Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the 12q amplicons in lipomatous soft tissue tumors by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification-based copy number analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIM Well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLPS) and de-differentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) are characterized by amplified sequences derived from the long arm of chromosome 12. The goal of the present study was to identify, besides the well-known candidate genes, novel relevant genes in these large, complex 12q amplicons. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, genetic alterations in 19 different genes of 12q12-24 were evaluated in 77 lipomatous soft tissue tumors (including lipomas, WDLPS, DDLPS and pleomorphic liposarcomas). RESULTS We recorded several amplified genes of 12q13-15, including miR-26a-2, a gene not well studied in liposarcoma, and the well-known and previously described genes murine double minute 2 (MDM2), YEATS domain-containing protein 4 (YEATS4), high-mobility AT-hook 2 (HMGA2), cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and tetraspanin 31 (TSPAN31). Interestingly, the amplification profiles of these six genes were found to be significantly different between WDLPS and DDLPS, more frequently having a high-level status in DDLPS than in WDLPS. In addition, DDLPS were found to have significantly higher mean amplification ratios compared to WDLPS. Moreover, we identified additional genes exclusively amplified in DDLPS in 12q13, 12q21 and 12q24, including glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (GLI1), mitogen activated protein kinase kinase kinase 12 (MAP3K12), cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), ALX homeobox 1 (ALX1) and T-box 5 (TBX5). CONCLUSION Differences in amplification profiles among WDLPS and DDLPS may be related to progression/de-differentiation in liposarcomas and show how in the future amplification profiles could provide an adjunctive tool in characterizing progression to DDLPS. In addition, we identified additional genes exclusively amplified in DDLPS, which may play a role in liposarcomagenesis, particularly in the de-differentiation process.
An Overview of Biological Macromolecule Crystallization

The elucidation of the three dimensional structure of biological macromolecules has provided an important contribution to our current understanding of many basic mechanisms involved in life processes. This enormous impact largely results from the ability of X-ray crystallography to provide accurate structural details at atomic resolution that are a prerequisite for a deeper insight on the way in which bio-macromolecules interact with each other to build up supramolecular nano-machines capable of performing specialized biological functions. With the advent of high-energy synchrotron sources and the development of sophisticated software to solve X-ray and neutron crystal structures of large molecules, the crystallization step has become even more the bottleneck of a successful structure determination. This review introduces the general aspects of protein crystallization, summarizes conventional and innovative crystallization methods and focuses on the new strategies utilized to improve the success rate of experiments and increase crystal diffraction quality.
Origine et maîtrise du slack

La responsabilisation des cadres est consideree comme le moyen le plus efficace d’amelioration l’efficience et de efficacite d’une organisation. Mais, l’apparition de slack vient limiter l’efficience des organisations. D’ou provient le slack et pourquoi les parades developpees au plan theorique n’ont jamais donne les resultats attendus sont les deux questions essentielles que pose l’existence du slack.
An amino acid polymorphism in the couch potato gene forms the basis for climatic adaptation in Drosophila melanogaster

Diapause is the classic adaptation to seasonality in arthropods, and its expression can result in extreme lifespan extension as well as enhanced resistance to environmental challenges. Little is known about the underlying evolutionary genetic architecture of diapause in any organism. Drosophila melanogaster exhibits a reproductive diapause that is variable within and among populations; the incidence of diapause increases with more temperate climates and has significant pleiotropic effects on a number of life history traits. Using quantitative trait mapping, we identified the RNA-binding protein encoding gene couch potato (cpo) as a major genetic locus determining diapause phenotype in D. melanogaster and independently confirmed this ability to impact diapause expression through genetic complementation mapping. By sequencing this gene in samples from natural populations we demonstrated through linkage association that variation for the diapause phenotype is caused by a single Lys/Ile substitution in one of the six cpo transcripts. Complementation analyses confirmed that the identified amino acid variants are functionally distinct with respect to diapause expression, and the polymorphism also shows geographic variation that closely mirrors the known latitudinal cline in diapause incidence. Our results suggest that a naturally occurring amino acid polymorphism results in the variable expression of a diapause syndrome that is associated with the seasonal persistence of this model organism in temperate habitats.
Differenzialdiagnose bei mediastinaler und hilärer Lymphadenopathie mit Fokus auf berufsbedingte Krankheitsbilder

Zusammenfassung Hiläre und mediastinale Lymphadenopathie stellen nicht selten eine klinisch-diagnostische Herausforderung dar. Diese systematische Darstellung relevanter Pathologien, fokussiert auf berufsbedingte Krankheitsbilder, soll die Differenzialdiagnostik erleichtern. Vergleichend werden u. a. Befunde der Tuberkulose, der chronischen Berylliose, der Sarkoidose, des Lungenkrebses, des malignen Lymphoms, der Epstein-Barr-Virusinfektion und der Histoplasmose gegenübergestellt. Anamnese, Bildgebung und Labortests geben wichtige diagnostische Hinweise, aber auch invasive Methoden zum Ausschluss und Nachweis von Malignität, Infektion oder autoimmuner Genese können indiziert sein.
Glucocorticoid receptors in rat thymocytes. Interactions with the antiglucocorticoid cortexolone and mechanism of its action.

Abstract The antiglucocorticoid cortexolone competes with triamcinolone acetonide (TA) for binding to specific receptors in rat thymocytes, and prevents the inhibitory action of TA on 2-deoxy[14C]glucose uptake and on the uptake and incorporation of [3H]uridine in these cells. Different sedimentation profiles were noted for the active glucocorticoid-receptor complex and the hormone antagonist-receptor complex. Thymocytes incubated with [3H]TA at 0° or 37° and extracted with a high salt buffer (0.15 m KCl) yielded a single receptor complex sedimenting at ∼4 S. At 0° and extraction with a low salt buffer, most of the [3H]TA was associated with the 27,000 x g supernatant and complexes sedimenting at ∼3.5 S and ∼7 S were observed in a 5 to 20% sucrose gradient. At 37° and low salt extraction, the [3H]TA was bound to a 27,000 x g pellet (containing 98% cellular DNA) from which it could be extracted with high salt to yield a ∼4 S complex. In contrast, cortexolone yielded a single receptor complex, ∼3.5 S, at both 0° and 37° after extraction of thymocytes with either the low or high salt buffer. Moreover, if the 37° low salt pellet is re-extracted with the high salt buffer, additional [3H]TA-receptor complex could be isolated but this was not the case for the [3H]cortexolone-receptor complex. When the [3H]TA receptor enters the nucleus it is firmly bound to an intranuclear molecule, whereas the cortexolone-receptor when taken up by the nucleus does not bind to an acceptor molecule. It is concluded that the lack of activity of the cortexolone-receptor complex is the result of a conformational change which allows for its uptake by the nucleus but decreases its affinity for a nuclear acceptor site and therefore does not mediate a biological response.
A combined admission and congestion control scheme for variable bit rate video

An approach is developed to maximize the bandwidth utilization of a network for continually transmitting sources, such as video sources. We assume that the sources use hierarchical encoding and can adapt their source coding rates in response to requests from the network congestion control algorithm, and we use this adaptability as the controlled input for a proportional control algorithm. We model flows entering or leaving the network as step inputs, and use the algorithm as the basis for admission control, using very little intelligence in the switches. We then present simulation results that demonstrate the algorithm working in a number of scenarios.
Specification and Verification of Views over Composite Web Services Using High Level Petri-Nets

This paper presents a high level Petri-Net approach for specifying and verifying views over composite Web service. High level Petri-Nets have the capacity of formally modeling and verifying complex systems. A view is mainly used for tracking purposes as it permits representing a contextual snapshot of a composite Web service specification. The use of the proposed high level Petri-Net approach is illustrated with a running example that shows how Web services composition satisfies users' needs. A proof-of-concept of this approach is also presented in the paper.
Adipogenic Transcriptional Regulation of Hepatic Stellate Cells*

Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) undergo transdifferentiation (activation) from lipid-storing pericytes to myofibroblastic cells to participate in liver fibrogenesis. Our recent work demonstrates that depletion of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) constitutes one of the key molecular events for HSC activation and that ectopic expression of this nuclear receptor achieves the phenotypic reversal of activated HSC to the quiescent cells. The present study extends these findings to test a novel hypothesis that adipogenic transcriptional regulation is required for the maintenance of HSC quiescence. Comparative analysis of quiescent and activated HSC in culture reveals higher expression of putative adipogenic transcription factors such as CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) α, C/EBPβ, C/EBPδ, PPARγ, liver X receptor α, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c and of adipocyte-specific genes in the quiescent cells. Conversely, activated HSC have increased expression of PPARβ, a transcription factor known to promote fatty acid oxidation. A treatment of activated HSC with the adipocyte differentiation mixture (isobutylmethylxanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin) or ectopic expression of PPARγ or SREBP-1c in these cells, induces a panel of adipogenic transcription factors, reduces PPARβ, and causes the phenotypic reversal to quiescent HSC. These results support the importance of adipogenic transcriptional regulation in HSC quiescence and provide a new framework for identifying novel molecular targets for the treatment of liver cirrhosis.
Interprotein Disulfide Bonds Formed During Isolation Process Tighten the Structure of the Postsynaptic Density

Postsynaptic densities (PSDs) isolated by biochemical means consist of a complex mixture of proteins that tightly bond to each other. The purpose of this report is to study whether the numerous interprotein disulfides found in the isolated PSDs contribute to the tight structure of the PSDs and whether these interprotein disulfides exist in vivo. PSDs were isolated from pig cerebral cortex by conventional methods except that iodoacetic acid (IAA) was added to all solutions to curtail the formation of disulfides during the isolation process. The PSDs thus isolated were fragmented easily by treatment with chaotropic reagents or ionic detergents, whereas the PSDs isolated in IAA-free solutions were resistant to these treatments. Electron microscopy revealed that the PSDs isolated in IAA-containing solutions were more fragmented than those isolated in IAA-free solutions. Furthermore, the PSD sample isolated in IAA-free solutions contained very large disulfide-linked aggregates that were virtually absent from the PSDs isolated in IAA-containing solutions. Our results suggest that the exceptionally tight structure of the PSDs isolated by conventional methods is due largely to the new disulfides formed during the isolation process and that the PSD proteins under in vivo conditions are held together primarily by noncovalent interactions.
Lower Bounds for Lov[a-acute]sz--Schrijver Systems and Beyond Follow from Multiparty Communication Complexity

We prove that an $\omega(\log^4 n)$ lower bound for the three-party number-on-the-forehead (NOF) communication complexity of the set-disjointness function implies an $n^{\omega(1)}$ size lower bound for treelike Lovasz-Schrijver systems that refute unsatisfiable formulas in conjunctive normal form (CNFs). More generally, we prove that an $n^{\Omega(1)}$ lower bound for the $(k+1)$-party NOF communication complexity of set disjointness implies a $2^{n^{\Omega(1)}}$ size lower bound for all treelike proof systems whose formulas are degree $k$ polynomial inequalities.
Attitudes Toward Computers: A New Attitudinal Dimension

The present study examined the reliability and the construct validity of a questionnaire designed to measure the attitudes toward computers in everyday life. A total of 2,050 participants responded to the questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis suggests that attitudes toward computers are composed of three dimensions: sense of benefit, sense of dependence, and sense of harm.
Who benefits from intervention in, as opposed to screening of, overweight and obese children?

Aims: StEP TWO is a school- and family-based intervention consisting of extra lessons, healthy nutrition and physical education for overweight and obese children in primary schools, aimed at reducing body mass index by maintenance or reduction of weight, and improving motor abilities. We analysed differences in changes in anthropometric, cardiovascular and obesity parameters between children who underwent intervention, non-participants in intervention, and controls. Methods: Anthropometric data and waist circumference were recorded for 1678 children; body mass index and body mass index–standard deviation score were calculated. Blood pressure was measured after 5 minutes at rest. 121 overweight and obese children enrolled at 3 schools involved in programmes of intervention were invited to take part; 40 of them completed the programme from November 2003 to July 2004. Of these overweight children, 74 were invited, but did not take part. As controls, we enrolled 155 overweight and obese children from 4 other schools. Results: After the programme, the children involved in intervention showed a lower increase in the body mass index (0.3 plus or minus 1.3 versus 0.7 plus or minus 1.2 kilograms per metre squared) and an approximately three times higher diminution of the body mass index–standard deviation score in comparison with their controls (−0.15 plus or minus 0.26 versus 0.05 plus or minus 0.27). Systolic blood pressure was significantly lowered by 9.5 plus or minus 19.6 millimetres of mercury in those involved in intervention, but increased in the control group by 0.5 plus or minus 16.5 millimetres of mercury. Among those invited but not participating, the increase of the body mass index (0.5 plus or minus 1.3 kilograms per metre squared) was less, and the reduction of the body mass index-standard deviation score (−0.09 plus or minus 0.31) and systolic blood pressure (−5.3 plus or minus 15.6 millimetres of mercury) was higher than in the control group. Overweight but not obese children seem to benefit from a screening examination alone. Conclusions: Early preventive measures in schools are necessary and effective for overweight and obese primary school children. The screening itself seems also to have a minor positive effect, especially for overweight children. Sustainability of the observed improvements over a longer period remains to be confirmed.
Semi-decentralized control of multi-agent systems based on redundant manipulator optimization methods

In this paper, a new approach for online reactive path generation and control of multi-agent systems is proposed. This method is based on local optimization techniques used for solving the inverse kinematic problem of redundant manipulators. Convergence of the agents' velocities to the desired values in the null-space of the primary task is guaranteed by introducing a new control law. The efficacy of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated through simulation experiments
Diurnal cycle of liquid water path over the subtropical and tropical oceans

The diurnal cycle of liquid water path (LWP) over the subtropical and tropical oceans is examined using two complete years of TMI (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Microwave Imager) satellite microwave radiometer data. Diurnal amplitudes are a considerable fraction of the mean, especially in low cloud regions to the west of continents, where values of 15–35% are typical. Early morning maxima occur throughout most of the subtropics, consistent with a diurnal cycle driven largely by cloud solar absorption. In deep convective regions of the west Pacific the diurnal cycle is also strong and peaks slightly later. Interestingly, the diurnal amplitude in the SE Pacific and Atlantic stratus regions is considerably larger than in their northern hemisphere counterparts, suggesting differences in the dynamics and structure of low clouds may exist from region to region. The data provide important constraints for models simulating the diurnal cycle of clouds.
Effects of Two Types of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Training on Vertical Jump Performance

Paillard, T, Noe, F, Bernard, N, Dupui, P, and Hazard, C. Effects of Two Types of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Training on Vertical Jump Performance. J Strength Cond Res 22: 1273-1278, 2008-This study examined the effects of different types of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) programs on vertical jump performance. Twenty seven healthy trained male students in sports-sciences were recruited and randomized into three groups. The control group (C group, n = 8) did not perform NMES training. Two other groups underwent 3 training sessions a week over 5 weeks on the quadriceps femoris muscle [F group (n = 9): stimulation with an 80 Hz current for 15 min for improving muscle strength; E group (n = 10): stimulation with a 25 Hz current for 60 min for improving muscle endurance]. The height of the vertical jump was measured before NMES training (test 1), one week (test 2) and five weeks (test 3) after the end of the programs. The results showed that the height of the vertical jump significantly increased in both the F and E groups between tests 1 and 2 (5 cm and 3 cm respectively). Results of test 3 showed that both groups preserved their gains. A NMES training program destined to improve muscle endurance does not interfere on vertical jump performance. It can even durably enhance it in the same way as a NMES training program destined to improve muscle strength. Thus, to improve muscle endurance without deteriorating muscle power, sportsmen can use electrical stimulation.
La posizione preverbale nel tedesco parlato spontaneo Descrizione contrastiva lingua in atto – codici normativi

This paper describes the outcome of a pilot analysis conducted on a corpus containing two dialogues in contemporary spontaneous spoken German. The analysis aims to check the syntactic structures occurring in the preverbal position (front field and pre-front field) of declarative clauses and compare them with the grammatical rules of written German taught in German L2 classes. The author addresses the issue both from a grammatical and didactic analytical perspective and comes to the conclusion that the teaching of German L2 should take into account not only the grammatical structures of written language, but also those of spoken language in order to stimulate learner awareness of language complexity and improve linguistic competence in spoken German. Based upon the results, useful advice for the teaching of grammar in German L2 is given.
Shrine Franchising and the Neolithic in the British Isles: Some Observations based upon the Tallensi, Northern Ghana

Ethnography of the Tallensi shows how rights of access to shrines could be granted to people in other places and how beneficiaries may take with them samples of stone used at the mother shrine. Reasons for taking the samples are considered. It is suggested that Tallensi practice offers an analogy for selection and transfer of stone in the Neolithic of Britain and Ireland.
Randomised, controlled trial of low-dose heparin for prevention of fatal pulmonary embolism in patients with infectious diseases. The Heparin Prophylaxis Study Group.

BACKGROUND Fatal pulmonary embolism and other thromboembolic complications are common in hospital inpatients. However, there is little evidence on the routine use of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis in non-surgical patients. We assessed the efficacy and safety of low-dose heparin in the prevention of hospital-acquired, clinically relevant, fatal pulmonary embolism in patients with infectious diseases. METHODS Our study used the postrandomisation consent design. 19,751 consecutive patients, aged 55 years or older, admitted to departments of infectious diseases in six Swedish hospitals, were screened for inclusion in the randomised, controlled, unblinded, multicentre trial. Of the eligible patients, 5776 were assigned subcutaneous standard heparin (5000 IU every 12 h) until hospital discharge or for a maximum of 3 weeks; 5917 were assigned no prophylactic treatment (control group). We sought consent only from the heparin group. Follow-up was for 3 weeks after discharge from hospital or for a maximum of 60 days from randomisation. The primary endpoint was necropsy-verified pulmonary embolism of predefined clinical relevance. FINDINGS By intention-to-treat analysis mortality was similar in the heparin and control groups (5.3 vs 5.6%, p = 0.39) and the median time from admission to death was 16 days in both groups (IQR 8-31 vs 6-28 days). Necropsy-verified pulmonary embolism occurred in 15 heparin-treated and 16 control-group patients. There was a significant difference between heparin and control groups in median time from randomisation to fatal pulmonary embolism (28 [24-36] vs 12.5 [10-20] days, p = 0.007). This difference corresponds to the duration of heparin prophylaxis. Non-fatal thromboembolic complications occurred in more of the control than of the heparin group (116 vs 70, p = 0.0012). INTERPRETATION Our findings do not support the routine use of heparin prophylaxis for 3 weeks or less in large groups of non-surgical patients. Further studies are needed to investigate whether heparin prophylaxis of longer duration may prevent fatal pulmonary embolism.
Fecal Excretion of Salmonella entericaSerovar Typhimurium Following a Food-Borne Outbreak

ABSTRACT Fecal excretion of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium organisms was observed in patients and in people not showing symptoms who were involved in an outbreak of food-borne infection with this organism. Excretion of organisms was prolonged in the patients who were given antimicrobial drugs compared with those who were not. The isolates were indistinguishable by their pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns and biotyping from the strain recovered from the roast pork that had been consumed by all of the people. This indicates that these isolates obtained from the infected people had originated in the contaminated pork.