Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bone morphogenetic protein 4 is induced in hepatocellular carcinoma by hypoxia and promotes tumour progression

Striking similarities exist between molecular mechanisms driving embryonic liver development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), particularly BMP4, have been proposed to regulate embryonic hepatic development. BMP expression has been observed in neoplasia but the expression and biological role of BMP4 in human HCC are unknown. We found increased BMP4 mRNA and protein in HCC cell lines and tissue samples compared to primary human hepatocytes and corresponding non‐tumourous tissue. Hypoxia further induced BMP4 expression in HCC cells, which was abolished by transfection of a dominant negative form of HIF‐1alpha (dnHIF‐1alpha). However, gel shift assays revealed only minor binding activity in nuclear extracts from (hypoxic) HCC cells to a putative hypoxia‐response element in the BMP4 promoter. Sequence analysis of the BMP4 promoter revealed two Ets‐1 binding sites, and Ets‐1 activity was increased in HCC cells under hypoxic conditions. Transfection of dnHIF‐1alpha completely abrogated hypoxia‐induced Ets‐1 activity as well as BMP4 expression. Overexpression of Ets‐1 markedly enhanced BMP4 promoter activity, while antisense Ets‐1 almost completely abolished basal as well as hypoxia‐induced BMP4 expression. These data demonstrate that Ets‐1 activity contributes to baseline expression of the BMP4 gene and is the predominant mediator of the HIF‐dependent BMP4 induction under hypoxic conditions. To determine the functional relevance of BMP4 expression, HCC cell lines were treated with antisense BMP4 constructs or siRNA against BMP4. BMP4 suppression resulted in a strong reduction of the migratory and invasive potential and anchorage‐independent growth. Furthermore, tube formation assays indicated that BMP4 expressed by HCC cells promotes vasculogenesis. Our findings demonstrate that BMP4 is increased in HCC and promotes HCC progression. Therefore, BMP4 expression may have clinical relevance, and interfering with BMP4 signalling appears as an attractive therapeutic target for this highly aggressive tumour. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Five months of fasting in king penguin chicks: body mass loss and fuel metabolism.

When king penguin chicks are 3-4 mo old, they enter a season of interrupted growth due to long periods of fasting, because they are irregularly fed in winter. Nine captive chicks [mean initial body mass (m) = 12.5 kg] had fasted an average of 5 mo at the end of the experiment; m was then 4.0 kg, a 68% decrease. They probably could have fasted longer, since chicks of parents delayed in the return to the colony die from starvation at an m of 3.0 kg. The long fast could be divided into three periods based on the changes in rate of decrease of m. The remarkable resistance of king penguin chicks to starvation may be partly explained by their ability to maintain protein sparing for as much as 4 mo, the duration of period II; plasma concentrations of uric acid, urea, and alanine were then minimum, 0.1, 0.4, and 0.4 mmol X l-1 respectively. Particular changes during this period, i.e., progressive increase of beta-hydroxybutyrate and decrease of glucose concentrations, might contribute to the efficiency of protein sparing. Period III was marked by a rise in protein utilization, plasma concentrations of uric acid, urea, and alanine increasing to 0.7, 1.5, and 0.8 mmol X l-1, respectively.
Pulsatile Flow Regulates Monocyte Adhesion to Oxidized Lipid–Induced Endothelial Cells

Oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (ox-PAPC), a component of minimally modified low density lipoprotein, induces monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. It is not known whether the upstroke slopes of pulsatile flow, defined as shear stress slew rates (∂&tgr;/∂t), can regulate monocyte binding to ox-PAPC-treated bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). At 60 cycles per minute, ox-PAPC-treated BAECs were exposed to 3 conditions representing known vascular conditions: (1) high shear stress slew rate (∂&tgr;/∂t=293 dyne · cm−2 · s−1), with time-averaged shear stress=50 dyne/cm2; (2) low shear stress slew rate (∂&tgr;/∂t=71 dyne · cm−2 · s−1), with identical time-averaged shear stress; and (3) reversing oscillating flow (0±2.6 mm Hg). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and quantification were performed for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA expression. High ∂&tgr;/∂t reduced monocyte binding to ox-PAPC-treated BAECs by 64±3.2% compared with static conditions, and low ∂&tgr;/∂t reduced monocyte binding by 31±3.4%, whereas oscillating flow increased monocyte binding by 22±1.7% (P <0.005). High ∂&tgr;/∂t downregulated MCP-1 expression by 33±8%, and low ∂&tgr;/∂t downregulated MCP-1 expression by 15±4%, but oscillating flow upregulated MCP-1 by 13±5%. These results suggest that shear stress slew rates regulate monocyte binding by modulating the expression of a potent monocyte chemoattractant.
[A clinical study of changes in retina and visual field in patients with early Parkinson's disease].

OBJECTIVE To characterize the changes of retinal structure and visual field mean defects (MD) in early Parkinson's disease (PD) and the related factors. METHODS Twenty-five patients with early stage PD and 33 normal controls were enrolled in this study. PD patients were evaluated by unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) and Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) stage in "off" period. All subjects undertook retina of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular examinations by optical coherence tomography (OCT), and MD by automatic visual field analyzer. RESULTS (1) The average thicknesses of RNFL and C11 quadrant RNFL were thinner in PD group [(96.2 ± 7.6)µm and (124.4 ± 18.4)µm] than in healthy controls [(102.6 ± 5.0)µm and (135.4 ± 21.8)µm, respectively, P=0.000 and P=0.047]. Moreover, PD patients had a thinner average thickness of macular [(277.2 ± 9.6) µm vs (285.8 ± 12.6) µm, P=0.006], and smaller macular volume compared with controls [(10.0 ± 0.3) mm³ vs (10.3 ± 0.4) mm³, P=0.006]. However, there was no significant difference in MD between PD and control subjects [(0.43 ± 2.75)dB vs (-0.18 ± 1.41) dB, P=0.322]. (2) Pearson's correlation analysis showed that H-Y stage was negative correlated with the average RNFL thickness (r=-0.569), average macular thickness and volume (r=-0.501 and r=-0.417) in PD patients (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS PD patients have thinner average thicknesses of RNFL, C11 quadrant RNFL and macular, smaller macular volume than those in normal controls. There were no significant differences in MD between two groups.There were negative relationships between H-Y stage, and retinal thickness and volume of PD patients.
Smooth localization independent of GPS using coarse height maps

This paper presents a new map-based localization approach for autonomous ground vehicle. To build a highly precise map, state-of-the-art methods usually explore the SLAM strategy with the assumption that it must involve loop closure. However, this assumption cannot be met in many real world scenarios. In this work we propose a novel algorithm to generate a coarse height map with the imprecise GPS pose. The vehicle position is estimated by registering feature points from the prior map with the ones in the current scans. We validate the effectiveness of our algorithm by localizing our vehicle in urban environment. Results show the method does not require GPS and can overcome the weakness of sudden jumping of GPS position and finally achieve real-time decimeter-level localization.
A Review of probabilistic methods for defining reserve requirements

In this paper we examine potential improvements in how load and generation forecast uncertainty is captured when setting reserve levels in power systems with significant renewable generation penetration and discuss the merit of proposed new methods in this area. One important difference between methods is whether reserves are defined based on the marginal distribution of forecast errors, as calculated from historic data, or whether the conditional distribution, specific to the time at which reserves are being scheduled, is used. This paper is a review of published current practice in markets which are at the leading edge of this problem, summarizing their experiences, and aligning it with academic modeling work. We conclude that the ultimate goal for all markets expected to manage high levels of renewable generation should be a reserve setting mechanism which utilizes the best understanding of meteorological uncertainties combined with traditional models of uncertainty arising from forced outages.
Survey of the antimicrobial activity of commercially available Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil products in vitro.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of a range of commercially available tea tree oil (TTO) products and to evaluate whether formulation plays a significant part in their antiseptic activity. METHODS The antimicrobial activity of the purchased products and control TTO solutions was assessed against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans using well diffusion, broth microdilution, and broth macrodilution assays. RESULTS Zone sizes obtained by the agar well diffusion assay ranged from 0 to 49.8 mm, with the more viscous and lipophilic products producing the smallest zones. Micro- and macrodilution methods showed that eight products had minimum inhibitory concentrations that were lower than the nonformulated TTO control. The remaining three products showed activity equivalent to the TTO control. CONCLUSIONS In general, the commercially available antiseptic TTO products showed antimicrobial activity that was equivalent to, or greater than the nonformulated TTO control. This suggests that the TTO within these products has retained its antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, the enhanced activity of the products may be attributed to other antimicrobial excipients within the products such as preservatives, or to synergistic antimicrobial interactions between the TTO and other product excipients. The observation that the commercially available antiseptic TTO products tested in this study retained adequate antimicrobial activity emphasizes the importance of considering how product bases and excipients may interact with the active compound during formulation to ensure efficacy of the final product. Finally, the current data suggest that these TTO products may also be active in vivo. However, this can only be determined through further studies and in clinical trials.
Levels of Cytokines in Umbilical Cord Blood in Small for Gestational Age Preterm Infants

Abstract Introduction: Being born small for gestational age (SGA) can be a reference to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and is associated with increased neonatal morbidity and mortality. In pregnancies complicated by IUGR placental insufficiency is thought to be one of the leading underlying pathogenetic mechanisms. As cytokines appear to be implicated in implantation and placental development, imbalances in cytokine levels may contribute to pregnancy disorders i. e. , IUGR. Objective: Cord blood cytokine profiles were analyzed in order to characterize differences in cytokine profiles between SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) preterm infants. Methods: Cytokine concentrations were measured in venous cord blood of preterm infants delivered by caesarean section without previous labour activity and without signs of maternal or fetal infection. Results: 93 preterm infants were enrolled, 29 SGA preterm infants (GA 31.0 (24.6–36.7) weeks; BW 1080 (315–2010) grams) and 63 AGA preterm infants (GA 33.3 (26.0–36.9) weeks; BW 1790 (760–3570) grams). In both groups multiple cytokines could be detected. Significant differences in cytokine levels between the groups were found for G-CSF, IL-12p40 and IL-8, while levels of IL-1a, IL-6, IL-10, IP-10, MCP-1, MCP-3, MIP-1a and TNF-a were not different. Conclusions: Alteration of cytokine levels in SGA preterm infants may be involved in the pathogenesis of reduced intrauterine growth as well as in the higher morbidity in these infants. Further studies are needed to get more comprehension of the complex function of cytokines in pregnancies complicated by IUGR.
Buffalo Metropolitan Area and Erie County Stroke Study: Rationale, Design, and Methods

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to define the incidence, disability, and death associated with stroke in the Buffalo metropolitan area and Erie County. This area has the highest stroke rate in New York State and therefore represents an ideal site to develop a successful model for prevention and management of stroke. Design: A cross-sectional design to study all new and recurrent strokes that occurred in the calendar year 2000 in the geographical location of Buffalo metropolitan area and Erie County. Patients and Data Collected: A retrospective review of an estimated 5,000 patients with new stroke will be performed at regional hospitals and the coroner’s office to determine the stroke subtypes, cerebrovascular risk factors, diagnostic investigations, treatment provided, and outcome. The total population residing in Buffalo in the year 2000 is available through the recent census. The study will also evaluate the quality of care provided for stroke patients including effectiveness of primary and secondary stroke prevention measures within this geographical region. Conclusions: We believe that this information will assist in allocation of resources and implementation of steps to improve stroke prevention and treatment.
A meta-analysis of in vivo vertebrate cardiac performance: implications for cardiovascular support in the evolution of endothermy

ABSTRACT Endothermy in birds and mammals is associated with high body temperatures, and high rates of metabolism that are aerobically supported by elevated rates of cardiovascular O2 transport. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine cardiovascular data from ectothermic and endothermic vertebrates, at rest and during exercise, with the goal of identifying key variables that may have contributed to the role of the cardiovascular system in supporting high rates of O2 transport associated with endothermy. Vascular conductance, cardiac power and stroke work were summarized and calculated from a variety of studies at rest and during exercise for five classes of vertebrates where data were available. Conductance and cardiac power were linearly related to cardiac output from rest to exercise and also interspecifically. Exercise cardiac power and stroke work were greater in the endothermic species, owing to increased flow resulting from increased heart rate and increased pressure. Increased relative ventricle mass (RVM) was related to increased stroke volume in both groups. However, the increased RVM of endotherms was related to the increased pressure, as stroke work per gram of ventricle during exercise was equivalent between the groups. Cardiac power was linearly related to aerobic metabolic power, with 158 mW aerobic power output achieved per mW of cardiac power input. This analysis indicates that the greatly increased heart rate and cardiac stroke work leading to increased blood flow rate and blood pressure was necessary to support the metabolic requirements of endothermy. Highlighted article: This meta-analysis examines cardiovascular data from ectothermic and endothermic vertebrates, at rest and during exercise, with the purpose of identifying key cardiovascular system variables in supporting the high metabolic rates of endotherms.
Correlations of in vivo beta-cell function tests with beta-cell mass and pancreatic insulin content in streptozocin-administered baboons.

In vivo beta-cell function tests are used increasingly in humans during the preclinical phase of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), but the severity of the beta-cell loss responsible for the abnormalities seen in these tests is unknown. We have measured several physiological beta-cell function tests--fasting plasma glucose, glucose disappearance constant, fasting insulin, acute insulin responses to arginine (AIRarginine) and glucose (AIRglucose), and glucose potentiation of AIRarginine (delta AIRarginine/delta G) and two direct objective measurements (pancreatic insulin content [PIC] and quantitative beta-cell mass)--in adolescent male baboons (Papio anubis/cyanocephalus). We have correlated in vivo measurements obtained within 3 days after the animals were killed with in vitro estimates of PIC and beta-cell mass in 15 animals, (2 nondiabetic requiring insulin treatment and 13 after varying doses of streptozocin to induce degrees of beta-cell damage ranging from normoglycemia to severe hyperglycemia). There was a strong linear correlation between beta-cell mass and PIC (r = 0.79, P less than 0.001). Physiological measures of beta-cell function were significantly correlated with both PIC and beta-cell mass. The correlations between physiological measures and beta-cell mass were linear and intercepted the beta-cell mass axis at 0.15-0.2 g, suggesting that in vivo measures of beta-cell function approach 0 when there is still approximately 40-50% of the beta-cell mass detectable histologically. With PIC, the linear correlations intercepted the axes close to 0. These findings provide considerable validity to the measurements of beta-cell function used in preclinical IDDM in humans. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Opportunistic Beamforming Communication With Throughput Analysis Using Asymptotic Approach

The opportunistic beamforming system (OBS) is currently receiving much attention in the field of downlink beamforming due to its simple random beamforming, low feedback complexity, and same throughput scaling obtained with perfect channel-state information using dirty paper coding at the transmitter. In this paper, we focus on its closed-form throughput evaluation over Rayleigh fading channels, based on the asymptotic theory of extreme order statistics. First, the throughput of a single-beam OBS is investigated, and an analytical solution tighter than the previously reported one is derived. Then, the asymptotic throughput bounds on a multibeam OBS are presented, and also, our analytical expression is shown to be very tight with the simulation results even with fewer users. After that, we argue that the reported conclusion that the single-beam OBS is much preferable to the multibeam OBS in the high-signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) regime is inaccurate, but that, instead, it is satisfied only when the number of users is very small, due to its limited multiuser diversity gain. Finally, we show that four transmit beams is the most preferable in the multibeam OBS with a large number of users and moderate SNR, which arrives at the tradeoff between increasing spatial multiplexing gain and disappearing multiuser diversity gain.
Creating Software Product Value in China

China has become a formidable player and continues to experience strong growth in a dynamic global market for software development. This highly competitive environment makes maximizing the creation of software product value both difficult and important. When looking at a software product, different stakeholder groups-purchasers, users, software managers, and developers-have different notions of value. This study examines the stakeholder perspectives and criteria used to select and prioritize software release requirements in three groups of software development companies: Chinese companies with a domestic market, Chinese companies with an international market, and Western companies operating in China. The results are similar for all three groups, except for after-sales support, which was a significantly greater concern for Chinese companies with an international market.
Fibronectin Binds to and Induces Conformational Change in a Disordered Region of Leptospiral Immunoglobulin-like Protein B*

Leptospira interrogans is a pathogenic spirochete that causes disease in both humans and animals. LigB (Leptospiral immunoglobulin-like protein B) contributes to the binding of Leptospira to extracellular matrix proteins such as fibronectin (Fn), fibrinogen, laminin, and collagen. A high affinity Fn-binding region of LigB has been recently localized to LigBCen2, which contains the partial eleventh and full twelfth immunoglobulin-like repeats (LigBCen2R) and 47 amino acids of the non-repeat region (LigBCen2NR) of LigB. In this study, LigBCen2NR was shown to bind to the N-terminal domain (NTD) of Fn (KD = 379 nm) by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and isothermal titration calorimetry. Interestingly, this sequence was not observed to adopt secondary structure by far UV circular dichroism or by differential scanning calorimetry, in agreement with computer-based secondary structure predictions. A low partition coefficient (Kav) measured with gel permeation chromatography, a high hydrodynamic radius (Rh) measured with dynamic light scattering, and the insensitivity of the intrinsic viscosity to guanidine hydrochloride treatment all suggest that LigBCen2NR possesses an extended and disordered structure. Two-dimensional 15N-1H HSQC NMR spectra of intact LigBCen2 in the absence and presence of NTD are consistent with these observations, suggesting the presence of both a β-rich region and an unstructured region in LigBCen2 and that the latter of these selectively interacts with NTD. Upon binding to NTD, LigBCen2NR was observed by CD to adopt a β-strand-rich structure, suggestive of the known β-zipper mode of NTD binding.
Does the Type of Higher Education Affect Labor Market Outcomes? A Comparison of Egypt and Jordan

In Egypt and Jordan there is a substantial mismatch between the output of the higher education system and the needs of labor market. Both demand and supply-side factors could be driving this mismatch. This paper tests a key supply-side issue, whether differences in institutional structures and incentives in higher education affect students’ employability. Specifically, does the stronger alignment of incentives in private, as compared to public, higher education generate more employable human capital and better labor market outcomes? The analysis examines the impact of higher education type on numerous outcomes, while controlling for pre-enrollment characteristics. The results demonstrate that supply-side issues and incentives have little impact on labor market outcomes. Family background plays by far the largest role in labor market success. Proposed reforms to higher education often suggest increasing the role of the private sector. Our findings indicate that this approach is unlikely to improve labor market outcomes.
Design and Analysis Issues in Quantitative Proteomics Studies

Quantitative proteomics is the comparison of distinct proteomes which enables the identification of protein species which exhibit changes in expression or post‐translational state in response to a given stimulus. Many different quantitative techniques are being utilized and generate large datasets. Independent of the technique used, these large datasets need robust data analysis to ensure valid conclusions are drawn from such studies. Approaches to address the problems that arise with large datasets are discussed to give insight into the types of statistical analyses of data appropriate for the various experimental strategies that can be employed by quantitative proteomic studies. This review also highlights the importance of employing a robust experimental design and highlights various issues surrounding the design of experiments. The concepts and examples discussed within will show how robust design and analysis will lead to confident results that will ensure quantitative proteomics delivers.