Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expanding the Morphologic Spectrum of Differentiated VIN (dVIN) Through Detailed Mapping of Cases With p53 Loss

The pathogenesis of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma follows 1 of 2 distinct pathways. A precursor lesion in the human papilloma virus–independent pathway, differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN), was only recently characterized in detail and is infrequently diagnosed without an associated component of invasive carcinoma. Aberrant p53 immunostaining is frequently seen in dVIN, and in approximately 25% to 30% of cases it manifests as a complete loss or a p53-null pattern. The abrupt transition between p53 loss and basal p53 expression in lesional versus nonlesional epithelium allows clear demarcation between neoplastic and non-neoplastic epithelium. For this study, 14 specimens from 10 patients were identified from the pathology archives of 2 teaching hospitals on the basis of: (1) a diagnosis of dVIN, with or without invasive carcinoma; and (2) p53-null immunostaining pattern in lesional cells. Ten specimens had associated invasive carcinoma. All sections from each specimen that showed the specimen resection margin were stained for p53 and reviewed together with all hematoxylin and eosin sections. Detailed morphologic assessment of the p53-null epithelium was made and compared with the adjacent benign squamous epithelium. The status of the resection margins based on the original pathologic assessment was compared with that assessed with p53 immunohistochemistry. One specimen showed p53 loss in the invasive carcinoma but patchy basal positivity in the region originally diagnosed as dVIN, supporting interpretation as a benign hyperplastic focus, rather than dVIN. In the remaining 13 specimens the areas originally diagnosed as dVIN, as well as the associated invasive carcinoma (if present), were p53-null. In 8 of these specimens, on the basis of the presence of p53-null immunostaining and subtle morphologic abnormalities, dVIN was more extensive than originally recognized. The spectrum of morphologic changes in p53-null regions that were in continuity with areas originally recognized as dVIN were subtle and typically consisted of an abrupt change in maturation of the squamous epithelium (loss of keratohyaline granules and parakeratosis), tinctorial alterations in the keratinocytes, with cells containing more abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, and minimal basal nuclear atypia. Margin status changed from negative to positive in 4 of 13 specimens and from focally to more extensively positive in an additional 3 specimens. In summary, the clonal in situ component of non–human papilloma virus vulvar squamous cell carcinoma can be characterized by very subtle morphologic abnormalities that may be misinterpreted as benign change. This results in underestimation of the extent of dVIN, and, as a result, resection margin involvement may be significantly underestimated. dVIN can also be overdiagnosed in areas of reactive change. Better tools for diagnosis of dVIN are needed; until such tools are developed the limitations in the current diagnosis of dVIN should be recognized.
Bank Income Smoothing and Loan Loss Provisioning Practices in Africa

The primary objective of the thesis is to investigate whether African banks use loans loss provisions estimates to smooth reported earnings, and to determine the factors that influence the extent of earnings smoothing among African banks. Earnings smoothing via loan loss provision has been examined in several regions, but the case of Africa remain unexplored in the literature. In the thesis, earnings smoothing is viewed as an earnings management practice while loan loss provisions estimate is considered to be the tool used by African banks to smooth reported earnings. Using African bank data obtained from Bankscope database, I test the earnings smoothing hypothesis for 370 African banks during the 2002 to 2014 period using the specific-accrual approach. The specific-accrual approach estimates a specific discretionary accrual as a function of its non-discretionary determinants and other factors that influence the manipulation of the specific accrual. The model specification expresses discretionary loan loss provisions as a function of earnings before provisions and tax, its non-discretionary determinants and other factors that influence the decision regarding the level of bank provisions for each period. The findings indicate that African banks manipulate loan loss provisions estimates to smooth reported earnings and this behaviour is influenced by bank differences, accounting disclosure differences and institutional differences across African countries. The primary contribution to knowledge of the thesis is its extension of our understanding of the role of discretionary accruals in the bank financial reporting, focusing on African banks - a context that has not been extensively examined in the literature. Also, the thesis extends the bank earnings smoothing debate to the African context and the findings of this study are useful to bank regulators in Africa in their evaluation of whether bank loan loss provisions solely reflect credit risk considerations or whether bank loan loss provisions estimates reflect opportunistic considerations of African bank managers. Finally, the findings are useful to local accounting standard setters in the region in their evaluation of several accounting numbers that bank managers might use to manipulate reported earnings.
The successful return of psychedelics to psychiatry

The study conducted at New York University (NYU; Ross et al., 2016) was methodologically similar but not identical to that conducted at Johns Hopkins (JHU; Griffiths et al., 2016). Both studies used randomized, double-blind, crossover designs to compare a moderate-high dose of psilocybin (21 and 22 mg/70 kg) with a control condition in patients with life-threatening cancer; both used a range of self-reported measures of anxiety and depression; both conducted a six-month follow-up; both showed that a single-dose of psilocybin can produce substantial and sustained decreases in depression, anxiety, and existential distress; and both suggested that a mystical experience was associated with the therapeutic outcome. However, the two studies differed in several important respects. The NYU study had a smaller sample size (N=29) than the JHU study (N=51). With regard to the comparison condition, the NYU study used niacin as a control in contrast to the JHU study that used a low dose of psilocybin and instructions that helped minimize the role of expectancy. Also, the NYU study exclusively used patient self-report outcome measures rather than a combination of the self-report, clinician-rated, and community-observer rated outcome measures used in the JHU study. A strength of the NYU study compared with the JHU study is that it assessed outcomes the day after the psilocybin session, thus allowing the conclusion of rapid onset of therapeutic action. In contrast to the JHU study, whose clinical support staff did not receive formalized psychotherapeutic training, the NYU support staff included only licensed mental-health therapists who received more formalized didactic and clinical training, with considerable emphasis on psychotherapeutic process during the preand post-psilocybin meetings with patients. Despite the less formal psychotherapy approach used in the JHU study, the overall baseline versus six months post effect size changes on the same key measures of anxiety and depression (the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory) were somewhat higher in the JHU study (mean Cohen’s d=1.7, tables 4 and 5) than they were in the NYU study (mean Cohen’s d=1.2, table S1), thus suggesting that the more formalized therapist training did not confer a significant enduring therapeutic advantage. Overall, the systematic replication of the main outcomes across two sites contributes significantly to confidence of the robustness of the finding that a single administration of psilocybin may have substantial and enduring antidepressant and antianxiety effects in patients with clinically significant cancer-related anxiety and depression.
Selection Models and Pattern‐Mixture Models for Incomplete Data with Covariates

Summary. Most models for incomplete data are formulated within the selection model framework. This paper studies similarities and differences of modeling incomplete data within both selection and pattern‐mixture settings. The focus is on missing at random mechanisms and on categorical data. Point and interval estimation is discussed. A comparison of both approaches is done on side effects in a psychiatric study.
No Association between Common Chemokine and Chemokine Receptor Gene Variants and Prostate Cancer Risk

There is growing evidence that inflammation and infection play important roles in the etiology of prostate cancer. As the chemokine network is directly involved in inflammation and infectious diseases, we tested for an association between six common putative functional variants and prostate cancer risk using an Australian case-control study. We measured CCL5 −403G>A, CXCL12 +801G>A, CCR2V64I (G>A), CCR5Δ32, CX3CR1V249I (G>A), and CX3CR1T280M (C>T) for 815 cases and 738 controls. Of these, only CXCL12 +801G>A has previously been tested and found to be associated with prostate cancer risk. We found no significant associations with prostate cancer risk (all P > 0.4). All per allele odds ratios ranged from 0.96 (95% confidence intervals, 0.80-1.16) to 1.06 (95% confidence intervals, 0.90-1.23). This suggests that these common chemokine and chemokine receptor variants do not play a major, if any, role in susceptibility to prostate cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(12):3615–7)
Characteristics of effective clinical teachers of ambulatory care medicine

This study identified characteristics of clinical teachers in ambulatory care settings that influenced ratings of overall teaching effectiveness and examined the impacts of selected variables of the clinic environment on teaching effectiveness ratings. A survey instrument derived from prior research and observations of ambulatory care teaching was sent to 165 senior medical students and 60 medicine residents at the University of Washington School of Medicine in 1988. A total of 122 (74%) of the seniors and 60 (71%) of the residents responded. Results indicate that the most important characteristics of the ambulatory care teachers were that they actively involved the learners, promoted learner autonomy, and demonstrated patient care skills. Environmental variables did not have a substantial influence on these ratings.
Developing an Integrated Violence Prevention for Men and Women in Treatment for Substance Use Disorders

Rates of past-year partner and non-partner violence perpetration (VP) in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment samples exceed 50%, with studies showing rates of past-year VP exceeding 70% when considering violence occurring with either intimate partners or non-partners. However, SUD treatment programs typically do not include VP prevention interventions, and the few studies examining the impact of SUD interventions on VP have focused exclusively on partner VP. This study summarizes results of a randomized controlled pilot study of an Integrated Violence Prevention Treatment (IVPT) designed to address VP across partner and non-partner relationships as well as predictors of post-treatment VP. Participants were men (70%) and women (30%) in SUD treatment reporting past-year VP who were randomized to either IVPT or a control condition. The IVPT involved a Motivational Interviewing session targeting interpersonal conflicts, followed by five cognitive-behavioral therapy sessions focusing on VP prevention skills. The control condition included a session including a videotape and discussion of anger management, followed by five psycho-educational sessions common for SUD settings. Results showed that VP (total, partner, and non-partner) and cocaine use significantly decreased between baseline and 3-month follow-up for both conditions, and the IVPT group showed a significant decline in alcohol use. Analyses focusing on VP during follow-up revealed that baseline cocaine use and drinking during the follow-up predicted post-treatment VP. Together, these findings suggest that IVPT is a promising intervention (feasible, appears to impact drinking, an important factor related to violence) but that additional continuing care approaches may be indicated to sustain positive outcomes.
‘Retweet for a Chance to…’: an analysis of what triggers consumers to engage in seeded eWOM on Twitter

ABSTRACT Twitter provides an important channel for brands to seed electronic word of mouth (eWOM) by followers retweeting brand messages, but prior research has not established a theoretical framework for how brands can maximise eWOM. This study presents and tests a theoretical model incorporating interactive, textual and visual tweet features to predict eWOM, using tweets by leading brands from three industries. Industry was found to be an important moderator of the effect of tweet features; after controlling for the reach and frequency of tweets, hashtags, retweet requests and photos were consistently associated with a higher retweet rate across industries, but the effect of URL links, non-initial mentions and video varied across industries, in some cases decreasing the retweet rate. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Optimum PR Control Applied to LCL Filters With Low Resonance Frequency

A control strategy for LCL grid-connected voltage source inverters is proposed. Using the injected grid current measurement exclusively, the proposal allows the use of the proportional plus resonant regulator optimum design, regardless of the filter resonance frequency. Simulation and experimental results that demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of the proposal for different LCL filter resonance frequency values are presented. Also its superiority compared with a control method recently proposed in the literature is shown.
Board Activity and Firm Performance

Abstract Because of recent failures in the past, the role of Board and the Board monitoring have become important. The directors are expected to be more accountable. In this study, the researcher tries to investigate the relationship between the level of board activity and firm value for firms in FMCG sector over a three-year period from 2010–2011 to 2012–2013. The primary aim of the article is to provide empirical evidence and specifically find out the impact of board activity measured by number of meetings and its impact on firm performance. The results indicate that the attendance in board meetings is significantly positively correlated with ROA. The OLS results with both the performance measures show that the point estimates of attendance at board meetings were significant indicating that attendance in such meetings is perceived to be an indicator of good monitoring activities of the board.
CANINE HEARTWORMS IN COYOTES IN ILLINOIS

Canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) disease affects wild canids and may be a factor impacting the health and population dynamics of coyotes (Canis latrans). Coyotes may serve also as a potential reservoir for transmission of these parasites to domestic dogs. We investigated 920 coyotes harvested by hunters and trappers throughout Illinois (USA) from 1995–1997. The objectives of the study were to: 1) survey the regional prevalence and intensity of heartworms in coyotes in Illinois, 2) determine whether heartworm intensity correlates with physical condition, particularly body weight and winter fat levels, and 3) evaluate the relationship between heartworm infections and the reproductive success of females. Prevalence of heartworms statewide was 16.0%. Prevalence was significantly higher in males (17.7%) than in females (14.1%; P=0.04) and was higher in the older age-classes (P<0.0001). The regional prevalence of heartworms increased from northern to southern Illinois. Intensity ranged from 1 to 111 with a mean of 8.7 (SD=13.2) worms. Intensities did not differ significantly between sexes (P=0.53) or among age-classes (P=0.84). Most infected coyotes had low intensity infections, 78.2% carried <12 heartworms, 11.6% had 12–24 worms, and 10.2% were infected with >24 worms. Body weights were not correlated with the presence of heartworms, nor were levels of kidney fat and marrow fat. However, reproductive success was lower in infected females. The percent of yearling females that bred was lower among infected females, as was the number of offspring produced by adults ≥3.5 yr old. Our study demonstrates that heavy infections adversely affect fur quality and reduce fecundity of some females, but these effects are small and few coyotes (4.1%) had enough worms to trigger them. Coyote populations have increased in Illinois during the past 20 yr, but prevalence and intensity of heartworm disease appears to have changed little in that period. We conclude that heartworm disease is only a minor factor influencing coyote population dynamics in Illinois.
Nanoscale programmable sequence-specific patterning of DNA scaffolds using RecA protein

Molecular self-assembly inherent to many biological molecules, in conjunction with suitable molecular scaffolds to facilitate programmable positioning of nanoscale objects, offers a promising approach for the integration of functional nanoscale complexes into macroscopic host devices. Here, we report the use of the protein RecA as a means of highly efficient programmable patterning of double-stranded (ds)DNA molecules with molecular-scale precision at specific locations along the DNA strand. RecA proteins form nucleoprotein filaments with single-stranded (ss)DNA molecules, which are chosen to be of sequence homologous to the desired binding region on the dsDNA scaffold. We show that the patterning yield can be in excess of 85% and we demonstrate that concurrent patterning of multiple locations on the same dsDNA scaffold can be achieved with separation between the assembled nucleoprotein filaments of less than 4 nm. This is an important prerequisite for this programmable and flexible DNA scaffold patterning technique to be employed in molecular- and nanoscale assembly applications.
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors with Enhanced Enzymatic Inhibition Effects and Potent in vitro and in vivo Antitumor Activities

In the present work, a series of small molecules were designed and synthesized based on structural optimization. A significant improvement in the enzyme inhibitory activity of these compounds was discovered. Moreover, the tested compounds have moderate preference for class I HDACs over HDAC6, as demonstrated by enzyme selectivity assays. In vitro antiproliferation assay results show that representative compounds can selectively inhibit the growth of non‐solid lymphoma and leukemic cells such as U937, K562, and HL60. In the in vivo antitumor assay, (S)‐4‐(2‐(5‐(dimethylamino)naphthalene‐1‐sulfonamido)‐2‐phenylacetamido)‐N‐hydroxybenzamide (D17) showed better performance than SAHA in blocking U937 tumor growth. Western blot analysis revealed that representative molecules can block the function of both class I HDACs and HDAC6. More importantly, our western blot results reveal that the levels of some oncogenic proteins (p‐Akt in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal pathway, c‐Raf and p‐Erk in the MAPK signal pathway) were dramatically down‐regulated by our compounds in the U937 cell line rather than MDA‐MB‐231 cells. This distinction in cellular mechanism might be an important reason why the U937 cell line was found to more sensitive to our HDAC inhibitors than the MDA‐MB‐231 cell line.
Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw around dental implants in the maxilla: report of a case.

OBJECTIVE We describe a patient who developed bisphosphonate (BP)-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) around implants in the upper molar area. PATIENTS AND METHODS The patient was a 54-year-old woman with ulceration of the gum, bone exposure, and severe spontaneous pain around implants in the upper left molar area. She had received BPs intravenously for 2 years to treat bone metastases of breast cancer. She was diagnosed with BP-related ONJ. Sequestrum including implants was resected, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy was performed. Undecalcified ground sections were prepared from the resected bone around the implants and stained with toluidine blue. For the bone around the lesion, decalcified sections were prepared, and examined by histological and immunohistological analysis. RESULTS The surgical wound became completely covered with mucosal epithelia, and postoperative pain disappeared. No recurrence of ONJ was noted during a 6-month postoperative follow-up period. However, the patient died from metastatic disease. Although histopathological examination of the resected jaw bone revealed sequestrum, osseointegration of the implant was maintained. In the area around the lesion, there was no progression of bone necrosis, and reactive bone formation, fibrosis, and invasion of lymphoid cells into the marrow cavity were observed. CONCLUSION There is no effective treatment for ONJ caused by BPs, and conservative therapy based on clinicians' experience is recommended. However, if chemotherapy is planned, or if bone necrosis around implants is thought to harbor infection, the option of jaw resection should be considered.
Transcriptome transfer produces a predictable cellular phenotype

Cellular phenotype is the conglomerate of multiple cellular processes involving gene and protein expression that result in the elaboration of a cell's particular morphology and function. It has been thought that differentiated postmitotic cells have their genomes hard wired, with little ability for phenotypic plasticity. Here we show that transfer of the transcriptome from differentiated rat astrocytes into a nondividing differentiated rat neuron resulted in the conversion of the neuron into a functional astrocyte-like cell in a time-dependent manner. This single-cell study permits high resolution of molecular and functional components that underlie phenotype identity. The RNA population from astrocytes contains RNAs in the appropriate relative abundances that give rise to regulatory RNAs and translated proteins that enable astrocyte identity. When transferred into the postmitotic neuron, the astrocyte RNA population converts 44% of the neuronal host cells into the destination astrocyte-like phenotype. In support of this observation, quantitative measures of cellular morphology, single-cell PCR, single-cell microarray, and single-cell functional analyses have been performed. The host-cell phenotypic changes develop over many weeks and are persistent. We call this process of RNA-induced phenotype changes, transcriptome-induced phenotype remodeling.