Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reversal of the Malignant Phenotype of Gastric Cancer Cells by Inhibition of RhoA Expression and Activity

Purpose: The small GTPase RhoA has been implicated in the regulation of cell morphology, motility, and transformation, but the role of RhoA protein in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer remains unclear. In the present study, we have analyzed the expression status of the RhoA protein in human gastric cancer cells and tissues and investigated the possible involvement of RhoA in regulating the malignant phenotype of gastric cancer cells. Experimental Design: RhoA expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. The RhoA-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) vector was designed and constructed. We examined the role of RhoA in the malignant phenotype of gastric cancer cells by using siRNA knockdown and dominant-negative RhoA mutant suppression of endogenous RhoA activity. Results: RhoA was found frequently overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues and cells compared with normal tissues or gastric epithelial cells. RhoA-specific siRNA could specifically and stably reduce RhoA expression up to 90% in AGS cells. Both RhoA-specific siRNA and dominant-negative RhoA expressions could significantly inhibit the proliferation and tumorigenicity of AGS cells and enhance chemosensitivity of the cancer cells to Adriamycin and 5-fluorouracil. Conclusion: RhoA may play a critical role in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer, and the interference of RhoA expression and/or activity could provide a novel avenue in reversing the malignant phenotype of gastric cancer cells.
Prevalence of risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus infection in the Australian population

A random, stratified sample of 2601 adult Australians from all states and territories was interviewed about knowledge of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). After the interview, an anonymous questionnaire on the prevalence of practices that are associated with risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was left with the respondents; 60.2% of these questionnaires were returned. Data from this survey suggest that the prevalences of male homosexual behaviour, prostitute contact and lesbian contact are substantially lower than were estimated previously. Men with homosexual experience were significantly more prevalent in the more populous states, but the majority of other risk factors — intravenous drug abuse, male respondents' contact with prostitutes, transfusion of blood or blood products during 1980‐1985 and heterosexual contact — showed few significant associations with geographical, occupational or marital status. Intravenous drug abusers were significantly younger, and heterosexual contact was associated with age for both male and female respondents. No significant differences were found in the prevalence of homosexual contact among single, married and previously‐married men, although the prevalence of homosexual contact was lower in married men. The results of the study are discussed in terms of targeting preventive campaigns and assessing the future potential for the spread of HIV infection.
Erythrocyte Binding Properties of Streptococcal Lipoteichoic Acids

The lipoteichoic acids (LTA) of gram-positive bacteria are known to bind spontaneously to a variety of animal cell membranes. We investigated the biological and biochemical characteristics of the binding of LTA of Streptococcus pyogenes and S. faecalis to human and sheep erythrocytes. The kinetics of the binding of the radiolabeled LTA ([3H]LTA) from each of these organisms to erythrocytes was similar. The dissociation constants for sheep and adult human erythrocytes were 1.6 μM and 4.5 μM, respectively, whereas that of human cord blood erythrocytes was approximately 10-fold higher, 31 μM. The number of binding sites for sheep erythrocytes was calculated to be 7.2 × × 106 per cell, and that of human erythrocytes, 29 × 106 per cell. Binding was reversible. More than 50% of bound [3H]LTA was displaced from erythrocytes by a 50-fold excess of unlabeled LTA. LTA prepared from heterologous species of gram-positive bacteria were all inhibitory to the binding of [3H]LTA whether derived from S. pyogenes or from S. faecalis. Among a number of potential receptor analogues and other inhibitors tested, including serum albumin, gangliosides Gm2 and Gm3, lipopolysaccharide of gram-negative bacteria, and various sugars, only albumin and the gangliosides significantly inhibited LTA binding. Trypsin or neuraminidase treatment of erythrocytes had no effect on LTA binding. Deacylation of [3H]LTA abolished binding ability and binding was restored by esterification of the deacylated material with stearoyl chloride, indicating that ester-linked lipids are necessary for membrane binding.
Prolonged intravenous instead of oral antibiotics for acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in children.

The “Things We Do for No Reason” (TWDFNR) series reviews practices which have become common parts of hospital care but which may provide little value to our patients. Practices reviewed in the TWDFNR series do not represent “black and white” conclusions or clinical practice standards, but are meant as a starting place for research and active discussions among hospitalists and patients. We invite you to be part of that discussion.
Supporting active learning through game-like exercises

This paper presents a software tool that supports teaching, assessment and student directed learning in AI and multi-agent systems courses. E-game is a configurable on-line auction server that promotes active learning through the use of simulation exercises. The system can be used to teach and demonstrate principles in negotiation protocols, market mechanisms and agent strategies. Moreover, it provides the facilities for instructors to develop exercises that can be used for teaching or assessment providing the students with a challenging and interactive environment and the opportunity to experiment and put into practice the principles taught.
Clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias in a population survey. Agreement and causes of disagreement in applying Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revised Third Edition, Criteria.

In a population survey aimed to detect cases of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, two preliminary diagnoses were made independently with the purpose of using the concordant diagnoses as final diagnoses. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revised Third Edition, diagnostic criteria were followed. The 668 subjects examined were selected from the population of an area in Stockholm, Sweden, aged 75 years or more, with the Mini-Mental State Examination used as a screening test. The agreement on dementia diagnosis was moderate (kappa = .54) and could be clearly improved (kappa = .70) with modifications to the diagnostic criteria, such as adding a category of questionable dementia and giving more guidelines in the definition of impairment of a function. The agreement on the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease vs vascular dementia vs secondary dementia was substantial (kappa = .67) when the cases with concordant dementia diagnoses were examined.
A vector measure for the intelligence of a question-answering (Q-A) system

The problem of quantification of intelligence of humans, and of intelligent systems, has been a challenging and controversial topic. IQ tests have been traditionally used to quantify human intelligence based on results of test designed by psychologists. It is in general very difficult to quantify intelligence. In this paper the authors consider a simple question-answering (Q-A) system and use this to quantify intelligence. The authors quantify intelligence as a vector with three components. The components consist of a measure of knowledge in asking questions, effectiveness of questions asked, and correctness of deduction. The authors formalize these parameters and have conducted experiments on humans to measure these parameters. >
Synthesis of the System for Automatic Formation of Underwater Vehicle's Program Velocity

In this paper a method of automatic formation of program signal of underwater vehicle’s (UV) movement is proposed. This method allows providing its movement on desires spatial trajectory with maximal velocity and desired accuracy. For this purpose an additional control loop is included in UV’s control system. This control loop provides a tuning of UV’s desirable velocity of movement along desirable trajectory. If current UV’s deviation from this trajectory more than allowable value then this control loop decreases a value of UV’s desirable velocity and vice versa. Proposed approach provides to increase efficiency of using of existing UV’s control systems.
The Finnish national guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow‐up of patients with wet age‐related macular degeneration

Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is the main cause of visual impairment in developed countries. Several improvements in the visualization of posterior segment of the eye together with the introduction of intravitreal anti‐VEGF treatment have revolutionized the prognosis of the wet form of AMD (wAMD). Increasing incidence of wAMD together with the limited resources of society and of the healthcare system poses challenges for the provision and development of care. In context of these current aspects, we aimed to set evidence‐based medical guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow‐up of patients with wAMD.
Attitudes Toward Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Farmers' Market Usage Among Low-Income North Carolinians

Low fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption is associated with higher rates of obesity and chronic disease among low-income individuals. Understanding attitudes towards F&V consumption and addressing policy and environmental changes could help improve diet and reduce disease risk. A survey of North Carolinians receiving government assistance was used to describe benefits, barriers, and facilitators of eating F&V and shopping at farmers' markets in this population. A total of 341 eligible individuals from 14 counties completed the survey. The most commonly cited barriers to eating F&V were cost (26.4%) and not having time to prepare F&V (7.3%). Facilitators included access to affordable locally grown F&V (13.5%) and knowledge to quickly and easily prepare F&V (13.2%). Among people who did not use farmers' markets, common barriers to shopping there were not being able to use food assistance program benefits (35.3%) and not knowing of a farmers' market in their area (28.8%); common facilitators included transportation (24.8%) and having more information about farmers' market hours (22.9%). In addition to breaking down structural/environmental barriers to farmers' market usage, there is a need to disseminate promotional information about farmers' markets, including hours, location, and accepted forms of payment.
Prevalence and correlates of traumatic brain injuries among adolescents.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) among adolescents has been identified as an important health priority. However, studies of TBI among adolescents in large representative samples are lacking.This information is important to the planning and evaluation of injury prevention efforts, particularly because even minor TBI may have important adverse consequences. We describe the prevalence of TBI, the mechanisms of injury, and adverse correlates in a large representative sample of adolescents living in Ontario, Canada. Language: en
A small-molecule inhibitor targeting the AURKC–IκBα interaction decreases transformed growth of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

The Aurora kinases, Aurora A (AURKA), Aurora B (AURKB), and Aurora C (AURKC), are serine/threonine kinases required for the control of mitosis (AURKA and AURKB) or meiosis (AURKC). Several Aurora kinase inhibitors are being investigated as novel anticancer therapeutics. Recent studies demonstrated that AURKC activation contributes to breast cancer cell transformation. Therefore, AURKC is both a promising marker and therapeutic target for breast cancer; however, its signaling network has not been fully characterized. Using translocation-based cellular assays, we identified IκBα as a binding partner of AURKC, and found that AURKC phosphorylates IκBα at Ser32, thereby activating it. In silico modeling and computational analyses revealed a small-molecule inhibitor (AKCI) that blocked the AURKC–IκBα interaction and exerted antitumor activity in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Specifically, AKCI induced G2/M cell-cycle arrest through modulation of the p53/p21/CDC2/cyclin B1 pathways. In addition, the drug significantly inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell migration and invasion, as well as decreasing colony formation and tumor growth. Via its interaction with IκBα, AURKC indirectly induced NF-κB activation; accordingly, AKCI decreased PMA-induced activation of NF-κB. Thus, the small-molecule inhibitor AKCI represents a first step towards developing targeted inhibitors of AURKC protein binding, which may lead to further advances in the treatment of breast cancer.
Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) and peroxyacetic acid (PAA) measurements by iodide chemical ionisation mass spectrometry: first analysis of results in the boreal forest and implications for the measurement of PAN fluxes

Abstract. We describe measurements of peroxyacetyl nitrate (CH3C(O)O2NO2, PAN) and peroxyacetic acid (CH3C(O)OOH, PAA) in the Boreal forest using iodide chemical ionization mass spectrometry (ICIMS). The measurements were made during the Hyytiala United Measurement of Photochemistry and Particles – Comprehensive Organic Particle and Environmental Chemistry (HUMPPA-COPEC-2010) measurement intensive. Mixing ratios of PAN and PAA were determined by measuring the acetate ion signal (CH3C(O)O−, m/z = 59) resulting from reaction of CH3C(O)O2 (from the thermal dissociation of PAN) or CH3C(O)OOH with iodide ions using alternatively heated and ambient temperature inlet lines. During some periods of high temperature (~ 30 °C) and low NOx (
Metazoan-protozoan parasite co-infections and host body weight in St Kilda Soay sheep

SUMMARY For hundreds of years, the unmanaged Soay sheep population on St Kilda has survived despite enduring presumably deleterious co-infections of helminth, protozoan and arthropod parasites and intermittent periods of starvation. Important parasite taxa in young Soay sheep are strongyles (Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus vitrinus and Teladorsagia circumcincta), coccidia (11 Eimeria species) and keds (Melophagus ovinus) and in older animals, Teladorsagia circumcincta. In this research, associations between the intensity of different parasite taxa were investigated. Secondly, the intensities of different parasite taxa were tested for associations with variation in host weight, which is itself a determinant of over-winter survival in the host population. In lambs, the intensity of strongyle eggs was positively correlated with that of Nematodirus spp. eggs, while in yearlings and adults strongyle eggs and coccidia oocysts were positively correlated. In lambs and yearlings, of the parasite taxa tested, only strongyle eggs were significantly and negatively associated with host weight. However, in adult hosts, strongyles and coccidia were independently and negatively associated with host weight. These results are consistent with the idea that strongyles and coccidia are exerting independent selection on Soay sheep.
UV radiation exposure related to age, sex, occupation, and sun behavior based on time-stamped personal dosimeter readings.

OBJECTIVE To assess individual time-related (time-stamped) UV radiation (UVR) dose pattern and sun exposure behavior. DESIGN Open prospective observational study. SETTING University hospital. Study Subjects Two hundred eighty-five Danish volunteers with apparently healthy skin: children, adolescents, indoor workers, sun worshippers, golfers, and gardeners (age range, 4-68 years). Measurements We developed a personal electronic UVR dosimeter in a wristwatch (SunSaver) and measured continuously time-related UVR doses in standard erythema dose (SED) and corresponding sun exposure behavior from diaries, resulting in 346 sun-years (median, 119 days). The estimated yearly UVR doses were calculated based on personal and ambient measured doses. RESULTS The median estimated yearly UVR dose was 173 SEDs (range, 132 SEDs [indoor workers]-224 SEDs [gardeners]), with no significant difference by age (P =.25) or sex (P =.75). The SED of girls (175 SEDs) was significantly (P =.04) higher than that of boys (116 SEDs). Subjects younger than 20 years had an increase of 5 SEDs per year (P =.03). Sunbathing or exposing shoulders (risk behavior) outside the beach resulted in a median of 2.5 SEDs per day in northern Europe and 3.2 SEDs per day in southern Europe; however, at the beach, corresponding values were 4.6 and 6.9 SEDs per day. Children and adolescents received more than half their total UVR dose at the beach. Sunburning doses above 10 SEDs per day were connected with sunbathing or exposing shoulders. Of the UVR dose, 50% was received between noon and 3 PM. Only the gardeners received most of their UVR dose (55%) on working days. CONCLUSIONS High UVR doses are connected with risk behavior, except for outdoor workers. There is no need to change sun exposure habits on days without risk behavior.
Gene Expression Profiling of Listeria monocytogenes Strain F2365 during Growth in Ultrahigh-Temperature-Processed Skim Milk

ABSTRACT To study how Listeria monocytogenes survives and grows in ultrahigh-temperature-processed (UHT) skim milk, microarray technology was used to monitor the gene expression profiles of strain F2365 in UHT skim milk. Total RNA was isolated from strain F2365 in UHT skim milk after 24 h of growth at 4°C, labeled with fluorescent dyes, and hybridized to “custom-made” commercial oligonucleotide (35-mers) microarray chips containing the whole genome of L. monocytogenes strain F2365. Compared to L. monocytogenes grown in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth for 24 h at 4°C, 26 genes were upregulated (more-than-twofold increase) in UHT skim milk, whereas 14 genes were downregulated (less-than-twofold decrease). The upregulated genes included genes encoding transport and binding proteins, transcriptional regulators, proteins in amino acid biosynthesis and energy metabolism, protein synthesis, cell division, and hypothetical proteins. The downregulated genes included genes that encode transport and binding proteins, protein synthesis, cellular processes, cell envelope, energy metabolism, a transcriptional regulator, and an unknown protein. The gene expression changes determined by microarray assays were confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase PCR analyses. Furthermore, cells grown in UHT skim milk displayed the same sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide as cells grown in BHI, demonstrating that the elevated levels of expression of genes encoding manganese transporter complexes in UHT skim milk did not result in changes in the oxidative stress sensitivity. To our knowledge, this report represents a novel study of global transcriptional gene expression profiling of L. monocytogenes in a liquid food.
Computer Graphics and Medicine: A Complex Partnership

Developers of graphics applications in medicine face unique challenges in working closely with physicians. They must understand both the technology they support and the limitations of the techniques they use. In this article, I describe the unique challenges facing application developers and review the significant techniques in terms of their strengths and weaknesses in particular applications. In some cases, I also describe lessons learned about misapplying techniques. Hopefully these insights will help to redirect application "misses" and focus effort where it is most needed.
A Compact Antenna With Broad Bandwidth and Quad-Sense Circular Polarization

A new compact antenna design with broad bandwidth and quad-sense circular polarization (CP) is presented in this letter. The broadband property is achieved based on a compact monopole structure. Furthermore, the quad-sense CP wave is obtained by a ground plane embedded with a T-shaped slit (TSS) and an annular patch etched by an X-shaped slit (XSS). Good agreement is achieved between the simulation and measurement, which shows that the presented antenna covers the impedance operations from 3.1 to 22.2 GHz ( S11 <; -10 dB), reaching the particularly broad bandwidth of 150%. Moreover, the design achieves good CP waves at Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) (3.626-3.772 GHz) for left-hand CP (LHCP), the wireless local area network band (WLAN) (4.951-5.18 GHz) for right-hand CP (RHCP), X-band (10.9392-11.0456 GHz), and Ku-band (15.14-17.2 GHz) for LHCP. Simulated and measured results show that the CP 3-dB axial-ratio (AR) bandwidths are 4.02%, 4.51%, 1%, and 12.74% with a parasitic notch at the frequency of 17.75 GHz to realize good CP characteristics in quad bands.
Isokinetic muscle strength and hiking performance in elite sailors

The aim of the present study was to describe the isokinetic strength profile and its relation to hiking performance in male (Sm, n=15) and fmale (Sf, n=6) elite sailors compared to a group of male control subjects (Cm, n=8) similar in age, anthropometry and level of fitness. Eccentric knee extension strength was higher in Sm compared to Cm. (P<0.01). Furthermore, Sm were stronger during trunk extension (P < 0.05), but not during trunk flexion compared to CM. Overall muscle strength was lower in SF compared to SM (P < 0.01) and CM (P < 0.05), except for eccentric knee extension strength, where SF and CM did not differ (P > 0.05). Hiking performance correlated to maximal eccentric and isometric knee extensor strength in SF (rs= 0.83–0.88, P < 0.05) and in CM (rs= 0.73‐0.77, P < 0.05) and to maximal eccentric knee extensor strength at high velocity in SM (rs= 0.46‐0.54, P < 0.05). For a subgroup of hikers in SM (n= 8), hiking peformance correlated to maximal isometric‐eccentric knee extensor strength (rs=0.67‐0.74, P<0.05), whereas no correlations emerged for the non‐hikers (n=7). Few correlations were observed between hiking performance and maximal concentric trunk flexor strength (rs=0.69‐0.92, P < 0.05). Unexpectedly, in SM correlations also were observed between hiking performance and maximal strength of the trunk extensors (rs=0.46‐0.53, hike subgroup: rs=0.64‐0.67, P < 0.05). In conclusion, notably high levels of maximal eccentric knee extesor strength were observed for the male and female elite sailors examined in the present study. Furthermore, the present results suggest that hiking performance depends in part on maximal isometric‐eccentric knee extensor strength. The maximal strength of the trunk extensors, which potentially stabilizes the lower back and spine, also seems to have some importance for the hiking performance of top‐level sailors.