Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endogenous 24(S),25-Epoxycholesterol Fine-tunes Acute Control of Cellular Cholesterol Homeostasis*

Certain oxysterols, when added to cultured cells, are potent regulators of cholesterol homeostasis, decreasing cholesterol synthesis and uptake and increasing cholesterol efflux. However, very little is known about whether or not endogenous oxysterol(s) plays a significant role in cholesterol homeostasis. 24(S),25-Epoxycholesterol (24,25EC) is unique among oxysterols in that it is produced in a shunt of the mevalonate pathway which also produces cholesterol. We investigated the role of endogenously produced 24,25EC using a novel strategy of overexpressing the enzyme 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclase in Chinese hamster ovary cells to selectively inhibit the synthesis of this oxysterol. First, loss of 24,25EC decreased expression of the LXR target gene, ABCA1, substantiating its role as an endogenous ligand for LXR. Second, loss of 24,25EC increased acute cholesterol synthesis, which was rationalized by a concomitant increase in HMG-CoA reductase gene expression at the level of SREBP-2 processing. Therefore, in the absence of 24,25EC, fine-tuning of the acute regulation of cholesterol homeostasis is lost, supporting the hypothesis that 24,25EC functions to protect the cell against the accumulation of newly synthesized cholesterol.
Peer education in HIV prevention: an evaluation in schools.

BACKGROUND In recent years a number of publications have come out about the peer education method used as a tool in HIV prevention for young people. Our survey aimed at testing the effectiveness of the peer education method in HIV prevention in high school settings through a pilot intervention. METHODS A peer education intervention took place in 10 high schools in Athens over a 1 year period. A cohort of 702 students was surveyed (n = 493 intervention group, n = 209 control group) from 13 high schools through anonymous questionnaires based on the KABPs model, pre- and post-intervention. The statistical package used was SPSS using the chi(2)-test. RESULTS Compared with control students, the intervention students were slightly empowered: (i) to increase their personal responsibility; and (ii) to adopt a safer behaviour in sexual practice. Knowledge did not show any significant modification between the two groups. However, discrimination about certain groups of people, the attitude about condoms and initiation of sexual relations did not appear to be influenced. CONCLUSIONS The peer education approach can influence the behaviour of young people regarding their personal protection from HIV infection. In order to test its effectiveness, peer education should be further evaluated as a health education method in HIV prevention in high schools, other youth settings and community interventions, where the aim is behavioural change.
Symptom burden, depression, and quality of life in chronic and end-stage kidney disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES While many patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have impaired physical and psychologic well-being, less is known about these health domains in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). The authors sought to compare symptoms, depression, and quality of life in patients with ESRD and those with CKD. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS Patients with ESRD and subjects with advanced CKD were enrolled. Patients' symptoms, depression, and quality of life were assessed using the Dialysis Symptom Index (DSI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Short Form 36 (SF-36), respectively, and these health domains were compared between patient groups. RESULTS Ninety patients with ESRD and 87 with CKD were enrolled. There were no differences in the overall number of symptoms or in the total DSI symptom-severity score. Median scores on the PHQ-9 were similar, as was the proportion of patients with PHQ-9 scores >9. SF-36 Physical Component Summary scores were comparable, as were SF-36 Mental Component Summary scores. CONCLUSIONS The burden of symptoms, prevalence of depression, and low quality of life are comparable in patients with ESRD and advanced CKD. Given the widely recognized impairments in these domains in ESRD, findings of this study underscore the substantial decrements in the physical and psychologic well-being of patients with CKD.
Digital integrated circuits analysis and design - Book Reviews

T his is a well-written solid engineering oriented book covering the transistor circuits associated with digital electronic systems. From the Preface the background knowledge assumed is of “calculus, differential equations, physics, and chemistry as well as courses in circuits, electronics, and digital logic” with the book intended to “fit into the junior or senior year. ” The stated goals of the book are:
Beyond adhesion: emerging roles for integrins in control of the tumor microenvironment

While integrins were originally discovered as cell adhesion receptors, recent studies have reinforced the concept that integrins have central roles in cancer that extend far beyond controlling cell adhesion and migration. Indeed, as transmembrane cell surface receptors that occupy a critical position at the interface of cellular and extracellular interactions and are capable of both “inside-out” and “outside-in” signaling, integrins are uniquely poised to regulate the cell’s ability to promote, sense, and react to changes in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, integrins are present on all cell types in the tumor microenvironment, and they have important roles in regulating intercellular communication. Decades of promising pre-clinical studies have implicated certain integrins as attractive therapeutic targets in the cancer clinic. Nevertheless, results of the few clinical trials that target integrins in cancer have thus far been disappointing. Importantly, these clinical failures likely reflect the emerging complexity of individual and combinatorial integrin function within both tumor cells and other cell types of the tumor microenvironment, together with a need to explore integrin-targeting agents not just as monotherapies but also as adjuvants to more conventional radiotherapies or chemotherapies. In this review, we will examine recent advances toward understanding how integrins regulate cancer progression, including their roles in intercellular communication and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, we will discuss factors that underlie the limited efficacy of current efforts to target integrins in the cancer clinic as well as potential strategies to overcome these challenges.
Illustrative Visualization for Medicine and Science

This tutorial presents recent and important research and developments from academia in illustrative, nonphotorealistic rendering (NPR) focusing on its use for medical/science subjects. Lectures are organized within a comprehensive illustration framework, focusing on three main components: • Traditional and computerized illustration techniques and principles for Technical and Science Subjects • Evaluation and Practical Use • Viewing & Rendering Presentation of topics is balanced between descriptions of traditional methods and practices, practical implementation motivated approaches and evaluation, and detailed descriptions and analysis of NPR techniques and algorithms. We begin with a lecture presenting an overview of traditional illustration in technical, science, and medical subjects followed by a description of the main components in a NPR pipeline for developing systems to help technical and science illustrators with their work. The tutorial progresses with an overview of the NPR used in illustration as well as approaches to evaluate their use and effectiveness. Following lectures describe the latest techniques in computerized illustration algorithms for scientific and medical data for both surface and volumetric data, covering techniques from silhouette enhancement to stippling, to cut-away viewing, labeling, and focus+context rendering. Each of the lectures also discusses practical issues in making these techniques interactive and their use for different application domains. Tutorial concludes with discussion on specific medical case studies where the illustrative visualization has been effectively applied.
Erimielisyys yleisönosastokirjoituksissa: kirjoittajien suhtautumisen ja argumentaation tarkastelua

Lingvistisen tekstintutkimuksen alaan kuuluvassa tutkielmassa tarkastellaan erimielisyyden ilmaisuja yleisonosastokirjoituksissa. Tutkimuskysymyksina on selvittaa, milla keinoin yleisonosastokirjoitusten kirjoittajat ilmaisevat olevansa eri mielta aiempien kirjoittajien kanssa ja lisaksi, mita tehtavaa nama keinot palvelevat tekstin kokonaisuuden ja kirjoittajan tavoitteen kannalta. Tutkimuskysymyksia lahestytaan suhtautumisen teorian ja uuden retoriikan pohjalta kielen keinojen tarkastelun ja argumentaatioanalyysin avulla. Tutkielman varsinaisena aineistona on 71 Helsingin Sanomien yleisonosastolla ilmestynytta kirjoitusta, jotka on kirjoitettu seitsemasta eri aiheesta. Samasta aiheesta kirjoitettujen tekstien ketjumaisuus ja tekstien valille muodostuvat viittaussuhteet ovat tutkielmassa keskeinen lahtokohta. Tutkielmassa havaittiin, etta kirjoittajat ilmaisevat erimielisyyttaan usein eri keinoin, kuten erilaisin kieltavin lausein, vastakohtaisin vaittein ja kysymyksin. Erimielisyyden ilmaisu liittyy usein aiemman kirjoittajan referointiin. Aineiston referoinnin keinoista varsinaiset johtoilmaukset ovat paaosin neutraaleja, mutta sen sijaan suoran esityksen havaittiin sijoittuvan ainoastaan erimielisiin yhteyksiin. Referoinnin yhteydessa kirjoittajat ilmaisevat erimielisyyttaan tyypillisesti erilaisin evaluoinnein. Erikoistapauksena esiin nousee erityisesti tekstin herattamien tunnereaktioiden kuvailu ja eri tavoin oudoksi evaluoiminen. Tutkielmassa osoitetaan, etta erimielisyyden ilmaukset toimivat kiinteasti osana kirjoittajan argumentaatiota, mika nakyy niin erimielisyyden ilmaisemisen keinoissa kuin myos erimielisyyden kohdistamisessa. Erimielisyys on kirjoittajalle keskeinen retorinen keino samanaikaisesti horjuttaa vastustajan vaitetta ja avata tilaa omille vaitteilleen. Tassa tehtavassa erimielisyyden ilmaukset esiintyvat tyypillisesti osana ns. kiistorakennetta, jossa referointia seuraa erimielisyyden ilmaus ja kirjoittajan oman vaitteen tai perusteluiden esittaminen. Lisaksi havaittiin, etta kirjoittajat voivat modifioida ilmaisemansa erimielisyyden astetta vahvistimin ja varauksin seka myonnytyksin. Modifioinnit liittyvat tekstin moniaanisyyden ja kirjoittajan ja lukijan valisen suhteen hallitsemiseen. Erimielisyyden ehdottomuutta modifioimalla kirjoittaja pystyy ottamaan huomioon lukijan mahdollisesti eriavan kannan ja osoittamaan talle solidaarisuutta pyrkien samanaikaisesti vaikuttamaan lukijan mielipiteeseen.
Asymptomatic carotid stenosis.

of deficits, a therapeutical of functional recovery in in order to the efficacy of the acute of an earlier with the conventional cumulative-event-rate-at-temporal- endpoint analysis are valid where the shapes of the curves are dissimilar, as illustrated so convincingly in the example using a 15% peri-operative stroke and/or death rate. Where the peri-operative complication rate is 3%, the conventional analysis we adopted gives a good approximation of the overall surgical therapeutic effect, and is less cumbersome than Dr Jonas' method. Neither method of analysis summarises the results better than graphical comparison of cumulative event rates in surgical and non-surgical groups.
Author's response to reviews Title:Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Prolonged Grief in Refugees Exposed to Trauma and Loss Authors:

1. In the methods section, the authors state that they have measured English proficiency in the sample. However, not much is done with this data in the manuscript. Therefore, I suggest to delet e this from the text or include results of this measurement. Otherwise, the sample may have been exposed to unnecessary measurements, which is not ethically sound. We appreciate Reviewer #1’s comments. We investigated English proficiency as a predictor in the regression analyses. We believe it is an important variable to be considered du to the documented links between proficiency in the host country language and mental health (e.g., Steel et al., 2002; Takeuchi et al., 2007). However, our results indicated that English proficiency was not significant predictor of class membership. One possible explanation for this is that stress r elated to poor English proficiency was encapsulated by the other living difficulties subscales . W have noted this in the discussion (page 14, paragraph 2). It is notable that English proficiency did not predict membership i n any of the symptomatic classes, despite research suggesting that proficiency in the language of the host country is associated with poorer mental health outcom es [1, 2]. It may be that the difficulties encompassed in the adaptation subs cale (i.e., communication difficulties) encapsulated the effect of poor Englis h proficiency. 2. The conclusions section should be rewritten, and become more specific as of the study’s res lts, and appealing for the readers. In its current form, I find it too superficial, it does not reflect pr operly the importance of the study. SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY
Dietary calcium and blood pressure: a review of the observational studies.

The objective of this study was to assess whether the epidemiological data support a relation between dietary calcium intake and blood pressure (BP). Fifty three published reports of observational studies relating intake of calcium or calcium-rich foods to BP in the USA (n = 33), Canada (n = 3), Puerto Rico (n = 1), Europe (n = 9), Asia (n = 5), Australia (n = 1) and South Africa (n = 1) were identified including a Medline search (January 1983-November 1993). Sample size ranged from 55 to over 58,000 (median 885). Five studies were prospective, 48 cross-sectional, of which four also contained a longitudinal component. Various dietary methodologies were used; the most common was the 24 h dietary recall. Most studies controlled for age, sex and body mass index, with variable control for other confounders. Many reports also allowed identification of subgroups by sex, age and race. One hundred and eight population samples and subgroups could then be identified. There was inconsistency in results both within and between studies. In 12 of the 53 published reports simple regression coefficients were reported. Median regression coefficients were -0.033 mm Hg/100 mg Ca (range -4.90 to +/- 0.47; n = 12) for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and -0.140 mm Hg/100 mg Ca (range -9.40 to +1.63; n = 10) for diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The association between dietary calcium intake and BP could not be assessed in all 108 population samples and subgroups because of design features, incompleteness of reported results and methods of analysis. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Second Language Oral Fluency and Self-willing Motivation

The purpose of this dissertation is to try to convey some of language recognition and understanding problem as it viewed from psychological perspective. To do this I will describe in detail some of the experimental research in this domain, illustrating some kinds of theoretical problems that involve in second language oral fluency. In order to answer the researching question, this paper aims at a description of second language oral fluency development from self-willing motivation based on Levelt’s speaking model, Anderson’s Adaptive Control of Thought and de Bot’s second language model, according to logical theory that thing’s changing lies in their intrinsic motivation, having discussed the relationship between self-willing motivation and some relevant factors, finally, we draw a conclusion that self-willing motivation is an original motivation both in second language oral fluency and its learning.
Breast Cancer: Adaptation of Fine-Needle Aspiration to Office Practice

Fine-needle cytologic sampling, physical examination, and mammography are the essential components of the diagnostic triad (triple test) of a palpable breast mass. The traditional approach to fine-needle aspiration (FNA) has been to use a needle and an attached syringe in a syringe holder, which allows negative pressure (suction) to be applied once the needle tip is in the mass. An alternative technique using a needle alone (without suction) has been shown to yield a similar incidence of adequate cell samples. This needle-alone technique has the potential to be used effectively in the offices and clinics of obstetriciangynecologists. Although suction FNA may be equally or more effective in the hands of an experienced cytopathologist, the patient must be referred to a skilled specialist, whereas needle-alone sampling is a readily learned skill that can be maintained by physicians who may use it only periodically in their clinical practice. This retrospective, observational study examines the percentage of adequate cell samples obtained by needle-alone sampling and by suction FNA of a palpable dominant breast mass by obstetrics and gynecology residents and staff physicians in an outpatient referral clinic and with a particular previously described patient population.
Reversal reaction, nerve damage and steroid therapy in three multibacillary HIV positive patients.

A 38-year-old male gypsy was seen in 1 992. On examination, he had multiple hypopigmented and erythematous lesions, some small, some large, on the trunk and limbs. The patches were hypoaesthetic, raised and warm, with well defined margins. He also had swelling of the feet and hands of 3 months duration. The greater auricular, ulnar, ulnar cutaneous and radial cutaneous nerves were enlarged. The left ulnar nerve was tender. In the lower limbs, the lateral popliteal nerves were enlarged. There was extensive anaesthesia of the glove and stocking type. He had minimal clawing of the little finger of the left hand. A diagnosis of borderline lepromatous leprosy in reversal reaction with severe ulnar neuritis was made.
Pathogenesis and Pathophysiology of Pneumococcal Meningitis

SUMMARY Pneumococcal meningitis continues to be associated with high rates of mortality and long-term neurological sequelae. The most common route of infection starts by nasopharyngeal colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae, which must avoid mucosal entrapment and evade the host immune system after local activation. During invasive disease, pneumococcal epithelial adhesion is followed by bloodstream invasion and activation of the complement and coagulation systems. The release of inflammatory mediators facilitates pneumococcal crossing of the blood-brain barrier into the brain, where the bacteria multiply freely and trigger activation of circulating antigen-presenting cells and resident microglial cells. The resulting massive inflammation leads to further neutrophil recruitment and inflammation, resulting in the well-known features of bacterial meningitis, including cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, cochlear damage, cerebral edema, hydrocephalus, and cerebrovascular complications. Experimental animal models continue to further our understanding of the pathophysiology of pneumococcal meningitis and provide the platform for the development of new adjuvant treatments and antimicrobial therapy. This review discusses the most recent views on the pathophysiology of pneumococcal meningitis, as well as potential targets for (adjunctive) therapy.
Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds in patients with acute coronary syndromes: the POLAR ACS study.

INTRODUCTION The results of the ABSORB trial showed the efficacy and safety of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) and their unique advantage, namely, the restoration of vasomotion after full biodegradation. OBJECTIVES The aim of the registry was to evaluate procedural issues, angiographic results, and clinical outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treated with BVS implantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 100 patients. Cohort 1 comprised 46 patients with unstable angina; cohort 2, 38 patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; and cohort 3, 16 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. RESULTS Predilation was performed in 93% of the patients. The final Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 3 flow was achieved in 99% of the patients. In all patients, BVS was successfully implanted. In 81% of the patients, postdilation was performed with a balloon catheter with the same diameter as BVS; in 11%, with a balloon catheter with a diameter of 0.25 mm larger than BVS; and in 7%, with a balloon catheter with a diameter of 0.5 mm larger than BVS. We observed no no-reflow phenomenon, 1 distal embolization, and 2 slow-flow phenomena. Two major adverse cardiac events were reported, namely, periprocedural myocardial infarction in 2 patients. During 1-year follow-up, we observed only 1 additional myocardial infarction caused by stent thrombosis as well as 1 target lesion revascularization. CONCLUSIONS In our study, BVS in patients with ACS showed to be a safe and effective procedure.
Hydrogen Peroxide Activates the SoxRS Regulon In Vivo

ABSTRACT By multiplex reverse transcription-PCR, we demonstrate that the SoxRS response, which protects cells against superoxide toxicity, is triggered also by hydrogen peroxide. SoxR-dependent inductions of 7.3-, 7.6-, 4.6-, 2.2-, and 2.6-fold were quantified for soxS,micF, sodA, inaA, andfpr transcripts, respectively. This finding suggests an extensive and tight connectivity between different regulatory pathways in the Escherichia coli response to oxidative stress.
Characterization of in situ dry matter and nitrogen digestion of various corn grain forms.

Corn was harvested and stored as either dried shelled, dried ear, high moisture shelled, or high moisture ear. Shelled corns were rolled and ear corns were ground through a forage harvester. High moisture corns were stored in sealed drums. Each corn type was subjected to in situ ruminal digestion with incubation times through 100 h for both original forms and ground at 5 mm. Dry matter, N, and nonprotein DM digestion rates were determined. Unground dried shelled corn possessed the fastest and high moisture ear corn the slowest rate of DM digestion; however, extent of digestion was greatest for high moisture corns within 16 h of ruminal exposure. Grinding increased the rate of shelled corn digestion. Nitrogen digestion rate was fastest for high moisture ear corn and slowest for dried shelled corn. Grinding increased the rate of nitrogen digestion for all corn forms except high moisture shelled corn. Generally, correction for bacterial nitrogen contamination resulted in increased rate of nitrogen digestion. Dried shelled corn possessed the fastest rate of nonprotein DM digestion. Ratio of nitrogen to nonprotein DM rates ranged from . 56 to 1.24 for dried shelled corn and high moisture ear corn, respectively. Grinding narrowed this range. Digestion rates of corn forms may not necessarily reflect initial (1 to 16 h) extent of ruminal nutrient availability.
Reflections on Internet Transparency

This document provides a review of previous IAB statements on Internet transparency, as well a discussion of new transparency issues. Far from having lessened in relevance, technical implications of intentionally or inadvertently impeding network transparency play a critical role in the Internet's ability to support innovation and global communication. This document provides some specific illustrations of those potential impacts. This memo provides information for the Internet community.