitro translation system, we demonstrate that XFGF‐9 can be glycosylated by microsomes but shows no signal peptide cleavage. This suggests that it can be secreted using the internal hydrophobic domain to cross the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Expression studies using RNAse protections and in situ hybridization show that XFGF‐9 is expressed both maternally and zygotically. The maternal mRNA is detected at a higher level than other forms (XFGF‐2 and eFGF), mainly in the animal hemisphere. A proportion of the maternal transcript persists until the early gastrula stage when it is joined by zygotic expression around the blastopore region, and thereafter the mRNA content shows some increase during further development. Zygotic XFGF‐9 is expressed uniformly along the dorsal axis, as well as in the head region. We have expressed recombinant XFGF‐9 protein in bacteria, and show that it has a mesoderm‐inducing activity in the animal cap assay, with a similar specific activity to other fibroblast growth factor (FGFs). We have injected a synthetic mRNA into eggs, and show that it has both mesoderm‐inducing activity in animal caps and also a posteriorizing activity in whole embryos. The levels of biological activity shown by the XFGF‐9 mRNA injections compared to XFGF‐2 and eFGF show that there is at least some extracellular function. This supports the biochemical results, suggesting that the protein has at least some capacity to be secreted. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.