Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Prognostic Importance of EGFR and COX-2 Expression in Cervix Cancer Stages IIb-IVa

Objectives. Locally advanced cervix cancer represents a therapeutic challenge with a delicate balance between effect and toxicity. Consequently, there is an obvious need for new prognostic parameters with a perspective of a more individualized treatment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible prognostic importance of epidermal growth factor receptor and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in locally advanced cervix cancer. Methods. The study included 91 patients with cervix cancer, FIGO stages IIb-IVa, and were treated with curative intent according to the Nordic Cervix Cancer protocol (NOCECA). The median observation time was 7 years. Epidermal growth factor receptor and cyclooxygenase-2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using commercially available antibodies. The tumor marker expression was evaluated according to a semi-quantitative scoring system with a positive score when more than 10% of the tumor cells were moderately or strongly stained. Results. Epidermal growth factor receptor and cyclooxygenase-2 over-expression was found in 22% and 18% of the patients, respectively. The survival differed according to epidermal growth factor receptor and cyclooxygenase-2 over-expression as calculated by Kaplan-Meier plots and log-rank test (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0084 respectively). A multivariate Cox Regression analysis identified each tumor marker as an independent prognostic factor. Conclusion. The results clearly indicate epidermal growth factor receptor and cyclooxygenase-2 hold important prognostic information, markedly appearing with a long-term observation. We found that both parameters were independent prognostic factors, and to further clarify this matter our retrospective analysis should be confirmed in a prospective study with more patients.
Sources, Fate, and Toxic Hazards of Oxygenated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) at PAH- contaminated Sites

Abstract In this paper we show that oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (oxy-PAHs) are important cocontaminants that should be taken into account during risk assessment and remediation of sites with high levels of PAHs. The presented data, which have been collected both from our own research and the published literature, demonstrate that oxy-PAHs are abundant but neglected contaminants at these sites. The oxy-PAHs show relatively high persistency and because they are formed through transformation of PAHs, their concentrations in the environment may even increase as the sites are remediated by methods that promote PAH degradation. Furthermore, we show that oxy-PAHs are toxic to both humans and the environment, although the toxicity seems to be manifested through other effects than those known to be important for polycyclic aromatic compounds in general, that is, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. Finally, we present data that support the hypothesis that oxy-PAHs are more mobile in the environment than PAHs, due to their polarity, and thus have a higher tendency to spread from contaminated sites via surface water and groundwater. We believe that oxy-PAHs should be included in monitoring programs at PAH-contaminated sites, even if a number of other toxicologically relevant compounds that may also be present, such as nitro-PAHs and azaarenes, are not monitored. This is because oxy-PAH levels are difficult to predict from the PAH levels, because their environmental behavior differs substantially from that of PAHs, and oxy-PAHs may be formed as PAHs are degraded.
Injury risk of playing football in Futsal World Cups

Background While injuries in football (soccer) have been the subject of numerous publications, little information is available about the injury risk in futsal. Objective Analysis of the incidence and characteristics of injury in futsal players during top-level international tournaments. Design Prospective survey. Methods Player injuries during three consecutive Futsal World Cups were analysed using an established injury report system. The physicians of all participating teams reported all injuries after each match on a standardised injury report form. The average response rate was 93%. Results A total of 165 injuries were reported from 127 matches, which is equivalent to an incidence of 195.6 injuries per 1000 player hours (95% CI 165.8 to 225.6) or 130.4 injuries per 1000 player matches (95% CI 110.5 to 150.3). The majority of injuries were caused by contact with another player, and 36% of the injuries occurred during non-contact activities. Most injuries affected the lower extremity (70%), followed by head and neck (13%), upper extremity (10%) and trunk (7%). The most frequent diagnoses were contusion of the lower leg (11%), ankle sprain (10%) and groin strain (8%). On average, one time-loss injury in every two matches was reported. Conclusion While the location and diagnosis of injuries were similar in the two types of football, fewer injuries in futsal than in football were caused by contact with another player and by foul play. More information on injury mechanisms in futsal is needed to develop specific injury preventive interventions.
The SCL-90 and the MMPI: A Step in the Validation of a New Self-Report Scale

Summary The present investigation was intended principally as a concurrent validation study for a new self-report symptom inventory: the SCL-90. A sample of 209 ‘symptomatic volunteers' served as subjects and were administered both the SCL-90 and the MMPI prior to participation in clinical therapeutic drug trials. The MMPI was scored for the Wiggins content scales and the Tryon cluster scales in addition to the standard clinical scales. Comparisons of the nine primary symptom dimensions of the SCL-90 with the set of MMPI scales reflected very high convergent validity for the SCL-90. Peak correlations were observed with like constructs on eight of the nine scales, with secondary patterns of correlations showing high interpretative consistency.
Nematode–bacteria mutualism: Selection within the mutualism supersedes selection outside of the mutualism

The coevolution of interacting species can lead to codependent mutualists. Little is known about the effect of selection on partners within verses apart from the association. Here, we determined the effect of selection on bacteria (Xenorhabdus nematophila) both within and apart from its mutualistic partner (a nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae). In nature, the two species cooperatively infect and kill arthropods. We passaged the bacteria either together with (M+), or isolated from (M−), nematodes under two different selection regimes: random selection (S−) and selection for increased virulence against arthropod hosts (S+). We found that the isolated bacteria evolved greater virulence under selection for greater virulence (M−S+) than under random selection (M−S−). In addition, the response to selection in the isolated bacteria (M−S+) caused a breakdown of the mutualism following reintroduction to the nematode. Finally, selection for greater virulence did not alter the evolutionary trajectories of bacteria passaged within the mutualism (M+S+ = M+S−), indicating that selection for the maintenance of the mutualism was stronger than selection for increased virulence. The results show that selection on isolated mutualists can rapidly breakdown beneficial interactions between species, but that selection within a mutualism can supersede external selection, potentially generating codependence over time.
Imaging of endodontic biofilms by combined microscopy (FISH/cLSM – SEM)

Scanning electron microscopy is a useful imaging approach for the visualization of bacterial biofilms in their natural environments including their medical and dental habitats, because it allows for the exploration of large surfaces with excellent resolution of topographic features. Most biofilms in nature, however, are embedded in a thick layer of extracellular matrix that prevents a clear identification of individual bacteria by scanning electron microscopy. The use of confocal laser scanning microscopy on the other hand in combination with fluorescence in situ hybridization enables the visualization of matrix embedded bacteria in multi‐layered biofilms. In our study, fluorescence in situ hybridization/confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were applied to visualize bacterial biofilm in endodontic root canals. The resulting fluorescence in situ hybridization /confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy and pictures were subsequently combined into one single image to provide high‐resolution information on the location of hidden bacteria. The combined use of scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence in situ hybridization / confocal laser scanning microscopy has the potential to overcome the limits of each single technique.
[Mental impairment in nursing home residents].

BACKGROUND Nursing homes are the corner stones in long-term institutional care for frail elderly people. Expansion and strengthening of community-based services during the last decade has enabled frail elderly who earlier would have moved into a nursing home to stay in their own home or in service apartments. MATERIAL AND METHODS In a cross-sectional, anonymised study, changes in nursing homes in the city of Bergen between 1985 and 1996/97 were analysed with regard to prevalence of mentally impaired residents. The following items were assessed by nurses who were in daily contact with the residents: mental capacity by means of Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), activities of daily living (ADL), and behaviour. The study population consisted of 1,296 residents from 21 institutions in 1985 and 1,141 residents from 16 institutions i 1996/97. RESULTS The percentage of mentally impaired residents increased significantly, from 75 to 82, and the percentage of residents who were in need of extended nursing care rose from 87 to 91. The median duration of stay did not change significantly, but was reduced for residents with slight mental impairments (CDR 1), from 871 to 721 days. INTERPRETATION Today, predominately mentally impaired and physically disabled elderly are cared for in general nursing homes. These are patients in need of continuous medical care and supervision, and do not fit into an ideology which "demedicalizes" severe medical conditions in old people. Both nursing homes and sheltered livings are needed.
Detailed Study on Pulse-Sprayed Conformal Phosphor Configurations for LEDs

We report an investigation of the optical performance of a conformal-shaped phosphor coating fabricated using pulsed spray techniques on horizontal LED chips. Both the nitride and YAG:Ce phosphor mixed configuration and the multilayer configuration were studied. Also, 3535-packaged LED devices with the two typical phosphor configurations were prepared and analyzed. The results revealed that the LED devices with multilayer phosphor configurations emitted an average of 5.6% more radiant flux than those with mixed phosphor configurations. However, such LED devices presented an interesting reversed tendency in the luminosity measurements, which were 0.3 lm and 6 lm lower at 10 mA and 350 mA, respectively. Finally, the color rendering index (CRI) and correlated color temperature (CCT) homogeneity of the LED devices were further analyzed. A twofold reduction in CCT variation was observed compared with the conventional phosphor coating methods. It was found that the mixed phosphor LED devices demonstrated outstanding angular CCT distributions for viewing angles ranging from ${-}{\hbox{80}}^{\circ}$ to 0$^{\circ}$, and a CCT variation of only 45 K was detected, while the multilayer phosphor coating had higher color rendering capabilities, reaching a ${\rm CRI}_{\rm general}$ value as high as 85.6. A promising guideline found through this work is that the pulse-sprayed conformal phosphor configuration would particularly be able to improve the light quality of LED devices by a significant amount: the mixed phosphor configuration achieves excellent CCT homogeneity, and the multilayer phosphor configuration reveals a novel concept for fabricating a low-CCT and high-CRI LED device with less nitride phosphor. The findings of our research should provide valuable insight to LED industries.
Interaction between bcl-2 and P53 in neoplastic progression of basal cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

BACKGROUND Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent tumor of the human skin and generally shows a favourable clinical behaviour. However, a percentage of BCC grows aggressively, infiltrating contiguous structures, sometimes giving distant metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS Bcl-2 and p53 protein expression was studied immunohistochemically in 60 cases of BCC (30 non-aggressive, BCC1 and 30 aggressive cases, BCC2) of the head and neck region with a complete clinical follow-up. RESULTS All the BCC1 showed distinct cytoplasmic staining for bcl-2. The intensity of staining ranged from intermediate to high, with only three cases showing low positivity. Among BCC2, none of the 30 cases showed positivity for bcl-2. Bcl-2 expression was directly correlated with the BCC1 sub-type and a favourable clinical follow-up (p<0.01). Among BCC1, 27 cases were found negative for p53 protein expression while 3 exhibited only a low immunoreactivity. Among BCC2, 11 out of 30 cases showed an intermediate immunoreactivity, and 18 out of 30 exhibited high positivity for p53 protein. The expression of p53 protein correlated inversely with cellular differentiation (p<0.01). CONCLUSION From the analysis of these results it is reasonable to consider bcl-2 and p53 protein expression as useful discriminating prognostic factors in the evaluation of BCCs of the head and neck region. In fact, the finding of clones expressing bcl-2 in a case of BCC may be indicative of an "indolent" cellular neoplastic phenotype. In other words, bcl-2 could be used as a "clonal marker" of a still favourable clinical behaviour. Conversely, the partial or complete loss of bcl-2-bearing neoplastic clones during histological transformation, with the appearance of clones expressing p53 protein in a BCC could be considered a hallmark of transition from a low-to high-grade malignancy, characterized by the emergence of cellular clones with a more aggressive phenotype, responsible for worse clinical behaviour.
Unexplained Elevations of Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein in Women With Antiphospholipid Antibodies: A Harbinger of Fetal Death

Objective: To determine whether unexplained elevations of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) in women with antiphospholipid antibodies are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was used to compare pregnancy outcomes between women with secondtrimester MSAFP values equal to or greater than 2.5 multiples of the median (MoM) and less than 2.5 MoM. The cohort included 60 pregnancies in 47 women with medium to high positive levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) G anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, or both. Results: Thirteen pregnancies (22%) had elevated MSAFP values (median 3.6 MoM, range 2.5-12.6). Of these, amniotic fluid AFP was normal in seven and elevated in one. None of the elevated MSAFP levels were explained by fetal anomalies, current fetal death, multiple gestation, incorrect dates, or vaginal bleeding. Pregnancies with elevated MSAFP values had a significantly higher incidence of fetal death (eight of 13,62%, versus three of 47,6%) and perinatal loss (ten of 13,77%, versus seven of 47,15%) than those with normal MSAFP (P<.001, Fisher exact test). In these women, the sensitivity and specificity of an unexplained elevated MSAFP level in ascertaining fetal death were 73 and 90%, respectively. For perinatal loss, the sensitivity was 59% and the specificity was 93%. Of the placentas studied, infarction occurred in eight of nine (89%) among the women with elevated MSAFP. Conclusions: Unexplained second-trimester elevations of MSAFP are common in women with antiphospholipid antibodies and are significantly associated with fetal loss. Abnormalities in the fetoplacental barrier are implicated as part of the pathophysiology of antiphospholipid antibodymediated pregnancy loss.
Microwave characterisation of electrodes and field effect transistors based on graphene

The isolation of the two-dimensional material graphene, a single hexagonal sheet of carbon atoms, is believed to trigger a revolution in electronics. Theory predicts unprecedented carrier velocities in ideal graphene, from which ultrahigh speed graphene field effect transistors (GFETs) are envisioned. In this thesis, the prospects of GFETs for microwave receivers are investigated with the emphasis on low noise amplifiers (LNAs). A microwave amplifier at 1 GHz with 10 dB small-signal gain and 6.4 dB noise figure was realised using a mechanically exfoliated graphene flake on a SiO2 substrate. Comparable GFET performance was demonstrated with large-area graphene grown by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) on copper and transferred to SiO2. From a device level noise characterisation, the CVD GFET minimum noise figure (Fmin) in the frequency range 2-8 GHz was measured to be 2.5-5 dB and estimated by de-embedding parasitics to be 1-4 dB for the intrinsic device. However, the GFET noise is sensitive to impedance mismatch as the noise resistance is high. In addition, subharmonic resistive GFET mixers utilising the symmetry of electron and hole conduction in graphene were assessed. Conversion loss (CL) and noise figure were approximately equal and ≥20 dB and the input third order intercept point (IIP3) was ≤3.9 dBm at a local oscillator power of 2 dBm, less linear then fundamental resistive mixers. Finally, the properties of graphene and metal-graphene contacts were investigated by parameter extraction based on measurements at both DC and microwave frequencies. Using a palladium based contact, a contact resistance as low as <100 Om was reached. An associated contact capacitance was extracted, for which a geometrical model was proposed. The implications of this capacitance on device performance is presumably negligible up to at least several hundred gigahertz. It is inferred, however, that the sheet resistance of graphene in this work must be reduced two orders of magnitude to improve performance of acoustic resonators when using graphene as an electrode.
Diet and Functional Abdominal Pain in Children and Adolescents

ABSTRACT Functional abdominal pain (FAP) is a common complaint among children and adolescents. For many patients, symptoms exacerbate with eating. This review discusses findings concerning the role of diet in FAP. The foods that are discussed are divided into 2 major groups: food allergies or intolerances, which focus on milk, gluten, and fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols; and functional foods, which hone in on foods that reduce abdominal pain in adolescents such as fiber, peppermint oil, and probiotics. Lastly, we discuss the role of eating habits in FAP and how the physiology of eating may be the real culprit of symptoms associated with eating.
Locating the 'big hole' in HCI research

In a recent Interactions article, “The Big Hole in HCI Research,” Vassilis Kostakos argued that HCI lacks persistent “motor themes,” based on a co-word analysis of keywords sections from the past 20 years of CHI papers. HCI as a discipline, it is argued, “simply roll[s] from topic to topic, year after year, without developing any of them substantially. ” In this analysis, motor themes—based on clusters of recurring keywords over time—are described as a critical feature of healthy disciplines. Motor themes represent commonly addressed topics that constitute the research mainstream and therefore are essential to creating a disciplinary core. Summarizing his work from a recent CHI paper, Kostakos characterizes the absence of these themes from HCI as “a very worrying prospect for a scientific community. ” These concerns seem to be echoed by events at recent CHI conferences, such as the appearance since 2011 of yearly panels or workshops on “replication” (RepliCHI), and the Interaction Science SIG of CHI 2014. While my view contrasts with the proponents of what one might label as the “scientific programme,” the emergence of increased debate about the very idea of HCI—what its work does, could, or should look like academically—feels like a valuable activity and is probably long overdue. Here, I want to talk about two matters that are core to the discussion: the relationship between science and HCI, and, more broadly, the disciplinarity of HCI.
Accumulation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in the microenvironment of spinal motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis transgenic rats

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are the major components of extracellular matrix in the central nervous system. In the spinal cord under various types of injury, reactive gliosis emerges in the lesion accompanied by CSPG up‐regulation. Several types of CSPG core proteins and their side chains have been shown to inhibit axonal regeneration in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we examined spatiotemporal expression of CSPGs in the spinal cord of transgenic (Tg) rats with His46Arg mutation in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene, a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Immunofluorescence disclosed a significant up‐regulation of neurocan, versican, and phosphacan in the ventral spinal cord of Tg rats compared with age‐matched controls. Notably, Tg rats showed progressive and prominent accumulation of neurocan even at the presymptomatic stage. Immunoblotting confirmed the distinct increase in the levels of both the full‐length neurocan and their fragment isoforms. On the other hand, the up‐regulation of versican and phosphacan peaked at the early symptomatic stage, followed by diminishment at the late symptomatic stage. In addition, double immunofluorescence revealed a colocalization between reactive astrocytes and immunoreactivities for neurocan and phosphacan, especially around residual large ventral horn neurons. Thus, reactive astrocytes are suggested to be participants in the CSPG accumulation. Although the possible neuroprotective involvement of CSPG remains to be investigated, the present results suggest that both the reactive astrocytes and the differential accumulation of CSPGs may create a nonpermissive microenvironment for neural regeneration in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.