Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Facial molluscum contagiosum in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis taking methotrexate

In a recent issue of Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, Lim and Foo reported a patient with chronic plaque psoriasis who developed disseminated molluscum contagiosum (MC) after methotrexate treatment. We agree with the authors suggestion that the diagnosis of MC should be considered in patients taking methotrexate who develop suspicious papules and speculate that the occurrence of MC in these patients may be a common, yet under-recognized phenomenon. A 69-year-old woman was referred with a 3-month history of slightly pruritic lesions on the face and neck. She had a 13-year history of disabling rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and had been on oral methotrexate 17.5 mg ⁄ week for 1.5 years and salazopyrin 1.5 g ⁄ day for 13 years. Clinical examination showed multiple discreet, flesh-coloured, crateriform papules, 2–5 mm in size, on the eyelids, cheeks and neck (Fig. 1). Few of these papules were excoriated. Haematological investigations including white cell and differential count were normal. A clinical diagnosis of MC was confirmed on histology. Owing to the disabling nature but reasonable control of her RA, and the rather localized and benign nature of the MC, her immunosuppressive treatment has not been interrupted. A trial of topical hydrogen peroxide 1% cream (Crystacide ; Bioglan, Hampshire, UK) is underway. MC is a benign eruption of umblicated papules caused by the molluscipox virus of the Poxviridae family, which is transmitted by direct contact. Although commonly selflimiting and usually occurring in children, difficult to treat and widespread MC infection can be encountered occasionally in patients with impaired cellular immunity. A few cases of disseminated MC infection occurring in patients immunosuppressed with azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil have been described. There are several possible explanations for the relative paucity of reports of milder MC infection in iatrogenically immunosuppressed patients. As most cases are mild, these may not be brought to medical attention. Furthermore, iatrogenic immunosuppression is more commonly used as a therapeutic strategy by nondermatologists, who may not be familiar with this diagnosis. Finally, MC may subside without intervention even in the setting of immunosuppression. However, to avoid the risk of disseminated infection, MC in immunosuppressed patients should be actively treated.
Multiple Phytoestrogens Inhibit Cell Growth and Confer Cytoprotection By Inducing Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Expression

Phytoestrogens are of interest because of their reported beneficial effects on many human maladies including cancer, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. As data on phytoestrogens continues to accumulate, it is clear that there is significant overlap in the cellular effects elicited by these various compounds. Here, we show that one mechanism by which a number of phytoestrogens achieve their growth inhibitory and cytoprotective effects is via induction of the mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). Eight phytoestrogens, including resveratrol, coumestrol, kaempferol, genistein, daidzein, apigenin, isoliquirtigenin and glycitin, were tested for their ability to induce MnSOD expression in mouse C2C12 and primary myoblasts. Five of these, resveratrol, coumestrol, kaempferol, genistein and daidzein, significantly increased MnSOD expression, slowed proliferative growth and enhanced stress resistance (hydrogen peroxide LD50). When siRNA was used to prevent the MnSOD induction by genistein, coumestrol or daidzein, none of these compounds exerted any effect on proliferative growth, and only the effect of coumestrol on stress resistance persisted. The estrogen antagonist ICI182780 prevented the increased MnSOD expression and also the changes in cell growth and stress resistance, indicating that these effects are mediated by estrogen receptors (ER). The absence of effects of resveratrol or coumestrol, but not genistein, in ERβ‐null cells further indicated that this ER in particular is important in mediating these effects. Thus, an ER‐mediated induction of MnSOD expression appears to underlie the growth inhibitory and cytoprotective activities of multiple phytoestrogens. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In Silico Analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana Peroxisomal 6-Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase

NADPH, whose regeneration is critical for reductive biosynthesis and detoxification pathways, is an essential component in cell redox homeostasis. Peroxisomes are subcellular organelles with a complex biochemical machinery involved in signaling and stress processes by molecules such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO). NADPH is required by several peroxisomal enzymes involved in β-oxidation, NO, and glutathione (GSH) generation. Plants have various NADPH-generating dehydrogenases, one of which is 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH). Arabidopsis contains three 6PGDH genes that probably are encoded for cytosolic, chloroplastic/mitochondrial, and peroxisomal isozymes, although their specific functions remain largely unknown. This study focuses on the in silico analysis of the biochemical characteristics and gene expression of peroxisomal 6PGDH (p6PGDH) with the aim of understanding its potential function in the peroxisomal NADPH-recycling system. The data show that a group of plant 6PGDHs contains an archetypal type 1 peroxisomal targeting signal (PTS), while in silico gene expression analysis using affymetrix microarray data suggests that Arabidopsis p6PGDH appears to be mainly involved in xenobiotic response, growth, and developmental processes.
Expression of an estrogen receptor by human coronary artery and umbilical vein endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND Premenopausal women have much lower susceptibility to coronary artery disease than do men or postmenopausal women. It has been proposed that estrogen plays a role in cardioprotection, but little information is available regarding the mechanism by which estrogen may help to protect the vasculature. Here, we describe an estrogen receptor (ER) in human coronary artery and umbilical vein endothelial cells. METHODS AND RESULTS Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human coronary artery endothelial cells were cultured in hormone-free medium for 48 hours before experiments. Estradiol (3.7 nmol/L) added to cultures promoted proliferation by a mechanism that is inhibited by the specific ER antagonist ICI182,780. Estradiol-treated cells incorporated twice the [3H]thymidine of hormone-free cells; this increase was prevented by ICI182,780. Endothelial cells from both sources stained in a nuclear pattern with an ER-specific antibody. Ribonuclease protection assay detected mRNA for the ER. Ligand-binding studies estimated 2 x 10(4) to 8 x 10(4) receptors per cell and a Kd of approximately 5 nmol/L. Interaction of ERs with a consensus estrogen response element was shown by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. In addition, an antibody against the ER supershifted the protein-DNA complex. CONCLUSIONS These studies define the presence of an ER in human coronary artery and umbilical vein endothelial cells. They support the hypothesis that cardioprotective effects of estrogen are mediated, at least in part, through a classic steroid hormone receptor mechanism.
BRCA2 Mutation-associated Breast Cancers Exhibit a Distinguishing Phenotype Based on Morphology and Molecular Profiles From Tissue Microarrays

A distinct morphologic and molecular phenotype has been reported for BRCA1-associated breast cancers; however, the phenotype of BRCA2-associated breast cancers is less certain. To comprehensively characterize BRCA2-associated breast cancers we performed a retrospective case control study using tumors accrued through the Breast Cancer Family Registry. We examined the tumor morphology and hormone receptor status in 157 hereditary breast cancers with germline mutations in BRCA2 and 314 control tumors negative for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations that were matched for age and ethnicity. Tissue microarrays were constructed from 64 BRCA2-associated and 185 control tumors. Tissue microarray sections were examined for HER2/neu protein overexpression, p53 status and the expression of basal markers, luminal markers, cyclin D1, bcl2, and MIB1 by immunohistochemistry. The majority of BRCA2-associated tumors and control tumors were invasive ductal, no special-type tumors. In contrast to control tumors, BRCA2-associated cancers were more likely to be high grade (P<0.0001) and to have pushing tumor margins (P=0.0005). Adjusting for grade, BRCA2-associated tumors were more often estrogen receptor positive (P=0.008) and exhibited a luminal phenotype (P=0.003). They were less likely than controls to express the basal cytokeratin CK5 (P=0.03) or to overexpress HER2/neu protein (P=0.06). There was no difference in p53, bcl2, MIB1, or cyclin D1 expression between BRCA2-associated and control tumors. We have demonstrated, in the largest series of BRCA2-associated breast cancers studied to date, that these tumors are predominantly high-grade invasive ductal carcinomas of no special type and they demonstrate a luminal phenotype despite their high histologic grade.
The pastoral component in the economy of hill country sites in the intermediate bronze and iron ages : Archaeo-ethnographic case studies

Le pastoralisme a joue un role important dans l'economie de subsistance des societes anciennes du Proche-Orient. Cette importance reside dans la variete des produits que procurent les animaux, tels viande, lait et produits derives, laine, cuir, corne, voire sang. De plus, les produits alimentaires animaux apportent des composants nutritifs precieux que sont la graisse et les proteines. La presente etude analyse la composition pastorale des societes sedentarisees dans les regions de collines du centre d'Israel, les outils disponibles pour la recherche ne permettant pas a ce jour d'analyser les societes pastorales nomades.
Postcountershock fibrillation in digitalized myocardial cells in vitro

Postcountershock arrhythmias are potentiated in patients receiving digitalis; and these arrhythmias frequently lead to irreversible ventricular fibrillation and death. The mechanisms underlying this potentiation are largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an accentuation of electric shock induced arrhythmias was produced in in vitro myocardial cells by ouabin, a fast-acting digitalis glycoside. Such an accentuation would suggest that the in vivo potentiation occurred in the individual myocardial cell rather than through some secondary mechanism such as action on the nervous system as had been previously suggested. Myocardial cells grown in vitro were subjected to 5 msec square wave electric field stimulation of varying intensity. Pre- and postshock arrhythmias were evaluated using a photovoltaic cell mounted on a closed-circuit television monitor. The photocell converted the change in light intensity produced by cellular contraction to an electrical signal which was then processed and displayed on a strip chart recorder. Fibrillation of the cell sheet and of portions of individual myocardial cells could be observed visually on the television monitor. “Therapeutic” (antiarrhythmic) concentrations of ouabain were observed in the range of 1 x 10−6M to 5 x 10−6M; “toxic” (arrhythmia producing) concentrations were above, 1 x 10−5M. Electric shocks of intensities which produced a short postshock arrest in nondigitalized cells, produced an increased duration of arrest proportional to the ouabain concentration in the range of 5 x 10−8M to 7 x 10−6M. Cellular fibrillation has been previously observed in in vitro myocardial cells after extremely high shock intensities in the absence of ouabain or after toxic concentrations of ouabain in the absence of electric shock. Similar cellular fibrillation was observed in this study after low intensity electric shocks in cells exposed to low concentrations of ouabain, neither of which produced cellular fibrillation alone. Because this cellular fibrillation in vitro appears to be related to “irreversible” fibrillation in vivo, these results suggest that the deleterious interactions between digitalis and electric countershock occur directly in the myocardial cell and that postshock cellular fibrillation may be the basis for the “unmasking” of digitalis toxicity by electric countershock which has been of clinical concern.
Spontaneous human lymphocyte‐mediated cytotoxicity against tumor target cells. V. The role of serum‐derived heterologous membrane antigens

The effect of serum on the K562 assay for spontaneous human lymphocyte‐mediated cytotoxicity (SLMC) was examined systematically at the level of the assay system and with respect to the serum used for the long‐term maintenance of the K562 target cells. It was found that the assay did not require the presence of serum, but all sera tested increased the level of cytotoxicity observed. Lymphocyte and target cell preparation in serum‐free medium led to a high non‐specific cell loss which could be avoided by substituting 5% human serum albumin for fetal calf serum. With this serum‐free assay, the effect of long‐term culture of K562 in 5% human serum was examined. High SLMC by normal donors was obtained in spite of the fact that the target cells had been cultured in human serum. This occurred even when the serum used for long‐term culture was autologous to the lymphocyte donor, and as long as the experiment was continued (10 months). The relative cytotoxicity of each donor relative to the other two tested in this series of experiments was similar for each of the K562 sources tested, and every time that the experiment was performed. Persistence of susceptibility to cytotoxicity after 10 months of culture in 5% human serum, partial sensitivity to pronase and trypsin, and resistance to neuraminidase, all indicated that the antigen recognized by the effector cells in this assay is distinct from the heterologous membrane antigen described by Irie et al. (1974a, b). The ability of lymphocytes to lyse target cells cultured in serum autologous to the lymphocyte donor indicated that SLMC is not mediated by lymphocyte recognition of serum‐derived antigens or serum‐derived mitogenic factors. The “recovery” of the SLMC susceptibility of pronase or trypsin‐treated target cells in serum‐free medium also suggests that the K562‐SLMC “antigen” is intrinsic to the K562 target cell and is independent of the serum used to culture these cells.
An unscented Kalman filter for in-motion alignment of low-cost IMUs

This paper describes the alignment of low-cost inertial measurement units (IMUs) using an unscented Kalman filter (UKF), which allows large initial attitude error uncertainties. The state vector includes position, velocity, attitude, and sensor biases and scale factors. Position information from the differential global positioning system (DGPS) solutions is used as measurements. Test results with a micro-electrical-mechanical-systems (MEMS) IMU showed that the alignment converged within 50 s with RMS values of 0.093/spl deg/, 0.094/spl deg/ and 0.388/spl deg/ for roll, pitch and heading, respectively. The UKF works well even in cases of large initial attitude errors (about 30/spl deg/) not only for heading but also for roll and pitch. Therefore, the UKF is a unified approach to handle large and small attitude errors of an inertial navigation system (INS) seamlessly.
Learning to export and learning by exporting: The case of Ethiopian manufacturing

In this study, we investigate the relationship between exporting and firm performance using a longer panel dataset of Ethiopian manufacturing firms for the period 1996âˆ’2009. We test two hypotheses regarding exporting: selection into exporting versus learning by exporting. According to the selection into exporting hypothesis, more productive firms self-select into exporting due to high entry costs. The learning by exporting hypothesis, on the other hand, emphasizes that firms learn after entering into the export market. We find evidence in support of both self-selection and learning by exporting.
The LIM Protein Ajuba Is Recruited to Cadherin-dependent Cell Junctions through an Association with α-Catenin*

Cell-cell adhesive events affect cell growth and fate decisions and provide spatial clues for cell polarity within tissues. The complete molecular determinants required for adhesive junction formation and their function are not completely understood. LIM domain-containing proteins have been shown to be present at cell-cell contact sites and are known to shuttle into the nucleus where they can affect cell fate and growth; however, their precise localization at cell-cell contacts, how they localize to these sites, and what their functions are at these sites is unknown. Here we show that, in primary keratinocytes, the LIM domain protein Ajuba is recruited to cadherin-dependent cell-cell adhesive complexes in a regulated manner. At cadherin adhesive complexes Ajuba interacts with α-catenin, and α-catenin is required for efficient recruitment of Ajuba to cell junctions. Ajuba also interacts directly with F-actin. Keratinocytes from Ajuba null mice exhibit abnormal cell-cell junction formation and/or stability and function. These data reveal Ajuba as a new component at cadherin-mediated cell-cell junctions and suggest that Ajuba may contribute to the bridging of the cadherin adhesive complexes to the actin cytoskeleton and as such contribute to the formation or strengthening of cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion.
Flatness-based control of a boost inverter for PV microinverter application

The boost inverter is an attractive solution for photovoltaic (PV) microinverters since it is a single stage architecture. Indeed, in comparison, most of the microinverters topologies consist of two-stage structures, a DC-DC converter for voltage elevation and an inverter for grid connection, resulting in a lower efficiency. The boost inverter consists of two DC-DC boost converters connected in differential mode to the grid. However, due to its high non-linearity behavior the control of this topology is a complex task. To solve this problematic a flatness-based control scheme of the boost inverter is proposed. Simulation results are provided to validate the good behavior of the proposed control scheme for a grid connected PV microinverter.
A study on the primary motor cortex performing motor imagery task for the development of a brain-computer interface

We investigated readiness potential of the motor cortex of human subjects while they performed motor imagery tasks. The purpose was to find possible applications for use in brain-computer interfaces. The results showed that there was some similarity in electroencephalogram (EEG) potentials when subjects performed either motor execution tasks or motor imagery tasks. Fourier transform analysis revealed that frequencies less than 5 Hz played a particularly important role while subjects performed both types of task. Our results show that measuring EEG potentials as a way of "reading" peoples' thoughts while they performs motor imagery tasks involving their hands may have applications in brain-computer interfaces.
The Natural History of Degeneration of the Lumbar and Cervical Spines: A Systematic Review

Study Design. Systematic review. Objective. To determine the population risk of radiographical degeneration in the lumbar and cervical spine as well as the risk of adjacent segment pathology (ASP) among patients who receive and do not receive (but were eligible for) fusion for lumbar or cervical degeneration. Summary of Background Data. The etiology of ASP remains unclear. It has been suggested that ASP results because of a biomechanical stress transfer from the fusion. It has also been suggested that ASP is a continuation of natural arthritic disease. We sought to examine the literature and compare the rates of spinal degeneration without fusion and the rates of adjacent segment degeneration. Similarities or differences may yield insight into the etiology of ASP. Methods. A systematic review of the English language literature was undertaken for articles published between 1990 and March 15, 2012. Electronic databases and reference lists of key articles were searched to identify articles reporting prevalence and/or incidence of radiographical spinal degeneration (de novo degeneration) or radiographical adjacent segment pathology (RASP) (degeneration after fusion). Two independent reviewers assessed the level of evidence and the overall quality of the literature using the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. Results. We identified 15 studies from our search strategy that met the inclusion criteria from a total of 235 possible studies. Various definitions of radiographical spinal degeneration were used across the studies. For the population risk of radiographical lumbar and cervical spine degeneration, the cumulative incidence ranged from 12.7% to 51.5% during a 5- to 25-year period across 3 studies. One study of the cervical spine reported that there was a baseline prevalence of disc degeneration of 21.7% and, in their follow-up study, reported that 47.9% of individuals had evidence of progression of degeneration during a mean 5.8-year follow-up. The rate of progression per 100 person-years showed an age- and sex-specific trend, with females progressing at a faster rate than males through the 50s, males progressing faster than females during the 60s and 70s, with rates becoming identical in the 80s. Regarding age-specific risk, the prevalence of lumbar degeneration increased with age across 2 studies. For RASP following fusion, the cumulative incidence ranged from 6.3% to 44.4% during 6 to 12.6 years of follow-up across the 7 studies; the risk of cervical RASP was higher than that of lumbar despite the shorter mean follow-up periods. Conclusion. RASP may occur at a higher rate than natural history and suggests that another factor (such as biomechanical effect of fusion) may accelerate pathologic changes. Consensus Statement ASP may occur at a higher rate than natural spinal degeneration and suggests that another factor (such as biomechanical effect of fusion) may accelerate pathologic changes. Strength of Statement: Weak
Methods used for prevention of white spot lesion development during orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances

Abstract Objectives: The aim of this study was to survey methods that Dutch orthodontists use to prevent development or progression of enamel decalcifications during orthodontic treatment. Materials and methods: A pre-tested questionnaire was sent by post to all orthodontists in the Netherlands with a private practice (n = 189). Results: The response rate was 81%. At the start of orthodontic treatment a basic practice protocol for prevention of enamel demineralization was used by 93% of the orthodontists. This included oral hygiene instructions (92%) and the advice for additional use of a fluoride mouth rinse (64%). Other preventive measures were rarely prescribed. About 85% of those who prescribed a fluoride mouth rinse advised to rinse once a day, directly after evening tooth brushing. Conclusions: The results suggest that the commonly used practice of fluoride mouth rinsing directly after evening tooth brushing by orthodontic patients during fixed appliance treatment ignores actual evidence of preventive advices. This study recommends mouth rinsing at another moment than after evening tooth brushing, thus increasing the frequency of fluoride intakes, which might enhance the effectiveness in preventing WSL development or progression during orthodontic treatment.