Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Minimal residual disease with TEL‐AML1 fusion transcript in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with t(12;21)

We analysed the TEL‐AML1 transcript using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) in order to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) in seven children with t(12;21)‐associated B‐lineage ALL. Leukaemic cells with the TEL‐AML1 transcript appear to be very sensitive to chemotherapy, and may be eradicated in most patients if adequate chemotherapy is given. However, a small number of patients with t(12;21) ALL may relapse under the currently used chemotherapy, and we believe that RT‐PCR for detecting MRD with the transcript is a suitable tool for monitoring the efficacy of chemotherapy or impending relapse in these patients. We analysed the TEL‐AML1 transcript using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) in order to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) in seven children with t(12;21)‐associated B‐lineage ALL. Two sets of primers, TEL exon 5 and AML1 exon 3 or 4, detected two types of transcript in four patients and two other types in two other patients. The two different translocation breakpoints in the AML1 gene with or without splicing out of AML1 exon 3 seemed to result in these four types of transcript in leukaemia samples.
Defining Parameters: Aboriginal Rights, Treaty Rights, and the Sparrow Justificatory Test

In the case of R. v. Sparrow, the Supreme Court of Canada created a justificatory scheme for federal legislation that had the potential to derogate from the rights of the Aboriginal peoples that are protected by s. 35(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982. Since that time, the Sparrow test has been applied to both Aboriginal and treaty rights. The author suggests that the straightforward application of the Sparrow test to treaty rights is inappropriate because of the significant distinctions between Aboriginal and treaty rights. Where there is a need to balance treaty rights with competing rights, any justificatory standard to be applied ought to be consistent with the consensual basis of Crown- Native treaties.
Solar UV Exposure at Eye Is Different from Environmental UV: Diurnal Monitoring at Different Rotation Angles Using a Manikin

Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) promotes pterygium and cataract development in the human eye. When outdoors, people are subject to varying ocular UVR exposure intensity depending on time of day and orientation to the sun. To assess this variability, a manikin eye was exposed to solar UVR at 12 rotation angles relative to the sun with a solar elevation angle (SEA) ranging from 24.6° to 88.2°. At rotation angles of 0°, 30°, and 330°, the diurnal variation of ocular UVR exposure intensity showed a bimodal distribution that peaked at a SEA of about 40°, which was 3 to 4 hr both before and after noon. This timing differed from peak environmental UVR exposure intensity. At the other rotation angles, diurnal variations in ocular UV exposure exhibited unimodal curves, with maximum intensity around noon, the same as for environmental UVR. Thus, the idea that UVR exposure is most intense at midday is true for skin surfaces positioned somewhat horizontally but not for the eyes in a 60° arc with a centerline toward the sun (i.e., ranging 30° clockwise or counter-clockwise from the centerline). Maintaining certain orientations relative to the sun's position (for example, being clockwise or counter-clockwise by 30° from the sun) should effectively reduce ocular UVR exposure, especially at times when the SEA is 40°.
Effects of Intravenous Glycerol on Cerebral Blood Flow and Tissue Metabolism in Acute Cerebral Ischemia in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

The effects of antiedematous agent with intravenous 10% glycerol on cere bral blood flow (CBF) and metabolism were studied in acute cerebral ischemia experimentally induced by bilateral carotid artery occlusion in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). CBF was measured by the hydrogen clearance tech nique and brain tissue metabolites such as lactate, pyruvate and ATP in the ischemic brain frozen in situ were determined by the enzymatic method. In comparison with saline-infused SHR, the reduction of CBF in the thala mus following carotid occlusion was significantly small in the glycerol treated SHR. Supratentorial ATP concentration in the 3 hr-ischemic brain was reduced in both groups of rats, but its reduction was significantly smaller in the glycerol- infused group than the other. Lactate and lactate/pyruvate ratio tended to be less increased in the glycerol rats, indicating that ischemic metabolism was re strained by the treatment. The present results strongly suggest that intravenous glycerol is effective against acute cerebral ischemia from the view point of cerebral hemodynamic and metabolism.
The Demand-Pull Effect of Public Procurement on Innovation and Industrial Renewal

This article empirically analyzes the link between public procurement (PP) and innovation activities, by taking into account the moderating effect played by import penetration on PP. Using industry-level information on patent applications for 24 countries over the period 1995–2012, we test the impact of PP on innovation activities and whether and in which direction import penetration on PP impacts on patenting. The econometric analysis relies on Poisson regression techniques aiming to investigate the correlation between patent counts, supply- as well as demand-side determinants, and controlling for country and sector heterogeneity. The obtained results confirm our main hypotheses. The dynamics of patenting is positively affected by the PP, while a high degree of import penetration reduces the innovation enhancing effect exerted by public demand. Our results suggest that public demand may represent an effective tool for industrial policy to stimulate innovative activities, shape the transformation of production systems, and foster industrial renewal. Moreover, the empirical evidence shows that the strategy regarding the degree of openness in PP toward nondomestic firms is a crucial policy choice capable of affecting the innovative potential of public demand.
A Retrospective Evaluation of Psychosocial impact of Long-term Growth Hormone Therapy

Fifty-eight growth hormone (hGH) deficient adults who had received long-term hGH therapy and their families were contacted to assess their past and current status regarding peer relationships, educational and vocational achievements, and self-concepts. Both heterosexual and same-sex peer relationships were reported as troublesome; most reported problems with having been treated as younger than their chronologic ages. The majority reported average or above average academic performance; there were no significant differences between academic achievements of the expatients and their siblings; the greatest portion of the sample were employed at least part-time and were satisfied with their employment status. On self-concept measures, the sample rated themselves higher in self-satisfaction, personal work, and sociality, but lower on physical self and self-criticism than norms; most of the parents reported no significant differences between the patients' adjustment and that of their siblings. In addition, the recommendations from the group to others considering hGH treatment and to medical personnel working with such families are noted; implications for hGH intervention are discussed.
Nitric oxide pathways in human bladder carcinoma

Nitric oxide (NO) is produced by a group of synthase enzymes (NOS). By means of different pathways, NO exerts several functions in benign and malignant human bladder tissues. The current paper describes the NO/guanylate cyclase (sGC)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and the NO/oxidative pathways in human bladder tissues.
Investigating the effects of ties on measures of concordance

The concordance between predicted and observed outcomes, referred to as the C index or C statistic, is frequently used to quantify the discriminatory ability of a prognostic model. It also commonly serves as a basis for distinguishing predictive strength between different models. Two alternative formulations of the C index are widely used, one completely excluding ties from the computation (Ctied,out) and the other including ties (Ctied,in). However, there has been little research concerning the effects of ties on these two measures. In this paper we characterize changes in the performance of Ctied,in and Ctied,out for progressively less coarse (or more coarse) partitions of the data. Our theoretical and simulation results show that both measures can be heavily dependent on the number of tied pairs and their results can be substantially divergent. We examine potential ambiguities that can occur when the two measures diverge. In the presence of a substantial proportion of tied pairs, we recommend that both C indices be computed as lower and upper bounds, and that, when feasible, the C indices should be computed with respect to partitions corresponding to the same percentiles for the models being compared. When it is desired to estimate the overall concordance, the average value of the two C indices might also be considered. We use the data from the Hemodialysis Clinical Trial to illustrate our evaluation and methods. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adenovirus‐mediated gene transfer of wild‐type p53 results in melanoma cell apoptosis in vitro and in vivo

Gene transfer techniques may provide efficient treatment for a variety of malignant neoplasms. A replication‐deficient adeno‐virus (Ad) vector which carries the cDNA for wild‐type p53 (AdCMV.p53) was tested for its in vitro and in vivo effects on the growth of murine melanoma cell line B16‐G3.26 and human melanoma cell line SK‐MEL‐24. The growth of B16‐G3.26 cells infected with AdCMV.p53 was inhibited when compared to the uninfected cells or cells infected with the control vector AdCMV. NLSβgal. Similarly, the growth of SK‐MEL‐24 cells infected with AdCMV.p53 was also below that of AdCMV. NLSβgal‐infected and uninfected controls. DNA laddering using agarose gel electrophoresis and in situ labeling of DNA fragmentation (TUNEL) showed that AdCMV.p53‐infected murine and human melanoma cells underwent apoptosis. Nude mice injected s.c. either with B16‐G3.26 cells or with SK‐MEL‐24 cells developed localized tumors. These tumors were subsequently infiltrated with either AdCMV.p53, AdCMV. NLSβgal or saline alone. One week after infection, B16‐G3.26 tumors exposed to AdCMV.p53 were 2.5 times smaller than control tumors and exhibited DNA fragmentation. A similar growth‐inhibitory effect of AdCMV.p53 was observed with SK‐MEL‐24 tumors. Thus, Ad‐mediated wild‐type p53 overexpression resulted in melanoma cell apoptosis and inhibition of melanoma growth in vitro and in vivo. These gene therapy approaches may be useful in targeting rapidly growing, malignant melanomas in a clinical setting. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Model choice can obscure results in longitudinal studies.

BACKGROUND This article examines how different parameterizations of age and time in modeling observational longitudinal data can affect results. METHODS When individuals of different ages at study entry are considered, it becomes necessary to distinguish between longitudinal and cross-sectional differences to overcome possible selection biases. RESULTS Various models were fitted using data from longitudinal studies with participants with different ages and different follow-up lengths. Decomposing age into two components-age at entry into the study (first age) and the longitudinal follow-up (time) compared with considering age alone-leads to different conclusions. CONCLUSIONS In general, models using both first age and time terms performed better, and these terms are usually necessary to correctly analyze longitudinal data.
Sequence comparison between two quasi strains of H6N1 with different pathogenicity from a single parental isolate.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Relationships between gene change and virulence for hemagglutinin (HA) subtypes of avian influenza virus remain inconclusive. In this study, sequences of these nearly identical virus strains were obtained in order to elucidate the relationship between molecular determinants and virulence. METHODS Two strains, with different virulence, of an H6N1 avian influenza virus were isolated from an infected chicken flock. Complete 8-gene fragments from the 2 strains were cloned and sequenced. Putative amino acid sequences were compared. RESULTS Comparisons of the sequences from the 2 strains showed 0.65%, 0.79%, 0.28%, 1.23%, 0.80%, 0.20%, 0.43%, and 0.83% differences in PB2, PB1, PA, HA, NP, neuraminidase (NA), NS1 and NS2 proteins, respectively. The M1, M2, and PB1-F2 protein sequences from the strains were identical. The HA cleavage site of both strains contained a single R, despite their difference in virulence. Thus, the difference in virulence might be due to sequences other than the HA cleavage site. Most of the changes were in the HA2 part. The sequence immediately after the HA cleavage site was GILG in the non-virulent strain and GIFG in the virulent strain. The change from E to G at position 106 in the HA, near the receptor binding site, might influence the virulence. Other sequence changes likely to influence virulence were from K to R at position 291 (K291R) in NP protein and from P to T at position 101 (P101T) in NA protein. CONCLUSION The amino acid changes identified in this study may be important in the virulence of influenza viruses.
The Global Gender Gap in Labor Income

This paper introduces a new measure of economic gender inequality (EGI) based on the ratio of women’s share of national labor income to men’s. This measure captures both the principles of equal pay for equal work and non-discrimination. Importantly, it can be calculated from existing data and is comparable across countries and time. We show that EGI has only been improving slowly and that current aggregate EGI is equivalent to 1.2 billion women working for nothing. Moreover, this gap is expected to increase in coming decades. Instrumental variable estimates suggest that while increases in income reduce EGI, living standards will have to triple for equality to be achieved in countries such as Mexico or Turkey.
Chlamydia trachomatis Laboratory Strains versus Recent Clinical Isolates: Implications for Routine Microbicide Testing

ABSTRACT A topical microbicide that women can use to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is essential, and many microbicide candidates are being tested for activity against human immunodeficiency virus and other STDs, including Chlamydia trachomatis. Screening assays for assessing the activity of microbicides against C. trachomatis are typically done with laboratory-adapted strains, but it is possible that recent clinical isolates may have different susceptibilities to microbicides, as has been seen with Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Lactobacillus spp. (B. J. Moncla and S. L. Hillier, Sex. Transm. Dis. 32:491-494, 2005). We utilized three types of microbicides to help define this aspect of our assay to test microbicides against C. trachomatis in vitro. To simulate conditions of transmission, we used an assay that we previously developed in which we exposed chlamydial elementary bodies to microbicides prior to contact with epithelial cells. We first determined the toxicity of microbicides to the cells used to culture Chlamydia trachomatis in the assay and, if necessary, modified the assay to eliminate toxicity at the concentrations tested. We compared the sensitivities of recent clinical isolates of Chlamydia trachomatis versus laboratory strains of the same serovar and found major differences in sensitivity to nonoxynol-9 (non-9), but only minor differences were seen with the other microbicides. We thus conclude that when assessing activity of potential topical microbicides versus the obligate intracellular bacteria C. trachomatis, the use of recent clinical isolates may not be necessary to draw a conclusion about a microbicide's effectiveness. However, it is important to keep in mind that differences (like those seen with non-9) are possible and that clinical isolates could be included in later stages of testing.
Negotiating labour standards in the gig economy: Airtasker and Unions New South Wales

The ‘gig economy’ uses digital platforms to bypass many of the regular responsibilities and costs of employment. Ambiguity as to whether gig-economy workers are independent contractors, dependent contractors or employees allows the undermining of traditional labour standards governing minimum wages and other legislated employment conditions. Labour law and institutions need to catch up to the new reality of this form of work and develop new tools to protect and enhance minimum standards for workers in digital platform businesses. Unions, business and government all have a role to play in the long term. Meanwhile, direct engagement between these new firms and workers’ advocates can also help to mitigate the risks posed to labour standards by digital business models, by addressing regulatory gaps. This article is a case study of innovative negotiations between one platform business (Airtasker) and Unions New South Wales, a peak trade unions body in New South Wales, Australia, in order to establish agreed minimum standards for engagements negotiated through this platform.
Activation of pluripotency genes by a nanotube‐mediated protein delivery system

The overexpression of cell reprogramming factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, Nanog, and c‐Myc) allows differentiated cells to revertto an earlier developmental stage. Differentiated cells can also be reprogrammed by directly delivering reprogramming proteins tagged with cell‐penetrating peptides, which allow the proteins to pass through the cell membrane and into the cytoplasm–although this method has been an inefficient process. Here, we describe a novel technique for delivering reprogramming proteins into cells using titanium oxide (TiO2) nanotubes, which show no cytotoxic effects and do not affect cell proliferation. TiO2 nanotubes successfully transferred the above‐mentioned reprogramming factors into differentiated somatic cells. After 3 weeks of treatment with protein‐conjugated nanotubes, the somatic cells adopted an embryonic stem cell‐like morphology and expressed activated Oct4‐green fluorescent protein, a pluripotency biomarker. Our results indicate that TiO2 nanotubes can be used to directly deliver reprogramming factors into somatic cells to induce pluripotency. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 80: 1000–1008, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spectrum of mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, and TP53 in families at high risk of breast cancer.

CONTEXT Genetic testing for inherited mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 has become integral to the care of women with a severe family history of breast or ovarian cancer, but an unknown number of patients receive negative (ie, wild-type) results when they actually carry a pathogenic BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Furthermore, other breast cancer genes generally are not evaluated. OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency and types of undetected cancer-predisposing mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, TP53, and PTEN among patients with breast cancer from high-risk families with negative (wild-type) genetic test results for BRCA1 and BRCA2. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Between 2002-2005, probands from 300 US families with 4 or more cases of breast or ovarian cancer but with negative (wild-type) commercial genetic test results for BRCA1 and BRCA2 were screened by multiple DNA-based and RNA-based methods to detect genomic rearrangements in BRCA1 and BRCA2 and germline mutations of all classes in CHEK2, TP53, and PTEN. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Previously undetected germline mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, TP53, and PTEN that predispose to breast cancer; frequencies of these mutations among families with negative genetic test results. RESULTS Of the 300 probands, 52 (17%) carried previously undetected mutations, including 35 (12%) with genomic rearrangements of BRCA1 or BRCA2, 14 (5%) with CHEK2 mutations, and 3 (1%) with TP53 mutations. At BRCA1 and BRCA2, 22 different genomic rearrangements were found, of sizes less than 1 kb to greater than 170 kb; of these, 14 were not previously described and all were individually rare. At CHEK2, a novel 5.6-kb genomic deletion was discovered in 2 families of Czechoslovakian ancestry. This deletion was found in 8 of 631 (1.3%) patients with breast cancer and in none of 367 healthy controls in the Czech and Slovak Republics. For all rearrangements, exact genomic breakpoints were determined and diagnostic primers validated. The 3 families with TP53 mutations included cases of childhood sarcoma or brain tumors in addition to multiple cases of breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS The mutational spectra of BRCA1 and BRCA2 include many high-penetrance, individually rare genomic rearrangements. Among patients with breast cancer and severe family histories of cancer who test negative (wild type) for BRCA1 and BRCA2, approximately 12% can be expected to carry a large genomic deletion or duplication in one of these genes, and approximately 5% can be expected to carry a mutation in CHEK2 or TP53. Effective methods for identifying these mutations should be made available to women at high risk.
Integrating Research into Dental Student Training

The integration of research into dental education is necessary to ensure that evidence-based practice reaches the clinical setting and that dentistry remains a scientifically driven health profession. Consequently, dental accreditation standards in the United States and Canada require dental schools to integrate research components into curricula. Organizations (e.g., NIDCR, ADEA, AADR, IADR, and NSRG) provide some opportunities for dental students to experience research. Assessment of the integration of research into dental curricula suggests that US students are interested in learning and utilizing evidence-based practice, but lack adequate time for research participation. Records show limited student involvement in research organizations internationally (i.e., AADR and IADR). Vague accreditation standards and limited research opportunities outside of dental schools may be barriers. We lack an understanding of the status of integration of research into dental curricula internationally, but predict that similar issues exist. We propose that dental institutions consider implementing the following: (1) curriculum components to assess the use of evidence-based practice, (2) faculty and student seminars for discussing evidence-based practice, (3) subsidization of student membership in dental research organizations (e.g., AADR and IADR), and (4) sponsorship of students as institutional representatives at annual research meetings (e.g., IADR, AADR, ADA, and ADEA meetings), with subsequent school-wide dissemination of knowledge attained from attendance.