Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cancer, genes and gender.

Susceptibility to some smoking-related cancers (lung, bladder, colon) is higher for women than for men; as yet unexplained observations. The commentary given by Haugen (1) in a recent issue of this journal underlines these notions with respect to lung cancer. Variations in genetic susceptibility factors were discussed, but some additions are at hand. The association between N-acetyltransferase (NAT2) polymorphism and bladder cancer is well established; the risk may be higher in women than in men who smoked (2,3). Metabolizing identical substrates as NAT2, myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a candidate contributing to sex-related differences in cancer risk. MPO-generated oxidants are capable of oxidizing a wide variety of compounds, among these also products of tobacco smoke. Leukocytes are recruited in immune response and, therefore, reactive intermediates from xenobiotics generated by leukocyte metabolism may play a role in idiosyncratic drug reactions (4,5). Various drugs, but also arylamines and benzo[a]pyrene from tobacco smoke are converted to cytotoxic products. The degranulation of these cells and also their hyperactive state in the presence of chronic antigenic stimulation may transform environmental precarcinogens to highly reactive intermediates (6) as was shown for heterocyclic amine activation by MPO in fibroblasts and epithelial cells (7). Moreover, MPO provides one pathway for mutagenesis and cytotoxicity at sites of inflammation. The –463 G/A polymorphism of the MPO gene promoter affects the risk of various diseases. Subjects bearing the A/G or A/A allele have a reduced risk to suffer from advanced lung cancer (8–10) and esophageal cancer (11). Likewise, this was also seen in coronary artery disease (12), Helicobacter pylori infections (13), in periodontitis (14) and neurodegenerative disorders, i.e. Alzheimer’s disease (15) and multiple sclerosis (16). In all these studies, the allelic variant MPO-463A elicited a protective effect with nearly identical odds ratios in the range of 0.3–0.7, approximately. In some of these studies gender-specific results were presented showing the protective effect of the MPO A-allele only in females (14–16). There must be a common link leading to this correspondence in the different clinical settings. Inflammation-related recruitment of neutrophil leukocytes into the affected tissue is most probably responsible for the different protective effects seen in the various studies mentioned. Exchange of an adenosine for a guanosine at position –463 in the 5 -untranslated region of the MPO gene leads to the loss of a transcription factor binding site. Reduced binding of transcription factor SP1 results in the diminished expression of MPO (17). The observed sex-specific differences suggest that binding of sex hormones may be affected by the loss of the MPO promoter binding motif. Possible interactions are known between the
Ribosome-catalyzed peptidyl transfer: substrate specificity at the P-site.

F-Met or Met-F, N'-formyl-methionyl; Ac- or -Ac, N'-acetyl; P-site and A-site, the respective sites on the ribosome with which peptidyl-tRNA and aminoacyl-tRNA are associated at the moment of the peptidyl transfer reaction.
Intrinsic properties and mechanisms of spontaneous firing in mouse cerebellar unipolar brush cells

Neuronal firing patterns are determined by the cell's intrinsic electrical and morphological properties and are regulated by synaptic interactions. While the properties of cerebellar neurons have generally been studied in much detail, little is known about the unipolar brush cells (UBCs), a type of glutamatergic interneuron that is enriched in the granular layer of the mammalian vestibulocerebellum and participates in the representation of head orientation in space. Here we show that UBCs can be distinguished from adjacent granule cells on the basis of differences in membrane capacitance, input resistance and response to hyperpolarizing current injection. We also show that UBCs are intrinsically firing neurons. Using action potential clamp experiments and whole‐cell recordings we demonstrate that two currents contribute to this property: a persistent TTX‐sensitive sodium current and a ruthenium red‐sensitive, TRP‐like cationic current, both of which are active during interspike intervals and have reversal potentials positive to threshold. Interestingly, although UBCs are also endowed with a large Ih current, this current is not involved in their intrinsic firing, perhaps because it activates at voltages that are more hyperpolarized than those associated with autonomous activity.
Identification of Novel Rodent Herpesviruses, Including the First Gammaherpesvirus of Mus musculus

ABSTRACT Rodent herpesviruses such as murine cytomegalovirus (host, Mus musculus), rat cytomegalovirus (host, Rattus norvegicus), and murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (hosts, Apodemus species) are important tools for the experimental study of human herpesvirus diseases. However, alphaherpesviruses, roseoloviruses, and lymphocryptoviruses, as well as rhadinoviruses, that naturally infect Mus musculus (house mouse) and other Old World mice are unknown. To identify hitherto-unknown rodent-associated herpesviruses, we captured M. musculus, R. norvegicus, and 14 other rodent species in several locations in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Thailand. Samples of trigeminal ganglia, dorsal root ganglia, brains, spleens, and other organs, as well as blood, were analyzed with a degenerate panherpesvirus PCR targeting the DNA polymerase (DPOL) gene. Herpesvirus-positive samples were subjected to a second degenerate PCR targeting the glycoprotein B (gB) gene. The sequences located between the partial DPOL and gB sequences were amplified by long-distance PCR and sequenced, resulting in a contiguous sequence of approximately 3.5 kbp. By DPOL PCR, we detected 17 novel betaherpesviruses and 21 novel gammaherpesviruses but no alphaherpesvirus. Of these 38 novel herpesviruses, 14 were successfully analyzed by the complete bigenic approach. Most importantly, the first gammaherpesvirus of Mus musculus was discovered (Mus musculus rhadinovirus 1 [MmusRHV1]). This virus is a member of a novel group of rodent gammaherpesviruses, which is clearly distinct from murine herpesvirus 68-like rodent gammaherpesviruses. Multigenic phylogenetic analysis, using an 8-kbp locus, revealed that MmusRHV1 diverged from the other gammaherpesviruses soon after the evolutionary separation of Epstein-Barr virus-like lymphocryptoviruses from human herpesvirus 8-like rhadinoviruses and alcelaphine herpesvirus 1-like macaviruses.
A new approach to the stabilization of nonlinear systems via partial measurement feedback: the adding one measurement tool

We present a measurement feedback framework for the semiglobal stabilization of nonlinear systems which have not necessarily the uniform complete observability property in the sense of [11]. Rather, this class of systems has the robust detectability property from the measurements in the sense of [1]. A systematic design method is presented for the construction of measurement feedback controllers. A new basic ingredient is the “adding one measurement” tool, a natural counterpart of the “adding one integrator” well-known technique. While the second has been conceived for state feedback stabilization, the first has a natural role in the measurement feedback stabilization. Combining the “adding one integrator” and the “adding one measurement” techniques we get a systematic step-by-step method for measurement feedback stabilization, which leads to a number of new results on semiglobal measurement feedback stabilization.
Ankle injuries: anatomical and biomechanical considerations necessary for the development of an injury prevention program.

This article describes the anatomical and biomechanical principles necessary for the development of an ankle injury prevention program. The structures of the talocrural joint and the subtalar joint are discussed in detail. The biomechanics of these two joints are discussed and their relationship elucidated. The ligamentous structures of the ankle are discussed in detail. Evaluation of the ankle is discussed in conjunction with mechanisms of athletic injuries. Pertinent principles necessary for the development of an injury prevention program for the ankle are presented.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1980;1(3):171-
Current concepts on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) perfusion-diffusion assessment in acute ischaemic stroke: a review & an update for the clinicians

Recently, several medical societies published joint statements about imaging recommendations for acute stroke and transient ischaemic attack patients. In following with these published guidelines, we considered it appropriate to present a brief, practical and updated review of the most relevant concepts on the MRI assessment of acute stroke. Basic principles of the clinical interpretation of diffusion, perfusion, and MRI angiography (as part of a global MRI protocol) are discussed with accompanying images for each sequence. Brief comments on incidence and differential diagnosis are also included, together with limitations of the techniques and levels of evidence. The purpose of this article is to present knowledge that can be applied in day-to-day clinical practice in specialized stroke units or emergency rooms to attend patients with acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack according to international standards.
Algebraic Modeling of New Enhanced Linearity Threshold Comparator based Flash ADC

This paper describes flash ADC design using linearity improved threshold quantized comparator. Here, the need for a reference voltage generation network has been eliminated in a 4 bit flash ADC; with completely digital cell based comparators. Output generated from comparator called thermometer code is related mathematically with binary conversion. This conversion property is used for mathematical modeling and complexity reduction of decoder circuitry by semi-parallel structuring of comparators. Circuit is designed in 250nm technology and it exhibits satisfactory performance even in temperature and process variation.
Lane mark detection using Hough transform

A lane mark detection system is a driver assistance tool that automatically recognizes the lane mark painted on the road and the lane that he is travelling in. Such a system can warn the driver when has the tendency to move out from the lane, without being aware of it. This kind of system is a part of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), systems that has the goal to improve road safety. In this paper we propose an algorithm that automatically emphasizes the lane marks and recognizes them from digital images, by the use of Hough transform.
Topological Localization Based on Salient Regions in Unknown Environments

This paper presents a new topological localization system for mobile robot navigation based on salient visual regions. These salient regions are obtained by computing the opponencies of color and texture among multi-scale image spaces. Then they are organized to construct the vertex of topological map using hidden Markov model. So localization problem can be transformed to the evaluation problem of HMM. In our system, the topological map of environment can be created online and the robot locates itself concurrently. Experiments show that higher ratio of vertex recognition, that is localization, is obtained. And our system can guarantee mobile robot navigation safely in unknown environments
Surface tension of mixed inorganic and dicarboxylic acid aqueous solutions at 298 . 15 K and their importance for cloud activation predictions

Measurements and simulations of the near-surface composition of evaporating ethanol–water droplets Christopher J. Homer, Xingmao Jiang, Timothy L. Ward, C. Jeffrey Brinker and Jonathan P. Reid, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2009, DOI: 10.1039/b904070f Effects of dicarboxylic acid coating on the optical properties of soot Huaxin Xue, Alexei F. Khalizov, Lin Wang, Jun Zheng and Renyi Zhang, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2009, DOI: 10.1039/b904129j
Cluster Based Time Division Multiple Access Scheduling Scheme for Zigbee Wireless Sensor Networks

In IEEE 802.15. 4 ZigBee Wireless Sensor Networks, an efficient scheduling mechanism is required for reliable data transmission. Further, concurrent transmission of huge data through CSMA/CA incurs more packet collision rate. This complicated condition has to be eliminated to improve the system throughput. In this study, we propose to deploy cluster based TDMA scheduling mechanism for IEEE 802.15. 4 ZigBee Wireless Sensor Networks. This TDMA slot allocation strategy allocates slots to the nodes based on queue occupancy information. It assigns TDMA slots starting from nodes with high queue occupancy value. Nodes that have high queue occupancy value will probably get long TDMA slot period. We prove the proficiency of our mechanism using Network Simulator 2 (NS-2). Our approach fairly allocates slots to the nodes and considerably reduces packet collision rate.
Thrombin as a multi-functional enzyme

Summary Thrombin is the central protease in the coagulation cascade and one of the most extensively studied of all enzymes. In addition to its recognised role in the coagulation cascade and haemostasis, thrombin is known to have multiple pleiotropic effects, which mostly have been shown only in in vitro studies: it plays a role in inflammation and cellular proliferation and displays a mitogen activity on smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells, predominantly by activation of angiogenesis. In vivo, thrombin effects were examined in animal models of intravenous or intraarterial thrombin infusion. An extensive literature search regarding in vivo data showed that i) thrombin administered as a bolus causes microembolism, ii) thrombin infused slowly at steady-state conditions (up to 1.6 U/kg/min) leads to bleeds but not to intravascular clotting, iii) large quantity of thrombin infused at low rates (0.05 U/kg/min) does not have any measurable effect, and iv) thrombin increases vascular permeability leading to tissue damage. Although several decades of research on thrombin functions have provided a framework for understanding the biology of thrombin, animal and human studies with use of newer laboratory techniques are still needed to confirm the pleiotropic thrombin functions shown in in vitro studies. Focus on in vitro and in vivo effects
An Evolutionary Approach for the Playfair Cipher Cryptanalysis

In this paper we describe the Playfair substitution cipher and we propose an evolutionary algorithm for Playfair’s cryptanalysis. The structural properties of the cipher and its enciphering rules determine the suitability of an evolutionary, genetic-like approach for the cipher’s cryptanalysis. Classical cryptographic ciphers like Playfair are no longer used in practice, but evolutionary approaches as the one we propose can be used for modern cryptographic ciphers/algorithms analysis in order to study cryptographic operations, components or modules and for avoiding time consuming approaches like exhaustive enumerations of search spaces (e.g. keys spaces).
Lupus Band Test

Cutaneous lupus lesions and the normal appearing skin of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients frequently, but not always, demonstrate the granular detxjsilion of immunogiobulin (Ig) and various complement components (C) along the dermal epidermal junction (DEI). The presence of these deposits have been employed to diagnose cutaneous lupus lesions and to differentiate benign cutaneous from SLE. Preliminary evidence suggests that the presence of these deposits in the normal appearing skin of untreated SLE patients are of prognostic significance. The purpose of this paper is to review the known data legarding the significance of these cle|3osits and to concentrate on the possible etiology ,ind role that these deposits may ur may not have in Ihe generation ofthe inflammatory lupus lesions.
SLO2 Channels Are Inhibited by All Divalent Cations That Activate SLO1 K+ Channels*

Two members of the family of high conductance K+ channels SLO1 and SLO2 are both activated by intracellular cations. However, SLO1 is activated by Ca2+ and other divalent cations, while SLO2 (Slack or SLO2.2 from rat) is activated by Na+. Curiously though, we found that SLO2.2 is inhibited by all divalent cations that activate SLO1, with Zn2+ being the most effective inhibitor with an IC50 of ∼8 μm in contrast to Mg2+, the least effective, with an IC50 of ∼ 1.5 mm. Our results suggest that divalent cations are not SLO2 pore blockers, but rather inhibit channel activity by an allosteric modification of channel gating. By site-directed mutagenesis we show that a histidine residue (His-347) downstream of S6 reduces inhibition by divalent cations. An analogous His residue present in some CNG channels is an inhibitory cation binding site. To investigate whether inhibition by divalent cations is conserved in an invertebrate SLO2 channel we cloned the SLO2 channel from Drosophila (dSLO2) and compared its properties to those of rat SLO2.2. We found that, like rat SLO2.2, dSLO2 was also activated by Na+ and inhibited by divalent cations. Inhibition of SLO2 channels in mammals and Drosophila by divalent cations that have second messenger functions may reflect the physiological regulation of these channels by one or more of these ions.
The influence of serum apolipoprotein E concentration and polymorphism on serum lipid parameters in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphism has been shown to influence serum lipid parameters and ApoE levels in both healthy subjects and hemodialysis (HD) patients. Conversely, ApoE concentration significantly affects serum lipid levels in the general population, independently of ApoE polymorphism, by modulating lipoprotein production, lipolytic conversion, and receptor-mediated clearance. Therefore, studying the effect of ApoE polymorphism on serum lipid levels without taking into account ApoE levels could lead to confounding results. However, such a combined study has not been performed in HD patients to date. METHODS Three hundred one patients without diabetes on long-term maintenance HD therapy and 200 matched healthy subjects were studied. Determination of levels of fasting serum ApoE and other lipid parameters, as well as common ApoE genotypes, was performed in all subjects. RESULTS HD patients had a significantly lower prevalence of the epsilon4 allele and greater levels of ApoE compared with the control population. ApoE2 allele carriers had significantly lower levels of ApoB and serum total, low-density lipoprotein, and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, as well as increased ApoE levels. When ApoE levels were included in analysis, ApoE levels themselves were proven to be important determinants of serum lipid levels, whereas the effect of ApoE polymorphism became more pronounced. The combination of these 2 factors explains a much greater percentage of the variation in the studied parameters than each factor alone. CONCLUSION For the first time, our study provides data to support that ApoE concentration in combination with the ApoE polymorphism significantly influences serum lipid parameters in HD patients.
Race and Sex Differences in Post–Myocardial Infarction Angina Frequency and Risk of 1-Year Unplanned Rehospitalization

Background: Race and sex disparities in in-hospital treatment and outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) have been described, but little is known about race and sex differences in post-MI angina and long-term risk of unplanned rehospitalization. We examined race and sex differences in post-MI angina frequency and 1-year unplanned rehospitalization to identify factors associated with unplanned rehospitalization, testing for whether race and sex modify these relationships. Methods: Using TRANSLATE-ACS (Treatment With Adenosine Diphosphate Receptor Inhibitors: Longitudinal Assessment of Treatment Patterns and Events after Acute Coronary Syndrome) data, we examined 6-week and 1-year angina frequency and 1-year unplanned rehospitalization stratified by race and sex among MI patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess factors associated with unplanned rehospitalization and tested for interactions among angina frequency, race, and sex. Results: A total of 11 595 MI patients survived to 1 year postdischarge; there were 66.6% white male patients, 24.3% white female patients, 5.3% black male patients, and 3.8% black female patients. Overall, 29.7% had angina at 6 weeks, and 20.6% had angina at 1 year postdischarge. Relative to white patients, black patients were more likely to have angina at 6 weeks (female: 44.2% versus 31.8%; male: 33.5% versus 27.1%; both P<0.0001) and 1 year (female: 49.4% versus 38.9%; male: 46.3% versus 31.1%; both P<0.0001). Rates of 1-year unplanned rehospitalization were highest among black female patients (44.1%), followed by white female patients (38.4%), black male patients (36.4%), and white male patients (30.2%, P<0.0001). In the multivariable model, 6-week angina was most strongly associated with unplanned rehospitalization (hazard ratio, 1.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.36–1.62; P<0.0001); this relationship was not modified by race or sex (adjusted 3-way Pinteraction=0.41). Conclusions: One-fifth of MI patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention report 1-year postdischarge angina, with black and female patients more likely to have angina and to be rehospitalized. Better treatment of post-MI angina may improve patient quality of life and quality of care and help to lower rates of rehospitalization overall and particularly among black and female patients, given their high prevalence of post-MI angina. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT01088503.
Lewis a antigen in transitional cell tumors of the urinary bladder

The failure of A,B,H antigens as prognostic parameters in noninvasive bladder cancer of blood group O individuals, who constitute 44% of the population, encouraged the evaluation of the closely related Lewis a antigen. Ninety‐three tumors of the urinary bladder were stained employing the Tween 20 (Merck)‐ modified immunoperoxidase staining technique and serial dilution of monoclonal anti‐Lewis a antibodies. On the basis of recent findings in non‐neoplastic ureter urothelium of erythrocyte Lea+b−, Lea‐b+, and Lea‐b− individuals, alterations in tumors, except eight from Lea‐b− individuals, were quantified on a scale from 0 (normal) to 3 (total loss). Scores were related to the pathologic stage and grade (P < 0.01), and, in stage P, tumors, to the clinical course: recurrence rate (P < 0.10), stroma invasive recurrence, and/or papillomatosis (P < 0.05). Although further studies are needed the current study points to Lewis a antigen determination as an advantageous prognostic tool in stage Pa tumors of the urinary bladder of Lea‐b+ and Lea+b− individuals, who, together, constitute 94% of the population. Cancer 58:222–228, 1986.