Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Correlation of GST-pi and PCNA expression to prognosis of advanced maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE Tumor markers which relate to cell proliferation and metabolism have seldom been studied in maxillary sinus cancer. This study was conducted to identify the correlation of glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-pi) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression to prognosis of advanced maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODS The expression of GST-pi and PCNA in 54 specimens of maxillary sinus SCC, 29 specimens of benign maxillary tumor, and 20 specimens of normal nasal mucosa was detected by immunohistochemistry. The correlation of GST-pi and PCNA expression to prognosis of advanced maxillary sinus SCC was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method. The prognosis was analyzed by Cox multivariate model. RESULTS The overexpression rates of GST-pi and PCNA were significantly higher in maxillary sinus SCC than in benign maxillary tumor and normal nasal mucosa (74.1% vs. 89.6% and 15.0%, P<0.01; 79.6% vs. 3.4% and 0, P<0.01). The 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in advanced maxillary sinus SCC patients with high expression of GST-pi than in the patients with low expression of GST-pi (34.5% vs. 21.2%, P=0.025); the difference between the patients with high and low expression of PCNA was not significant (18.0% vs. 27.0%, P=0.890). The expression of GST-pi was an independent prognostic factor of advanced maxillary sinus SCC (P=0.039, odds ratio>1). CONCLUSION The overexpression of GST-pi is an independent prognostic factor of advanced maxillary sinus SCC, but that of PCNA isn't.
The cardioprotective effect of melatonin and exendin‐4 treatment in a rat model of cardiorenal syndrome

We investigated the cardioprotective effect of melatonin (Mel) and exendin‐4 (Ex4) treatment in a rat model of cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). Adult male SD rats (n=48) were randomly and equally divided into sham control (SC), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) (doxorubicin 7 mg/kg i.p. every five days/4 doses), CRS (defined as DCM+CKD) only, CRS‐Mel (20 mg/kg/d), CRS‐Ex4 (10 μg/kg/d), and CRS‐Mel‐Ex4 groups. In vitro results showed protein expressions of oxidative stress (NOX‐1/NOX‐2/oxidized protein), DNA/mitochondrial damage (γ‐H2AX/cytosolic cytochrome c), apoptosis (cleaved caspase‐3/PARP), and senescence (β‐galactosidase cells) biomarkers were upregulated, whereas mitochondrial ATP level was decreased in doxorubicin/p‐cresol‐treated H9c2 cells that were revised by Mel and Ex4 treatments (all P<.001). By day 60, LVEF was highest in the SC and lowest in the CRS, significantly lower in the DCM than in other treatment groups, lower in the CRS‐Mel and CRS‐Ex4 than in the CRS‐Mel‐Ex4, and lower in the CRS‐Mel than in the CRS‐Ex4, whereas LV chamber size and histopathology score showed a pattern opposite to that of LVEF among all groups (all P<.001). Plasma creatinine level was highest in the CRS and lowest in the SC and progressively decreased from the CRS‐Mel, CRS‐Ex4, CRS‐Mel‐Ex4 to DCM (P<.0001). Protein expressions of inflammation (TNF‐α/NF‐κB/MMP‐2/MMP‐9/IL‐1β), apoptosis/DNA damage (Bax/c‐caspase‐3/c‐PARP/γ‐H2AX), fibrosis (Smad3/TGF‐β), oxidative stress (NOX‐1/NOX‐2/NOX‐4/oxidized protein), cardiac hypertrophy/pressure overload (BNP/β‐MHC), and cardiac integrity (Cx43/α‐MHC) biomarkers in LV myocardium showed an opposite pattern compared to that of LVEF among all groups (all P<.001). Fibrotic area, DNA damage (γ‐H2AX+/53BP1+CD90+/XRCC1+CD90+), and inflammation (CD14+/CD68+) biomarkers in LV myocardium displayed a pattern opposite to that of LVEF among all groups (all P<.001). Combined melatonin and exendin‐4 treatment suppressed CRS‐induced deterioration of LVEF and LV remodeling.
DX-9065a inhibits proinflammatory events induced by gingipains and factor Xa.

OBJECTIVE Arginine-specific cysteine proteases (Rgps) from Porphyromonas gingivalis are important virulent factors of periodontal diseases. However, there is no therapeutic drug that inhibits proinflammatory events induced by these enzymes. In this study, we investigated proinflammatory activities of Rgps and activated coagulation factor X (FXa) and examined the effect of DX-9065a, a new selective inhibitor of FXa, on proinflammatory events induced by these proteinases. METHODS Human gingival fibroblasts were stimulated with Rgps and FXa in the presence or absence of DX-9065a, and then interleukin-6 (IL-6) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) release, their mRNA expression, and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation were assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), northern blotting, and a gel-mobility shift method, respectively. RESULTS Rgps and FXa activated IL-6 and MMP-1 release in human gingival fibroblasts through their amidolytic activities and in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NF-kappaB dependent manners. DX-9065a inhibited FXa-induced IL-6 mRNA expression and NF-kappaB activation. DX-9065a inhibited amidolytic activities of FXa and Rgps in vitro and ex vivo. CONCLUSION Rgps and FXa are potent inflammatory mediators and DX-9065a may be a useful therapeutic drug for periodontal disease.
Presentation, Diagnosis and Management of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency

The human corneal surface epithelium is continuously repopulated by the limbal stem cells (LSCs). Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD) can lead to corneal opacity and vascularization, with consequent visual impairment or blindness. Many acquired and congenital diseases can lead to LCSD by direct injury to the LSCs, destruction of LSC niche, or both. Based on the severity of the disease, LSCD can present with various symptoms and signs. Although LSCD can be detected clinically, laboratory tests are necessary to confirm the diagnosis and monitor the disease progression. This article concisely reviews the clinical presentation, techniques for diagnosis and management of LSCD.
Subsistence strategies of two “savanna” chimpanzee populations: The stable isotope evidence

Twenty‐two chimpanzee hair samples collected from night nests at two different “savanna” sites were analyzed for carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios represented as δ13C and δ15N values. The first at Ugalla, Tanzania is a miombo woodland with grass groundcover and small patches of forest. The second at Ishasha, Democratic Republic of the Congo is a habitat composed of riverine gallery forest, semideciduous thicket forest, wooded grassland, and grassland. Based on comparative data from other primates, Ugalla hair δ13C values suggest that the chimpanzees are feeding primarily in the woodland rather than in forest patches or on grassland foods (grasses or grammivorous fauna). Similar comparisons indicate that the Ishasha chimpanzees are feeding within the forests and not in more open areas. In addition, the Ugalla chimpanzees had δ15N values that indicate extensive ingestion of leguminous flowers, seeds, and/or leaves. The Ishasha samples show a range encompassing three trophic levels. Two samples with the most positive values may indicate a nursing signal or vertebrate‐feeding. Three individuals with intermediate values are similar to those in omnivorous nonhuman primate species. The four individuals with the lowest values are very similar to those in herbivorous monkeys. Stable isotope ratios permit time‐averaged and habitat‐specific dietary comparisons among sites, even without habituation or detailed foraging observations. Am. J. Primatol. 49:297–314, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dissociable roles of the central and basolateral amygdala in appetitive emotional learning

The amygdala is considered to be a core component of the brain's fear system. Data from neuroimaging studies of normal volunteers and brain‐damaged patients perceiving emotional facial expressions, and studies of conditioned freezing in rats, all suggest a specific role for the amygdala in aversive motivation. However, the amygdala may also be critical for emotional processing in positive or appetitive settings. Using an appetitive Pavlovian approach procedure we show a theoretically important dissociation in the effects of excitotoxic lesions of the central nucleus and basolateral area of the amygdala, in the rat. Whilst central nucleus lesions impair appetitive Pavlovian conditioning, basolateral lesions do not. Together with other data, these results not only support the hypothesis that the amygdala is critical for appetitive as well as aversive learning, but are also consistent with amygdala subsystems subserving distinct aspects of emotional learning. Lesions of the dorsal or ventral subiculum were without effect on autoshaping, indicating the lack of involvement of hippocampal processing in this form of emotional behaviour and emphasizing further the neural specificity of the effects seen following central amygdala lesions.
Blood-Flow Velocity as a Factor in Postoperative Microvascular Patency

The authors attempted to develop a reliable and reproducible new animal model in which the blood-flow velocity to a flap could be varied. This model was utilized to study the effects of different blood-flow velocities on the patency rate of small 1- to 2-mm vessels after common microsurgical procedures. Male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 450 to 550 gm, were used to develop a model creating either a "high blood flow" or a "low blood flow" state by ligating the rat femoral artery, either distally or proximally, to an epigastric artery based on a groin cutaneous flap. Blood-flow velocities were measured by microvascular flowmeter, and statistical analysis was performed on the data collected. The model was next used to determine the effects of different blood-flow velocities on the patency rates of rat femoral vessels after primary anastomosis vs interpositional vein grafting. Interpositional vein grafting was subsequently repeated by a more senior microsurgeon, to determine the potential effects of increased surgical experience. The animal model was reliable, easily reproducible, and efficacious in producing two separate groups of rats with significantly different blood-flow velocities (3.98 vs. 2.14 +/- 0.5 ml/min), as was confirmed by electromagnetic flowmeter and statistical analysis. In experienced hands, decreased blood-flow velocity did not result in decreased patency rates of these small vessels after primary anastomosis, or even after vein grafting. As long as microvascular vein grafting and primary anastomosis procedures are done properly, even 1-mm vessels can tolerate significantly decreased blood-flow velocity without a decreased patency rate. Although many known factors can contribute to thrombosis and failure of anastomoses in clinical microsurgery, blood-flow velocity appears not to be a significant factor. Also described is a new, reliable animal model that can be used in small-vessel blood-flow velocity studies.
Role of β3-endonexin in the regulation of NF-κB-dependent expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor

Endothelial migration on extracellular matrix is regulated by integrins and proteolysis. Previous studies showed that β3-integrins regulate expression of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) through outside-in signalling involving the cytoplasmic domain. Here we show that overexpression of the integrin-binding proteinβ 3-endonexin decreased uPAR promoter (-398 base-pair fragment) activity that is constitutively active in endothelial cells. Mutation of the NF-κB promoter binding site (-45 bp) impaired the ability ofβ 3-endonexin to downregulate uPAR promoter activity. Immunoprecipitation studies showed that β3-endonexin interacts directly with the p50/p65 transactivation complex and thereby inhibits binding of κB oligonucleotides to the p50/p65 complex. Moreover, binding ofβ 3-endonexin to p50 was inhibited in the presence of κB but not mutated κB oligonucleotides, suggesting a sterical competition between β3-endonexin and κB DNA for the p50/p65 complex. We therefore propose that β3-endonexin acts as regulator of uPAR expression in β3-integrin-mediated endothelial cell migration through direct interaction with p50/p65. Since NF-κB regulates the expression of matrix degrading enzymes, the present results define a role of β3-endonexin in regulatingβ 3-integrin-mediated adhesion and pericellular proteolysis.
Mycobacterium avium complex infection in kidney transplant patients

Abstract: Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections have been reported rarely in renal transplant patients. Consequently the clinical course and optimal treatment of these patients are not well understood. We present 3 patients with MAC infections after receiving a renal transplant (2 with generalized and 1 with localized infection). All patients were treated with combination antibiotic therapy and reduction of immunosuppression. One patient experienced clinical control of disease but a mild cellular rejection that was successfully treated with high‐dose corticosteroids. One patient died of disseminated MAC infection. The patient with localized infection died of unrelated causes. In summary, MAC infection, although rare in renal transplant patients, may respond to combination antimicrobial therapy and reduction of immunosuppression.
Bevin, the Ruhr and the Division of Germany: August 1945 – December 1946

Initially it was Ernest Bevin's intention to use the Ruhr as an internationally controlled dynamo for the rehabilitation of Europe. However, within months of taking office he was compelled to accept that, shackled by Allied policy over the permitted level of German industry, the Ruhr would not, in the immediate future, be able to provide the spark necessary to ignite European recuperation. Moreover, Bevin's deepening suspicions of Soviet policy, that it was geared towards using the depressed situation in the British zone to win the area for communism, reinforced his original determination to exclude the Russians from any responsibility for governing the Ruhr industries. Consolidation of British control took precedence over schemes for international co-operation. By the end of I 946 Bevin's stance on the Ruhr had undergone an important transformation. Rather than using British control of the region as an impetus towards European collaboration it had become a justification for the division of Germany along the boundaries between the western zones of occupation and the Soviet zone.
Evaluation of multi-sensor SAR and optical data to monitor growth stages of oilpalm plants

With the increase in the global demands for food and bio-fuels, the plantation area is increasing and they are the major derivers of deforestation and biodiversity loss in Southeast Asia. A number of research papers have demonstrated the applicability of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data to monitor terrestrial ecosystem in tropical countries without limitations of clouds. This study investigated the use of multi-sensor SAR and optical data to monitor growth stages of oilpalm plantation in Sarawak. Regression models were developed between oilplam age estimated based on Landsat archive data and SAR backscattering. Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) data with HV polarization showed best correlation with r2 = 0.77 as compared to X-band and C-band SAR data. We have further applied various polarimetric decomposition techniques to identify best polarimetric parameters to monitor growth stages of oilpalm plants. Yamaguchi 4-component based polarimetric decomposition showed good results compared to other polarimetric decomposition parameters.
Pelvic floor exercises as a treatment for post-micturition dribble.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness of pelvic floor exercises and urethral milking as treatments for post-micturition dribble. PATIENTS AND METHODS A method of measuring small amounts of urine loss during normal activity was developed; pads were worn for short periods (< 4 h) and then stored in two sealed plastic bags which were weighed within 72 h. Forty-nine men (age range 36-83 years) drawn from a hospital out-patient population, who had not undergone surgery on the bladder, urethra or prostate gland, entered the study. They were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups; pelvic muscle exercise, urethral milking or counselling. Participants in each group followed the treatment specific to their group for 12 weeks. At 5, 9 and 13 weeks, urine loss was assessed using the method described. RESULTS The groups were comparable for age, height, weight and pelvic muscle contraction strength and compliance of the men who completed the study was excellent. The outcome measure (improvement in pad weight gain) was strongly influenced by initial pad weight gain, or degree of urine loss at the start of the study and this was treated as a covariate in an analysis of variance model. After allowing for the effects of initial pad weight gain, the counselling group showed no improvement, the urethral milking group showed an adjusted mean improvement in urine loss of 2.9 g after 13 weeks, compared with 4.7 g in the exercise group. CONCLUSION Both pelvic floor exercises and urethral milking are effective treatments for post-micturition dribble compared with counselling alone. Pelvic floor exercises were more effective in reducing urine loss than urethral milking in this study.
Contributing to DSO’s Energy-Reserve Pool: A Chance-Constrained Two-Stage $\mu $ VPP Bidding Strategy

This paper presents the strategic proposition for a micro virtual power plant (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu $ </tex-math></inline-formula> VPP) to participate in the distribution level energy-reserve pool managed by a distribution system operator. A chance-constrained two-stage stochastic formulation is proposed to derive the bidding strategy for <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu $ </tex-math></inline-formula> VPP maximizing its daily profit. The stochastic nature of renewable generation and load profile of the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu $ </tex-math></inline-formula> VPP is captured by the Monte Carlo method. The security of supply is guaranteed by controlling the loss of load probability, which is modeled as chance constraint. The numerical tests are performed on <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu $ </tex-math></inline-formula> VPPs with different penetration levels of distributed energy resource (DER) and renewable energy source (RES), where the impact of the DER and RES indexes and the impact of uncertainty levels are demonstrated. Also, the advantages of chance-constrained formulation as the means of risk-hedging are addressed. Finally, the impact of rival <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu $ </tex-math></inline-formula> VPPs on the bidding behaviors and the impact of carbon taxes on the profit are analyzed.
Mining Gene Expression Data Using Enhanced Intelligence Clustering Technique

With the advent of microarray technology, there is a growing need to reliably extract biologically significant information from massive gene expression data. Clustering is one of the key steps in analyzing gene expression data by identifying groups of genes that manifest similar expression patterns. Elucidating the patterns hidden in gene expression data offers a tremendous opportunity for an enhanced understanding of proteomics. However, the large number of genes and their measurement complexity greatly increase the challenges of comprehension, interpretation and limited progress on cluster validation and identifying the number of clusters. In this paper, an intelligence based clustering algorithm is integrated with the validation techniques to assess the predictive power of the clusters. Through experimental evaluation, this approach is shown to outperform the other clustering methods greatly in terms of clustering quality, efficiency and automation. The resulting clusters offer potential insight into gene function, molecular biological processes and regulatory mechanisms.
Beneficial effects of aggressive low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering in women with stable coronary heart disease in the Treating to New Targets (TNT) study

Objective: To examine by secondary analysis of the Treating to New Targets (TNT) study whether the benefits of intensive versus standard levels of lipid lowering are equally applicable to women. Methods: A total of 10 001 patients (1902 women) with stable coronary heart disease (CHD) were randomised to double-blind treatment with atorvastatin 10 or 80 mg/day for a median follow-up of 4.9 years. Results: In women and men, intensive treatment with atorvastatin 80 mg significantly reduced the rate of major cardiovascular events compared with atorvastatin 10 mg. Among women, the relative and absolute reductions were 27% and 2.7%, respectively (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54 to 1.00, p = 0.049). In men, the corresponding rate reductions were 21% and 2.2% (HR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.91, p = 0.001). The number needed to treat value (to prevent one cardiovascular event over 4.9 years compared with patients treated with atorvastatin 10 mg) for atorvastatin 80 mg was 29 for women and 30 for men. Rates of death of non-cardiovascular origin in the atorvastatin 80 mg and atorvastatin 10 mg were 3.6% and 1.6%, respectively (p = 0.004) among women, and 2.8% and 3.1% (p = 0.47) among men. Conclusion: Intensive lipid-lowering treatment with atorvastatin 80 mg produced significant reductions in relative risk for major cardiovascular events compared with atorvastatin 10 mg in both women and men with stable CHD.
Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells as a Predictor of Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle?

It would be important to better identify heart failure (HF) patients most likely to respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Because endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a crucial role in the maintenance of vascular endothelium integrity, we hypothesize that patients who have higher circulating EPCs levels have greater neovascularization potential and are more prone to be responders to CRT.
Role of the complement in experimental sepsis

At the Trauma, Shock, Inflammation and Sepsis 2007 conference, the roles of complement activation products and relevant receptors were stressed in the setting of experimental sepsis [cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)] in mice and rats. In addition, some limited evidence was presented related to humans with septic shock (requiring vasopressor support). Collectively, the data suggested that events found in CLP also occur in human sepsis. Experimental sepsis (CLP) in rodents is associated with robust complement consumption and appearance of activation products (C3a, C5a) in plasma. During sepsis, there is up‐regulation of C5a receptors (C5aR, C5L2) on blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and in lungs, liver, kidneys, and heart. CLP also leads to dramatic reductions of C5aRs on blood PMNs, the intensity of which correlates with lethality. Interception in vivo of C5a or C5aR dramatically improves survival after CLP, preserves innate immune functions of blood PMNs, and greatly attenuates the intensity of consumptive coagulopathy and activation of the fibrinolytic system after CLP. In humans with septic shock, there is evidence of complement activation products in plasma along with loss of C5aRs on blood PMNs. These data suggest that in septic humans, interception of C5a or C5aR might be clinically efficacious.
International Public Procurement Agreements - Problems of Implemetations in Switzerland

The Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) of the WTO and the Bilateral Procurement Agreement between Switzerland and the European Union prohibit the discrimination of non-local firms. The Swiss legislation interprets the international obligations in a great variety of ways. This causes uncertainty and high transaction costs both for suppliers and purchasing agencies. Moreover, it gives way for rent-seeking by local firms to the detriment of the local tax payers and foreign firms.