Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wnt/β-catenin pathway might underlie the MET in trans- differentiation from MSC to MSC-derived neuron.

OBJECTIVE To observe MET-associated alteration during the trans-differentiation from MSCs to neuron-like cells, and to explore the possible molecular mechanism. METHODS Bone marrow MSCs were isolated from rat femur and purified in continuous cell culture. After induced differentiation to neuron-like cells by the combination of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), cells were tested by comparative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the relative expression of MET biomarkers and transcription factors, and for cell cycle by flow cytometry. Meanwhile, target genes of Wnt/β-catenin pathway were also analyzed by comparative PCR to determine the possible involvement. RESULTS In MSC-induced neuron-like cells, MET-associated transcription factors such as Snail, Slug, ZEB1, ZEB2, and Twist were significantly attenuated in expression level. The Mesenchymal marker Vimentin expression level was increased. Membrane protein E-cad was slightly down-regulated, while N-cad level was marginally elevated. Percentage of proliferating cells (S phase in cell cycle) markedly shrank from 40.42% for MSCs to 6.76% for MSC-derived neuron. Additionally, Wnt/β-catenin target genes β-catenin and c-myc were decreasingly expressed. CONCLUSION Chemically induced trans-differentiation from MSC to neuron caused similar MET-featured alteration in gene expression and proliferation to known MET, which might be underlied by deactivation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
Turbo codes performance on Rice flat fading environment

The Rice flat fading channel is an appropriate model for a significant number of current communication channels, especially in mobile radio propagation environment. This paper aims to evaluate the performance of the different families of turbo codes (TC) in the Rice channel. We took into account single-binary turbo codes (SBTC), double-binary turbo codes (DBTC) and the new family of turbo codes: multi-non-binary turbo codes (MNBTC). We used the maximum logarithmic MAP (Max-Log-MAP) decoding algorithm. The TC's performance was evaluated for different values of the ratio of power of line-of-sight component to the power of multipath component.
Radiation-induced versus endogenous DNA damage: possible effect of inducible protective responses in mitigating endogenous damage

Ionizing radiation (IR) causes damage to DNA that is apparently proportional to absorbed dose. The incidence of radiation-induced cancer in humans unequivocally rises with the value of absorbed doses above about 300 mGy, in a seemingly linear fashion. Extrapolation of this linear correlation down to zero-dose constitutes the linear-no-threshold (LNT) hypothesis of radiation-induced cancer incidence. The corresponding dose-risk correlation, however, is questionable at doses lower than 300 mGy. Non-radiation induced DNA damage and, in consequence, oncogenic transformation in non-irradiated cells arises from a variety of sources, mainly from weak endogenous carcinogens such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as from micronutrient deficiencies and environmental toxins. In order to relate the low probability of radiation-induced cancer to the relatively high incidence of non-radiation carcinogenesis, especially at low-dose irradiation, the quantitative and qualitative differences between the DNA damages from non-radiation and radiation sources need to be addressed and put into context of physiological mechanisms of cellular protection. This paper summarizes a co-operative approach by the authors to answer the questions on the quantitative and qualitative DNA damages from non-radiation sources, largely endogenous ROS, and following exposure to low doses of IR. The analysis relies on published data and justified assumptions and considers the physiological capacity of mammalian cells to protect themselves constantly by preventing and repairing DNA damage. Furthermore, damaged cells are susceptible to removal by apoptosis or the immune system. The results suggest that the various forms of non-radiation DNA damage in tissues far outweigh corresponding DNA damage from low-dose radiation exposure at the level of, and well above, background radiation. These data are examined within the context of low-dose radiation induction of cellular signaling that may stimulate cellular protection systems over hours to weeks against accumulation of DNA damage. The particular focus is the hypothesis that these enhanced and persisting protective responses reduce the steady state level of nonradiation DNA damage, thereby reducing deleterious outcomes such as cancer and aging. The emerging model urgently needs rigorous experimental testing, since it suggests, importantly, that the LNT hypothesis is invalid for complex adaptive systems such as mammalian organisms.
Increased levels of cigarette use among college students: a cause for national concern.

CONTEXT Adolescent smoking prevalence is tracked annually and has increased since 1991. In contrast, little is known about trends in smoking among college students, a group that has previously been more resistant to tobacco use than other young adults. OBJECTIVE To examine changes in cigarette smoking among college students between 1993 and 1997 and among different types of students and colleges. DESIGN Self-administered survey (Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study). SETTING One hundred sixteen nationally representative 4-year colleges. SUBJECTS A total of 15103 randomly selected students in 1993 (70% response rate) and 14251 students in 1997 (60% response rate). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Self-reports of cigarette smoking in the past 30 days and in the past year, age at smoking first cigarette, and number of attempts to quit. RESULTS Over 4 years, the prevalence of current (30-day) cigarette smoking rose by 27.8%, from 22.3% to 28.5% (P<.001). The increase was observed in 99 of 116 colleges and was statistically significant (P<.05) in 27 (23%) of them. Current smoking increased across all student subgroups (defined by sex, race/ethnicity, and year in school) and in all types of colleges. Smoking is rising faster in public schools (from 22.0% to 29.3%) than in private schools (from 22.9% to 26.8%). Eleven percent of college smokers had their first cigarette and 28% began to smoke regularly at or after age 19 years, by which time most were already in college. Half of current smokers tried to quit in the previous year; 18% had made 5 or more attempts to quit. CONCLUSIONS Cigarette use is increasing on campuses nationwide in all subgroups and types of colleges. Substantial numbers of college students are both starting to smoke regularly and trying to stop. National efforts to reduce smoking should be extended to college students.
Singularities of symmetric hypersurfaces and Reed-Solomon codes

We determine conditions on $q$ for the nonexistence of deep holes of the standard Reed-Solomon code of dimension $k$ over $\mathbb F_q$ generated by polynomials of degree $k+d$. Our conditions rely on the existence of $q$-rational points with nonzero, pairwise-distinct coordinates of a certain family of hypersurfaces defined over $\mathbb F_q$. We show that the hypersurfaces under consideration are invariant under the action of the symmetric group of permutations of the coordinates. This allows us to obtain critical information concerning the singular locus of these hypersurfaces, from which the existence of $q$-rational points is established.
United States Trends in Lumbar Fusion Surgery for Degenerative Conditions

Study Design. Retrospective cohort study using national sample administrative data. Objectives. To determine if lumbar fusion rates increased in the 1990s and to compare lumbar fusion rates with those of other major musculoskeletal procedures. Summary of Background Data. Previous studies found that lumbar fusion rates rose more rapidly during the 1980s than did other types of lumbar surgery. Methods. We used the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1988 through 2001 to examine trends. U.S. Census data were used for calculating age and sex-adjusted population-based rates. We excluded patients with vertebral fractures, cancer, or infection. Results. In 2001, over 122,000 lumbar fusions were performed nationwide for degenerative conditions. This represented a 220% increase from 1990 in fusions per 100,000. The increase accelerated after 1996, when fusion cages were approved. From 1996 to 2001, the number of lumbar fusions increased 113%, compared with 13 to 15% for hip replacement and knee arthroplasty. Rates of lumbar fusion rose most rapidly among patients aged 60 and above. The proportion of lumbar operations involving a fusion increased for all diagnoses. Conclusions. Lumbar fusion rates rose even more rapidly in the 90s than in the 80s. The most rapid increases followed the approval of new surgical implants and were much greater than increases in other major orthopedic procedures. The most rapid increases in fusion rates were among adults aged 60 and above. These increases were not associated with reports of clarified indications or improved efficacy, suggesting a need for better data on the efficacy of various fusion techniques for various indications.
On the computation of end-to-end delay in a network of GPS servers with long range dependent traffic

This paper introduces the computation of end-to-end delay and backlog bounds in a network of generalized processor sharing (GPS) servers with long-range dependent traffic. The traffic is supposed to be regulated by the fractal leaky bucket, which is an appropriate regulator for such traffic. The network of GPS servers has arbitrary topology and the stability of these networks is analysed.
Early Dissemination of NDM-1- and OXA-181-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Indian Hospitals: Report from the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program, 2006-2007

ABSTRACT Among 39 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (2.7% overall; Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains) isolated in 2006 and 2007 in India, 15 strains carried bla NDM-1 and 10 harbored a gene encoding a variant of the carbapenemase OXA-48, named bla OXA-181. One E. cloacae strain harbored bla VIM-6, and one K. pneumoniae strain carrying bla OXA-181 also possessed bla VIM-5. Multiple pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns and clonal dissemination within and among sites were observed. Isolates producing NDM-1 were disseminated in Indian health care facilities as early as 2006.
ScaBIA: Scalable Brain Image Analysis in the Cloud

The use of cloud computing as a new paradigm has become a reality. Cloud computing leverages the use of on-demand CPU power and storage resources while eliminating the cost of commodity hardware ownership. Cloud computing is now gaining popularity among many different organizations and commercial sectors. In this paper, we present the scalable brain image analysis (ScaBIA) architecture, a new model to run statistical parametric analysis (SPM) jobs using cloud computing. SPM is one of the most popular toolkits in neuroscience for running compute-intensive brain image analysis tasks. However, issues such as sharing raw data and results, as well as scalability and performance are major bottlenecks in the "single PC"-execution model. In this work, we describe a prototype using the generic worker (GW), an e-Science as a service middleware, on top of Microsoft Azure to run and manage the SPM tasks. The functional prototype shows that ScaBIA provides a scalable framework for multi-job submission and enables users to share data securely using storage access keys across different organizations.
Equity and Beliefs about the Efficacy of Computers for Mathematics Learning.

Members of society appear to have great faith in the educational value of computers. It is widely believed that computer use will promote learning. Unsupported by research evidence, many contemporary mathematics curriculum documents include statements advocating computer use and the benefits to be derived. As part of a larger study in which equity issues and perceptions of computer use for secondary mathematics learning are being explored, teachers’ and students’ beliefs about the benefits of computer use for mathematics learning were examined. The student data were also analysed across several equity dimensions. The findings are presented and discussed in this paper.
Expression and subcellular distribution of filamin isotypes in endothelial cells and pericytes

Two principal forms of the actin binding protein, filamin, are expressed in mammalian cells: nonmuscle and muscle isotypes (FLN‐1 and FLN‐2). A protein that copurifies with an α‐naphthyl acetate hydrolyzing esterase from human omentum microvessel endothelial cells (EC) is isolated by nondenaturing electrophoresis, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electroblotting. The purified protein is subjected to in situ trypsin cleavage, reversed‐phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and automated Edman degradation. Six peptide fragments from the protein are identified to have 60—66% identity with nonmuscle filamin (ABP‐280). Two of these peptides are 100% identical to a previously sequenced human muscle filamin fragment. Polyclonal antibody is produced using a 16‐residue synthetic peptide corresponding to a structural β‐sheet region of muscle filamin. Compared with a variety of vascular cells evaluated, retinal pericytes express an abundance of both muscle and non‐muscle filamin isotypes. Pericytes contain at least 10 times more muscle filamin than human umbilical vein EC and at least three times the amount expressed in human omentum micro‐vessel and bovine pulmonary artery EC. Differential detergent fractionation indicates that both filamin isotypes are primarily localized in the cytosol and membrane/organelle fractions of pericytes. Another actin crosslinking protein, α‐actinin, is primarily found in the cytosol and cytoskeletal fractions. The dynamic regulation of actin microfilament organization in pericytes may be controlled in part by the two filamin isotypes, which in turn may contribute to pericyte contractility.
Equilibrium, Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies on Biosorption of Cd (II) and Pb (II) from Aqueous Solution Using a Spore Forming Bacillus Isolated from Wastewater of a Leather Factory

The equilibrium, thermodynamics and kinetics of the biosorption of Cd (II) and Pb(II) by a Spore Forming Bacillus (MGL 75) were investigated at different experimental conditions. The Langmuir and Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) equilibrium adsorption models were applied to describe the biosorption of the metal ions by MGL 75 biomass. The Langmuir model fitted the equilibrium data better than the other models. Maximum adsorption capacities q max for lead (II) and cadmium (II) were found equal to 158.73mg/g and 91.74 mg/g by Langmuir model. The values of the mean free energy determined with the D-R equation showed that adsorption process is a physiosorption process. The thermodynamic parameters Gibbs free energy (∆G°), enthalpy (∆H°), and entropy (∆S°) changes were also calculated, and the values indicated that the biosorption process was exothermic and spontaneous. Experiment data were also used to study biosorption kinetics using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. Kinetic parameters, rate constants, equilibrium sorption capacities and related correlation coefficients were calculated and discussed. The results showed that the biosorption processes of both metal ions followed well pseudo-second-order kinetics. Keywords—biosorption, kinetics, Metal ion removal, thermodynamics
Calmodulin as a Potential Negative Regulator of ArabidopsisCOR Gene Expression1

Previous studies have implicated calmodulin as a signaling component required for the cold induction of COR ( c old o n r egulated) genes in Arabidopsis ([Braam and Davis, 1990][1]; [Tahtiharju et al., 1997][2]). Here, we present data that show that overexpression of calmodulin in planta causes
Het verhogen van de impliciete zelfwaardering van kinderen door middel van klassieke conditionering.

Zelfwaardering speelt een essentiele rol bij de persoonlijke ontwikkeling en gezondheid van mensen. In het huidige onderzoek is door middel van een klassieke conditioneringstaak onderzocht of impliciete zelfwaardering bij kinderen verhoogd kan worden. Aan het onderzoek hebben 133 kinderen in de leeftijd van 9 tot 13 jaar deelgenomen. Zoals verwacht blijkt impliciete zelfwaardering in de experimentele groep significant hoger te zijn dan de impliciete zelfwaardering van de controle groep na afloop van de conditioneringstaak. Bovendien kan er geconcludeerd worden dat de conditioneringstaak invloed heeft op agressief gedrag. Kinderen uit de experimentele groep zijn na de conditioneringstaak significant minder agressief dan kinderen uit de controle groep. Er was echter geen relatie tussen impliciete zelfwaardering en agressie. Deze bevindingen kunnen wellicht van grote betekenis zijn voor interventieprogramma’s voor het verhogen van impliciete zelfwaardering.
Unary Interpretation Logic

Let T be an arithmetical theory. We introduce a unary modal operator T to be interpreted arithmetically as the unary interpretability pred- icate over T. We present complete axiomatizations of the (unary) interpreta- bility principles underlying two important classes of theories. We also prove some basic modal results about these new axiomatizations.
Essential role of maternal UCHL1 and UCHL3 in fertilization and preimplantation embryo development

Post‐translational protein modification by ubiquitination, a signal for lysosomal or proteasomal proteolysis, can be regulated and reversed by deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). This study examined the roles of UCHL1 and UCHL3, two members of ubiquitin C‐terminal hydrolase (UCH) family of DUBs, in murine fertilization and preimplantation development. Before fertilization, these proteins were associated with the oocyte cortex (UCHL1) and meiotic spindle (UCHL3). Intracytoplasmic injection of the general UCH‐family inhibitor ubiquitin‐aldehyde (UBAL) or antibodies against UCHL3 into mature metaphase II oocytes blocked fertilization by reducing sperm penetration of the zona pellucida and incorporation into the ooplasm, suggesting a role for cortical UCHL1 in sperm incorporation. Both UBAL and antibodies against UCHL1 injected at the onset of oocyte maturation (germinal vesicle stage) reduced the fertilizing ability of oocytes. The subfertile Uchl1gad−/− mutant mice showed an intriguing pattern of switched UCH localization, with UCHL3 replacing UCHL1 in the oocyte cortex. While fertilization defects were not observed, the embryos from homozygous Uchl1gad−/− mutant females failed to undergo morula compaction and did not form blastocysts in vivo, indicating a maternal effect related to UCHL1 deficiency. We conclude that the activity of oocyte UCHs contributes to fertilization and embryogenesis by regulating the physiology of the oocyte and blastomere cortex. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 1592–1603, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Migraine and Cerebral White Matter Lesions: When to Suspect Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy With Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL)

Background:Patients with migraine are at an increased risk for white matter lesions, typically multiple, small, punctate hyperintensities in the deep or periventricular white matter, best observed on magnetic resonance imaging utilizing T2-weighted or FLAIR sequences. The underlying pathogenesis of white matter lesions in migraineurs is unknown, and the lesions are usually nonspecific and of unclear clinical significance. Review Summary:Often the presence of white matter lesions causes uncertainty for physicians and anxiety for patients and may lead to a variety of diagnostic tests and treatments. Occasionally, white matter lesions may represent a secondary cause for headaches such as CADASIL (cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy). CADASIL is underrecognized and underdiagnosed; it should be suggested by (i) 1 or more of recurrent subcortical ischemic strokes (especially before age 60 and in the absence of vascular risk factors), migraine (especially with aura, including atypical or prolonged auras) and/or early cognitive decline or subcortical dementia; (ii) bilateral, multifocal, T2/FLAIR hyperintensities in the deep white matter and periventricular white matter with lesions involving the anterior temporal pole, external capsule, basal ganglia, and/or pons; and (iii) an autosomal-dominant family history of migraine, early-onset stroke, or dementia. The clinical spectrum of CADASIL is broad, and there is a poor genotype-phenotype correlation. In certain individuals or families, migraine may be the only clinical manifestation. Conclusions:While the prevalence of nonspecific white matter lesions in migraineurs is increased, the white matter lesions may occasionally represent a secondary cause for headache such as CADASIL. Greater awareness of the unique clinical, neuroimaging, and pathologic features, as well as the availability of diagnostic genetic testing, should enhance the recognition and diagnosis of this fascinating condition.
The Phosphotyrosine Binding-like Domain of Talin Activates Integrins*

Cellular regulation of the ligand binding affinity of integrin adhesion receptors (integrin activation) depends on the integrin β cytoplasmic domains (tails). The head domain of talin binds to several integrin β tails and activates integrins. This head domain contains a predicted FERM domain composed of three subdomains (F1, F2, and F3). An integrin-activating talin fragment was predicted to contain the F2 and F3 subdomains. Both isolated subdomains bound specifically to the integrin β3 tail. However, talin F3 bound the β3 tail with a 4-fold higher affinity than talin F2. Furthermore, expression of talin F3 (but not F2) in cells led to activation of integrin αIIbβ3. A molecular model of talin F3 indicated that it resembles a phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain. PTB domains recognize peptide ligands containing β turns, often formed by NPXY motifs. NPX(Y/F) motifs are highly conserved in integrin β tails, and mutations that disrupt this motif interfere with both integrin activation and talin binding. Thus, integrin binding to talin resembles the interactions of PTB domains with peptide ligands. These resemblances suggest that the activation of integrins requires the presence of a β turn at NPX(Y/F) motifs conserved in integrin β cytoplasmic domains.
Regulation of B‐type cyclin proteolysis by Cdc28–associated kinases in budding yeast

In budding yeast, stability of the mitotic B‐type cyclin Clb2 is tightly cell cycle‐regulated. B‐type cyclin proteolysis is initiated during anaphase and persists throughout the G1 phase. Cln‐Cdc28 kinase activity at START is required to repress B‐type cyclin‐specific proteolysis. Here, we show that Clb‐dependent kinases, when expressed during G1, are also capable of repressing the B‐type cyclin proteolysis machinery. Furthermore, we find that inactivation of Cln‐ and Clb‐Cdc28 kinases is sufficient to trigger Clb2 proteolysis and sister‐chromatid separation in G2/M phase‐arrested cells, where the B‐type cyclin‐specific proteolysis machinery is normally inactive. Our results suggest that Cln‐ and Clb‐dependent kinases are both capable of repressing B‐type cyclin‐specific proteolysis and that they are required to maintain the proteolysis machinery in an inactive state in S and G2/M phase‐arrested cells. We propose that in yeast, as cells pass through START, Cln‐Cdc28‐dependent kinases inactivate B‐type cyclin proteolysis. As Cln‐Cdc28‐dependent kinases decline during G2, Clb‐Cdc28‐dependent kinases take over this role, ensuring that B‐type cyclin proteolysis is not activated during S phase and early mitosis.