Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Interferon-inducible Protein Kinase PKR Modulates the Transcriptional Activation of Immunoglobulin κ Gene (*)

PKR is an interferon (IFN)-induced serine/threonine protein kinase that regulates protein synthesis through phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor-2 (eIF-2). In addition to its demonstrated role in translational control, recent findings suggest that PKR plays an important role in regulation of gene transcription, as PKR phosphorylates IκBα upon double-stranded RNA treatment resulting in activation of NF-κB DNA binding in vitro (Kumar, A., Haque, J., Lacoste, J., Hiscott, J., and Williams, B. R. G.(1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 91, 6288-6292). To further investigate the role of PKR in transcriptional signaling, we expressed the wild type human PKR and a catalytically inactive dominant negative PKR mutant in the murine pre-B lymphoma 70Z/3 cells. Here, we report that expression of wild type PKR had no effect on κ-chain transcriptional activation induced by lipopolysaccharide or IFN-γ. However, expression of the dominant negative PKR mutant inhibited κ gene transcription independently of NF-κB activation. Phosphorylation of eIF-2α was not increased by lipopolysaccharide or IFN-γ, suggesting that PKR mediates κ gene transcriptional activation without affecting protein synthesis. Our findings further support a transcriptional role for PKR and demonstrate that there are at least two distinct PKR-mediated signal transduction pathways to the transcriptional machinery depending on cell type and stimuli, NF-κB-dependent and NF-κB-independent.
Inhibition of the Transforming Growth Factor β1 Signaling Pathway by the AML1/ETO Leukemia-associated Fusion Protein*

The t(8;21) translocation, found in adult acute myelogenous leukemia, results in the formation of an AML1/ETO chimeric transcription factor. AML1/ETO expression leads to alterations in hematopoietic progenitor cell differentiation, although its role in leukemic transformation is not clear. The N-terminal portion of AML1, which is retained in AML1/ETO, contains a region of homology to the FAST proteins, which cooperate with Smads to regulate transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) target genes. We have demonstrated the physical association of Smad proteins with AML1 and AML1/ETO by immunoprecipitation and have mapped the region of interaction to therunt homology domain in these AML1 proteins. Using confocal microscopy, we demonstrated that AML1, and ETO and/or AML1/ETO, colocalize with Smads in the nucleus of t(8;21)-positive Kasumi-1 cells, in the presence but not the absence of TGF-β1. Using transient transfection assays and a reporter gene construct that contains both Smad and AML1 consensus binding sequences, we demonstrated that overexpression of AML1B cooperates with TGF-β1 in stimulating reporter gene activity, whereas AML1/ETO represses basal promoter activity and blocks the response to TGF-β1. Considering the critical role of TGF-β1 in the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic cells, interference with TGF-β1 signaling by AML1/ETO may contribute to leukemogenesis.
Résumé automatique de textes juridiques

Nous avons travaille sur la production automatique de resume pour le domaine juridique. Nous avons developpe le systeme LetSum, un outil informatique en vue d'extraire l'information pertinente sous une forme condensee. Nous avons collabore avec les avocats du centre de recherche en droit public. Notre methode est basee sur l'analyse manuelle des jugements et de leurs resumes rediges par les resumeurs professionnels. Dans cette methode, nous identifions le plan d'organisation d'un jugement et ses differents themes discursifs qui regroupent les phrases autour d'un meme sujet. La creation du resume par LetSum se fait en quatre etapes: 1) Segmentation thematique determine l'organisation du document et encadre les segments du texte associes avec un theme precis dans la jurisprudence. Nous avons divise un jugement en cinq themes: Introduction (qui? a fait quoi? a qui? ), Contexte (recompose l'histoire du litige et l'histoire judiciaire), Questions de droit (identifient le probleme juridique dont le tribunal est saisi), Raisonnement juridique (contient l'analyse du juge et Conclusion (decision finale de la cour). 2) Filtrage qui identifie les segments qui peuvent etre supprimes dans les documents, sans perdre les informations pertinentes pour le resume, comme les citations. 3) Selection des unites textuelles candidates pour le resume qui construit une liste d'unites saillantes candidates pour chaque theme. 4) Production du resume qui choisit les unites pour le resume final et les combine. L'evaluation de 120 resumes automatiques par 12 avocats montre la qualite des resumes produits par LetSum qui est juge excellente.
Dissociation, childhood interpersonal trauma, and family functioning in patients with somatization disorder.

OBJECTIVE The goals of this study were to determine 1) the occurrence of various dissociative phenomena in patients with somatization disorder, 2) the occurrence of six different types of childhood interpersonal trauma in these patients, and 3) the nature of these patients' early family environment. METHOD Twenty-two patients with somatization disorder and 19 medical comparison subjects completed the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Dissociative Disorders, the Childhood Trauma Interview, and the Family Functioning Scale. RESULTS The somatization disorder patients reported significantly higher level of dissociative amnesia than the comparison subjects. The two groups reported similar levels of depersonalization, derealization, identity confusion, and identity alteration. Somatization disorder patients reported significantly greater childhood emotional abuse and more severe forms of physical abuse, relative to the comparison subjects, with chronic emotional abuse being the best predictor of unexplained symptoms. Childhood sexual abuse, separation/loss, and witnessing violence were equally common in the two groups. The somatization disorder group reported significantly more family conflict and less family cohesion. CONCLUSIONS Only some types of dissociation are more severe in patients with somatization disorder, relative to medical comparison subjects. Many patients with somatization disorder are raised in an emotionally cold, distant, and unsupportive family environment characterized by chronic emotional and physical abuse. Sexual abuse is not a necessary prerequisite for the disorder.
Patient-reported outcomes in routine cancer clinical practice: a scoping review of use, impact on health outcomes, and implementation factors.

BACKGROUND This review focused on the identification of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) used in routine cancer clinical practice, the impact on patient, provider, and system outcomes, and the implementation factors influencing uptake. METHODS A scoping review of the published health literature was conducted using empirical databases, namely, Ovid Medline (2003 to September 2013), CINAHL (2003-2013) and PsycINFO (2003-2013). Scoping reviews are systematic literature reviews in a broad topic area that provide relevant and quantified results about the knowledge available on a particular topic and aim to rapidly map and synthesize the evidence to emphasize what is known. RESULTS From a total of 2447 unique publications, 30 articles that met eligibility criteria were reviewed. PRO use appears to be acceptable to patients, enables earlier detection of symptoms and may improve communication between clinicians and patients. However, the impact of routine PROMs collection on health outcomes is less clear and high-quality research is still warranted. CONCLUSION PROMs use in routine cancer clinical practice is growing with improvements on essential care processes shown but a number of implementation barriers must still be addressed. The lack of standardization in PROMs used in cancer organizations may make it difficult to use these data for quality monitoring in the future.
Deregulated Bcl-2-immunoglobulin transgene expands a resting but responsive immunoglobulin M and D-expressing B-cell population

We characterized the basis for the follicular lymphoproliferation in transgenic mice bearing a Bcl-2-immunoglobulin (Bcl-2-Ig) minigene representing the t(14;18) of human follicular lymphoma. Discriminatory S1 nuclease protection assays revealed that the Bcl-2-Ig transgene was overexpressed relative to endogenous mouse Bcl-2 in spleen and thymus. Western (immunoblot) analysis demonstrated the overproduction of the human 25-kilodalton Bcl-2 protein, which arose from the transgene, in spleen, thymus, and the expanded B-cell subset. Despite the generalized lymphoid pattern of deregulation, two-color flow cytometry and density gradient centrifugation indicated that the expanded lymphocytes were predominantly small, resting B cells coexpressing B220, immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgD, Ia, and kappa. Cell cycle analysis confirmed that about 97% of these expanded B cells reside in G0/G1. An extensive characterization of transgenic lines revealed a fourfold excess of IgM-IgD-expressing B cells in spleen and dramatically increased numbers in bone marrow. While resting, these cells proliferated in response to lipopolysaccharide and anti-IgM and demonstrated normal B-cell colony formation in soft agar. Moreover, these B cells, which demonstrated an extended survival in vitro even in the absence of stroma, were also resting in G0, yet were capable of proliferative responses. These findings provide consistent evidence that the accumulation of B cells after Bcl-2 overproduction is secondary to prolonged cell survival and not increased cell cycling. This suggests a unique role for Bcl-2 as a proto-oncogene that enhances cell survival independent of promoting cell division.
Risk of malnutrition in retirement homes elderly persons measured by the "mini-nutritional assessment".

BACKGROUND The combined influence of age-associated factors such as general health, degree of dependency, diminished odor perception, and poor oral health on the risk for malnutrition was explored. METHODS A total of 81 persons living in retirement homes took part in the study (mean age 83.4 years, SD = 6.6, range 61-98). The Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was used to evaluate the risk of malnutrition. Odor perception was measured by the detection threshold for isoamylacetate. The number of drugs taken by each person was counted. General health status was determined by the Medical Outcome Study (MOS) scores. Oral examinations were carried out to count the number of natural teeth and type of dentures. RESULTS On average, women had slightly, but significantly, lower MNA scores than men (respectively, 23.4, SD = 2.8; and 24.6, SD = 2.6; p = .048). The correlations between age and MNA score and between odor perception and MNA score were not significant. Significant correlations were found between age and number of natural teeth (r = -.26, p = .001) and between MNA score and number of natural teeth (r = .27, p = .001). The mean MNA score of complete denture wearers (22.8, SD = 2.9) was significantly lower than that of partial denture wearers (25.8, SD = 2.9; p = .0005). The total MOS and MNA scores were not correlated, but a significant correlation was found with the subscales mental functioning (r = .29, p = .003), social functioning (r = . 19, p = .045), and perceived health (r = .19, p = .047). No relation was found between the activities of daily living (ADL) and MNA scores. A significant negative correlation was observed between number of drugs taken and the MNA score (r = -.34, p = .001). When participants without risk of malnutrition (MNA > or = 24) were compared with those at risk (MNA = 17-23.5), again, the number of drugs taken was significantly different (on average, respectively, 4.5, SD = 2.9; and 7.0, SD = 2.6; p < .0005). Using multiple regression to test the separate effects of the different independent variables, the number of drugs taken showed a significant negative regression coefficient (beta = -.31, p = .008), as did the mental health score (beta = .27, p =.02), giving a total R2 = . 32. The other parameters did not contribute significantly. CONCLUSION Among the elderly in retirement homes, the health state (as measured by the MOS subscale mental health and by the medication use) appears to be the most clinically relevant parameter to explain the risk for malnutrition. Loss of natural teeth and perceived health are less independently contributing, whereas no contribution derives from decline of odor perception, degree of dependency, and age itself.
Partially Reliable-Concurrent Multipath Transfer (PR-CMT) for Multihomed Networks

In this paper, we proposed a partially reliable - concurrent multipath transfer (PR-CMT) that is featured with partially reliable multi-path transmission based on the concurrent multipath transfer (CMT) and the stream control transmission protocol partial reliability extension (PR-SCTP). The proposed partially reliable transmission is realized by the "timed reliable service". Data in PR-CMT are associated with lifetime. When the lifetime of the data is expired, PR-CMT would not transmit and retransmit the expired data. The false acked TSNs problem is identified in PR-SCTP and CMT. In this paper, the proposed PR-CMT can adopt some mechanisms to eliminate the false acked transmission sequence numbers (TSNs) problem. Simulation results show that PR-CMT can (i) have better transmission efficiency and (ii) consume less bandwidth.
Identification and reproducibility of dietary patterns in a Danish cohort: the Inter99 study

We aimed to identify dietary patterns in a Danish adult population and assess the reproducibility of the dietary patterns identified. Baseline data of 3372 women and 3191 men (30–60 years old) from the population-based survey Inter99 was used. Food intake, assessed by a FFQ, was aggregated into thirty-four separate food groups. Dietary patterns were identified by principal component analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis and Bland Altman plots were used to assess the reproducibility of the dietary patterns identified. The Bland Altman plots were used as an alternative and new method. Two factors were retained for both women and men, which accounted for 15·1–17·4 % of the total variation. The ‘Traditional’ pattern was characterised by high loadings ( ≥ 0·40) on paté or high-fat meat for sandwiches, mayonnaise salads, red meat, potatoes, butter and lard, low-fat fish, low-fat meat for sandwiches, and sauces. The ‘Modern’ pattern was characterised by high loadings on vegetables, fruit, mixed vegetable dishes, vegetable oil and vinegar dressing, poultry, and pasta, rice and wheat kernels. Small differences were observed between patterns identified for women and men. The root mean square error approximation from the confirmatory factor analysis was 0·08. The variation observed from the Bland Altman plots of factors from explorative v. confirmative analyses and explorative analyses from two sub-samples was between 18·8 and 47·7 %. Pearson's correlation was >0·89 (P < 0·0001). The reproducibility was better for women than for men. We conclude that the ‘Traditional’ and ‘Modern’ dietary patterns identified were reproducible.
Acute self‐limiting hepatitis B after immunoprophylaxis failure in an infant

The occurrence of acute hepatitis after failure of immunoprophylaxis in cases of mother‐to‐infant transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is uncommon. Because immunoprophylaxis failure is caused by the emergence of an “a” determinant escape mutant, the infants usually become HBV carriers. To evaluate whether mutations in the S gene coding for the surface protein that contains the “a” determinant are associated with acute hepatitis after immunoprophylaxis failure, HBV DNA of an infant in with acute hepatitis developed with seroconversion to anti‐HBs antibodies at 12 months of age despite administration of anti‐hepatitis B immunoglobulin and hepatitis B vaccine was analyzed. The S gene from HBV DNA isolated from the serum of the infant at 12, 19, and 27 months of age was cloned and sequenced. Mutations affecting amino acid residues in the first loop within the “a” determinant (codons 124–147) were found at 12 months of age. Moreover, a novel deletion mutant, with a 1‐bp deletion at nucleotide 449 of the S gene, was found at 19 and 27 months of age. This deletion resulted in a frame shift and it introduced a stop codon (TAG) at codon 176. Because the open reading frame of the S gene is completely overlapped by the polymerase gene, mutations in the S gene may affect the polymerase gene. Based on this case, this study suggests that the observed frame‐shift mutation in the S gene might affect the polymerase protein and induce prompt suppression of viral replication. J. Med. Virol. 66:28–33, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Accuracy of parasitological and immunological tests for the screening of human schistosomiasis in immigrants and refugees from African countries: An approach with Latent Class Analysis

Background Schistosomiasis is a neglected infection affecting millions of people, mostly living in sub-Saharan Africa. Morbidity and mortality due to chronic infection are relevant, although schistosomiasis is often clinically silent. Different diagnostic tests have been implemented in order to improve screening and diagnosis, that traditionally rely on parasitological tests with low sensitivity. Aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of different tests for the screening of schistosomiasis in African migrants, in a non endemic setting. Methodology/Principal findings A retrospective study was conducted on 373 patients screened at the Centre for Tropical Diseases (CTD) in Negrar, Verona, Italy. Biological samples were tested with: stool/urine microscopy, Circulating Cathodic Antigen (CCA) dipstick test, ELISA, Western blot, immune-chromatographic test (ICT). Test accuracy and predictive values of the immunological tests were assessed primarily on the basis of the results of microscopy (primary reference standard): ICT and WB resulted the test with highest sensitivity (94% and 92%, respectively), with a high NPV (98%). CCA showed the highest specificity (93%), but low sensitivity (48%). The analysis was conducted also using a composite reference standard, CRS (patients classified as infected in case of positive microscopy and/or at least 2 concordant positive immunological tests) and Latent Class Analysis (LCA). The latter two models demonstrated excellent agreement (Cohen’s kappa: 0.92) for the classification of the results. In fact, they both confirmed ICT as the test with the highest sensitivity (96%) and NPV (97%), moreover PPV was reasonably good (78% and 72% according to CRS and LCA, respectively). ELISA resulted the most specific immunological test (over 99%). The ICT appears to be a suitable screening test, even when used alone. Conclusions The rapid test ICT was the most sensitive test, with the potential of being used as a single screening test for African migrants.
Power consumption & reliability in NanoCMOS

Thermal issues is an important challenge in NanoCMOS chips. High temperatures can reduce the reliability, so it is important to reduce power consumption to improve reliability. It is necessary a change in physical design paradigms to reduce the needed amount of transistors to perform one task. This work shows a new approach to reduce the amount of transistors by using complex gates and a new set of EDA tools to generate any transistor network. Some results show an important reduction on power consumption, improving also circuit reliability.
Physical Complications in Acute Lung Injury Survivors: A Two-Year Longitudinal Prospective Study

Objective:Survivors of severe critical illness frequently develop substantial and persistent physical complications, including muscle weakness, impaired physical function, and decreased health-related quality of life. Our objective was to determine the longitudinal epidemiology of muscle weakness, physical function, and health-related quality of life and their associations with critical illness and ICU exposures. Design:A multisite prospective study with longitudinal follow-up at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after acute lung injury. Setting:Thirteen ICUs from four academic teaching hospitals. Patients:Two hundred twenty-two survivors of acute lung injury. Interventions:None. Measurements and Main Results:At each time point, patients underwent standardized clinical evaluations of extremity, hand grip, and respiratory muscle strength; anthropometrics (height, weight, mid-arm circumference, and triceps skin fold thickness); 6-minute walk distance, and the Medical Outcomes Short-Form 36 health-related quality of life survey. During their hospitalization, survivors also had detailed daily evaluation of critical illness and related treatment variables. Over one third of survivors had objective evidence of muscle weakness at hospital discharge, with most improving within 12 months. This weakness was associated with substantial impairments in physical function and health-related quality of life that persisted at 24 months. The duration of bed rest during critical illness was consistently associated with weakness throughout 24-month follow-up. The cumulative dose of systematic corticosteroids and use of neuromuscular blockers in the ICU were not associated with weakness. Conclusions:Muscle weakness is common after acute lung injury, usually recovering within 12 months. This weakness is associated with substantial impairments in physical function and health-related quality of life that continue beyond 24 months. These results provide valuable prognostic information regarding physical recovery after acute lung injury. Evidence-based methods to reduce the duration of bed rest during critical illness may be important for improving these long-term impairments.
Minimally invasive resin infiltration of arrested white-spot lesions: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND The authors conducted a randomized, single-masked clinical trial involving patients who had completed orthodontic treatment to assess changes in the appearance of white-spot lesions (WSLs) that were treated with resin infiltration. METHODS The authors divided affected teeth into control and treatment groups. In the treatment group, they restored teeth with WSLs by using resin infiltration. They evaluated changes in WSLs photographically by using a visual analog scale (VAS) (0 = no change, 100 = complete disappearance) and area measurements (in square millimeters). The authors analyzed the data by using two-way analysis of variance. RESULTS The mean VAS ratings for treated teeth demonstrated marked improvement relative to that for control teeth immediately after treatment (67.7 versus 5.2, P < .001) and eight weeks later (65.9 versus 9.2, P < .001). The results for treated teeth showed a mean reduction in WSL area of 61.8 percent immediately after treatment and 60.9 percent eight weeks later, compared with a -3.3 percent change for control teeth immediately after treatment and a 1.0 percent reduction eight weeks later. CONCLUSIONS Resin infiltration significantly improved the clinical appearance of WSLs, with stable results seen eight weeks after treatment. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Resin infiltration, a minimally invasive restorative treatment, was shown to be effective for WSLs that formed during orthodontic treatment.