Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Promotes Tumor Growth and Metastasis by Inducing Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment

The macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), an inflammatory cytokine, is overexpressed in many solid tumors and is associated with poor prognosis. We previously identified inhibitors of MIF within a class of natural products with demonstrated anti-cancer activities. We therefore sought to determine how MIF contributes to tumor growth and progression. We show in this study that in murine tumors including the 4T1 model of aggressive, spontaneously metastatic breast cancer in immunologically intact mice, tumor-derived MIF promotes tumor growth and pulmonary metastasis through control of inflammatory cells within the tumor. Specifically, MIF increases the prevalence of a highly immune suppressive subpopulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) within the tumor. In vitro, MIF promotes differentiation of myeloid cells into the same population of MDSCs. Pharmacologic inhibition of MIF reduces MDSC accumulation in the tumor similar to MIF depletion and blocks the MIF-dependent in vitro differentiation of MDSCs. Our results demonstrate that MIF is a therapeutically targetable mechanism for control of tumor growth and metastasis through regulation of the host immune response and support the potential utility of MIF inhibitors, either alone or in combination with standard tumor-targeting therapeutic or immunotherapy approaches.
Mental uneasiness, perceived stress and help-seeking in a non-resident university student sample (in Italian)

Il passaggio dal liceo all'università rappresenta quella che altrove è stata definita una “rivoluzione copernicana” (Fiori Nastro et al., 2008). Questo passaggio avviene in una fascia d'età compresa tra i 18 e i 20 anni, periodo estremamente delicato per quanto attiene le patologie psichiatriche dal momento che è stato stimato che il 75° dei disturbi mentali gravi esordisce entro i 24 anni (Patel et al., 2007; Costello et al., 2003).
Design & Analysis of an X-Band QPSK Modulator using Direct Carrier Modulation Technique

This paper presents the design and simulation of a QPSK modulator (quadrature phase shift keying) based on direct carrier modulation technique with a very simple circuitry. In this design, two double balanced mixers; branch-line coupler and Wilkinson power combiner are used. The selection of a double balanced mixer, being the main component of the design, is a critical issue. Specifications of mixer such as conversion loss, interport isolation etc are discussed. Branch-line coupler is used to produce in phase and quadrature signals and Wilkinson power combiner is used to combine the two modulated orthogonal signals at the output. These passive components are easy to fabricate, occupy reasonable area and provide satisfactory performance as compared to their counterparts. The simulated spectrum and static constellation diagrams of the modulator are presented. The circuit has been designed at 8.3 GHz X Band for 150Mbps bit rate.
Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of people with type 2 diabetes as related to self-management practices: Results of a cross-sectional study conducted in Luzon, Philippines

Objective This study measured factors that could be associated with self-management practices of people with type 2 diabetes from two different health systems in the Philippines in terms of diabetes knowledge, attitudes, perceptions of support and self-efficacy, and obesity/adiposity. Methods Knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, obesity/adiposity measures, adherence to medications, diabetes diet, and exercise and the number of diabetes consultations of people with type 2 diabetes utilizing services of two different health systems were collected. Analysis of variance was used to determine differences in knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, obesity/adiposity, and demographic characteristics according to: proper/under-utilization of services; adherence/non-adherence to medications, diet and exercise; high/low perceived self-efficacy; and the health systems. Logistic regression was done to identify any associations with obesity/adiposity, self-management practices, and perceived self-efficacy. Results There were 549 respondents. Differences in knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and some demographic characteristics between the two health systems and between those with high/low self-efficacy perceptions were significant. Perceived self-efficacy was significantly associated with all four self-management practices. Conclusions/Interpretations People consulting at the health service with a more supportive system had better perceived self-efficacy and self-care behavior. Higher knowledge, attitude, and perception scores were noted among those with better self-efficacy perceptions, which was associated with better self-care behavior.
Regulation of P‐glycoprotein by human immunodeficiency virus‐1 in primary cultures of human fetal astrocytes

P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp), a drug efflux pump, is known to alter the bioavailability of antiretroviral drugs at several sites, including the brain. We have previously shown that human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV‐1) glycoprotein 120 (gp120) induces proinflammatory cytokine secretion and decreases P‐gp functional expression in rat astrocytes, a cellular reservoir of HIV‐1. However, whether P‐gp is regulated in a similar way in human astrocytes is unknown. This study investigates the regulation of P‐gp in an in vitro model of gp120‐triggered human fetal astrocytes (HFAs). In this system, elevated levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐1β, and tumor necrosis factor‐α were detected in culture supernatants. Pretreatment with CCR5 neutralizing antibody attenuated cytokine secretion, suggesting that gp120‐CCR5 interaction mediated cytokine production. Treatment with gp120 (R5‐tropic) resulted in reduced P‐gp expression (64%) and function as determined by increased (1.6‐fold) cellular accumulation of [3H]digoxin, a P‐gp substrate. Exposure to R5 or R5/X4‐tropic viral isolates led to a downregulation in P‐gp expression (75% or 90%, respectively), and treatment with IL‐6 also showed lower P‐gp expression (50%). Moreover, IL‐6 neutralizing antibody blocked gp120‐mediated P‐gp downregulation, suggesting that IL‐6 is a key modulator of P‐gp. Gp120‐ or IL‐6‐mediated downregulation of P‐gp was attenuated by SN50 (a nuclear factor‐κB [NF‐κB] inhibitor), suggesting involvement of NF‐κB signaling in P‐gp regulation. Our results suggest that, similarly to the case with rodent astrocytes, pathophysiological stressors associated with brain HIV‐1 infection have a downregulatory effect on P‐gp functional expression in human astrocytes, which may ultimately result in altered antiretroviral drug accumulation within brain parenchyma. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transmission of IPv4 Packets over Intra-Site Automatic Tunnel Addressing Protocol (ISATAP) Interfaces

The Intra-Site Automatic Tunnel Addressing Protocol (ISATAP) specifies a Non-Broadcast, Multiple Access (NBMA) interface type for the transmission of IPv6 packets over IPv4 networks using automatic IPv6 -in-IPv4 encapsulation. The original specifications make no provisions for the encapsulation and transmission of IPv4 packets, however. This document specifies a method for transmitting IPv4 packets over ISATAP interfaces.
Fourth annual survey of worldwide HIV, SIV, and SHIV challenge studies in vaccinated nonhuman primates

Since 1991, we have built, updated, and maintained an international database (the AIDS Vaccine Surveillance System [AVSS]) that tracks the continually increasing number of preclinical AIDS vaccinehive virus challenge studies in nonhuman primates (NHPs) [54]. The data cited herein are meant to augment summary data presented previously [55, 56, 571. The aim of this effort is to provide principal investigators involved in these studies, and other interested scientists, timely updated information from this rapidly growing field. To review briefly, the AVSS is a database system that maintains both historical and newly obtained information regarding preclinical NHP AIDS vaccine developments in cooperation with the Division of AIDS/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (DAIDS/NIAID) and the National Cooperative Vaccine Development Groups (NCVDG). Only preclinical NHP information is presented. The current scope of these activities is briefly outlined in Table 1. Roughly, 46 research groups (13 in Europe, 33 in the USA), working with a variety of NHPs but mostly macaque monkeys, have contributed data to support the 388 Studies within the nearly 100 Protocols in the AVSS at this writing. The numbers of studies, vaccine prepara-
A Conceptual Study on E-marketing and Its Operation on Firm's Promotion and Understanding Customer’s Response

The purpose of this conceptual paper is to discuss four main different tools which are: mobile marketing, E-mailmarketing, web marketing and marketing through social networking sites, which use to distribute e-marketingpromotion and understanding their different influence on consumers` perception. This study also highlighted theE-marketing, marketing through internet, mobile marketing, web marketing and role of social networks and theircomponent in term of perceptual differences and features which are important to them according to theliteratures. The review of the research contains some aspect of mobile marketing, terms like adaption, role oftrust, and customers’ satisfaction. Moreover some attributes of marketing through E-mail like Permission issuein Email in aim of using for marketing activity and key success factor base on previous literatures.
Observer-based approximate optimal tracking control for time-delay systems with external disturbances

This paper proposes a successive approximation design approach of observer-based optimal tracking controllers for time-delay systems with external disturbances. To solve a two-point boundary value problem with time-delay and time-advance terms and obtain the optimal tracking control law, two sequences of vector differential equations are constructed first. Second, the convergence of the sequences of the vector differential equations is proved to guarantee the existence and uniqueness of the control law. Third, a design algorithm of the optimal tracking control law is presented and the physically realisable problem is addressed by designing a disturbance state observer and a reference input state observer. An example of an industrial electric heater is given to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach.
Effects of Stereoscopic and Rotational Displays in a Three-Dimensional Path- Tracing Task

A series of three experiments investigated the effectiveness of stereoscopic and rotational display techniques for the purpose of establishing human factors guidelines for the design of three-dimensional (3D) displays. In the described experiments, depth perception was evaluated by examining accuracy in a 3D path-tracing task, with stimulus displays resembling the structure of cerebral angiograms. The first experiment allowed subjects to control rotation in dynamic displays. The results indicated that performance improved using either technique relative to viewing two-dimensional (2D) displays. However, rotational displays were superior to stereoscopic displays, and performance was best when both techniques were combined. The second experiment compared subject-controlled rotation with observation of continuously rotating displays at different rates of rotation. Performance declined at faster rotation rates; however, there were no advantages of subject-controlled rotation. In the third experiment, performance in rotational displays was no better than that in stereoscopic displays enhanced with multiple static viewing angles. However, performance was always best when both 3D techniques were jointly implemented. The results are discussed in terms of the visual information available using either 3D display technique and are related to the weighted additive model of depth perception.
Towards realistic simulation of skin deformation by estimating the skin artifacts

Simulating human skin deformation has wide application in the areas of computer graphics. Nowadays, human biomechanics are usually determined by the marker-based motion capture system. Nevertheless, it is known that the computation of human biomechanics is significantly affected by the displacement of the markers due to the skin artifacts. In order to obtain the prior skin parameters for the accurate deformation of the skin layer, we propose to quantify the skin movement artifacts in terms of the probability density using a set of skin markers. We demonstrate our works by measuring the skin artifacts of the lower limb of the human body. In order to estimate the skin artifacts, a set of skin markers was attached to the thigh. The least-square minimization was adopted to determine the rigid motion of the thigh segment. The determined motion of the thigh was then used to estimate the position of the markers at the bony landmarks. The displacement of the markers was computed by the distance between the measured and the estimated markers. We estimate the skin artifacts at the thigh during walking motion. It was found that the skin artifacts can be reasonably approximated with a Gaussian function.
Current distributions of thermal switching in extremely underdamped Josephson junctions.

The first measurements of the switching current distribution of an extremely underdamped Josephson junction are presented at various temperatures. Careful fitting of the data provides an experimental verification of the thermal activation theory in the very low damping limit. Moreover, the fitting allows us to obtain the ''effective'' resistance of a Josephson tunnel junction, thus providing an important indication as to the proper junction resistance to be used in the resistively shunted junction model. These values of junction resistance show the temperature dependence of a subgap resistance, i.e., exp(.delta./k/sub B/T), due to activation of quasiparticles over the superconductor energy gap . delta.
A framework for FDI promotion

Attracting foreign direct investment has become a central component of industrial policy in developed and developing countries across the world. There is a large volume of literature identifying why firms engage in international investment, the economic and political determinants of investment location and the impact of foreign direct investment on economic development. However, there is minimal research examining the role of investment promotion in attracting foreign direct investment. This is a major caveat, as most countries, and many regions within countries, have established investment promotion agencies with the specific objective to attract inward investment. In this article, a detailed analysis of investment promotion is provided, and a framework that investment promotion agencies can use to improve their effectiveness in attracting foreign direct investment and maximize the benefits for their local economies is developed. Based on case-study evidence, it is argued that the most successful investment promotion agencies have developed an integrated investment promotion strategy that combines marketing and company targeting with after-care and product development.
Interaction of a Potential Vacuolar Targeting Receptor with Amino- and Carboxyl-Terminal Targeting Determinants

A protein of 80 kD from developing pea (Pisum sativum) cotyledons has previously been shown to exhibit characteristics of a vacuolar targeting receptor by means of its affinity for the amino-terminal vacuolar targeting sequence of proaleurain from barley (Hordeum vulgare). In this report we show that the same protein also binds to the amino-terminal targeting peptide of prosporamin from sweet potato (lpomoea batatas) and to the carboxyl-terminal targeting determinant of pro-2S albumin from Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa). The receptor protein does not bind to the carboxyl-terminal propeptide (representing the targeting sequence) of barley lectin. The binding of the 80-kD protein to the sporamin determinant involves a motif (NPIR) that has been shown to be crucial for vacuolar targeting in vivo. The binding to the carboxyl-terminal targeting determinant of pro-2S albumin appears to involve the carboxyl-terminal propeptide and the adjacent five amino acids of the mature protein. The 80-kD protein does not bind to peptide sequences that have been shown to be incompetent in directing vacuolar targeting.
Key Signaling Events for Committing Mouse Pluripotent Stem Cells to the Germline Fate1

ABSTRACT The process of germline development carries genetic information and preparatory totipotency across generations. The last decade has witnessed remarkable successes in the generation of germline cells from mouse pluripotent stem cells, especially induced germline cells with the capacity for producing viable offspring, suggesting clinical applications of induced germline cells in humans. However, to date, the culture systems for germline induction with accurate sex-specific meiosis and epigenetic reprogramming have not been well-established. In this study, we primarily focus on the mouse model to discuss key signaling events for germline induction. We review mechanisms of competent regulators on primordial germ cell induction and discuss current achievements and difficulties in inducing sex-specific germline development. Furthermore, we review the developmental identities of mouse embryonic stem cells and epiblast stem cells under certain defined culture conditions as it relates to the differentiation process of becoming germline cells.
A Propose to Enhance the AODV Routing Protocols' Security of Ad hoc Networks

Mobile ad hoc networks possess the following features: open transmission medium, dynamic topology structure, acentric management and distributed cooperation, and so on. Therefore, Ad Hoc Networks have high practical value, while at the same time it is difficult for which to guarantee the routing security, which is the most important component of the entire network's security, it is also a difficult problem to be solved completely. This paper analyzes the working principle of the AODV routing protocol, discusses the protocol's main potential safety problems - the problem of the black hole, proposes an solution based on the test of the destination node according to the significant vulnerabilities of some typical solutions already in existence, which not only solve the problem of the black hole effectively, but also eliminate the significant vulnerabilities existing in the original propose fundamentally.
Stability of Mycobacterium leprae and temperature optimum for growth.

Leprosy is a fascinating disease. It prcsents several unsolved problems and therefore offers a great challenge to the medical scientist. Dr. Binford. Thank you very much, Dr. Job, for this brief but compact story of the pathology of leprosy. We havc to apologizc for giving you such a large assignment for 20 minutes, but you accomplished it well and I am sure that those of the audience who have not had the privilege of studying this disease gained much by it.
Sex and Menopause Differences in Response to Tadalafil: 6-Minute Walk Distance and Time to Clinical Worsening

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a female-predominant disease, but there are little data on treatment response by sex and menopausal status. In this retrospective analysis of the Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Response to Tadalafil (PHIRST) randomized clinical trial, we assessed treatment response between the sexes by examining change in 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) and time to clinical worsening (TCW). We examined the effect of menopausal status on the same treatment measures. 6MWD was recorded before and after 16 weeks of treatment with tadalafil or placebo in the PHIRST study cohort of 340 subjects (264 females, 76 males). A univariate analysis was used to assess the effect of sex on change in 6MWD and TCW. Multivariate linear regression and Cox proportional hazards models were built for 6MWD and TCW, respectively. Women were subdivided by age as a surrogate for menopausal status. The linear trend test and the log-rank test were performed on change in 6MWD and TCW by age. For tadalafil-treated patients, a significant difference in change in 6MWD by sex (mean: 48.6 m for males vs. 34.7 m for females; P = 0.01) was found, but it was not significant in multivariate analysis (P = 0.08). There was a trend toward a female age-dependent effect in change in 6MWD; the premenopausal group showed the greatest improvement. A significant sex- or age-dependent effect on TCW was not present. In conclusion, this retrospective analysis of the PHIRST trial suggests that men and premenopausal women may experience greater functional improvement when treated with tadalafil than older women, but there was no consistent sex or menopausal effect on TCW.
Serologic and immunologic response of ducks to inactivated and attenuated duck plague virus.

SUMMARY Chicken-embryo-adapted duck plague virus was inactivated in 3 hours with 0.05% 1-acetylaziridine (AEI), and in 1/2 hour with 0.4% beta-propiolactone (BPL). Several preparations of chickenembryo-adapted duck plague virus were compared. The serologic and immunologic responses of white Pekin ducks were measured by virus neutralization tests and immunity challenge of ducks with virulent virus. In one experiment, intramuscular inoculation of AEI-inactivated antigen or live attenuated virus produced comparable levels of antibody, both higher than the level attained with orally administered cell-culture-propagated virus. In a second experiment, the addition of ground embryo to the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and amnioallantoic fluid (AAF) suspensions decreased virus titer and serologic and immunologic response. In the final experiment, a concentrated AEI-inactivated CAM and AAF preparation was used. It produced a low serologic response but protected ducks against immunity challenge, whereas the BPL preparation gave no protection.
Phosphorylation of the RNA Polymerase II Carboxy-Terminal Domain by the Bur1 Cyclin-Dependent Kinase

ABSTRACT BUR1, which was previously identified by a selection for mutations that have general effects on transcription inSaccharomyces cerevisiae, encodes a cyclin-dependent kinase that is essential for viability, but none of its substrates have been identified to date. Using an unbiased biochemical approach, we have identified the carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of Rpb1, the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, as a Bur1 substrate. Phosphorylation of Rpb1 by Bur1 is likely to be physiologically relevant, sincebur1 mutations interact genetically with rpb1CTD truncations and with mutations in other genes involved in CTD function. Several genetic interactions are presented, implying a role for Bur1 during transcriptional elongation. These results identify Bur1 as a fourth S. cerevisiae CTD kinase and provide striking functional similarities between Bur1 and metazoan P-TEFb.