Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RASSF1A gene inactivation in non‐small cell lung cancer and its clinical implication

Methylation‐associated inactivation of RASSF1, a putative tumor suppressor identified at 3p21.3, is reported in several cancers. We examined RASSF1 in non‐small lung cancer (NSCLC) to search for clinical implications. RT‐PCR analysis showed no expression of RASSF1A in 12 of 20 lung cancer cell lines. Loss of expression correlated well with promoter methylation status of these lines. Sequence analysis revealed 2 polymorphisms (codons 21 and 133) in RASSF1A transcripts, but not in RASSF1C transcripts. No somatic mutations were found. Of 7 cell lines with K‐ras mutations at codon 12 or 61, 2 lost expression of RASSF1A, whereas in 13 cell lines with wild‐type K‐ras gene, 10 lost RASSF1A gene expression (p = 0.0521). We investigated methylation status of this putative tumor suppressor gene in 100 primary NSCLCs to determine whether there is a clinical significance. Forty‐two of primary NSCLCs demonstrated methylated allele. There is no correlation between promoter methylation of RASSF1A and clinicopathological findings, including histological type or grade, tumor staging, p53 and K‐ras mutational status, or patients' survival. In the cases of Stage I and II disease, however, RASSF1A methylation was associated with earlier recurrence (p = 0.0247). Epigenetic silencing of RASSF1A is a frequent event in non‐small lung cancer and will provide novel opportunities to develop diagnosis and therapy of NSCLC. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nitrogen-sparing effect of carbohydrate related to time factor with hypophysectomized and diabetic rats.

LARSON and Chaikoff (1937) working with adult dogs, and Cuthbertson, McCutcheon and Munro (1940), and Munro (1949), studying adult humans and rats, showed that the nitrogen-sparing effect of single carbohydrate feedings was dependent upon the time which elapsed between the feeding of the protein and the carbohydrate moiety of the diet. These authors found that no nitrogen-sparing effect could be demonstrated if carbohydrate was fed more than 4 hours before or after the protein meal. It was also shown that the growth of infantile rats (Geiger 1948) and the repletion of protein depleted adult rats (Geiger, et al., 1950) are likewise affected by the temporal separation of feeding protein from the remainder of the diet. As to the mechanism of the nitrogen-sparing effect of simultaneously fed carbohydrate, no acceptable explanation has yet been offered. The possibility that the caloric-sparing action of the carbohydrate is responsible for the increased nitrogen retention has been disproved by Munro (1949).
Laser in situ keratomileusis for hyperopia and hyperopic astigmatism.

BACKGROUND The correction of hyperopia by excimer laser remains challenging because the procedure is followed by regression and loss of effect. We evaluated excimer laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) to correct hyperopia and hyperopic astigmatism using the NIDEK scanning slit excimer laser and a modified nomogram. METHODS The study included the first consecutive 58 eyes treated for hyperopia and hyperopic astigmatism by one surgeon. All eyes were operated at the Alexandria Eye Center, Alexandria, Egypt using the Nidek excimer laser and the Chiron automated corneal shaper. Astigmatic correction was done first by myopic ablation using a 5.0 mm ablation zone and a 5.5 mm transition zone, followed by narrow hyperopic ablation using a 5.5 to 7.5 mm zone. RESULTS Mean preoperative cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction was +3.75 D (range, +1.00 to +6.00 D). Mean preoperative astigmatism was 2.75 D (range 0 to 4.00 D). After hyperopic LASIK, all eyes had a reduction in their hyperopia, but regression occurred gradually until the last follow-up examination. At 6 months follow-up, the mean cycloplegic refraction was +2.25 D (range, 0 to +3.25 D). The postoperative astigmatism had a mean of 1.25 D (range 0 to 2.75 D). Four eyes had a reduction in the quality of vision due to a decentered ablation and a small ablation zone, but no other vision threatening complications were reported. CONCLUSION LASIK to correct hyperopia and hyperopic astigmatism is safe, effective, and repeatable. Predictability and long-term stability needs improvement. A better ablation profile and modified algorithm need to be provided by excimer laser manufacturers.
Case of drug-induced acute pancreatitis produced by horsetail infusions.

INTRODUCTION The most frequent causes of acute pancreatitis are biliary stones, alcohol consumption, smoking and tumors. Some of them do not have any established cause, and they are catalogued as idiopathic pancreatitis. CASE REPORT We report the case of a 56-year-old woman with a history of bilateral adrenalectomy on hormone replacement therapy with corticosteroids, who has recurrent episodes of mild acute pancreatitis with an etiologic study (laboratory and imaging tests) without significant findings. A drug-induced etiology was suspected, so corticosteroids were removed and antihypertensive treatment was modified, but the clinical manifestations persisted. Later regular consumption of horsetail infusions was detected, and after their suspension the patient became asymptomatic and has not presented new episodes. DISCUSSION The drug-induced acute pancreatitis is a strange cause of pancreatitis that is frequently underdiagnosed because of the difficulty to establish a relationship between the drugs and the pancreatitis. Lots of drugs have been related with acute pancreatitis, while the information available for herbal products is limited. They usually present like mild and recurrent episodes, without significant findings in both laboratory and imaging tests (abdominal ultrasound, abdominal computed tomography [CT], cholangiography and endoscopic ultrasound). It is important to detect the origin of this type of pancreatitis to prevent recurrence.
Validation of a protein panel for the noninvasive detection of recurrent non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

Abstract Context: About 50–70% of patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) experience relapse of disease. Objective: To establish a panel of protein biomarkers incorporated in a multiplexed microarray (BCa chip) and a classifier for diagnosing recurrent NMIBC. Materials and methods: Urine samples from 45 patients were tested. Diagnostic performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: A multi biomarker panel (ECadh, IL8, MMP9, EN2, VEGF, past recurrences, BCG therapies and stage at diagnosis) was identified yielding an area under the curve of 0.96. Discussion and conclusion: This biomarker panel represents a potential diagnostic tool for noninvasive diagnosis of recurrent NMIBC.
Cholangiocarcinoma in primary sclerosing cholangitis is associated with NKG2D polymorphisms

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is often complicated by the development of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Genetic variation of natural killer cell receptor G2D (NKG2D) has been associated with cancer susceptibility. An important ligand for NKG2D, major histocompatibility complex class I chain‐related molecule A (MICA), serves as a marker of cellular stress. The 5.1 allele of the gene encoding MICA has been associated with PSC. In this study, we aimed to investigate the influence of genetic variations in the NKG2D‐MICA receptor‐ligand pair on the risk of CCA in patients with PSC. Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) covering the NKG2D gene were genotyped in 365 Scandinavian PSC patients and 368 healthy controls with TaqMan technology. Genotype data on the MICA 5.1 variant were available from previous studies. Forty‐nine of the PSC patients (13.6%) had developed CCA at the time of study. Two of the NKG2D SNPs were associated with an increased risk of CCA: rs11053781 [odds ratio (OR) = 2.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.31‐3.29, corrected P (Pc) = 0.011] and rs2617167 (OR = 2.32, 95% CI = 1.47‐3.66, Pc = 0.0020). Carriership of the MICA 5.1 allele was associated with resistance against CCA (OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.20‐0.95, not corrected P = 0.032). Conclusion: Our results show that genetic variants of the NKG2D receptor are associated with development of CCA in PSC patients. This suggests that interaction between NKG2D and MICA is involved in protection against CCA in PSC. Patients who are homozygous for the nonrisk alleles are unlikely to develop CCA; this finding could be helpful in identifying PSC patients with a low CCA risk. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.)
PROCESSES OF THE CORRELATION OF SPACE (LENGTHS) AND TIME (DURATIONS) IN HUMAN PERCEPTION 1

To study the processes and mechanisms of the correlation between space and time, particularly between lengths and durations in human perception, a special method (device and procedure) to conduct this experiment was designed. This method and phenomena occurring in processes of the correlation of perceived spatial and temporal intervals were called LDR (Length Duration Relation) 2 . In the present study a pilot and three series of the primary experiment were conducted under conditions of different levels of uncertainty. The primary experiments consisted of the main part and six auxiliary parts. In the main part of all the types of experiments, signals of a certain duration and modality were presented twice in random order to the subjects. Subjects had to respond to time signals of different durations by choosing a corresponding space interval. In other words, a subject had to recognize a connection given by the experimenter between a definite length of space and a definite duration of time based on a certain coefficient of proportionality. This relation in this experiment was called a conjugate pair. Any feedback was eliminated. Subjects did not know if their responses were correct or not. They could not be aware of the fact that a certain signal was presented to them the first time or the second time. The data which were
RHODES to Intelligent Transportation Systems

To help fulfill the promises of ITS (intelligent transportation system), the ATLAS (Advanced Traffic and Logistics Algorithms and Systems) research center is developing and testing the RHODES (real-time hierarchical optimized distributed effective system) traffic control system. We believe that RHODES play a major role in the realization of future Advanced Traffic Management Systems, a major component of ITS.
Binding, tuning and mechanical function of the 4-hydroxy-cinnamic acid chromophore in photoactive yellow protein

The bacterial photoreceptor protein photoactive yellow protein (PYP) covalently binds the chromophore 4-hydroxy coumaric acid, tuning (spectral) characteristics of this cofactor. Here, we study this binding and tuning using a combination of pointmutations and chromophore analogs. In all photosensor proteins studied to date the covalent linkage of the chromophore to the apoprotein is dispensable for light-induced catalytic activation. We analyzed the functional importance of the covalent linkage using an isosteric chromophore-protein variant in which the cysteine is replaced by a glycine residue and the chromophore by thiomethyl- p -coumaric acid (TMpCA). The model compound TMpCA is shown to weakly complex with the C69G protein. This non-covalent binding results in considerable tuning of both the p K _a and the color of the chromophore. The photoactivity of this system, however, was strongly impaired, making PYP the first known photosensor protein in which the covalent linkage of the chromophore is of paramount importance for the functional activity of the protein in vitro. We also studied the influence of chromophore analogs on the color and photocycle of PYP, not only in WT, but especially in the E46Q mutant, to test if effects from both chromophore and protein modifications are additive. When the E46Q protein binds the sinapinic acid chromophore, the color of the protein is effectively changed from yellow to orange. The altered charge distribution in this protein also results in a changed p K _a value for chromophore protonation, and a strongly impaired photocycle. Both findings extend our knowledge of the photochemistry of PYP for signal generation.
Genetic Characterization of Escherichia coli O104 Isolates from Different Sources in the United States

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli O104 isolates collected from different sources in the United States were examined for virulence genes typical of enterohemorrhagic E. coli and those identified in the O104:H4 isolate associated with the 2011 German outbreak. The unexpected presence of virulence markers in these isolates highlights the importance of screening unusual and potentially pathogenic Shiga toxin-producing E. coli serotypes.
THE EFFECTS OF MOVEMENT VELOCITY DURING SQUATTING ON ENERGY EXPENDITURE AND SUBSTRATE UTILIZATION IN WHOLE‐BODY VIBRATION

The purpose of this study was to examine whether and how cycle time duration affects energy expenditure and substrate utilization during whole-body vibration (WBV). Nine men performed 3 squatting exercises in execution frequency cycles of 6, 4, and 2 seconds to 90° knee flexion with vibration (Vb-) (frequency was set at 30 Hz and the amplitude of vibration was 4 mm) and without vibration (Vb-) during 3 minutes, each with an additional load of 30% of the subject's body weight. A 2-way analysis of variance for &OV0312;O2 revealed a significant vibration condition main effect (p < 0.001) and a cycle time duration effect (p < 0.001). When differences were analyzed by Fisher's LSD test, cycle time duration of 2 seconds was significantly different from 4 and 6 seconds, both in Vb+ and Vb-. Total energy expenditure (EEtot), carbohydrate oxidation rate (EEcho), and fat oxidation rate (EEfat) demonstrated a significant vibration condition main effect (EEtot: p < 0.01; EEcho: p < 0.001; EEfat: p < 0.001) and cycle time duration main effect (EEtot and EEcho: p < 0.001; EEfat: p < 0.01). EEtot,EEcho, and EEfat post hoc comparisons indicated that values for the 2-second test significantly differed from 4 and 6 seconds when compared in the same vibration condition. &OV0312;O2 and EE values were greater in Vb+ than in Vb-conditions with the same cycle time duration. Our study confirms that squatting at a greater frequency helps to maximize energy expenditure during exercise with or without vibration. Therefore, cycle time duration must be controlled when vibration exercise is prescribed.
Activation of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 long terminal repeat by transforming mutants of human p53

We have studied the effects of human wild-type and mutant p53s on the long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV). HeLa cells were cotransfected with a wild-type or mutant p53 expression plasmid and a plasmid containing a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene under HIV LTR promoter control. As expected, expression of wild-type p53 inhibited promoter function. Expression of a p53 mutated at any one of the four amino acid positions 175, 248, 273, and 281 correlated with a significant increase of the HIV promoter activity. The HIV LTR was also significantly activated in Saos-2 cells that do not express endogenous p53. This finding suggests a gain-of-transactivation function by mutation of the p53 gene. Cotransfection of wild-type and mutant p53-281G expression plasmids indicated that either the wild type or the mutant was dominant in inhibiting or enhancing promoter activity, respectively, when transfected in excess of the other. Transfection experiments showed transactivation even when the Sp1, NF-kappa B, and TATA sites in the LTR were individually mutated. Synthetic minimal promoter constructs containing two Sp1 sites or two NF-kappa B sites or an ATF site are also significantly activated by the mutant p53-281G. Thus, the mutant protein may activate transcription through interaction with either a general transcription factor or a common factor that bridges the basal transcription machinery and the transcription factors Sp1, NF-kappa B, and ATF.
Is the Currency Risk Priced in Equity Markets?

In this paper we investigate whether the currency risk is priced in international stock markets. We suggest a parsimonious version of the international capital asset pricing model with an EGARCH-M(1,1) specification of the second moments' dynamics of stock and currency returns, assuming that the latter follow a multivariate t-distribution. This specification allows for asymmetric responses of volatility to stock and currency news, including leverage effects. Our results suggest that the currency risk is priced in international stock markets, once asymmetries in volatility are taken into account. The currency premium is found to be significant on both statistic and economic grounds. We find that a dynamic portfolio strategy that hedges against currency changes provides higher returns (as a reward for currency premium) than a strategy which ignores them.
Integrative clinicopathological and molecular analyses of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and other nodal lymphomas of follicular helper T-cell origin

In addition to angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), the 2016 revised WHO classification of haematological malignancies recognizes two provisional lymphoma entities of follicular helper T-cell (TFH) derivation, namely follicular peripheral T-cell lymphoma (F-PTCL) and nodal PTCL with a TFH phenotype. Here, we performed a comprehensive, integrative clinicopathological and molecular analysis of these three entities. We found that F-PTCL and other nodal PTCL with TFH phenotype share not only immunophenotypical features, but also similar clinical, genetic and molecular features with AITL. Our results support the view that these lymphomas belong to the spectrum of a common disease. AITL and PTCL, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS), account for the majority of nodal PTCLs. While PTCLNOS is by definition heterogeneous and an exclusion diagnosis, AITL is characterized by a constellation of clinical, morphological, and immunophenotypical features, and defined by its cellular derivation from TFH cells. The typical pathological features, i.e., clear cells, increased vascularization, follicular dendritic cell (FDC) proliferation, and the presence of eosinophils, inflammatory cells, and EBV-positive B-blasts, are variably developed. An overlap between AITL and PTCL-NOS was substantiated by the observation that a subset of cases diagnosed as PTCL-NOS, upon routine pathological evaluation, actually harbor imprints of the TFH signature and/or express TFH-associated markers. Furthermore, the rare “follicular” T-cell lymphoma (F-PTCL), initially classified as a PTCL-NOS variant, is characterized by a TFH immunophenotype and clinicopathological features overlapping with AITL. Recently, recurrent AITL-associated TET2, DNMT3A and RHOA mutations were also found in a subset of PTCL-NOS, and tended to correlate with TFH features. Based on these recent findings, the 2016 update of the WHO classification groups AITL and other nodal lymphomas of TFH origin under the same umbrella. However, a thorough, systematic and multiparametric comparison of these entities is lacking. Here, we performed a comprehensive integrative clinicopathological and molecular analysis comparing AITL and other nodal PTCLs of TFH origin. Twenty-one such cases, including five F-PTCL, were identified in the TENOMIC biobank of the LYSA, and compared to 94 AITL and 36 PTCL-NOS. All cases were reviewed by three hematopathologists according to the 2016 WHO classification criteria ( and Online Supplementary Information). The five F-PTCL by definition comprised FDCs associated to the follicles without extrafollicular FDC expansion, and were positive for all TFH markers tested (4 or 5) (Figure 1A-B). The 16 other nodal PTCL with TFH phenotype (referred to as “TFH-like PTCL”) (Figure 1A, 1C, 1D) lacked typical morphological AITL
Premarital predictors of relationship outcomes: A 15-year follow-up of the Boston Couples Study.

Selecting a mate is one of life's most important decisions. In our fiercely independent culture, young people place a premium on personal choice in matters of the heart. Unfortunately, current divorce statistics suggest that many Americans are not making good marital choices. At present, empirical research offers few guidelines for detecting which dating relationships are likely to develop into successful marriages. Although there is abundant research on factors such as good looks and attitude similarity that foster initial interpersonal attraction, we know little about the long-term importance of these factors in continuing relationships. There is also a growing literature using information about marital patterns at one point in time to predict later marital success (e.g., Bentler & Newcomb, 1978; Bradbury & Fincham, 1990; Gottman, 1994; Kurdek, 1993). Although such information assists in identifying existing marriages at risk for misery and dissolution, it may not help young lovers to avoid unhappy marriages. Prospective studies of the premarital predictors of marital success are rare. In a pioneering study, Burgess and Wallin (1953) followed 666 couples from the time of their engagement in the late 1930s to a few years after their marriage. Burgess and Wallin concluded that successful marriage was more likely when individuals had been reared by happily married parents, were self-confident, showed sexual restraint before marriage, had a longer courtship, and endorsed the traditional belief that the husband should be head of the family and the wife should stay home.
Compact quint-band microstrip bandpass filter using double-layered substrate

A quint-band bandpass filter using double-layered substrate is proposed. The basic components used to build the proposed filter are three pairs of microstrip stepped-impedance resonators on the top and middle metal layer, and two pairs of slot uniform-impedance resonators on the bottom metal layer. Since each pairs of resonators control a respective passband, the proposed design is flexible and features a high design freedom. The proposed filter has the advantages of compact size and sharp passband selectivity. Due to crossed coupling, the transmission zeros at the both sides of the passbands enhance passband selectivity.
In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Allergic Effects of Arctium lappa L.

The discovery of drugs that can be used for the treatment of allergic disease is important in human health. Arctium lappa Linne (Compositae) (AL) has been used as a traditional medicine in Brazil and throughout Asia and is known to have an anti-inflammatory effect. In this study, the inhibitory effects of AL on degranulation and the release of mediators as well as on inhibition of cys-leukotriene biosynthesis by basophils were investigated. AL was selected out of 10,000 herbal extracts in a set-up for high throughput screening in which the degree of degranulation was monitored by the release of β-hexosaminidase from rat basophil leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. The AL extract significantly reduced degranulation and biosynthesis of cys-leukotrienes of human basophils in peripheral blood mono-nuclear cells (PBMCs) (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 8.3 and 11.4 μg/ml, respectively). Viability and metabolic activity of the PBMCs were not affected. Although arctiin, the active component of AL that has been described in the literature, was not able to reduce degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells, a single high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fraction from the AL extract inhibited β-hexosaminidase release (IC50 = 22.2 μg/ml). Topical administration of an aqueous extract of AL (5 mg/ear) on the ear of whey-sensitized mice 4 hrs before challenge with whey in the ear inhibited acute ear swelling by 50% in an in vivo cow’s milk allergic model. The extract had no effect in this model when administered orally. In conclusion, the active component present in the active HPLC fraction of the AL extract was able to significantly reduce the release of inflammatory mediators through inhibition of degranulation and cys-leukotriene release in vitro. In addition, this active component was able to inhibit acute skin response in mice in vivo, indicating that AL is a very promising natural component for use in anti-allergic treatment.