Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Real-Time Quantitative PCR Analysis of Regions Involved in Gene Amplification Reveals Gene Overdose in Low-Grade Astrocytic Gliomas

We have studied gene amplification of genes located in 1q32 (GAC1, ELF3, MDM4, and ren1), 4q11 (PDGFR-α), and in 12q13-14 (MDM2 and CDK4) using quantitative real-time PCR in a group of 86 tumors consisting of 44 WHO grade IV glioblastomas (GBM) (34 primary and 10 secondary tumors), 21 WHO grade III anaplastic astrocytomas (AA), and 21 WHO grade II astrocytomas (AII). Gene amplification was present in 56 of the 86 samples (65%) in at least 1 gene in our series. GAC1 (51%) and MDM4 (27%) were the most frequently amplified genes within the 1q32 amplicon, and their higher amplification frequency was statistically significant (P < 0.05, χ2) in the low-grade astrocytomas. Concordant coamplification was determined for ELF3 and ren1 or ren1 and MDM4 in the grade III-IV tumors. MDM2 amplification was significantly more frequent in primary GBM (16%) than was in secondary GBM (0%). The present study shows that gene amplification in the studied regions is already present in low-grade astrocytic tumors and that amplification of some genes may represent another molecular marker to differentiate primary from secondary GBM.
Is anogenital distance associated with semen quality in male partners of subfertile couples?

Experimental studies have shown that anogenital distance (AGD) at birth reflects androgen concentrations during prenatal development and predicts adult AGD. In male rodents, shortened AGD is associated with compromised reproductive function. The aim of this study was to examine associations between AGD measures and semen quality in male partners of subfertile couples. All men were attending an infertility service and provided a semen sample and completed epidemiological questionnaires on lifestyle and general health. Two variants of AGD [from the anus to the posterior base of the scrotum (AGDAS) and to the cephalad insertion of the penis (AGDAP)] were assessed in 91 men. Semen parameters (semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm counts, motility, and morphology) were determined following WHO guidelines. Associations between AGD measures and semen quality were tested using multiple regression analyses controlling for appropriate covariates. Significant positive associations between AGDAS measures and sperm concentration, total sperm count, and total sperm motile count were detected (p‐values < 0.05). This study represents the first analysis of AGD in potential infertile European men showing an association between perineal length and semen parameters. However, it is still uncertain the utility to clinical practice, therefore further studies are warranted to confirm and extent these findings.
In Vivo Regulation of Scavenger Receptor BI and the Selective Uptake of High Density Lipoprotein Cholesteryl Esters in Rat Liver Parenchymal and Kupffer Cells*

High density lipoprotein cholesteryl esters (HDL-CE) are selectively taken up by liver parenchymal cells without parallel apolipoprotein uptake. This selective uptake route forms an important step in the so-called reverse cholesterol transport. Scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI) is the only known HDL receptor which can mediate selective uptake of HDL-CE. In the present study we investigated its regulation in liver cells. The down-regulation of SR-BI expression in liver by 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE) treatment was found by immunoblotting to be the consequence of down-regulation of SR-BI in parenchymal cells, while SR-BI expression in Kupffer cells was up-regulated. The selective uptake of HDL-CE in vivo by parenchymal and Kupffer cells was measured by labeling of HDL with [3H]CE and analysis of the cellular uptake at 10 min after injection. After EE treatment, uptake of [3H]CE-labeled HDL by parenchymal cells decreased by 85%, while Kupffer cells showed a 4-fold increase in selective uptake of [3H]CE-labeled HDL. In vitro studies with isolated parenchymal cells indicated that after EE treatment, the selective uptake of [3H]CE labeled HDL was 3–4-fold lower, indicating that the in vivo observations are also reflected in vitro. A 2-week high-cholesterol diet leads to lowering of SR-BI expression in parenchymal cells, while the expression in Kupffer cells is increased. Like EE treatment, the selective uptake of [3H]CE-labeled HDL by the two hepatic cell typesin vivo correlated with the changes in expression of SR-BI. Our results thus demonstrate that within the liver, the regulation of SR-BI expression by EE treatment or a high-cholesterol diet, correlates with changes in the selective uptake of HDL-CE, supporting a function of SR-BI to mediate the selective uptake of HDL-CE in the liver parenchymal cells. The contrasting regulatory effect on parenchymal cells and Kupffer cells might indicate a different function of SR-BI in the latter cell type.
Recent Advances in Dendritic Cell Vaccines for Cancer Treatment

Dendritic cells (DC) are special subsets of antigen presenting cells characterized by their unique abilities to efficiently take up, process, and present various forms of antigens to immunologically naive T cells. Recent advances in the understanding of molecular mechanisms regulating the functions of DC have allowed the investigators to “design” innovative DC‐based vaccine formats for the treatment of cancer patients. In this article, we will review the most advanced DC vaccine strategies, focusing on three major areas: a) new ex vivo protocols for DC loading with tumor‐associated antigens (TAA), b) genetic approaches to load skin‐resident Langerhans cells (LC) with TAA, and c) chemokine‐mediated LC entrapment and in situ loading of LC with TAA at the entrapment sites. We believe that these new classes of DC vaccine strategies will soon become applicable to the treatment of patients with malignant tumors.
Leptin stimulates α1(I) collagen expression in human hepatic stellate cells via the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/Akt signalling pathway

Background/Aims: Leptin has been recognized as a profibrogenic hormone in the liver and is involved in collagen type I formation by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in response to fibrogenic substances, but the molecular signal mechanisms by which leptin promotes liver fibrogenesis through upregulation of collagen type I expression is not clear. We investigated whether leptin‐induced collagen type I is mediated by the Janus kinase–phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase–Akt (JAKs–PI3K–Akt) pathway in a human HSC cell line, LX‐2.
Hearing Impairment, Social Networks, and Coping: The Need for Families with Hearing-Impaired Children to Relate to Other Parents and to Hearing-Impaired Adults

For a report on the stress experiences of parents with hearing-impaired children in Germany, 317 parents completed a survey on how their families communicate and socialize, among other issues. The report focuses on how contacts with other parents and with hearing-impaired adults affect stress experiences, in the context of the child's hearing status and the means of communication. Parents who frequently meet with other parents show evidence of a warm, accepting, trusting relationship with their child. Parents who have many contacts with hearing-impaired adults show evidence of a strong sense of competence in regard to their child's upbringing. The findings confirm the implication found in most reports describing empirical studies. Social support is to be regarded as a cornerstone of psychosocial intervention and has to play as great a role as possible in institutional programs.
Hillslope hydrologic connectivity controls riparian groundwater turnover: Implications of catchment structure for riparian buffering and stream water sources

Hydrologic connectivity between catchment upland and near stream areas is essential for the transmission of water, solutes, and nutrients to streams. However, our current understanding of the role of riparian zones in mediating landscape hydrologic connectivity and the catchment scale export of water and solutes is limited. We tested the relationship between the duration of hillslope‐riparian‐stream (HRS) hydrologic connectivity and the rate and degree of riparian shallow groundwater turnover along four HRS well transects within a set of nested mountain catchments (Tenderfoot Creek Experimental Forest, MT). Transect HRS water table connectivity ranged from 9 to 123 days during the annual snowmelt hydrograph. Hillslope water was always characterized by low specific conductance (∼27 μS cm−1). In transects with transient hillslope water tables, riparian groundwater specific conductance was elevated during base flow conditions (∼127 μS cm−1) but shifted toward hillslope signatures once a HRS groundwater connection was established. The degree of riparian groundwater turnover was proportional to the duration of HRS connectivity and inversely related to the riparian: hillslope area ratios (buffer ratio; r2 = 0.95). We applied this relationship to the stream network in seven subcatchments within the Tenderfoot Creek Experimental Forest and compared their turnover distributions to source water contributions measured at each catchment outlet. The amount of riparian groundwater exiting each of the seven catchments was linearly related (r2 = 0.92) to their median riparian turnover time. Our observations suggest that the size and spatial arrangement of hillslope and riparian zones along a stream network and the timing and duration of groundwater connectivity between them is a first‐order control on the magnitude and timing of water and solutes observed at the catchment outlet.
on the Synthesis and Characterization of Epoxidized Soybean Oil

Traditionally, polymers are synthesized from petrochemical by-products. The greenhouse gas emissions from petroleum based polymers make them unattractive options as there has been an increase in climate changes and adverse weather conditions. Additionally, they are non-degradable, creating issues when used as landfills. For these reasons and more, there is an urgent need to find an alternative source of polymeric materials. Hence, this research focuses on synthesizing a completely bio-based polymer using soybean oil to achieve a high bio-content. Determining an optimum stoichiometric ratio for high oxirane oxygen content is investigated taking into consideration the effect of temperature, reaction time, and concentration of hydrogen peroxide. These parameters are monitored to achieve the highest oxirane oxygen content. Determination of the epoxide groups was done through manual titration process using ASTM D1652-11. The highest percent oxirane oxygen content of 2.86 and 2.58% was achieved when using 1 mole of hydrogen peroxide for a reaction time of 4 hours at temperatures of 50 and 60 oC. Fourier transform infrared [FTIR) spectroscopy verified presence of low epoxide groups as determined by ASTM D1652-11 which revealed possible side reactions indicated by the disappearance of the epoxide groups. Rheological characterization plotting the viscosity versus shear rate indicated a pseudoplastic behavior at initial shear rates, but Newtonian, shear thickening, and shear thinning properties beyond 75 s-1. It is concluded that time, temperature, and variation in the concentration of hydrogen peroxide affect the epoxidation process while optimum conditions are suggested to require longer reaction times using 1 mole of hydrogen peroxide at temperatures between 50 and 60 oC.
MRI as diagnostic tool in early-onset peroxisomal disorders

Objective: Peroxisomal blood tests are generally considered to be conclusive. We observed several patients with a clinical and MRI phenotype suggestive of an infantile onset peroxisomal defect, but no convincing abnormalities in initial peroxisomal blood tests. Brain MRI showed typical abnormalities as observed in the neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy variant of infantile peroxisomal disorders. Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy of this MRI diagnosis with further peroxisomal testing. Methods: We searched our database of unclassified leukoencephalopathies and found 6 such patients. We collected clinical data and scored available MRIs of these patients. We performed further peroxisomal studies in fibroblasts, including immunofluorescence microscopy analysis with antibodies against catalase, a peroxisomal matrix enzyme. We performed complementation analysis and analyzed the suspected genes. Results: We confirmed the diagnosis of Zellweger spectrum disorder in 3 patients and D-bifunctional protein deficiency in the others. The clinical findings were within the spectrum known for these diagnoses. Sequential MRIs showed that the abnormalities started in the hilus of the dentate nucleus and superior cerebellar peduncles. Subsequently, the cerebellar white matter and brainstem tracts were affected, followed by the parieto-occipital white matter, splenium of the corpus callosum, and posterior limb of the internal capsule. Eventually, all cerebral white matter became abnormal. The thalamus was typically affected as well. Conclusions: If MRI reveals abnormalities suggestive of infantile onset peroxisomal defects, negative peroxisomal blood tests do not exclude the diagnosis. Further tests in fibroblasts should be performed, most importantly immunofluorescence microscopy analysis with antibodies against catalase to stain peroxisomes.
Multiple Imputation of Missing Values in Economic Surveys : Comparison of Competing Algorithms

There are many competing computational algorithms in multiple imputation. To this date, however, it is unknown which of these algorithms outperforms the others under what circumstances. In this paper, we describe the mechanisms of various multiple imputation algorithms and compare their performance in a variety of situations to determine which algorithm is best suited to the imputation of missing values in official economic statistics.
A Thermal Isolation Technique Using Through-Silicon Vias for Three-Dimensional ICs

This brief proposes a guard ring using through-silicon vias (TSVs) to isolate thermal coupling in a 3-D integrated circuit (3-D IC). To verify this idea, simulation and measurement are carried out. A ring oscillator (RO) is implemented in a 65-nm CMOS and then measured in four different conditions. The results show that, without affecting the inherent electrical performance of the RO, the designed TSV ring shields the RO from high-temperature environments. The oscillation frequency shifting is mitigated from 5.96 MHz without TSV to 2.11 MHz with the proposed TSV ring. This TSV-based structure provides a good option to alleviate thermal coupling in a highly integrated 3-D IC.
Sulfur-35 labeled acetazolamide in cat brain.

Combined radioassay and autoradiographic techniques have shown that acetazolamide enters selected areas of the brain in significant quantities. The drug occurs in brain, cerebrospinal fluid and plasma as unchanged acetazolamide. Two portals of entry of acetazolamide into the brain are utilized. The early pattern is one of diffusion from the cerebrospinal fluid with those tissues having easy access to the cerebrospinal fluid showing the highest drug content. This early diffusional pattern from the cerebrospinal fluid becomes less distinct in time. The second route of entry is blood-to-brain transport. The distribution of acetazolamide is not well correlated with the known pattern of vascularity in the brain. It is suggested that the early acetazoamide picture may represent in part a distribution in the interstitial fluid compartment. To this end experiments using the sulfate-S35 ion have been designed to measure the extracellular space. Hippocampus, hypothalamus and caudate nucleus are areas of high acetazolamide uptake and show a discrete retention over contiguous areas. Whether or not this retention is a function of local chemical binding of the drug is a matter of speculation.
THE REGULATORY ROLE OF CALCIUM IN MUSCLE *

The establishment of the crucial role of Ca2+ in the physiological contraction of muscle has led to the discovery of the third factor of the contractile system, i.e. the troponin-tropomyosin system.l. 2 It was once believed that the troponin-tropomyosin system would be common to all kinds of muscle. However, the discovery of a myosin-linked regulatory system in scallop striated muscle by Kendrick-Jones c’t n l . 3 has suggested some diversity in the regulatory mechanism in the animal kingdom. Indeed, the regulatory mechanism of smooth muscle appears to be entirely different from either of the above two types, although no agreement about the mechanism itself has not yet been reached. In this article we will review the regulatory mechanisms and compare them; the characteristic properties of the actomyosin system underlying such mechanisms will also be discussed.
Design of random digital sequence generators and its application of secure communication

In this paper, we design a digital secure communication system based on synchronized random digital sequences (RDSs). For the application to digital secure communication, a novel circuit called the RDS generator (RDSG) is proposed to transfer an analog chaotic signal into a RDS. The digital message is encrypted by the RDS generated from RDSG in the chaotic transmitter via a logical exclusive-OR (XOR) operation and it can be successfully recovered by another synchronized RDS and XOR operation at the receiver. Finally, experimental results demonstrate the success of proposed RDS generators in the secure communication application.
Repression of osteocyte Wnt/β‐catenin signaling is an early event in the progression of renal osteodystrophy

Chronic kidney disease–mineral bone disorder (CKD‐MBD) is defined by abnormalities in mineral and hormone metabolism, bone histomorphometric changes, and/or the presence of soft‐tissue calcification. Emerging evidence suggests that features of CKD‐MBD may occur early in disease progression and are associated with changes in osteocyte function. To identify early changes in bone, we utilized the jck mouse, a genetic model of polycystic kidney disease that exhibits progressive renal disease. At 6 weeks of age, jck mice have normal renal function and no evidence of bone disease but exhibit continual decline in renal function and death by 20 weeks of age, when approximately 40% to 60% of them have vascular calcification. Temporal changes in serum parameters were identified in jck relative to wild‐type mice from 6 through 18 weeks of age and were subsequently shown to largely mirror serum changes commonly associated with clinical CKD‐MBD. Bone histomorphometry revealed progressive changes associated with increased osteoclast activity and elevated bone formation relative to wild‐type mice. To capture the early molecular and cellular events in the progression of CKD‐MBD we examined cell‐specific pathways associated with bone remodeling at the protein and/or gene expression level. Importantly, a steady increase in the number of cells expressing phosphor‐Ser33/37‐β‐catenin was observed both in mouse and human bones. Overall repression of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling within osteocytes occurred in conjunction with increased expression of Wnt antagonists (SOST and sFRP4) and genes associated with osteoclast activity, including receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL). The resulting increase in the RANKL/osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio correlated with increased osteoclast activity. In late‐stage disease, an apparent repression of genes associated with osteoblast function was observed. These data confirm that jck mice develop progressive biochemical changes in CKD‐MBD and suggest that repression of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of renal osteodystrophy. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Branched Threadlike Micelles in an Aqueous Solution of a Trimeric Surfactant

Very long threadlike micelles observed in aqueous solutions of some surfactants have attracted much attention because of the peculiar rheological properties of these systems. Molecular dynamics simulations have suggested that branched threadlike micelles should exist in concentrated solutions of dimeric surfactants. Here experimental evidence, obtained from transmission electron microscopy at cryogenic temperature, is presented of branched threadlike micelles in aqueous solutions of a triquaternary ammonium (trimeric) surfactant made up of three amphiphilic moieties connected at the level of the head-groups by two propanediyl spacers.
Special considerations for functional magnetic resonance imaging of pediatric populations

Functional MRI (fMRI) provides a noninvasive means of studying both typical and atypical brain development in vivo. However, the developmental and clinical status of the populations of interest impact how neuroimaging data should be collected, analyzed, and interpreted. In the present work, we review methodological and theoretical issues relevant to developmental and clinical neuroimaging research and provide possible approaches for addressing each. These issues include accounting for differences in biological noise, neuroanatomy, motion, and task performance. Finally, we emphasize the importance of a converging methods approach in constraining and supporting interpretations of pediatric imaging results. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The discontinuance of maintenance neuroleptic therapy in chronic schizophrenic patients: drug and social consequences

ABSTRACT ‐ In a prospective follow‐up the outcome of 60 chronic schizophrenic patients who discontinued neuroleptic therapy after remaining stable 12–48 months was compared with controls continuing medication. Not only did the drug‐discontinued patients have more relapses (P < 0.001), but the form of relapse was both more severe and acute, resulting in differences of self‐injury (P < 0.05), anti‐social behaviour (P < 0.01), inpatient admissions (P < 0.001), and the use of compulsory powers (P < 0.01). In patients who relapsed, both social and work function was affected adversely for some months. Patients who remained relapse‐free without drugs (20%) had a level of work and social function similar to medicated patients. At the end of 18 months the patients who discontinued depot maintenance therapy were found to have been prescribed one‐third more neuroleptic drugs than controls, with a possible increase in the risk of long‐term tardive dyskinesia.
Knowledge-based intelligent design assistant

This paper introduces the objectives and work planned of the ASSIST project that aims at achieving a breakthrough in the use of advanced agent-based knowledge management techniques in real industrial practice, within an innovative ICT solution affordable to SMEs. The main business aim is to produce a leap forward in industrial design performance in SMEs. Knowledge useful to design engineers comes in many forms and useful knowledge can come from many sources inside and outside the SME. A common need amongst SMEs is to be able to acquire and process this knowledge so that a greater, richer, centralised source of knowledge and information is available to produce better designs, faster, with greater innovation, and with less re-inventing of the wheel. The most important needs of SMEs with regard to design are to get good products to the marketplace quicker, and to reduce costs related to design. ASSIST is a unique agent-based knowledge management approach meeting these needs.