Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The complexity in regulating the expression of tenascins

The tenascins are a growing family of extracellular matrix proteins of typical multidomain structure. The prototype to be discovered was tenascin‐C. It shows a highly regulated expression pattern during embryonic development and is often transiently associated with morphogenetic tissue interactions during organogenesis. In the adult organism reexpression of tenascin‐C occurs in tumors and many other pathological conditions. Tenascin‐C expression can be regulated by many different growth factors and hormones. Furthermore, mechanical strain exerted by fibroblasts seems to induce the expression of tenascin‐C. This could represent a mechanism of translating mechanical forces into protein patterns, a step of potential relevance in the organization of embryogenesis. Tenascin‐C as well as tenascin‐R are believed to counteract the cell adhesion and spreading activity of fibronectin, thereby facilitating cell movement.
Target tracking based on object's shape

In this paper we consider the problem of automatic tracking for targets in complex natural backgrounds. The background elements can mask the target for a while. Target has a low contrast relatively to the background, moreover, some background elements and target can have the same brightness. Target detection in each frame of the video sequence is proposed by using its shape. The target shape is formed by multilevel thresholding based on the between-class variance maximization. A special rule overwriting the standard so-called dynamic proximity measure is used to achieve stable tracking.
Characteristics and composition of the vitamin K-dependent gamma-glutamyl carboxylase-binding domain on osteocalcin.

Two different sites on vitamin K-dependent gamma-glutamyl carboxylase (VKC) are involved in enzyme-substrate interaction: the propeptide-binding site required for high-affinity substrate binding and the active site for glutamate carboxylation. Synthetic descarboxy osteocalcin (d-OC) is a low-K(m) substrate for the VKC, but unique since it possesses a high-affinity recognition site for the VKC, distinct from the propeptide which is essential as a binding site for VKC. However, the exact location and composition of this VKC-recognition domain on d-OC has remained unclear until now. Using a stereospecific substrate analogue [t-butyloxycarbonyl-(2S,4S)-4-methylglutamic acid-Glu-Val (S-MeTPT)] we demonstrate in this paper that the high affinity of d-OC for VKC cannot be explained by a direct interaction with either the active site or with the propeptide-binding site on VKC. It is shown using various synthetic peptides derived from d-OC that there are two domains on d-OC necessary for recognition: one located between residues 1 and 12 and a second between residues 26 and 39, i.e. at the C-terminal side of the gamma-carboxyglutamate (Gla) domain. Both internal sequences contribute substantially to the efficiency of carboxylation. On the basis of these data we postulate the presence of a second high-affinity substrate-binding site on VKC capable of specifically binding d-OC, which is the first vitamin K-dependent substrate of which the VKC binding domain is interrupted by the Gla domain.
RSV‐induced bronchiolitis but not upper respiratory tract infection is accompanied by an increased nasal IL‐18 response

The aim of this study was to investigate potential differences in the local nasal immune response between bronchiolitis and upper respiratory tract infection induced by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Nasal brush samples were obtained from 14 infants with RSV bronchiolitis and from 8 infants with RSV upper respiratory tract infection. The samples were taken during infection (acute phase) and 2–4 weeks later (convalescent phase). Cytospin preparations were stained immunohistochemically for T cells, macrophages, and eosinophils. Staining also took place for intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), T‐helper 1 (Th1)‐like (interleukin‐12 [IL‐12], interferon‐γ [IFN‐γ]), Th2‐like (IL‐4, IL‐10), and proinflammatory cytokines (IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐18). During both RSV‐induced bronchiolitis and upper respiratory tract infection, cellular inflammation was observed. This was characterised by an increase in the numbers of nasal macrophages, which tended to be higher in bronchiolitis than in upper respiratory tract infection. Numbers of T lymphocytes and ICAM‐1 positive cells increased during both bronchiolitis and upper respiratory tract infection. There were no differences between numbers in the groups. Interestingly, a distinct nasal proinflammatory cytokine response was observed in RSV‐induced bronchiolitis. This is characterised by an increase in the number of IL‐18 positive cells. This increase is specific for bronchiolitis, as a similar increase could not be detected in RSV‐induced upper respiratory tract infection. Numbers of IL‐6 and IL‐12 positive cells were higher in both bronchiolitis and upper respiratory tract infection, and there were no differences between the groups. By contrast, the number of IL‐8, IFN‐γ, IL‐4, and IL‐10‐positive cells remained constant. In conclusion, clear differences were found in nasal immune responses of children with RSV‐induced upper respiratory tract infection or bronchiolitis. The induction of a strong IL‐18 response was typical for bronchiolitis, as this could not be observed in RSV‐induced upper respiratory tract infection, and could explain the eosinophilia that is observed frequently during bronchiolitis. J. Med. Virol. 71:290–297, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reducing multiple pregnancy from assisted reproduction treatment: educating patients and medical staff

Multiple pregnancy, with its adverse outcomes, is a significant problem in assisted reproductive technology. Single embryo transfer (SET) is the only feasible solution for reducing the rate of multiple pregnancy. Many patients and some clinicians remain to be convinced that SET is a better clinical option. Adequate education, based on available evidence, is one important way to promote the use of SET.
Adapting geographical DTN routing for enhanced connectivity in partitioned VANETs on highways

Vehicular Ad hoc Networks (VANETs) have significant potential to host diverse applications associated with traffic safety, traffic efficiency and infotainment. VANETs have distinct characteristics and adapting routing protocols for effective communication is a subject of interest for many researchers in this domain. In this paper, we propose a position based Delay Tolerant Network (DTN) routing protocol in VANET for the highways. The solution is designed for partitioned environments which suffer from frequent network disconnections. Our solution presents the most suitable next hop selection mechanism through a filtration process. The filtration process utilizes node position, current direction, speed and the predicted direction that are acquired by Direction Indicator Light (DIL). NS-2 is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed routing protocol. The results show increment in packet transmission as compared to previous works. Finally, the proposed protocol contributes to route stability in VANET.
Simple electromagnetic modeling scenarios emulating typical propagation channels for V2V communications

In this paper, we propose a Geometry-Based Stochastic Channel Modeling (GBSCM) approach for vehicle-to-vehicle wireless communications. This method helps to develop dynamic scenarios and its flexibility allows us to parameterize the different characteristics of a propagation channel such as delay spread and angles of arrival distribution. It is shown that the most common propagation environments (rural, highway, urban-like propagation channels) are reached through adjustment of location and numbers of simple metallic plates.
Towards Self-Managing Web Sites: The Link Integrity Problem

Most Web sites contain faulty links. These affect the perceived quality of the information on the site and the reliability of any associated services. Despite such motivation, and a wide discussion of the issue over many years, achieving a reasonable level of link integrity across the Web remains an open challenge. This paper describes some work towards clarifying and resolving that challenge. The approach taken in this paper involves the embedding of automatic checks for link integrity in each site. The problem is examined using Soft Systems Methodology, in the general context of creating and maintaining a Web site to provide user information and associated services. Some experimental work towards implementing such a system is described, discussing opportunities for autonomic behaviour
Linkage analysis of rheumatoid arthritis in US and UK families reveals interactions between HLA-DRB1 and loci on chromosomes 6q and 16p.

OBJECTIVE HLA is the most strongly associated locus in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), accounting for up to one-third of the genetic contribution. Conditioning on the effect of true disease loci such as HLA can lead to increased power to detect effects at other loci and, in addition, allows investigation of the underlying disease models, including interactions. The aim of this study was to detect susceptibility loci for RA by conditioning on HLA in a large sample of affected sibling pairs (ASPs) and to test for evidence of interaction between novel loci and HLA. METHODS Genotype data from 3 whole-genome linkage scans for RA in a US population and a UK population were pooled, resulting in a combined data set of 886 ASPs. This pooling of data increased the power to detect loci showing low levels of heterogeneity. Nonparametric linkage analysis was performed to identify regions of interest. Joint 2-locus analysis was then performed for HLA and each of the loci that demonstrated evidence of linkage in the 886 ASPs. RESULTS Evidence for linkage was most significant at HLA (P = 4 x 10(-16)), with 7 non-HLA loci showing some evidence for linkage (P = 0.05-0.003). Joint modeling of these loci with HLA provided evidence for linkage at a genome-wide significance level for loci on 6q (P = 2.7 x 10(-6)) and 16p (P = 2 x 10(-4)). CONCLUSION These data provide the most convincing evidence to date that 6q and 16p harbor susceptibility genes. In addition, these loci may interact with HLA, facilitating the search for candidate genes within this region.
Recesiunea - O problempentru organizaii

The reality in all organization is that the directors and board are in the position of highest influence and their primary responsibility is leadership. As such, considering the consequences of a recession such as we currently face is not the time for directors to abdicate their responsibilities – it is time for governance leadership. The directors and the board must think and respond strategically. The article shows a matrix for positioning the general manager in recession that is similarly with BCG matrix and in the final a table with a set of essential questions for helping the board in new strategies building.
Targeting tumor metabolism with 2‐deoxyglucose in patients with castrate‐resistant prostate cancer and advanced malignancies

A profound difference between cancer and normal tissues is the preferential utilization of glycolysis by cancer cells. To translate this paradigm in the clinic, we completed a phase I study of 2‐deoxyglucose (2DG), and assessed 2DG uptake with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and the autophagy substrate p62 as a marker of 2DG resistance.
Setting standards in Australian higher education

In view of recent legislation to introduce the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency in Australia, greater emphasis is being placed on the notion of standards in higher education. A standards-based audit or assessment implies that institutions need to demonstrate performance or achievement against a set of explicit thresholds. This article explores the question of whether these standards, as a set of demonstrable thresholds, will be set by institutions, by TEQSA or by some other means? How will these thresholds be determined and who has the authority to set them? The article concludes by suggesting the setting of external national standards may change the locus of power and control away from institutions.
The Influence of the CNN Effect and the Al Jazeera Effect on American Foreign Policy

Abstract This article explores the relationship between American mass media and foreign international news channels on United States foreign policy. Initially, the paper examines the ability of contemporary global mass media to influence governments’ policy making. Then, it focuses on the ability of American mass media to influence the foreign policy decisionmaking at the White House. The last part of this article examines the influence that foreign global mass media (in this case, Al Jazeera) can or cannot have on U.S. foreign policy decisions. Finally, the article ends with an assessment of both the CNN Effect and the Al Jazeera Effect in terms of the significance and the benefits and/or drawbacks of their influence. In conclusion the article discusses whether the United States government has the ability to control this media influence and use it to support its policy agenda, and with an assessment of the future of the CNN effect and the Al Jazeera effect. Key words: U.S. foreign policy, media, CNN effect, Al Jazeera effect.
Total and segmental colonic transit time with radio-opaque markers in adolescents with functional constipation.

BACKGROUND In most instances, constipation is considered idiopathic or functional. The total and segmental colonic transit time, traced by radio- opaque markers, makes possible the identification of the colon segment that has the motility alteration that causes constipation. METHODS A study was performed of 13 adolescents, aged 12 to 18, with functional chronic constipation and 13 without constipation. In all of them the total and segmental colonic transit times were measured with radio-opaque markers. The adolescents ingested 20 markers each on three successive days, and on the fourth day a plain abdominal radiograph was performed. RESULTS In the nonconstipated adolescents the total colonic transit time (mean +/- SD) was 30.2 +/- 13.1 hours, in the right colon 5.7 +/- 3.9 hours, in the left colon 7.9 +/- 7.8 hours, and in the rectosigmoid 15.5 +/- 10.6 hours. In the constipated adolescents, the total colonic transit time was 58.3 +/- 17.4 hours, in the right colon 15.9 +/- 12.4 hours, in the left colon 14.7 +/- 13.4 hours, and in the rectosigmoid 17.2 +/- 16.2 hours. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in the total colonic transit time, and in both the right and left colon transit times between constipated and nonconstipated adolescents. CONCLUSIONS The measurement of total and segmental colonic transit times is a simple method that allows one to distinguish constipation due to colonic dysfunction (right colon and left colon) from constipation due to distal obstruction (rectosigmoid).
Model predictive control strategy based on differential discrete particle swarm optimization

A model-based predictive control strategy, aided by a differential discrete particle swarm optimization, is proposed. In particular, the proposed approach extends the traditional discrete binary version of the particle swarm algorithm by redesigning the particle section (all possible solutions in the search space) in order to represent a sequence of discrete controls. In this way, the “velocity section” turns out to be related to the probability of achieving the suitable discrete control value. As an experimental case study, this strategy is applied to a temperature control in a building aimed at energy saving. The proposed method is compared with a standard particle swarm algorithm, and experimental results are discussed.
Poverty and Inequality in the UK: 2011

Preface The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has supported this project as part of its programme of research and innovative development projects, which it hopes will be of value to policymakers, practitioners and service users. The facts presented and views expressed in this report are, however, those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Foundation. Neither are the views expressed necessarily those of the other individuals or institutions mentioned here, including the Institute for Fiscal Studies, which has no corporate view. Co-funding from the ESRC-funded Centre for the Microeconomic Analysis of Public Policy at IFS (grant number RES-544-28-0001) is also very gratefully acknowledged. Data from the Family Resources Survey were made available by the Department for Work and Pensions, which bears no responsibility for the interpretation of the data in this Commentary. Any errors and all views expressed are those of the authors.
Local proliferation and mobilization of CCR3+ CD34+ eosinophil‐lineage‐committed cells in the lung

Emerging evidence suggests that haematopoietic CD34+ progenitor cells migrate from bone marrow (BM) to sites of allergen exposure where they can undergo further proliferation and final maturation, potentially augmenting the degree of tissue inflammation. In the current study we used a well‐characterized mouse model of allergen‐induced airway inflammation to determine the role of CCR3 receptor–ligand interactions in the migration and function of CD34+ cells. Allergen exposure significantly increased BM, blood and airway CD34+ CCR3+ cells as well as airway CD34+ CCR3+ stem cell antigen‐1‐positive (Sca‐1+) and CD34+ CD45+ interleukin‐5 receptor‐α‐positive (IL‐5Rα+) cells. A portion of the newly produced CD34+ CCR3+, Sca‐1+ CCR3+ and IL‐5Ralpha+ lung cells showed a significant proliferative capacity in response to allergen when compared with saline‐treated animals. In addition, in vitro colony formation of lung CD34+ cells was increased by IL‐5 or eotaxin‐2 whereas eotaxin‐2 had no effect on BM CD34+ cells. Furthermore, both eotaxin‐1 and eotaxin‐2 induced migration of BM and blood CD34+ CCR3+ cells in vitro. These data suggest that the CCR3/eotaxin pathway is involved in the regulation of allergen‐driven in situ haematopoiesis and the accumulation/mobilization of eosinophil‐lineage‐committed progenitor cells in the lung. Hence, targeting both IL‐5 and CCR3‐mediated signalling pathways may be required to control the inflammation associated with allergen‐induced asthma.
rac-3,4-trans-Dichloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl acetate

The title compound, C12H12Cl2O2, has a bicyclic skeleton containing cyclohexene and benzene fragments. The cyclohexene ring adopts a half-chair conformation with displacements of two atoms out of the least-squares plane of 0.311 (2) and −0.336 (2) Å. The Cl atoms are trans-positioned.
Induction of apoptosis in the LNCaP human prostate carcinoma cell line and prostate adenocarcinomas of SV40T antigen transgenic rats by the Bowman–Birk inhibitor

The soybean‐derived serine protease inhibitor, Bowman–Birk inhibitor (BBI), has been reported as a potent chemoprevention agent against several types of tumors. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of BBI on androgen‐sensitive/dependent prostate cancers using a human prostate cancer cell (LNCaP) and the transgenic rats developing adenocarcinoma of the prostate (TRAP) model. Treatment of LNCaP prostate cancer cells with 500 µg/mL BBI resulted in inhibition of viability measured on WST‐1 assays, with induction of connexin 43 (C×43) and cleaved caspase‐3 protein expression. Feeding of 3% roughly prepared BBI (BBIC) to TRAP from the age 3 weeks to 13 weeks resulted in significant reduction of the relative epithelial areas within the acinus and multiplicity of the adenocarcinomas in the lateral prostate lobes. C×43‐ and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP‐biotin end labeling of fragmented DNA (TUNEL)‐positive apoptotic cancer cells were more frequently observed in the lateral prostates treated with BBIC than in the controls. These in vivo and in vitro results suggest that BBI possesses chemopreventive activity associated with induction of C×43 expression and apoptosis.
Local Effect of Neurotrophin-3 in Neuronal Inflammation of Allergic Rhinitis: Preliminary Report.

BACKGROUND Allergic rhinitis is a common inflammatory nasal mucosal disease characterized by sneezing, watery nasal discharge, nasal obstruction and itching. Although allergen-specific antibodies play a main role in the allergic airway inflammation, neuronal inflammation may also contribute to the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Neuronal inflammation is primarily caused by the stimulation of sensory nerve endings with histamine. It has been shown that neurotrophins may also have a role in allergic reactions and neuronal inflammation. Nerve growth factor, neurotrophin 3 (NT-3), neurotrophin 4/5 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor are members of the neurotrophin family. Although nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor are well studied in allergic rhinitis patients, the exact role of Neurotrophin-3 is not known. AIMS To investigate the possible roles of neurotrophin-3 in allergic rhinitis patients. STUDY DESIGN Case-control study. METHODS Neurotrophin-3 levels were studied in the inferior turbinate and serum samples of 20 allergic rhinitis and 13 control patients. Neurotrophin-3 staining of nasal tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and ELISA was used for the determination of serum Neurotrophin-3 levels. RESULTS Neurotrophin-3 staining scores were statistically higher in the study group than in the control patients (p=0.001). Regarding serum Neurotrophin-3 levels, no statistically significant difference could be determined between allergic rhinitis and control patients (p=0.156). When comparing the serum NT-3 levels with tissue staining scores, there were no statistically significant differences in the allergic rhinitis and control groups (p=0.254 for allergic rhinitis and p=0.624 for control groups). CONCLUSION We suggest that Neurotrophin-3 might affect the nasal mucosa locally without being released into the systemic circulation in allergic rhinitis patients.
Adjustment of Early Parenthood

This study was designed to determine the relationship between the accuracy of preparenthood expectations about parenthood and the incidence of problems associated with the transition to parenthood. Parents who were expecting their first child in about six weeks completed a prebirth questionnaire pertaining to expectations about various dimensions of parenthood following the birth of their baby. The same questionnaire was administered two months after the birth of the baby, along with questions concerning the kinds of problems the parents had encountered. Two comparison control groups were also tested. Parents' preparenthood expectations did not differ significantly from their subsequent perceptions of parenthood. However, mothers with less accurate expectations about parenthood were most likely to have problems adjusting to parenthood. No comparable relationship was obtained for fathers. Less accurate expectations about parenthood among mothers were also associated with lower levels of preparation for parenting, higher age levels, and a greater number of years of prior marriage. Information is presented regarding the specific aspects of parenthood that mothers and fathers were least prepared for and that posed the greatest problems.
Corticosteroid effects in skeletal muscle: Gene induction/receptor autoregulation

Common side effects of corticosteroid therapy include muscle weakness and atrophy, which are in part mediated by the induction of the enzyme glutamine synthetase. In addition, corticosteroids autoregulate their own receptor, thereby modulating tissue sensitivity to the hormone. The data in this report demonstrate that these gene‐mediated effects are evident in muscle after short‐term administration. Determination of molecular response dynamics could be useful in the design of future treatment regimens. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 20: 1318–1320, 1997