Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Opportunistic protozoan infections in human immunodeficiency virus disease: review highlighting diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.

Introduction Opportunistic protozoan infections are among the most serious infections in patients with AIDS. "A They cause severe morbidity and mortality; because many are treatable, it is important that early and accurate diagnoses are made. This is normally accomplished by direct microscopic visualisation of the parasite in infected tissues or body secretions. Rigid adherence to normal diagnostic procedures may not be appropriate in patients with AIDS because the site and manifestation of some of these infections may be unusual. Experience of these conditions among histopathologists and microbiologists is extremely variable. Furthermore, treatment of the protozoan infections in patients with AIDS is often complicated by severe side effects and a high rate of recurrence. We review the known protozoan infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive people, the appropriate tissues to sample, the light and electron microscopic appearances, and briefly outline appropriate antibiotic treatment. The protozoa identified to date in these patients are listed in the table. AIDS. The AIDS epidemic has considerably increased our awareness of this organism, which is now known to be a common childhood infection among the immunocompetent in whom the infection is self-limiting.8 In patients with AIDS and in other immunocompromised groups infection can be both protracted and life threatening. It has a particularly high incidence in HIV positive patients with diarrhoea in Africa" and it is found in up to 10% of most series of HIV positive patients with diarrhoea in the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The gastrointestinal tract from oesophagus to rectum, the biliary tract including intrahepatic ducts, and the bronchial tree can be infected in patients with AIDS. '2"3 Infection is caused by the ingestion of oocysts in food or water. Cryotosporidium under both the light microscope and the electron microscope occupies an extracytoplasmic location within an intracellular parasitophagous vacuole (figs 1, 2, and 3). Laboratory diagnosis of Cryptosporidium infection requires the staining of oocysts in faecal smears with modified ZiehlNeelsen or auramine stains. '4 Monoclonal
3,3′‐diindolylmethane enhances taxotere‐induced growth inhibition of breast cancer cells through downregulation of FoxM1

Emerging evidence suggests that the transcription factor Forkhead Box M1 (FoxM1) is associated with aggressive human carcinomas, including breast cancer. Because elevated expression of FoxM1 has been observed in human breast cancers, FoxM1 has attracted much attention in recent years as a potential target for the prevention and/or therapeutic intervention in breast cancer. However, no information is currently available regarding how downregulation of FoxM1 could be achieved for breast cancer prevention and therapy. Here, we report for the first time that 3,3′‐diindolylmethane (DIM), a nontoxic dietary chemopreventive agent could effectively downregulate FoxM1 in various breast cancer cell lines. Using gene transfection, real‐time reverse transcription‐PCR, Western blotting, invasion and 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays, we found that DIM could enhance Taxotere‐induced growth inhibition of breast cancer cells, and decreased invasive capacity of breast cancer cells was observed after either treatment alone or the combination. These effects were associated with downregulation of FoxM1. We also found that knock down of FoxM1 expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection increased DIM‐induced cell growth inhibition, whereas over‐expression of FoxM1 by cDNA transfection attenuated DIM‐induced cell growth inhibition, suggesting the mechanistic role of FoxM1. Most importantly, the combination treatment significantly inhibited tumor growth in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, and the results were correlated with the downregulation of FoxM1 in tumor remnants. We conclude that inactivation of FoxM1 and its target genes by DIM could enhance the therapeutic efficacy of Taxotere in breast cancer, which could be a useful strategy for the prevention and/or treatment of breast cancer.
GOG0182-ICON5: 5-arm phase III randomized trial of paclitaxel (P) and carboplatin (C) vs combinations with gemcitabine (G), PEG-lipososomal doxorubicin (D), or topotecan (T) in patients (pts) with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian (EOC) or primary peritoneal (PPC) carcinoma.

5002 Background: P-C is a global standard for treatment of EOC and PPC (GCIG Consensus Conference 2005). Although effective, most patients recur with resistant disease. Agents were selected for new combinations based on clinical activity, interaction with cisplatin in tumor models, and feasibility. METHODS Eligible pts had appropriate initial surgery without other therapy, GOG/WHO PS 0-2, and adequate vital organ function. Pts were stratified by group, diagnosis (EOC vs PPC), stage (III vs IV), macroscopic residual tumor (yes vs no), and intent for interval cytoreduction (yes vs no). An event-triggered interim analysis (IA) of progression-free survival (PFS) was to identify arms for full accrual. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), determined by an event-triggered pair-wise comparison to the standard regimen (intent-to-treat), with a 90% chance of detecting a true hazard ratio (HR) of 1.33, limiting type I error to 1.25% (two-tailed) for each comparison. Sample size to be adjusted based on accrual rate and IA. RESULTS Accrual exceeded 1200/yr. IA for PFS (May 2004) with 1,345 events. Median PFS ranged from 15.4-17.5 m. PFS HRs ranged from 0.94-1.07 with the standard error of each log HR approximately 0.086. Extension was not recommended, and accrual closed at 4312 pts (177 ineligible). Median age 58 yrs; 13% PPC, 14% stage IV, 22% microscopic. 81% completed therapy, 4% progressed, 9% discontinued for toxicity. At least 42 deaths possibly treatment-related (<1%). Expected hematologic toxicity related to regimen intensity. CONCLUSIONS For the regimens evaluated, there is no evidence that adding a third active cytotoxic agent prolongs PFS in EOC. Analysis of OS and impact of stratification factors are in progress. [Table: see text] [Table: see text].
Family Control and Executive Compensation

This paper examines the effect of family ownership and control on executive compensation in listed firms during the period 2003-2008. The descriptive statistics show that CEOs in non-family-controlled firms have a significantly higher share of variable compensation than CEOs in family-controlled firms, they also receive remuneration in stock options relatively more often. The econometric analysis shows that family control and ownership concentration reduce CEO compensation whereas multiple-class shares increase the level of compensation. In line with the findings of previous research, firm size and performance are positively related to CEO compensation.
Joint Image Emotion Classification and Distribution Learning via Deep Convolutional Neural Network

Visual sentiment analysis is attracting more and more attention with the increasing tendency to express emotions through visual contents. Recent algorithms in Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) considerably advance the emotion classification, which aims to distinguish differences among emotional categories and assigns a single dominant label to each image. However, the task is inherently ambiguous since an image usually evokes multiple emotions and its annotation varies from person to person. In this work, we address the problem via label distribution learning and develop a multi-task deep framework by jointly optimizing classification and distribution prediction. While the proposed method prefers to the distribution datasets with annotations of different voters, the majority voting scheme is widely adopted as the ground truth in this area, and few dataset has provided multiple affective labels. Hence, we further exploit two weak forms of prior knowledge, which are expressed as similarity information between labels, to generate emotional distribution for each category. The experiments conducted on both distribution datasets, i.e. Emotion6, Flickr LDL, Twitter LDL, and the largest single label dataset, i.e. Flickr and Instagram, demonstrate the proposed method outperforms the state-of-the-art approaches.
Isolated lesions of gingiva: A case series and review

Isolated lesions of gingiva arise in succession to the hyperinflammatory reactions in response to the underlying local irritants. Despite their overlapping clinical and histological features, these lesions are distinctive regarding their biological behavior. Recurrence has been reported after surgical excision because of the incomplete removal of underlying local irritants. This article describes the clinical and histological features of four localized gingival lesions, adding a note on their molecular pathogenesis and surgical management.
Introducing a post-operative proforma for elective lower limb arthroplasty patients – improving patient care and junior doctor confidence

The assessment of post-operative patients is vital to identify early complications and ensure patient safety. Good clinical record keeping is essential for effective continuity of care and patient safety in the post-operative period. A group of foundation year 2 (FY2) doctors noted a disparity in levels of confidence and ability in performing this assessment. The aim of the project was to improve documentation and understanding of day one lower limb arthroplasty reviews by FY2 doctors. The Plan-Do-Study-Act model for continuous improvement was adopted from September 2015 to July 2016. A composite score comprising the twelve most important review parameters for documentation was used to score the quality of documentation on an ongoing basis. An electronic survey was completed by every FY2 rotating through the department. Interventions included registrar-led teaching sessions and an integrated review form placed in the medical notes. Further iterations of the proforma and further interventions were coordinated with the ward clerks, sisters, physiotherapists and senior clinicians. The baseline mean composite score was 6.3/12. Following implementation of a standardised proforma this score improved to 10.5 in those who had used the proforma, but 5.7 in those who hadn't. Electronic survey responses showed the proforma and teaching were effective in improving knowledge and understanding of post-operative reviews. The use of an integrated proforma in the medical notes and teaching it's use at induction, improves the documentation and understanding of day one post-operative reviews. Coordinating ward-based change across a cohort of FY2s, with involvement from the multidisciplinary team and management, affects sustained improvements in patient reviews.
Central Bank Collateral, Asset Fire Sales, Regulation and Liquidity

This paper analyses the potential roles of bank asset fire sales and recourse to central bank credit to ensure banks' funding liquidity and solvency. Both asset liquidity and central bank haircuts are modelled as power functions within the unit interval. Funding stability is captured as strategic bank run game in pure strategies between depositors. Asset liquidity, the central bank collateral framework and regulation determine jointly the ability of the banking system to deliver maturity transformation and financial stability. The model also explains why banks tend to use the least liquid eligible assets as central bank collateral and why a sudden non-anticipated reduction of asset liquidity, or a tightening of the collateral framework, can destabilize short term liabilities of banks. Finally, the model allows discussing how the collateral framework can be understood, beyond its essential aim to protect the central bank, as financial stability and non-conventional monetary policy instrument. JEL Classification: E42, G21
A Multilevel Information Mining Approach for Expert Recommendation in Online Scientific Communities

Expert recommendation plays a vital role in the expansion of researchers’ academic communities and in the creation of potential collaboration opportunities. Current approaches for academic expert recommendation are mainly based on keywords-based research relevance and social network proximity between researchers. However, most proximity measures only focus on the individual level in the network. Therefore, we develop a new measure for the proximity at the institutional level that measures the link strength between researchers’ affiliated institutions. Moreover, a multilevel profile-based approach is proposed to identify the most suitable expert for research collaboration by integrating research relevance information, individual social network information and institutional connectivity information. The proposed approach has been implemented in ScholarMate, which is a research 2.0 innovation, promoting knowledge-sharing activities in the virtual scientific community. According to the results of the experiments conducted on the real-world dataset, institutional connectivity is proved to be an important factor for expert recommendation and the proposed hybrid method outperforms all the other benchmark algorithms significantly.
Evidence for hypoxia‐induced neuronal‐to‐chromaffin metaplasia in neuroblastoma

We present evidence that in neuroblastoma, a pediatric malignancy of embryonal sympathetic origin, hypoxia, underlies a phenotypic switch from a primitive neuronal to a chromaffin cell type. This conclusion is based on morphological and molecular data on 116 clinical tumors and is supported by data on the phenotypic effects of hypoxia on neuroblastoma cell lines when studied in monolayer culture and as tumor xenografts. In the clinical material, extensive chromaffin features were seen in regions of chronic tumor hypoxia. This was the exclusive form of intratumoral maturation of stroma‐poor tumors and was also seen in stroma‐rich tumors, either exclusively or in combination with ganglion‐like cells. In neuroblastoma cell lines, hypoxia induced changes in gene expression associated with the chromaffin features observed in vivo. We therefore propose tumor hypoxia as a major cue determining phenotype in sympathetic tumors of neuroblastic origin. Because it appears to be reversible upon reoxygenation in monolayer culture, we suggest the term metaplasia for the phenomenon.
Compartmental Syndromes in Children

Summary: Compartmental syndromes are reported in 24 children after injuries and surgery. In these cases, increased tissue pressure compromised local perfusion and neuromuscular function. Compartmental syndromes occurred in the interosseous compartments of the hand, the volar and dorsal compartments of the forearm, and the four compartments of the leg. The most common etiologies were fracture, vascular injury, and tibial osteotomy. In many instances, clinical data were sufficient to establish the diagnosis. However, in young patients or in patients with neurologic or vascular injuries, tissue pressure measurement helped to resolve otherwise ambiguous findings. The most significant determinant of the quality of the end result was the duration of the compartmental syndrome prior to surgical decompression. We conclude that prompt diagnosis and decompression of compartmental syndromes can minimize the sequela from these conditions.
Inhibition of Late Sodium Current by Mexiletine: A Novel Pharmotherapeutical Approach in Timothy Syndrome

Background—Timothy syndrome (TS) is a rare long-QT syndrome caused by CACNA1C mutations G406R in exon 8A (TS1) and G402S/G406R in exon 8 (TS2). Management of TS is a challenge and prognosis is poor. This study aimed to explore the inheritance pattern and mechanism of an INa blocker, mexiletine, to improve clinical manifestations in TS. Methods and Results—A 2-year-old Chinese girl with a typical TS1 phenotype underwent candidate gene screening. Qualitative and quantitative cloning sequence and analyses for mosaicism were performed on family members. Therapeutic effects of mexiletine were evaluated using ECG and Holter monitoring. The electrophysiological effect of mexiletine was evaluated in a TS model using rabbit ventricular wedges. The proband with severe syndactyly and delayed language skills was identified harboring a G406R mutation in CACNA1C. Her baseline ECG showed markedly prolonged QTc, 2:1 AV block and macro-T wave alternans. G406R was absent in her mother but expressed in her father’s oral mucosa, sperm, and white blood cells, indicating a mosaic carrier. Although asymptomatic, he exhibited mild QTc prolongation (470–490 ms) and syndactyly. Mexiletine shortened QTc from 584 to 515 ms, blunted QT–RR relationship, and abolished 2:1 AV block and T wave alternans in the girl. In in vitro studies, mexiletine inhibited late INa with IC50 of 17.6±1.9 µmol/L and attenuated brady-dependent QT prolongation and reduced QT–RR slope in the TS model using BayK 8644. Conclusions—Mexiletine shortened QTc, attenuated QT–RR slope, abolished 2:1 AV block and T wave alternans in a TS1 patient and TS model via inhibition of late INa.
The Long-Run Performance of Seasoned Equity Offerings with Rights: Evidence from the Swiss Market

We examine the long-run performance of firms that offer seasoned equity on the Swiss market. Swiss firms use offerings with rights to raise new equity and they can issue three types of securities. Moreover, the tax law has for some firms the effect of increasing the issuing frequency. We find that most SEOs are small as a percentage of the firm’s market capitalisation. The leverage ratios change often (up and down) during a three-period post-SEO horizon. The long-run abnormal returns are insignificant relative to size and book-to-market matching portfolios. These findings are corroborated by the fact that a portfolio of issuing firms do not exhibit a risk adjusted (Fama and French three factor model and Time-varying beta) abnormal performance. These findings are in accordance with the growing literature showing that the US SEOs do no more have abnormal negative performance. Finally, we show that Swiss firms have an incentive to use SEOs as a substitute to stock dividends. This particular feature help to explain the high frequency of SEOs in Switzerland before 1992.
Neurosteroid modulation of glutamate release in hippocampal neurons: lack of an effect of a chronic prenatal ethanol exposure paradigm.

BACKGROUND Pregnenolone sulfate (PREGS) is a promnesic neurosteroid that is abundantly expressed in the hippocampus of rodents. Studies have shown that the modulation of postsynaptic ligand-gated ion channels by this neurosteroid is impaired in preparations from the brains of fetal ethanol-exposed animals. In this study, we examined whether the presynaptic actions of PREGS also are affected by exposure to ethanol in utero. METHODS Rat dams were exposed to one of the following diets during pregnancy: (1) 5% ethanol liquid diet, (2) 0% ethanol liquid diet with pair-feeding, and (3) ad libitum controls. We then studied the presynaptic actions of PREGS on (1) alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) receptor-mediated miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) recorded from cultured hippocampal neurons in the whole-cell patch-clamp configuration and (2) paired-pulse facilitation of NMDA receptor-dependent excitatory postsynaptic potentials that were intracellularly recorded from CA1 pyramidal neurons in hippocampal slices from adult rats. RESULTS Chronic prenatal ethanol exposure affected neither basal mEPSC frequency nor its potentiation by PREGS. Basal paired-pulse facilitation (i.e., in the absence of PREGS) was unaffected by fetal ethanol exposure. Chronic prenatal ethanol exposure did not affect the PREGS-induced potentiation of paired-pulse facilitation. CONCLUSIONS Chronic prenatal ethanol exposure does not affect the basal probability of glutamate release in immature or mature hippocampal neurons. Moreover, the presynaptic actions of the neurosteroid PREGS also are unaffected by this exposure. Given that modulation of glutamate release could have a role in the mechanism of the promnesic actions of this neurosteroid, future studies are warranted to determine whether PREGS can ameliorate learning and memory deficits in fetal ethanol-exposed animals.
Cell type-specific expression of hnRNP proteins.

HnRNP proteins are abundant nucleoplasmic pre-mRNA-binding proteins which have important roles in the biogenesis of mRNA. Although hnRNP proteins have been extensively characterized in cultured cell lines, little is known about their expression in animal tissues. Here, we have undertaken a systematic survey of the expression of major hnRNP proteins in mouse tissue using specific monoclonal antibodies. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that hnRNP proteins C, L, and U were localized to nuclei in all tissues examined. However, cytoplasmic expression of hnRNP A1, D, F/H, and K was also detected in several tissues, suggesting that these proteins have roles in the cytoplasm as well as the nucleus. Importantly, the relative amounts of different hnRNP proteins varied among cell types. This was especially striking in neuronal and reproductive cells. In the brain, certain neuronal cell types contained more hnRNP proteins than glial cells, perhaps reflecting increased levels of neuronal transcription and RNA processing. In the ovary, oocytes contained exceptionally high concentrations of hnRNP proteins as compared to follicular and stromal cells. In the testis, the expression of hnRNP proteins was generally high and was found to be tightly regulated during spermatogenesis. Specifically, hnRNP A1 was highly expressed only in early spermatogonia and absent in later stages. These findings demonstrate that hnRNP proteins do not exist in a fixed stoichiometry across different cell types. Furthermore, as the relative amounts of pre-mRNA-binding proteins (e.g., A1 and ASF/SF2) can affect alternative splicing patterns, the variations that we have observed could profoundly affect cell-specific gene expression.