Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of centrosomal kinase STK15/BTAK mRNA expression with chromosomal instability in human breast cancers

Over‐expression of a centrosomal serine/threonine kinase, STK15/BTAK, induces centrosome amplification, which results in chromosomal instability (CIN) in cell culture. In the present study, we investigated the correlation of STK15/BTAK mRNA expression with CIN and various clinicopathological factors in human breast cancer. STK15/BTAK mRNA levels were quantified by real‐time PCR, and CIN values were determined by FISH analysis of chromosomes 1, 11 and 17 using centromeric probes. STK15/BTAK mRNA levels (0.310 ± 0.413, mean ± SD, n = 47) in breast cancers were significantly (p < 0.01) higher than those in normal breast tissues (0.044 ± 0.029, n = 9). Furthermore, breast cancers were divided into 3 groups (low, intermediate and high) according to STK15/BTAK mRNA expression levels. CIN values of the low‐expression group (27.9 ± 12.6%, n = 18) were significantly (p < 0.01) higher than those of normal breast tissues (9.2 ± 2.6%, n = 6), and those of the high‐expression group (38.0 ± 12.7%, n = 14) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of the low‐expression group. STK15/BTAK mRNA expression showed a significant (p < 0.05) correlation with high histological grade and negativity of estrogen and progesterone receptors. Our results demonstrate that STK15/BTAK mRNA is over‐expressed in the majority of breast cancers and its over‐expression is significantly associated with CIN, implicating STK15/BTAK in carcinogenesis through induction of CIN. STK15/BTAK mRNA levels might be useful as an indicator of poor prognosis and resistance to endocrine therapy. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Co‐expression of CD79a (JCB117) and CD3 by lymphoblastic lymphoma

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma is a malignant disorder derived from the clonal proliferation of lymphoid precursor cells. Whether the tumour cells are of B‐ or T‐cell type is an important criterion for prognosis which has not been available previously to pathologists, due to the lack of a reliable early B‐cell marker functioning on routinely processed material. This has changed with the production of monoclonal antibodies against the B‐cell signalling molecule CD79a. CD79a is expressed on normal and neoplastic B cells from the early stages of B‐cell maturation and has been considered to be B‐cell‐specific. Currently available antibodies against CD79a, in particular JCB117, allow the identification of B cells, and hence B lymphoblastic disease, in paraffin‐embedded material. In this study, the expression of CD79a (JCB117) and CD3 has been investigated in 149 cases of T and 68 cases of B lymphoblastic leukaemia/ lymphoma. For the first time, co‐expression of CD79a (JCB117) and CD3 is reported in 10 per cent of cases of T lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma. This finding raises questions about the co‐expression of T‐ and B‐cell markers in the development of lymphocytes, benign as well as malignant, and alerts pathologists to a potential problem in diagnosis. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Five‐year survival after pulmonary metastasectomy for adult soft tissue sarcoma

Determinants of 5‐year survival were evaluated after complete resection of pulmonary metastases from adult soft‐tissue sarcomas. Fifty‐eight patients had complete resection (median survival 25 months, P = 0.0002), with a 25.8% absolute 5‐year survival (15 of 58 patients); six patients had unresectable disease (median survival 6 months) and were excluded from additional analysis. Eleven patients remain disease free, with a median follow‐up of 76 months. Significant independent prognostic indicators associated with improved survival (P < 0.05) included metastasis doubling time of 40 days or greater (median survival 37 months versus 15 months if less than 40 days); unilateral disease on preoperative radiography (33 months versus 15 months if bilateral disease); three or fewer nodules on preoperative computed tomography (40 months versus 14 months if 4 or more nodules); two nodules or fewer resected (40 months versus 17 months if 3 or more nodules resected), and tumor histology (33 months for malignant fibrous histiocytoma versus 17 months for all others). Multivariate analysis identified the number of nodules detected by computed tomography preoperatively as having significant prognostic value.
Genetic Relationships and Origin of Two Geographic Groups of the Freshwater Threespine Stickleback, ‘Hariyo’

Abstract ‘Hariyo’ comprise the southernmost freshwater populations of the threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus species complex, distributed in central Honshu, Japan. Two geographic groups (Gifu and Shiga) of the ‘hariyo’ have been recognized as differing from each other in some morphological and ecological features. In order to elucidate the genetic characteristics and phylogenetic position of these populations, partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene were compared in 123 specimens from 10 ‘hariyo’ populations, and eight other freshwater and anadromous populations of threespine stickleback in Japan. Phylogenetic analysis resolved 22 haplotypes in a single most-parsimonious tree. In contrast to previous allozyme analyses, the haplotype tree indicated that ‘hariyo’ populations are monophyletic. Each of two geographic groups of the ‘hariyo’ was also shown to be nearly monophyletic. The two geographic groups differed from each other in sequence by an average of 0.47% and from other populations by 0.70%. Based on a molecular clock, constructed from fossil records and mtDNA genetic distances of Gasterosteus and Pungitius, it was estimated that the two groups of ‘hariyo’ differentiated from the other threespine stickleback populations and also from each other in the middle Pleistocene. The results suggested that each of the two groups of ‘hariyo’ is a distinct evolutionarily significant unit with unique genetic features, as well as morphological and ecological characteristics.
Substance use and periodontal disease among Australian Aboriginal young adults.

AIM To investigate the effects of tobacco, marijuana, alcohol and petrol sniffing on periodontal disease among Australian Aboriginal young adults. DESIGN Cross-sectional nested within a long-standing prospective longitudinal study. Setting Aboriginal communities in Australia's Northern Territory. PARTICIPANTS Members of the Aboriginal Birth Cohort study who were recruited from birth between January 1987 and March 1990 at the Royal Darwin Hospital, Northern Territory, Australia. Data were from wave III, when the mean age of participants was 18 years. MEASUREMENTS Clinical dental examination and self-report questionnaire. FINDINGS Of 425 participants with complete data, 26.6% had moderate/severe periodontal disease. There was elevated risk of periodontal disease associated with tobacco [prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.06-2.40], marijuana (PR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.05-1.97) and petrol sniffing (PR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.08-3.11), but not alcohol (PR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.67-1.27). Stratified analysis showed that the effect of marijuana persisted among tobacco users (PR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.03-2.11). It was not possible to isolate an independent effect of petrol sniffing because all petrol sniffers used both marijuana and tobacco, although among smokers of both substances, petrol sniffing was associated with an 11.8% increased prevalence of periodontal disease. CONCLUSIONS This is the first time that substance use has been linked with periodontal disease in a young Australian Aboriginal adult population, and the first time that petrol sniffing has been linked with periodontal disease in any population. The role of substance use in periodontal disease among this, and other, marginalized groups warrants further investigation.
Modeling Floor Effects in Standardized Vocabulary Test Scores in a Sample of Low SES Hispanic Preschool Children under the Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling Framework

Researchers and practitioners often use standardized vocabulary tests such as the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-4 (PPVT-4; Dunn and Dunn, 2007) and its companion, the Expressive Vocabulary Test-2 (EVT-2; Williams, 2007), to assess English vocabulary skills as an indicator of children's school readiness. Despite their psychometric excellence in the norm sample, issues arise when standardized vocabulary tests are used to asses children from culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse backgrounds (e.g., Spanish-speaking English language learners) or delayed in some manner. One of the biggest challenges is establishing the appropriateness of these measures with non-English or non-standard English speaking children as often they score one to two standard deviations below expected levels (e.g., Lonigan et al., 2013). This study re-examines the issues in analyzing the PPVT-4 and EVT-2 scores in a sample of 4-to-5-year-old low SES Hispanic preschool children who were part of a larger randomized clinical trial on the effects of a supplemental English shared-reading vocabulary curriculum (Pollard-Durodola et al., 2016). It was found that data exhibited strong floor effects and the presence of floor effects made it difficult to differentiate the invention group and the control group on their vocabulary growth in the intervention. A simulation study is then presented under the multilevel structural equation modeling (MSEM) framework and results revealed that in regular multilevel data analysis, ignoring floor effects in the outcome variables led to biased results in parameter estimates, standard error estimates, and significance tests. Our findings suggest caution in analyzing and interpreting scores of ethnically and culturally diverse children on standardized vocabulary tests (e.g., floor effects). It is recommended appropriate analytical methods that take into account floor effects in outcome variables should be considered.
Effects of treadmill versus overground soccer match simulations on biomechanical markers of anterior cruciate ligament injury risk in side cutting

Abstract This study aimed to investigate whether treadmill versus overground soccer match simulations have similar effects on knee joint mechanics during side cutting. Nineteen male recreational soccer players completed a 45-min treadmill and overground match simulation. Heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded every 5 min. Prior to exercise (time 0 min), at “half-time” (time 45 min) and 15 min post-exercise (time 60 min), participants performed five trials of 45° side-cutting manoeuvres. Knee abduction moments and knee extension angles were analysed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (α = 0.05). Physiological responses were significantly greater during the overground (HR 160 ± 7 beats ∙ min−1; RPE 15 ± 2) than the treadmill simulation (HR 142 ± 5 beats ∙ min−1; RPE 12 ± 2). Knee extension angles significantly increased over time and were more extended at time 60 min compared with time 0 min and time 45 min. No significant differences in knee abduction moments were observed. Although knee abduction moments were not altered over time during both simulations, passive rest during half-time induced changes in knee angles that may have implications for anterior cruciate ligament injury risk.
Role of glutathione in the maturation and fertilization of pig oocytes in vitro

The present study examined, by treatment of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), which is a specific inhibitor of glutathione (GSH) synthesis, the role of GSH in the maturation and fertilization of pig oocytes in vitro. Follicular oocytes collected from prepubertal gilts at a local slaughterhouse were cultured for 36 h in Waymouth MB 752/1 with or without BSO (1 mM), fertilized in vitro, and assessed for GSH concentration (before insemination), maturation, and fertilization. The addition of BSO to maturation medium immediately after culture (Group I), 12 h after culture (Group II), or 24 h after culture (Group III) significantly decreased the GSH concentration in pig oocytes compared with the control (P < 0.01), whereas the rate of cumulus mass expansion at 36 h of culture and the rates of nuclear maturation and sperm penetration following in vitro insemination did not differ. However, the rate of pig oocytes having condensed sperm heads was significantly lower and the rate of male pronucleus formation of pig oocytes was significantly higher in oocytes matured in the control and Group III than in oocytes matured in Groups I and II (P < 0.01). In experiment 2, when BSO was added to maturation media 15, 18, 21, or 24 h after culture, the rate of pig oocytes having condensed sperm heads was significantly lower and the rate of male pronucleus formation of pig oocytes was significantly higher in oocytes matured in the medium supplemented with BSO at 21 or 24 h of culture than in oocytes matured in other groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The results indicate that GSH synthesis occurs throughout in vitro maturation of pig oocytes and GSH is an important cytoplasmic factor for regulating sperm nuclear decondensation and male pronucleus formation following sperm penetration in pig oocytes. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genome‐level analysis of genetic regulation of liver gene expression networks

The liver is the primary site for the metabolism of nutrients, drugs, and chemical agents. Although metabolic pathways are complex and tightly regulated, genetic variation among individuals, reflected in variations in gene expression levels, introduces complexity into research on liver disease. This study dissected genetic networks that control liver gene expression through the combination of large‐scale quantitative mRNA expression analysis with genetic mapping in a reference population of BXD recombinant inbred mouse strains for which extensive single‐nucleotide polymorphism, haplotype, and phenotypic data are publicly available. We profiled gene expression in livers of naive mice of both sexes from C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, B6D2F1, and 37 BXD strains using Agilent oligonucleotide microarrays. These data were used to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) responsible for variations in the expression of about 19,000 transcripts. We identified polymorphic local and distant QTLs, including several loci that control the expression of large numbers of genes in liver, by comparing the physical transcript position with the location of the controlling QTL. Conclusion: The data are available through a public web‐based resource (www.genenetwork.org) that allows custom data mining, identification of coregulated transcripts and correlated phenotypes, cross‐tissue, and cross‐species comparisons, as well as testing of a broad array of hypotheses. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.)
Alternative‐splicing defects in cancer: Splicing regulators and their downstream targets, guiding the way to novel cancer therapeutics

Defects in alternative splicing are frequently found in human tumors and result either from mutations in splicing‐regulatory elements of specific cancer genes or from changes in the regulatory splicing machinery. RNA splicing regulators have emerged as a new class of oncoproteins and tumor suppressors, and contribute to disease progression by modulating RNA isoforms involved in the hallmark cancer pathways. Thus, dysregulation of alternative RNA splicing is fundamental to cancer and provides a potentially rich source of novel therapeutic targets. Here, we review the alterations in splicing regulatory factors detected in human tumors, as well as the resulting alternatively spliced isoforms that impact cancer hallmarks, and discuss how they contribute to disease pathogenesis. RNA splicing is a highly regulated process and, as such, the regulators are themselves tightly regulated. Differential transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of splicing factors modulates their levels and activities in tumor cells. Furthermore, the composition of the tumor microenvironment can also influence which isoforms are expressed in a given cell type and impact drug responses. Finally, we summarize current efforts in targeting alternative splicing, including global splicing inhibition using small molecules blocking the spliceosome or splicing‐factor‐modifying enzymes, as well as splice‐switching RNA‐based therapeutics to modulate cancer‐specific splicing isoforms.
Structure of the Shigella dysenteriae haem transport locus and its phylogenetic distribution in enteric bacteria

The ability to transport and use haemin as an iron source is frequently observed in clinical isolates of Shigella spp. and pathogenic Escherichia coli. We found that many of these haem‐utilizing E. coli strains contain a gene that hybridizes at high stringency to the S. dysenteriae type 1 haem receptor gene, shuA. These shuA‐positive strains belong to multiple phylogenetic groups and include clinical isolates from enteric, urinary tract and systemic infections. The distribution of shuA in these strains suggests horizontal transfer of the haem transport locus. Some haem‐utilizing pathogenic E. coli strains did not hybridize with shuA, so at least one other haem transport system is present in this group. We also characterized the chromosomal region containing shuA in S. dysenteriae. The shuA gene is present in a discrete locus, designated the haem transport locus, containing eight open reading frames. Several of the proteins encoded in this locus participate with ShuA in haem transport, as a Salmonella typhimurium strain containing the entire haem transport locus used haem much more efficiently than the same strain containing only shuA. The haem transport locus is not present in E. coli K‐12 strains, but the sequences flanking the haem transport locus in S. dysenteriae matched those at the 78.7 minute region of E. coli K‐12. The junctions and flanking sequences in the shuA‐positive pathogenic E. coli strains tested were nearly identical to those in S. dysenteriae, indicating that, in these strains, the haem transport locus has an organization similar to that in S. dysenteriae, and it is located in the same relative position on the chromosome.
Treatment of malignant biliary obstruction with polyurethane-covered Wallstents.

OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to determine the safety, efficacy, and performance of polyurethane-covered Wallstents in the treatment of malignant biliary obstruction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS This pilot study included 30 patients with malignant biliary obstruction. Palliative decompression of the obstructed bile duct was attempted with a polyurethane-covered Wallstent that is a prototype. Patients with hilar obstructions were excluded. All stents were inserted percutaneously. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to determine stent patency. RESULTS Effective biliary decompression was achieved in all patients initially. No acute stent-related complications occurred. The 30-day mortality rate was 20%. During follow-up, 11 stent occlusions occurred; therefore, the occlusion rate was 37%. The patency rates after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months were 96%, 69%, 47%, and 31%, respectively. Tumor growth through the stent covering that was proven both histologically and by biopsy observed in two patients, causing stent occlusion in one of them. Other reasons for stent occlusion were distal tumor ingrowth (n = 1) and biopsy-proven granulation tissue inside the stent (n = 2). Otherwise, the reasons for stent occlusion remained unclear. CONCLUSION This prototype of a covered stent did not provide better results than did conventional uncovered stents in patients with malignant biliary obstruction. The covering did not effectively prevent tumor ingrowth in at least two patients. The stent also seems prone to premature occlusion.
T cell activation and disease severity in HIV infection

In vitro studies have indicated that T lymphocyte activation may be of importance in the pathogenesis of HIV infection. In order to define the role of immune activation in vivo, we assessed the expression of the T cell activation markers HLA-DR and CD25 by flow cytometry in peripheral blood in relation to disease severity and the surrogate markers CD4 and beta 2-microglobulin in 157 patients with HIV infection and 53 healthy seronegative blood donors. Percentage levels of CD3+HLA-DR+ T lymphocytes were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) and percentage levels of CD3+CD25+ T lymphocytes significantly lower (P < 0.0001) in all HIV+ patients compared with controls. A significant correlation was observed between increasing percentage levels of CD3+HLA-DR+ T lymphocytes and both declining CD4 counts (r = 0.52; P < 0.001) and increasing beta 2-microglobulin levels (r = 0.56; P < 0.001). Percentage levels of CD4+HLA-DR+ and CD4+ CD25+ lymphocytes were significantly higher in all HIV+ patients compared with controls (P < 0.001). Levels of activated (HLA-DR+ and CD25+) CD4+ lymphocytes showed a significant step-wise linear increase with increasing disease severity (P < 0.001). High levels of CD3+HLA-DR+ T lymphocytes were found in a greater proportion (81.8%) of asymptomatic HIV+ patients (Centres for Disease Control (CDC) group II) than low CD4 counts (51.5%) (P < 0.001). Compared with controls, HIV+ patients had higher percentage levels of CD8+HLA-DR+ lymphocytes (P < 0.001), but similar levels of CD8+CD25+ lymphocytes. These results indicate that T cell activation is not only a consistent but also an early feature in HIV infection. Monitoring levels of activated T cells and their subsets is of value in assessing progression of HIV-related disease.
Child development; problems of discipline, authority and rebellion.

It is only through the love and approval of the significant adults in a child's life that he is able to give up his primitive behavior for that which meets the demands of social living. Conflict over authority is only one of many conflicts. There are conflicts which arise inherently in a child's development. The task of the parents in the education of the child in our society is to enable the child to tolerate a certain amount of frustration and also a necessary degree of control of impulses so that he can live in a group and in conformity with the required standards. Increased rebelliousness and defiance are normally characteristic of certain periods of development in healthy children. These are when concerted discipline begins, and in early adolescence. But other events also may reactivate or stimulate attitudes of defiance and rebellion. Even in his rebellion, a child needs and expects his parents to stand for order, as well as for love. He expects that the parent will save him from the consequences of his own destructive impulses, which he as yet may not have the strength to withstand.Deep-seated or submerged factors in the parents may play a significant role in the discipline to which they subject their children. True permissiveness means allowing a child to develop according to his own rate of speed and his own potentialities as a unique individual. It includes refusing the child any type of behavior that will bring danger to him or to others.A parent who uses harsh and rigid forms of discipline may force a child into submission, rather than acceptance and understanding. This produces only surface conformity which hides insecurity and violent underlying destructiveness.