Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glomus Tumors in the Foot

Glomus tumors are painful, benign neoplasms that frequently are associated with delayed diagnosis. Commonly in the hand, they rarely present in the foot. The purpose of this case series is to characterize the clinical presentation, radiology, pathology, and surgical outcomes associated with foot glomus tumors. We reviewed our pathology database for patients with foot glomus tumors diagnosed between 1995 and 2013. Medical records including physician notes, pathology, and radiology were reviewed. Eleven patients had foot glomus tumors excised at our institution during the study period. The mean age was 45.4 (range = 28-60) years. One patient was lost to follow-up. Mean follow-up for the remaining 10 patients was 44.7 (range = 3-142) months. Ten tumors were located in the subungual region, while 1 was located in the plantar pulp of the distal phalanx. All patients presented with pain. Point tenderness, cold hypersensitivity, and nail abnormalities were variably documented but frequently present. Four patients had had prior surgery for an ingrown toenail prior to presentation at our institution. Six patients had preoperative magnetic resonance imaging studies, which were diagnostic of glomus tumor in all cases except one. Radiographs failed to provide diagnosis in all 8 patients for whom they were obtained. Postoperatively, all patients had complete symptom relief with no recurrences.In conclusion, this case series demonstrates that foot glomus tumors frequently present with classic symptoms including pain, point tenderness, and cold hypersensitivity. When clinically suspected, magnetic resonance imaging should be obtained. Marginal excision results in symptom relief and cure. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV: Case series
Expression of P‐glycoprotein and p53 in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated by single agent chemotherapy: Clinical correlation

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a chemoresistant tumour, is the most common fatal cancer in Taiwan. Hepatocellular carcinoma frequently expresses a high level of P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp), which is a specific phenotype of a multidrug‐resistance gene, and harbours mutations of the tumour suppressor gene p53. A modulatory relationship between p53 and P‐gp has been reported. In this study, we analysed the expression of P‐gp in relation to chemotherapeutic response and p53 protein expression in advanced HCC. Prechemotherapeutic tumour samples were obtained from 25 patients with HCC which had been treated with either etoposide (VP‐16) or doxorubicin. P‐glycoprotein and p53 in HCC were visualized by immunohistochemical staining using the monoclonal antibodies JSB‐1 and DO1, respectively. We investigated the correlation of P‐gp expression with chemotherapeutic responses, clinicopathological features and p53 protein expression. In our study, seven cases achieved partial remission, and the remaining 18 cases had a poor response to chemotherapy. Expression of P‐gp was observed in 13 tumours (52%). Positive P‐gp protein expression was significantly associated with non‐responders (8% or 1/13 vs 50% or 6/12, P= 0.03). Thus, P‐gp expression inversely correlated with chemotherapeutic response. Expression of p53 protein was seen in 12 cases and did not correlate with chemosensitivity or P‐gp expression. In summary, P‐gp expression correlates with the chemosensitivity of HCC that has been treated with VP‐16 or doxorubicin and p53 mutations do not appear to be a major determinant of P‐gp expression in advanced HCC.
Concentrations of selected metals in candies and chocolates consumed in southern Nigeria

Results are presented for the determination of levels of Ca, Cd, Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Zn Fe, Co and Mg in candies and chocolates consumed in southern Nigeria. Mean concentrations of metals in both confectionaries ranged 7.7–1405.2 µg/g1 for Ca, <0.001–0.2 µg/g for Cd, 1.4–7.9 µg/g for Ni, 0.4–3.0 µg/g for Cr, <0.08–2.3 µg/g for Pb, 0.4–12.6 µg/g for Mn, 0.6–8.0 µg/g for Zn, 1.7–12.3 µg/g for Fe, <0.05–1.49 µg/g for Co, and 8.4–576. 1µg/g for Mg. The data showed that that these metals are not present at harmful levels. Concentrations of nickel and chromium were slightly elevated but were comparable to levels reported in similar food items elsewhere in the world.
Homeomorphisms group of normed vector space: Conjugacy problems and the Koopman operator

This article is concerned with conjugacy problems arising in homeomorphisms group, Hom($F$), of unbounded subsets $F$ of normed vector spaces $E$. Given two homeomorphisms $f$ and $g$ in Hom($F$), it is shown how the existence of a conjugacy may be related to the existence of a common generalized eigenfunction of the associated Koopman operators. This common eigenfunction serves to build a topology on Hom($F$), where the conjugacy is obtained as limit of a sequence generated by the conjugacy operator, when this limit exists. The main conjugacy theorem is presented in a class of generalized Lipeomorphisms.
beta2-Adrenergic receptor genotype and preterm delivery.

OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to determine whether the functional genetic polymorphisms of the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (beta(2)AR) that result in changes in amino acid residues 16 and 27 are associated with preterm delivery. STUDY DESIGN A case-control study comparing the distribution of beta(2)AR genotype between 251 Hispanic women delivered at term and 28 Hispanic women delivered preterm. Preterm delivery was defined as spontaneous onset of labor resulting in delivery before 37 weeks of gestation, in a singleton pregnancy, with no apparent etiology for preterm labor and delivery. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood, and beta( 2)AR alleles were identified by established techniques. RESULTS Only one woman (4%) with preterm labor was homozygous for Arg16 versus 79 (31%) in the control group (P =.01, odds ratio 0.08). There was no association of preterm labor with genotype at position 27. CONCLUSION Our data demonstrate that homozygosity for Arg16, which in vitro is associated with decreased down-regulation of the beta(2)AR, protects from preterm delivery.
Pannexin 1, an ATP Release Channel, Is Activated by Caspase Cleavage of Its Pore-associated C-terminal Autoinhibitory Region*♦

Background: Pannexin 1 is activated by caspase cleavage of its C-terminal tail during apoptosis. Results: Cleavage removes a critical adjacent region to activate membrane-associated PANX1; activation requires dissociation of the C terminus from the pore. Conclusion: An intrinsic inhibitory interaction between the C terminus and the pore constrains PANX1 activity. Significance: PANX1 activation is caused by disruption of C-terminal-mediated inhibition. Pannexin 1 (PANX1) channels mediate release of ATP, a “find-me” signal that recruits macrophages to apoptotic cells; PANX1 activation during apoptosis requires caspase-mediated cleavage of PANX1 at its C terminus, but how the C terminus inhibits basal channel activity is not understood. Here, we provide evidence suggesting that the C terminus interacts with the human PANX1 (hPANX1) pore and that cleavage-mediated channel activation requires disruption of this inhibitory interaction. Basally silent hPANX1 channels localized on the cell membrane could be activated directly by protease-mediated C-terminal cleavage, without additional apoptotic effectors. By serial deletion, we identified a C-terminal region just distal to the caspase cleavage site that is required for inhibition of hPANX1; point mutations within this small region resulted in partial activation of full-length hPANX1. Consistent with the C-terminal tail functioning as a pore blocker, we found that truncated and constitutively active hPANX1 channels could be inhibited, in trans, by the isolated hPANX1 C terminus either in cells or when applied directly as a purified peptide in inside-out patch recordings. Furthermore, using a cysteine cross-linking approach, we showed that relief of inhibition following cleavage requires dissociation of the C terminus from the channel pore. Collectively, these data suggest a mechanism of hPANX1 channel regulation whereby the intact, pore-associated C terminus inhibits the full-length hPANX1 channel and a remarkably well placed caspase cleavage site allows effective removal of key inhibitory C-terminal determinants to activate hPANX1.
Utility of the Bender Gestalt Test for Differentiation of Dementia with Lewy Bodies from Alzheimer’s Disease in Patients Showing Mild to Moderate Dementia

Aims: We examined the utility of the Bender Gestalt Test (BGT) for the differentiation of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) from Alzheimer’s disease (AD), comparing BGT scores between DLB and AD patients showing mild to moderate dementia. Methods: Eighteen DLB patients, 36 AD patients controlled by age, years of education, Clinical Dementia Rating and Mini Mental State Examination scores, and 21 nondemented elderly participants controlled by age and years of education were subjected to the BGT. Their BGT performances were scored according to the Pascal-Suttell method. Results: The DLB group showed significantly higher (that is worse) BGT scores than the other groups. When a cutoff point of 98 was used to differentiate DLB from AD, the patients exceeding 98 were 94% in the DLB group, 17% in the AD group and 0% in the control group. The sensitivity and specificity of this cutoff point were 0.94 and 0.89, respectively. Conclusion: The BGT is a useful neuropsychological test to differentiate DLB from AD.
Changes and predictors of psychological stress among elderly stroke survivors 6 months after hospital discharge

The aim of this study was to analyse the changes in psychological stress and identify its basal predictors among elderly stroke survivors after 6 months following discharge from hospital to home directly, rather than to a rehabilitation facility. The sample comprised 50 elderly stroke survivors. Data were collected at 2 weeks (T1), at 3 months (T2), and at 6 months (T3) after hospital discharge. The following instruments were applied: Perceived Stress Scale-10 items (PSS-10), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, Functional Independence Measure, and Geriatric Depression Scale-15 items. Study records indicated that the age of the study participants ranged from 60 to 87 years old (mean = 70.3; standard deviation = 7.6). The number of male and female participants was similar. The PSS-10 score decreased almost 6 points between T1 (mean = 15.1) and T3 (mean = 9.7; p < .001). Both Functional Independence Measure (p = .025) and Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (p = .017) scores at T1 predicted the PSS-10 score at T3. The study thus demonstrated that elderly stroke survivors experienced significant stress after hospital discharge, which tended to improve over the next 6 months. Depression and lower functional independence 2 weeks after discharge were predictors of a greater level of psychological stress at 6 months following discharge.
Antifungal Susceptibility and Risk Factors in Patients with Candidemia.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the antifungal susceptibility, typology, and risk factors of candidemia among adult and pediatric inpatients at a university hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS A case-control study was designed, and data collected between December 2013 and December 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. The case group consisted of patients with candidemia. The control group was selected from the inpatients that did not develop candidemia but were admitted in the same clinic and during the same period as the candidemia group. The diagnosis of candidemia was based on a compatible clinical picture and positive blood culture of Candida spp. The demographic characteristics, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores, comorbidities, use of invasive devices, antibiotics administered, and duration of antibiotic uses were compared between both the groups. RESULTS Out of the 84 patients, 42 (50%) were included in the case group, and the remaining 42 (50%) were included in the control group. Out of all the patients, 31 (36.9%) were female, and 53 (63.1%) were male. When the clinical findings of the case and control groups were compared, the prevalence of nosocomial infections, sepsis, candiduria, and fever was statistically significantly higher in the case group. Among the isolated group in the study, 22 (52.4%) were identified as C. albicans, while the others were non-albicans Candida strains. The C. albicans strain (4.5%) was resistant to fluconazole, while 7 among the non-albicans Candida strains (35%) were resistant to fluconazole. In the case group, abdominal surgery, CVP catheter presence, TPN, endotracheal intubation, frequency of blood transfusion, and SOFA scores were significantly higher than the control groups. The logistic regression test demonstrated that TPN and blood transfusion are the most important risk factors for candidemia (OR=8.14 and OR=5.96, respectively). CONCLUSION The invasive Candida infections continue to be a major health problem in Turkey and in our hospital. Particularly, it was observed that it is important to perform invasive procedures, antibiotic administration and parenteral nutrition carefully in patients hospitalized in the ICU.
Evidence for the prepattern/cooption model of vertebrate jaw evolution

The appearance of jaws was a turning point in vertebrate evolution because it allowed primitive vertebrates to capture and process large, motile prey. The vertebrate jaw consists of separate dorsal and ventral skeletal elements connected by a joint. How this structure evolved from the unjointed gill bar of a jawless ancestor is an unresolved question in vertebrate evolution. To understand the developmental bases of this evolutionary transition, we examined the expression of 12 genes involved in vertebrate pharyngeal patterning in the modern jawless fish lamprey. We find nested expression of Dlx genes, as well as combinatorial expression of Msx, Hand and Gsc genes along the dorso-ventral (DV) axis of the lamprey pharynx, indicating gnathostome-type pharyngeal patterning evolved before the appearance of the jaw. In addition, we find that Bapx and Gdf5/6/7, key regulators of joint formation in gnathostomes, are not expressed in the lamprey first arch, whereas Barx, which is absent from the intermediate first arch in gnathostomes, marks this domain in lamprey. Taken together, these data support a new scenario for jaw evolution in which incorporation of Bapx and Gdf5/6/7 into a preexisting DV patterning program drove the evolution of the jaw by altering the identity of intermediate first-arch chondrocytes. We present this “Pre-pattern/Cooption” model as an alternative to current models linking the evolution of the jaw to the de novo appearance of sophisticated pharyngeal DV patterning.
Long-term evaluation of postmastectomy breast reconstruction

Abstract Background. Reconstructing a breast mound constitutes the basis of breast reconstruction. The breast can be reconstructed using autologous tissue, implants or a combination thereof. The number of women wishing a breast reconstruction has increased, but evaluation of the results is lacking. The current study examined the long-term results from three methods of breast reconstruction to assess the subjective and the objective outcome. Patients and methods. Patients undergoing first-time post mastectomy reconstruction, selected from the cohort of Danish women in the Central and North Region of Denmark, were evaluated. We included 363 women, reconstructed in 1990–2005. Data was collected from patient charts, a study specific questionnaire (to be found online at http://www.informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/0284186X.2011.584554) and a clinical follow-up visit. The questionnaire included questions regarding demographic background and evaluation of the reconstructed breast and donor site. The clinical follow-up visit included an examination of the overall result and donor site. Results. The questionnaire was answered by 263 women, of whom 137 had an implant, 26 had a latissimus dorsi musculocutaneus flap and 100 had a pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneus flap. Women reconstructed with autologous tissue were significantly more pleased with the result of the breast reconstruction than women reconstructed with an implant. After a median of seven years, neither the patient's age nor the length of time since the reconstruction significantly affected the patients’ opinion of the overall result. There was no difference in the incidences of minor complications among the different reconstructive methods. BMI, smoking and radiation therapy influenced the risk of complications. Objective evaluation of the 180 women participating in the follow-up visit was in agreement with data from the questionnaire. Conclusion. The type of reconstruction had a significant long-term influence on patient satisfaction and the objective result. Women reconstructed with autologous tissue were significantly more pleased, and the objective outcome was assessed as superior.
Cortisol Differentially Regulates Pituitary‐Adrenal Function in the Sheep Fetus after Disconnection of the Hypothalamus and Pituitary

We have investigated the effects of a 5 day infusion of cortisol into fetal sheep, in which the hypothalamus and pituitary were surgically disconnected (HPD), on fetal pituitary‐adrenal function. Fetal HPD and vascular catheterization were carried out at between 104 and 124 days gestation. Cortisol was administered (3.5 mg 24 h−1) for 120 h between 134 and 140 days (HPD+F group; n=5) and saline was administered during the same gestational age range to HPD (HPD group; n=12) and intact fetal sheep (Intact group; n=6). Cortisol infusion into the HPD fetal sheep did not suppress the mRNA levels for Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in the fetal anterior pituitary at 139/140 days gestation (POMC mRNA: 18S rRNA: Intact 0.40±0.05; HPD 0.56±0.07; HPD+F 0.49±0.07). Similarly, there was no significant effect of either HPD or cortisol infusion on the plasma concentrations of immunoreactive (ir) ACTH or ACTH(1–39). The adrenal: fetal body weight ratio was significantly higher, however, in the HPD+F (88.4±8.7 mg kg−1) and Intact groups (84.1±5.6 mg kg−1) when compared with the HPD fetal sheep (63.7±5.4 mg kg−1). The ratio of total IGF‐II mRNA: 18S rRNA was similar in the adrenals of the Intact (0.48±0.09), HPD (0.78±0.09) and HPD+F (0.71±0.11) groups. The ratios of CYPIIA1, 3&bgr;‐HSD and CYP21A1 mRNA: 18S rRNA were significantly lower in adrenals from the HPD group when compared to those in the Intact group and were not restored to normal by cortisol infusion.
Computational Thinking in Education: Where does it Fit? A systematic literary review

Computational Thinking (CT) has been described as an essential skill which everyone should learn and can therefore include in their skill set. Seymour Papert is credited as concretising Computational Thinking in 1980 but since Wing popularised the term in 2006 and brought it to the international community's attention, more and more research has been conducted on CT in education. The aim of this systematic literary review is to give educators and education researchers an overview of what work has been carried out in the domain, as well as potential gaps and opportunities that still exist. Overall it was found in this review that, although there is a lot of work currently being done around the world in many different educational contexts, the work relating to CT is still in its infancy. Along with the need to create an agreed-upon definition of CT lots of countries are still in the process of, or have not yet started, introducing CT into curriculums in all levels of education. It was also found that Computer Science/Computing, which could be the most obvious place to teach CT, has yet to become a mainstream subject in some countries, although this is improving. Of encouragement to educators is the wealth of tools and resources being developed to help teach CT as well as more and more work relating to curriculum development. For those teachers looking to incorporate CT into their schools or classes then there are bountiful options which include programming, hands-on exercises and more. The need for more detailed lesson plans and curriculum structure however, is something that could be of benefit to teachers.
Regulation of Pulmonary Arterial Myosin Phosphatase Activity in Neonatal Circulatory Transition and in Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension: A Role for CPI‐17

Neonatal circulatory transition is dependent upon tightly regulated pulmonary circuit relaxation. Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is characterized by pulmonary arterial myocyte relaxation failure. We examined the effect of short course (72 hour) in vivo normobaric hypoxia in newborn swine on smooth muscle contractile enzyme activity and regulatory phosphoprotein abundance, in tissue homogenates of 2nd to 4th generation pulmonary arteries. Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and phosphatase (MLCP) protein contents were unchanged in hypoxic pulmonary arteries compared to controls. MLCP activity increased in normoxic animals from birth to day 3. This was ablated by hypoxia; phosphatase activity, measured as in vitro myosin light chain dephosphorylation, was decreased significantly (P < 0.005) in the hypoxic group. Inhibitory site phosphorylations of MLCP myosin binding subunit at threonines 696 and 850 were similar in both hypoxic and normoxic subjects, suggesting that downregulation of MLCP in hypoxia does not involve this pathway. However, content of regulatory protein CPI‐17 (protein kinase C‐related phosphatase inhibitor) increased from birth in hypoxic subjects (P < 0.05); active (phosphorylated) CPI‐17 protein abundance declined after birth in normals, but increased in hypoxic arteries (P < 0.05). This corresponded with the decrease in phosphatase activity. We speculate that CPI‐17 may play a role in myosin phosphatase upregulation during neonatal circulatory transition, and in hypoxic inhibition of pulmonary phosphatase activity in PPHN. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Safety and efficacy of pediculicides for head lice

Head lice infestation is a common and growing problem, primarily affecting school-aged children. There are growing numbers of treatment failures due to the emergence of treatment-resistant lice to the popular over-the-counter products that have been used for the past several decades. Resistance has also decreased the efficacy of lindane, a prescription pediculicide that has been commonly used for several generations. Malathion, recently reintroduced in the US as a prescription pediculicide, has been associated with some treatment resistance depending upon its formulation. Other insecticidal treatments, such as ivermectin, will have to be developed further, given the limited options presently available for the treatment of head lice. Given the number of anecdotal and market-driven reported studies on head lice, assessment of topical lice therapies requires standardised in vitro testing. Based on concerns about safety and decreasing efficacy due to resistance, a reassessment of the general topic of pediculicides for head lice is warranted.