Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gene expression of early hypertrophic scar tissue screened by means of cDNA microarrays.

BACKGROUND Hypertrophic scar is an excessive healing response that often follows thermal injury. The most outstanding morphologic change is the overdeposition of collagen, which is caused by imbalance between synthesis and metabolism of collagen. Previous studies also found that transforming growth factor-beta was the key factor controlling scar formation. However, neither anti-transforming growth factor-beta nor other methods could completely control scar formation and contraction. This fact suggests a multifactorial cause. Fortunately, cDNA microarray throws light on the general alteration at the gene level, and thus could allow us to find some new clues for understanding scar formation and contraction. METHODS In this article, we report the results obtained from the scanning of gene expression of hypertrophic scar by means of cDNA microarray. Five cases of early human postburn hypertrophic scars were selected. Total tissue RNA was extracted from each hypertrophic scar sample and the corresponding uninjured region skin tissue; mRNA was further purified by Oligotex and then was reversely transcribed to cDNAs with the incorporation of fluorescent dUTP to prepare the hybridization probes. The mixed probes were hybridized to the cDNA microarray containing 4,096 genes on a type of chemical material-coated glass slide. After high-stringent washing, the hybridized slides were scanned for fluorescent signal detection. Then, the expression and distribution of cytoskeletal genes such as alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) gene; fibroblast tropomyosin TM30(pl) gene; vimentin gene; profilin gene; and BM40 gene of hypertrophic scar at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months age were further quantitatively studied by in situ hybridization or immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Our data indicated that there were 94 genes overexpressed and 3 genes down-regulated in early postburn hypertrophic scar. These altered genes were related to proto-oncogenes, apoptosis, immune regulatory genes, cytoskeletal elements, metabolism, and so forth. We also found that the detected cytoskeletal gene expression was much more intense at all time points than the control group. Consistent with clinical observation, cytoskeletal genes reached a peak at an early stage and gradually decreased. CONCLUSION Our study implied that multiple genes are involved in scar formation and contraction. Interferon is an autosecreted cytokine that might be responsible for self-control of overgrowth of cells in wounds. The early period of hypertrophic scar formation might be a good time for preventing overgrowth and contraction of hypertrophic scar by gene therapy.
ANDImage: An adaptive architecture for nude detection in image

With the popularization of Internet access, institutions and parents have encountered serious problems to prevent access by employers and children to inappropriate content such as pornographic pages. The detection mechanisms try to circumvent or at least mitigate this problem by using of filters or mechanisms that enable the nudity detection in digital images. This paper proposes ANDImage, an adaptative architecture for nude detection in images, which uses a module zoning with color information to describe a nudity image. The SVM classifier is used in classifying samples. Experimental results show the efficiency of the model can achieve accuracy rates of up to 94.3% in a base composed of 2.250 nudity images and 3.110 neutral images.
Foamy Viruses Are Unconventional Retroviruses

Foamy viruses (FVs; also known as spumaviruses or spumaretroviruses) are classified as one of the genera of the Retroviridae. The FVs, first described in 1954 (18) and isolated in 1971 (1), have been rather neglected relative to their better known retroviral cousins, the type C oncoviruses and lentiviruses. Nonetheless, detailed analyses of this group during the past few years have revealed surprising, and in some cases remarkable, differences from all other retroviruses. In fact, in some respects their replication bridges the gap between retroviruses and the only other family of vertebrate reverse transcriptase (RT)-encoding viruses, the Hepadnaviridae. FVs are widespread, and viruses have been readily isolated from a variety of primate species, including gorillas (7), chimpanzees (33), baboons (13), African green monkeys (64), and numerous others. Recent phylogenetic analysis indicates that FVs have coevolved with their hosts (13). Feline (54, 57) and bovine species (40) are also infected by FV. There are several reports that FVs were detected in other species, such as sea lions (43) and hamsters (38), but no viral isolates are currently available. Studies of both simian foamy virus (SFV) and bovine foamy virus (BFV) in their natural hosts indicate that antiviral antibodies, but not viral infections, are acquired maternally. Animals become infected as young adults, presumably via saliva through biting or licking (13, 44). These viruses are highly cytopathic in many types of cells in tissue culture, leading to rapid syncytium formation, vacuolization of cells (hence the name foamy), and cell death (the biology of FVs is reviewed in reference 37). Human diploid fibroblast cells and baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells are particularly sensitive to FV-induced cytopathic effects. Paradoxically, it is also possible to infect some cell lines, such as cell lines derived from human hematopoietic cells, and obtain persistently infected cultures which produce fairly high titers of replication-competent virus in the absence of cell death (91). The difference in host cell response that potentiates a lytic versus a persistent infection is not yet understood. It is rather curious that a virus which can be exceedingly cytopathic in vitro has not been unequivocally shown to cause disease. A major difference between FVs and the other retroviruses, as well as the hepadnaviruses, is that there is no evidence that FVs are pathogenic in either naturally or accidentally infected hosts. This has kindled interest in the use of FV as a vector for gene transfer (11, 62, 72).
Structural requirements in 20-oxo-steroids for interaction with the binding site of 20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

Kinetic measurements were made to investigate the interaction of 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and a series of steroids with C-17 and/or C-21 hydroxyl groups, and the role of the region around C-17 and C-21 on the interaction of the reacting 20-oxo group with the catalytic site of the enzyme was considered. Substitution of a hydroxyl group for hydrogen at C-21 of 17-deoxy-steroid derivatives caused a significant decrease in the apparent Vmax value (to about one-sixth to one-ninth), but a slight increase in the apparent Km value (about 1.1- to 1.8-fold). The same change at C-21 of 17-hydroxy-steroid derivatives caused little or no decrease in the apparent Vmax value, but an increase in the apparent Km (about 1.4- to 1.8-fold) occurred which was similar to that with 17-deoxy-steroid derivatives. In 21-deoxy-11-deoxy-steroid derivatives, a 17α-hydroxyl substituent had little effect on the apparent Km value (about 0.8- to 1.1-fold) and produced a slight decrease in the apparent Vmax value (to about three-quarters to two-fifths). Introduction of a 17α-hydroxyl group into 21-deoxy-11-oxo-steroid derivatives led to a significant decrease in the apparent Km value (to about one-seventh) and a moderate decrease in the apparent Vmax value (to about five-sixths to one-half). Introduction of a 17α-hydroxyl group into 21-hydroxy-steroid derivatives caused the apparent Vmax value to increase by about 1.8- to 11-fold, but caused little or no decrease in the apparent Km value. These results suggest that the hydroxyl group at the 21- or 17α-position directly restricted the conformation and the orientation of the 20-oxo group towards the catalytic site of the enzyme and influenced the hydrogen transfer stage in the catalytic process, and also that, of the substituents at the 21- and 17α-positions, the latter may preferentially affect the reaction efficiency of the 20-oxo group. The presence of an oxo group at C-11 had an indirect influence on the effects of the substituents at the 21- and 17α-positions. The optimum orientation of the 20-oxo group for the catalytic reaction may occur in 21-deoxy-17-deoxy-11-deoxy-steroid derivatives. In an ideal ternary complex, the 20-oxo group of the steroid may project towards the β-face of the steroid ring and the conformation between the 20-oxo group and α-hydrogen of C-17 is nearly staggered, while that between C-21 and the α-hydrogen of C-17, looking along the C-17 to C-20 axis, is in a skew form ; the 20-oxo group is orientated rather far from the methyl group at the β-position of C-13 and more towards the β-chain of C-16.
Dynamics of influence processes on networks: Complete mean-field theory; the roles of response functions, connectivity, and synchrony; and applications to social contagion

We study binary state dynamics on a network where each node acts in response to the average state of its neighborhood. Allowing varying amounts of stochasticity in both the network and node responses, we find different outcomes in random and deterministic versions of the model. In the limit of a large, dense network, however, we show that these dynamics coincide. We construct a general mean field theory for random networks and show this predicts that the dynamics on the network are a smoothed version of the average response function dynamics. Thus, the behavior of the system can range from steady state to chaotic depending on the response functions, network connectivity, and update synchronicity. As a specific example, we model the competing tendencies of imitation and non-conformity by incorporating an off-threshold into standard threshold models of social contagion. In this way we attempt to capture important aspects of fashions and societal trends. We compare our theory to extensive simulations of this “limited imitation contagion” model on Poisson random graphs, finding agreement between the mean-field theory and stochastic simulations.
The effect of high‐fibre diet on plasma lipoproteins and hormones in genetically obese Zucker rats

Abstract. The effects of prolonged substitution of readily digested carbohydrates (wheat starch) for poorly digested carbohydrates (mixture of various fibres and crude potato starch) on plasma lipids, lipoproteins and hormones were investigated in Zucker, genetically obese rats. Lean rats were also studied in parallel. Usually, plasma lipid and insulin levels and insulin/glucose ratio were higher in obese rats vs. their lean littermates. High‐fibre diet intake led to weight loss in both obese and lean rats. With a high‐fibre diet, plasma lipid, insulin and glucose postprandial levels in both groups were reduced when compared with their respective control animals. Dietary fibre modified the lipoprotein profile. Triglycerides and cholesterol were reduced in all studied lipoprotein fractions. The study of high density lipoprotein (HDL) fraction in rats fed a high‐fibre diet demonstrated a decrease in the HDL1 subpopulation and in the apolipoprotein (apo)E proportion. The findings show that a high‐fibre diet modulates plasma lipid, insulin and glucose levels and modifies the plasma lipoprotein distribution and composition in normolipaemic, lean rats as well as in hyperlipaemic, genetically obese rats.
Adherence of Viable and Nonviable Bacteria to Soft Contact Lenses

Bacterial viability in bacterial adherence to new soft contact lenses (SCLs) was studied by exposing polymacon and lidofilcon A lenses to Pseudomonas aeruginosa: L, live, untreated bacteria; H, bacteria heated for 1 h at 100°C; and P, bacteria treated with 3% hydrogen peroxide for 1 h. Cultures of groups L, H, and P showed heavy, no, and minimal bacterial growth, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed significantly less bacteria on new SCLs in groups H and P. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that bacterial shape was mostly preserved in all groups, with marked intracel-lular and cell membrane changes and breaks (groups H and P), margination of intracellular electron-dense material (group H), and central and peripheral vacuolation (group P). Adherence to new SCLs appears to be an active process, as killed or altered bacteria adhere less.
Statistics of Impedance and Scattering Matrices in Chaotic Microwave Cavities: Single Channel Case

We study the statistical properties of the impedance (Z) and scattering (S) matrices of open electromagnetic cavities with several transmission lines or waveguides connected to the cavity. In this paper, we mainly discuss the single port case. The generalization to multiple ports is treated in a companion paper. The model we consider is based on assumed properties of chaotic eigenfunctions for the closed system. Analysis of the model successfully reproduces features of the random matrix model believed to be universal, while at the same time incorporating features which are specific to individual systems as treated by the Poisson kernel of Mello et al. Statistical properties of the cavity impedance Z are obtained in terms of the radiation impedance (i.e., the impedance seen at a port with the cavity walls moved to infinity). Effects of wall absorption are discussed. Theoretical predictions are tested by direct comparison with numerical solutions for a specific system. (Here the word universal is used to denote high frequency statistical properties that are shared by the members of the general class of systems whose corresponding ray trajectories are chaotic. These universal properties are, by definition, independent of system-specific details.)
Overexpression of the Anaphase Promoting Complex/Cyclosome Inhibitor Emi1 Leads to Tetraploidy and Genomic Instability of p53-Deficient Cells

The anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that controls the cell cycle by directing the ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis of Sphase and mitosis promoting factors. Emi1 is an E2F transcriptional target that drives cell cycle progression from G1/S through early mitosis by inhibiting the APC/C’s ubiquitin ligase activity, and thus facilitates accumulation of APC/C substrates. Using cell culture model systems, we found that Emi1 overexpression leads to proliferation, tetraploidy and genome instability of cells deficient for p53. We propose that loss of pRb repression of E2F-mediated transcription causing misregulation of Emi1 and APC/C substrates results in the generation of tetraploidy and proliferation of genomically unstable cells in the absence of normal p53 function. This represents a potentially important mechanism by whichpRb and p53 dysfunction may contribute to tumorigenesis through the generation of genomic instability.
In vitro Untersuchungen zur Beeinflussung von Proliferation und Differenzierung humaner Osteoblasten durch Konzentration und Zyklizität von Progesteron nach Estradiolexposition

Zur Klarung der Frage, ob und wie Progesteron den Knochen-Metabolismus beeinflusst, wurden primare humane Osteoblasten fur 14 bzw. 28 Tage mit 10-10M Estradiol und ab Tag 8 zusatzlich mit Progesteron in Konzentrationen zwischen 10-6M und 10-10M inkubiert. Nach Inkubation mit physiologischen Progesteronkonzentrationen stieg der Differenzierungsmarker ALP um bis zu 170%, die supraphysiologische Progesteron–Konzentration reduzierte ALP um bis 80%. Der stimulierende Effekt des Progesterons war konzentrationsabhangig, von Estradiol unabhangig, und erreichte sein Maximum bei einer Progesteron-Konzentration von 10-9M, der typischen Serumkonzentration in der Lutealphase ovulatorischer Zyklen.
Consumer satisfaction among patients and their general practitioners about involving nurse specialists in primary care for patients with urinary incontinence.

BACKGROUND Urinary incontinence (UI) is a very common problem, but existing guidelines on UI are not followed. To bring care in line with guidelines, we planned an intervention to involve nurse specialists on UI in primary care and assessed this in a randomised controlled trial. Alongside this intervention, we assessed consumer satisfaction among patients and general practitioners (GPs). METHODS Patients' satisfaction with the care provided by either nurse specialists (intervention group) or GPs (control group), respectively, was measured with a self-completed questionnaire. GPs' views on the involvement of nurse specialists were measured in a structured telephone interview. RESULTS The patient satisfaction score on the care offered by nurse specialists was 8.4 (scale 1-10), vs. 6.7 for care-as-usual by GPs. Over 85% of patients would recommend nurse specialist care to their best friends and 77% of the GPs considered the role of the nurse specialist to be beneficial, giving it a mean score of 7.2. CONCLUSIONS Although the sample was relatively small and the stability of the results only provisionally established, substituting UI care from GP to nurse specialist appears to be welcomed by both patients and GPs. Small changes like giving additional UI-specific information and devoting more attention to UI (which had been given little attention before) would provide a simple instrument to stimulate patients to change their behaviour in the right direction.
Hypoxia-dependent reactive oxygen species signaling in the pulmonary circulation: focus on ion channels.

SIGNIFICANCE An acute lack of oxygen in the lung causes hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, which optimizes gas exchange. In contrast, chronic hypoxia triggers a pathological vascular remodeling causing pulmonary hypertension, and ischemia can cause vascular damage culminating in lung edema. RECENT ADVANCES Regulation of ion channel expression and gating by cellular redox state is a widely accepted mechanism; however, it remains a matter of debate whether an increase or a decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) occurs under hypoxic conditions. Ion channel redox regulation has been described in detail for some ion channels, such as Kv channels or TRPC6. However, in general, information on ion channel redox regulation remains scant. CRITICAL ISSUES AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS In addition to the debate of increased versus decreased ROS production during hypoxia, we aim here at describing and deciphering why different oxidants, under different conditions, can cause both activation and inhibition of channel activity. While the upstream pathways affecting channel gating are often well described, we need a better understanding of redox protein modifications to be able to determine the complexity of ion channel redox regulation. Against this background, we summarize the current knowledge on hypoxia-induced ROS-mediated ion channel signaling in the pulmonary circulation.
Microlensing towards the SMC: a new analysis of OGLE and EROS results

We present a new analysis of the results of the EROS-2, OGLE-II, and OGLE-III microlensing campaigns towards the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). Through a statistical analysis we address the issue of the \emph{nature} of the reported microlensing candidate events, whether to be attributed to lenses belonging to known population (the SMC luminous components or the Milky Way disc, to which we broadly refer to as "self lensing") or to the would be population of dark matter compact halo objects (MACHOs). To this purpose, we present profiles of the optical depth and, comparing to the observed quantities, we carry out analyses of the events position and duration. Finally, we evaluate and study the microlensing rate. Overall, we consider five reported microlensing events towards the SMC (one by EROS and four by OGLE). The analysis shows that in terms of number of events the expected self lensing signal may indeed explain the observed rate. However, the characteristics of the events, spatial distribution and duration (and for one event, the projected velocity) rather suggest a non-self lensing origin for a few of them. In particular we evaluate, through a likelihood analysis, the resulting upper limit for the halo mass fraction in form of MACHOs given the expected self-lensing and MACHO lensing signal. At 95% CL, the tighter upper limit, about 10%, is found for MACHO mass of 10−2M⊙, upper limit that reduces to above 20% for 0.5M⊙ MACHOs.
Cyclic AMP, but not basic FGF, increases the in vitro survival of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons and protects them from MPP+‐induced degeneration

We studied how stimulation of protein kinase C and cAMP‐dependent protein kinases affect the development of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons in primary cell cultures derived from fetal rats at embryonic day E14. The effects of compounds which activate these second messenger systems were compared to those of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I). In mesencephalic cultures, there was a continuous loss of dopaminergic neurons. Despite this decline in cell number, neurotransmitter uptake per neuron increased with time, indicating that the surviving dopaminergic neurons continued their biochemical differentiation while others degenerated. IGF‐I and bFGF did not affect the number of dopaminergic neurons. However, dopamine uptake per neuron was significantly higher in bFGF and IGF‐I treated cultures, suggesting that these factors stimulated differentiation. Protein kinase C and cAMP‐dependent protein kinases were not involved in mediating the effects of bFGF and IGF‐I. Treatment of cultures with phorbol esters did not affect dopamine uptake, whereas elevated levels of intracellular cAMP resulted in an increase in dopamine uptake which was additive to that elicited by bFGF or IGF‐I. Further analysis revealed that exposure of mesencephalic cultures to dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) during the first 3 days after plating increased the survival of dopaminergic neurons, whereas prolonged treatment attenuated the development of the dopamine uptake system. Moreover, cyclic AMP, but not bFGF, was able to prevent the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons induced by 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐pyridinium ion (MPP+), the active metabolite of 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). The results suggest that increased intracellular levels of cAMP protect dopaminergic neurons in situations of stress like the process of dissociation and plating or the exposure to neurotoxic compounds. Our results reveal novel possibilities for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.