BACKGROUND: We previously identified dermicidin (DCD), which encodes a growth and survival factor, as a gene amplified and overexpressed in a subset of breast tumors. Patients with DCD-positive breast cancer have worse prognostic features. We therefore searched for specific molecular signatures in DCD-positive breast carcinomas from patients and representative cell lines.METHODS: DCD expression wa

The price of raw material, energy demand in the pretreatment step, and enzyme usage rate are the major cost factors in the process of converting biomass to bioethanol. Unwashed furfural residues (FRs) possess great potential for application in bioethanol production. Surfactant addition is an effective method to enhance the fermentation rate. In this study, unwashed FRs were used directly as raw ma

Quadratic optimization subject to linear constraints is a fundamental building-block in many other branches of applied mathematics. However, for large-scale systems, where a common global objective function is neither naturally defined nor easily computable, it is natural to view economic equilibrium theory as an alternative approach to design and analysis. Stability and robustness of equilibria c

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of the present investigation was to examine the anti-wasting effects of theophylline (a methylxantine present in tea leaves) on a rat model of cancer cachexia.METHODS: The in vitro effects of the nutraceuticals on proteolysis were examined on muscle cell cultures submitted to hyperthermia. Individual muscle weights, muscle gene expression, body composition

The hypothesis we tested was that administering corticotropin-releasing factor receptor agonists preserves muscle mass during cancer that is related to changes in tissue gene expression. cDNA microarrays were used to compare mRNAs from muscle and adipose tissues of non-treated and agonist-treated tumor-bearing rats. In muscle of non-tumor-bearing agonist-treated animals we observed decreased expre

The influences of operating conditions and physical properties of the two phases on the hydrodynamics and mass transfer in a circular liquid-liquid microchannel have been investigated. The polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) microchannel has an internal diameter of 0.7 mm and a T-shaped mixing junction. Sodium hydroxide solution was used as the aqueous phase. N-hexane and toluene were employed as the o

This work aims to investigate the effect of liquid entrainment on liquid film dryout in annular flow for flow boiling. Entrainment and deposition rates of droplets were included in mass conservation equations to estimate the local liquid film mass flux in annular flow, and the critical vapor quality at dryout conditions. Different entrainment rate correlations were evaluated using flow boiling dat

Despite promises that they can contribute toward more environmentally beneficial transportation there are many sustainability concerns about liquid transport biofuels. In response to pressure from civil society, the European Union (EU) has introduced sustainability criteria for biofuels. A hybrid regulatory system involving state and non-state actors stipulates that retailers and producers must co

The number of patients affected by Alzheimer's disease among the population is currently growing, while the availability of resources for their assistance is decreasing. A solution for this problem is provided by the use of Ambient Assisted Living technologies, with the objectives to prolong the independent living of patients at home, to relieve assistance burden on caregivers, and to improve care

The proper alignment of requirements engineering and testing (RET) can be key to software's success. Three practices can provide effective RET alignment: using test cases as requirements, harvesting trace links, and reducing distances between requirements engineers and testers. The Web extra https://youtu.be/M65ZKxfxqME is an audio podcast of author Elizabeth Bjarnason reading the the Requirements

Background. Exposure to allergens plays a role in the development of atopic sensitization and influences allergic phenotype. House dust mites (HDM) are a common source of aeroallergens in many parts of the world. The relationship between indoor environment factors such as temperature, moisture/humidity, and ventilation and HDM allergen load is complex. Methods. Part of a larger study into the heal