Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
VESPa: A Pattern-based Visual Query Language for Event Sequences

Movement data can often be enriched with additional information that enables analysts to ask new questions, for instance about POIs visited and meetings that imply interactions between persons. Information on spatiotemporal events such as visits or meetings can be especially valuable for digital forensics, marketing analysis, and urban planning. Most existing query languages for movement data, however, do not take that additional information into account. We address this gap by proposing VESPa, a pattern-based graphical query language to express, check, and refine hypotheses about spatio-temporal event sequences. Using VESPa, the analyst can sketch abstract assumptions and use the pattern to query the data for matches. The applicability of our approach is demonstrated in two case studies with different datasets. We also report on a small user study in which several construction and comprehension tasks were successfully solved in an interactive implementation
Cpc2, a Fission Yeast Homologue of Mammalian RACK1 Protein, Interacts with Ran1 (Pat1) Kinase To Regulate Cell Cycle Progression and Meiotic Development

ABSTRACT The Schizosaccharomyces pombe ran1/pat1 gene regulates the transition between mitosis and meiosis. Inactivation of Ran1 (Pat1) kinase is necessary and sufficient for cells to exit the cell cycle and undergo meiosis. The yeast two-hybrid interaction trap was used to identify protein partners for Ran1/Pat1. Here we report the identification of one of these, Cpc2. Cpc2 encodes a homologue of RACK1, a WD protein with homology to the β subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins. RACK1 is a highly conserved protein, although its function remains undefined. In mammalian cells, RACK1 physically associates with some signal transduction proteins, including Src and protein kinase C. Fission yeast cells containing a cpc2 null allele are viable but cell cycle delayed. cpc2Δ cells fail to accumulate in G1 when starved of nitrogen. This leads to defects in conjugation and meiosis. Copurification studies show that although Cpc2 and Ran1 (Pat1) physically associate, Cpc2 does not alter Ran1 (Pat1) kinase activity in vitro. Using a Ran1 (Pat1) fusion to green fluorescent protein, we show that localization of the kinase is impaired in cpc2Δ cells. Thus, in parallel with the proposed role of RACK1 in mammalian cells, fission yeast cpc2 may function as an anchoring protein for Ran1 (Pat1) kinase. All defects associated with loss of cpc2 are reversed in cells expressing mammalian RACK1, demonstrating that the fission yeast and mammalian gene products are indeed functional homologues.
Combined Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Inhibition in Rat Cardiac Allografts: Beneficial Effects on Inflammation and Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation

Background. Perivascular inflammation and subsequent smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation are central in the development of cardiac allograft arteriosclerosis. We examined the effect of combined inhibition of proinflammatory vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and SMC mitogen platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in rat cardiac allografts. Methods. Heterotopic cardiac transplantations were performed between fully major histocompatibility mismatched rat strains receiving cyclosporine A immunosuppression. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were performed to examine VEGF and PDGF ligand and receptor (R) expression. Protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors PTK787 and imatinib were used to inhibit VEGFR and PDGFR activity, respectively. Rat coronary artery SMC migration and proliferation assays were used to examine the effect of VEGF and PDGF and tyrosine kinase inhibitors in vitro. Results. Both ligand and receptor expression of VEGF and PDGF were detected in chronically rejecting allografts. In vitro, PDGF-BB mediated rat coronary artery SMC migration and proliferation was completely inhibited with imatinib and partially with PTK787. In vivo, combined treatment with PTK787 and imatinib significantly reduced the formation of neointimal lesions in arteries of cardiac allografts at 8 weeks, producing a greater effect than either drug alone. PTK787, in contrast with imatinib, reduced the number of ED1+ macrophages and PDGF-B immunoreactivity in the allografts at 4 weeks. Conclusions. Blocking VEGF and PDGF receptor signaling in cardiac allografts has distinctive effects on inflammation and SMC proliferation, suggesting that targeting both inflammation and pathologic vascular remodeling may be needed to inhibit cardiac allograft arteriosclerosis.
Differential role of nonmuscle myosin II isoforms during blebbing of MCF-7 cells

One molecular cue that regulates cellular protrusions such as blebbing and lamellipodia in tumor cells has been less explored than other environmental factors. NM II-A induces blebbing and NM II-C1 induces lamellipodia in tumor cells. NM-II isoforms can change the protrusive activity of a tumor cell.
Transcatheter arterial embolization in the emergency department for hemodynamic instability due to ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma: analysis of 167 cases.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to analyze the prognostic factors associated with emergency transcatheter arterial embolization in the treatment of patients in hemodynamically unstable condition caused by rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS An 8-year retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate emergency transcatheter arterial embolization in the treatment of 167 patients in unstable hemodynamic condition (systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg at presentation) due to rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma. The clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings of a group who died (survival period, < or = 30 days) were compared with those of a group who survived more than 30 days. RESULTS On arrival in the emergency department, the group who died (n = 52) were in significantly worse condition than the group who survived (n = 115). The group who died had a poorer Child-Pugh class, lower hemoglobin and serum albumin levels, higher demand for blood transfusion, higher incidence of acute respiratory failure, worse neurologic status (Glasgow Coma Scale score, < or = 12), greater prevalence of portal vein thrombosis, and higher serum total bilirubin and creatinine levels (p < 0.05, two-sample Student's t test and Fisher's exact or chi-square test). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients who did not have portal venous thrombosis (odds ratio, 0.241; p = 0.012) or a lower creatinine level (odds ratio, 0.458; p = 0.003) had better probability of survival. Successful hemostasis with transcatheter arterial embolization was achieved in 99% of patients (30-day mortality rate, 31%). Patients with coexistent acute respiratory failure or impaired neurologic status and marked hyperbilirubinemia (> 2.7 mg/dL) had exceptionally high mortality rate (> 70%). CONCLUSION Emergency transcatheter arterial embolization is effective for hemostasis of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma in patients in hemodynamically unstable condition being treated in the emergency department. However, patients with portal venous thrombosis, a high serum creatinine level, acute respiratory failure, impaired neurologic status, and a high serum total bilirubin level continue to be at high risk of death.
Modeling the Lifetime of Printed Silver Conductors in Cyclic Bending With the Coffin–Manson Relation

This paper discusses the modeling of the lifetime of printed conductors on a flexible substrate under cyclic bending. Roll-to-roll printed silver lines on a plastic film were exposed to cyclic strains accordant to the bending radii of 15, 20, and 30 mm, and their long-term electrical behavior was monitored in situ with four-point dc resistance measurements. By using 5%, 10%, and 20% increase in resistance as failure criteria, the lifetime of test populations was assessed utilizing the Weibull reliability analysis. Based on these results, the relationship between the applied strain and the lifetime was characterized and modeled by the Coffin-Manson equation. The Coffin-Manson relation accordant behavior for the lifetimes under various strains was also verified by confirming measurements with untapped bending radii with good results. As a conclusion, the lifetime of a printed conductor with known geometry and materials under cyclic bending was able to be modeled as a function of bending radius with the Coffin-Manson relation.
Breast cancer in eastern Nigeria: a ten year review.

BACKGROUND Breast cancer, although reported to be the commonest female malignancy world-wide has not been extensively studied in Eastern Nigeria. METHODS A study started in 1987 enrolled all patients with breast disease seen in the author's practice in 4 hospitals located in Eastern Nigeria. Record's of patients with breast cancer were extracted for this report. FINDING Patients with breast cancer comprised 30% of all patients with breast disease with a male: female ratio of 1:67. The mean age was 44 years with a peak in 35-39 year range. Ninety-one percent of the patients were married, 69% premenopausal, 90% of the female patients were parous (Ave. 5.35; range 1-11), 57% of these parous patients had their first full term pregnancy under 20 years of age and 90% had lactated. 64% had advanced disease on presentation (Manchester III & IV), the commonest sites of distant metastasis being vertebral column and lungs. 5% had bilateral disease at presentation, 4% gave a positive family history and 12% gave a history of previous benign breast disease. The commonest histological diagnosis was infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Only 7% presented within 1 month of discovery of symptoms while 15% waited longer than 1 year. CONCLUSION Breast cancer in Eastern Nigeria follows a pattern similar to other parts of the third world with late presentation in mainly multiparous premenopausal patients. Efforts at public health education to encourage earlier presentation should be encouraged.
Parameter estimation of the modified Weibull distribution using Monte Carlo Expectation Maximization algorithm

In the present article, the modified Weibull distribution proposed by Sarhan and Zaindin (5) is considered and proposed parameter estimation procedure based on the Monte Carlo Expectation Maximization algorithm to obtain the estimates of un- known parameters. To see the performance of the proposed estimation procedure, we report the simulation results. For illustrative purposes, we have also applied the proposed estimation procedure on a real data set.
MANGANESE AS ESSENTIAL AND TOXIC ELEMENT FOR PLANTS: TRANSPORT, ACCUMULATION AND RESISTANCE MECHANISMS

Manganese is an essential element for plants, intervening in several metabolic processes, mainly in photosynthesis and as an enzyme antioxidant-cofactor. Nevertheless, an excess of this micronutrient is toxic for plants. Mn phytotoxicity is manifested in a reduction of biomass and photosynthesis, and biochemical disorders such as oxidative stress. Some studies on Mn toxicity and Mn translocation from soil to plant cells in Mn2+ form have demonstrated their importance under low pH and redox potential conditions in the soil. When Mn is inside the cells, mechanisms that can tolerate this toxicity are also observed, being important the compartmentalization of this metal in different organdies of shoot and leaf plant cells. A key role of antioxidative systems in plants in relation to high Mn amounts has also been reported as a defense mechanism. The purpose of this review is to show the role of Mn as an essential micronutrient and as a toxic element to higher plants as well as to their transport and tolerance mechanisms. The forms and dynamics of this element in soils and the importance of the acidity for this dynamic and availability for plants are also given.
The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence, Perceived Stress and Academic Performance among Iranian High School Students

The purpose of this study was to test the relationships between age, gender, and emotional intelligence, academic performance and perceived stress among high school students in Iran. For this purpose, 150 students were randomly selected among the high school students in Shahre-Rey, Iran. Emotional intelligence and perceived stress questionnaires were used. The results showed that emotional intelligence was significantly different by gender, with females evidencing higher EI than males. Females also reported slightly higher perceived stress, but the gender difference was not significant. Emotional intelligence evidenced a small amount accuracy in predicting GPA in the fall, but this dissipated in the spring. Emotional intelligence and age evidenced a small amount of accuracy in predicting perceived stress in the fall. However in the spring semester, emotional intelligence evidenced strong accuracy in predicting perceived stress. In the fall 2013, as individuals better managed their own emotions GPA increased and perceived stress decreased. As individuals better managed others’ emotions GPA decreased. Females got higher AES scores then males, but no age differences were noted. In the Spring 2013 older individuals with higher AES scores, who better managed their own emotions evidenced lower perceived stress. Normal 0 false false false RU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Обычная таблица"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
Patient preferences, knowledge and beliefs about kidney allocation: qualitative findings from the UK-wide ATTOM programme

Objective To explore how patients who are wait-listed for or who have received a kidney transplant understand the current UK kidney allocation system, and their views on ways to allocate kidneys in the future. Design Qualitative study using semistructured interviews and thematic analysis based on a pragmatic approach. Participants 10 deceased-donor kidney transplant recipients, 10 live-donor kidney transplant recipients, 12 participants currently wait-listed for a kidney transplant and 4 participants whose kidney transplant failed. Setting Semistructured telephone interviews conducted with participants in their own homes across the UK. Results Three main themes were identified: uncertainty of knowledge of the allocation scheme; evaluation of the system and participant suggestions for future allocation schemes. Most participants identified human leucocyte anitgen matching as a factor in determining kidney allocation, but were often uncertain of the accuracy of their knowledge. In the absence of information that would allow a full assessment, the majority of participants consider that the current system is effective. A minority of participants were concerned about the perceived lack of transparency of the general decision-making processes within the scheme. Most participants felt that people who are younger and those better matched to the donor kidney should be prioritised for kidney allocation, but in contrast to the current scheme, less priority was considered appropriate for longer waiting patients. Some non-medical themes were also discussed, such as whether parents of dependent children should be prioritised for allocation, and whether patients with substance abuse problems be deprioritised. Conclusions Our participants held differing views about the most important factors for kidney allocation, some of which were in contrast to the current scheme. Patient participation in reviewing future allocation policies will provide insight as to what is considered acceptable to patients and inform healthcare staff of the kinds of information patients would find most useful.
Effects of rosuvastatin vs. simvastatin/ezetimibe on arterial wall stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE Statins prevent cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, there is little information regarding the vascular effects of statins on arterial wall stiffness in CAD patients. METHODS A total of 36 patients were randomly assigned to receive rosuvastatin (10 mg per day) or simvastatin/ezetimibe (10/10 mg per day) for eight weeks. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of rosuvastatin or simvastatin/ezetimibe on arterial wall stiffness measured according to the brachial and ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in CAD patients. RESULTS Both treatments significantly improved the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (p<0.05). The ROCK activity and baPWV were significantly improved in the rosuvastatin group compared with that observed in the simvastatin/ezetimibe group (p<0.05). The changes in baPWV were significantly correlated with the changes in the ROCK activity (r=0.488, p<0.01), but not with the changes in the lipid profile or the hs-CRP level. CONCLUSION Compared with simvastatin/ezetimibe (10/10 mg), rosuvastatin (10 mg) appears to more effectively improve arterial wall stiffness that may be mediated by modulation of the ROCK activity.
CTnscr94, a conjugative transposon found in enterobacteria

Conjugational transposons are important for horizontal gene transfer in gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, but have not been reported yet for enteric bacteria. Salmonella senftenberg 5494-57 has previously been shown to transfer by conjugation genes for a sucrose fermentation pathway which were located on a DNA element called scr-94. We report here that the corresponding scr genes for a phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sucrose:phosphotransferase system and a sucrose metabolic pathway are located on a large (ca. 100 kb) conjugative transposon renamed CTnscr94. The self-transmissible element integrates at two specific attachment sites in a RecA-independent way into the chromosome of Escherichia coli K-12 strains. One site was identified within pheV, the structural gene for a tRNA(Phe). Sequencing of both ends of CTnscr94 revealed the presence of the 3' part of pheV on one end such that after integration of the element, a complete pheV gene is retained. CTnscr94 represents, to our knowledge, the first conjugational transposon found in enteric bacteria.
Riks-Stroke – A Swedish National Quality Register for Stroke Care

Background: Riks-Stroke, the Swedish national quality register on stroke care, provides unique opportunities to evaluate stroke units in routine clinical care. Methods: Basic patient characteristics, process indicators and outcome variables are recorded in all 85 hospitals admitting acute stroke patients. A 3-month follow-up is included. Results: There are wide variations between hospitals in the proportion of patients admitted to a stroke unit, in secondary prevention and in the proportion of patients in institutional care at 3 months. Even after adjustment for available prognostic indicators, case fatality is lower and functional outcome is better in patients treated in stroke units than in patients treated in general wards. Conclusion: Riks-Stroke shows that outcome is consistently better in patients treated in a stroke unit than in general wards, not only in randomised trials but also in routine stroke care.
Effects of captopril on the development of tolerance to guanethidine.

Guanethidine is a sympatholytic antihypertensive drug used for the treatment of severe or resistant hypertension. Previous clinical studies have documented the development of tolerance to guanethidine in humans and suggested that fluid retention or increased sensitivity of arterioles to endogenous catecholamines may be responsible for the tolerance development. In this study we investigated the role of the renin-angiotensin system in the development of tolerance to guanethidine in one-kidney, one-clip renovascular and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) using the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril. In the one-kidney model, captopril (30 mg/(kg X day), orally) had no effect on the development of tolerance to guanethidine (50 mg/(kg X day), i.p.) when the drugs were coadministered for 2 wk. However, captopril enhanced the day 1 blood pressure-lowering effect and prevented the development of tolerance to guanethidine in male SHR. These results suggest that the renin-angiotensin system plays a major role in the development of tolerance to guanethidine in SHR but not in one-kidney, one-clip renal hypertensive rats. Thus, the etiology of the hypertensive state may dictate which physiological compensatory mechanisms are activated after antihypertensive drug administration.
Tyk2-Dependent Bystander Activation of Conventional and Nonconventional Th1 Cell Subsets Contributes to Innate Host Defense against Listeria monocytogenes Infection

IL-12, which is produced in response to intracellular bacteria, such as Listeria monocytogenes, promotes the development of pathogen-specific Th1 cells that play an important role in host defense. However, it has also been known that CD44high memory-phenotype CD4 T cells with Th1 functions naturally occur in naive mice, and that lymphopenia-induced proliferation of naive CD4 T cells generates memory-phenotype CD4 T cells with Th1 functions, although their differentiation mechanism and contribution to host defense are unclear. In this study, we analyzed the development and the functions of the different subsets of Th1 cells by using mice lacking tyrosine kinase 2 (Tyk2), a member of the Janus kinase family critically involved in IL-12 signaling. In contrast with the case of conventional Ag-specific Th1 cells, the development of naturally occurring Th1 cells was not impaired in Tyk2-deficient mice. In addition, Th1 cells were normally generated from Tyk2-deficient naive CD4 T cells via lymphopenia-induced proliferation. Nevertheless, all these Th1 subsets, including conventional Ag-induced Th1 cells, produced IFN-γ in response to IL-12 in a Tyk2-dependent manner. Importantly, such Tyk2-dependent bystander IFN-γ production of any Th1 subsets conferred early protection against L. monocytogenes infection. Thus, Tyk2-mediated IL-12 signaling is differentially required for the development of different Th1 cell subsets but similarly induces their bystander IFN-γ production, which contributes to innate host defense against infection with intracellular bacteria.
Estimating the health and economic burden of cancer among those diagnosed as adolescents and young adults.

Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors-those who were ages 15-39 at their first cancer diagnosis-have important health limitations. These survivors are at risk for higher health care expenditures and lost productivity, compared to adults without a history of cancer. Using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data, we present nationally representative estimates of the economic burden among people who were diagnosed with cancer in adolescence or young adulthood. Our findings demonstrate that surviving cancer at this age is associated with a substantial economic burden. Compared to adults without a history of cancer, adolescent and young adult cancer survivors had excess annual medical expenditures of $3,170 per person and excess annual productivity losses of $2,250 per person. Multifaceted prevention strategies, including education and sustained intervention programs to ensure access to lifelong risk-based follow-up care, may be effective ways to improve the economic outcomes associated with cancer survivorship in this population.