Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lysophosphatidic Acid Decreases the Nuclear Localization and Cellular Abundance of the p53 Tumor Suppressor in A549 Lung Carcinoma Cells

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a bioactive lipid that promotes cancer cell proliferation and motility through activation of cell surface G protein–coupled receptors. Here, we provide the first evidence that LPA reduces the cellular abundance of the tumor suppressor p53 in A549 lung carcinoma cells, which express endogenous LPA receptors. The LPA effect depends on increased proteasomal degradation of p53 and it results in a corresponding decrease in p53-mediated transcription. Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase protected cells from the LPA-induced reduction of p53, which implicates this signaling pathway in the mechanism of LPA-induced loss of p53. LPA partially protected A549 cells from actinomycin D induction of both apoptosis and increased p53 abundance. Expression of LPA1, LPA2, and LPA3 receptors in HepG2 hepatoma cells, which normally do not respond to LPA, also decreased p53 expression and p53-dependent transcription. In contrast, neither inactive LPA1 (R124A) nor another Gi-coupled receptor, the M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, reduced p53-dependent transcription in HepG2 cells. These results identify p53 as a target of LPA action and provide a new dimension for understanding how LPA stimulates cancer cell division, protects against apoptosis, and thereby promotes tumor progression. (Mol Cancer Res 2007;5(11):1201–11)
Mine Burial Observations During the 2003–2004 U.S. Office of Naval Research Experiment

During the 2003-2004 winter season, the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR, Arlington, VA), sponsored a detailed in situ study of the mine burial process resulting from wave-seafloor-mine interaction at Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory (MVCO, Edgartown, MA). In total, 16 mine shapes were deployed. Six were the Forschungsanstalt der Bundeswehr fur Wasserschall und Geophysik (FWG, Kiel, Germany) burial registration mines using optical sensors, four others were equipped with acoustical sensors, and six were simple shapes. Repeated acoustic surveys and detailed sediment sampling were conducted to characterize the site and the burial status of all objects. This paper focuses on data from three recovered optical systems. The records show three roll events at all three registration mines, which are necessary for scour burial. Two systems experienced a fourth roll event. Results from earlier experiments suggest only three (four) stages of progressively increasing burial despite frequent successive burial and exposure cycles (some as short as 1 h). During these burial-exposure cycles changes of buried mine volume reached up to 80%. The only reasonable explanation is a change of sediment height of up to 40 cm relative to the stably lying mines. This requires new concepts. Cyclic burial changes that were observed simultaneously at different positions cannot be explained with existing models. The least difficult explanation is ldquounderwater sand stormsrdquo which are characterized by a high sediment suspension.
Acetyl group availability influences phosphocreatine degradation even during intense muscle contraction

We previously established that activation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) using dichloroacetate (DCA) reduced the reliance on substrate‐level phosphorylation (SLP) at the onset of exercise, with normal and reduced blood flow. PDC activation also reduced fatigue development during contraction with reduced blood flow. Since these observations, several studies have re‐evaluated our observations. One study demonstrated a performance benefit without a reduction in SLP, raising a question mark over PDC's role in the regulation of ATP regeneration and our interpretation of fatigue mechanisms. Using a model of muscle contraction similar to the conflicting study (i.e. tetanic rather than twitch stimulation), we re‐examined this question. Using canine skeletal muscle, one group was infused with saline while the other was pretreated with 300 mg (kg body mass)−1 DCA. Muscle biopsies were taken at rest, peak tension (1 min) and after 6 min of tetanic electrical stimulation (75 ms on−925 ms off per second) and blood flow was limited to 25% of normal values observed during contraction. DCA reduced phosphocreatine (PCr) degradation by 40% during the first minute of contraction, but did not prevent the almost complete depletion of PCr stores at 6 min, while muscle fatigue did not differ between the two groups. During intermittent tetanic stimulation PCr degradation was 75% greater than with our previous 3 Hz twitch contraction protocol, despite a similar rate of oxygen consumption at 6 min. Thus, in the present study enhanced acetyl group availability altered the time course of PCr utilization but did not prevent the decline towards depletion. Consistent with our earlier conclusions, DCA pretreatment reduces muscle fatigue only when SLP is attenuated. The present study and our met‐analysis indicates that enhanced acetyl group availability results in a readily measurable reduction in SLP when the initial rate of PCr utilization is ∼1 mmol (kg dry mass)−1 s−1 or less (depending on intrinsic mitochondrial capacity). When measured early during an uninterrupted period of muscle contraction, acetyl group availability is likely to influence SLP under any condition where mitochondria are responsible for a significant proportion of ATP regeneration.
The Impact of Eskoba®, a Glyphosate Formulation, on the Freshwater Plankton Community

This study analyzed the acute effects of a glyphosate‐based herbicide (Eskoba®) on the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris, the cladoceran Simocephalus vetulus, and the copepod Notodiaptomus conifer, and evaluated the recovery ability of the surviving microcrustaceans. Survival, age of first reproduction, and fecundity were used as endpoints for S. vetulus, while survival and time to reach the adult stage were used as endpoints for N. conifer. The registered order of sensitivity was S. vetulus (48‐hour effective concentration [EC50]: 21 mg/L) > C. vulgaris (72‐hour EC50: 58.59 mg/ L) > N. conifer (48‐hour EC50: 95 mg/L). Despite the growth of C. vulgaris stimulated after 24 hours of exposure to the commercial formulation of glyphosate Eskoba®, it was inhibited after 48 hours by all the concentrations tested. In postexposure experiments, microcrustaceans reduced their life expectancy, S. vetulus decreased its fertility, and N. conifer inhibited its sexual maturity. In summary, it was demonstrated that these species lost their recovery ability.
Effects on the Performance and Some Carcass Parameters of Addition of Butyric Acid and Prebiotic in the Quail Rations

This study had been performed in order to research the effects on performance and some carcass parameters of the addition of prebiotic and butyric acid and of their combined use in quail rations as a growth factor alternative to antibiotics. The research was carried out by 144 male-female Japanese Quails of daily age as having 4 groups-that are the control group in which no addition was made, the group in which 1g/kg butyric acid was added, the group in which 0,5g/kg prebiotic was added, and the group in which 1g/kg butyric acid and 0,5g/kg prebiotic was added-, and as performing 3 repetitions each including 12 animals. As the result of the research, no statistically significant difference could be found among the groups in respect of live weight, live weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio (p>0,05). Moreover, no statistical difference could be found among the groups in respect of hot carcass weight and yield and proportional weights of giblets, liver and heart which are the parameters for cutting (p>0,05). In this research, it was concluded that single or combined use of butyric acid and prebiotic have no effect on quails.
Health-related Support Groups on the Internet: Linking Empirical Findings to Social Support and Computer-mediated Communication Theory

This literature review of research on health-related computer-mediated support groups links features of these groups to existing theory from the areas of social support and computer-mediated communication research. The article exams computer-mediated support groups as weak tie networks, focuses on how these support groups facilitate participant similarity and empathic support and identifies changes in supportive communication due to characteristics of the medium.
Measurement of muscle fatigue.

^ The effects of muscle fatigue on the electrical activity of muscle have been studied in five normal subjects with a total of twenty recordings by a quantitative electromyographic method of convert­ ing voltage into frequency pulses. The relation between the progressive increase of electrical ac­ tivity from a sustained static contraction of the anterior deltoid muscle and the time of contrac­ tion was found to be linear. It was also found that, in most individuals, electrical activity increases as the anterior deltoid muscle becomes fatigued. The method of electromyography used showed a mod­ erately high correlation coefficient for reliability. ^
Eigenvalue Based Analysis and Controller Synthesis for Systems Described by Delay Differential Algebraic Equations

Abstract An eigenvalue based framework is developed for the stability analysis and stabilization of coupled systems with time-delays, which are naturally described by delay differential algebraic equations. The spectral properties of these equations are analyzed and a numerical method for stability assessment is presented, taking into account the effect of small delay perturbations on stability. Subsequently, the design of stabilizing controllers with a pre-scribed structure or order is addressed, based on a direct optimization approach. The effectiveness of the approach is illustrated with numerical examples, and the similarities with the computation and optimization of ℋ ∞ norms are pointed out.
Depression of Mitochondrial Function in the Rat Skeletal Muscle Model of Myofascial Pain Syndrome Is Through Down-Regulation of the AMPK-PGC-1α-SIRT3 Axis

Purpose The causative mechanisms triggering myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) are still in debate. It is becoming evident that mitochondrial dysfunction may regulate pathways controlling MPS. The aim of this study was to investigate whether AMPK-PGC-1α-SIRT3 axis is associated with depression of mitochondrial function in the rat MPS model. Methods A total of 32 Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group and experimental group. The expression level of mRNA and protein of gastrocnemius medialis (GM) was analyzed by Western blot and RT-PCR. The histopathological findings were investigated through electron microscopes in GM of all groups. Results Our results showed that MPS induces continuous depression of mitochondrial biogenesis and function via down-regulation of PGC-1α-SIRT3 axis accompanying with ATP fuel crisis as compared to control group. However, the expression level of SIRT3 mRNA did not change. Additionally, a correlated reduction of the mRNA and protein expression level of NRF-1 and TFAM, known as the downstream target of PGC-1α, suggesting further transcription of nuclear genes encoding mitochondria functional proteins for promoting mitochondria proliferation, oxidative phosphorylation and energy production is continuously depressed. Furthermore, phosphorylation extent of AMPK is also declined following MPS, and it is negatively correlated with reduction of ATP generation, suggesting that the complex network involves different inhibition in transcription, post-translational modification and a plethora of other effectors that mediate the inhibition roles. Conclusion We here suggested that the down-regulation in AMPK-PGC-1α-SIRT3 axis network may be the basis for the association between mitochondrial dysfunction and MPS, where a vicious circle further aggravates the disease symptoms with ongoing ATP energy crisis.
3D coronary vessel wall imaging utilizing a local inversion technique with spiral image acquisition

Current 2D black blood coronary vessel wall imaging suffers from a relatively limited coverage of the coronary artery tree. Hence, a 3D approach facilitating more extensive coverage would be desirable. The straightforward combination of a 3D‐acquisition technique together with a dual inversion prepulse can decrease the effectiveness of the black blood preparation. To minimize artifacts from insufficiently suppressed blood signal of the nearby blood pools, and to reduce residual respiratory motion artifacts from the chest wall, a novel local inversion technique was implemented. The combination of a nonselective inversion prepulse with a 2D selective local inversion prepulse allowed for suppression of unwanted signal outside a user‐defined region of interest. Among 10 subjects evaluated using a 3D‐spiral readout, the local inversion pulse effectively suppressed signal from ventricular blood, myocardium, and chest wall tissue in all cases. The coronary vessel wall could be visualized within the entire imaging volume. Magn Reson Med 46:848–854, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The longitudinal effects of physical activity history on metabolic syndrome.

PURPOSE To examine the relationship of physical activity and its changes over a 9-yr follow-up to the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in 2060 young adults (24-39 yr) enrolled in the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. METHODS Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) was assessed using a self-report questionnaire completed in connection with a medical examination at two consecutive measurements in 1992 and 2001. By summing the LTPA items, a physical activity index (PAI) was formed for both measurement points according to which the participants were divided into tracking groups: persistently active, increasingly active, decreasingly active, and persistently inactive. MetS in 2001 was defined by the guidelines of the European Group for the Study of Insulin Resistance (EGIR), the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III), and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). A continuous metabolic risk score was also calculated by summing the z-scores for the metabolic risk factors. RESULTS There was a significant linear relationship between MetS and LTPA at baseline in men and at follow-up in both sexes according to all three definitions. Persistent physical activity during 9 yr was associated with a lower prevalence of MetS than persistent physical inactivity on all definitions (all P < 0.05). Similar results were found for increasingly active women (all P < 0.05). All of these associations remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders. In both men and women, the 9-yr change in LTPA was related to the metabolic risk score after adjustments for baseline LTPA, age, smoking, and education. CONCLUSIONS A physically active lifestyle across the lifespan may prevent or delay the onset of metabolic syndrome in young male and female adults.
Rapid Damage Assessment by Means of Multi-Temporal SAR - A Comprehensive Review and Outlook to Sentinel-1

Fast crisis response after natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tropical storms, is necessary to support, for instance, rescue, humanitarian, and reconstruction operations in the crisis area. Therefore, rapid damage mapping after a disaster is crucial, i.e., to detect the affected area, including grade and type of damage. Thereby, satellite remote sensing plays a key role due to its fast response, wide field of view, and low cost. With the increasing availability of remote sensing data, numerous methods have been developed for damage assessment. This article gives a comprehensive review of these techniques focusing on multi-temporal SAR procedures for rapid damage assessment: interferometric coherence and intensity correlation. The review is divided into six parts: First, methods based on coherence; second, the ones using intensity correlation; and third, techniques using both methodologies combined to increase the accuracy of the damage assessment are reviewed. Next, studies using additional data (e.g., GIS and optical imagery) to support the damage assessment and increase its accuracy are reported. Moreover, selected studies on post-event SAR damage assessment techniques and examples of other applications of the interferometric coherence are presented. Then, the preconditions for a successful worldwide application of multi-temporal SAR methods for damage assessment and the limitations of current SAR satellite missions are reported. Finally, an outlook to the Sentinel-1 SAR mission shows possible solutions of these limitations, enabling a worldwide applicability of the presented damage assessment methods.
Sentinel-1 Interferometric SAR Mapping of Precipitable Water Vapor Over a Country-Spanning Area

This paper presents a methodology to generate maps of atmosphere’s precipitable water vapor (PWV) over large areas with a length of hundreds of kilometers and a width of about 250 km, based on the use of interferometric Sentinel-1A/B C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data with a high spatial resolution of $5 \times 20~\text{m}^{2}$ and the revisiting time of six days. An algorithm to calibrate and merge PWV maps from different swaths of Sentinel-1 acquired along the same track, using global navigation satellite system (GNSS) measurements, is described. The proposed methodology is tested on Sentinel-1A SAR images acquired over the Iberian Peninsula, along both descending and ascending tracks. The assessment with an independent set of GNSS measurements shows a mean difference of a fraction of millimeter and a dispersion lower than 2 mm. Both the use of Sentinel-1A/B SAR images and the proposed methodology open new perspectives on the application of SAR meteorology for the high-resolution mapping of PWV over large region-spanning areas and the assimilation of interferometric SAR data into numerical weather models.
Effects of Fixative and Fixation Time on the Extraction and Polymerase Chain Reaction Amplification of RNA from Paraffin‐Embedded Tissue: Comparison of Two Housekeeping Gene mRNA Controls

A number of reports have indicated that RNA recovered from paraffin-embedded tissue can be used as a substrate in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Although it is established that RNA in paraffin-embedded tissue undergoes significant degradation, the specific contributions of different fixatives and fixation times to this degradation are not known. Mouse splenic tissue was harvested and fixed immediately for 2. 8, or 24 h in either formalin, Omnifix II, or Carnoy's fixative and then processed and embedded in paraffin. RNA was extracted from deparaffinized cubes of tissue using an adaptation of the technique described by Chomczynski and Sacchi. RNA was reverse transcribed using a random hexamer primed reaction. PCR amplification for cDNAs of the housekeeping genes glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) mRNAs was then performed. Although GAPDH amplification is used routinely on fresh and frozen tissues, we show that the presence of DNA contamination in the RNA preparations limits its usefulness in paraffin-embedded tissue. Amplifiable HPRT mRNA sequences were detected in nine of 12 samples fixed in Omnifix II. in four of 12 samples fixed in Carnoy's fixative, and in none of 12 formalin-fixed samples. Because of primer selection to preclude amplification of genomic HPRT. DNA contamination is not an issue when HPRT is amplified. Thus, HPRT represents the control system of choice for the evaluation of RNA in PET. The techniques described provide a rapid, uniform, and reproducible method of obtaining RNA from PET for molecular analysis, but they indicate limited utility for retrospective analysis of archival tissues.
Activation of cyclin-dependent kinases CDC2 and CDK2 in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND The cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) CDC2 and CDK2 are key regulators of the cell cycle. The expression of the CDK alone does not necessary reflect their true activities because they are highly regulated by post-translational mechanisms. Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers in the world, but the kinase activities of CDKs in HCC have not been examined. METHODS Here we examined the protein expression and kinase activities associated with CDC2 and CDK2 in HCC and the corresponding non-tumorous liver tissues. RESULTS CDC2 and CDK2 are activated in HCC in over 70% and 80% of the cases, respectively, but have little correlation with clinical parameters and PCNA expression. Interestingly, PCNA was readily detectable in extracts from non-tumorous liver, but more than 60% of samples contain higher concentration of PCNA in HCC than the corresponding non-tumorous tissues. CDC2 and CDK2 are generally activated in the same HCC samples, but the extent of their activation varied significantly, suggesting that the pathways leading to the activation of CDC2 and CDK2 can be regulated independently. Both positive regulators of CDK activity like cyclins and CDKs, and negative regulators of CDK activity like p21(CIP1/WAF1) and Thr14/Tyr15 phosphorylation were up-regulated in HCC. CONCLUSION CDC2 and CDK2 are activated in HCC, and this may be due to a complex interplay between the level of the cyclin, CDK, CDK inhibitors, and inhibitory phosphorylation.
Automating Services with Speech Recognition over the Public Switched Telephone Network: Human Factors Considerations

The human factors aspects of designing and introducing automated services using automatic speech recognition (ASR) over the public switched telephone networks are examined. Current applications, the problems encountered, and the lessons learned are reviewed. In addition, the authors are currently engaged in a project to introduce automation using ASR, and they discuss the five-stage approach that they are using, which is based on published accounts of previous field trials as well as current techniques for user-interface design. They also describe more advanced capabilities that will be required for both near- and far-future applications, identifying areas where research is needed and discussing the difficult problems that must be overcome. In particular, data on the vocabulary requirements of human conversations are presented. >
Dynamic real-time reduction of mapped features in a 3D point cloud

This paper presents a method to reduce the data collected by a 3D laser range sensor. The complete point cloud consisting of several thousand points is hard to process on-line and in real-time on a robot. Similar to navigation tasks, the reduction of these points to a meaningful set is needed for further processes of object recognition. This method combines the data from a 3D laser sensor with an existing 2D map in order to reduce mapped feature points from the raw data. The main problem is the computational complexity of considering the different noise sources. The functionality of our approach is demonstrated by experiments for on-line reduction of the 3D data in indoor and outdoor environments.