Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new aspartyl protease on 21q22.3, BACE2, is highly similar to Alzheimer’s amyloid precursor protein β-secretase

Down syndrome individuals develop abnormalities of most organs, including all the pathological and neurochemical features of Alzheimer’s disease, by the early age of 30 yr. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of BACE2, a gene mapping on human chromosome 21q22.3, which is highly similar to a transmembrane aspartyl protease, BACE (for beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme), which is able to catalyze the β-secretase cleavage of Alzheimer’s amyloid precursor protein (APP). BACE2 is expressed in a wide variety of organs and tissues, with several transcripts due to alternative splicing and the use of two polyadenylation signals. The BACE2 gene product is a 518 amino acid protein with the signature of an aspartic protease, a 20-residue signal peptide, and two putative N-glycosylation sites. In addition, and similarly to BACE, BACE2 differs from the other members of the human aspartic protease family in the number and distribution of putative disulfide bonds and in the presence of an extended C-terminal region which contains a predicted transmembrane segment. BACE2 could be involved in the Alzheimer-like neuropathology of Down syndrome, as well as in Alzheimer’s disease linked to chromosome 21 but not showing mutations in APP.
Electronic structure of conducting organic polymers: insights from time‐dependent density functional theory

Conducting organic polymers (COPs) became an active field of research after it was discovered how thin films rather than insoluble infusible powders can be produced. The combination of the properties of plastics with those of semiconductors opened the research field of organic electronics. COPs share many electronic properties with inorganic semiconductors, but there are also major differences, e.g., the nature of the charge carriers and the amount of the exciton binding energy. Theoretical analysis has been used to interpret experimental observations early on. The polaron model that was developed from one‐electron theories is still the most widely used concept. In the 1990s, time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) became available for routine calculations. Using TDDFT, electronic states of long oligomers can be calculated. Now UV spectra of neutral and oxidized or reduced species can be compared with in situ UV spectra recorded during doping. Likewise states of cations can be used to model photoelectron spectra. Analysis of states has resolved several puzzles which cannot be understood with the polaron model, e.g., the origin of the dual absorption band of green polymers and the origin of a ‘vestigial neutral band’ upon doping of long oligomers. DFT calculations also established that defect localization is not crucial for spectral changes observed during doping and that there are no bound bipolarons in COPs. WIREs Comput Mol Sci 2014, 4:601–622. doi: 10.1002/wcms.1194
Modulatory effect of polyphenolic extracts of Ichnocarpus frutescens on oxidative stress in rats with experimentally induced diabetes

Background & objectives: The role of oxidative stress in the development of diabetes mellitus and its vascular complications are extensively studied. Hyperglycaemia causes oxidative damage by generation of reactive oxygen species and results in the development of complications. The present study was undertaken with the objective of exploring the anti-hyperglycaemic potential of polyphenolic enriched extract of Ichnocarpus frutescens in streptozotocin induced (n-STZ) neonatal diabetic rats (pups) for six weeks and to study oxidative stress and antioxidant status. Methods: Two days old pups were rendered diabetic by single injection of streptozotocin (90 mg/kg body wt, ip). At the end of the treatment period, the level of blood glucose, serum biochemical markers, serum lipid levels and liver malondialdehyde, tissue antioxidant levels were measured. Results: A marked rise was observed in the levels of fasting blood glucose (230.33 mg/dl), lipid profiles, lipid peroxidative products and a significant decrease in tissue antioxidants (superoxide dismuatase, catalase and reduced glutathione) and serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in STZ treated rats. Oral administration of polyphenolic extract (150 and 300 mg/kg body wt, po) decreased fasting blood glucose levels (187.66 and 170.50 mg/dl, respectively) of STZ-treated diabetic rats significantly (P<0.01), when compared with control rats. In addition, the polyphenolic extract showed favourable effect (P<0.01) on the reduced tissues antioxidants level, liver glycogen level, high density lipoprotein level, with significant (P<0.01) reduction of elevated lipid peroxidation products. Histopathological study of the pancreas showed the protective role of polyphenolic extract. Interpretation & conclusions: Our study showed the antioxidant of effect polyphenolic extract of I. frutescens in STZ induced experimental diabetes. The results also suggested that this polyphenolic rich extract could be potentially useful for hyperglycaemia treatment to correct the diabetic state.
What Is the Evidence That Palliative Care Teams Improve Outcomes for Cancer Patients and Their Families?

Patients with advanced cancer experience a complex web of problems, all of which interact. Specialist palliative care services have developed to meet these needs, but their effectiveness should be considered. We sought to determine whether specialist palliative care teams achieve their aims and improve outcomes for patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers, in terms of improving symptoms and quality of life and/or reducing the emotional concerns of family caregivers. We conducted a systematic review, searching standard databases augmented by reference lists of earlier reviews. The review focused on specialist (ie, with trained and dedicated professionals) palliative care in the home, hospital, or designated inpatient settings for patients with cancer. Outcomes were pain, symptoms, quality of life, use of hospital services, and anxiety. Studies were excluded if they did not test specialist palliative care services. We identified 8 randomized controlled trials and 32 observational or quasi-experimental studies. Overall, the evidence demonstrated that home, hospital, and inpatient specialist palliative care significantly improved patient outcomes in the domains of pain and symptom control, anxiety, and reduced hospital admissions. The results suggest that specialist palliative care should be part of care for cancer patients. Although the appraisal of evidence found improvements across domains, there is a need to understand better the effects of different models of palliative care and to use standardized outcome measurement.
p27 Labeling index and proliferation in gastrointestinal stromal tumors: correlations with clinicopathologic factors and recurrence.

BACKGROUND Low expression of p27, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, has recently been reported to be associated with poor prognosis of many tumors. Moreover, an inverse relationship between p27 expression and proliferation was also noted. Although accumulating data indicate a correlation between high proliferation rate and aggressive behavior of gastrointestinal stromal tumors, no conclusive correlation between p27 expression and either tumor recurrence or proliferation has been established yet in this disease. The aim of this study was to immunohistochemically investigate the association of p27 expression (as measured by the p27 labeling index: p27LI) with recurrence and proliferation (as measured by the Ki-67 labeling index: KLI) in gastrointestinal stromal tumors. METHODS p27LI and KLI were investigated in tumor specimens from 50 patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Quantitative evaluations of p27LI and KLI were performed on tissue sections stained immunohistochemically with anti-p27 and anti-Ki-67 monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS Both p27LI and KLI were associated with the presence of recurrence and high mitotic index. A significant inverse correlation was noted between p27LI and KLI (r = -0.82). The recurrence-free survival time was significantly shorter in patients with high KLI (> or = 10%), low p27LI (<18%), mitosis (> or = 4), and larger tumor size (> or = 5.2 cm). Multivariate analysis indicated that p27LI, KLI, and mitosis were independent predictors of recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the view that p27LI is a reliable marker in predicting recurrence and recurrence-free survival in gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Moreover, the concordance of high KLI together with low p27LI, and vice versa, might allow us to measure the aggressiveness of these tumors.
No evidence for an association of osteopontin plasma levels with disease activity in multiple sclerosis

1. UK Multiple Sclerosis Specialist Nurse Association (UKMSSNA). Multiple sclerosis specialist nurses: Adding value and delivering targets. UKMSSNA, 2006; Ledbury, UK. 2. Nuffield Trust. Trends in emergency admission 2004–9: Is greater efficiency breeding inefficiency? Nuffield Trust, 2010; London, UK. 3. Health and Social Care Information Centre. Hospital episode statistics, www.hesonline. nhs.uk/Ease/servlet/ContentServ er? siteID=1937&categoryID=202 (2012, accessed August 2012).
False-positive scans in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

30Gyof @Â°Cradiationis animportantmechanismforthe increased FDG and methionine uptake seen in our study. This increase was seen both per tumorcell andper tissue culturewell following irradiation of the HTB77 1P3 adenocarcinoma cell line.
Antibody-Targeted Lethal Photosensitization ofPorphyromonas gingivalis

ABSTRACT We have previously demonstrated that Porphyromonas gingivalis is susceptible to killing by toluidine blue O (TBO) when irradiated with light from a helium-neon (HeNe) laser. The aim of this study was to determine whether a TBO-antibody conjugate (Ab-TBO) could be used to specifically target P. gingivalis to lethal photosensitization in the presence ofStreptococcus sanguis or human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). When a mixture of P. gingivalis and S. sanguiswas exposed to 4 μg of TBO/ml and irradiated with HeNe laser light, there were 1.5- and 4.0-log10-unit reductions in the viable counts, respectively. In contrast, when TBO was conjugated with a murine monoclonal antibody against P. gingivalislipopolysaccharide, the reductions in viable counts of P. gingivalis and S. sanguis amounted to 5.0 and 0.1 log10 units, respectively. Lethal photosensitization ofP. gingivalis in the presence of HGFs using unconjugated TBO resulted in a 0.7-log10-unit reduction in P. gingivalis viable counts and a 99% reduction in the incorporation of tritiated thymidine ([3H]Tdr) by the HGFs. In contrast, when the Ab-TBO conjugate was used, there was a 100% reduction in P. gingivalis viable counts but no significant reduction in the incorporation of [3H]Tdr by HGFs. These results demonstrate that specific targeting of P. gingivalis can be achieved using TBO conjugated to a monoclonal antibody raised against a cell surface component of this organism.
Health-related quality of life in significant others of patients dying from lung cancer

This study compares health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in significant others of patients dying from lung cancer, with a general population sample. Further, it explores the course of HRQOL from diagnosis (T1), at a time point close to the patient’s death (T2), and six months after the patient’s death (T3). The group comparisons at T1 showed that the significant others scored significantly lower on the scales in the mental domain compared with a general population sample. These results were the same at T3, when the significant others also scored lower on most of the scales in the physical and social domains. In the longitudinal analyses, there were significant changes in four scales, and three patterns of change were identified: a decrease–increase pattern for ‘self-rated health’ and ‘positive affect’; a constant decrease pattern for ‘family functioning’; and a decrease–stable pattern for ‘satisfaction with family functioning’. Thus, living with inoperable lung cancer in the family and then facing the death of a family member affects most of the HRQOL dimensions.
Effect of diet on glucose tolerance 36 hours after glycogen-depleting exercise.

In order to estimate the effect of muscle glycogen content on the glycaemic response, glucose tolerance and glucose oxidation were measured in eight healthy male subjects. Each subject followed three different treatments, consisting of either a physical exercise session followed by 36 h of a low-carbohydrate high-fat diet (glycogen depletion treatment); or a physical exercise followed by 36 h of a high carbohydrate diet (glycogen repletion treatment); or a low-carbohydrate high-fat diet alone (diet treatment). After both the glycogen depletion and the diet treatments, the subjects showed a high glycaemic response (443 +/- 57 and 419 +/- 63 mmol.min/l resp.), a high insulinaemic response (7158 +/- 671 and 7643 +/- 913 mU.min/l), and a low rate of glucose oxidation (27.5 +/- 2.4 and 31.0 +/- 5.8 g/3 h respiration). In contrast, after the glycogen repletion treatment, the subjects had a lower glycaemic response (197 +/- 21 mmol.min/l), a lower insulinaemic response (4645 +/- 327 mU.min/l) and a higher glucose oxidation level (47.4 +/- 2.0 g/3h). Fasting free fatty acids (FFA) were positively correlated with glucose area (P less than 0.001) and negatively with glucose oxidation (P less than 0.01). These results show a strong inhibitory effect of the low-carbohydrate high-fat diet on glucose tolerance despite prior strenuous exercise. Because of this, the effect of the muscle glycogen content could not be tested. However, the results suggest that the FFA/glucose interrelationship may override exercise-induced changes in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake.
Comparison of Two Different Actigraphs with Polysomnography in Healthy Young Subjects

The present study aimed to compare two commercially available actigraphs, with a concurrent polysomnographic (PSG) recording. Twelve healthy volunteers (six women; age range 19–28 yrs) simultaneously wore the Basic Mini‐Motionlogger® and Actiwatch® for seven overnight polysomnographic recordings. Comparisons of the following sleep measures were focused on: sleep onset latency (SOL), total sleep time, wake after sleep onset, and sleep efficiency. Both devices underestimated SOL in comparison to PSG, but they had similar performance compared to PSG for the other sleep measures. A limit of the study is that the results can be only generalized to healthy young subjects.
Laparoscopic appendicectomy--a trainee's experience.

AIM A retrospective audit was carried out of a single advance surgical trainee's experience with laparoscopic appendicectomy, in an attempt to justify its ongoing utilization in the management of patients with this acute surgical presentation. RESULTS Two hundred laparoscopic appendicectomies have been performed over the last four years on an intention-to-treat basis. Sixty-five per cent have been female, with an average population age of 24 years. There was a true appendicitis rate of 79%, with a conversion rate of 6%, and a mean operating time of 32 minutes. Complications have included intra-abdominal sepsis in three (1.5%) and postoperative ileus (1%). There have been no reported wound infections. The mean times to discharge were two days in the laparoscopic group and 3.7 days in the converted group. CONCLUSION This study supports the utilization of laparoscopic appendicectomy as a safe and effective operation for surgical trainees to gain laparoscopic experience.
Fault current reduction in distribution systems with distributed generation units by a new dual functional series compensator

In this paper, a new control strategy is proposed to limit the fault current in power systems which include distributed generation units. In the normal mode of operation, the series compensator acts as a line compensator. As soon as the fault is sensed, the new control mode is activated to limit the fault current, and properly interrupt the breaker. Harmony search algorithm has also been used to optimize the parameters of series compensator controller. Simulations performed in MATLAB/Simulink environment indicate that the proposed control strategy performs well to limit the fault currents of distribution systems and restore the voltage at the point of common coupling to its preset value.
The Pharmacokinetics of Sufentanil in Surgical Patients

The pharmacokinetics of sufentanil, a new thienyl analogue of fentanyl, were studied in 10 surgical patients. Sufentanil, 5 μg/kg, was given intravenously as a bolus injection and plasma concentrations measured at intervals up to 8 h. Plasma sufentanil concentrations decreased rapidly after injection—98% of the administered dose having left the plasma within 30 min. In 9 of the 10 patients, a tri-exponential equation optimally described the sufentanil concentration decay curve, with average (±SEM) half-lives for the rapid (π) and slow (α) distribution phases of 1.4 ± 0.3 min and 17.7 ± 2.6 min, respectively. The average terminal elimination (β) half-life was 164 ± 22 min. The average value for Vdβ was 2.9 ± 0.2 1/kg, Vdss 1.7 ± 0.2 1/kg and total plasma clearance 12.7 ± 0.8 ml · kg-1 · min-1 (935 ± 50 ml/min). In one patient, a biexponential equation was sufficient to describe the concentration-time data, yielding a distribution half-life of 4.7 min and an elimination half-life of 117 min.
Preterm delivery among female survivors of childhood, adolescent and young adulthood cancer

We studied the deliveries of female cancer survivors and female siblings in a population‐based setting in Finland. Nationwide cancer and birth registries were merged to identify 1,309 first postdiagnosis deliveries of early‐onset (diagnosed under age 35) female patients with cancer and 5,916 first deliveries of female siblings occurring in 1987–2006. Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate risk of preterm (<37 weeks), low birth weight (<2500 g) and small‐for‐gestational‐age deliveries. The risk of preterm delivery among cancer survivors compared with siblings was overall increased [odds ratio (OR) 1.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14–1.85], the increase in risk being visible in all diagnostic age groups. Risk of low birth weight (LBW) was also significantly increased (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.29–2.18) but not after adjustment for duration of pregnancy (OR 1.11; 95% CI 0.76–1.64). Neither was the risk of small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) increased. The risk of preterm delivery was most pronounced in survivors delivering 10 years or more after diagnosis. Site‐specific analyses indicated that survivors of germ cell tumors and central nervous system (CNS) tumors were at increased risk of preterm delivery, although numbers were small. In childhood survivors, kidney tumors formed the main cause of preterm delivery. Pediatric, adolescent and young adult cancer survivors are at risk for preterm delivery. Heightened surveillance is recommended especially for Wilms', germ cell and CNS tumor survivors. Such adverse pregnancy outcomes can occur a decade or more after cancer diagnosis, indicating a continued need for obstetric awareness, surveillance and counseling in former patients with cancer.
Review of congestion management methods for distribution networks with high penetration of distributed energy resources

This paper reviews the existing congestion management methods for distribution networks with high penetration of DERs documented in the recent research literatures. The congestion management methods for distribution networks reviewed can be grouped into two categories - market methods and direct control methods. The market methods consist of dynamic tariff, distribution capacity market, shadow price and flexible service market. The direct control methods are comprised of network reconfiguration, reactive power control and active power control. Based on the review of the existing methods, the authors suggest a priority list of the existing methods.
RitsQA: Ritsumeikan Question Answering System used for QAC-1

In this paper, we describe RitsQA: Ritsumeikan question answering system. In our QA system, input query sentence is firstly analyzed using question patterns consist of description of NE elements, POS of words and surface expressions. Then, query type and some clue words, which are used for document retrieval, are determined. For answer extraction, our system uses word distance between answer candidate and clue words of retrieved documents. We have participated Task 1 and Task 2. (it was not formal one because we are a member of QAC task organizer.) The results were not so good than we expected. However, this experience was helpful to develop QAC task.
Efficiency of bowel preparation for capsule endoscopy examination: a meta-analysis.

Good preparation before endoscopic procedures is essential for successful visualization. The small bowel is difficult to evaluate because of its length and complex configuration. A meta-analysis was conducted of studies comparing small bowel visualization by capsule endoscopy with and without preparation. Medical data bases were searched for all studies investigating the preparation for capsule endoscopy of the small bowel up to July 31, 2007. Studies that scored bowel cleanness and measured gastric and small bowel transit time and rate of cecum visualization were included. The primary endpoint was the quality of bowel visualization. The secondary endpoints were transit times and proportion of examinations that demonstrated the cecum, with and without preparation. Meta-analysis was performed with StatDirect Statistical software, version 2.6. 1 (http://statsdirect.com). Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Bowel visualization was scored as "good" in 78% of the examinations performed with preparation and 49% performed without (P<0.0001). There were no significant differences in transit times or in the proportion of examinations that demonstrated the cecum with and without preparation. Capsule endoscopy preparation improves the quality of small bowel visualization, but has no effect on transit times, or demonstration of the cecum.
Immune Activation in the Intestinal Mucosa Before the Onset of Colitis in Gαi2‐Deficient Mice

G‐protein subunit Gαi2‐deficient mice spontaneously develop an inflammatory bowel disease that clinically and histopathologically resembles ulcerative colitis in humans. The aim of this study was to determine whether immunological changes precede the development of colitis in Gαi2‐deficient mice. Therefore, Gαi2‐deficient mice with no clinical or histopathological signs of colitis were compared with Gαi2‐deficient mice with established colitis and wild‐type animals, concerning immunological parameters. Healthy Gαi2‐deficient mice displayed an increased frequency of CD4+ T cells and a decreased frequency of CD19+ B lymphocytes in the intestinal mucosa compared with control mice. The CD4+ population was characterized by a memory phenotype, i.e. increased expression of CD44 and decreased expression of CD45RB and CD62L, as well as increased expression of the mucosal homing receptors integrins α4β7 and αEβ7. Production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)‐1β and interferon (IFN)‐γ, were increased in Gαi2‐deficient mice before clinical signs of disease were evident. In addition, total immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgA levels in large intestinal secretions were increased significantly compared with wild‐type mice, and antibodies specific for the normal intestinal flora in large intestinal secretions were present in Gαi2‐deficient mice several weeks before the onset of colitis. In contrast, antibodies against tropomyosin, a putative autoantigen in human ulcerative colitis, were not found in Gαi2‐deficient mice before the onset of colitis, although they were present in animals with established disease. In conclusion, activation of the intestinal immune system precedes histopathological and clinical signs of inflammation in Gαi2‐deficient mice, suggesting that immune abnormalities play an important role in the induction of colitis.