Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human Ryudocan from Endothelium-like Cells Binds Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor, Midkine, and Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (*)

Ryudocan, a heparan sulfate proteoglycan, was isolated from human endothelium-like EAhy926 cells by a combination of ion-exchange and immunoaffinity chromatography. Purified human ryudocan has biochemical properties similar to those of rat ryudocan isolated from microvascular endothelial cells. Human ryudocan contains only heparan sulfate (HS) glycosaminoglycan chains along with a core protein with an apparent molecular mass of 30 kDa. We evaluated the interactions between purified human ryudocan and several extracellular ligands by using a solid-phase binding assay. We found that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), midkine (MK), and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) exhibit significant ryudocan binding. Heparitinase (but not chondroitin ABC lyase) treatment destroyed the ability of ryudocan binding to bFGF, MK, and TFPI. Heparin and HS, but not chondroitin sulfate, inhibited such ryudocan binding. Thus, the HS chains of ryudocan appear to be responsible for its binding to bFGF, MK, and TFPI. The apparent dissociation constants for purified ryudocan were as follows: bFGF, 0.50 nM; MK, 0.30 nM; and TFPI, 0.74 nM. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that ryudocan was expressed in fibrous connective tissues, peripheral nerve tissues, and placental trophoblasts. These findings suggest that ryudocan may possess multiple biological functions, such as bFGF modulation, neurite growth promotion, and anticoagulation, via HS-binding effectors in the cellular microenvironment.
Relationships Between Immunophenotype, Ki-67 Index, Microvascular Density, Ep-CAM/P-cadherin, and MMP-2 Expression in Early-stage Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer

There is still a lack of complete consensus on immunohistochemical surrogate markers for luminal A (LA) and luminal B (LB), HER2, and basal-like subtypes of breast carcinomas and their correlation with cancer cell adhesion and invasion-promoting factors. Therefore, early-stage invasive ductal breast cancer patients (N=209) were recruited to the study and divided into 4 subtypes, on the basis of the expression of the estrogen/progesterone receptor and HER2 (LA: 74.4% of cases; LB: 7.8%; HER2: 5.6%; and triple-negative phenotype: 12.2%). Regardless of the above-mentioned classification, we divided all carcinomas into 2 groups: carcinomas expressing at least 1 basal marker [cytokeratine (CK)5/6, CK5, vimentin, epidermal growth factor receptor, or aberrant CK8/18 expression—membranous or in <10% of cells] versus carcinomas negative for basal markers. Then we studied the relationships between the above subtypes (2 classifications) and (i) the expression of adhesion molecules (Ep-CAM, P-cadherin), (ii) matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2, (iii) the proliferation index (MIB-1 LI), and (iv) the microvascular density. We confirmed that triple-negative phenotypes are characterized by basal marker expression, a high tumor grade, and high MIB-1 LI. In this subtype, we found MMP-2 expression in stromal leukocytes less frequently. Both LA carcinomas and carcinomas negative for basal markers were more often negative for epithelial cell adhesion molecule (Ep-CAM) and P-cadherin. Moreover, we noted a higher mean value of microvascular density in CK5/6 and Ep-CAM-immunopositive tumors, carcinomas with aberrant CK8/18 expression, and carcinomas with no or strong expression of MMP-2 in stromal fibroblast-like cells. These results might suggest that mechanisms of stroma remodeling and carcinogenesis (Ep-CAM is the suggested marker of breast progenitors) may differ between breast cancer subtypes.
Sufficient condition of extendibility for two-dimensional quadrant-symmetric autocorrelations

A sufficient condition for extendibility of two-dimensional (2-D) quadrant-symmetric measured correlations is derived via matrix decomposition. It is very simple to test whether such measured correlations satisfy this sufficiency condition because the test boils down to a positive definiteness checking of a set of Toeplitz form matrices. However, there are cases that the condition does not give any result due to the fact that it is only sufficient.
ESHAP--an effective chemotherapy regimen in refractory and relapsing lymphoma: a 4-year follow-up study.

PURPOSE This study attempted to determine the efficacy of the combination of etoposide (VP-16), methyl-prednisolone, and cytarabine (Ara-C) with or without cisplatin in relapsing and refractory adult lymphoma patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS The first 63 patients were randomized to receive VP-16 40 mg/m2/d for 4 days, methylprednisolone 500 mg intravenously daily for 5 days, and Ara-C 2 g/m2 intravenously over 2 to 3 hours on day 5 with or without cisplatin 25 mg/m2 IV administered by 24-hour infusion for 4 days (ESHA +/- P). Markedly different responses between ESHA (33%) and ESHAP (75%) led to deletion of the ESHA arm. A total of 122 patients on the ESHAP regimen were studied. RESULTS Forty-five patients (37%) attained a complete remission (CR) and 33 (27%) attained a partial remission (PR), for a total response rate of 64%. The median duration of CR was 20 months, with 28% of remitters still in CR at 3 years. The overall median survival duration was 14 months; the survival rate at 3 years was 31%. Overall time to treatment failure (TTF) showed 10% of all patients to be alive and disease-free at 40 months. Response and survival rates were similar in patients with low-grade (n = 34), intermediate-grade (n = 67), transformed (n = 18), and high-grade (n = 3) lymphoma. The most significant factors for response and survival by multivariate analysis were the serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) level, tumor burden, and age (when analyzed as a continuous variable), while prior CR was highly significant by univariate analysis. A significant difference in survival was noted for patients with normal LDH levels and low- or intermediate-tumor burden or patients with low tumor burden and elevated LDH levels (55% 3-year survival rate) versus patients with elevated LDH levels and intermediate or high tumor burden (< 20%). Major toxicities included myelosuppression, with a median granulocyte count of 500/microL and platelet count of 70,000/microL. CONCLUSION ESHAP was found to be an active, tolerable chemotherapy regimen for relapsing and refractory lymphoma. Applying a prognostic model based on tumor burden and serum LDH level shows significant differences in survival in this patient population.
Vestibular Influences on the Autonomic Nervous System a

Considerable evidence exists to suggest that both sympathetic and respiratory outflow from the central nervous system are influenced by the vestibular system. Otolith organs that respond to pitch rotations seem to play a predominant role in producing vestibulo-sympathetic and vestibulo-respiratory responses in cats. Because postural changes involving nose-up pitch challenge the maintenance of stable blood pressure and blood oxygenation in this species, vestibular effects on the sympathetic and respiratory systems are appropriate to participate in maintaining homeostasis during movement. Vestibular influences on respiration and circulation are mediated by a relatively small portion of the vestibular nuclear complex comprising regions in the medial and inferior vestibular nuclei just caudal to Deiters' nucleus. Vestibular signals are transmitted to sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the spinal cord through pathways that typically regulate the cardiovascular system. In contrast, vestibular effects on respiratory motoneurons are mediated in part by neural circuits that are not typically involved in the generation of breathing.
Tolerance of efavirenz in children

ObjectiveTo extend the limited knowledge of efavirenz tolerance in children. MethodAn observational study of 33 children given efavirenz combined with various others agents and followed in a single institution. ResultsFifteen (42%) of the children presented at least one clinically discernable side effect, cutaneous (n = 5), nervous system (n = 10), or both (n = 2). Intolerance led to treatment interruption in seven children but the main symptom was transitory dizziness or other signs similar to those observed in adults. ConclusionEarly, often transient nervous system side effects require careful preparation with the child and his family to avoid premature and inadequate withdrawal from treatment.
Internet addiction among young people in China: Internet connectedness, online gaming and academic performance decrement

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interrelationships between internet connectedness, online gaming, internet addiction symptoms, and academic performance decrement among the internet-dependent young people in China. Design/methodology/approach – A paper-based survey was conducted among the young clients in one of the earliest and largest internet addiction clinics in China. A total of 594 in-patients (mean age=17.76 y) voluntarily participated in this study. Findings – By adopting the concept of internet connectedness, this study explored the internet use patterns among the young internet addicts, for example, internet cafe patrons and those who use internet with more goals or higher degree of internet adhesiveness had more internet addiction symptoms. Online gaming was found to play a significant role in the development of internet addiction. As expected, the level of internet addiction is significantly linked to academic performance decrement. Consistent with previous studies, ma.
Iodide sensing via electrochemical etching of ultrathin gold films

Iodide is an essential element for humans and animals and insufficient intake is still a major problem. Affordable and accurate methods are required to quantify iodide concentrations in biological and environmental fluids. A simple and low cost sensing device is presented which is based on iodide induced electrochemical etching of ultrathin gold films. The sensitivity of resistance measurements to film thickness changes is increased by using films with a thickness smaller than the electron mean free path. The underlying mechanism is demonstrated by simultaneous cyclic voltammetry experiments and resistance change measurements in a buffer solution. Iodide sensing is conducted in buffer solutions as well as in lake water with limits of detection in the range of 1 μM (127 μg L−1) and 2 μM (254 μg L−1), respectively. In addition, nanoholes embedded in the thin films are tested for suitability of optical iodide sensing based on localized surface plasmon resonance.
CDP-choline: Effects of the procholine supplement on sensory gating and executive function in healthy volunteers stratified for low, medium and high P50 suppression

Diminished auditory sensory gating and associated neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenia have been linked to altered expression and function of the alpha-7 nicotinic acetycholinergic receptor (α7 nAChR), the targeting of which may have treatment potential. Choline is a selective α7 nAChR agonist and the aim of this study was to determine whether cytidine 5′-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline), or citicoline, a dietary source of choline, increases sensory gating and cognition in healthy volunteers stratified for gating level. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind design involving acute administration of low, moderate doses (500 mg, 1000 mg) of CDP-choline, 24 healthy volunteers were assessed for auditory gating as indexed by suppression of the P50 event-related potential (ERP) in a paired-stimulus (S1, S2) paradigm, and for executive function as measured by the Groton Maze Learning Task (GMLT) of the CogState Schizophrenia Battery. CDP-choline improved gating (1000 mg) and suppression of the S2 P50 response (500 mg, 1000 mg), with the effects being selective for individuals with low gating (suppression) levels. Tentative support was also shown for increased GMLT performance (500 mg) in low suppressors. These preliminary findings with CDP-choline in a healthy, schizophrenia-like surrogate sample are consistent with a α7 nAChR mechanism and support further trials with choline as a pro-cognitive strategy.
Applications of Machine Learning and High‐Dimensional Visualization in Cancer Detection, Diagnosis, and Management

Abstract: Recent technical advances in combinatorial chemistry, genomics, and proteomics have made available large databases of biological and chemical information that have the potential to dramatically improve our understanding of cancer biology at the molecular level. Such an understanding of cancer biology could have a substantial impact on how we detect, diagnose, and manage cancer cases in the clinical setting. One of the biggest challenges facing clinical oncologists is how to extract clinically useful knowledge from the overwhelming amount of raw molecular data that are currently available. In this paper, we discuss how the exploratory data analysis techniques of machine learning and high‐dimensional visualization can be applied to extract clinically useful knowledge from a heterogeneous assortment of molecular data. After an introductory overview of machine learning and visualization techniques, we describe two proprietary algorithms (PURS and RadViz™) that we have found to be useful in the exploratory analysis of large biological data sets. We next illustrate, by way of three examples, the applicability of these techniques to cancer detection, diagnosis, and management using three very different types of molecular data. We first discuss the use of our exploratory analysis techniques on proteomic mass spectroscopy data for the detection of ovarian cancer. Next, we discuss the diagnostic use of these techniques on gene expression data to differentiate between squamous and adenocarcinoma of the lung. Finally, we illustrate the use of such techniques in selecting from a database of chemical compounds those most effective in managing patients with melanoma versus leukemia.
Large-Scale Analysis of Aircraft Transponder Data

The increasing congestion of commercial airspaces necessitated more efficient air traffic control (ATC) methods. The Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) protocol is at the heart of the next-generation of ATC systems and is currently being rolled out in most countries. With ADS-B, an aircraft determines its own position by using global navigation satellite systems and broadcasts it periodically over the 1090-MHz radio frequency to ground stations or other aircraft in proximity. This approach increases the accuracy of aircraft localization and enables lower separation requirements and improved situational awareness for pilots and controllers. At the same time, it is supposed to significantly reduce the costs of air traffic surveillance compared with former independent surveillance radar systems.
An information visualization tool for data journalism

The current data overload makes it difficult to create journalistic texts. The large amount of data complicates the interpretation and its subsequent conversion into useful information due to the great effort required to understand it. The development of systems that simplify the data interpretation helps the authors to construct clearer and more objective stories, disseminating information and thus reaching a wider audience, enriching the debates regarding public issues. This paper aims to introduce to the reader a new concept of journalism, the data journalism, showing the importance on employing new information visualization tools in this model.
Calcification

THE discovery of the presence of citrate in bones' and teeth2 has aroused much speculation as to its origin and possible role in the metabolism of hard tissues.3-5 These findings are likely to be of special interest to the dental investigator since calcium citrate is an un-ionized soluble salt6-8 and appears to be preferentially dissolved from bone.9 One might postulate that citrate in teeth may be preferentially dissolved, and this may be a factor in caries susceptibility. Similar speculations derived from the preferential solubility of carbonate in bone'0-'2 held true later when teeth were examined.13 High-carbonate teeth, at least in the cotton rat, are more caries susceptible than low-carbonate teeth.14' 15 Studies of the composition of new mineral deposits in vitro showed a relationship similar to that found in earlier studies in vivo between the composition of blood serum and that of growing bones and teeth. The C03 :P04 ratio of the minerals deposited in ViVo'6' 17 and in vitro'8 were related to the C03 :P04 ratios of the calcifying fluid in the in vitro calcification, and to blood serum in the in vivo calcification. In vitro calcification studies in the presence of citrate were undertaken to offer some guide for future in vivo investigations. The following questions were examined in the present investigation, where, with the exception of citrate, only inorganic solutions were employed for calcification in vitro: (1) Is citrate a constituent of in vitro calcification when no citrate is present in the inorganic mineralizing fluid? This was a real possibility in view of the citrogenase4 and citric and succinic dehydrogenase activities,'9 as well as evidence for the presence of oxidative enzyme systems20 reported in bone cartilage. Moreover, the presence of glycogen21 and ATP22 offers the possibility that through appropriate transformations, a continuous supply of substrate for citric acid synthesis may be manufactured in situ. (2) When citrate is present in the mineralizing fluid, is it incorporated in the mineral deposits? (3) If citrate is found in the new mineral, is its concentration related to the citrate :P04 ratio of the surrounding fluid?
Mobile Robot Localization Using a Gyroscope and Constrained Kalman Filter

Recently, cleaning robots are gaining popularity for saving time and household labor. To clean the room effectively, the robot should have localization capability. The odometry information used in low-cost localization can be quite erroneous when the robot suffers from slippage. Thus the use of the low-cost MEMS gyroscope to compensate for an angular error is considered by many researchers. Conventional Kalman filtering method that fuses the odometry with the gyroscope may produce infeasible solution because the robot parameters are estimated regardless of their physical constraints. In this paper, we propose a constrained Kalman filtering method that applies general constrained optimization technique to the estimation of the robot parameters. The state observability is improved by the additional state variables and the accuracy is also improved by the non-approximated Kalman filter design. Experimental results show the proposed method effectively compensates for the odometry error and yields feasible parameter estimation at the same time
Identification of GaN Buffer Traps in Microwave Power AlGaN/GaN HEMTs Through Low Frequency S-Parameters Measurements and TCAD-Based Physical Device Simulations

In this paper, the type, activation energy (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\textit{E}_{a}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) and cross section (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\sigma }_{n}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) of the GaN buffer traps existing in the AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistors are investigated through low frequency (LF) S-parameters measurements. Furthermore, we present the 2-D physics based TCAD numerical simulation analysis of this device. The dc simulation results are calibrated to match with the experimentally measured <italic>I–V</italic> characteristics and this allows to qualitatively estimate the concentration of traps (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\textit{N}_{T}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) present in the GaN buffer. Knowing the measured trap energy level and the estimated trap concentration <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\textit{N}_{T}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, TCAD physical simulations are performed at various temperatures in order to extract the LF-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\textit{Y}_{22}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> admittance parameter. Interestingly, the LF-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\textit{Y}_{22}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> simulation results are found to be in good agreement with the measurements and this result strongly suggests that LF admittance dispersion is an effective tool in identifying the traps present in the GaN buffer. Moreover, this paper reveals that acceptor-like traps with an apparent concentration of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$5.0\times 10^{16}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> cm<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{-3}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and with the apparent trap energy level of 0.4 eV below the conduction band are located in the GaN buffer.
Does virtual team composition matter? Trait and problem-solving configuration effects on team performance

Due to the increased importance and usage of self-managed virtual teams, many recent studies have examined factors that affect their success. One such factor that merits examination is the configuration or composition of virtual teams. This article tackles this point by (1) empirically testing trait-configuration effects on virtual team performance, which are based on supplementary, complementary and interaction person-team fit perspectives and (2) extending the suggested trait-configuration model to include virtual team configuration in terms of the perceived problem-solving demands of the task as a predictor of team performance. To this end, median regression techniques were applied to data from 62 self-managed virtual teams that used an asynchronous bulletin board for working on a case study analysis. The findings suggest a plausible negative main effect of within-team conscientiousness heterogeneity on team performance, operationalised as standardised team grade. This effect depends on the level of the within-team extroversion heterogeneity which helps to mitigate the negative effect of within-team conscientiousness heterogeneity on team performance. Furthermore, within-team heterogeneity of the perceived problem-solving demands of the task reduces team performance. Overall, this study proves that virtual team configuration matters, and demonstrates that the joint utilisation of multiple person-team fit perspectives for improving virtual team performance has merit. Implications for research and practice are further discussed.
[Nonpreserved topical steroids and lacrimal punctal occlusion for severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca].

PURPOSE To analyze the efficacy of topical nonpreserved steroids before punctal occlusion in the treatment of severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca associated with Sjögren's syndrome. METHODS We performed a prospective study including 15 patients, 30 eyes, (group 1) treated with topical nonpreserved steroids for 2 weeks and then punctal occlusion, and 15 patients, 30 eyes, (group 2) treated directly with punctal occlusion. Symptom severity (0-3+) and corneal fluorescein staining (0-9+) were evaluated after a week and after two months, and results were statistically compared between both groups with the t Student test. RESULTS Symptom severity was negative in 67% of patients of group 1 and in 27% of patients of group 2 (p=0.0001 ) after a week, and in 80% of patients in group 1 and in 33% of patients of group 2 (p=0.0003) after 2 months. Corneal fluorescein staining was negative in 67% (OD) and 73% (OI) of patients of group 1 and in 33% (AO) of patients of group 2 (p=0.0001, AO) after a week, and in 80% (AO) of patients of group 1 and in 60% of patients of group 2 (AO) (p=0.0001, AO) after 2 months. There were no patients with side effects or complications. CONCLUSIONS Topical nonpreserved steroid therapy for two weeks before punctal occlusion is effective in controlling symptoms and corneal fluorescein staining in patients with severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca associated with Sjögren's syndrome.