Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Silencing of vacuolar ATPase c subunit ATP6V0C inhibits the invasion of prostate cancer cells through a LASS2/TMSG1-independent manner.

Vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase), widespread in eukaryotic cells, is extensively expressed in many highly metastatic tumors, of which the V-ATPase c subunit ATP6V0C is particularly associated with the invasion and metastasis of cancer. ATP6V0C was directly found to interact with LASS2/TMSG1 which is a new tumor metastasis inhibitory gene identified by our laboratory in 1999. In order to study the role of ATP6V0C, we generated small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting ATP6V0C and investigated its function on the invasion of human prostate cancer cell line PC-3M-1E8 with high metastatic potential and its interplay with LASS2/TMSG1. We found that the expression of ATP6V0C was higher in prostate cancer cell lines PC-3M-1E8 and PC-3M with high metastatic potential than that from cell lines PC-3M-2B4 and PC-3 with low metastatic potential, indicating that ATP6V0C enhanced metastatic capacity in prostate cancer cells. Furthermore, silencing of ATP6V0C in PC-3M-1E8 cells inhibited V-ATPase activity (by ~5-fold), decreased extracellular hydrogen ion concentration and successively decreased activation of secreted MMP-9 (by ~3.6-fold), which coincided with the inhibition of cell migration and invasion in vitro, as well as a marked decrease in the expression of LASS2/TMSG1 probably through positive feedback. Thus we concluded that silencing of the ATP6V0C gene effectively suppressed the migration and invasion of prostate carcinoma cells through the inhibition of the function of V-ATPase, not through a LASS2/TMSG1-dependent manner. Therefore ATP6V0C inhibitors are promising therapeutic targets for advanced prostate cancer.
A dynamic panel data study of the unemployment-crime relationship: the case of Pennsylvania

The present study analyzes the unemployment-crime (U-C) relationship in Pennsylvania using a balanced panel data set of the 67 counties over the period from 1990 to 2009. A dynamic panel data model is estimated by Generalized Method of Moments to account for endogeneity, measurement error, heteroskedasticity, and serial correlation. This estimation methodology overcomes several econometric problems ignored in previous analyses of the U-C relationship. Explicitly accounting for the dynamics of crime isolates criminal inertia from potential criminal motivation effects. The results suggest a statistically significant impact of previous criminal activity on future crimes, but a statistically insignificant relationship between the unemployment rate and the crime rate. Although these results run counter to the Cantor and Land (1985) hypothesis, they indicate that specifying a dynamic model of crime and addressing the econometric shortcomings of OLS regression analysis may yield more precise results.
Interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor stimulate human vascular endothelial cells to promote transendothelial neutrophil passage.

In an attempt to understand the regulatory mechanisms governing passage of neutrophils from the vascular bed to the interstitial tissue, we analyzed the effect of the pleiotropic monokines interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) on transendothelial neutrophil traffic. Short-time preincubation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVE) monolayers with IL-1 and TNF led to an impressive time- and dose-dependent increase of endothelial cell-associated neutrophils when working in a full plasma system on petri dishes. Electron microscopic analysis revealed junctional penetration of monolayers by neutrophils. More quantitatively, when using a monolayer-on-filter-system, priming led to a severalfold increase in complete layer passage occurring in the absence of an external chemotactic gradient. Direct comparison with an upside-down modification of the system together with data demonstrating the vectorial behavior of such migration revealed that IL-1-stimulated transendothelial neutrophil traffic is polarized. The described enhancement of neutrophil transendothelial passage was found to be a unique feature of IL-1/TNF-activated HUVE since HUVE-dependent transmigration potentiation was not observed as a consequence of mere neutrophil attachment to endothelial cells (e.g., induced by Fc-mediated adherence of PMN to HUVE). IL-1 acts selectively on endothelial cells as demonstrated by total inhibition of its effect by actinomycin D. Moreover, IL-1 does not induce HUVE monolayers to secrete a chemotaxin, and the neutrophil passage guiding principle is removable from the HUVE surface by short trypsin exposure. Congruent results were obtained with human adult arterial as well as saphenous vein endothelial cells. As shown by blockade of neutrophil migration with pertussis toxin, IL-1- and TNF-inducible transendothelial migration can be dissected into an initial anchoring step, which is succeeded by active neutrophil migration, possibly along a putative endothelial membrane-bound gradient.
On the Correct Extraction of Interface Trap Density of MOS Devices With High-Mobility Semiconductor Substrates

ldquoConventionalrdquo techniques and related capacitance-voltage characteristic interpretation were established to evaluate interface trap density on Si substrates. We show that blindly applying these techniques on alternative substrates can lead to incorrect conclusions. It is possible to both under- and overestimate the interface trap density by more than an order of magnitude. Pitfalls jeopardizing capacitance-and conductance-voltage characteristic interpretation for alternative semiconductor MOS are elaborated. We show how the conductance method, the most reliable and widely used interface trap density extraction method for Si, can be adapted and made reliable for alternative semiconductors while maintaining its simplicity.
H-2 Kd-Restricted Hepatitis B Virus-Derived Epitope Whose Specific CD8+ T Lymphocytes Can Produce Gamma Interferon without Cytotoxicity

ABSTRACT It is necessary to evaluate the cytokine secretion status of CD8+ T lymphocytes and elucidate the factors influencing cytokine secretion, because the secretion of cytokines is also an important feature of CD8+ T lymphocytes, and the cytokines usually play critical roles in the outcome of diseases. We showed here that peptide AYRPPNAPI, derived from the core antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBV), could bind to H-2 Kd and induce primed splenocytes from HBcAg expression plasmid-immunized mice to produce gamma interferon (IFN-γ) in H-2 Kd- and CD8-dependent manners instead of in a CD4-dependent manner. The induced cells were mainly CD3 and CD8 positive but had no cytotoxic effect on the corresponding target cells. When administered into HBV transgenic mice, these cells can decrease the serum HBV load without causing liver damage. These results suggest that this peptide is a special kind of CD8+ T-cell epitope, for which specific CD8+ T cells can produce IFN-γ when antigenic stimulation is encountered but which have no cytotoxic effect on the corresponding target cells both in vitro and in HBV transgenic mice. This phenomenon indicates initially that the functional mechanisms of CD8+ T cells can be determined by their epitope specificity, which may be associated with the development of epitope-based immunotherapeutic approaches for infectious diseases and tumors.
Protective effect of propofol preconditioning on ischemia-reperfusion injury in human hepatocyte.

BACKGROUND Blood reperfusion after ischemia is the main measure to restore cell function. This study was aimed to explore the effect of propofol on rat and cell models of liver ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, and to investigate its possible mechanism. METHODS Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control group, sham group, I/R group, and propofol group. Human hepatocyte HL7702 was divided into six groups: control group, I/R group and propofol (5, 10, 20 and 40 µmol/L) groups. After the animal and cell models were established, the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), malondialdehyde (MDA) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in liver tissues and hepatocytes were measured. Cell viability and apoptosis of hepatocytes were respectively determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and flow cytometry. Furthermore, the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins in hepatocytes were determined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS ALT, AST and MDA levels were all decreased significantly, and the ATP level was increased significantly in propofol group compared with that in I/R group in both liver tissues and hepatocytes. Additionally, cell viability of hepatocytes in propofol group was higher than that in I/R group, while the percentage of apoptotic cells in propofol group was less than that in I/R group. Moreover, the expression of caspase-3 decreased and the expression of Bcl-2 increased significantly after propofol preconditioning. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggested that propofol preconditioning might be an effective strategy for protecting the liver from I/R injury, which might provide a scientific basis for clinical application.
Stress‐induced modulation of the immune response to recombinant hepatitis B vaccine.

&NA; Each of a series of three hepatitis B (Hep B) inoculations was given to 48 second‐year medical students on the 3rd day of a 3‐day examination series to study the effect of academic stress on the ability to generate an immune response to a primary antigen. Those students who seroconverted after the first injection (25%) were significantly less stressed and anxious than those who did not seroconvert at that time. In addition, students who reported greater social support demonstrated a stronger immune response to the vaccine at the time of the third inoculation, as measured by antibody titers to Hep B surface antigen (HBsAg) and the blastogenic response to a HBsAg peptide (SAg).
The Economics of High-Frequency Trading: Taking Stock

I review the recent high-frequency trader (HFT) literature to single out the economic channels by which HFTs affect market quality. I first group the various theoretical studies according to common denominators and discuss the economic costs and benefits they identify. For each group, I then review the empirical literature that speaks to either the models’ assumptions or their predictions. This enables me to come to a data-weighted judgement on the economic value of HFTs.
Environmental monitoring and ecological risk assessment for pesticide contamination and effects in Lake Pamvotis, northwestern Greece

Monitoring of pesticide residues in water and sediments was conducted as a basis for subsequent ecotoxicological risk assessment for the shallow eutrophic Lake Pamvotis, northwestern Greece. During a one‐year study period, atrazine, desethylatrazine (DEA), simazine, diazinon, malathion, oxamyl, carbofuran, and ethion were detected in water and atrazine, desethylatrazine, diazinon, and s‐ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate (EPTC) in sediments, all at ppb concentration level. Temporal variation in pesticide concentrations was observed. Highest residue levels for most pesticides in both water and sediment matrices occurred in the May to July period with the exception of atrazine and DEA, which show highest levels in water during the September to November period. The ecological risk associated with pesticide contamination was assessed using two different methods: The toxic unit method, which provides a first indication of the relative contribution of detected pesticides to the total toxicity and a probabilistic approach, and the inverse method of Van Straalen and Denneman, which is used to quantify the ecological risk. The maximum percentage of the ecological risk was 10.3 and 51.8% for water and 17.2 and 70.6% for sediment, based on acute and chronic level, respectively. These results show that pesticides exert a significant pressure on the aquatic system of Lake Pamvotis, especially for the chronic‐effect level. Simple quotient methods should be coupled with higher‐tier risk assessment, especially if restoration activities on lake ecosystems are to be undertaken for sustainable development.
Efficacy of multicomponent treatment in fibromyalgia syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE To systematically review the efficacy of multicomponent treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). METHODS We screened Medline, PsychINFO, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library (through December 2007), as well as reference sections of original studies, reviews, and evidence-based guidelines. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the multicomponent treatment (at least 1 educational or other psychological therapy with at least 1 exercise therapy) of FMS were analyzed. RESULTS We included 9 (of 14) RCTs with 1,119 subjects (median treatment time 24 hours) in the meta-analysis. Effects were summarized using standardized mean differences (SMDs) or weighted mean differences (WMDs). There was strong evidence that multicomponent treatment reduces pain (SMD -0.37; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] -0.62, -0.13), fatigue (WMD -0.85; 95% CI -1.50, -0.20), depressive symptoms (SMD -0.67; 95% CI -1.08, -0.26), and limitations to health-related quality of life (HRQOL) (SMD -0.59; 95% CI -0.90, -0.27) and improves self-efficacy pain (SMD 0.54; 95% CI 0.26, 0.82) and physical fitness (SMD 0.30; 95% CI 0.02, 0.57) at posttreatment. There was no evidence of its efficacy on pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, depressive symptoms, HRQOL, or self-efficacy pain in the long term. There was strong evidence that positive effects on physical fitness (SMD 0.30; 95% CI 0.09, 0.51) can be maintained in the long term (median followup 7 months). CONCLUSIONS There is strong evidence that multicomponent treatment has beneficial short-term effects on the key symptoms of FMS. Strategies to maintain the benefits of multicomponent treatment in the long term need to be developed.
Muscular dystrophies, dilated cardiomyopathy, lipodystrophy and neuropathy: the nuclear connection

An understanding of muscle structure and function is central to improving our knowledge of the group of muscle diseases referred to as muscular dystrophies. These diseases involve a progressive weakening and wasting of skeletal muscle, which can be associated with life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. The vast majority of these diseases arise from defects in either cytoskeletal or structural proteins, resulting in a breakdown of muscle cell integrity. However, mutations in two nuclear proteins – emerin and lamin A/C – have also been demonstrated to give rise to a muscular dystrophy phenotype. In addition, mutations in lamin A/C can give rise to a dilated cardiomyopathy, a lipodystrophy or a neuropathy. It is far from clear how mutations in nuclear proteins can result in a dystrophy, or cause more than one clinically distinct disease. Understanding the functional role of nuclear proteins in causing these diseases will therefore provide novel insights into muscle function, and should hopefully provide new directions for treatment.
Involvement of the MAP kinase cascade in Xenopus mesoderm induction.

Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) is activated by MAPK kinase (MAPKK) in a variety of signaling pathways. This kinase cascade has been shown to function in cell proliferation and differentiation, but its role in early vertebrate development remains to be investigated. During early vertebrate embryogenesis, the induction and patterning of mesoderm are thought to be determined by signals from intercellular factors such as members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family and members of the transforming growth factor‐beta family. Here we show that the microinjection of either mRNA encoding a constitutively active mutant of MAPKK or mRNA encoding a constitutively active form of STE11, a MAPKK kinase, leads to the induction of mesoderm in ectodermal explants from Xenopus embryos. Moreover, the expression of MAPK phosphatase‐1 (MKP‐1, also called CL100) blocks the growth factor‐stimulated mesoderm induction. Furthermore, injection of CL100 mRNA into two‐cell stage embryos causes severe defects in gastrulation and posterior development. The effects induced by CL100 can be rescued by co‐injection of wild‐type MAPK mRNA. Thus, the MAPK cascade may play a crucial role in early vertebrate embryogenesis, especially during mesoderm induction.
16. A Stochastic Programming Model for Network Resource Utilization in the Presence of Multiclass Demand Uncertainty

There are numerous applications in which revenues are generated by the use of resources that are distributed over a network. In some cases, these networks are spatial, while in others they are temporal. Nodes in a spatial network, such as those in air transportation and telecommunications industries, correspond to locations on the network, and arcs correspond to the ability to transport goods or provide services between nodes. On the other hand, temporal networks are formed by discretizing time and are commonly used for yield management models for automobile rental companies, hotels, etc. In these models, nodes are often associated with points in time, and arcs correspond to bookings over time. In either case, it is important to recognize that demand is often served by using resources associated with multiple arcs of the network. Airline customers may use multiple flights to complete their itineraries, calls may be routed across multiple links in a telecommunication network, and rental car and hotel customers may retain facilities for multiple days. Furthermore, these networks typically serve multiple classes of customers, some of whom pay higher rates than others. For example, if a television network has a “breaking’’ story for which video conferencing is necessary immediately, they may be willing to pay at a higher rate than a university that has paid in advance to transmit lectures over the same network. Similarly, customers in the airline industry are categorized by fare classes, as are hotel and car rental customers. In any of these applications, the revenue generated by the network depends, in large measure, on the admission control policy used for network management. Intuitively, good control policies will result in a system that serves as many high-paying customers as possible, while maintaining a high level of resource utilization. This paper introduces models that may be used to facilitate the efficient management
GATA-6 Induces p21Cip1 Expression and G1Cell Cycle Arrest*

GATA transcription factors represent a family of highly conserved zinc finger proteins with tissue-specific expression patterns. Previous studies have shown that GATA-6 is expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and rapidly down-regulated when VSMCs are induced to proliferate. Here we investigated whether the GATA-6 transcription factor can modulate cellular proliferation. Transient transfection with a GATA-6 expression vector inhibited S-phase entry in VSMCs and in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) lacking both p53 alleles. The GATA-6-induced growth arrest correlated with a marked increase in the expression of the general cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p21. In contrast to p53-deficient MEFs and VSMCs, MEFs null for both p21 alleles were refractory to the GATA-6-induced growth inhibition. These data demonstrate that elevated GATA-6 expression can promote the quiescent phenotype in VSMCs.
Dimensions of Changing Directions of Trade: A System Dynamics Framework

This paper analyzes the change in direction of trade, shift in goods traded and the factors contributing to such shift between India and Canada. These have been analyzed through use of Shift-Share and Constant Market Share analysis. The analysis of bilateral trade between the two countries indicates that the commodity mix changes from time to time. The constant market share (CMS) analysis shows that the world trade has little effect on India while the reverse is true for Canada. Thus the shift in trade between the countries can be attributed to world trade effect, competitiveness and market distribution effect. It further elaborates and reviews the research done in the field of trade and identifies the dimensions that govern the trade dynamics. It proposes a causal model that substantiates and explains the cause and effect of various dimensions ultimately impacting the trade between the two countries. The System Dynamics model takes into account the different perspectives of international trade namely, free trade, fair trade, conflict, national and global economy, endowments, trade-balance and externalities. The various policies that undergo change as a result of interplay of these dimensions include monetary and fiscal and trade policies (tariff and non-tariff barriers). The model reveals five loops. The properties of these loops have been explained identifying them as positive and negative loops. The paper concludes by proposing a framework that would enable the planners to frame, execute and review bilateral trade agreements such as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership (CEPA) under formulation between India and Canada, keeping in view the outcome of proposal to allow FDI in retail sector in India and failure of different trade treaties such as US-Korea trade treaty initiated in 2007.
Risk of development of diabetes mellitus after diagnosis of gestational diabetes

Background: It is generally appreciated that gestational diabetes is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. However, the precise relation between these 2 conditions remains unknown. We sought to determine the incidence of diabetes mellitus after diagnosis of gestational diabetes. Methods: We used a population-based database to identify all deliveries in the province of Ontario over the 7-year period from Apr. 1, 1995, to Mar. 31, 2002. We linked these births to mothers who had been given a diagnosis of gestational diabetes through another administrative database that records people with diabetes on the basis of either physician service claims or hospital admission records. We examined database records for these women from the time of delivery until Mar. 31, 2004, a total of 9 years. We determined the presence of diabetes mellitus according to a validated administrative database definition for this condition. Results: We identified 659 164 pregnant women who had no pre-existing diabetes. Of these, 21 823 women (3.3%) had a diagnosis of gestational diabetes. The incidence of gestational diabetes rose significantly over the 9-year study period, from 3.2% in 1995 to 3.6% in 2001 (p < 0.001). The probability of diabetes developing after gestational diabetes was 3.7% at 9 months after delivery and 18.9% at 9 years after delivery. After adjustment for age, urban or rural residence, neighbourhood income quintile, whether the woman had a previous pregnancy, whether the woman had hypertension after the index delivery, and primary care level before the index delivery, the most significant risk factor for diabetes was having had gestational diabetes during the index pregnancy (hazard ratio 37.28, 95% confidence interval 34.99–40.88; p < 0.001). Age, urban residence and lower income were also important factors. When analyzed by year of delivery, the rate of development of diabetes was higher among the latest subcohort of women with gestational diabetes (delivery during 1999–2001) than among the earliest subcohort (delivery during 1995 or 1996) (16% by 4.7 years after delivery v. 16% by 9.0 years). Interpretation: In this large population-based study, the rate of development of diabetes after gestational diabetes increased over time and was almost 20% by 9 years. This estimate should be used by clinicians to assist in their counselling of pregnant women and by policy-makers to target these women for screening and prevention