Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prognostic significance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes for patients with colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prognostic significance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in patients with colorectal cancer. DESIGN A retrospective review of prospectively collected data. SETTING Tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS A total of 546 patients who underwent curative surgery for primary nonmetastatic colorectal cancers from May 1, 2004, through December 31, 2007. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The prognostic value of macroscopic ulceration, tumor border configuration, and TILs at the invasive margin was assessed. RESULTS The low TIL group was significantly correlated with a poorly differentiated status and perineural invasion. During the median 54-month follow-up period, the low TIL group had significantly lower 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates than the high TIL group of patients with stage III colorectal cancer (P = .005 and P = .03, respectively); however, for patients with stage I and II cancers, the survival rates did not differ between the 2 groups. The 5-year overall survival and 5-year disease-free survival rates were significantly different between the high and low TIL groups of patients with rectal cancer (P = .003 and P = .01, respectively). The multivariate analysis confirmed that the TIL grade was significantly and independently associated with a worse prognosis for overall survival but not for disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS An inflammatory cell reaction at the tumor invasive border is considered a useful predictor of survival after colorectal cancer surgery, particularly for patients with stage III disease or rectal cancer.
Determinants of IPO gross spreads: evidence from China

We examine the fees charged by underwriters for conducting IPOs in China. By examining a sample of Chinese IPOs conducted during 2001-2011 (during which regulatory reforms took place regarding the listing process and pricing method of IPOs), we obtain the first evidence from China on the direct issue cost, the gross spreads, and identify its determinants, including issue proceeds, number of lead managers, and lead manager reputation. The results show a pattern of over-time increase of the spreads, which is at 0.16 percentage points per year for state-owned enterprise (SOE) offerings and 0.73 percentage points per year for non-SOE ones. The gross spreads do not exhibit clustering, but are largely consistent with increased demand for underwriting services from non-SOEs that, together with increased complexity of underwriting, has pushed underwriting fees up.
Ultrasound morphology classification of the arterial wall and cardiovascular events in a 6-year follow-up study.

A 6-year follow-up based on an arterial morphology classification defined with an ultrasound assessment of carotid and femoral artery bifurcations was conducted on 2322 asymptomatic subjects. Four morphology classes were considered. When 2000 subjects (86% of total subjects; 1124 males, 876 females) completed a 6-year follow-up, the study was terminated. At 6 years, no cardiovascular events were observed in subjects who were in class I (80.05% of the population sample) at inclusion; there were 69 events in classes II, III, and IV (19.95% of the population; incidence, 17.3%); 59 events, including the five deaths, occurred in classes III and IV (10.85% of the population), producing an event incidence of 27.2%. The increased event rate in classes II, III, and IV was significant (log-rank test; P < .05, P < .025, and P < .025, respectively). Thus, the arterial morphology classification identified 19.95% of the population (subjects in classes II, III, and IV) in which all events occurred. There was a higher (P < .05) rate of progression of altered arterial morphology in 6 years in classes III (26.5% of subjects progressed) and IV (41.9% progressed) than in classes I and II. The total number of cigarette-years was higher (P < .05) in classes II, III, and IV than in class I. In conclusion, the ultrasound-based arterial classification was useful in selecting from the population sample 80.05% of subjects (class I) who remained event-free for 6 years. All events occurred in class II, III, and IV subjects (19.95%), and all five deaths (0.25% of the population) occurred in classes III and IV (10.85% of the sample).
Conservation biological control in a multi-strata agroforestry system

Pest control by wild arthropods is an ecosystem service of particular value in fruit crops, which have low tolerance for pest damage and chemical control. Techniques to enhance this service, collectively referred to as conservation biological control, have often focused on flowering ground cover planted within orchards and woody hedgerows on field borders. However, natural enemies found in groundcover often do not disperse to woody tree canopies, likely due to differences in microhabitat preference. Conversely, while hedgerows can effectively provide natural enemies that prefer woody microhabitats, their impact diminishes away from field edges. Shrub crops interplanted within orchards could circumvent both problems, providing resources like nectar and alternate prey directly adjacent to crop trees for natural enemy species that prefer woody canopy habitats. In four plots at an agroforestry research site in
[Oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum and cardiac malformations].

OBJECTIVE To verify the frequency and types of congenital heart defects in a sample of patients with oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (OAVS), in an effort to correlate presence of these defects with other clinical characteristics and evolution. METHODS The sample comprised 33 subjects, all attended in the same center, between January 1975 and December 2007. Twenty two of them were male and eleven female and their ages ranged from 1 day to 17 years. All presented normal karyotype by GTG-Banding. A data collection related to their clinical history, physical examination and result of complementary evaluations was performed. RESULTS Cardiac abnormalities were observed in 13 patients (39.4%). Of these defects, 5 (38.5%) were conotruncal, tetralogy of Fallot being the main malformation (n=2). Unusual anomalies identified included cor triatriatum and double inlet left ventricle. Significant differences among the clinical characteristics of the group with and without heart defect were only verified in relation to age at first evaluation that was lower in subjects with cardiac malformations. Five patients died, four of them, bearers of congenital heart defects. CONCLUSION Cardiac malformations, mainly conotruncal and septal defects, are frequent among patients with OAVS. Frequency found in our study was statistically similar to the majority of works described in literature where it ranged from 18 to 58%. Congenital heart defects also represent the main cause of death of these subjects. Thus, a cardiac evaluation should always be performed in these patients, especially at an early age.
On the Pathogenesis of Central Liver Nodules in Alagille Syndrome.

A lhammad et al (1) described central hyperplastic liver nodules in Alagille syndrome patients and Rougemont et al (2) proposed that vascular anomalies lead to the development of central liver nodules with intact bile ducts, while bile duct integrity is affected in the peripheral liver. Based on our findings in the explant liver of an Alagille syndrome patient, we proposed that defects in postnatal bile duct branching and elongation lead to bile duct paucity in the peripheral liver, while normal bile ducts are present in the central portion (3). Our hypothesis was supported in an animal model (4). Although bile duct paucity causes cholate statis in the liver periphery, intact bile ducts in the central portion prevent the accumulation of hepatotoxic bile salts (3). This leads to compensatory hyperplasia of the central liver, yielding the picture of a hyperplastic regenerative nodule. This hyperplasia will be associated with changes in the vasculature, so we propose that the vascular anomalies are secondary to the biliary anomalies and not vice versa. We speculate that the growth advantage in the central liver can lead to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. It has been shown in transgenic mouse models that hepatocellular carcinoma arises from liver nodules resistant totoxic products in these models (5,6). Wetli et al (7) described hepatocellular carcinoma next to a central regenerating nodule. Because our suggestion is currently speculative, we propose that extra attention should be paid to the relative location of hepatocellular carcinomas and regenerative liver nodules in Alagille syndrome.
Complement and Fc Function Are Required for Optimal Antibody Prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia

ABSTRACT Pneumocystis carinii is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes P. carinii pneumonia (PCP) in the immunocompromised host. We investigated the role of antibody Fc-mediated function in passive prophylaxis against the development of PCP in SCID mice. By comparison of anti-mouse P. carinii immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody (MAb) 4F11(G1) and its F(ab′)2 derivative in an intranasal immunoprophylaxis model, we determined that Fc-mediated function is required for maximum effect of this antibody. Comparison of efficacy of antibody prophylaxis in SCID mice depleted of complement to that in nondepleted mice demonstrated that complement fixation by MAb 4F11(G1) is also necessary for optimal effect of passively administered antibody, although residual protection was observed in complement-depleted SCID mice. The necessity of complement for optimal PCP prophylaxis by MAb 4F11(G1) suggests that complement may play a role in antibody-mediated protection against development of PCP.
Environmental sustainability and financial performance of SMEs

This paper focuses on the relationship between environmental sustainability and the financial performance of SMEs in terms of profit development and revenue development. The analysis uses a unique dataset of 337 Dutch and Chinese firms. The results suggest a significant positive association between environmental sustainability and firm performance. It appears, however, that different indicators of environmental sustainability display a distinct relationship with the two performance measures. When firms have a policy on the re-usage of materials they perform significantly better in terms of profit development and when firms have a policy on the reduction of pollution they perform significantly better in terms of revenue development. Furthermore, we also find that firms that communicate to their employees about their sustainability efforts perform better in terms of profit development. Finally, weak support is found for a moderating effect of communication to employees on the positive relationship between sustainability and profit development.
Time-dependent changes in HIV nucleoside analogue phosphorylation and the effect of hydroxyurea

Background: Nucleoside analogues are activated to their triphosphates, which compete with endogenous deoxynucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) pools to inhibit HIV reverse transcriptase. Hydroxyurea has been administered with nucleoside analogues to modulate intracellular dNTP pools and thus the ratio of drug triphosphate : endogenous triphosphate. Objectives: To examine changes in drug activation over time and investigate the effects of hydroxyurea on intracellular phosphorylation of antiretroviral nucleoside analogues. Patients: A total of 229 HIV-infected individuals receiving abacavir, lamivudine and zidovudine were randomly assigned to receive or not nevirapine and hydroxyurea. Twenty-four patients were recruited to an observational substudy measuring intracellular drug triphosphate and dNTP concentrations at 0, 2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 weeks. Methods: Drugs were extracted from isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells before analysis of endogenous dNTP and drug triphosphates by primer extension assays. Results: Twenty-two out of 24 patients were followed to completion of the substudy. Hydroxyurea had no demonstrable effect on endogenous dNTP or drug triphosphate levels at any timepoint. However, the ratio of zidovudine triphosphate to endogenous deoxythymidine triphosphate was significantly increased with hydroxyurea. A significant decrease in lamivudine triphosphate (3TCTP) and the 3TCTP : endogenous deoxycytidine triphosphate ratio was seen over 48 weeks. In five patients who failed therapy in the first 24 weeks, significantly reduced 3TCTP was seen. Conclusion: Hydroxyurea does not affect measurable pools of endogenous nucleosides in vivo. Decreased lamivudine phosphorylation over time may provide a novel pharmacological explanation for the mechanism of resistance to this drug.
Déjà-Vu News: How do Local Print and Broadcast Websites Present News?

News websites produced by local U.S. newspapers and television news stations appear to most significantly distinguish themselves by having characteristics similar to those of their original medium. As audiences increasingly go online to find out the news, broadcast and print news outlets are finding a way to present their stories and interact with these consumers. This study looks at a sample of local television news and newspaper websites to determine what factors influence their presentation of news. In analyzing 14 unique attributes of local news websites, these results suggest that original medium of the news website matters most in determining the presentation of a local news websites. Market size, cross-medium ownership within a market and national affiliation also influence local news websites to a lesser extent.
Moved by movement: A person-centered approach to physical therapy in the treatment of major depression

Major depression (MD) is a common and debilitating condition. To expand knowledge on adjunctive treatment perspectives, this thesis explores a physical therapy approach in the treatment of MD. Specifically, in five studies, the thesis aims to: I) examine the quality of evidence for exercise in the treatment of MD; II) explore depression as an embodied phenomenon; III) evaluate the effects of add-on aerobic exercise or basic body awareness therapy in MD; IV) explore basic body awareness therapy as experienced by persons with MD; and V) explore experiences of physical therapist-guided aerobic exercise in persons with MD. Methods: Several methodological approaches were used: a systematic review of 14 randomized controlled studies (study I), a randomized controlled trial of 62 participants (study III) and qualitative studies using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach (studies II, IV) exploring the experiences of 11 and 15 participants, respectively, and content analysis (study V) exploring the experiences of 13 participants. Results: Study I showed that aerobic exercise, applied as an add-on strategy compared to treatment-as-usual, had a small significant effect on depression severity. The grading of the quality of evidence was low. Study II showed that the embodiment of depression is experienced as an ambiguous striving against fading, involving disabling features of feeling confined, estranged and burdensome, but also enabling moments of sensing life and belongingness. Study III showed that a ten-week intervention of aerobic exercise, guided by a physical therapist using a person-centered approach, significantly improved depression severity and cardiovascular fitness, compared to generic advice on physical activity. Basic body awareness therapy had a significant effect on self-rated depressive symptoms among participants who followed the protocol. In study IV, the participants’ experiences of basic body awareness therapy were understood as a process of enhanced perceptual openness toward oneself and others – a multidimensional opening toward life. In study V, the participants’ experiences of physical therapist-guided aerobic exercise were thematically interpreted as setting one’s own capabilities in motion, increasing a sense of aliveness and ability to act. In both study IV and V, the participants described the importance of a collaborative relationship with the physical therapist. To some participants, the sense of group coherence was also important. Conclusion: Overall, the findings of this thesis suggest that add-on physical therapy, in particular guided aerobic exercise, mediate changes in the depressed person’s symptoms and self-experience. Collaborative support from the physical therapist was essential in this process, involving an embodied dialogue, perceptive to both the participant’s abilities and vulnerability. Physical therapy has potential to take on a more important role in the primary care rehabilitation of MD, but larger studies with long-term follow-ups are needed.
A retrospective analysis of dermatological lesions in kidney transplant patients

Background & objectives: Kidney transplantation is the best option for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) failure. Prolonged use of immunosuppressive drugs often causes opportunistic infections and malignancies of skin and mucosae, but due to lack of a careful dermatological screening in several transplantation centers the diagnosis and the treatment of dermatological lesions in kidney transplant patients are underestimated. In addition after the introduction of interleukin (IL)-2 -receptor antagonists (basiliximab/daclizumab), mTOR inhibitors and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)/mycophenolic acid (MPA) in new immunosuppressive protocols only a few studies have analyzed the skin and mucosal lesions in kidney transplant patients. This study was undertaken to evaluate the cutaneous and mucosal diseases after kidney transplantation, and to investigate the association between these and different immunosuppressive protocols and/or demographic features. Methods: A retrospective analysis was done using medical records of kidney transplantation between 2000 and 2009 at the Transplant Unit of Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy. The study included 183 patients (M 57.3%, F 42.7%) aged 51.5±11.8 yr) with transplant age 52.3±34.9 months. Induction therapy was basiliximab and steroids based; maintenance therapy included combination-regimes from cyclosporine, tacrolimus, steroids, mycophenolate mofetil (MM), mycophenolic acid (MPA), rapamycin, everolimus. Anti-rejection therapy was steroid and/or thymoglobulines based. Diagnosis of cutaneous disease was made through examination of skin, mucous membranes, nails and hair evaluation. Skin biopsies, specific cultures and serological tests were done when required. Results: Skin and mucosal diseases were reported in 173 (95.7%) of patients; 88 (50.81%) showed viral lesions; 92 (53.01%) immunosuppression-related lesions; 28 (16.39%) benign tumours; 26 (15.3%) precancers /neoplastic lesions; 24 (14.21%) mycosis; 16 (9.29%) cutaneous xerosis, 15 (8.74%) dermatitis, while absence of cutaneous disease was evident only in 8 (4.37%) cases. An association between drug side effects and anti-rejection treatment (P≤0.01) and/or calcineurin-inhibitors (CNI) exposure (P≤0.01) was found. Longer exposure to immunosuppressive drugs (>60 months) was associated with pre-malignancy and malignancy lesions. Interpretation & conclusions: Cutaneous diseases are frequent in kidney transplanted patients. Continuous skin monitoring is necessary to make an early diagnosis and to start appropriate treatment.
The switch process in manic-depressive illness. Circadian variation in time of switch and sleep and manic ratings before and after switch.

Research data collected on 75 Bipolar I patients, hospitalized at the NIMH between 1963 and 1975, were reviewed to identify "switches" into and out of mania. There were 27 "slow" switches (i.e. occurring over a period of 2--6 days) in 14 patients and 89 "rapid" switches (i.e. occurring in 24 hours or less) in 35 patients. No patient showed both "rapid" and "slow" switches during his hospitalization. Among the 89 rapid switches, 52 switches were into mania and 37 were out of mania. Rapid switches into and out of mania occurred significantly more often in the morning (7 a.m. to 3 p.m.) than at night (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) or in the evening (3 p.m. to 11 p.m.). Estimated average sleep time on the night prior to switch into mania showed a significant drop as compared to sleep time on the second, third and fourth nights prior to switch. Patients who switched into mania at night were rated as significantly more manic during the 4 days following the switch than patients who switched in the morning or evening. Patients who switched into mania at night and evening were rated as sleeping significantly less during the 4 days following the switch than patients who switched in the morning.
CCN1 expression in hepatocytes contributes to macrophage infiltration in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice[S]

Our objective was to investigate the potential roles of CCN1 in the inflammation and macrophage infiltration of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The regulation of hepatic CCN1 expression was investigated in vitro with murine primary hepatocytes treated with free fatty acids or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and in vivo with high-fat (HF) diet-fed mice or ob/ob mice. CCN1 protein and a liver-specific CCN1 expression plasmid were administered to mice fed a normal diet (ND) or HF diet. Myeloid-derived macrophages and RAW264.7 cells were also treated with CCN1 in vitro to determine the chemotactic effects of CCN1 on macrophages. LPS treatment significantly increased hepatic CCN1 expression in HF diet-fed mice and ob/ob mice. LPS and FFAs induced CCN1 expression in primary murine hepatocytes in vitro through the TLR4/MyD88/AP-1 pathway. CCN1 protein and overexpression of CCN1 in the liver induced more severe hepatic inflammation and macrophage infiltrates in HF mice than in ND mice. CCN1 recruited macrophages through activation of the Mek/Erk signaling pathway in myeloid-derived macrophages and RAW264.7 cells in vitro. Endotoxin and FFA-induced CCN1 expression in hepatocytes is involved in the hepatic proinflammatory response and macrophage infiltration in murine NAFLD.
Theoretical Study of Ballistic Transport in Silicon Nanowire and Graphene Nanoribbon Field-Effect Transistors Using Empirical Pseudopotentials

We present a theoretical study of the ballistic performance of gate-all-around field-effect transistors (FETs) with channels consisting of armchair-edge graphene nanoribbons (aGNRs) of various widths and silicon nanowires (SiNWs) with square cross sections. We apply an atomistic quantum transport formalism based on empirical pseudopotentials. Our results show that the turn-OFF behavior of aGNRFETs is seriously affected by source-to-drain tunneling at short channel lengths (e.g., below 10 nm for 3-aGNRs). Defining the threshold voltage <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\textit V}_{\textsf {th}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> as the gate bias at which the current reaches a given <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$I_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle OFF}} = 0.4~\mu \text{A}/\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, devices with a 5-nm channel length can reach a maximum current of only <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$400~\mu \text{A}/\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> at a gate overdrive <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\textit V}_{\textit {GS}}-{\textit V}_{\textsf {th}} = 0.25$ </tex-math></inline-formula> V (corresponding to an assumed <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${V}_{\textsf DD}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of about 0.4 V). In contrast, SiNWFETs remain immune from source-to-drain tunneling even at 5 nm and show an almost ideal subthreshold swing, a satisfactory current of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1000~\mu \text{A}/\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> at the same gate overdrive of 0.25 V, and a reasonable <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\textit I}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}/I_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle OFF}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> ratio around <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2\times 10^{3}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>.