Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rsf-1/HBXAP overexpression is independent of gene amplification and is associated with poor outcome in patients with urinary bladder urothelial carcinoma

Backgrounds Urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder (UCUB) is prevalent in developed countries. It often shows genetic instability and is associated with amplification (or gain) of various oncogenic genes or suppressive genes. Rsf-1, a subunit of ATP-dependent chromatin-remodelling complexes that mediates ATPase-dependent chromatin remodelling, confers tumour aggressiveness in certain carcinomas. The authors evaluate the Rsf-1 gene and expression status and its associations with clinicopathological features and survival in their UCUB collection. Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the Rsf-1 expression profile in 295 UCUB specimens, and was found to correlate with clinicopathological data. Real-time RT-PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridisation were used to detect RSF-1 mRNA expression and gene dosage in 20 independent cases. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate Rsf-1 protein expression in human urothelial cell lines. Results Rsf-1 overexpression was demonstrated in 101 cases (34.2%), and was significantly associated with advanced primary tumour (p<0.001), nodal metastasis (p=0.004), higher histological grades (p=0.001) and frequent mitoses (p<0.001). Moreover, it was predictive in disease-specific survival and metastasis-free survival in both univariate and multivariate analyses (p<0.0001 for both). Although RSF-1 gene amplification can be barely detected, its mRNA expression is significantly enhanced in tumours with higher primary tumour (p=0.041) and positive nodal statuses (p=0.010), respectively. Rsf-1 protein was abundant in invasive urothelial carcinoma cells but was not benign. Conclusions Overexpression of Rsf-1 is associated with higher tumour stage and poorer clinical outcome. The current study by the authors suggests gene amplification-independent mechanisms driving Rsf-1 overexpression during UCUB tumour progression.
Cooling hyperthermic firefighters by immersing forearms and hands in 10 degrees C and 20 degrees C water.

INTRODUCTION Firefighters experience significant heat stress while working with heavy gear in a hot, humid environment. This study compared the cooling effectiveness of immersing the forearms and hands in 10 and 20 degrees C water. METHODS Six men (33 +/- 10 yr; 180 +/- 4 cm; 78 +/- 9 kg; 19 +/- 5% body fat) wore firefighter 'turn-out gear' (heavy clothing and breathing apparatus weighing 27 kg) in a protocol including three 20-min exercise bouts (step test, 78 W, 40 degrees C air, 40% RH) each followed by a 20-min rest/cooling (21 degrees C air); i.e., 60 min of exercise, 60 min of cooling. Turn-out gear was removed during rest/cooling periods and subjects either rested (Control), immersed their hands in 10 or 20 degrees C water (H-10, H-20), or immersed their hands and forearms in 10 or 20 degrees C water (HF-10, HF-20). RESULTS In 20 degrees C water, hand immersion did not reduce core temperature compared with Control; however, including forearm immersion decreased core temperature below Control values after both the second and final exercise periods (p < 0.001). In 10 degrees C water, adding forearm with hand immersion produced a lower core temperature (0.8 degrees C above baseline) than all other conditions (1.1 to 1.4 degrees C above baseline) after the final exercise period (p < 0.001). Sweat loss during Control (1458 g) was greater than all active cooling protocols (1146 g) (p < 0.001), which were not different from each other. DISCUSSION Hand and forearm immersion in cool water is simple, reduces heat strain, and may increase work performance in a hot, humid environment. With 20 degrees C water, forearms should be immersed with the hands to be effective. At lower water temperatures, forearm and/or hand immersion will be effective, although forearm immersion will decrease core temperature further.
A comparison of fundamental gate-driver topologies for high frequency applications

The gate-driver in most power electronic converters is seldom given sufficient attention during the design stage even though it is the circuit exposed to much of the same voltage stresses as the switching devices and yet despite this, is a crucial component to a sound functioning system. At higher switching frequencies, and either low power or high voltage applications, the effect of the gate-driver on the overall converter performance becomes even more pronounced. When considering a gate-driver for a power electronic system, the converter topology, operating conditions and requirements, voltage and current ratings, and switching frequency determines the suitability and applicability of a chosen gate-driver to the application. This paper discusses different gate-drivers, represented by three fundamental gate-driver topologies that are evaluated in terms of suitable operating conditions, construction and losses. These gate-drivers, constructed using two different methods, a hybrid and SMD, also forms part of the evaluation. In addition, some of the issues as switching frequencies keep increasing is also addressed.
A nontargeted proteomic study of the influence of androgen excess on human visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue proteomes.

CONTEXT Sex hormones, particularly androgens, may influence not only adipose tissue distribution but also its functions. OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate if sexual dimorphism in body composition is accompanied by differences in the protein abundance of adipose tissue by applying a nontargeted proteomic approach. DESIGN This was a case-control study. SETTINGS The setting was an academic hospital. PATIENTS Twenty-one morbidly obese patients, including 7 men, 7 women showing no evidence of androgen excess, and 7 hyperandrogenic women with polycystic ovary syndrome. INTERVENTIONS We obtained subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) adipose tissue samples during bariatric surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Protein abundance in VAT and SAT was analyzed by 2-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight/time-of-flight coupled to mass spectrometry. Results were validated by RT-PCR. RESULTS The abundance of 2 spots of peroxiredoxin 6, creatine kinase B-type, 2 spots of selenium-binding protein 1, ruvB-like 2, 4-trimethylaminobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase, and albumin were higher in VAT compared with SAT in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Men showed a similar pattern, whereas no difference between adipose tissue depots was observed in control women. Other proteins showed differences between VAT and SAT, confirming previous studies, or between the groups of subjects, without interaction between both effects. Several findings were confirmed by RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS Sexual dimorphism influences the abundance of several proteins in VAT and SAT. The patterns of abundance in adipose tissue depots of several proteins involved in metabolic processes were similar in women with androgen excess and in men, suggesting that androgens influence adipose tissue function.
Cartilage and subchondral bone interaction in osteoarthrosis of human knee joint: A histological and histomorphometric study

The present study has focused on the cartilage‐bone interrelationships in the progression of osteoarthrosis in human knees. Eleven tibial condyles with osteoarthrosis were analyzed by histology and bonemorphometry. The data were evaluated according to the grade of joint cartilage degeneration in distinct areas of the tibial condyle. The bone morphometric data were also analyzed by the depth of subchondral bone. A parallel relationship between the bone volume/bone formation activity and the Mankin's grade of cartilage degeneration was observed in both medial and lateral condyles. In the lateral condyle, there was correlation among progression of cartilage degeneration and trabecular and osteoid thickness and bone formation activity. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts were most abundant in the external areas of the medial condyles. Bone resorption activity in the medial condyle was found only in the external and intermediate areas, but it was extremely low in all areas of the lateral condyle. The values of bone volume in relation to depth were highest in the superficial layer with a decrease as the depth increased in both condyles. The bone formation activity was high in the superficial layer of the lateral condyle, whereas in the medial condyle, it was high in the layer between 500 and 1,500 μm of depth. The bone volume and bone formation activity were higher in all layers of the medial condyle in comparison with the lateral condyle. The bone resorption activity was low in the superficial layer of the medial condyle as compared with deeper layers. These results suggested that the joint cartilage degeneration is influenced by the remodeling of the underlying subchondral bone. Microsc. Res. Tech. 37:333–342, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exposure to Airborne Asbestos During Removal and Installation of Gaskets and Packings: A Review of Published and Unpublished Studies

In recent years, questions have been raised about the health risks to persons who have been occupationally exposed to asbestos-containing gaskets and packing materials used in pipes, valves, and machinery (pumps, autos, etc.). Up until the late 1970s, these materials were widely used throughout industrial and maritime operations, refineries, chemical plants, naval ships, and energy plants. Seven simulation studies and four work-site industrial hygiene studies of industrial and maritime settings involving the collection of more than 300 air samples were evaluated to determine the likely airborne fiber concentrations to which a worker may have been exposed while working with encapsulated asbestos-containing gaskets and packing materials. Each study was evaluated for the representativeness of work practices, analytical methods, sample size, and potential for asbestos contamination (e.g., insulation on valves or pipes used in the study). Specific activities evaluated included the removal and installation of gaskets and packings, flange cleaning, and gasket formation. In all but one of the studies relating to the replacement of gaskets and packing using hand-held tools, the short-term average exposures were less than the current 30-min OSHA excursion limit of 1 fiber per cubic centimeter (f/cc) and all of the long-term average exposures were less than the current 8-h permissible exposure limit time-weighted average (PEL-TWA) of 0.1 f/cc. The weight of evidence indicates that the use of hand tools and hand-operated power tools to remove or install gaskets or packing as performed by pipefitters or other tradesmen in nearly all plausible situations would not have produced airborne concentrations in excess of contemporaneous regulatory levels.
Characterization of Nanoaerosol Size Change During Enhanced Condensational Growth

Increasing the size of nanoaerosols may be beneficial in a number of applications, including filtration, particle size selection, and targeted respiratory drug delivery. A potential method to increase particle or droplet size is enhanced condensational growth (ECG), which involves combining the aerosol with saturated or supersaturated air. In this study, we characterize the ECG process in a model tubular geometry as a function of initial aerosol size (mean diameters–150, 560, and 900 nm) and relative humidity conditions using both in vitro experiments and numerical modeling. Relative humidities (99.8–104%) and temperatures (25–39°C) were evaluated that can safely be applied to either targeted respiratory drug delivery or personal aerosol filtration systems. For inlet saturated air temperatures above ambient conditions (30 and 39°C), the initial nanoaerosols grew to a size range of 1000–3000 nm (1–3 m) over a time period of 0.2 s. The numerical model results were generally consistent with the experimental findings and predicted final to initial diameter ratios of up to 8 after 0.2 s of humidity exposure and 14 at 1 s. Based on these observations, a respiratory drug delivery approach is suggested in which nanoaerosols in the size range of 500 nm are delivered in conjunction with a saturated or supersaturated air stream. The initial nanoaerosol size will ensure minimal deposition and loss in the mouth-throat region while condensational growth in the respiratory tract can be used to ensure maximal lung retention and to potentially target the site of deposition.
Pathogenic natural anti‐cardiolipin antibodies: the experience from monoclonal gammopathy

Anti‐cardiolipin antibodies (ACA) were detected in 19% of sera from patients with monoclonal gammopathies (MG). ACA were purified from the sera of patients with MG. One of the IgG‐ACA was found to be monospecific with high affinity for cardiolipin, and to carry a pathogenic ACA Id (1.10), Active immunization of naive BALB/c mice with the puri6ed IgG‐ACA was followed by production in the mice of sustained high titres of ACA, associated with prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (61 ± 14s versus 31 ± 2 s in control mice; P < 0.001) and thrombocytopenia (468 000 ± 224 000/mm3 versus 994 000 ± 92 000/mm3 in controls; P < 0001). The titres of other autoantibodies (e.g. anti‐DNA, anti‐histones), although being high after immunization, decreased rapidly and were undetected after 1 month following the boost injection. The mice immunized with the IgG‐ACA exhibited low fecundity (36% of mice became pregnant versus 62% observed in the group immunized with control IgG). The pregnant mice had increased resorption rate (the equivalent of fetal loss in the human) of 52 ± 8% (versus 5 ± 4% in the control group). The mean (±s.d.) embryo and placental weights in mice with anti‐phospholipid syndrome (APLS) were significantly lower compared with the mice injected with control IgG (682 ± 304 mg and 102±12mg versus 1303 ± 105 mg and 145±8mg, respectively; P<0.001). Serum monoclonal immunoglobulins having autoantibody activity may be regarded as an expansion of clones producing natural autoantibodies. Our results confirm the pathogenic role of natural ACA in the pathogenesis of the anti‐phospholipid syndrome.
Liraglutide Improves Glycemic and Blood Pressure Control and Ameliorates Progression of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Peritoneal Dialysis

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multifactorial disease associated with cardiovascular complications. Patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis also experience an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. To prevent progression of cardiovascular complications in DM patients, glycemic control is important. In this study, we examined the efficacy and safety of the glucagon‐like peptide analog liraglutide for treating type 2 diabetes patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Sixteen type 2 diabetes patients on peritoneal dialysis were enrolled. Before liraglutide initiation, 11 patients were on insulin therapy, three were on oral antidiabetic agents, and two were on diet therapy. Of the 16 patients, 12 had switched to liraglutide because of severe hypoglycemia and four because of hyperglycemia. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and 12 months after liraglutide initiation. Hemoglobin A1c, glycosylated albumin, and fasting/postprandial glucose levels gradually decreased after liraglutide initiation. After 6 and 12 months of treatment, postprandial glucose levels showed a significant difference from baseline. Moreover, the mean daily glucose level and glycemic fluctuations decreased. Systolic blood pressure upon waking also decreased. In addition, after 12 months, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) decreased and left ventricular ejection fraction increased. Changes in LVMI positively correlated with morning systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose levels. One patient restarted insulin because of anorexia but severe hypoglycemia was not observed. These findings suggest that liraglutide therapy in type 2 diabetes patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis is safe and effective for decreasing glucose levels, glycemic fluctuations, and blood pressure, apart from improving left ventricular function.
A Study of Ulnar Collateral Ligament of the Thumb Metacarpophalangeal Joint

The current study examined the biomechanical properties of intact and repaired ulnar collateral ligaments of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb to determine a safe rehabilitation protocol after repair. In the first part of the study mechanical properties of the ligament were examined and the induced stress and strain were determined during simulated pinch and grip. In the second part of the study the strength and limitations of ulnar collateral ligament repair using a mini-Mitek bone suture anchor was determined. The biomechanical study was done on 16 fresh-frozen thumbs from male cadavers. Failure load, maximum stress, and Young’s modulus of intact ulnar collateral ligament were 294.3 ± 28.2 N, 11.4 ± 1.2 MPa, and 37.3 ± 5.1 MPa, respectively. There was no significant correlation between the low grip force and the ligament strain. There was, however, a significant correlation between the pinch force and the ligament strain. The failure load and joint rigidity of intact ulnar collateral ligaments were significantly higher (3.1 and 2.3 times, respectively) than the mini-Mitek repaired ligaments. The current study suggests that pinch activity during the rehabilitative process after repair or reattachment of the ulnar collateral ligament should be eliminated. Repaired ligaments with mini-Mitek bone suture anchors may be able to do a moderate range of motion during postoperative rehabilitation; however, additional in vivo studies are necessary before any clinical recommendation is made.
Direct CSF injection of MnCl2 for dynamic manganese‐enhanced MRI

MnCl2 was injected intrathecally through the cisterna magna in rats, allowing infusion of divalent manganese ions (Mn++) into the CSF space and thence into the brain, without breaking the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Mn++ uptake and washout dynamics in the brain were measured by serial T1‐weighted MRI and EPI T1 and T2 mapping for up to 3 weeks after injection. Observations within the first 6 hr after injection demonstrated anterograde and bilateral distribution of the Mn++ within the CSF space, from the olfactory bulb and frontal cortex to the brain stem. Enhancement increased in most brain areas up to 4 days after injection, and then slowly decreased. Relaxation maps at each time point demonstrated higher concentrations of Mn in basal ganglia. Residual concentrations were still observable after 3 weeks in all brain regions. With the use of MnCl2 calibration phantoms, the maximum Mn concentration in the brain was estimated to be approximately 27 ± 16 μM, corresponding to changes in relaxation rates of 0.49 ± 0.30 s−1 for R1 and 3.9 ± 2.4 s−1 for R2. For comparison, an intrathecal GdDTPA injection was performed. This injection showed different distribution dynamics: it remained chiefly within the CSF spaces, and was largely washed out after 1 day. This method shows promise as a means of supplying Mn++ uniformly to the whole brain for a variety of chronic functional activation studies. Magn Reson Med 51:978–987, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The efficacy of long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy, fluoxetine and their combination in the outpatient treatment of depression

Abstract Objective: There are few randomized controlled trials examining the efficacy of long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (LTPP) in depression treatment. LTPP was compared with fluoxetine treatment and their combination; Methods: 272 depressed patients (aged 26–34, 72% with a first episode of depression) were randomized to receive LTPP (one session/week), fluoxetine treatment (20–60 mg/day) or their combination for 24 months. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was the outcome measure. The psychotherapy was not manualized and the treatment took place under real-life conditions in an outpatient psychiatric clinic. Results: Intention-to-treat analyses indicated that all the treatments were associated with significant reductions in the BDI scores (mean reduction of 18.88 BDI points). Furthermore, LTPP and combination therapy were more effective in reducing BDI scores than fluoxetine alone (22.08 and 22.04 vs. 12.53 BDI points). Conclusions: LTPP, pharmacological treatment with fluoxetine and their combination are effective in reducing symptoms of patients with moderate depression. LTPP and combined treatment were more effective compared to fluoxetine alone. These findings have implications for patients with depression who may benefit from long-term psychotherapy or combined treatment, or for depressed patients who do not wish to take medications such as fluoxetine.
Ectoparasite fauna of rodents and shrews from four habitats in Kuala Lumpur and the states of Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia and its public health significance.

A total of 204 rodents comprising 14 host species from four different habitats were examined. Nine rodent species were trapped from the forest and another five species were trapped from the coastal, rice field and urban habitats. Rattus rattus diardii (67%) was the predominant rodent species examined. Fifty six (47.3%) rodents and shrews were found to be infested with at least one of the 20 species of ectoparasite recovered. Mites belonging to the family Trombiculidae were the predominant ectoparasite species recovered. Ticks belonging to the family Ixodidae were recovered mainly from the forest dwelling rodents. Polyplax spinulosa and Hoplopleura pacifica were the common lice species found infesting the urban rodents. Xenopsylla cheopis was the only flea species recovered. The following ecto-parasites have been incriminated as important vectors or as mechanical carriers for the transmission of zoonotic diseases: Ixodes granulatus, Dermacentor sp. Haemaphysalis sp. , Amblyomma sp. Ascoschoengastia indica, Leptotrombidium deliense, Ornithonyssus bacoti, Laelaps nuttalli, H. pacifica, P. spinulosa and Xenopsylla cheopis. Urban and forest rodents were significantly higher in ecto-parasitic infestation, compared to rats from the other two habitats. However, there was no significant statistical association between male and female rodents infested with ectoparasites.
The ACVRL1 c.314—35A>G polymorphism is associated with organ vascular malformations in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia patients with ENG mutations, but not in patients with ACVRL1 mutations

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is characterized by vascular malformations (VMs) and caused by mutations in TGFβ/BMP9 pathway genes, most commonly ENG or ACVRL1. Patients with HHT have diverse manifestations related to skin and mucosal telangiectases and organ VMs, including arteriovenous malformations (AVM). The clinical heterogeneity of HHT suggests a role for genetic modifiers. We hypothesized that the ACVRL1 c.314–35A>G and ENG c.207G>A polymorphisms, previously associated with sporadic brain AVM, are associated with organ VM in HHT. We genotyped these variants in 716 patients with HHT and evaluated association of genotype with presence of any organ VM, and specifically with brain VM, liver VM and pulmonary AVM, by multivariate logistic regression analyses stratified by HHT mutation. Among all patients with HHT, neither polymorphism was significantly associated with presence of any organ VM; ACVRL1 c.314–35A>G showed a trend toward association with pulmonary AVM (OR = 1.48, P = 0.062). ACVRL1 c.314–35A>G was significantly associated with any VM among patients with HHT with ENG (OR = 2.66, P = 0.022), but not ACVRL1 (OR = 0.79, P = 0.52) mutations. ACVRL1 c.314–35A>G was also associated with pulmonary AVM and liver VM among ENG mutation heterozygotes. There were no significant associations between ENG c.207G>A and any VM phenotype. These results suggest that common polymorphisms in HHT genes other than the mutated gene modulate phenotype severity of HHT disease, specifically presence of organ VM. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.