Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of polymorphism in the survivin gene promoter as a potential risk factor for head and neck cancers development.

INTRODUCTION Association studies have shown that gene polymorphisms in various classes of genes can modulate cancer risk. The -31G/C polymorphism in the promoter of survivin gene, affects the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein survivin which in turn may predispose an individual to some types of cancer. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to determine whether the survivin promoter -31G/C polymorphism could be a susceptibility factor for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin. METHODS The DNA obtained from 88 patients with SCC, 60 patients with BCC and 111 healthy individuals was subjected to polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) in order to determine genotype and allele frequencies in patients and control groups. Logistic regression was used for cancer risk assessment. RESULTS The following distribution of genotypes was obtained: CC genotype 15% in the SCC group, 13% in the BCC group and 12% in controls; CG genotype 41% in SCCs, 35% in BCCs, 48% in controls; GG genotype 44% in SCCs, 52% in BCCs and 40% in controls. Allelic frequencies were as follows: G allele 0.65 in SCCs, 0.69 in BCCs and 0.64 in the control group; C allele 0.35 in SCCs, 0.31 in BCCs and 0.36 in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in allele or genotype frequencies between the patients and controls (p>0.05). CONCLUSION In Serbian population, -31G/C polymorphism in the promoter of the survivin gene cannot be considered as a risk factor for oral squamous cell carcinoma and skin basal cell carcinoma.
Effectiveness of alternating mammography and magnetic resonance imaging for screening women with deleterious BRCA mutations at high risk of breast cancer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to supplement screening mammography and clinical breast examination (CBE) in women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer. In this study, the authors investigated the efficacy of alternating screening mammography and breast MRI every 6 months in women who had a genetically high risk of developing breast cancer.
Human non‐rapid eye movement stage II sleep spindles are blocked upon spontaneous K‐complex coincidence and resume as higher frequency spindles afterwards

The purpose of this study was to investigate a potential relation between the K‐complex (KC) and sleep spindles of non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) stage II of human sleep. Using 58 electroencephalogram electrodes, plus standard electrooculogram and electromyogram derivations for sleep staging, brain activity during undisturbed whole‐night sleep was recorded in six young adults (one of them participated twice). NREM stage II spindles (1256 fast and 345 slow) and 1131 singular generalized KCs were selected from all sleep cycles. The negative peak of the KC, the positive peak of the KC (where applicable), and the prominent negative wave peak of slow and fast spindles were marked as events of reference. Fast Fourier transform‐based time–frequency analysis was performed over the marked events, which showed that: (a) fast spindles that happen to coincide with KC are interrupted (100% of 403 cases) and in their place a slower rhythmic oscillation often (80%) appears; and (b) spindles that are usually (72% of 1131) following KCs always have a higher frequency (by ∼1 Hz) than both the interrupted spindles and the individual fast spindles that are not in any way associated with a KC. This enhancement of spindle frequency could not be correlated to any of the KC parameters studied. The results of this study reveal a consistent interaction between the KC and the sleep spindle during NREM stage II in human sleep.
Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis (AMIC)

Options for the treatment of cartilage defects include chondral resurfacing with abrasion, debridement, autologous chondrocyte transplantation (ACT), matrix-induced chondrocyte transplantation (MACI), or osteochondral autologous transplantation (OATS). This article describes the new method of autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC), a 1-step procedure combining subchondral microfracture with the fixation of a collagen I/III membrane by a partially autologous fibrin glue. Indications and contraindications are provided; a technical note is given. This method is primarily applied in osteochondral lesions of the knee and ankle joints; other joints may qualify.
Studies of Influenza A (PR8) Infected Tissue Cultures by Electron Microscopy.∗

Summary 1. Epithelium from influenza A infected chick chorio-allantoic membranes were grown in tissue culture and examined with the electron microscope. 2. The infected cells showed spherical virus particles in close association with elongated rod-like structures like those seen in ultra-centrifuged allantoic fluid from influenza infected eggs. 3. Various gradations between unsegmente rods and beaded chains were seen in certain areas strongly suggesting a link between the two forms.
Growth, Inequality, and Economic Freedom: Evidence from the U.S. States

This article returns to the discussion of how income inequality affects economic growth. The main argument of the article is that economic freedom is likely to mediate the association between inequality and growth. In a panel of 300 observations from six 5-year periods across the 50 U.S. states, I employ five different measures of inequality. The results show that across measures, the growth effects of inequality turn more positive with more economic freedom. The moderating effects are mainly driven by measures of public sector consumption. (JEL O11, O38, O43, P48)
[Effect of electroacupuncture intervention on behavioral changes and hippocampal excitatory amino acid transporter mRNA expression in depression rats].

OBJECTIVE To observe the influence of music-electroacupuncture (EA) and pulse EA on locomotor activity and hippocampal neuron numbers and excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) mRNA expression in depression rats, so as to explore their mechanisms underlying improvement of depression in acupuncture clinic. METHOD Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into blank control, depression model, medication, pulse EA and music-EA groups, with 12 rats in each group. Depression model was established by using chronic unpredictable mild stress protocols combined with solitary feeding. Rats of the medication group were treated by oral administration of fluoxetine (a standard antidepressant, 2 mg/kg). EA was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Yintang" (EX-HN 3) for 20 min, once a day for 21 days. The animals' ethological changes were detected by using field tests for recording the number of crossing squares and the number of rearing. The number of hippocampal neurons were calculated under microscope after Nissl's staining of the hippocampal tissue section. Hippocampal EAAT 1 and EAAT 2 mRNA expression levels were assayed by fluorescent quantitative real-time POR. RESULTS In comparison with the blank control group, the numbers of crossing and rearing movements, as well as the expression levels of hippocampal EAAT 1 and EAAT 2 mRNA were significantly lower in the model group (P < 0.01), while compared with the model group, the numbers of both crossing and rearing movements of the medication, pulse EA and music-EA groups were obviously increased (P < 0.01). Correspondingly, the expression levels of hippocampal EAAT 1 and EAAT 2 mRNA were considerably upregulated in the pulse EA and music-EA groups in comparison with the model group (P < 0.01). No significant differences were found among the medication, pulse EA and music-EA groups (P > 0.05). Results of Nissl's staining displayed that in the model group, the hippocampal neurons were loose in arrangement and some of them were absent, but in the medication, pulse EA and music-EA groups, the neurons were clear in shape and lined in order. CONCLUSION Both pulse EA and music-EA can effectively improve the locomotor activity and hippocampal neuronal structure in depression rats which may be closely associated with their effects in upregulating hippocampal EAAT 1 and EAAT 2 mRNA expression.
Children as Internet users: how can evidence better inform policy debate?

ABSTRACTAs more and more researchers from all over the world are becoming interested in how children use the Internet and mobile technologies, global evidence of both the opportunities that the Internet brings, and their associated risks, is increasing. A new research initiative, Global Kids Online, contributes to this through provision of tools and guidelines to national researchers and comparative analysis of country-specific research findings. For the first time, rigorous and comparable evidence from lower and middle-income countries (South Africa, Serbia, the Philippines, Brazil and Argentina) is available on a range of topics: children’s civic engagement, participation and digital literacy, as well as risky behaviour and negative experiences. But to what extent do current Internet-related or broader child rights policies (regarding education and protection) correspond to this growing evidence base? What are the opportunities, through evidence use, for influencing new policy direction related to child.
Time-dependent sintering properties of Ag nanoparticle paste for room temperature bonding

Time-dependent sintering properties of Ag nanoparticle paste for room temperature bonding were investigated. Ag nanoparticle paste with a small amount of alkylamine dispersant can sinter at room temperature by the evaporation of toluene solvent. When the solvent evaporates, sintering with neck growth and the coalescence of particles is initiated within half an hour and the Ag grain continues to grow gradually for hours. Furthermore, a time-dependent change in the shear strength is demonstrated using a bonding test with Cu plates at room temperature. Bonding between the Ag paste and a Cu plate is favorable and fracturing occurs within the sintered Ag body. The strength of sintered Ag increases with sintering time. The shear strength is more than 8 MPa after 6 and 12 h of drying.
The application of macroelectrophoresis in studying the cellular behaviors on biomaterials: The relationship between cell membrane potention and cellular behaviors

In this work, cell electrophoresis, measuring the electrophoretic mobility of cells, was used to investigate the variation of surface charge property of cells after cultured on different polymer membranes. HepG2 cell line and neural stem/progenitor cell were used as the model cells. The polymer biomaterials used in this study included polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Taken together, the cell surface charge property can be altered after cells cultured on different polymer substrates. The precise mechanism by which the variation of electrophoretic mobility of cultured cells is different from cell types, but it is reasonable to assume that the intercellular metabolism and the absorption of serum proteins on cell membrane surface could influence membrane properties to change cell electrophoretic mobility and then, simultaneously, to regulate differentiation, adhesion, growth and function of cultured cells.
Social Work Education and Service Learning

In order to increase the collaboration between communities and schools of social work, this article urges educators at both the undergraduate and graduate levels to consider the benefits of including service learning in social work curricula. An approach to social work education via service learning places an equal emphasis on meaningful community service and student skill development, in contrast to other forms of experiential learning. An empowering approach to integrating theory and practice, service learning embodies specific social work values, such as respect for diversity, self-determination, collaboration, social justice, a person-in-environment focus, and accountability. Drawing on recent examples from baccalaureate and master's-level programs, empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of service learning in the field of social work is offered.
Unmet care demands as perceived by stroke patients: deficits in health care?

OBJECTIVES: To describe unmet care demands as perceived by stroke patients and to identify sociodemographic and health characteristics associated with these unmet demands to investigate the appropriateness of health care. SETTING: Sample of patients who participated in a multicentre study (23 hospitals) on quality of care in The Netherlands. PATIENTS: Non-institutionalised patients who had been admitted to hospital because of stroke. Patients were interviewed six months (n = 382) and five years (n = 224) after stroke. DESIGN: Six months after stroke data were collected on: (a) sociodemographic characteristics in terms of age, sex, living arrangement, educational level, and regional level of urbanisation; (b) health characteristics in terms of cognitive function, disability, emotional distress, and general health perception; (c) utilisation of professional care; and (d) unmet care demands as perceived by patients. Data on utilisation of care and unmet demands were also collected five years after stroke. Data were collected from June 1991 until December 1996. RESULTS: The percentage of unmet care demands was highest at six months after stroke (n = 120, 31%). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that disabled patients were more likely to be unmet demanders for therapy, (I)ADL care and aids (range odds ratio (OR) = 3.5 to 7.9) than to be no demanders, whereas emotionally distressed patients were more likely to be unmet demanders for psychosocial support (OR = 3.8). When comparing unmet demanders with care users only for (instrumental) activities of daily living (I)ADL care differences were found: men (OR = 3.8), disabled patients (OR = 3.0), and emotionally distressed patients (OR = 6.5) were more likely to be users. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who perceived an unmet care demand do appear genuinely to have an unmet care need as supported by assessment of their health status: (a) types of unmet care demands correspond with types of health problems and (b) unmet demanders were in general unhealthier than no demanders and more comparable with care users for health characteristics. IMPLICATIONS: To improve an equitable distribution of healthcare services, guidelines for indicating and allocating health care have to be developed and should be based on scientific evidence and consensus meetings including professionals' and patients' perspectives.
The effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in reducing tone.

This article was accepted for publicalion November 29, 1994 N euromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is used in physical rehabilitation in three ways: diagnostically, functionally, and therapeutical­ ly. Diagnostically, electrical stimulation is applied to nerves and muscles to measure various responses and assist in determining their neurophysiological state. Functionally, electrical stimulation is applied to the nerve or motor point of the muscle to mimic natural muscle conn-action, producing movement in persons with cen­ tral nervous system lesions (yodovnik et al., 1988). Thera­ peutically, electrical stimulation has been used to reduce involuntary or spastic contraction in spinal muscles (Bajd, Gregoric, Vodovnik, & Benko, 1985; Franek, Turczynski, & Opara, 1988; Vodovnik, Bowman, & Hufford, 1984) and in muscles affected by spinal cord injury or stroke (Baker, Yeh, Wilson, & Waters, 1979; Douglas, Walsh, Wright, Creasey, & Edmond, 1991; LeVine, Knott, & Kabat, 1952; Stefanovska, Gros, Vodovnik, Rebersek, & Acimovic­ ]anezic, 1988); to increase voluntary movement in paretic muscles after a stroke, spinal cord injury, or head injury (Baker, Parker, & Sanderson, 1983; Bowman, Baker, & Waters, 1979; Cozean, Pease, & Hubbell, 1988; Liberson, Holmquest, Scott, & Dow, 1961; Packman-Braun, 1988; Robinson, Kett, & Bolam, 1988a, 1988b; Teng, McNeal, Kralj, & Waters, 1976); and to increase strength in mus­ cles without dysfunction (Kramer & Mendryk, 1982; Laughman, Youdas, Garrett, & Chao, 1983). Spasticity, or involuntary contraction of muscles, can limit a person's ability to perform functional tasks. I have observed that therapists use techniques such as passive stretch (usually done through splinting) to restOre mus­ cle tone, and more recently, occupational therapists have used electrical stimulation to reduce tone. The most com­ mon application of electrical stimulation is to the antago­ nist, or nonspastic, muscle. Stimulation of the antagonist muscle makes use of the afferent nerve pathways, which, polysynaptically, inhibit the agonist or spastic muscle (AJon & DeDominico, 1987; Levine et al., 1952). However, the least common application of NMES is to nonantago­ nist, or spastic, muscles, and few data have appeared in the literature regarding the effects of this application. Is the use of NMES on spastiC muscles to reduce tone a viable option to consider? This article compares the mer­ its of maintained passive stretch and NMES applied dur­ ing a single lO-min treatment session in decreasing rest­ ing tone in spastic wrist flexor muscles of 21 persons with stroke. NMES is a "physical agent modality" (American Oc­ cupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 1991a). The AOTA's official statement on the use of physical agent modalities states that they may be used "as an adjunct to or in preparation for purposeful activity to enhance occu­ pational performance" (AOTA, 1991b, p. 1075).
Konstitutionelle Äquivalenz und Ordnungswahl

This paper attempts to broaden the conventional ambit of the ordo-liberal approach to comprise, in excess of the market sphere, also the political realm. How can the political process be structured so as to live up to the tenets of individuals’ sovereignty? This contribution suggests that constitutional equivalence holds if the same individuals that act at subnational level are also empowered to shape the rules relevant to them. The pattern and allocation of competences for framing social rules is vital for the realization of constitutional equivalence. The paradigm of the „state as monopolist“ is confronted with a form of decentralized problem solving that links the „geography of institutions“ with the „geography of problems“ and that puts the new decision makers in a position of institutional competitors. The exchange paradigm can be applied to all levels and modes of exchange: voluntary exchange on markets is only feasible if well defined property rights exist. By the same token, responsive policies, understood as complex forms of exchange, are only viable if the externalities are tackled by implementing well defined property rights and if the affected citizens receive group-exclusive, problem-adequate rights to convert their constitutional interests into institutions. An abstract four-layerstructure is proposed: 1. a general right of initiative for citizens on the national constitutional level, 2. an institutional meta-level where citizens’ specific rule-framing competencies are certified, 3. a constitutional level where empowered citizens shape the institutional framework of their society, 4. the sub-constitutional level where the playmakers choose their strategies for playing the game, within the limits set by the rules.
Estimation of reliability based on zero-failure date

This paper uses the hierarchical Bayes way to estimate the product reliability when prior density function of R is in form of π(R∣α) □ R<sup>α</sup> and 0<α<k. Under the condition of the binomial distribution with zero-failure data, the value of the product reliability is estimated. The conclusion generalizes the relevant conclusion of papers[6][8][9][10][12]. The conclusion has certain value in theory and application.
Cerebrospinal fluid markers of idiopathic intracranial hypertension: Is the renin-angiotensinogen system involved?

Background: The causes underlying idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) are poorly understood. Methods: To identify disease-related biomarkers that could offer a new insight into IIH pathology, we analyzed the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 18 patients with IIH and 18 controls using two-dimensional fluorescence differential in-gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE). Results: We found six proteins that were upregulated in IIH (sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein, immunoglobulin heavy constant alpha 1 [IGHA1], alpha-1-antitrypsin [SERPINA1], serotransferrin, haptoglobin) and four proteins that were downregulated (hemopexin, angiotensinogen, vitamin-D-binding protein, transthyretin). The validity of our approach was confirmed for one candidate protein (angiotensinogen). To account for a dependency from blood-CSF barrier function, the ratio of angiotensinogen and albumin CSF-to-serum quotients (Qang/Qalb) was determined, which confirmed the downregulation of angiotensinogen in IIH (p = .04). Conclusion: Previous studies showed the intrinsic renin-angiotensin system (RAS) to regulate choroid plexus blood flow and CSF production. Altered levels of angiotensinogen could indicate an imbalance of the RAS in IIH that may provide new targets for therapeutic intervention.
Autoradiographic distribution of M1, M2, M3, and M4 muscarinic receptor subtypes in Alzheimer's disease

We studied the autoradiographic densities of all pharmacologically characterised muscarinic receptors (MR) in frontal, temporal, and visual cortex, hippocampal formation, and striatum in autopsied brains from 19 histopathologically verified patients of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in matched controls. Almost all (16 of 19) of the AD cases were severe. In AD brains, total MR, M1, and M3 MR subtypes were found to be significantly decreased in entorhinal cortex and in most hippocampal strata. Total MR and M1 receptors were also significantly reduced in visual area and in frontal cortex of AD brains, respectively. M2 receptors were significantly reduced over hippocampal formation but increased significantly in striatum of AD brains as compared with controls. M3 receptors in AD were in the range of controls in neocortex and striatum, whereas the M4 receptor subtype was also preserved in all brain regions in AD brains when compared with controls. This is the first autoradiographic study analysing the distribution of all MR subtypes in AD brains. These changes in MR densities concur with the general pattern of neuronal degeneration occurring in AD brains and partly explain the poor response of AD cognitive decline to present cholinergic supplementation therapies. Although M3 and M4 MR were labelled with nonselective approaches, the preservation of M4 and to a lesser degree M3 MR subtypes in AD brains could open an alternative way for the symptomatic therapy of AD dementia. Synapse 26:341–350, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss Inc.
Small-molecule inhibitors of the HIF pathway and synthetic lethal interactions

Introduction: Activation of the hypoxia response pathway is a feature of many tumours and is one of the key mechanisms associated with tumour growth, chemoresistance and radioresistance. The major component of the hypoxia response pathway is the heterodimeric transcription factor, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), which is upregulated in many human cancers. Therefore, HIF is an attractive therapeutic target and several strategies have been developed to target it. Areas covered: Approaches used in targeting the hypoxia response pathway are discussed. Reviewed are agents that target upstream, directly and downstream of HIF, as well as some of the challenges in HIF-targeted therapy. Expert opinion: Many of the therapeutic agents that are in clinical use inhibit downstream HIF target genes, but ideally a molecule specific to HIF will have a more potent effect in inhibiting multiple HIF pathways. However, many anti-HIF molecules have multiple targets, which may increase non-specific cytotoxicity. In addition, many anti-HIF agents cannot discriminate between the different isoforms of HIF-α. So, it is important to assess whether targeting both HIF-1α and HIF-2α or each subunit selectively will provide better therapeutic effects.