Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accuracy and clinical role of fine needle percutaneous biopsy with computerized tomography guidance of small (less than 4.0 cm) renal masses.

PURPOSE We evaluated the accuracy and clinical role of fine needle percutaneous biopsy of solid renal masses 4.0 cm or smaller with helical computerized tomography (CT) guidance. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 88 consecutive patients (mean age 61 years) 88 biopsies were performed. Median tumor size was 2.8 cm. Tumor biopsy was performed with an 18 gauge needle using helical CT guidance in an outpatient setting. At least 2 whole cores per tumor were obtained. RESULTS Biopsy material was insufficient for analysis in 3 (3.4%) procedures. Median tumor size of failed biopsies was 3.0 cm. There were 5 (5.6%) biopsies which revealed fibrosis and were considered inconclusive. A benign lesion was found in 14 (15.9%) biopsies. In the 66 biopsies positive for malignancy there were 65 cases of renal cell carcinoma and 1 lymphoma. A total of 62 patients underwent surgery. Biopsy changed tumor management in 42 (47.8%) patients who avoided radical nephrectomy, 13 of whom had a lesion which did not require surgery, 1 with a lymphoma and 28 who were treated with partial nephrectomy. Biopsy accuracy for histopathological tumor type and Fuhrman nuclear grade was 92% and 69.8%, respectively. No substantial morbidity occurred. CONCLUSIONS Fine needle biopsy of small renal masses could select benign lesions for which observation might be an alternative to surgery. The accuracy of fine needle biopsy in identifying histological tumor type was high. However, biopsy was less accurate in evaluating Furhman grade. Biopsy with helical CT guidance could be a key point in tailored management of small solid renal masses and provide important information to those patients harboring renal masses.
Intracellular survival by Chlamydia

Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens whose entry into mucosal epithelial cells is required for intracellular survival and subsequent growth. After a seemingly stealthy entry, chlamydiae quickly modify their vacuole (i) for exit from the endosomal pathway to the exocytic pathway and (ii) to permit fusion with intercepted endoplasmic reticulum‐ and Golgi‐derived vesicles carrying glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids for chlamydiae‐containing vacuole membrane expansion. Chlamydiae possess novel hollow proteinaceous structures, termed projections, which they use to pierce the inclusion membrane, possibly to acquire from the epithelial cytoplasm nutrients they cannot synthesize; whether or not these truncated flagellar‐like structures serve a dual exchange function for secretion of molecules to programme host cell signalling is unknown. Despite the accumulation of some 500–1000 progeny in the enormously enlarged inclusion, host cell function is surprisingly little disrupted, and progeny escape can be unobtrusive. This elegant adaptive pathogen strategy, which leads to silent, chronic human infection, is fascinating from a cellular microbiology perspective.
The impact of phlebotomy in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial

Iron is implicated in the pathogenesis of liver injury and insulin resistance (IR) and thus phlebotomy has been proposed as a treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We performed a prospective 6‐month randomized, controlled trial examining the impact of phlebotomy on the background of lifestyle advice in patients with NAFLD. Primary endpoints were hepatic steatosis (HS; quantified by magnetic resonance imaging) and liver injury (determined by alanine aminotransaminase [ALT] and cytokeratin‐18 [CK‐18]). Secondary endpoints included insulin resistance measured by the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and homeostasis model of assessment (HOMA), and systemic lipid peroxidation determined by plasma F2‐isoprostane levels. A total of 74 subjects were randomized (33 phlebotomy and 41 control). The phlebotomy group underwent a median (range) of 7 (1‐19) venesection sessions and had a significantly greater reduction in ferritin levels over 6 months, compared to controls (−148 ± 114 vs. −38 ± 89 ng/mL; P < 0.001). At 6 months, there was no difference between phlebotomy and control groups in HS (17.7% vs. 15.5%; P = 0.4), serum ALT (36 vs. 46 IU/L; P = 0.4), or CK‐18 levels (175 vs. 196 U/L; P = 0.9). Similarly, there was no difference in end‐of‐study ISI (2.5 vs. 2.7; P = 0.9), HOMA (3.2 vs. 3.2; P = 0.6), or F2‐isoprostane levels (1,332 vs. 1,190 pmmol/L; P = 0.6) between phlebotomy and control groups. No differences in any endpoint were noted in patients with hyperferritinemia at baseline. Among patients undergoing phlebotomy, there was no correlation between number of phlebotomy sessions and change in HS, liver injury, or IR from baseline to end of study. Conclusion: Reduction in ferritin by phlebotomy does not improve liver enzymes, hepatic fat, or IR in subjects with NAFLD. (Hepatology 2015;61:1555–1564)
The haemodynamic effects of rocuronium and vecuronium are different under balanced anaesthesia

Background: Rocuronium has been reported to have minimal haemodynamic effects. However, this conclusion has been drawn primarily from investigations conducted under narcotic‐based anaesthesia. This study was designed to evaluate the cardiovascular effects of rocuronium under isoflurane/N20/fentanyl anaesthesia and to compare rocuronium's haemodynamic effects to those of vecuronium and pancuronium.
Evaluating incorrect management of transferred pediatric burn patients.

BACKGROUND Burns constitute one of the most important, potentially fatal types of trauma. Appropriate emergency management is essential in the avoidance of complication and the success of treatment. Emergency management and indications of transfer throughout the country were reviewed in the present study. METHODS Charts of 187 patients transferred to the present hospital from other cities between January 2009 and December 2013 were evaluated. Factors included demographics, referral vehicles, intravenous fluid therapy, respiratory conditions, urine drainage, and surgical complications. RESULTS According to transfer criteria, only 15 patients (8%) were transferred under appropriate conditions. In the transfer of 172 (92%) patients, at least 1 error was found. CONCLUSION Transport failure, and incorrect management and treatment causing complications such as the development of respiratory problems after unnecessary sedation, occur in developing countries such as Turkey. Referral protocols for burn patients have already been defined in the country, though training and feedback regarding effective treatment is still lacking.
Moderators of the negative effects of catastrophizing in arthritis.

OBJECTIVES Pain is among the most frequently reported, bothersome, and disabling symptoms described by patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the experience of pain is partially shaped by catastrophizing, a set of cognitive and emotional pain-related processes. However, other variables may moderate catastrophizing's influence on the experience of pain. In this study, we investigated a variety of factors that might buffer or magnify catastrophizing's deleterious consequences among patients with RA. METHODS A total of 185 RA patients were surveyed to determine levels of catastrophizing, pain, general psychological distress, and physical functioning. RESULTS Catastrophizing was associated with increased pain severity and psychological distress, and with poorer physical functioning. Some of these relationships were significantly moderated by education and social functioning; among RA patients with above-average social functioning and a college education, minimal relationships of catastrophizing with pain and distress symptoms were observed, while these associations were highly significant (Ps < 0.001) among patients with lower levels of education or social functioning. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, educational achievement and positive social interactions may protect against some of the deleterious effects of catastrophizing. The design of future interventions to reduce catastrophizing or ameliorate its impact on pain outcomes may benefit from further study of these subgroups of patients.
Calretinin and Inhibin Are Useful in Separating Adrenocortical Neoplasms From Pheochromocytomas

Most adrenocortical neoplasms and pheochromocytomas can be diagnosed by a combination of clinical findings and morphologic features. Occasionally, however, this histologic differential diagnosis requires ancillary tests, such as immunohistochemistry. Both tumors are generally negative for epithelial markers but express synaptophysin. Inhibin and chromogranin are used for the diagnosis of adrenocortical neoplasms and pheochromocytomas, respectively. Both antigens, however, are expressed focally and may be completely negative, particularly in small biopsies. The authors investigated the potential value of adding calretinin to inhibin in the differential diagnosis of these tumors. Fifty-five primary adrenal neoplasms including 33 adrenocortical tumors (21 adenomas and 12 carcinomas), 22 pheochromocytomas, and 7 healthy adrenal glands were examined immunohistochemically for the expression of calretinin and inhibin. Inhibin was demonstrated in 24 (73%) adrenocortical neoplasms. When calretinin was added, the number of tumors staining positively for the two markers alone or in combination increased to 31 (94%). Both antigens showed a focal pattern of distribution in many cases. None of the pheochromocytomas reacted for any of these two markers. Healthy adrenal gland showed a distinct positive and negative pattern of immunoreactivity for both antigens in cortex and medulla, respectively. There were no differences between staining patterns of calretinin and inhibin in healthy adrenal cortex, adrenocortical adenomas, and adrenocortical carcinomas. The authors conclude that the addition of calretinin to inhibin increases the sensitivity of the diagnosis of adrenocortical neoplasms. When used together, they are highly specific and sensitive for the differential diagnosis of these tumors from pheochromocytomas. These markers, however, do not distinguish between benign and malignant adrenocortical neoplasms.
Hispanic Map of the United States 2016

Hispanic Map of the United States 2016 Informes del Observatorio / Observatorio Reports. 024-10/2016EN http://factfinder.census. gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml? pid=PEP_2015_PEPASR6H&prodType=table none ISSN: 2373-874X (online) doi: 10.15427/OR014-10/2015EN Instituto Cervantes at FAS Harvard University © Instituto Cervantes at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences of Harvard University 1 ISSN 2373–874X (online) 024-10/2016EN
Endogenous Leadership in Tax Competition: A Combination of the Effects of Market Power and Strategic Interaction

Abstract This paper extends Kempf and Rota-Graziosi (2010, “Endogenizing Leadership in Tax Competition.” Journal of Public Economics 94 (9):768–776) and Hindriks and Nishimura (2015, “A Note on Equilibrium Leadership in Tax Competition Models.” Journal of Public Economics 121:66–68) by jointly considering the effects of market power and strategic interaction in tax competition. We depict the regional asymmetry as different slopes and different vertical intercepts of the inverse demand for capital. In our setup, the risk-dominant equilibrium in which the large region leads is regained. Moreover, dissimilar to Kempf and Rota-Graziosi (2010, “Endogenizing Leadership in Tax Competition.” Journal of Public Economics 94 (9):768–776) and Hindriks and Nishimura (2015, “A Note on Equilibrium Leadership in Tax Competition Models.” Journal of Public Economics 121:66–68), we show that with a large market demand and a low capital endowment, the leadership by the large region can still be Pareto-dominant even if the asymmetry is very small.
Prophylactic and therapeutic implications of toll‐like receptor ligands

The evolutionary conserved Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are the first identified and best characterized pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) which discriminate self from nonself, providing an early and effective immune response against invading pathogens. The ever expanding knowledge of TLR signaling network make it one of the most promising therapeutic strategies to modulate the immune response in various human diseases. Immune modulating strategies based on TLR‐specific agonists elicit a potent immune response to adjuvant vaccine immunotherapy, cancers, allergic diseases, and chronic viral infections while minimizing the risk of uncontrolled provocation of systemic inflammatory response. Moreover, the contribution of TLR signaling in the pathogenesis of chronic noninfectious inflammatory and autoimmune diseases provides the rationale for the development and clinical implementation of TLR‐specific antagonists. At present, a few TLR‐specific agonists have been approved for both prophylactic and therapeutic applications, while the ongoing preclinical and clinical studies show promising results on various novel therapeutic molecules as an adjunctive to conventional pharmacotherapy or stand‐alone therapeutic strategy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev
Ghrelin Is Suppressed by Glucagon and Does Not Mediate Glucagon-Related Growth Hormone Release

Background:Glucagon stimulation is routinely used as a provocative test to assess growth hormone (GH) sufficiency in pediatrics. Ghrelin also markedly stimulates GH secretion. Because glucagon stimulates the promoter of the ghrelin gene in vitro as well as ghrelin secretion by the perfused rat stomach, we sought todetermine whether ghrelin mediates glucagon-induced GH secretion. Methods: We compared ghrelin, GH, insulin and glucose responses following administration of 0.03 mg/kg intravenously (iv; max. 1 mg) and 0.1 mg/kg intramuscularly (im; max. 2 mg) of glucagon in two groups (n = 10–11/group) of GH-sufficient children. We also measured ghrelin before and 6 min after iv administration of 1 mg glucagon in 21 adult subjects. Results: In children, glucagon caused a 26% decrease in ghrelin and a 72% increase in glucose concentrations that were independent of the dose or administration route of glucagon. In contrast, the insulin response was 2–3 times higher following administration of 0.1 mg/kg im compared to 0.03 mg/kg of glucagon iv. There was a significant correlation between the maximum decrease in ghrelin and increases in glucose (p = 0.03) but not in insulin. There was a significant correlation between ghrelin and GH area under the curve after controlling for the dose of glucagon (p = 0.03) but not for the maximum increase in glucose.In normal adults, glucagon administration caused a 7% decrease in ghrelin concentrations after 6 min (p = 0.0002). Conclusion: Ghrelin does not play a causal role in the GH response to pharmacological glucagon administration, which suppresses ghrelin levels starting a few minutes after injection.
Time and predictors of response to tumour necrosis factor-alpha blockers in psoriatic arthritis: an analysis of a longitudinal observational cohort.

OBJECTIVE To determine predictors and time to response to treatment with TNF-alpha blockers in patients with PsA in a longitudinal observational cohort. METHODS We performed a cohort analysis of patients who were followed prospectively in a large PsA clinic. Response to treatment was defined as an improvement of at least 40% in active (tender and/or swollen) and swollen joint count (SJC) and 50% improvement in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score. RESULTS Ninety-five patients were included in the analysis. Of the total patients, 72.6 and 77.9% demonstrated 40% improvement in active joint counts at 3 and 12 months, respectively. Also, 80.5 and 87.4% of the patients showed 40% improvement in SJC at 3 and 12 months, respectively. A PASI50 was achieved by 54 and 60.4% after 3 and 12 months of treatment, respectively. Of 17 patients who did not achieve 40% improvement in total SJC at 3 months, 11 (64.7%) responded at 12 months. In multivariate analysis, the number of swollen joints at baseline predicted response of total active joints at 12 months [odds ratio (OR) 1.34; P = 0.02], whereas past use of TNF-alpha blocker decreased odds of response (OR 0.05; P = 0.01). CONCLUSION TNF-alpha blockers are effective in most PsA patients with the majority responding within 3 months of treatment. A significant proportion of the early non-responders will have a delayed response to treatment. Higher SJC at baseline and no prior use of TNF-alpha blockers predict response.
Sovereign Ratings, Macroeconomic Dynamics, and Fiscal Policy. Interactions within a Stock Flow Consistent Framework

Operating in the context of deregulated financial markets, credit rating agencies do not only â€˜provide an opinionâ€™, but also affect macroeconomic dynamics. By utilizing a twoâ€ country stock flow consistent model that provides a representation of the Eurozone, the paper connects the movements of sovereign ratings with the dynamics of the financial market and the constraints on fiscal policy. With endogenous fiscal expenditure and an endogenous credit rating mechanism the model shows how following a recessionary shock, a rating downgrade can influence the financial constraints that surround a government, pushing it toward fiscal austerity and thereby deepening the already ongoing recession.
The effect of orthostasis on recurrence quantification analysis of heart rate and blood pressure dynamics

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of orthostatic challenge on recurrence plot based complexity measures of heart rate and blood pressure variability (HRV and BPV). HRV and BPV complexities were assessed in 28 healthy subjects over 15 min in the supine and standing positions. The complexity of HRV and BPV was assessed based on recurrence quantification analysis. HRV complexity was reduced along with the HRV magnitude after changing from the supine to the standing position. In contrast, the BPV magnitude increased and BPV complexity decreased upon standing. Recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) of HRV and BPV is sensitive to orthostatic challenge and might therefore be suited to assess changes in autonomic neural outflow to the cardiovascular system.
Trading algorithms with learning in latent alpha models

Alpha signals for statistical arbitrage strategies are often driven by latent factors. This paper analyzes how to optimally trade with latent factors that cause prices to jump and diffuse. Moreover, we account for the effect of the trader's actions on quoted prices and the prices they receive from trading. Under fairly general assumptions, we demonstrate how the trader can learn the posterior distribution over the latent states, and explicitly solve the latent optimal trading problem. We provide a verification theorem, and a methodology for calibrating the model by deriving a variation of the expectation–maximization algorithm. To illustrate the efficacy of the optimal strategy, we demonstrate its performance through simulations and compare it to strategies that ignore learning in the latent factors. We also provide calibration results for a particular model using Intel Corporation stock as an example.
A Journey of Cause Related Marketing from 1988 to 2016

Cause-related marketing (CrM) has been a topic of interest to academicians, researchers and practitioners in disciplines of marketing. The increasing number of publications by various authors in this area reflects its importance. In this work, we review research papers on CrM that have been published in peer-reviewed journals in the past two decades to provide insights to researchers and practitioners into the various factors that influence the success of CrM. This study summarizes and critiques empirical findings found in cause-related marketing literature from 1988-2016 (August). Three hundred and two papers published in reputed journals during this period are reviewed. The review also identifies knowledge gaps in the area of CrM.
Cloning and characterization of DST2, the gene for DNA strand transfer protein beta from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The gene encoding the 180-kDa DNA strand transfer protein beta from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was identified and sequenced. This gene, DST2 (DNA strand transferase 2), was located on chromosome VII. dst2 gene disruption mutants exhibited temperature-sensitive sporulation and a 50% longer generation time during vegetative growth than did the wild type. Spontaneous mitotic recombination in the mutants was reduced severalfold for both intrachromosomal recombination and intragenic gene conversion. The mutants also had reduced levels of the intragenic recombination that is induced during meiosis. Meiotic recombinants were, however, somewhat unstable in the mutants, with a decrease in recombinants and survival upon prolonged incubation in sporulation media. spo13 or spo13 rad50 mutations did not relieve the sporulation defect of dst2 mutations. A dst1 dst2 double mutant has the same phenotype as a dst2 single mutant. All phenotypes associated with the dst2 mutations could be complemented by a plasmid containing DST2.
Comparison of spray-dried blood meal and blood cells in diets for nursery pigs.

We used a total of 680 pigs to compare spray-dried blood meal and blood cells in nursery diets. In Exp. 1, 350 barrows (17 +/- 2 d of age at weaning) were used to compare three levels of spray-dried blood meal or blood cells (2.5, 5.0, and 7.5%) in the diet fed from d 5 to 19 postweaning (6.6 to 9.9 kg). Inclusion of either blood product improved ADG (P < 0.005) and G:F (P < 0.001) compared to pigs fed the control diet without added blood products. However, pigs fed spray-dried blood meal had greater ADG (P < 0.001), ADFI (P < 0.04), and G:F (P < 0.001) from d 0 to 7 compared to those fed blood cells. The greatest differences observed between the two blood products occurred at the 5 and 7.5% inclusion levels. No differences (P > 0.05) in growth performance were detected between the two blood products from d 7 to 14. In Exp. 2, 380 barrows (initial BW of 10.7 kg and 41 +/- 2 d of age) were used to determine lysine bioavailability of spray-dried blood meal and blood cells via the slope ratio procedure. With G:F ratio as the response criterion, blood meal and blood cells had similar lysine bioavailability relative to crystalline lysine. These experiments indicate that both blood products had similar lysine bioavailability, and that pigs fed spray-dried blood meal had greater performance during the initial 7 d (d 5 to 12 after weaning). However, as the pigs became heavier, there were no differences observed in performance of pigs fed either blood meal or blood cells.