Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Relationship between mutation of BRCA1 and susceptibility to early onset of breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE To detect the prevalence of Breast Cancer Susceptibility Gene 1 (BRCA1) mutations and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) among young patients with breast cancer and to study the relationship between BRCA1 gene mutation and susceptibility to breast cancer. METHODS 30 samples of breast cancer tissue were collected from female patients with breast cancer diagnosed when they were aged < or = 35 5 of which had at least one first-degree relative affected with breast cancer. Genomic DNA was extracted from the breast cancer tissues. The PCR products were amplified in the coding sequence of exon 2, 11C, 11F, 11L, 11I, 16, and 20 by using polymerase chain reaction. Then the PCR products were analyzed using DNA direct sequencing. The sequence was compared with the DNA Star-MagAlign software. RESULTS A total of 14 sequence variations in BRCA1 gene were identified, including 3 frameshift mutations (cDNA2639, 2640delTA, 3343 delG, and 3398delT) and 11 spot mutations (cDNA 2570 C > T, cDNA 2620 A > T, 1473 A > G, 1561 C > T, 1594G > A, 2206 A > G, 2227 T > C, 2659 C > A, 2806T > C, 3307 A > G, and 3375 G > A). Three patients with these mutations had a family history of breast cancer. The mutation frequency of BRCA1 was 10% (3/30). No mutation was found in the exons 16 and 20. CONCLUSION Patients with breast cancer aged < or = 35 have BRCA1 mutations located in the exon 11 mainly. The mutation frequency of the breast cancer patients aged < or = 35 with breast cancer family history is higher than those without family history. Three frameshift mutation sites may be related to early onset of breast cancer.
The IL‐1 receptor 1 is critical for Th2 cell type airway immune responses in a mild but not in a more severe asthma model

IL‐1α and IL‐1β are potent pro‐inflammatory cytokines that regulate many physiological systems by binding and signaling to the same receptor termed IL‐1 receptor type 1 (IL‐1R1). We have investigated the role of IL‐1 for pulmonary immune responses in models of allergic asthma using IL‐1R1‐deficient (IL‐1R1–/–) mice. In a model of mild asthma, based on repeated sensitization of mice with low doses of ovalbumin in the absence of any adjuvant and multiple intranasal challenges, the pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation and goblet cell hyperplasia were strongly reduced in IL‐1R1–/– as compared to control BALB/c mice. Moreover, priming of CD4+ T cells in bronchial lymph nodes and their recruitment to the lung was affected in IL‐1R1–/– miceassociated with impaired antibody responses including IgG, IgE, and IgA. In contrast, sensitization of mice in the presence of alum adjuvant, a more severe asthma model, rendered the IL‐1 pathway dispensable for the development of pulmonary allergic Th2 responses, as eosinophilic inflammation, antibody responses, and CD4+ T cell priming in lymph nodes were comparable between IL‐1R1–/– and wild‐type mice. These results suggest a critical role of IL‐1/IL‐1R1 for development of allergic Th2 responses, but its requirement can be overcome by using alum as adjuvant for sensitization.
EFFECTS OF REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES ON INTRACELLULAR CALCIUM IN BOVINE TRACHEAL EPITHELIUM: Modulation by Nitric Oxide

We studied the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on intracellular Ca 2+ concentration (\[Ca2+]i) and their possible modulation by nitric oxide (NO) in fura-2-loaded cultured bovine tracheal epithelium. Hypoxanthine (HX) and xanthine oxidase (XO), which generate superoxide anion (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), dose dependently increased \[Ca2+]i. The increase in \[Ca2+]i was reduced in the presence of superoxide dismutase (SOD, 200 U/mL) and catalase (200 U/mL) by 29% and 43%, respectively. The iron chelator o-phenanthroline and the hydroxyl radical (OH) scavenger dimethylthiourea (DMTU) more potently inhibited the response of \[Ca2+]i. H2O2- derived OH generated by the Fenton reaction caused a marked \[Ca2+]i elevation, but exogenous H2O2 did not. Sodium nitroprusside (100 muM), an NO donor, potentiated HX-XO induced \[Ca2+]i rise by 50%, an effect that was abolished in the presence of SOD or DMTU. These results suggest that OH formed by interaction of O2- and H2O2 in the presence of iron may play a major role in the HX-XO induced disruption of airway epithelial Ca 2+ homeostasis, and that NO potentiates ROS-induced \[Ca2+]i response, presumably by reacting with O2- and producing OH.
Cluster density profiles as a test of modified gravity

We present a new test of gravitational interactions at the r≃(0.2–20) Mpc scale, around the virial radius of dark matter halos measured through cluster-galaxy lensing of maxBCG clusters from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). We employ predictions from self-consistent simulations of f(R) gravity to find an upper bound on the background field amplitude of |f_R0|<3.5×10^(-3) at the 1D-marginalized 95% confidence level. As a model-independent assessment of the constraining power of cluster profiles measured through weak gravitational lensing, we also constrain the amplitude F_0 of a phenomenological modification based on the profile enhancement induced by f(R) gravity when not including effects from the increased cluster abundance in f(R). In both scenarios, dark-matter-only simulations of the concordance model corresponding to |fR0|=0 and F0=0 are consistent with the lensing measurements, i.e., at the 68% and 95% confidence level, respectively.
Relation between literacy, race, and stage of presentation among low-income patients with prostate cancer.

PURPOSE Diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer is a major health problem, especially among low-income men. Opportunities vary for early detection of prostate cancer for low-income black and white men because of financial, cultural, and social factors. In this study, we evaluated the association of poor literacy skills with higher rates of presentation of advanced stages of prostate cancer among low-income black and white men who received care in equal-access medical systems. PATIENTS AND METHODS Literacy and stage at diagnosis of prostate cancer were evaluated in 212 low-income men who received medical care in Shreveport, LA, and Chicago, IL. The patients' literacy was assessed with the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM), an individually administered reading screening test designed specifically for use in the medical setting. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate predictors of metastatic disease at presentation as a function of patient age, race, literacy, and city. RESULTS Whereas black men were almost twice as likely to present with stage D prostate cancer (49.5% v 35.9%; P < .05), they were significantly more likely to have literacy levels less than sixth grade (52.3% v 8.7%; P < .001). However, after adjustment for differences in literacy, age, and city, race was not a significant predictor of advanced-stage prostate cancer. CONCLUSION Low literacy may be an overlooked but significant barrier to the diagnosis of early-stage prostate cancer among low-income white and black men. The development of culturally sensitive, low-literacy educational materials may improve patient awareness of prostate cancer and improve the frequency of diagnosis of early-stage cancer.
Combination low‐dose hepatitis B immune globulin and lamivudine therapy provides effective prophylaxis against posttransplantation hepatitis B

Although antiviral prophylaxis with lamivudine monotherapy appears to reduce post–liver transplantation recurrence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, breakthrough infections occur in at least 20% of the patients because of the development of drug resistance. Combined lamivudine and intravenous hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) therapy (10,000‐IU doses) may reduce this risk, but its use is limited by cost (∼US $45,000/yr) and availability. We report the experience at liver transplant centers in Australia and New Zealand in which lamivudine has been used in combination with much lower doses of HBIG than used in conventional HBIG prophylaxis. Lamivudine, 100 mg/d, was administered to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)–positive candidates on listing for transplantation and was continued posttransplantation. HBIG, 400 or 800 IU, was administered intramuscularly (IM) daily for 1 week from transplantation and monthly thereafter. Thirty‐seven HBsAg‐positive patients underwent transplantation using this protocol. Thirty‐six of these patients were HBV DNA positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or hybridization assay. Thirty‐four patients had chronic HBV, 2 patients had hepatitis B and C, and 1 patient had hepatitis B, C, and D. Five patients died within 1 month of transplantation and are not included in the analysis. Mean follow‐up in the remaining 32 patients was 18.4 months (range, 5 to 45 months). Treatment was well tolerated, with no significant adverse events. Thirty‐one of 32 patients were HBsAg negative, and all 32 patients were HBV DNA negative by PCR at latest follow‐up. The cost of treatment was US $967 for lamivudine and between $2,290 and $4,480/yr for IM HBIG. Lamivudine and low‐dose HBIG treatment prevents posttransplantation recurrence of hepatitis B and is likely to be more cost‐effective than high‐dose HBIG regimens.
Rab5 activation as a tumor cell migration switch

Increased cell migration is an acquired feature of metastatic cancer cells and relies on derailed signal transduction pathways. Intracellular vesicular trafficking plays a key role in cell migration due to its intricate involvement in cargo transport and membrane composition. In the last decade, endocytosis has been implicated in cell migration and found to be responsible for the internalization of membrane receptors at the plasma membrane, where integrin trafficking and fine-tuning of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling by internalization are major mechanisms. Accumulating evidence has suggested a link between endosome dynamics, cell migration, and invasion, in which small GTPases of the Rab family have central roles. We have recently determined that Rab5 activation is a crucial event in promoting focal adhesion disassembly, which is concomitant with the migration and invasion of metastatic cancer cells. The mechanisms underlying this novel role for Rab5 are currently unclear, and their elucidation will provide insight into the role of Rab5 function in cancer cell metastasis.
The Effect of Temporary Hemiepiphyseal Stapling on the Growth Plate: A Radiologic and Immunohistochemical Study in Rabbits

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of temporary hemiepiphyseal stapling on the bone geometry and proliferative activity of the physis in immature rabbits. Proximal medial epiphyseal stapling of the right tibia was performed in 46 6-week-old New Zealand white rabbits. The rabbits were assigned randomly into two groups. In group 1, the staples were inserted extraperiosteally and the rabbits were killed at the end of 3 weeks. In group 2, the staples were fixed subperiosteally (group IIA) or extraperiosteally (group IIB), the staples were removed at the end of 3 weeks, and the rabbits were killed at the end of 6 weeks. The articular line-diaphysis angle (ALDA) was significantly increased with 3 weeks of stapling. After the removal of staples, while ALDA continued to worsen in group IIA, it improved in group IIB. Bone was observed to bridge the physis in group IIA. However, the proliferative activity of the physis continued. Temporary hemiepiphyseal stapling is a safe and effective method for control of physeal growth of long bones before skeletal maturity. However, it is of paramount importance not to disturb the periosteum during stapling.
Impacts of Export Tax Implications on Sesame in Myanmar

Export tax as a price control has been imposed on agricultural products of Myanmar. Sesame, one of the high potential export commodities from Myanmar, is also distorted by government export tax policy to shrink the volume of trade. This study investigates the impacts of imposing export tax on sesame seed trade under the assumption of dominant exporting country. To understand the closely related market nature, sesame market structure is estimated using simultaneous equations. Partial equilibrium view of policy simulation is further examined for clarification of alternative policy impacts (10%, 8%, and 5% export tax) on market participants. Simulation results report that current export tax causes the consumer surplus in both direct consumption and crushing sectors. A part from this it shows the best results not only in government revenue but also in society surplus. The recommendation can therefore be drawn out of this study that the export volume should not totally be banned and the export tax should not be totally eliminated for this commodity. Moreover, the tax revenue should be used in sesame industry improvement.
Outcome in refractive accommodative esotropia

AIM To examine outcome among children with refractive accommodative esotropia. METHODS Children with accommodative esotropia associated with hyperopia were included in the study. The features studied were ocular alignment, amblyopia, and the response to treatment, binocular single vision, requirement for surgery, and the change in refraction with age. RESULTS 103 children with refractive accommodative esotropia were identified. Mean follow up was 4.5 years (range 2–9.5 years). 41 children (39.8%) were fully accommodative (no manifest deviation with full hyperopic correction). The remaining 62 children (60.2%) were partially accommodative. At presentation 61.2% of children were amblyopic in one eye decreasing to 15.5% at the most recent examination. Stereopsis was demonstrated in 89.3% of children at the most recent examination. Mean cycloplegic refraction (dioptres, spherical equivalent) remained stable throughout the follow up period. The mean change in refraction per year was 0.005 dioptres (D) in right eyes (95% CL −0.0098 to 0.02) and 0.001 D in left eyes (95% CL −0.018 to 0.021). No patients were able to discard their glasses and maintain alignment. CONCLUSIONS Most children with refractive accommodative esotropia have an excellent outcome in terms of visual acuity and binocular single vision. Current management strategies for this condition result in a marked reduction in the prevalence of amblyopia compared with the prevalence at presentation. The degree of hyperopia, however, remains unchanged with poor prospects for discontinuing glasses wear. The possibility that long term full time glasses wear impedes emmetropisation must be considered. It is also conceivable, however, that these children may behave differently with normal and be predestined to remain hyperopic.
Increased Workforce Diversity by Race, Gender, and Age and Equal Employment Opportunity Laws: Implications for Human Resource Development

This chapter reviews how the passage of United States federal Equal Employment Opportunity laws between 1960 and 2000 related to race, gender, age, and national origin led to increased diversity of the labor force in gender, race, and ethnicity, an increase which is ongoing. Data from the U.S. Departments of Labor and Census indicate these laws substantially increased the percentage of Black, Hispanic and Asian and female workers. Between 2003 and 2013, the percentage of the labor force that is women, Black, Hispanic and Asian continued to increase, with the largest gains being of Hispanic and Asian employees. The chapter demonstrates how utilizing diversity improves the research and practice of HRD. This increasing diversity requires practitioners to rethink the methods they use to deliver training and development programs. Further, researchers should examine how the increased diversity impacts all areas of HRD, such as training, mentoring, and work-life balance.
Progression to proliferative retinopathy and macular oedema requiring treatment. Assessment of the alternative classification of the Wisconsin Study.

PURPOSE To study the ability of the alternative classification of the Wisconsin Study to predict progression to retinopathy requiring laser treatment in patients with diabetes. METHODS A total of 1585 diabetic patients were included in the study. Of them, 294 (19%) were diagnosed with diabetes before and 1291 (81%) after age 30 years. Retinopathy was diagnosed on fundus photographs using a modification of the Wisconsin scale, and graded into 6 levels according to the worse eye. The first visit during the study period was used to represent baseline examination. The time points for detection of proliferative retinopathy (PDR) and clinically significant macular oedema (CSME) were recorded during a mean follow-up time of 2.9 years. RESULTS Progression to PDR and/or CSME was significantly related to increasing severity of retinopathy at baseline (p<0.001; test for trend). Fifty per cent of patients with severe non-proliferative retinopathy (NPDR) (level 51) at entry progressed within one year to PDR and/or CSME; the 3-year risk for such progression in patients with mild (level 31) and moderate NPDR (level 41) was 25 and 60%, respectively. The incidence of progression to PDR and to CSME was 0.95 and 2.3/100 person-years, respectively. Progression to PDR and/or CSME was furthermore associated with a higher level of glycosylated haemoglobin, longer duration of the diabetes and use of antihypertensive treatment. CONCLUSION Increasing severity of retinopathy as recorded by this modification of the alternative classification of the Wisconsin Study was significantly associated with increased risk of progression to retinopathy requiring treatment.
New Skin Treatment Possibilities with PIANO Mode on an Nd : YAG Laser

Non-ablative skin textural improvement is based on the theory of delivering a suitable packet of photothermal damage (coagulative and biostimulating) to dermal layers beneath a cooled epidermis. In this paper, a new Nd:YAG laser pulse duration modality is introduced which is perfectly suited for this purpose. This new, super long, PIANO modality, which extends the Nd:YAG pulse durations to the seconds regime, is much longer than the thermal relaxation time of the epidermis or any other skin structures, and does not cause high initial temperature peaks in the epidermis. It is therefore indicated for treatments where overall homogeneous, bulk heating of the dermis is desired. Based on the in-vivo study of the thermal effects of the PIANO mode on human skin, clinical protocol guidelines for laser skin remodeling, skin tightening and laser-assisted wound healing are developed. The PIANO modality may be of benefit also when considering treatments that combine the non-ablative Nd:YAG laser skin remodeling with the Er:YAG laser fractional skin resurfacing.
Live Imaging of Cell Motility and Actin Cytoskeleton of Individual Neurons and Neural Crest Cells in Zebrafish Embryos

The zebrafish is an ideal model for imaging cell behaviors during development in vivo. Zebrafish embryos are externally fertilized and thus easily accessible at all stages of development. Moreover, their optical clarity allows high resolution imaging of cell and molecular dynamics in the natural environment of the intact embryo. We are using a live imaging approach to analyze cell behaviors during neural crest cell migration and the outgrowth and guidance of neuronal axons. Live imaging is particularly useful for understanding mechanisms that regulate cell motility processes. To visualize details of cell motility, such as protrusive activity and molecular dynamics, it is advantageous to label individual cells. In zebrafish, plasmid DNA injection yields a transient mosaic expression pattern and offers distinct benefits over other cell labeling methods. For example, transgenic lines often label entire cell populations and thus may obscure visualization of the fine protrusions (or changes in molecular distribution) in a single cell. In addition, injection of DNA at the one-cell stage is less invasive and more precise than dye injections at later stages. Here we describe a method for labeling individual developing neurons or neural crest cells and imaging their behavior in vivo. We inject plasmid DNA into 1-cell stage embryos, which results in mosaic transgene expression. The vectors contain cell-specific promoters that drive expression of a gene of interest in a subset of sensory neurons or neural crest cells. We provide examples of cells labeled with membrane targeted GFP or with a biosensor probe that allows visualization of F-actin in living cells1. Erica Andersen, Namrata Asuri, and Matthew Clay contributed equally to this work.
Acute alcohol intoxication and suicide: a gender-stratified analysis of the National Violent Death Reporting System

Objectives Although it is well known that people with alcohol dependence are at a markedly elevated risk for suicide, much less is known about the role of acute alcohol use in suicidal behaviours. The primary aims of this epidemiological study were to assess the prevalence and factors associated with acute alcohol intoxication among 57 813 suicide decedents in 16 states. Methods Data from the restricted National Violent Death Reporting System 2003–2009 for male and female suicide decedents aged 18 years and older were analysed by multiple logistic regression to compare decedents with and without acute alcohol intoxication (defined as blood alcohol concentration (BAC) ≥0.08 g/dl). Results Among men, those who were younger, American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic, veterans, of lower educational attainment, deceased from a self-inflicted firearm injury or hanging/suffocation and residing in rural areas were more likely to have been intoxicated at the time of death. Among women, the factors associated with a BAC ≥0.08 g/dl were younger age, being American Indian/Alaska Native, and using a firearm, hanging/suffocation or falling as method of death. Conclusions In both men and women, alcohol intoxication was associated with violent methods of suicide and declined markedly with age, suggesting that addressing risks associated with acute alcohol use may be of the greatest aid in the prevention of violent suicides among young and middle age adults.
The contents of assurance statements for sustainability reports and information asymmetry

This paper investigates how the assurance of sustainability reports enhances the credibility of such reports in the eyes of the investors and, thus, results in lower information asymmetries, as measured by bid-ask spreads. We measure the assurance of sustainability reports based on a content analysis of the assurance statements in which the assurance providers describe the design of the assurance process. For a matched sample of 442 STOXX 600 Europe companies with and without assured sustainability reports, our results indicate that a high-quality design of the assurance process reduces the level of information asymmetry. While an assurance process substantiating a high assurance level decreases information asymmetries, an assurance process that ensures only a moderate assurance level is insufficient. If an assurance provider performs tests of details of numerical data, this further reduces information asymmetries. For countries without regulations on sustainability reporting, we provide evidence that analytical tests of aggregated indicators, the description of the assurance provider’s competencies and the description of the sustainability assurance-specific work steps also contribute to a reduction of information asymmetries.