Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Effects of 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine and trichostatin A on DNA methylation and expression of hMLH1 in ovarian cancer cell line COC1/DDP].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE Cisplatin (DDP) can cause DNA damage in cells. DNA mismatch repair proteins serve to detect DDP-caused DNA damage and generate an injury signal that eventually contributes to the triggering of tumor cell apoptosis. As a member of the mismatch repair system, the absence of hMLH1 expression contributes to the resistance of tumor cells to DDP. This study was to explore the role of hMLH1 expression and DNA methylation in DDP-resistance of human ovarian cancer, and to evaluate the reversal effects of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC) and trichostatin A (TSA) on DDP-resistance. METHODS We cultured human ovarian cancer cell line COC1 and its DDP-resistant subline, COC1/DDP. We treated the two cell lines with 5-Aza-dC and TSA. DNA methylation at hMLH1 gene promoter was detected by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). The expression of hMLH1 was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. The inhibition rate of cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. RESULTS In COC1 cells, both hMLH1 mRNA and protein were detected, while no DNA methylation of hMLH1 gene was detected. 5-Aza-dC and TSA used alone or in combination had no effects on DNA methylation, hMLH1 mRNA or protein expression (P>0.05), and cell proliferation. In COC1/DDP cells, DNA hypermethylation of hMLH1 gene was detected, while no hMLH1 mRNA or protein was detected. 5-Aza-dC resulted in DNA demethylation and restoration of hMLH1 expression. TSA had no effect on DNA demethylation or restoration of hMLH1 expression. 5-Aza-dC plus TSA also resulted in DNA demethylation, restored hMLH1 expression more obviously than 5-Aza-dC did (P<0.05), and restricted the proliferation of COC1/DDP cells. CONCLUSIONS Hypermethylation of DNA promoter is related to the silencing of hMLH1 in ovarian cancer COC1/DDP cells. 5-Aza-dC alone or in combination with TSA results in DNA demethylation of hMLH1 gene, restoration of hMLH1 expression and reversal of DDP-resistance of COC1/DDP cells.
Interaction Quality in Human-Human Conversations: Problems and Possible Solutions

Speech analysis nowadays is widespread. One of its applications is designing Spoken Dialogue Systems, which allow users to interact with computer systems using natural spoken language. The Interaction Quality is a quality metric, which is used in this field to evaluate the quality of interaction between computer and human. It is based on various speech features. The aim of the Interaction Quality model design is to improve Spoken Dialogue Systems by introducing information about Interaction Quality into Spoken Dialogue Modeling. There exists some state-of-the-art related to the Interaction Quality in spoken human-computer communication. In turn, measuring the Interaction Quality for humanhuman conversation reveals to be an increasingly difficult task. Different types of dialogue exist and for each type the Interaction Quality measure has a different meaning. Furthermore, a specific data corpus is required for modeling the Interaction Quality for each type of dialogue. We describe the idea of developing software tool for semi-automatic dialogue corpus generation, which can help to keep the time for preparing corpora. The Interaction Quality models for human-human conversations can be used for improving Spoken Dialogue Systems in terms of flexibility, human-likeness and user-friendliness. What is more, the results of the Interaction Quality modeling can be useful in the field of manned space exploration for developing systems for automatic monitoring the conditions of the crew of a spaceship, especially for long interplanetary flights. Further development of the work on the Interaction Quality modeling will help to track automatically relationship between crew members on the basis of their speech.
A Review of Methods to Measure Dietary Sodium Intake

With the rising prevalence of heart failure, it is imperative to investigate reasons for dietary sodium nonadherence and to develop evidence-based interventions to promote adherence. However, one of the biggest obstacles in studying adherence to a low sodium diet is the imprecision in measurement of dietary sodium intake. The purpose of this article is to critically review current methods used to measure dietary sodium intake. Specifically, 24-hour urine, single- and multiple-day food records, and 24-hour dietary recalls are compared and contrasted. The reliability and validity of these methods are discussed. When choosing a method to measure dietary sodium, it is important also to consider other strengths and weaknesses of each method. The "best" method to be used in research may depend not only on the above information, but also on the research question as well as characteristics of the population under study.
Sensitivity of Spaceborne and Ground Radar Comparison Results to Data Analysis Methods and Constraints

With the availability of active weather radar observations from space from the Precipitation Radar (PR) on board the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TR.MM) satellite, numerous studies have been performed comparing PR reflectivity and derived rain rates to similar observations from ground-based weather radars (GR). These studies have used a variety of algorithms to compute matching PR and GR volumes for comparison. Most studies have used a fixed 3-dimensional Cartesian grid centered on the ground radar, onto which the PR and GR data are interpolated using a proprietary approach and/or commonly available GR analysis software (e.g., SPRINT, REORDER). Other studies have focused on the intersection of the PR and GR viewing geometries either explicitly or using a hybrid of the fixed grid and PR/GR common fields of view. For the Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) of the upcoming Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission, a prototype DPR/GR comparison algorithm based on similar TRMM PR data has been developed that defines the common volumes in terms of the geometric intersection of PR and GR rays, where smoothing of the PR and GR data are minimized and no interpolation is performed. The PR and GR volume-averaged reflectivity values of each sample volume are accompanied by descriptive metadata, for attributes including the variability and maximum of the reflectivity within the sample volume, and the fraction of range gates in the sample average having reflectivity values above an adjustable detection threshold (typically taken to be 18 dBZ for the PR). Sample volumes are further characterized by rain type (Stratiform or Convective), proximity to the melting layer, underlying surface (land/water/mixed), and the time difference between the PR and GR observations. The mean reflectivity differences between the PR and GR can differ between data sets produced by the different analysis methods; and for the GPM prototype, by the type of constraints and categorization applied to the data. In this paper, we will show results comparing the 3-D gridded analysis "black box" approach to the GPM prototype volume-matching approach, using matching TRMM PR and WSR-88D ground radar data. The affects of applying data constraints and data categorizations on the volume-matched data to the results will be shown, and explanations of the differences in terms of data and analysis algorithm characteristics will be presented. Implications of the differences to the determination of PR/DPR calibration differences and use of ground radar data to evaluate the PR and DPR attenuation correction algorithms will be discussed.
The Association of Backpack Use and Back Pain in Adolescents

Study Design. A cross-sectional study comprising the first phase of an ongoing, longitudinal prospective study was conducted. Objective. To investigate the relation between backpack use and back pain in adolescents. Summary of Background Data. The prevalence of nonspecific back pain increases dramatically during adolescence from less than 10% in the pre–teen-age years up to 50% in 15- to 16-year-olds. There is widespread concern that heavy backpacks carried by adolescents contribute to the development of back pain. Methods. A total of 1126 children, ages 12 to 18 years, participated by completing a questionnaire about their health, activities, and backpack use. Each child’s body weight, height, and backpack weight were measured. A child was classified as having back pain if one or more of the following were reported during the preceding month: neck or back pain that had interfered with school or leisure, neck or back pain with a severity rating of 2 or more on a scale 0 to 10, a visit to a physician or therapist for neck or back pain, or exemption from physical education or sports because of neck or back pain. Results. Of 1122 backpack users, 74.4% were classified as having back pain, validated by significantly poorer general health, more limited physical functioning, and more bodily pain. As compared with no or low use of backpacks at school, heavy use (odds ratio, 1.98;P < 0.0001) was independently associated with back pain. Female gender and larger body mass index also were significantly associated with back pain. As compared with adolescents who had no back pain, adolescents with back pain carried significantly heavier backpacks that represented a significantly greater percentage of their body weights. Conclusion. The use of backpacks during the school day and backpack weights are independently associated with back pain.
Diets for Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Pay Attention to Nutritional Intervention

IntroductIon Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons. Typical clinical features of ALS are limb paralysis, muscle atrophy, dysphagia, dysarthria, shortness of breath, and respiratory failure. Approximately 90% of ALS cases are classified as sporadic ALS, the remaining 10% are classified as familial. [1,2] Researchers have found that the survival of ALS patients is related to several factors, including clinical phenotype, age at onset, sex, early presence of respiratory failure, and treatment with riluzole. We recently found that there is a potential linear relationship in ALS between serum lactate and motor deterioration, and that slower lactate elimination rate might be associated with faster disease progression. [3] In addition, several studies have reported that nutritional status is closely related to the survival time of ALS patients, and there exists a U‐shaped association between patients’ body mass index (BMI) and mortality. [1,4] The main cause of malnutrition (BMI ≤18.5 kg/m2) in ALS patients is an imbalance between intake and consumption, and some symptoms, such as dysphagia, can lead to insufficient energy intake. More importantly, recent studies have shown that ALS patients are in states of hypermetabolism. [5,6]
SKF83959 suppresses excitatory synaptic transmission in rat hippocampus via a dopamine receptor‐independent mechanism

Dopamine (DA) profoundly modulates excitatory synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity in the brain. In the present study the effects of SKF83959, the selective agonist of phosphatidylinositol (PI)‐linked D1‐like receptor, on the excitatory synaptic transmission were investigated in rat hippocampus. SKF83959 (10–100 μM) reversibly suppressed the field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) elicited by stimulating the Schaffer's collateral‐commissural fibers in CA1 area of hippocampal slices. However, the inhibition was not blocked by the D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390, the D2 receptor antagonist raclopride, the 5‐HT2A/2C receptor antagonist mesulergine, or the α1‐adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin. In addition, SKF83959 inhibited the afferent volley and significantly reduced the paired‐pulse facilitation ratios. In dissociated hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, SKF83959 had no detectable effect on glutamate‐induced currents but potently inhibited voltage‐activated Na+ current (IC50 value = 26.9 ± 1.0 μM), which was not blocked by SCH23390 or by intracellular dialysis of GDP‐β‐S. These results demonstrate that SKF83959 suppressed the excitatory synaptic transmission in hippocampal CA1 area, which was independent of D1‐like receptor. The mechanism underlying the effect could be mainly inhibition of Na+ channel in the afferent fibers. The suppression of excitatory synaptic transmission and the Na+ channel by SKF83959 may contribute to its therapeutic benefits in Parkinson's disease. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of aging on morningness‐eveningness and sleep habits in Korean and Japanese workers

Abstract The Morningness‐Eveningness Questionnaire and Life Habits Inventory were given to Korean and Japanese workers. The distributions of scores on the questionnaire for these two groups were normal and its mean slightly moved to the Morning type with aging. It is noteworthy, however, that the mean scores of Korean workers was lower than those of the Japanese workers. The self‐reported waking times and bedtimes for the two groups gradually became earlier with aging. From these results it could be said that aging was an factor that led to the difference of circadian phase.
An integrated wireless indoor navigation system for visually impaired

This paper presents an integrated wireless system that helps a visually impaired person navigate within an indoor environment. The guidance process to help the person navigate uses a ZigBee wireless mesh network to localize the user and a compass to determine his/her orientation. The system uses a server to calculate an optimal path from the user's present location to the target location or item to be reached. The system receives voice commands from the visually impaired person and generates audio responses to guide the person. The mobile unit of the system is compact and requires relatively low power. Overall the system has minimal intrusion level and the results of various testing scenarios showed it was successful. The results also showed that the accuracy level depends on the available ZigBee modules within the mesh network and the particular zone.
Dual-frequency SVPWM strategy for five-phase voltage source inverter

This paper proposes a novel dual-frequency space vector pulse width modulation strategy for the five-phase voltage source inverter, which contains fundamental frequency and third harmonic frequency. The proposed strategy has the advantages of half-wave symmetry, outputting dual frequency voltages and currents, reducing the switching times, and balancing the switching times of top device and bottom device. Based on the fast fours transformer (FFT) analysis, the third harmonic components are trade with the command value. It indicates that the two components (fundamental and third) are regulated greatly by this proposed strategy. The principle and performance of this strategy are verified by the MATLAB simulation finally.
Troop size, home range area and seasonal range use of the Japanese macaque in the Northern Japan Alps

Home range area and habitat use of the wild Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) were investigated between elevations of 600 m and 3000 m in the Northern Japan Alps, in areas where there is great variation in vegetation type. A total of 22 troops were located either visually or by radiotracking from December 1996 to February 2000. The average troop size was 48.4 individuals, the average ranging area (65% probability distribution calculated using the adaptive kernel method) was 3.7 km2 and the average elevation of each troop varied from 740 m to 1458 m. Two troop types were distinguished according to their habitat use: (i) ‘rural’ type groups frequently utilized cultivated land (n = 12); and (ii) ‘natural’ type groups never utilized cultivated land (n = 10). Natural groups inhabited higher elevation areas and showed a greater dependency on deciduous broad-leaved forests during all seasons. In contrast, rural groups utilized the larch plantation more in spring, and the red pine forest in summer. Rural groups were observed on cultivated lands more often from summer to winter than in spring. The size of the rural groups was twice as large as that of the natural groups. Troop size and home range area showed significant correlation within each group type. The per capita home range area of rural groups was smaller than that of natural groups. These results suggest that per capita home range area is negatively correlated with habitat quality.
Transmission potential of the human head louse, Pediculus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae)

Background Millions of people are infested by head lice every year. However, louse transfer between hosts is not well‐understood. Our goals were to determine: (1) which stages were most likely to disperse and why, (2) the likelihood of fomites transmission, and (3) if host blood gender affects louse development.
Diurnal variations of body temperature and reaction time accompanying early morning and evening aerobic routines

Approved: Redacted for Privacy Don-rd y Campbell The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effects of early morning and evening bouts of aerobic exercise upon the diurnal pattern of reaction time and body temperature. An effort was made to classify subjects according to the rhythmic trends identified with 'morning' and 'evening' type persons. Eight physically active male students of Oregon State University between the ages of 18 and 27 volunteered to serve as subjects. Four 'morning' and four 'evening' efficient types comprised the two test groups. Diurnal orientation was determined using questions designed to detect physiological and psychological orientation to the two extremes of day. Treatments consisted of three different jogging routines of six days each. Exercise bouts were submaximal, lasting 15-30 minutes. The first six day period all subjects ran at their customary time, establishing a baseline for subsequent comparisons. The two following weeks subjects were scheduled for periods of 0630 and 1830 running, in random order. During all three treatment periods, visual and auditory reaction time and temperature were measured. Testing was accomplished on a rotating schedule of two and three-a-day visits at 0800, 1400 and 2000, or 1100 and 1700 hours. In this manner, the testing procedure was replicated three times, at 48 hour intervals for all individuals, over all treatment periods. Two way analysis of variance was employed to determine effects of subject type and jogging schedule upon reaction time and temperature. The diurnal patterns that manifested themselves between 0800 and 2000 were analyzed by means of a triple classification ANOVA of trend components. The . 05 level of confidence was the basis for rejection or acceptance of each hypothesis tested. The results of the study indicated that: a) no significant difference of reaction time or temperature existed between evening and morning types, or between jogging regimes or interaction of those two variables; b) no significant differences existed between trends for subject types; however, c) reaction time and temperature variation over the day exhibited a rhythmic trend and; d) significant difference of trend between treatments was found. Quantitatively neither exercise scheduling nor subject type affect the body's mean response as measured by reaction time and temperature. The curves of morning and evening persons were not significantly different. However, when compared with the control week, trends associated with evening and morning runs reflected phase purturbation indicative that the time of day one exercises can affect the synchrony of psychomotor performance and body
Critical role of stress in increased oesophageal mucosa permeability and dilated intercellular spaces

Background: In patients with non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease, heartburn can occur when acid reaches sensory nerve endings through oesophageal-mucosa-dilated intercellular spaces. Stressful life events may increase heartburn perception. In the rat, acute stress increases gastric and intestinal mucosa permeability. We investigated whether acute stress can also increase oesophageal mucosa permeability and contribute to the dilation of mucosa intercellular spaces. Methods: Male Sprague–Dawley rats were submitted to partial restraint stress. Oesophageal mucosa from stressed and control rats was mounted in diffusion chambers. The permeability to 51Cr-EDTA (400 Da), fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran 4000 Da (FD4) and FITC-dextran 20 000 Da (FD20) was assessed after tissue incubation either with Krebs (control) or HCl pH 2.0+ pepsin 1 mg/ml. The diameter of intercellular spaces was assessed using transmission electron microscopy. Results: Acute stress increased faecal output, small-intestinal permeability and glycaemia. Exposure of oesophageal mucosa from control rats to acid-pepsin did not increase permeability to any of the tested molecules. Stress increased the number of submucosal mast cells and, by itself, increased the permeability to the smallest molecule (22.8±7.1 pmol/cm2 vs 5.8±2.1 pmol/cm2) (p<0.001). Exposure of mucosa from stressed rats to acid-pepsin significantly increased permeability to all molecules tested. Electron microscopy showed dilated intercellular spaces only in mucosa from stressed rats (with and without exposure to acid-pepsin). Conclusions: Acute stress can increase, by itself, oesophageal mucosa permeability. There is a potentiation between stress and exposure of the oesophageal mucosa to acid-pepsin, leading to increased permeability and dilated intercellular spaces.
Orbital Lipofibromatosis in a Child: A Case Report

Purpose: Lipofibromatosis is a rare, benign, soft tissue tumor that typically involves extremities particularly in children. We report a young girl with lipofibromatosis involving the superotemporal quadrant of the left orbit. Case Report: An 8-year-old girl presented with a history of a gradually expanding mass in the superotemporal quadrant of the left orbit over several years. Orbital imaging showed a soft tissue mass superolateral to the globe with possible infiltration into the lacrimal gland and lateral rectus muscle. The lesion was excised preserving adjacent structures. Histopathological examination revealed that the lesion consisted of adipose tissue with fibroblastic elements, being consistent with a diagnosis of lipofibromatosis. No recurrence of the lesion was seen in 18 months follow-up. Comment: Orbital involvement of lipofibromatosis as reported here is indeed a very rare entity. Diagnosis can be confirmed by histopathological analysis. As the lesion has a tendency to infiltrate into surrounding structures, surgical excision without hampering important structures is a treatment of choice.
Personal content in online sports communities: motivations to capture and share personal exercise data

Web services that support exercise have become increasingly popular in the last couple of years. This paper describes a qualitative case study that includes a trial use and interviews with 20 users of three different online sporting communities. These services enable users to add the training content from their personal tracking devices. In the interviews, data was gathered on the users’ experiences and their opinions on the social needs and motivation to share content in online sports communities. The answers from the interviews were categorised into three main classes: social needs in sports communities, motivation for sharing content, and motivation for adding personal content to the services. As a result, users were motivated to create a personal exercise diary and content inventory online and also to share it with others in order to gain important information on exercising as well as peer support. Though the primary need for most users was a personal training diary, they also saw major advantages in sharing their data with the other members of the community.