Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic variation in the tumor necrosis factor-alpha promoter region and in the stress protein hsp70-2: susceptibility and prognostic implications in breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and stress proteins (heat shock proteins) are determining factors in the immune response to tumor cells. The authors designated a large study to investigate the susceptibility and prognostic implications of the genetic variation in TNF-alpha and hsp70-2 in breast carcinoma. METHODS The authors used the polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion to characterize the variation of the TNF-alpha promoter region and that of the hsp70-2 gene in 243 unrelated Tunisian patients with breast carcinoma and 174 healthy control subjects. Associations of the clinicopathologic parameters and the genetic markers with the rates of the breast carcinoma specific overall survival and the disease free survival (DFS) were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS A highly significant association was found between TNF2 homozygous genotype and breast carcinoma (relative risk [RR], 4.44; P = 0.006). A high relative risk of breast carcinoma was found to be associated with one hsp70-2 homozygous genotype (P2/P2; RR, 7.12; P = 0.0001). The TNF2 homozygous genotype showed a significant association with reduced DFS and/or overall survival by univariate test. Conversely, P2-hsp70-2 homozygous genotype associated with increased overall survival but not with DFS. Multivariate analysis retained significance for TNF2 homozygous genotype as an independent prognostic indicator for both DFS (RR, 2.75; P = 0.01) and overall survival (RR, 4.08; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Genetic variation in TNF-alpha and hsp70-2 may represent not only markers for the increased risk of breast carcinoma but also may predict the clinical outcome.
Cellular kinetics in Barrett's epithelium carcinogenic sequence: roles of apoptosis, bcl-2 protein, and cellular proliferation.

To gain insight into the neoplastic progression of Barrett's epithelium (BE), we assessed the expression of Ki-67 antigen and bcl-2 protein and the occurrence of apoptosis in metaplastic epithelium with and without regenerative atypia (RA), low-grade dysplasia, and high-grade dysplasia (HGD). To refine our understanding of the epithelial kinetics during the carcinogenic sequence, we performed separate analyses of four different mucosal regions, i.e., surface epithelium, upper and lower crypts, and glands. Expansion of the proliferative zone was noted in dysplasia and to a mild degree in epithelium with RA but not in BE. Expression of bcl-2 protein was seen in the proliferative zone in BE and showed a significant increase in RA but was essentially absent in HGD. Numerous apoptotic nuclei were seen in HGD, decreasing along the cellular gradient from gland to surface. We noted a positive correlation between Ki-67 and bcl-2 in the proliferative zone of BE and RA, whereas a negative correlation was present on the surface of RA. Ki-67 was positively correlated with apoptosis in the lower crypts of HGD. bcl-2 expression was negatively correlated with apoptosis in all regions except the proliferative zone of dysplastic areas. Our findings suggest that overexpression of bcl-2 protein is not an important step in the carcinogenesis of BE. We confirm the upward shift of cellular proliferation in dysplastic epithelia. Apoptosis that is increased in dysplasia might play a significant role in carcinogenesis by restraining increased cellular proliferation.
Effect of Human Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cell Paracrine Signaling on Keloid Fibroblasts

Keloid scars are abnormal benign fibroproliferative tumors with high recurrence rates and no current efficacious treatment. Accumulating evidence suggests that human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ‐MSCs) have antifibrotic properties. Paracrine signaling is considered one of the main underlying mechanisms behind the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells. However, the paracrine signaling effects of WJ‐MSCs on keloids have not yet been reported. The aim of this study is to investigate paracrine signaling effects of human WJ‐MSCs on keloid fibroblasts in vitro. Human umbilical cords and keloid skin samples were obtained, and WJ‐MSCs and keloid fibroblasts were isolated and cultured. One‐way and two‐way paracrine culture systems between both cell types were investigated. Plasminogen activator inhibitor‐I and transforming growth factor‐β2 (TGF‐β2) transcripts were upregulated in keloid fibroblasts cultured with WJ‐MSC‐conditioned medium (WJ‐MSC‐CM) and cocultured with inserts, while showing lower TGF‐β3 gene expression. Interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, TGF‐β1, and TGF‐β2 protein expression was also enhanced. The WJ‐MSC‐CM‐treated keloid fibroblasts showed higher proliferation rates than their control keloid fibroblasts with no significant change in apoptosis rate or migration ability. In our culture conditions, the indirect application of WJ‐MSCs on keloid fibroblasts may enhance their profibrotic phenotype.
Primary liver leiomyoma: a review of this unusual tumour

Primary liver leiomyoma (PLL) should be considered in the differential diagnosis of liver lesions. A literature review has been completed and two cases are reported. The first is a 45‐year‐old white woman complaining of vague abdominal pain. She was initially evaluated with abdominal ultrasonography (US) that revealed a heterogeneous liver mass measuring 18 cm in greatest diameter. The tumour demonstrated hypointensity on T1‐weighted and hyperintensity on T2‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The second case is a 45‐year‐old Asian male who had undergone kidney transplantation 16 years ago for IgA glomerulonephritis and who developed mild, self‐limiting epigastric pain. US showed a 4.3‐cm‐diameter lesion that was predominantly hypoechoic and was either compressing or arising from segment 2 of the liver. Computed tomography showed a well‐circumscribed 4‐cm‐diameter mass that appeared to be arising from segments 2/3 of the liver and was adjacent to the anterior gastric wall. He underwent an uneventful laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy and discharged on post‐operative day 3. Pathological examination of the resection specimen confirmed the lesion as a PLL in each case. Herein, we report two cases of PLL and review the literature regarding this uncommon disorder.
IN-HOUSE INDEXING OF PERIODICAL LITERATURE: A STUDY OF UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN KENYA

ing and indexing databases have been found to still be both relevant and necessary (Rabe 2002). With availability of more full text journal databases, the function of the abstracting and indexing database has been revived by indexing agencies. The indexing service, for instance, serves as a tool in the creation of a South African publications portal (Rabe 2002:80), which clearly justifies a growing need for indexing services in university libraries.
Verification bias‐corrected estimators of the relative true and false positive rates of two binary screening tests

The relative accuracy of two binary screening tests can be quantified by estimating the relative true positive rate (rTPR) and relative false positive rate (rFPR) between the two tests. Ideally all study subjects are administered both screening tests as well as a gold standard to determine disease status. In practice, however, often the gold standard is so invasive or costly that only a percentage of study subjects receive disease verification and the percentage differs depending on the results of the two screening tests. This is known as verification‐biased sampling and may be by design or due to differential patient dropout or refusal to have the gold standard test administered. In this paper, maximum likelihood estimators of rTPR and rFPR and corresponding confidence intervals are developed for studies with verification‐biased sampling assuming that disease status is missing at random (MAR). Simulation studies are used to show that if the MAR assumption holds, then the verification bias‐corrected point estimators have little small sample bias and the confidence intervals have good coverage probabilities. Simulation studies also demonstrate that the verification bias‐corrected point estimators may not be robust to violation of the MAR assumption. The proposed methods are illustrated using data from a study comparing the accuracy of Papanicolaou and human papillomavirus tests for detecting cervical cancer. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Random perturbation: A potential aid in treatment of children with cerebral palsy

Background and purpose. The motor behaviour of children with cerebral palsy (CP) can be viewed in terms of a stable mode with very little flexibility that prevents adaptation to tasks. We hypothesized that the use of random perturbations (RP) would weaken excessive stability, introduce flexibility and enhance the effects of physical treatment. The objective was to evaluate the contribution of RP to gross motor function and mechanical efficiency (MEg) during intensive physiotherapy in children with CP. Methods. A convenience sample of 20 children with CP (mean age 8.2, range: 5.9 – 12.9 yrs) were matched by age and GMFCS level, and randomly assigned to structured intensive treatment (SIT) or to SIT + RP groups. Groups received one month of daily treatment. RP was applied by engine-induced random passive cycling for upper and lower limbs for up to 10 min in a 90-min treatment session. Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-66 and gross mechanical efficiency (MEg) during stair climbing (MEg) were measured before and after treatment. Results. GMFM-66 scores increased by about 1.0 in both groups. However, external work and MEg increased significantly more in SIT + RP than SIT. The increase in MEg in SIT + RP was independent of the level of motor function at baseline. Conclusion. The addition of RP in treatment of children with CP may have weakened previously established stereotypical motor patterns and introduced flexibility, thereby improving mechanical efficiency of a complex motor task. RP may enhance the effects of intensive treatment.
Postthoracotomy shoulder pain: diagnosis and management

Purpose of review The review will discuss postthoracotomy/scopy ipsilateral shoulder pain, a common, intense and distressing outcome of chest surgery. This review will highlight some of the diagnostic vagaries in the current literature and present an argument for the etiology of this pain. In addition, perioperative management will be discussed. Evidence will be presented that effective prevention and treatment is possible for this pain entity. A multimodal management strategy for prevention and treatment of postthoracotomy/scopy ipsilateral shoulder pain is proposed. Finally, this review will highlight potential areas for investigation. Recent findings Studies of postthoracotomy/scopy ipsilateral shoulder pain are few and the etiology of the pain is not clearly understood. Recent randomized studies of treatments for this pain entity have implicated the phrenic nerve in the genesis of this pain syndrome. Prospective studies of the natural history of this pain syndrome have also highlighted other sources of the pain. Summary A picture is emerging of a pain syndrome that may be intense but is relatively limited in duration. The effect of this pain on overall perioperative morbidity is not known. Potential areas for investigation including studies to determine risk factors for postthoracotomy/scopy ISP are discussed.
Selection on quantitative colour variation in Centaurea cyanus: the role of the pollinator's visual system

Even though the importance of selection for trait evolution is well established, we still lack a functional understanding of the mechanisms underlying phenotypic selection. Because animals necessarily use their sensory system to perceive phenotypic traits, the model of sensory bias assumes that sensory systems are the main determinant of signal evolution. Yet, it has remained poorly known how sensory systems contribute to shaping the fitness surface of selected individuals. In a greenhouse experiment, we quantified the strength and direction of selection on floral coloration in a population of cornflowers exposed to bumblebees as unique pollinators during 4 days. We detected significant selection on the chromatic and achromatic (brightness) components of floral coloration. We then studied whether these patterns of selection are explicable by accounting for the visual system of the pollinators. Using data on bumblebee colour vision, we first showed that bumblebees should discriminate among quantitative colour variants. The observed selection was then compared to the selection predicted by psychophysical models of bumblebee colour vision. The achromatic but not the chromatic channel of the bumblebee's visual system could explain the observed pattern of selection. These results highlight that (i) pollinators can select quantitative variation in floral coloration and could thus account for a gradual evolution of flower coloration, and (ii) stimulation of the visual system represents, at least partly, a functional mechanism potentially explaining pollinators' selection on floral colour variants.
Prevalence of coronary artery anomalies in patients undergoing coronary artery angiography: a review of 16768 patients. A retrospective, single-center study.

AIM Coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) most of the time are detected at birth. The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of CAAs by investigating coronary artery angiography (CAG) images of patients admitted to the authors' hospital, a tertiary healthcare provider. METHODS Images of 16,768 patients who underwent CAG in our hospital were evaluated regarding CAAs. RESULTS CAAs were detected in 120 (0.7%) cases. Anomalous origin and course of arteries were observed in 86 (0.51%) cases. Seven of these cases were diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome and 5 of them were treated with angioplasty without any complication. Absence of LMCA was revealed as the most frequent anomaly in the subgroup analysis of origin and course anomalies by being spotted in 59 (49.9 %) cases of total 120. Myocardial bridge, which constituted all intrinsic coronary anomalies in our study, was determined in 18 (0.1%) patients. All of the anomalies of coronary termination were coronary artery fistulas which were seen in 16 (0.09%) of patients and 2 of them were occluded with coil. CONCLUSION Absence of LMCA was the most frequently encountered anomaly. Although CAAs are rare cases, they can cause difficulties in CAG interventions and surgical operations. This study presents CAA frequencies of patients who performed CAG.
Neurons sensitive to interaural phase disparity in gerbil superior olive: diverse monaural and temporal response properties.

1. We assessed mechanisms of binaural interaction underlying detection of interaural phase disparity (IPD) by recording single-unit responses in the superior olivary complex (SOC) of the anesthetized gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). Binaural responses were obtained from 58 IPD-sensitive single units, 44 of which were histologically localized. Monaural responses were also obtained for 52 of 58 IPD-sensitive units. Additionally, responses were recorded from 16 units (best frequency < 2.4 kHz) in lateral SOC that were excited by ipsilateral stimulation and inhibited by contralateral stimulation (EI), none of which was IPD sensitive. Our results are consistent with a mechanism of binaural interaction involving detection of coincident excitatory inputs from the two ears. There was no compelling evidence of binaural sensitivity arising from IPD-dependent interactions of phase-locked excitatory and inhibitory inputs from the two ears. Despite the uniformity of binaural interactions, considerable diversity of temporal and monaural response properties was observed. 2. Monaural and binaural responses of 35 of 58 IPD-sensitive units were phase locked to the period of low-frequency (< 2.5 kHz) tones. Most phase-locking units were bilaterally excitable and, consistent with the coincidence-detection model, their IPD selectivity could be predicted from the difference between the mean phases of the monaural responses. The remaining units (23 of 58) did not phase lock in response to monaural or binaural tones. Most non-phase-locking units failed to respond to monaural stimulation of one or both ears (monaurally unresponsive units). 3. Some IPD-sensitive units were inhibited by monaural stimulation of the ipsilateral ear or both ears. A few units responded only at the onset of monaural and binaural tones. Phase locking was present in responses of some, but not all, of these monaurally inhibited and onset units. 4. Most IPD-sensitive neurons were encountered at sites within or immediately adjacent to the cell column of the medial superior olive (MSO). IPD-sensitive units were also recorded in the lateral superior olive (LSO), in the superior paraolivary nucleus (SPN), and within a region forming a medial-dorsal cap around MSO. Bilaterally excitable unites were concentrated around MSO, but were also encountered in SPN, the medial-dorsal region, and LSO. Some monaurally unresponsive units were recorded in the vicinity of the MSO, but most were located in the medial-dorsal region. Monaurally inhibited units were localized to the medial border of the MSO cell column or to SPN. Onset units were localized to SPN and the medial-dorsal region. EI units were located exclusively in LSO. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Production of hepatocyte growth factor during acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical significance of circulating hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and the role of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (monocytes), which are a possible source of HGF, in patients with acute myocardial infarction. DESIGN AND PATIENTS 37 patients with acute myocardial infarction and 13 normal control subjects were recruited. Peripheral venous blood samples were drawn from the infarct patients 1, 7, 14, and 21 days after onset. Monocytes were isolated from peripheral blood at those times. HGF concentrations in serum and in a culture medium of monocytes after incubation for 24 hours (monocyte HGF levels) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Serum HGF and monocyte HGF values within seven days after onset of myocardial infarction were significantly higher than those of control subjects and decreased by day 14. There were significant positive correlations between serum HGF and monocyte HGF levels on day 7; between maximum plasma creatine phosphokinase levels and serum HGF levels on day 1; between maximum plasma C reactive protein and serum HGF levels; and between maximum C reactive protein and monocyte HGF levels. Monocyte HGF levels were raised in the patients with progression of ventricular enlargement in the course of acute myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS Early serum HGF concentrations reflect the extent of myocardial damage in acute myocardial infarction patients. Inflammation after acute myocardial infarction is supposed to be involved in enhanced HGF production. Monocytes may play an important role in ventricular remodelling after acute myocardial infarction by releasing the cardiovascular protective mitogen HGF.
IncA/C Plasmid Carrying blaNDM-1, blaCMY-16, and fosA3 in a Salmonella enterica Serovar Corvallis Strain Isolated from a Migratory Wild Bird in Germany

ABSTRACT A Salmonella enterica serovar Corvallis strain was isolated from a wild bird in Germany. This strain carried the IncA/C2 pRH-1238 plasmid. Complete sequencing of the plasmid was performed, identifying the blaNDM-1, blaCMY-16, fosA3, sul1, sul2, strA, strB, aac(6′)-Ib, aadA5, aphA6, tetA(A), mphA, floR, dfrA7, and merA genes, which confer clinically relevant resistance to most of the antimicrobial classes, including β-lactams with carbapenems, fosfomycin, aminoglycosides, co-trimoxazole, tetracyclines, and macrolides. The strain likely originated from the Asiatic region and was transferred to Germany through the Milvus migrans migratory route.
Impact of the Specific Extraction-Site Location on the Risk of Incisional Hernia After Laparoscopic Colorectal Resection

BACKGROUND: The impact of the specific incision used for specimen extraction during laparoscopic colorectal surgery on incisional hernia rates relative to other contributing factors remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the relationship between extraction-site location and incisional hernia after laparoscopic colorectal surgery. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study (January 2000 through December 2011). SETTINGS: The study was conducted at a high-volume, specialized colorectal surgery department. PATIENTS: All of the patients undergoing elective laparoscopic colorectal resection were identified from our prospectively maintained institutional database. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Extraction-site and port-site incisional hernias clinically detected by physician or detected on CT scan were collected. Converted cases, defined as the use of a midline incision to perform the operation, were kept in the intent-to-treat analysis. Specific extraction-site groups were compared, and other relevant factors associated with incisional hernia rates were also evaluated with univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 2148 patients (54.0% with abdominal and 46.0% with pelvic operations) with a mean age of 51.7 ± 18.2 years (52% women) were reviewed. Used extraction sites were infraumbilical midline (23.7%), stoma site/right or left lower quadrant (15%), periumbilical midline (22.5%), and Pfannenstiel (29.6%) and midline converted (9.2%). Overall crude extraction site incisional hernia rate during a mean follow-up of 5.9 ± 3.0 years was 7.2% (n = 155). Extraction-site incisional hernia crude rates were highest after periumbilical midline (12.6%) and a midline incision used for conversion to open surgery (12.0%). Independent factors associated with extraction-site incisional hernia were any extraction sites compared with Pfannenstiel (periumbilical midline HR = 12.7; midline converted HR = 13.1; stoma site HR = 28.4; p < 0.001 for each), increased BMI (HR = 1.23; p = 0.002), synchronous port-site hernias (HR = 3.66; p < 0.001), and postoperative superficial surgical-site infection (HR = 2.11; p < 0.001). LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its retrospective nature, incisional hernia diagnoses based on clinical examination, and heterogeneous surgical population. CONCLUSIONS: Preferential extraction sites to minimize incisional hernia rates should be Pfannenstiel or incisions off the midline. Midline incisions should be avoided when possible.
Computationally Comparative Analysis of CpG Islands in Human Bidirectional and Unidirectional Promoters

Bidirectional gene pairs have received considerable attention because this unique genomic organization is so prevalent in vertebrate genome that it covers more than 10% of the whole genes in human. To study the character of these adjacent head-to-head gene pairs and to improve the understanding of the difference between bi- and unidirectional genes, we identified all the bidirectional gene pair members based on the latest genome assembly data in 2009, analyzed their intergenetic promoter regions and evaluated the functional enrichment of bidirectional genes and function association between pair members. Our results elucidated that much more GC-content and CpG islands were observed in the promoter regions of bidirectional genes compared to those in unidirectional ones. Further, function of bidirectional genes were tend to associated in metabolism process and energy transfer and pair members were likely to share some gene ontology, which imply coordinate regulation resulting in co-expression of them. Our analyses systematically investigated the inner properties of bidirectional gene pairs as a specific architecture in human genome, allowing further verification and validation of their exact molecular mechanism.