Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SELF-REGULATION OF GROWTH IN THREE DIMENSIONS

Multi-cell spheroids were grown in soft agar. When each spheroid was cultured in a large volume of medium, frequently renewed, all spheroids eventually reached a dormant phase at a diameter of approximately 3–4 mm and a population of approximately 106 cells. In the dormant spheroid, newly generated cells at the periphery balanced those lost by necrosis in the center. We propose that this dormant phase is due to a gradual reduction in the ratio of surface area to volume: a size is achieved beyond which there is insufficient surface area for the spheroid to eliminate catabolites and absorb nutrients. Thus, in the face of unlimited space and of new medium, three-dimensional cell populations become self-regulating. This phenomenon contrasts with standard tissue culture in which cell populations, living on a flat plane in two dimensions, will not stop growing in the face of unlimited space and new medium because the ratio of surface area to volume remains constant. These experiments provide a mechanism for our observations in vivo: before vascularization, solid tumors live by simple diffusion as three-dimensional spheroids or ellipsoids. They become dormant at a diameter of only a few millimeters; once vascularized, they are released from this dormant phase and begin exponential growth. Thus, tumor dormancy resulting from absence of angiogenesis in vivo, may operate by the same mechanism responsible for dormancy of spheroids in vitro.
Application of atomic functions to numerical simulation in electromagnetic theory

Some problems of electromagnetic theory, in particular, where it's necessary to obtain the approximate solution of boundary value problems for the Helmholtz equation, can be reduced to the integral equations of the second kind. The integral equation method for the external problems has preference because help to reduce the problems in an unlimited trivariate domain to the two-dimensional surface can automatically satisfy to the radiation conditions on infinite. At this point the interest increases to the numerical methods using the integral equations. One of the basic problems for the numerical investigation of boundary value problem consists in the basis functions systems selection that affects essentially the convergence and stability of approximate solution. The approximate solution will be obtained in the form of the linear combination of nonstationary nonorthogonal wavelets built with the help of atomic functions.
Expression of the gene encoding the major bacterial nucleoid protein H‐NS is subject to transcriptional auto‐repression

Expression of a promoterless cat gene fused to a DNA fragment of approximately 400 bp, beginning at –313 of Escherichia coli hns, was significantly repressed in E. coli and Salmonella typhimurium strains with wild‐type hns but not in mutants carrying hns alleles. CAT expression from fusions containing a shorter (110 bp) segment of hns was essentially unaffected in the same genetic backgrounds. The stage of growth was found to influence the extent of repression which was maximum (approximately 75%) in mid‐log cultures and negligible in cells entering the stationary phase. The level of repression in early‐log phase was lower than in mid‐log phase cultures, probably because of the presence of high levels of Fis protein, which counteracts the H‐NS inhibition by stimulating hns transcription. The effects observed in vivo were mirrored by similar results obtained in vitro upon addition of purified H‐NS and Fis protein to transcriptional systems programmed with the same hns caf fusions. Electrophoretic gel shift assays, DNase I footprinting and cyclic permutation get analyses revealed that H‐NS binds preferentially to the upstream region of its own gene recognizing two rather extended segments of DNA on both sides of a bend centred around –150. When these sites are filled by H‐NS, an additional site between approximately –20 and –65, which partly overlaps the promoter, is also occupied. Binding of H‐NS to this site is probably the ultimate cause of transcriptional auto‐repression.
Therapeutic molecular targets in human chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcomas are malignant cartilage tumours. They are poorly responsive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Treatment is usually limited to surgical resection; however, survival of patients with high‐grade chondrosarcoma is poor, even with wide surgical resection. Induction of apoptosis in chondrosarcoma cells, either directly or by enhancement of the response to chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation, may be a route by which outcome can be improved. In this article, we review potential molecular targets that regulate chondrocyte apoptosis and discuss the experimental evidence for their utility.
Vector control and harmonic ripple reduction with Independent Multi-phase PMSM

Multi-phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (M-PMSM) have the many advantages over conventional 3-phases PM ones. Their feasibilities and performances are described and proven in many literatures. M-PMSM is useful for large systems such as electrical ship propulsion, locomotive traction or electrical vehicles applications. Characteristics of Independent Multi-phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (IM-PMSM) are similar to M-PMSM, but the control concept is considerably different. IM-PMSM has basic problems that multiple three harmonics are generated at each phase due to the structure of the separated windings. The main goal of this paper is developing the drive system of IM-PMSM proving the cause of harmonics and proposing a new method to eliminate harmonics.
Design and fabrication of temperature-insensitive InGaP-InGaAlP resonant-cavity light-emitting diodes

Visible InGaP-InGaAlP resonant-cavity light-emitting diodes with low-temperature sensitivity output characteristics were demonstrated. By means of widening the resonant cavity to a thickness of three wavelength (3lambda), the degree of power variation between 25 degC and 95 degC for the devices biased at 20 mA was apparently reduced from -2.1 dB for the standard structure design (1-lambda cavity) to -0.6 dB. An output power of 2.4 mW was achieved at 70 mA. The external quantum efficiency achieved a maximum of 3% at 13 mA and dropped slowly with increased current for the device. The external quantum efficiency at 20mA dropped only 14% with elevated temperature from 25 degC to 95degC. The current dependent far-field patterns also showed that the emission always took place perfectly in the normal direction, which was suitable for plastic fiber data transmission
Peroxisome enzyme modification and oxidative stress in rat by hypolipidemic and antiinflammatory drugs.

Changes in the activities of two peroxisomal enzymes (catalase and thiolase), some parameters related to oxidative situations, such as conjugated dienes, zinc, iron, copper and superoxide dismutase after the administration of two known peroxisome proliferators (clofibrate and acetylsalicylic acid), and two drugs pharmacologically related to the former (probucol and diflunisal) have been studied in male Wistar rats. Administration of the drugs was made by p.o. for 15 days. After the treatment the rats were killed, their livers and brains were taken out, and their blood was collected. Peroxisomes were purified by differential centrifugation followed by ultracentrifugation. Total RNA was also extracted and the acyl CoA oxidase mRNA expression was studied. Clofibrate was inactive on both enzymes studied in liver and diflunisal in brain. However, the acyl CoA oxidase mRNA expression increased by clofibrate treatment. Results are justified by the liposolubility and protein-binding properties of the drugs. Otherwise, the present results show the existence of an increased lipid peroxidation, lower value of superoxide dismutase, and variable results for zinc, copper and iron trace elements. These data evidence an oxidative stress situation in plasma of rats treated with these drugs, probably as a consequence of an increase in some beta-oxidation enzymes, which brings about an overproduction of H2O2.
Sulphur containing amino acids in chronic renal failure with particular reference to homocystine and cysteine‐homocysteine mixed disulphide

Abstract. We measured plasma sulphur amino acids in twenty‐two patients with chronic renal failure and compared the findings with those obtained in twenty‐two normal subjects. In fasting blood (08.00 hours) cysteine‐homocysteine mixed disulphide was significantly increased in the renal patients, mean values (± SD) being 8.2 ± 3.4 and 3.1 ± 1.0 μmol/l respectively (P < 0.001). The increase was positively correlated with reduced renal function, as assessed by serum creatinine (r= 0.62; P < 0.01). Homocystine was detected in nineteen patients, the mean concentration (± SD) being 1.7 ± 0.6 μmol/l; it was not found in any normal subject. Methionine levels were not different but there were significant increases in cystine (P < 0.001) and taurine (P < 0.05) in the patients. Similar values for these amino acids were found in a second blood sample drawn at 16.00 hours. Changes in the other neutral and acidic amino acids measured were in agreement with those reported in chronic azotaemia. We concluded that plasma levels of all the principal sulphur amino acids except methionine are elevated in chronic renal failure emphasizing the importance of the kidney in sulphur excretion. Prolonged accumulation of homocysteine and cysteine‐homocysteine mixed disulphide may be relevant to the development of accelerated vascular disease in patients with chronic renal failure by producing endothelial damage.
Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome

Souhrn Jedinci se syndromem hereditárního karcinomu prsu a ovarií, tedy nosičky mutací v genech BRCA1 a BRCA2, mají vyšší riziko vzniku karcinomu prsu, ovarií a v menší míře i jiných solidních nádorů, např. karcinomu pankreatu, maligního melanomu a karcinomu prostaty u mužů – nosičů BRCA1/ 2 mutací. S rostoucími zkušenostmi se upřesňují i doporučení pro screening a snížení rizika vzniku malignit ve formě profylaktických operací. Ženy se syndromem hereditárního karcinomu prsu ve věku 25–29 let by měly být sledované v půlročních intervalech, součástí sledování by mělo být vyšetření pomocí UZ a MRI, od 30 do 65 let věku potom střídat MRI a mamografi i. Screening karcinomu pankreatu je vhodné zvážit u nosičů mutací BRCA1/ 2, kteří mají v rodině dva příbuzné nebo jednoho prvostupňového příbuzného s karcinomem pankreatu. Screening karcinomu prostaty doporučujeme pro nosiče mutací genu BRCA2 od věku 40 let a zvážit screening u nosičů mutace BRCA1. Screening maligního melanomu doporučujeme zvážit individuálně, podle výskytu v rodině.
A qualitative exploration of patients' attitudes towards the 'Participate Inform Notice Know' (PINK) patient safety video.

OBJECTIVE To explore patients' attitudes towards the PINK video, a patient education video aimed at encouraging hospital patients' involvement in safety-relevant behaviours. DESIGN Qualitative semi-structured interviews. Detailed field notes were taken during the interviews which were analysed using content analysis. SETTING One National Health System (NHS) teaching hospital based in London, UK. PARTICIPANTS Thirty-six in-patients aged between 20 and 79 years, 18 of them males. INTERVENTION The PINK video is a short animated educational video aimed at encouraging patients to be involved in the safety of their care during hospitalization. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Patients' perceptions of how informative, relevant and acceptable the video is; attitudes towards participating in the recommended safety-related behaviours and; potential negative side effects of watching the video. RESULTS Overall the video was received favourably among the interviewees. Commonly cited benefits included raising awareness and facilitating patients to be involved in their care during their hospital stay. More variability was found in participants' views with regard to the video's role as a patient safety enhancement tool. A number of suggestions for improvement of the video were provided relating to tailoring its content and design to meet the needs of individual patients and their circumstances. CONCLUSIONS Educational videos such as PINK have significant potential to empower patients in the safety and quality of their care. However, efforts to implement patient safety educational videos in practice need to consider different patient groups' needs and characteristics instead of trying to adopt 'a one size fits all' approach.
Asymétrie d’information et marchés financiers: une synthèse de la littérature récente

Cet article est une synthese des recherches recentes en matiere d’asymetrie d’informations sur les marches financiers. L’impact de differentes hypotheses sur l’existence et l’efficience informationnelle des equilibres est etudie. Le cas de la concurrence parfaite est d’abord analyse (Grossman et Stiglitz, 1980). Puis la concurrence imparfaite est analysee. On distingue deux cas, selon que le bruit qui empeche le prix d’etre parfaitement revelateur provient d’une offre exogene (KyIe, 1985, 1989), ou d’une dotation aleatoire des agents informes (Glosten, 1989; Bhattacharya et Spiegel, 1990; Bossaerts et Hughson, 1991). Dans le premier cas, l’equilibre existe toujours. Dans le second cas, il n’existe que si le bruit est assez eleve ou si le support de sa distribution est borne.
Differences in Illness Intrusiveness Across Rheumatoid Arthritis, End-Stage Renal Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis

Illness intrusiveness derives from illness-induced lifestyle disruptions that, interfere with continued involvements in valued activities and interests and is hypothesized to represent a fundamental determinant of the psychosocial impact of chronic conditions. The present investigation compared reported levels of illness intrusiveness across 305 individuals from three chronically ill populations: rheumatoid arthritis (N=110), end-stage renal disease (N=101), and multiple sclerosis (N=94). Although multiple sclerosis was significantly more intrusive, overall, into lifestyles, activities, and interests as compared with rheumatoid arthritis and end-stage renal disease (which did not differ), a significant illness group X life domain interaction indicated that intrusiveness into eight individual life domains differed significantly across the groups and that the pattern of differences varied as a function of the particular life domain involved. Differences in the constellations of signs, symptoms, and treatment regimens associated with a given condition were hypothesized to account for observed differences in illness intrusiveness.
Interest in genetic testing among first-degree relatives of breast cancer patients.

The recent cloning of a breast-ovarian cancer susceptibility gene (BRCA1), and determination of the locus of a related gene (BRCA2), offers potential for clinical genetic testing for breast cancer susceptibility. This study examined interest in and expectations about an impending genetic test among first-degree relatives (FDRs) of breast cancer patients. One hundred five females completed two structured telephone interviews to assess demographics, breast cancer risk factors, psychological factors, and attitudes about genetic testing for breast cancer susceptibility. Overall, 91% of FDRs said that they would want to be tested, 4% said they would not, and 5% were uncertain. The most commonly cited reasons for wanting genetic testing were to learn about one's children's risk, to increase use of cancer screening tests, and to take better care of oneself. Women with less formal education were motivated by childbearing decisions and future planning to a greater degree than were women with education beyond high school. Most women anticipated a negative psychological impact of positive test results, involving increased anxiety (83%), depression (80%), and impaired quality of life (46%). In addition, 72% of women indicated that they would still worry if they tested negative. In multivariate regression analysis, level of baseline depression was the strongest predictor of an anticipated negative impact of genetic testing (Beta = .15; P, .0001). These results suggest that the demand for genetic testing for breast cancer susceptibility may be great, even among women who are not likely to have predisposing mutations. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Elevated IgG4 serum levels in patients with cystic fibrosis

Objective Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G4 elevation has been associated with several pathological conditions other than IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). In cystic fibrosis (CF), an elevation of specific IgG4 has been associated with colonization and infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. IgG4 elevation may be a marker of chronic infection or inflammatory stimulation. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of elevated IgG4 levels in CF and its correlation with the major clinical and microbiological features found in CF patients. Methods In a cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from a large cohort of adult CF patients attending the CF center of Lyon University Hospital. An elevated IgG4 level was defined as being above the cut-off value of 135 mg/dL. Results One hundred and sixty-five CF patients were analyzed. An IgG4 elevation was detected in 43 patients (26%). Compared with the control group (≤ 135 mg/dL), high IgG4 patients exhibited a greater prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus colonization and higher IgG, IgG1, IgG2 and IgE levels. No significant differences were observed in terms of pulmonary function, colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or the annual rate of bronchial exacerbations. Conclusion An elevated IgG4 serum level was frequently detected in adult CF patients and did not appear to be associated with poor lung function. We suggest that IgG4 elevation is a marker of the activation of tolerance. Its clinical significance remains to be demonstrated.
Alterations in the subcellular distribution of guanylate cyclase and its responsiveness to nitric oxide in diethylstilbestrol‐induced renal tumors

The cyclic GMP content of diethylstilbestrol‐induced renal tumors in the male golden hamster was increased nearly 130‐fold over that in kidney from control animals. Cyclic GMP in tumors was 91.80 ± 19.18 pmoles cyclic GMP/mg protein compared to 0.72 ± 0.07 in control kidneys. Cyclic AMP in tumors was also increased over control, however, to a much lesser degree (2.7‐fold). In control kidneys, 84.6% of homogenate guanylate cyclase activity was recovered in the 100,000 × g supernatant fraction. Total homogenate guanylate cyclase activity from diethylstilbestrol‐induced renal tumors was increased 5.5‐fold over that in control kidneys and only 8.1% was associated with the 100,000 × g supernatant fraction. Neither the soluble or particulate guanylate cyclase from renal tumors could be activated by nitric oxide. The unresponsiveness of tumor guanylate cyclase to nitric oxide was independent of the cation cofactor, and not due to a shift in the dose response curve for nitric oxide. Responsiveness to nitric oxide was not restored by thiols, sugars, other proteins, or hemoglobin. Basal cyclic AMP formation by soluble guanylate cyclase from renal tumors was dramatically increased over that observed in control kidneys, and could not be increased further by nitric oxide. This is the first study of cyclic GMP and guanylate cyclase in a primary estrogen‐induced tumor. The possibility that the changes observed in guanylate cyclase from diethylstilbestrol‐induced renal tumors are related to in vivo activation of the enzyme by epoxide metabolites of diethylstilbestrol is discussed. Cancer 50:78–84, 1982.
Aqueous Tear Deficiency Increases Conjunctival Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) Expression and Goblet Cell Loss.

PURPOSE To investigate the hypothesis that increased interferon-γ (IFN-γ) expression is associated with conjunctival goblet cell loss in subjects with tear dysfunction. METHODS Goblet cell density (GCD) was measured in impression cytology from the temporal bulbar conjunctiva, and gene expression was measured in cytology samples from the nasal bulbar conjunctiva obtained from 68 subjects, including normal control, meibomian gland disease (MGD), non-Sjögren syndrome (non-SSATD)-, and Sjögren syndrome (SSATD)-associated aqueous tear deficiency. Gene expression was evaluated by real-time PCR. Tear meniscus height (TMH) was measured by optical coherence tomography. Fluorescein and lissamine green dye staining evaluated corneal and conjunctival disease, respectively. Between-group mean differences and correlation coefficients were calculated. RESULTS Compared to control, IFN-γ expression was significantly higher in both ATD groups, and its receptor was higher in SSATD. Expression of IL-13 and its receptor was similar in all groups. Goblet cell density was lower in the SSATD group; expression of MUC5AC mucin was lower and cornified envelope precursor small proline-rich region (SPRR)-2G higher in both ATD groups. Interferon-γ transcript number was inversely correlated with GCD (r = -0.37, P < 0.04) and TMH (r = -0.37, P = 0.02), and directly correlated with lissamine green staining (r = 0.51, P < 0.001) and SPRR-2G expression (r = 0.32, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Interferon-γ expression in the conjunctiva was higher in aqueous deficiency and correlated with goblet cell loss and severity of conjunctival disease. These results support findings of animal and culture studies showing that IFN-γ reduces conjunctival goblet cell number and mucin production.
Position sensorless operation of IPMSM with near PWM switching frequency signal injection

This paper proposes a new position sensorless control method based on the high frequency signal injection. The frequency of the signal is increased up to 2/3 of the switching frequency, and the dynamics of the sensorless control can be improved. Furthermore, the audible noise is reduced conspicuously due to the increased frequency of injected signal. In this method, the rotor position is directly calculated from three successively sampled currents and voltages without any filter. The injected signal comes from three voltage vectors rotating at the stationary reference frame. The 15Hz speed control bandwidth and 300Hz current regulation bandwidth has been demonstrated with the experimental test results.
Target-tracking deliveries on an Elekta linac: a feasibility study

A target-tracking, intensity-modulated delivery on an Elekta MLCi system was assessed by film measurement with a simulated target–motion trajectory. A toroidally shaped idealized target surrounding an organ at risk necessitating multiple field segments to irradiate the target and spare the organ at risk was defined in a solid-water phantom. The phantom was programmed to move following a reproducible 2D elliptical trajectory in the beam's-eye view with a period of 10 s. Static and target-tracking treatments were planned for delivery on a standard Elekta Precise series linac with integrated MLCi system. Dose was delivered in three ways: (i) a static treatment to a static phantom, (ii) a static treatment to a moving phantom and (iii) a target-tracking treatment to a moving phantom. The dose delivered was assessed by film measurement on the central plane through the target and organ at risk. The target dose blurring was quantified by the standard deviation of the dose to the target which was evaluated as 2.8% for the static treatment to the static phantom, 7.2% for the static treatment to the moving phantom and 2.6% for the tracking treatment to the moving phantom. The mean organ-at-risk dose was 38.2%, 54.0% and 38.2% of the prescription dose for each delivery case. We have therefore shown that the linac is capable of delivering target-tracking fields with MLCs for the target trajectories tested.