Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinicopathological characteristics and genomic profile of primary sinonasal tract diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) reveals gain at 1q31 and RGS1 encoding protein; high RGS1 immunohistochemical expression associates with poor overall survival in DLBCL not otherwise specified (NOS)

We aimed to define the clinicopathological characteristics of 29 primary sinonasal diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCLsn) in a series of 240 cases of DLBCL not otherwise specified [DLBCLall (NOS)], including DLBCLsn training set (n = 11) and validation set (n = 18), and DLBCLnon‐sn (n = 211).
Role of Glucocorticoids and cAMP-Mediated Repression in Limiting Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Transcription during Stress

The role of glucocorticoids and the repressor isoform of cAMP response element (CRE) modulator (CREM), inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER), in limiting corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) transcription during restraint stress were examined in both intact and adrenalectomized rats receiving glucocorticoid replacement. CRH primary transcript, measured by intronic in situ hybridization, increased after 30 min of restraint and returned to basal levels by 90 min, despite the persistent stressor. The decline was independent of circulating glucocorticoids, because adrenalectomized rats displayed an identical pattern. ICER mRNA in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) increased after 30 min and remained elevated for up to 4 h in a glucocorticoid-independent manner. Western blot and electrophoretic mobility shift assay analyses showed increases in endogenous ICER in the PVN of rats subjected to restraint stress for 3 h. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed the recruitment of CREM by the CRH CRE in conjunction with decreases in RNA polymerase II (Pol II) binding in the PVN region of rats restrained for 3 h. These data show that stress-induced glucocorticoids do not mediate the limitation of CRH transcription. Furthermore, the ability of CREM to bind the CRH CRE and the time relationship between elevated CREM and reduced Pol II recruitment by the CRH promoter suggest that inhibitory isoforms of CREM induced during stress contribute to the decline in CRH gene transcription during persistent stimulation.
Pose and Expression Independent Facial Landmark Localization Using Dense-SURF and the Hausdorff Distance

We present an approach to automatic localization of facial feature points which deals with pose, expression, and identity variations combining 3D shape models with local image patch classification. The latter is performed by means of densely extracted SURF-like features, which we call DU-SURF, while the former is based on a multiclass version of the Hausdorff distance to address local classification errors and nonvisible points. The final system is able to localize facial points in real-world scenarios, dealing with out of plane head rotations, expression changes, and different lighting conditions. Extensive experimentation with the proposed method has been carried out showing the superiority of our approach with respect to other state-of-the-art systems. Finally, DU-SURF features have been compared with other modern features and we experimentally demonstrate their competitive classification accuracy and computational efficiency.
Information Fusion Approaches for Distant Speech Recognition in a Multi-microphone Setting

It is a well known fact that high quality Automatic Speech Recognition is still difficult to guarantee under conditions in which the speaker is distant from the microphone due to the distortions caused by acoustic phenomena, such as noise and reverberation. Among the different research directions pursued around this problem, the adoption of multi-channel approaches is of great interest to the community given the potential of taking advantage of information diversity. In this thesis we elaborate on approaches that exploit different instances of a sound source, captured by various largely spaced microphones, in order to extract a Distant Speech Recognition hypothesis. Two original solutions are presented, based on information fusion approaches at different levels of the recognition system, one at front-end stage and one at post-decoding stage, namely for the problems of channel selection (CS) and hypothesis combination. First, a new CS framework is proposed. Cepstral distance (CD), which is effectively applied in other acoustic processing fields, is the basis of the CS method developed. Experimental results confirmed the advantages of a CD-based selection schema under different scenarios. The second contribution concerns the combination of information extracted from the individual decoding processes performed over the multiple captured signals. It is shown how temporal cues can be identified in the hypothesis space, and be beneficial for the elaboration of a multi-microphone confusion network, from which the final speech transcription is derived. The proposed methods are applicable in a setting equipped with synchronized distributed microphones, independently of the proximity between the sensors. Analysis of the novel concepts were performed over synthetic and real-captured data. Both approaches achieved positive results at the different assessment tasks they were exposed to.
Weight gain in relation to night work among nurses.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between working at night and increased body weight in nursing. In addition, we evaluated the differences in the proportion of variables sociodemographic, work and health, according to the work shift and their association with body mass index. METHODS Based on questionnaires, we obtained data from 446 nursing professionals about aspects of their job, health and lifestyle. We performed linear and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Working at night is associated with a weight gain greater than (β=0.24 kg/m2) working during the day (β=0.15 kg/m2), as well as with aging (β=0.16 kg/m2) and duration of working in nursing (β=0.18 kg/m2). Night workers have a higher educational level, have been working for more years in nursing and also in the current shift, do not have diabetes and have reported longer sleep than day workers. There are also a higher number of smokers among the night workers than day workers. Logistic regression analysis also showed the more time to work in nursing and as an assistant was more likely to develop overweight/obesity. CONCLUSION Working at the night contributes to more weight gain than the day shift, aging and duration of working in nursing.
Effect of the ACGME 16-hour rule on efficiency and quality of care: duty hours 2.0.

In July 2011, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) reduced the consecutive number of hours that post-graduate year-1 residents can work in a single shift, from 30 to 16.1 This rule was intended to improve patient safety by reducing residents’ fatigue. Many worry that the new duty hour policy increases patient care handovers, which may cause patient harm. The net effect of the 16-hour duty limits on patient outcomes is uncertain.
Mucosal breaks show same circumferential distribution in majority of patients with recurrent reflux esophagitis

Abstract Background and study aims Esophageal mucosal breaks in patients with reflux esophagitis (RE) have a unique circumferential distribution. However, the specific location of mucosal breaks during recurrence of RE remains unclear. We investigated the circumferential distribution of mucosal breaks in patients with recurrent RE and compared their location to that noted at the initial diagnosis. Patients and methods We retrospectively enrolled patients with recurrent RE with Los Angeles (LA) grade A-C who were treated at our University Hospital between July 1996 and June 2014. The circumferential distribution of esophageal mucosal breaks was evaluated at the time of the initial diagnosis and again at the time of recurrence. Information regarding clinical parameters, including proton pump inhibitor administration, presence of hiatal hernia, and mucosal atrophy, was also reviewed. Results A total of 114 patients with recurrent RE were examined during the study period, with a mean duration to recurrence after initial diagnosis of 39.4 months. The majority (72.8 %) had the same LA grade at recurrence. In addition, recurrent mucosal breaks in 96 (84.2 %) patients were observed to have occurred in the same circumferential location as at the initial diagnosis, while those in 18 (15.8 %) were observed in a different location. When recurrent lesions had a different location, the LA grade also tended to be different (P = 0.02). Conclusions We found that most patients with recurrent RE developed lesions in the same circumferential location as noted for the initial lesions. Those in different locations at recurrence were associated with a change in LA grade.
Heparin facilitates glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor signal transduction

Glial cell-line neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a neurotrophic factor with heparin binding affinity, promotes the survival and differentiation of a variety of neuronal cells including dopaminergic neuron. The effect of heparin on GDNF signaling was investigated based on the expression of the tyrosine hydroxyrase (TH) gene in neurobalstoma cells. Up-regulation of TH gene mRNA by GDNF was enhanced by co-administration of heparin. This facilitation by heparin was particularly evident at suboptimal levels of GDNF, which was consistent with the luciferase assay using TH gene promoter. Pretreatment with heparitinase decreased TH promoter activity in the absence of heparin. Phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase was increased in the presence of heparin, although tyrosine phosphorylation of Ret receptor tyrosine kinase was not affected by heparin. Expression of early response genes such as c-fos or Egr1 increased and sustained in the presence of heparin more than that without heparin. These results indicate that interaction with glycosaminoglycans such as heparin affects GDNF signal transduction positively.
A Postnatal Critical Period for Orientation Plasticity in the Cat Visual Cortex

Orientation selectivity of primary visual cortical neurons is an important requisite for shape perception. Although numerous studies have been previously devoted to a question of how orientation selectivity is established and elaborated in early life, how the susceptibility of orientation plasticity to visual experience changes in time remains unclear. In the present study, we showed a postnatal sensitive period profile for the modifiability of orientation selectivity in the visual cortex of kittens reared with head-mounted goggles for stable single-orientation exposure. When goggle rearing (GR) started at P16-P30, 2 weeks of GR induced a marked over-representation of the exposed orientation, and 2 more weeks of GR consolidated the altered orientation maps. GR that started later than P50, in turn, induced the under-representation of the exposed orientation. Orientation plasticity in the most sensitive period was markedly suppressed by cortical infusion of NMDAR antagonist. The present study reveals that the plasticity and consolidation of orientation selectivity in an early life are dynamically regulated in an experience-dependent manner.
HIV infection and psychiatric illness.

OBJECTIVE To review the clinical features and current knowledge on the treatment of psychiatric symptoms and disorders in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. METHOD We searched the PubMed database combining HIV/AIDS with different keywords for psychiatric diagnoses and symptoms (e.g. depression, mania, anxiety, psychosis, dementia, substance abuse) and for psychopharmacological treatment. The years covered by these searches included 1980 to 2008. RESULTS Patients with HIV infection are at an increased risk of psychiatric illness. Major depressive disorder and subsyndromal depressive symptoms, as well as anxiety disorder and substance abuse are more prevalent among HIV infected individuals than among the general population. HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) are common among HIV patients, and HIV-associated dementia (HAD) is a serious condition during the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) stage of HIV disease. Secondary mania and psychosis might be the first clinical symptom of HIV dementia. The introduction of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) has resulted in significant decreases in morbidity and mortality for HIV infected patients. HAART has also decreased the incidence of HAD, but does not give complete protection from this condition. The utility of psychotropic medications in HIV patients has not been studied sufficiently as a basis for guidelines, and more controlled trials are needed. CONCLUSION Psychiatric illness is common in HIV infected individuals, and underlines the importance for screening not only for cognitive impairment but also for co morbid mental disease in HIV-positive patients. Further studies of the neuropsychiatric complications during HIV disease and the use of psychotropics under these circumstances are clearly needed. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of HAD is essential to identify additional therapeutic strategies for prevention and treatment of this neurodegenerative disease. Studies are also needed for optimizing effective utilization of antiretrovirals into the CNS. Mania and psychosis secondary to HAD may be used as an indicator to initiate HAART, irrespective of CD4 count. Further research on the utility of HAART in the treatment of such acute neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with HIV infection should be initiated.
Human Papillomavirus E2 Regulates SRSF3 (SRp20) To Promote Capsid Protein Expression in Infected Differentiated Keratinocytes

ABSTRACT The human papillomavirus (HPV) life cycle is tightly linked to differentiation of the infected epithelial cell, suggesting a sophisticated interplay between host cell metabolism and virus replication. Previously, we demonstrated in differentiated keratinocytes in vitro and in vivo that HPV type 16 (HPV16) infection caused increased levels of the cellular SR splicing factors (SRSFs) SRSF1 (ASF/SF2), SRSF2 (SC35), and SRSF3 (SRp20). Moreover, the viral E2 transcription and replication factor that is expressed at high levels in differentiating keratinocytes could bind and control activity of the SRSF1 gene promoter. Here, we show that the E2 proteins of HPV16 and HPV31 control the expression of SRSFs 1, 2, and 3 in a differentiation-dependent manner. E2 has the greatest transactivation effect on expression of SRSF3. Small interfering RNA depletion experiments in two different models of the HPV16 life cycle (W12E and NIKS16) and one model of the HPV31 life cycle (CIN612-9E) revealed that only SRSF3 contributed significantly to regulation of late events in the virus life cycle. Increased levels of SRSF3 are required for L1 mRNA and capsid protein expression. Capsid protein expression was regulated specifically by SRSF3 and appeared independent of other SRSFs. Taken together, these data suggest a significant role of the HPV E2 protein in regulating late events in the HPV life cycle through transcriptional regulation of SRSF3 expression. IMPORTANCE Human papillomavirus replication is accomplished in concert with differentiation of the infected epithelium. Virus capsid protein expression is confined to the upper epithelial layers so as to avoid immune detection. In this study, we demonstrate that the viral E2 transcription factor activates the promoter of the cellular SRSF3 RNA processing factor. SRSF3 is required for expression of the E4^L1 mRNA and so controls expression of the HPV L1 capsid protein. Thus, we reveal a new dimension of virus-host interaction crucial for production of infectious virus. SRSF proteins are known drug targets. Therefore, this study provides an excellent basis for developing strategies to regulate capsid protein production in the infected epithelium and the production of new virions.
Delineation of Soil Variability Using Geostatistics and Fuzzy Clustering Analyses of Hyperspectral Data

A soil map is one of the key data layers for developing a robust global model and evaluating land quality and use. A current soil map produced by conventional soil survey is the major source of soil information. However, such a map may not provide the desired accuracy in terms of scale and cartographic quality as a digital format for geographic information system (GIS) modeling applications. This study was designed to introduce and test the procedures for improving the objectivity and accuracy in the delineation of soil patterns with the use of hyperspectral imagery. These hyperspectral data were analyzed through different models including the linear mixture model, block-kriging interpolation, and fuzzy-c-means (FCM) algorithms. Hyperspectral remote sensing data, having very good spectral and spatial resolution, were used for quantifying soil patterns and conditions. A linear spectral mixing model was effectively used not only for reducing dimensionality but also for removing vegetation effects for studying soil patterns from a single soil map layer derived from hyperspectral remote sensing data. Block kriging interpolation based on a semivariogram fitted with the isotropic exponential model represented soil patterns very well beyond the limitation of the size of pixel. Fuzzyc-means clustering analysis showed clear membership patterns and segmented soil patterns effectively, although this is not a soil map in the conventional sense.
Outline of the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake (Mw 9.0) —Seismicity: foreshocks, mainshock, aftershocks, and induced activity—

A massive earthquake of a magnitude (M) of 9.0 occurred on March 11, 2011, off the Pacific coast of the northeastern part of Honshu, Japan. Centroid Moment Tensor analysis of the mainshock indicates that it was the reverse fault type, with a WNW-ESE compressional axis. The earthquake occurred on the plate boundary between the island arc and the Pacific plates. Three aftershocks exceeding M 7 occurred within 40-min after the mainshock, and the aftershock area covered a wide range of 500-km × 200-km. Seismicity became active one month before the mainshock, and it continued for two weeks in an adjacent area northeast of the mainshock. Furthermore, foreshock activity with maximum M 7.3 started in the same area two days before the mainshock. Seismic activities increased in almost the entire area of the Japanese Islands after the mainshock. We infer that these earthquakes were induced by the mainshock. JMA displacement-amplitude magnitude of the mainshock was determined to be 8.4, which was smaller than the moment magnitude of 9.0.
Available Potential Energy and the General Circulation: Partitioning Wind, Buoyancy Forcing, and Diapycnal Mixing

AbstractThe ocean energy cycle is calculated using a new available potential energy (APE) decomposition, which partitions adiabatic buoyancy fluxes from diapycnal mixing, applied to results from the Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean, Phase II (ECCO2), eddy-permitting ocean state estimate and observed surface buoyancy fluxes from the WHOI OAFlux project. Compared with the traditional Lorenz energy cycle, this framework provides a more accurate estimate of the background potential energy (PE) of the global oceans and the surface generation and interior fluxes of APE. Calculations of the global energy budget using 16 yr of ECCO2 output suggest that the adiabatic portion of the general circulation is maintained by a balance between the mean wind-driven upwelling that increases APE (+0.27 TW) and time-fluctuating processes, including mesoscale eddies, which release APE (−0.27 TW). The APE generated by surface buoyancy fluxes (0.46 TW) is comparable to the generation by the mean winds. The glo.
Are the sungrazing comets the inner source of pickup ions and energetic neutral atoms

We present arguments that at least part of the inner source of pickup ions in the solar wind might be the material released by sungrazing comets. Based on a statistical analysis of sungrazing comets detected over almost eight years of LASCO operation (1996 - September 9, 2004) an overwhelming majority of the observed sungrazers belong to the Kreutz group of comets, follows tightly clumped orbits and break up at ∼40−4 solar radii in a well defined region of space. The material released from these comets could be (after ionization) an important portion of the inner source of pickup ions (PUIs), as the local mass flux of the inner source and cometary PUIs seem comparable. We indicate time intervals during the year when the cometary PUIs could be observed from a spacecraft on the Earth's orbit (from the end of July until the end of the year) and show three time intervals when they should be observable by Ulysses (from its launch time until the end of 1990, from the end of November 1994 until mid-May 1995 and from February 2001 until the end of July, 2001). We argue that the PUIs from the inner source should include both singly and doubly charged ions and that this cometary hypothesis alleviates some difficulties (in particular, the issue of hydrogen deficit) in the interpretation of the inner source as solar wind neutralized on dust grains close to the Sun.
Dacarbazine, cisplatin and carmustine, with or without tamoxifen, for metastatic melanoma: 5-year follow-up

Metastatic melanoma has a grim prognosis. Response rates and survival of patients treated with combination chemotherapy are not superior to single-agent chemotherapy. This study seeks to evaluate the objective response rate and survival of patients with metastatic melanoma treated with multiagent chemotherapy, with or without tamoxifen. Forty-two patients with metastatic melanoma were treated from March 1982 to February 1988 with dacarbazine, cisplatin and carmustine, with or without tamoxifen. An overall objective response rate of 43% was seen (complete response rate 17%; partial response rate, 26%). The response rate was 54% for patients treated with tamoxifen and 25% for patients treated without tamoxifen, but the results did not achieve statistical significance. Median overall survival was 412 days, and was significantly longer in the tamoxifen-treated group. Combination chemotherapy as described in this study is welltolerated. The observation that tamoxifen appears to impact on survival should be interpreted with great caution due to the deficiencies in the design of the trial and small patient numbers. A randomized trial of this regimen vs single-agent chemotherapy is indicated and is currently being conducted.
Ovine forestomach matrix biomaterial is a broad spectrum inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases and neutrophil elastase

Proteases play a critical role in the ordered remodelling of extracellular matrix (ECM) components during wound healing and tissue regeneration. However, the usually ordered proteolysis is compromised in chronic wounds due to over‐expression and high concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase's (MMPs) and neutrophil elastase (NE). Ovine forestomach matrix (OFM) is a decellularised extracellular matrix‐based biomaterial developed for tissue regeneration applications, including the treatment of chronic wounds, and is a heterogeneous mixture of ECM proteins and proteoglycans that retains the native structural and functional characteristics of tissue ECM. Given the diverse molecular species present in OFM, we hypothesised that OFM may contain components or fragments that inhibit MMP and NE activity. An extract of OFM was shown to be a potent inhibitor of a range of tissue MMPs (IC50s = 23 ± 5 to 115 ± 14 µg/ml) and NE (IC50 = 157 ± 37 µg/ml), and was more potent than extracts prepared from a known protease modulating wound dressing. The broad spectrum activity of OFM against different classes of MMPs (i.e. collagenases, gelatinases and stromelysins) may provide a clinical advantage by more effectively addressing the protease imbalance seen in chronic wounds.