Inferring the interaction rules of complex systems with graph neural networks and approximate Bayesian computation.

Inferring the underlying processes that drive collective behaviour in biological and social systems is a significant statistical and computational challenge. While simulation models have been successful in qualitatively capturing many of the phenomena observed in these systems in a variety of domains, formally fitting these models to data remains intractable. Recently, approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) has been shown to be an effective approach to inference if the likelihood function for a model is unavailable.

Liver metastases from breast cancer: the role of surgical treatment.

Background/aims: To evaluate short- and long-term outcomes in the surgical treatment of liver metastases from breast cancer

Methodology: Between 1984 and 1999 we observed 26 patients with secondary liver localization (25 metachronous) from breast cancer. The median disease-free interval was 70 months (4-136). Median age at the time of liver surgery was 56 years (36-76).

p120 Catenin is required for growth factor-dependent cell motility and scattering in epithelial cells.

Cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion is dynamically modulated during epithelial-mesenchymal transition triggered by activation of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) in epithelial cells. Several cadherin-binding proteins have been identified that control cell-cell adhesion. However, the mechanisms by which intercellular adhesion and cell motility are coregulated are still unknown.

Complementary DNA analysis, expression and subcellular localization of hnRNP E2 gene in Xenopus laevis.

The cloning and sequencing of complementary DNAs corresponding to the two copies (a and b) of the Xenopus laevis gene for hnRNP E2 is presented. Comparison of the two sequences reveals that while they are somewhat divergent at the nucleotide level, they are very conserved at the amino acid level. The analysis also showed two transcripts of different length (alpha and beta), likely generated by alternative processing.

[Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid arising on thyroglossal duct cysts: report of a case and review of the literature].

Thyroglossal duct cysts are the most common congenital disorder of the neck. One percent of cases may degenerate and give rise to a cancer, mainly arising in the pericystic thyroid tissue. Some 250 cases have been reported in the literature to date.

Ifosfamide, cisplatin and etoposide combination in locally advanced inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase II study.

From March 1993 to February 1997, 43 eligible patients with inoperable stage IIIA (ten patients) and stage IIIB (33 patients), histologically confirmed NSCLC received 3 courses of the ICE combination (ifosfamide 1.5 g m(-2) and mesna 750 mg m(-2) two times a day, cisplatin 25 mg m(-2) and etoposide 100 mg m(-2), all administered intravenously (i.v.

Resistance of ribosomal protein mRNA translation to protein synthesis shutoff induced by poliovirus.

Poliovirus infection induces an overall inhibition of host protein synthesis, although some mRNAs continue to be translated, suggesting different translation requirements for cellular mRNAs. It is known that ribosomal protein mRNAs are translationally regulated and that the phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 is involved in the regulation. Here, we report that the translation of ribosomal protein mRNAs resists poliovirus infection and correlates with an increase in p70(s6k) activity and phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6.

Small nucleolar RNAs and nucleolar proteins in Xenopus anucleolate embryos.

We investigated the presence and localization, in the cells of anucleolate mutant embryos of Xenopus laevis, of three representative small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), U3, U15 and U17, and of two nucleolar proteins, nucleolin and fibrillarin. The levels of the three snoRNAs in the anucleolate mutant are the same as in normal embryos, in contrast to 5S RNA and ribosomal proteins. In situ hybridization showed that, in the absence of fully organized nucleoli, the three RNAs are diffusely distributed in the nucleus and partly associated with a number of small structures.

Role of surgery in the treatment of recurrent esophageal cancer.

Neoplastic recurrence is the most common cause of death after surgery for esophageal cancer. The Authors review the therapeutic options evaluating in terms of palliation of dysphagia and complication and mortality rates. Prognostic factors and mechanisms determining the recurrence are also reviewed.

Accelerated chemotherapy with high-dose epirubicin and cyclophosphamide plus r-met-HUG-CSF in locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer.

Background: This study evaluated the toxicity of high-dose epirubicin and cyclophosphamide plus r-met-HUG-CSF (G-CSF) given every 2 weeks and compared the dose-intensity achieved with this schedule with that obtained in a previous study we conducted in which the same regimen was given every 3 weeks without G-SCF (EC 21). The secondary objective was to explore the activity of this regimen.

Patients And Methods: Between December 1991 and March 1994, 41 patients (pts), 19 with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) and 22 with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), were given high-dose epirubicin (Hd-Epi) (120 mg/m2) and cyclophosphamide (CTX) (600 mg/m2) on day 1 every 14 days (EC 14) plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (5 mcg/kg/d s.

Different forms of U15 snoRNA are encoded in the introns of the ribosomal protein S1 gene of Xenopus laevis.

Recent cloning and sequencing of one of the two Xenopus gene copies (S1b) coding for the ribosomal protein S1 has revealed that its introns III, V and VI carry a region of about 150 nt that shares an identity of 60%. We show here the presence in Xenopus oocytes and cultured cells of a 143-147 nt long RNA species encoded by these three repeated sequences on the same strand as the S1 mRNA and by at least one repeat present in the S1 a copy of the r-protein gene. We identify these RNAs as forms of the small nucleolar RNA U15 (U15 snoRNA) because of their sequence homology with an already described human U15 RNA encoded in the first intron of the human r-protein S3 gene, which is homologous to Xenopus S1.

Intracellular immunization with cytosolic recombinant antibodies.

We report the application of a strategy to inactivate cellular proteins in vertebrate cells based on the intracellular expression of immunoglobulin genes. We have selected, in this instance, the p21 protein, encoded by the ras proto-oncogene, as a target protein. The variable regions of the neutralizing anti-p21ras monoclonal antibody Y13-259 were cloned in vectors for the expression of either the whole antibody molecule or its single-chain Fv fragment (ScFv) derivative.

U17XS8, a small nucleolar RNA with a 12 nt complementarity to 18S rRNA and coded by a sequence repeated in the six introns of Xenopus laevis ribosomal protein S8 gene.

U17XS8 RNA is a 220 nt small RNA coded by a sequence repeated in each of the six introns of the gene for ribosomal protein S8 of Xenopus laevis. It is mainly localized in the nucleolus, as shown by in situ hybridization, and it is assembled in a ribonucleoprotein particle (RNP) sedimenting at about 12S, slightly faster than U3 RNP, and with a density of 1.45 g/ml.

Structure and expression of the nerve growth factor gene in Xenopus oocytes and embryos.

A large part of the coding portion of the Xenopus nerve growth factor (NGF) gene has been identified and cloned by the use of a chicken cDNA probe and its sequence has been determined. Comparison of the derived amino acid sequence of mature Xenopus NGF with that of other species showed a high conservation, whereas comparison of the prepropeptide showed large divergent regions alternated with short conserved regions. Expression of the NGF gene was examined during development of oocytes and embryos.

Experimental changes in the amount of maternally stored ribosomes affect the translation efficiency of ribosomal protein mRNA in Xenopus embryo.

The amount of maternal free ribosomes in developing Xenopus embryos has been experimentally modified; an increase was obtained by microinjection of purified ribosomes into fertilized eggs, and a decrease was induced by treatment with a drug which reduces the amount of free ribosomes. The effect of this manipulation on the partition of the ribosomal protein mRNA (rp-mRNA) was analyzed during embryo development; it was observed that when ribosomes available for translation are in excess, polysome loading with rp-mRNA decreases. Conversely, when ribosomes are scarce, polysome loading of rp-mRNA increases.

Combinations of monoclonal antibodies can distinguish primary lung tumors from metastatic lung tumors sampled by fine needle aspiration biopsy.

Transthoracic fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies performed under computed tomography (CT) scan (CT-FNA) have greatly improved the cytodiagnosis of lung tumors. However, the distinction between a primary lesion and a metastatic lesion still may be difficult on the basis of morphologic criteria. To evaluate whether a selected panel of monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) to tumor-associated antigens (TAA) can improve the diagnostic potential of FNA, we have immunocytochemically analyzed 122 pulmonary CT-FNA.

Ribosomal protein, histone and calmodulin mRNAs are differently regulated at the translational level during oogenesis of Xenopus laevis.

The localization of r-protein mRNA in subcellular compartments has been analysed. It was observed that the mRNA for a representative r-protein (L1) is diffuse in the cytoplasm, as shown by in situ hybridization experiments and that the distribution of rp-mRNA between polysomes and light mRNPs changes during oogenesis. In early oogenesis this mRNA is found mostly in subpolysomal fractions, whereas at the beginning of vitellogenesis (stage II) it becomes associated with polysomes where it remains in a constant amount at later stages.

Peritoneovenous shunt and neoplastic ascites: a 5-year experience report.

The cases of 42 patients with malignant ascites treated with a peritoneal venous shunt over a 5-year period are reviewed to establish the incidence of surgical and postsurgical complications. Although the yield of malignant cells found in the peripheral blood was increased after shunting, no new hematogenous metastases were observed after the operation. No evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation was observed after shunt placement.

A proposed TNM classification for malignant primary liver tumours.

On the basis of 211 hepatic resections and reresections, a study was made to evaluate the possibility of compiling a checklist for primary liver tumours according to the TNM classification. This would aid the surgeon in planning therapy and provide a useful guide for prognosis and late results.

Our experience with resection of primary and secondary liver tumours.

The authors retrospectively analyse the results achieved in recent years by surgical treatment of 103 malignant primary or secondary liver cancers: (Three patients have been operated on twice at different times for recurrence.) 23 hepatic resections were performed for benign lesions. The operative mortality is very low, the incidence of postoperative complications is minimal, and the survival up to 8 years is rather satisfactory.

Ribosomal-protein synthesis is not autogenously regulated at the translational level in Xenopus laevis.

Whether ribosomal-protein synthesis in Xenopus laevis is autogenously controlled at the translational level as is known to occur in prokaryotes has been studied. For this purpose ribosomal (r) proteins were prepared from X. laevis ribosomal subunits and group fractionated by ion-exchange chromatography.

Expression of ribosomal-protein genes in Xenopus laevis development.

Using probes to Xenopus laevis ribosomal-protein (r-protein) mRNAs, we have found that in the oocyte the accumulation of r-protein mRNAs proceeds to a maximum level, which is attained at the onset of vitellogenesis and remains stable thereafter. In the embryo, r-protein mRNA sequences are present at low levels in the cytoplasm during early cleavage (stages 2-5), become undetectable until gastrulation (stage 10) and accumulate progressively afterwards. Normalization of the amount of mRNA to cell number suggests an activation of r-protein genes around stage 10; however, a variation in mRNA turnover cannot be excluded.

Messenger RNA for ribosomal proteins in dormant and developing Artemia salina embryos.

Ribosomal proteins from Artemia salina have been separated in a two-dimensional acrylamide gel system and assigned to the small and large ribosomal subunits. Poly(A)-containing RNA was prepared from dormant cysts and from polysomes of 30 min, 1 h, 5 h and 12 h embryos and hatching larvae. The mRNA from different stages was translated in a wheat-germ lysate and its template activity for ribosomal proteins was analyzed.