Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patterns of aneuploidy in stage IV clear cell renal cell carcinoma revealed by comparative genomic hybridization and spectral karyotyping

We report the use of spectral karyotyping (SKY) and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) to describe the numerous genomic imbalances characteristic of stage IV clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC). SKY and CGH were performed on 10 cell lines established from nephrectomy specimens, and CGH on uncultured material from five of the primary renal tumors. The mutational status of VHL (3p25) and MET (7q31), genes implicated in renal carcinogenesis, were determined for each case. Each case showed marked aneuploidy, with an average number of copy alterations of 14.6 (±2.7) in the primary tumors and 19.3 (±4.6) in the cell lines. Both whole‐chromosome and chromosome‐segment imbalances were noted by CGH: consistent losses or gains included +5q23→ter (100%), −3p14→ter (80%), and +7 (70%). All VHL mutations and 83% of the genomic imbalances found in the primary tumors were also found in the cell lines derived from them. SKY showed many complex structural rearrangements that were undetected by conventional banding analysis in these solid tumors. All cases with VHL inactivation had 3p loss and 5q gain related primarily to unbalanced translocations between 3p and 5q. In contrast, gains of chromosome 7 resulted primarily from whole‐chromosome gains and were not associated with mutations of MET. SKY and CGH demonstrated that genomic imbalances in advanced RCC were the result of either segregation errors [i.e., whole chromosomal gains and losses (7.8/case)] or chromosomal rearrangements (10.7/case), of which the majority were unbalanced translocations. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Remittances from Labor Migration: Evaluations, Performance and Implications

Two evaluative views of worker remittances draw opposite conclusions. The negative one posits that remittances increase dependency, contribute to economic and political instability and development distortion, and lead to economic decline that overshadows a temporary advantage for a fortunate few. The positive view sees remittances as an effective response to market forces, providing a transition to an otherwise unsustainable development. They improve income distribution and quality of life beyond what other available development approaches could deliver. The implications are tested for labor supply countries to Europe and to the Middle East. The implications of the negative view are not supported. Although the dire predictions of the pessimistic view have not materialized, the converse — contributions of remittances to economic performance — should not be overstated due to lack of data.
Clinical characteristics of circadian rhythm sleep disorders

Abstract From our practice at the sleep disorders clinic in Kohnodai Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), we report the clinical characteristics of circadian sleep‐wake rhythm disorders. Nearly 90% of circadian rhythm sleep disorders were diagnosed as delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) or as non‐24 sleep‐wake syndrome (non‐24). While DSPS was equally common in males and females, non‐24 was more frequently seen in men. It was of psychiatric interest that a considerable number of patients had depressive states in the course of their circadian rhythm sleep disorders. Difficulty in adapting to social life was more severe in patients with non‐24 than in those with DSPS.
Ca2+‐activated K+ current is essential for maintaining excitability and gene transcription in early embryonic cardiomyocytes

Activity of early embryonic cardiomyocytes relies on spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations that are induced by interplay between sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) – Ca2+ release and ion currents of the plasma membrane. In a variety of cell types, Ca2+‐activated K+ current (IK(Ca)) serves as a link between Ca2+ signals and membrane voltage. This study aimed to determine the role of IK(Ca) in developing cardiomyocytes.
POLICY FLIGHT SIMULATORS: ACCELERATING DECISIONS TO ADOPT EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH INTERVENTIONS

www.ache. org/journals 231 For more information regarding the concepts in this article, contact Dr. Rouse at wrouse@stevens.edu. Supplemental digital content is available for this article. Direct URL citations appear in the printed text and are provided in the HTML and PDF versions of this article on the journal’s website (www.jhmonline.com). The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Policy Flight Simulators: Accelerating Decisions to Adopt Evidence-Based Health Interventions
Regulation of Non‐esterified Fatty Acid and Glycerol Concentration by Insulin in Normal Individuals and Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Plasma glycerol and non‐esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations were determined in the basal state and in response to physiological hyperinsulinaemia in 30 non‐obese individuals, 15 with Type 2 diabetes and 15 with normal glucose tolerance. Patients with Type 2 diabetes had higher basal concentrations of both glycerol (81 ± 7 (± SE) vs 61 ± 7 μmol l−1, p<0.05) and NEFA (842 ± 40 vs 630 ± 46 μmol l−1, p<0.002). Plasma NEFA and glycerol concentrations fell in both groups when steady‐state plasma insulin concentrations were raised to approximately 450 pmol l−1 by an infusion of exogenous insulin, but plasma concentrations of glycerol (28 ± 3 vs 13 ± 3 μmol l−1, p<0.002) and NEFA (186 ± 15 vs 109 ± 14 μmol l−1, p<0.001) were still higher in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Percentage decrease in glycerol from basal levels in response to insulin was significantly less in patients with Type 2 diabetes than in control subjects (64 ± 3 vs 80 ± 3 %, p<0.005); percentage decrease in plasma NEFA concentration was similar in the two groups (78 ± 3 vs 80 ± 4 %). These results suggest that both plasma glycerol and NEFA concentrations are higher than normal in patients with Type 2 diabetes when measured at the same insulin concentration, both under basal conditions and in response to physiological hyperinsulinaemia. However, in patients with Type 2 diabetes the percentage decrease in plasma glycerol concentration was significantly less than the percentage decrease in NEFA concentration (64 ± 3 vs 78 ± 3 %, p<0.001).
Reasons for Physician Non-Adherence to Electronic Drug Alerts

CONTEXT Many adverse drug errors may be prevented through electronic order entry systems that provide decision support to physicians by screening prescriptions for dosing errors, drug-disease, drug-allergy and drug-drug interactions. The adherence to such decision aids is varied and the reasons for this variance not well understood. OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility and performance auto-mated drug alerts within an electronic decision support system for physician prescribing. METHODS Drug alert data were collected from a pilot project with 30 participating general practitioners who were provided with interactive electronic prescription capabilities through a personal digital assistant (PDA). RESULTS 66,642 electronic prescriptions resulted in a total of 1,869 drug alerts. The most common alert types were analysed, along with reasons for non-adherence to automated drug alerts. CONCLUSIONS Non-adherence to alert information appears to be associated with additional knowledge of the clinical situation, beyond that inherent in the decision support tool, for the specific patient context. Further work is required to understand how best to provide this type of support to physicians.
Power Cycling Reliability of Power Module: A Survey

Electronic devices using semiconductors such as insulated-gate bipolar transistors, metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors, and diodes are extensively used in electrical traction applications such as locomotive, elevators, subways, and cars. The long-term reliability of such power modules is then highly demanded, and their main reliability criterion is their power cycling capability. Thus, a power cycling test is the most important reliability test for power modules. This test consists in periodically applying a current to a device mounted onto a heat sink. This leads to power loss in the entire module and results in a rise in the semiconductor temperature. In this paper, the different kinds of semiconductors and power modules used for traction applications are described. Experimental and simulation methods employed for power cycling tests are presented. Modules' weak points and fatigue processes are pointed out. Then, a detailed statistical review of publications from 1994 to 2015 dealing with power cycling is presented. This review gives a clear overview of all studies dealing with power cycling that were carried out until now. It reveals the principal trends in power electronic devices and highlights the main reliability issues for which an important lack of knowledge remains.
Role of amyloid precursor protein (APP): Study with antisense transfection of human neuroblastoma cells

The function of amyloid precursor protein (APP) was investigated in human neuroblastoma La‐N‐1 cells by stable transfection with a DNA construct encoding antisense APP mRNA. Levels of APP mRNA, as well as proteins, were reduced by 80–90% in antisense APP transfected (ASAT) cells. ASAT cells exhibited three main features as a result of APP gene expression deprivation: (1) a 30% reduction in cell proliferation, (2) reduced cell adhesion that could be reversed by the addition of La‐N‐1 conditioned media as a source of secreted APP, and (3) a two‐ and four fold increase in neurite‐bearing cells suggesting that; cellular APP may be involved in neurite extension. The first two features confirm previously reported functions for APP in proliferation and adhesion of non‐neuronal cell types but the use of neuroblastoma cells in this study disclose a novel role for cellular APP in neurite extension.
An assessment of the government of India’s initiative on contraceptives at the doorstep by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs): Recommendations for national scale-up

Objective: The Government of India (GOI) piloted a new initiative in 17 states where Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) delivered contraceptives directly to households for a small fee. This paper details an assessment of the pilot with the aim of informing the GOI’s national scale-up of the initiative. Methods: A mixed-method approach was used in May 2012 to assess operational issues, barriers and facilitators of implementation, and initiative experiences in 6 states. Participants included ASHAs, community women, and managers and other key implementers. Results: Community women and ASHAs found the initiative favorable and managers were positive about long term success. The assessment uncovered challenges in the supply chain, the packaging of the initiative’s contraceptives, communication efforts, and orientation and reporting. Conclusion: The initiative is a promising strategy to address unmet need and to increase the uptake of birth-spacing methods. Assessment recommendations can inform and strengthen other community-based family planning programs. Correspondence to: Sharmistha Basu, Ph.D, Programme Officer, Population Council, New Delhi, India, Tel: +91 9868492880; Email: basu_jnu@yahoo.com
An area-efficient multi-bit sigma-delta modulator

An area-efficient feedforward multi-bit sigma-delta modulator is designed in this paper. By adopting fourth-order 17-level quantization structure, the modulator can achieve 20-bit resolution of 20kHz signal bandwidth with 64 oversample ratio. A novel full feedforward architecture is employed in this modulator, which minimize every stage load to save chip area and power consumption by select relatively large coefficients without compromising the stability. In addition, a 4-bit quantizer is composed of only 9 comparators. A simple data weighted averaging (DWA) is used to relieve the 1st integrator feedback capacitor mismatch problem. The modulator is implemented in high voltage 0. 35µm CMOS process with 5V supply voltage. The simulated signal-to-noise-and-distortion-ratio (SNDR) of the modulator is 117.8dB with −6dBFS sinusoidal input.
Cryptocurrency a Bit Unregulated?

This paper seeks to review the current regulatory regime governing cryptocurrencies, namely Bitcoin, in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Singapore, and traces the regulatory trend in those identified countries. These developments are compared to the Australian context. From the comparative analysis conducted be-tween regimes available in other jurisdictions and those in Australia, the authors conclude that the Australian regulatory regime in relation to cryptocurrency, in particular Bitcoin, are comparable in some respects and in others are much progressive. This is specifically in light of the 2017 amendments relating to anti-money laundering legislation which places Australia as a strong forerunner to legislate on Bitcoin and anti-money laundering legislation. However, to successfully achieve this, Australia must address its lag in relation to the classification of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency respectively. As such, it is concluded that the regulatory regime of cryptocurrency both internationally and at the Australian level is far from satisfactory.
Late complications of electrotherapy - a clinical analysis of indications for transvenous removal of endocardial leads: a single centre experience.

BACKGROUND Despite advances in electrotherapy, late complications constitute an increasing clinical and therapeutic problem. Transvenous lead extraction (TLE) is becoming a safe and effective approach to the treatment of such complications. AIM To assess indications for TLE and to evaluate safety and efficacy of TLE procedures. METHODS A retrospective clinical analysis of 100 patients with complications of electrotherapy admitted to a tertiary care centre in 2008-2011. RESULTS In 2008-2011, the number of electrotherapy complications increased markedly. The most frequent reason for TLE was lead dysfunction (62% of patients, including 31% with an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator [ICD] and 31% with a pacemaker [PM]). The most common type of lead dysfunction was conductor damage (38% of patients, including 23% with ICD, 15% with PM), followed by late myocardial perforation (14% of patients, including 7% with ICD, 7% with PM), abnormal course of the lead (7% of patients, including 1% with ICD, 6% with PM), and lead insulation failure (3% of patients). Other reasons for TLE were infectious complications (24% of patients, including 15% with PM pocket infection), venous insufficiency (17% of patients, including 10% in whom an indwelling lead was a direct obstacle to switching the pacing mode), and the need to switch the pacing mode (4% of patients). Procedural efficacy was 96% (lead fragments were left in place in 4% of patients). No significant clinical complications were observed in any of the patients in the periprocedural period. CONCLUSIONS Clinical manifestations of electrotherapy complications in the study group varied and included a relatively small number of infectious complications (24%) and a relatively large number of late myocardial perforations (14%). Efficacy and safety of the procedures were very high.
High frequency ultrasound imaging and spectral analysis of sea urchin oocytes

High frequency ultrasound measurements were made of sea urchin oocytes at 40 MHz and compared to numerical simulations. The urchin oocytes are non-nucleated cells, and have uniform size and biomechanical properties; thus, the signals measured from each cell are similar, unlike typical nucleated mammalian cells. The power spectra calculated from the measured time domain signals were periodic, with minima located approximately 10 MHz apart. This was a result of the consistent size and biomechanical properties of the cells. Numerical simulations were developed that calculated the superposition of ultrasound scattered from each cell within the transducer field of view using the Faran scattering model. Good agreement to the measured spectral features were observed. Using cepstral analysis, the size of the cells was determined to be 78.7 μm (measured) and 81.4 μm (simulated), which was similar to the size of a single cell. This work shows how ultrasound is discretely scattered from cells within a bulk homogeneous sample, with applications towards understanding the complex scattering behaviour from heterogeneous tissues.
Resolución de problemas de optimización combinatoria utilizando técnicas de computación evolutiva: una aplicación a la biomedicina

Cada dia se genera una mayor cantidad de datos, tanto con respecto a su volumen como por el numero de variables que involucran, lo cual representa un problema para las tecnicas tradicionales. En muchos problemas el conjunto de soluciones posibles es tan elevado que la localizacion de una solucion optima es imposible en un tiempo razonable, por lo que es necesario emplear tecnicas basadas en heuristicas. Se ha observado que las tecnicas de computacion evolutiva (CE) proporcionan resultados satisfactorios en situaciones en que tecnicas tradicionales no los obtuvieron, en especial en su aplicacion a datos biomedicos y relacionados con el diagnostico de enfermedades. Asi, en este trabajo se ha desarrollado un modelo basado en CE capaz de, a partir de unos datos de entrada etiquetados como sujetos sanos o enfermos, extraer expresiones con las que construir un modelo de clasificacion. Este modelo ha sido validado tanto contra datos sinteticos como aplicado a un conjunto de datos clinicos reales, ademas de comparar sus resultados con metodos similares. Es de destacar que el modelo propuesto obtiene expresiones sencillas y que logra clasificar ambos tipos de conjuntos mejor que el resto de tecnicas, resultando de gran utilidad como apoyo al diagnostico clinico.
Homology modeling revealed more than 20,000 rRNA internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) secondary structures.

Structural genomics meets phylogenetics and vice versa: Knowing rRNA secondary structures is a prerequisite for constructing rRNA alignments for inferring phylogenies, and inferring phylogenies is a precondition to understand the evolution of such rRNA secondary structures. Here, both scientific worlds go together. The rRNA internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region is a widely used phylogenetic marker. Because of its high variability at the sequence level, correct alignments have to take into account structural information. In this study, we examine the extent of the conservation in structure. We present (1) the homology modeled secondary structure of more than 20,000 ITS2 covering about 14,000 species; (2) a computational approach for homology modeling of rRNA structures, which additionally can be applied to other RNA families; and (3) a database providing about 25,000 ITS2 sequences with their associated secondary structures, a refined ITS2 specific general time reversible (GTR) substitution model, and a scoring matrix, available at http://its2.bioapps. biozentrum.uni-wuerzburg.de.
Interleukin-1beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels in periapical exudates.

AIM The aim of this study was to determine IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels in periapical exudates and to evaluate their relationship with clinical and radiological findings. METHODOLOGY Periapical exudates were collected from root canals of 35 single-rooted teeth using absorbent paper points. IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The samples were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of clinical signs including swelling and/or fistula, pain on palpation and/or percussion, and pus discharge from canals. Periapical exudate samples were divided into two groups according to size of periapical radiolucent area. RESULTS The mean concentration of IL-1beta (72.79 ng mL-1) in periapical exudates was approximately 12-fold higher than TNF-alpha(6.17 ng mL-1). There was no significant correlation between these cytokines (P > 0.05). IL-1beta levels in canals with larger radiolucent areas (long axis > or =1 cm) were significantly higher than those with small areas (P < 0.05). There was a tendency toward higher levels of IL-1beta in groups with clinical signs, but the differences were not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Periapical exudate levels of both cytokines failed to reflect periapical disease state.
Talent Management Initiatives in the Irish Public Service – how State Agencies under one Government Department are using Talent Management to respond to skills shortages in a tight labour market

Competition for highly skilled employees is becoming increasingly competitive given the recently tightening Irish labour market. While the private sector can offer competitive salaries to attract talent, the nature of the public service pay in Ireland means that they cannot compete against industry on salaries. This research was concerned with Talent Management (TM) use within the public service as a means of competing for talent and it sought to determine how non-commercial semi-state agencies (NCSSAs) under Department X were responding to skills shortages. Semi structured qualitative interviews were conducted with HR professionals in nine NCSSAs agencies under Department X. The results suggested that all agencies apart from the smallest are experiencing difficulties attracting key skills, in particular technical skills. In addition, over half of the agencies are seeing higher levels of attrition compared to two years ago. Managers identified three reasons for the skills shortages; the buoyant labour market, public service salary policies and a lack of career paths on offer in smaller organisations. Organisations are responding by employing a variety of TM initiatives, in particular, by emphasising their total rewards package to potential and current employees. They are redesigning role profiles and focusing on learning and development in order to become an employer of choice. In addition, agencies are ‘selling’ their work / life balance initiatives to attract staff and they are aware of the need to build their employee brand in order to be regarded as an employer of choice. Finally, in terms of access to TM they operate an inclusive model where all employees have access to TM initiatives.
The alanine racemase gene is essential for growth of Lactobacillus plantarum

The Lactobacillus plantarum alr gene encoding alanine racemase was cloned by complementation of an Escherichia coli Alr- DadX- double mutant strain. Knockout of the alr gene abolished all measurable alanine racemase activity, and the mutant was shown to be strictly dependent on D-alanine for growth.
Moderate or Supranormal Folic Acid Supplementation Does Not Exert a Protective Effect for Homocysteinemia and Methylation Markers in Growing Rats

Background/Aims: Folic acid (FA) deficiency/supplementation effects seem to be dependent on age group and/or physiological status. The aim was to evaluate changes associated with rapid growth in relation to methionine metabolism in rats. Methods: Four groups (n = 10 each) of male Sprague Dawley rats (5 weeks old) were on diets that varied in their FA content: 0 mg FA/kg diet (deficient), 2 mg FA/kg diet (control), 8 mg FA/kg diet (moderate supplementation), 40 mg FA/kg diet (supranormal supplementation). Animals were fed ad libitum for 30 days. Biomarkers of methionine metabolism and antioxidant status were evaluated. Results: Serum total homocysteine concentration increased (p < 0.01) in FA deficient animals, with no differences between the supplemented groups. The hepatic ‘methylation ratio’ (S-adenosylmethionine/S-adenosylhomocysteine) of the FA content groups reached similar values, which were significantly higher compared to the deficient group. The brain ‘methylation ratio’, however, remained unmodified independently of FA content in the diet. FA deficiency induced hepatic DNA hypomethylation, and supranormal FA supplementation exerted the most protective effect (p < 0.01). Serum folate levels increased according to FA dietary level, whereas no differences were seen for vitamin B12 and vitamin B6. Conclusions: FA deficiency compromises methionine metabolism whereas supplementation does not show an additional positive effect compared to the control diet in growing animals.