Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TAK1 promotes cell survival by TNFAIP3 and IL-8 dependent and NF-κB independent pathway in HeLa cells exposed to heat stress

Abstract Purpose: Transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) plays a role in inhibiting apoptosis in response to multiple stresses. In the present study, we investigated the role of TAK1 in cell death induced by heat stress (HS). Materials and methods: TAK1 knockdown HeLa cells and their parental cells were exposed to HS at 44 °C for 15, 30, 45 min followed by colony formation assay. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) induction, NF-κB phosphorylation, and caspase-3 cleavage were estimated by western blotting using specific antibodies. Global gene expression analysis was performed using the GeneChip® system. The anti-apoptotic roles of the identified genes were elucidated using small interfering RNAs targeting those genes. Results: Heat sensitivity estimated by colony formation assay and caspase-3 cleavage increased in TAK1 knockdown cells. This sensitisation was not due to alterations in HSP induction or NF-κB phosphorylation as the expression levels of these proteins did not differ significantly between the TAK1 knockdown and the parent cells after HS exposure. The GeneChip® analysis revealed differences in gene expression between both cell variants after HS exposure and defined the genetic network associated with cell death. TNF-α interacting protein 3 (TNFAIP3) and Interleukin 8 (IL-8) are two of the identified genes. RNA interference against these genes increased the cleavage of caspase-3 and cell death after HS exposure. Conclusion: Our findings reveal the role of TAK1 in thermoresistance and show that the mediation is independent of NF-κB phosphorylation but is dependent on TNFAIP3 and IL-8 induction.
State Of Art of Medical Image Segmentation Techniques

Segmentation is used as the first step in treatment and recognizing a disease by distinguishing the tissue borders. Thus, it is important to correctly perform segmentation so that the illness can be cured successfully. It even works when the brightness of the image becomes too low. In this paper, we will discuss different techniques to perform image segmentation. General Terms Digital image processing, Medical Image Segmentation, Genetic Algorithm
Emotional facial expression decoding impairment in persons dependent on multiple substances: impact of a history of alcohol dependence.

OBJECTIVE The decoding of emotional facial expressions is impaired in recovering alcoholics and less severely so in opiate-dependent persons without alcohol dependence antecedents. This study addressed two complementary questions: (1) How do these decoding deficits change with long-term abstinence during an institutionalized therapeutic program? and (2) Do alcohol-dependent antecedents constitute a factor impairing a potential recovery? METHOD Sixty-five participants (54 men and 11 women) were recruited at a long-stay postdetoxification treatment center. They were assigned to one of four groups, depending on (1) whether or not they met alcohol dependence criteria in the past and (2) whether they were at therapeutic Stage 1 or Stage 2. Stage 1 was defined as being in the first 2 months of the therapeutic program, and Stage 2 was defined as being in the long-term therapeutic community (i.e., from 2 to 10 months of a therapeutic program). Participants were given an emotional facial-expression decoding test consisting of 16 photographs portraying happiness, anger, disgust and sadness. Participants were asked to rate the estimated intensity level of each photograph on eight scales labeled as happiness, sadness, fear, anger, disgust, surprise, shame and contempt--all presented successively. A complementary scale assessed the self-estimated difficulty in performing the task. RESULTS Results show a greater deficit in individuals with substance dependence with past alcoholic dependence, compared with former substance-dependent persons who had never met the alcohol dependence criteria according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. However, there was no effect of long-term abstinence on emotion decoding abilities whatever their past dependence. CONCLUSIONS Substance dependence is associated with dysfunctions in emotional facial expression decoding processing, with alcohol dependence being linked with more impairments and no improvement after months of abstinence.
Simultaneous Determination of 7 N-Acetyltransferase-2 Sequence Variations by Allele-Specific Primer Extension Assay

Background: Genotyping of N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT2) is useful in predicting the risk for toxicity of NAT2 substrates. Current methods cannot detect the 7 most important single-nucleotide variations in NAT2 simultaneously in 1 tube. Methods: We developed an assay that uses allele-specific primer extension (ASPE) and microsphere hybridization for the simultaneous detection of 7 single-nucleotide variations in NAT2. Using 12 samples previously genotyped by a TaqMan-based assay for method development and as positive controls, we amplified the genetic locus of NAT2 comprising the single-nucleotide variations of interest by PCR and then performed ASPE with allele-specific primers and biotinylated dCTP followed by bead hybridization and streptavidin–R-phycoerythrin binding. Genotypes were determined according to the allele-specific fluorescent signal ratios. Results: The mean (SD) allelic ratios for homozygous common, heterozygous variant, and homozygous variant NAT2 genotypes were 0.0394 (0.0113) (n 80), 0.4372 (0.0270) (n 148), and 0.9331 (0.0127) (n 325). The assay had 100% (95% confidence interval, 99%– 100%) within-run reproducibility for 12 samples repeated 6 times and 100% (98%–100%) between-run reproducibility for a 5-sample subset run on 6 different days. NAT2 genotypes of 30 blinded samples determined by this assay were 100% (98%–100%) concordant with results obtained using the TaqMan method. Conclusions: The developed assay can simultaneously determine single-nucleotide variations in NAT2. The assay demonstrates no overlap in allele-specific signal ratios between homozygous common, heterozygous, and homozygous variant and shows agreement with a reference method and reproducibility of genotype identification. © 2006 American Association for Clinical Chemistry
Reducing the Parasitic Capacitance Effect in LCD Panel for Backlight Module Based on Primary-Side Control and DPLL Technique

A digital-phase-locked-loop (DPLL)-based backlight module is proposed to reduce the leakage current effect in liquid crystal display (LCD). In this paper, the mathematical model of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) current, including the parasitic capacitance in LCD panel, is conducted to explore the influence of leakage current effect. Moreover, the primary-side control and the DPLL function are integrated to form a feedback mechanism to track the optimal operating frequency. Then, the influence of parasitic capacitance can be reduced so as to eliminate the leakage current effect. The experimental results agree with the theoretical predictions.
Prédiction de la qualité des bois de chêne pour l’élevage des vins et des alcools : comparaison des approches physicochimiques, sensorielles et moléculaires

Au cours du vieillissement, les caracteristiques organoleptiques du vin se modifient au contact du bois de chene. Le compose aromatique le plus important, la whisky-lactone, aux notes noix de coco et boise, est facilement detectable et apprecie par les consommateurs.Quercus petraea et Q. robur, les deux principales especes europeennes de chene utilisees pour le vieillissement des vins, ont des profils aromatiques tres contrastes, particulierement pour la whisky-lactone. Parvenir a identifier l’espece de chene permettrait de fournir aux tonnelleries des lots de bois plus homogenes. L’objectif de cette etude est d’identifier l’espece de chene a partir de bois sec, a l’aide de marqueurs moleculaires utilisables dans un contexte industriel. Le bois sec est un tissu mort dans lequel l’ADN est tres degrade et donc difficilement accessible. Pour optimiser l’extraction d’ADN a partir de ce tissu, nous avons developpe une methode de PCR en temps-reel ciblant l’ADN chloroplastique, permettant ainsi d’evaluer l’efficacite des differents protocoles d’extraction. Nous avons egalement developpe des marqueurs moleculaires (SSRs et SNPs) fortement differencies entre especes et particulierement bien adaptes au bois. Grâce a des protocoles d’extraction d’ADN optimises et ces marqueurs performants, nous avons pu identifier l’espece sur des lots de bois seches pendant deux ans. De plus, par l’etude de 262 SNPs dont la moitie est fortement differenciee entre especes, nous avons demontre que les genes selectionnes (loci « outlier ») sont tres performants pour delimiter ces deux especes proches. Ils permettent egalement de detecter des processus demographiques fins (flux de genes intra- et interspecifiques), alors que les genes a priori non-selectionnes (loci neutres) se revelent peu informatifs.
Autonomous Mobile Service Robots For Humans , With Human Help , and Enabling Human Remote Presence

We present our CoBot mobile service robots, which we aim at being a truly functional contribution to humans in our office environments. The robots perform tasks for humans, proactively assess and ask for the need of human help, and enable human remote presence through mobile telepresence. We introduce and present how we address these multiple roles that humans play with respect to autonomous mobile service robots. We first briefly introduce the CoBot robots, which include robust autonomous localization and navigation. We then focus on presenting how users can request tasks and interact with CoBot, how CoBot reasons about humans that may help it, and how humans can be mobile telepresent on CoBot. CoBot has been reliably and increasingly effectively functioning in our environments for the last two years. We estimate it has autonomously navigated for our task-based tests, in two different buildings, altogether for more than 50km.
The effects of the force of contraction and elbow joint angle on mean and median frequency analysis for muscle fatigue evaluation

Mean frequency (MNF) and median frequency (MDF) are often used to assess muscular fatigue from surface electromyography (sEMG) signals. To determine muscle fatigue at different levels of isometric and dynamic contractions, it is necessary to know the relationship between the force of contraction and the MNF/MDF methods. Despite numerous studies, no unique answer has been found. This study re-examines this relationship by investigating 19 subjects and performing isometric and dynamic contractions over a full elbow range of motion measured from the biceps brachii muscle. We obtained the following key results: (i) a strong positive relationship between MNF/MDF methods and the force of contraction was found frequently during isometric contractions at an angle less than 90° and during dynamic contractions in 3 subjects (16%); (ii) a strong negative relationship during isometric contractions at an angle greater than 90° and during dynamic contractions in 8 subjects (42%), and (iii) no strong linear relationship during isometric contractions for all the angles and during dynamic contractions in 8 subjects (42%). After possible causes for these conflicting results are discussed, the study then investigates if it is possible to use anthropometric variables of subjects as the criteria to create homogeneous subgroups of relationships. A number of anthropometric variables were used to separate the subgroups, i.e., the forearm and biceps circumferences for males and the hand and shoulder breadths for females.
Un logiciel qui aide à la correction en anglais

Les As. presentent un outil informatique, adapte aux besoins specifiques des francophones, aidant a la redaction et a la correction de textes anglais. La necessite de cet outil se base sur le fait que les locuteurs non natifs ne font pas les memes erreurs que les locuteurs natifs, ainsi les outils de correction purement monolingues existant deja sur le marche peuvent s'averer deconcertants pour les locuteurs non natifs. Les As. enumerent les principes de developpement qui ont guide le developpement de ce logiciel. Ils presentent ensuite leur approche des erreurs des francophones. Apres un apercu general du logiciel, ses differentes composantes sont reprises en detail: les aides, les problemes potentiels et le correcteur grammatical
SpyA, a C3-Like ADP-Ribosyltransferase, Contributes to Virulence in a Mouse Subcutaneous Model of Streptococcus pyogenes Infection

ABSTRACT Streptococcus pyogenes is an important human pathogen with an expansive repertoire of verified and putative virulence factors. Here we demonstrate that a mutant deficient in the production of the streptococcal ADP-ribosyltransferase SpyA generates lesions of reduced size in a subcutaneous mouse infection model. At early stages of infection, when the difference in lesion size is first established, inflamed tissue isolated from lesions of mice infected with spyA mutant bacteria has higher levels of mRNA encoding the chemokines CXCL1 and CCL2 than does tissue isolated from mice infected with wild-type bacteria. In addition, at these early times, the mRNA levels for the gene encoding the intermediate filament vimentin are higher in the mutant-infected tissue. As wound resolution progresses, mRNA levels of the gene encoding matrix metallopeptidase 2 are lower in mutant-infected tissue. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the spyA mutant is internalized more efficiently than wild-type bacteria by HeLa cells. We conclude that SpyA contributes to streptococcal pathogenesis in the mouse subcutaneous infection model. Our observations suggest that the presence of SpyA delays wound healing in this model.
Neuronal Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases.

Widespread localization, responsiveness to numerous signal transduction systems, and broad substrate specificity enable the multifunctional CaM kinase to mediate regulation of many cellular functions. The abundance and diversity of CaM kinase substrates attest to its role as a multifunctional kinase. However, expanded identification of its in situ substrates as well as the consequences of their regulation by phosphorylation needs to be accomplished. Recently identified substrates have contributed to the list of potential functions for the CaM kinase. CREB is a hormonally stimulated transcriptional activator, and CaM kinase may lie on the pathway to its activation. This pathway could provide an interface between the potentiation of Ca2+ signals by CaM kinase and longer-term modifications of neuronal gene expression. The ryanodine receptor, as well as phospholamban, are involved in cardiac Ca2+ homeostasis, and their regulation by CaM kinase phosphorylation suggests the possibility of some feedback control of intracellular Ca2+ levels by CaM kinase. Regulation of neuronal plasticity by phosphorylation of synapsin I and of postsynaptic substrates necessary for long-term potentiation is another dynamic area of investigation. The study of substrates and their functions promises to continue providing exciting insights into the control of cellular signalling by Ca2+. Molecular cloning has enabled structural comparison of neuronal isoforms of the kinase, and has revealed the existence of closely related subunits. Subunits identified to data differ substantially only in two small variable domains, yet their expression in various tissues and during the course of development is precisely controlled. What unique properties do these small variable domains impart to the different isoforms? What directs high concentrations of kinase to a particular subcellular localization, and especially to the PSD? Further molecular cloning will undoubtedly determine whether other multifunctional CaM kinases with unique structures and properties exist. Finally, studies on the autoregulatory properties of CaM kinase have provided a fascinating picture of how this molecule can alone encode responses to Ca2+ signals, potentiating both the duration and magnitude of its activity. Autophosphorylation of the Thr286 autonomy site both traps calmodulin and permits Ca(2+)-independent activity after calmodulin dissociates. Further analysis of the role of the holoenzyme structure in these modulations will help clarify remaining mechanistic questions. Studies performed during the past few years have clearly established that this Ca(2+)-independent activity is generated in situ in response to a variety of cell stimuli. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Genotyping of human neutrophil antigen‐5a (Ond)

summary. Antibodies to human neutrophil alloantigens (HNA) can cause immune‐mediated neutropenias and transfusion complications. The diagnosis of antibodies to the HNA‐5a (Ond) isoform of the αLβ2 integrin is hampered by the lack of reliable methods for HNA‐5a antigen typing. We have devised a polymerase chain reaction sequence‐specific primer method (PCR‐SSP) and used it to determine the HNA‐5a gene frequencies in 320 individuals from different ethnicities. 15·3% were found to be HNA‐5a negative, with no significant deviation between the populations. Results of HNA‐5a genotyping were in accordance with phenotyping. Availability of HNA‐5a PCR‐SSP will facilitate the diagnosis of Ond antibody‐mediated clinical conditions.
Exploration of leukemia gene regulatory networks using a systems biology approach

Despite extensive studies in cytogenetic and mutations in leukemia cancer, new diagnoses were detected each year. This is due to multifactorial characteristic of hematopoietic disease and a lack of systematic-level information on genetic interaction and pathways between markers to understand the development and progression of leukemia. Thus, this study aims to sought a systems biology approach to infer gene regulatory networks of leukemia-related markers. Results demonstrated the effectiveness of a systems biology approach to simplify complex genetic interactions without losing important biological information of the genes. Key markers that inter-connected other leukemia-associated markers were identified.
A CHANGE IN THE BAR GENE OF DROSOPHILA INVOLVING FURTHER DECREASE IN FACET NUMBER AND INCREASE IN DOMINANCE

As part of a study of the factors controUingeye facet number in Drosophila melanogaster, selection has been carried on with a view to the determination of the germinal changes appearing during the course of selection. One of the most interesting of these changes occurred during the second generation of downward selection in the white bar stock. An exceptionally "low" male of this generation was shown to possess a changed gene with a marked increase in dominance. This individual appeared on November 20, 1917, and had but 19 facets, while the mean of its 62 brothers was 82.6 facets with a range of 41 to 134. With class sizes such that the range of a class is 10 per cent of its mean this represents a departure of -16.80 10 per cent class units from the mean of the males of the unselected bar stock, while the departure of the brothers of the mutant is on ly-3 . 44 units. The new stock derived from the third hybrid generation of a mating of the mutant with a sister possesses the characteristics of the original male, and at the present writing (May 10, 1919) has remained without change for nearly 18 months except for the appearance of a few additional mutants. The name ultra-bar has been given to the new character. Its symbol, Bu, indicates that ultra-bar is a dominant allelomorph of bar. Full-eyed (wild-type) females at 27°C. have an average facet number of 810.6, bar females of the second low selected generation have 61.8 facets, and ultra-bar females 22.0 facets. The corresponding numbers for males are respectively 849.8, 75.6, and 23.0.
Mental health service utilization by African Americans and Whites: the Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVE To compare mental health service utilization and its associated factors between African Americans and whites in the 1980s and 1990s. DESIGN Household-based longitudinal study with baseline interviews in 1981 and follow-up interviews from 1993 to 1996. SETTING The Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) Follow-Up. SUBJECTS Subjects included 1,662 adults (590 African Americans and 1,072 whites). MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE Use of mental health services, defined as talking to any health professional about emotional or nervous problems or alcohol or drug-related problems within the 6 months preceding each interview. RESULTS In 1981, crude rates of mental health service use in general medical (GM) settings and specialty mental health settings were similar for African Americans and whites (11.7%). However, after adjustment for predisposing, need, and enabling factors, individuals receiving mental health services were less likely to be African American. Mental health service use increased by 6.5% over follow-up, and African Americans were no longer less likely to report receiving any mental health services in the 1990s. African Americans were more likely than whites to report discussing mental health problems in GM settings without having seen a mental health specialist. They were less likely than whites to report use of specialty mental health services, but this finding was not statistically significant, possibly because of low rates of specialty mental health use by both race groups. Psychiatric distress was the strongest predictor of mental health service use. Attitudes positively associated with use of mental health services were more prevalent among African Americans than whites. CONCLUSIONS Mental health service use increased in the past decade, with the greatest increase among African Americans in GM settings. Although it is possible that the racial disparity in use of specialty mental health services remains, the GM setting may offer a safety net for some mental health concerns of African Americans.
Discussions with physicians about hospice among patients with metastatic lung cancer.

BACKGROUND Many terminally ill patients enroll in hospice only in the final days before death or not at all. Discussing hospice with a health care provider could increase awareness of hospice and possibly result in earlier use. METHODS We used data on 1517 patients diagnosed as having stage IV lung cancer from a multiregional study. We estimated logistic regression models for the probability that a patient discussed hospice with a physician or other health care provider before an interview 4 to 7 months after diagnosis as reported by either the patient or surrogate or documented in the medical record. RESULTS Half (53%) of the patients had discussed hospice with a provider. Patients who were black, Hispanic, non-English speaking, married or living with a partner, Medicaid beneficiaries, or had received chemotherapy were less likely to have discussed hospice. Only 53% of individuals who died within 2 months after the interview had discussed hospice, and rates were lower among those who lived longer. Patients who reported that they expected to live less than 2 years had much higher rates of discussion than those expecting to live longer. Patients reporting the most severe pain or dyspnea were no more likely to have discussed hospice than those reporting less severe or no symptoms. A third of patients who reported discussing do-not-resuscitate preferences with a physician had also discussed hospice. CONCLUSIONS Many patients diagnosed as having metastatic lung cancer had not discussed hospice with a provider within 4 to 7 months after diagnosis. Increased communication with physicians could address patients' lack of awareness about hospice and misunderstandings about prognosis.
The cryptoanarchists' answer to cash

There's nothing like a dollar bill for paying a stripper. Anonymous, yet highly personal-wherever you use it, that dollar will fit the occasion. Purveyors of Internet smut, after years of hiding charges on credit cards, or just giving it away for free, recently found their own version of the dollar-a new digital currency called Bitcoin.