Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Upregulation of lymphotoxin beta expression in liver progenitor (oval) cells in chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND Bipotent liver progenitor (oval) cells with the ability to differentiate into hepatocytes and biliary epithelium have recently been identified in human subjects with hepatitis C. Animal studies suggest that members of the tumour necrosis factor family, including lymphotoxin beta (LT-beta), regulate oval cell proliferation in liver disease, but its role in human liver disease is unclear. AIMS This study seeks to establish a role for LT-beta in hepatitis C related liver injury and to provide evidence that its increased expression is related to the presence of oval cells. METHODS Liver biopsy specimens were obtained from patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (n=20). Control liver samples (n=5) were obtained from liver resection or transplant surgery. LT-beta expression in liver biopsy specimens was studied using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS LT-beta mRNA levels were similar in control and HCV liver in the absence of fibrosis. In subjects with portal fibrosis, LT-beta mRNA levels were elevated 2.2-fold over control liver levels (p=0.04). In subjects with bridging fibrosis, LT-beta mRNA levels increased 4.4-fold over control liver levels (p=0.02). LT-beta mRNA levels in subjects with established cirrhosis were increased 3.3-fold compared with controls and 2.6-fold compared with mild liver damage (p=0.02). Immunohistochemical analysis established that LT-beta was expressed by oval cells, inflammatory cells, and small portal hepatocytes. CONCLUSIONS In chronic HCV infection, LT-beta expression is observed in multiple hepatic cell types, including oval cells. LT-beta expression is significantly increased when fibrosis or cirrhosis is present, suggesting a role for LT-beta in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C and a possible role in oval cell mediated liver regeneration.
Identification of biomarkers for apoptosis in cancer cell lines using metabolomics: tools for individualized medicine

Metabolomics is a versatile unbiased method to search for biomarkers of human disease. In particular, one approach in cancer therapy is to promote apoptosis in tumour cells; this could be improved with specific biomarkers of apoptosis for monitoring treatment. We recently observed specific metabolic patterns in apoptotic cell lines; however, in that study, apoptosis was only induced with one pro‐apoptotic agent, staurosporine.
Linguistic reflections of social engagement in Asperger discourse and narratives: A quantitative analysis of two cases

The present linguistic analyses of two children (aged 8 and 10) with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and their two matched controls are based on dyadic therapist–child conversations and on picture description tasks. The circa 100 analysis features covering aspects of (i) lexicon (e.g. prominalization), (ii) structural characteristics of turns, (iii) co-operation features (e.g. shared/non-shared elaboration of themes), (iv) prosody, (v) cognitive aspects (e.g. involvement/commitment, world of discourse) and (vi) affect features, show that the AS speakers describe, rather than narrate their conceptualizations, whether (practically) self-initiated (dyadic discourse) or prompted through pictures (narratives). In previous experimental studies of spatially deictic expressions and spatial orientation, it has been shown that the spatial and low-level social cognition of these AS subjects was unimpaired. However, in the present study AS discourse carries features of impaired inter-personal and inter-subjective performance, manifest, for example, in linguistic deixis, atypical power-oriented features and lack of joint activity.
A series resonant converter with constant on-time control for capacitor charging applications

A capacitor charging power supply (CCPS) has been assembled. A full-bridge series resonant topology using MOSFETs as switching elements makes up the bulk of the high-power section of the CCPS. A high-voltage transformer couples the output stage to the resonant inverter, and the secondary current of this transformer is rectified to provide the charging current. The CCPS uses constant on-time control with zero current switching. The control scheme is implemented with Unitrode's UC3860 resonant mode power supply controller. The control circuitry also protects the CCPS against both overvoltage and overcurrent conditions. The CCPS has been tested in the laboratory, where it successfully charged capacitors ranging from 90 nF to 1 mu F to 2000 V. <<ETX>>
Heterogeneous Effects of Urban Land Titling: A Replication of ‘Property Rights for the Poor’

Abstract We replicate the analysis of Sebastian Galiani and Ernesto Shargrodsky’s (GS) influential 2010 article ‘Property rights for the poor: effects of land titling’. GS use a natural experiment in a poor urban area of Buenos Aires to find that land titling increases housing investment, reduces household size, and increases child education, but does not do so through increased use of credit. The original questionnaires and raw data are not available and the existing variables provided by GS allow only a limited replication analysis. Despite these limitations, we successfully reproduce the original findings published by GS, and find these results are robust to alternative specifications. We also find heterogeneous effects regarding gender and education level of the original squatter.
Factors shaping social learning in chimpanzees

AND TITLE EMBARGOES If you have selected an embargo option indicate below if you wish to allow the thesis abstract and/or title to be published. If you do not complete the section below the title and abstract will remain embargoed along with the text of the thesis. a) I agree to the title and abstract being published YES b) I require an embargo on abstract NO c) I require an embargo on title NO Date . signature of candidate . signature of supervisor .
Disulfiram Treatment of Alcoholism: A Veterans Administration Cooperative Study

We conducted a controlled, blinded, multicenter study of disulfiram treatment of alcoholism in 605 men randomly assigned to 250 mg of disulfiram (202 men); 1 mg of disulfiram (204 men), a control for the threat of the disulfiram-ethanol reaction; or no disulfiram (199 men), a control for the counseling that all received. Bimonthly treatment assessments were done for one year. Relative/ friend interviews and blood and urine ethanol analyses were used to corroborate patients' reports. There were no significant differences among the groups in total abstinence, time to first drink, employment, or social stability. Among the patients who drank and had a complete set of assessment interviews, those in the 250-mg disulfiram group reported significantly fewer drinking days (49.0 ±8.4) than those in the 1-mg (75.4±11.9) or the no-disulfiram (86.5 ± 13.6) groups. There was a significant relationship between adherence to drug regimen and complete abstinence in all groups. We conclude that disulfiram may help reduce drinking frequency after relapse, but does not enhance counseling in aiding alcoholic patients to sustain continuous abstinence or delay the resumption of drinking. (JAMA1986;256:1449-1455)
Altered STAT4 Isoform Expression in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background:Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are the major forms of inflammatory bowel disease, and pathogenesis involves a complex interplay among genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. We evaluated isoform expression of the IL-12-activated transcription factor STAT4 in children with CD and UC. Methods:We collected biopsy samples from both patients newly diagnosed with CD and with UC. We further collected blood samples from patients newly diagnosed with CD and with UC as well as from patients who had a flare-up after being in clinical remission, and we examined the ratios of STAT4&bgr;/STAT4&agr; mRNA. In addition to STAT4 isoforms, we measured the expression of the cytokines TNF&agr;, IFN&ggr;, granulocyte macrophage–colony stimulating factor, and IL-17 using polymerase chain reaction of biopsy samples and multiplex analysis of patient serum samples. Results:Ratios of STAT4&bgr;/STAT4&agr; were increased in specific gastrointestinal tract segments in both patients with CD and those with UC that correlate with the location and severity of inflammation. In contrast, we did not observe changes in STAT4&bgr;/STAT4&agr; ratios in biopsy specimens from patients with eosinophilic esophagitis. We also observed increased STAT4&bgr;/STAT4&agr; ratios in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with UC and those with CD, compared with healthy controls. Ratios were normalized after patients were treated with steroids. Conclusions:Collectively, these data indicate that STAT4 isoforms could be an important noninvasive biomarker in the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and that expression of these isoforms might provide further insight into the pathogenesis of IBD.
Animal Welfare in Slaughter Plants

There are five basic causes of animal welfare problems in slaughter plants. They are: 1) Poorly designed or improper stunning and handling equipment. 2) Distractions which impede animal movement, such as sparkling reflections on a wet fioor, air hissing, high-pitched noise or air drafts blowing down the race towards approaching animals. These distractions can ruin the performance of a well designed system and cause animals to become excited. When this happens, prodding will be required to make them move. 3) Lack of employee training and poor supervision of employees by management. 4) Poor maintenance of equipment and facilities, such as malfunctioning stunners or worn, slick fioors which cause animals to slip and fall. 5) Poor condition of animals arriving at the plant, such as cripples and sick animals. Another problem is pigs and cattle from excitable genetic lines which are more likely to become agitated during handling. To maintain a high standard of welfare, all five problem areas must be addressed. A survey of 29 Canadian slaughter plants indicated that 27% had excellent non-slip fioors and 21% had slick fioors which would cause animals to slip. Twenty-four percent had high pitched motor noise or hissing air exhausts that caused animals to balk. Air drafts blowing down the race towards approaching animals were a problem in 9% of the plants. Air drafts will often impede animal movement.
An Outline of the Republic of Korea’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Safeguarding Framework

Based on results of five-month long research carried out in 2017 within international expert exchange program Cultural partnership initiative under the auspices of the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of culture, sports and tourism, the author presents a summary overview of country’s intangible cultural heritage safeguarding framework. The paper focuses on circumstances of its emergence and development, and pays special attention to elements such as the Inheritance System and the Inventory System, while addressing a number of issues arising from almost half a century of its application.
Morphology and electrophysiology of dentate granule cells in the rhesus monkey: Comparison with the rat

The morphologic and electrophysiologic properties of dentate granule cells in the young adult rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) were examined for the first time with whole‐cell patch clamp recordings and intracellular biocytin filling in in vitro hippocampal slice preparations. Data from monkeys were compared with data generated in an identical manner from adult Sprague‐Dawley rats. Intracellularly filled monkey and rat granule cells were identical in numerous morphologic parameters, including area of somata, total dendritic length, dendritic spread, segment number and length, and branching pattern. The single statistically significant difference in morphology was the vertical extent of the dendritic tree (distance from soma to fissure), which was 20% greater in the monkey. The passive membrane properties (resting membrane potential, input resistance, and membrane time constant) measured under current clamp conditions were virtually identical. The thresholds and amplitudes of action potentials were the same, but significant differences were seen in the kinetics of single action potentials. Monkey granule cell action potentials were significantly longer in duration (with slower rise and fall times) than action potentials in rat cells. These differences were likely due to a much smaller fast after hyperpolarization in the monkey as compared with the rat cells. Thus, with the exception of action potential properties, the principal finding of this study is that there is significant conservation of both form and function in dentate granule cells in these two species, despite the enormous phylogenetic separation. This suggests that granule cell properties may be extremely stable across diverse mammalian species. J. Comp. Neurol. 387:136–147, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nitrates in Drinking Water and The Risk of Death from Brain Cancer: Does Hardness in Drinking Water Matter?

The objectives of this study were to (1) examine the relationship between nitrate levels in public water supplies and risk of death from brain cancer and (2) determine whether calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) levels in drinking water might modify the influence of nitrates on development of brain cancer. A matched cancer case-control study was used to investigate the relationship between the risk of death from brain cancer and exposure to nitrates in drinking water in Taiwan. All brain cancer deaths of Taiwan residents from 2003 through 2008 were obtained from the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the Taiwan Provincial Department of Health. Controls were deaths from other causes and were pair-matched to cancer cases by gender, year of birth, and year of death. Information on the levels of nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), Ca, and Mg in drinking water was obtained from Taiwan Water Supply Corporation (TWSC). The municipality of residence for cancer cases and controls was presumed to be the source of the subject's NO3-N, Ca, and Mg exposure via drinking water. Relative to individuals whose NO3-N exposure level was <0.38 ppm, the adjusted OR (95% CI) for brain cancer occurrence was 1.04 (0.85–1.27) for individuals who resided in municipalities served by drinking water with a NO3-N exposure ≥0.38 ppm. No marked effect modification was observed due to Ca and Mg intake via drinking water on brain cancer occurrence.
Steady‐State Pharmacokinetic Properties of Pramipexole in Healthy Volunteers

Pramipexole is a dopamine receptor agonist that has proved effective in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The pharmacokinetic properties of pramipexole at steady‐state concentrations were studied in 16 healthy men and women at four dose levels throughout the range recommended for Parkinson's patients. Plasma and urine samples collected within the four dose intervals were assayed for concentrations of pramipexole, using high‐performance liquid chromatography. The total oral clearance for all participants was 419 mL/min. The mean volume of distribution and elimination half‐life for all participants was 486 ± 93.2 L and 12.9 ± 3.27 hours. Concentrations of pramipexole were proportional to dose, although the drug's pharmacokinetic properties differed between men and women. The area under the concentration—time curve for each dose level was 35% to 43% greater in women, mainly because of a 24% to 27% lower oral clearance. The mean creatinine clearance in men and women was 112 ± 12.8 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 80.9 ± 15.6 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. The renal clearance of pramipexole accounts for approximately 80% of oral clearance, and there was a significant correlation between renal and creatinine clearances. The influence of gender could not be distinguished from the influence of age and the resulting reduced creatinine clearance, but the measurement of pharmacokinetic properties produced linear results in both men and women.
Inflammation and behavioral symptoms after breast cancer treatment: do fatigue, depression, and sleep disturbance share a common underlying mechanism?

PURPOSE Fatigue, depression, and sleep disturbance are common adverse effects of cancer treatment and frequently co-occur. However, the possibility that inflammatory processes may underlie this constellation of symptoms has not been examined. PATIENTS AND METHODS Women (N = 103) who had recently finished primary treatment (ie, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy) for early-stage breast cancer completed self-report scales and provided blood samples for determination of plasma levels of inflammatory markers: soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor II (sTNF-RII), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, and C-reactive protein. RESULTS Symptoms were elevated at the end of treatment; greater than 60% of participants reported clinically significant problems with fatigue and sleep, and 25% reported elevated depressive symptoms. Women treated with chemotherapy endorsed higher levels of all symptoms and also had higher plasma levels of sTNF-RII than women who did not receive chemotherapy (all P < .05). Fatigue was positively associated with sTNF-RII, particularly in the chemotherapy-treated group (P < .05). Depressive symptoms and sleep problems were correlated with fatigue but not with inflammatory markers. CONCLUSION This study confirms high rates of behavioral symptoms in breast cancer survivors, particularly those treated with chemotherapy, and indicates a role for TNF-α signaling as a contributor to postchemotherapy fatigue. Results also suggest that fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression may stem from distinct biologic processes in post-treatment survivors, with inflammatory signaling contributing relatively specifically to fatigue.
Portfolio optimization analysis of federation of Euro-Asian stock exchances (FEAS)

Institutional and individual investors all around the I globe are looking for different ways to diversify their I stock portfolio. This thesis will give them a chance to i understand the difference between Euro-Asian stock market i portfolios and the S&P 500. This thesis will also compare I performance analyses among ten founding members of the Federation of Euro-Asian Stock Exchanges (FEAS), the S&P 500 Indey, the Ten Composite Index and four sample portfolios, consisting of the ten founding member countries of FEAS and S&P 500. The Ten Composite Index is presented in details in the subsection called measure of overall performance. The data between 1995 and 2002 for I I the ten founding countries of FEAS, S&P 500 Index, and l Emerging1 Market Index was used to execute these performance analyses. First, this thesis contains a detailed' research about stock exchanges of member countries under the organization called Federation of Euro-Asi,an Stock Exchanges (FEAS) . Second, it will analyze the portfolio performances among the ten founding member i countries' stock exchanges. Third, it will compare the FEAS portfolios with the S&P500 and sample portfolios. Risk and return analysis for sample portfolios shows that I a portfolio consisting of 100% of the S&P 500 turns out to
Continuum damage evolution in Pb-free solder joint under shear fatigue loadings

Progressive materials damage process in solder joint under cyclic shear deformation is examined in this study. A 3-D finite element model of a single reflowed SAC405 solder specimen is developed for this purpose. Cyclic relative displacement cycles between zero and 1.0 mm at displacement ramp rate of 2.0 mm/sec. is applied in the direction parallel to the solder/pad interface. Strain rate-dependent response of the solder is modeled using unified inelastic strain equations (Anand's model) with optimized model parameters for SAC405 solder. Damage initiation is characterized by the inelastic hysteresis energy per stabilized cycle, ΔW. Elastic stiffness of the solder is then degraded progressively using prescribed damage evolution rule. Results show that extensive inelastic strain accumulation is confined to small selected edge regions near the solder/pad interface. The calculated slow inelastic strain rates in the range of 0.24 to 0.29 sec−1 resulted in bulk solder fatigue failure. In the predominantly tensile stress region near the solder/pad interface, inelastic shear strain range parallel to and stress range normal to the interface plane has the greatest magnitude. The inelastic hysteresis energy or work per stabilized cycle has demonstrated to be a better parameter over accumulated inelastic strain per cycle for describing low cycle fatigue failure of solder joints.
Downregulation of c-FLIP Sensitizes DU145 Prostate Cancer Cells to Fas-Mediated Apoptosis

Although DU145 prostate cancer cells are resistant to exogenously applied Fas agonist CH-11 (anti-Fas monoclonal antibody), Fas-resistance can be overcome using a FasL expressing adenovirus (AdGFPFasLTET) (Hyer et al., Mol. Therapy, 2: 348-58, 2000). The purpose of this study was to try to understand why DU145 cells are resistant to CH-11 and determine the signaling pathway utilized by AdGFPFasLTET to induce apoptosis in these Fas-resistant cells. Using immunoblot analysis, we show that AdGFPFasLTET is capable of initiating the classic Fas-mediated apoptotic pathway in DU145 cells, which includes activation of caspases-8, -3, -7, and -9, BID cleavage, cytochrome c release from mitochondria, and PARP cleavage. In contrast, CH-11 binds to Fas, but is unable to transmit the death signal beyond the plasma membrane suggesting a block at the DISC (death inducing signaling complex). The anti-apoptotic protein c-FLIP (cellular Flice-like inhibitory protein), which has been shown to inhibit Fas-mediated apoptosis at the DISC, was down-regulated following AdGFPFasLTET treatment prompting us to investigate its role in inhibiting CH-11-induced cell death. Using c-FLIP anti-sense oligonucleotides to down-regulate c-FLIP we sensitized DU145 cells to CH-11-induced apoptosis. These data suggest that c-FLIP may play a critical role in regulating Fas-mediated apoptosis in prostate cancer cells and that modulation of c-FLIP may enhance Fas signaling based therapies.