Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combined Modality Therapy for Thoracic and head and Neck Cancers: A Review of Updated Literature Based on a Consensus Meeting

Purpose Combined modality therapy is a mainstay option for thoracic malignancies and head and neck cancers. The integration of different strategies is based on the multidisciplinary approach of modern clinical oncology. Radiation oncologists have to be educated, trained, and updated to provide state-of-the-art care to cancer patients and thus educational meetings are crucial. Methods The Italian Association of Radiation Oncology Young Members Working Group (AIRO Giovani) organized its 8th national meeting, focused on combination therapy in lung, esophageal, and head and neck cancer (with a specific focus on larynx-preservation strategies for larynx/hypopharynx tumors), involving young professionals working in Italy. The meeting was addressed to young radiation oncologists, presenting state-of-the-art knowledge, based on the latest evidence in this field. We performed a review of the current literature based on the highlights of the Congress. Results The multimodality approach of head and neck and thoracic malignancies includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, but also has to take into account new information and data coming from basic and translational research and including molecular biology, genetics, and immunology. All these aspects are crucial for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer and esophageal, esophagogastric junction, and larynx/hypopharynx malignancies. The integration of different treatments in the clinical decision-making process to combine therapies is crucial. Conclusions Combination therapy has proved to be a consolidated approach in these specific oncologic settings, highlighting the importance of multimodality management in modern clinical oncology. Dedicated meetings on specific topics are helpful to improve knowledge and skills of young professionals in radiation oncology.
Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Korean Hospital Nurses

We investigated the epidemiology of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) among a complete cross-section of 330 nurses from a large Korean hospital, by means of a questionnaire survey (response rate: 97.9%). The prevalence of MSS at any body site was 93.6%, with symptoms most commonly reported at the shoulder (74.5%), lower back (72.4%), neck (62.7%), lower legs (52.1%) and hand/wrist (46.7%). Logistic regression indicated that nurses who undertook manual handling of patients were 7.2 times as likely to report MSS ( OR 7.2, 95%CI 1.2—42.3, P = .0275), while nurses suffering from periodic depression experienced a 3.3-fold MSS risk ( OR 3.3, 95%CI 1.3-8.3, P = .0104). Overall, our study suggests that Korean nurses incur a very high MSS burden when compared internationally. A greater commitment is needed to improve physical conditions, occupational tasks and psychosocial work issues among nurses in this country.s
In Vitro Impact of Conditioned Medium From Demineralized Freeze-Dried Bone on Human Umbilical Endothelial Cells

Abstract Angiogenesis is essential for the consolidation of bone allografts. The underlying molecular mechanism, however, remains unclear. Soluble factors released from demineralized freeze-dried bone target mesenchymal cells; however, their effect on endothelial cells has not been investigated so far. The aim of the present study was therefore to examine the effect of conditioned medium from demineralized freeze-dried bone on human umbilical endothelial cells in vitro. Conditioned medium was first prepared from demineralized freeze-dried bone following 24 hours incubation at room temperature to produce demineralized bone conditioned media. Thereafter, conditioned medium was used to stimulate human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro by determining the cell response based on viability, proliferation, expression of apoptotic genes, a Boyden chamber to determine cell migration, and the formation of branches. The authors report here that conditioned medium decreased viability and proliferation of endothelial cells. Neither of the apoptotic marker genes was significantly altered when endothelial cells were exposed to conditioned medium. The Boyden chamber revealed that endothelial cells migrate toward conditioned medium. Moreover, conditioned medium moderately stimulated the formation of branches. These findings support the concept that conditioned medium from demineralized freeze-dried bone targets endothelial cells by decreasing their proliferation and enhancing their motility under these in vitro conditions.
c-Maf Regulates IL-10 Expression during Th17 Polarization1

IL-10 production by Th17 cells is critical for limiting autoimmunity and inflammatory responses. Gene array analysis on Stat6 and T-bet double-deficient Th17 cells identified the Th2 transcription factor c-Maf to be synergistically up-regulated by IL-6 plus TGFβ and associated with Th17 IL-10 production. Both c-Maf and IL-10 induction during Th17 polarization depended on Stat3, but not Stat6 or Stat1, and mechanistically differed from IL-10 regulation by Th2 or IL-27 signals. TGFβ was also synergistic with IL-27 to induce c-Maf, and it induced Stat1-independent IL-10 expression in contrast to IL-27 alone. Retroviral transduction of c-Maf was able to induce IL-10 expression in Stat6-deficient CD4 and CD8 T cells, and c-Maf directly transactivated IL-10 gene expression through binding to a MARE (Maf recognition element) motif in the IL-10 promoter. Taken together, these data reveal a novel role for c-Maf in regulating T effector development, and they suggest that TGFβ may antagonize Th17 immunity by IL-10 production through c-Maf induction.
Epstein-Barr Virus–Infected Marmoset Cells Do Not Form Lymphomas in Mice with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency

ABSTRACT: EBV has been associated with several malignancies in humans. EBV can also infect marmoset B lymphocytes, which, as opposed to human B cells, are permissive for lytic Epstein-Barr viral replication. Mice with a severe combined immunodeficiency phenotype (SCID mice) are extremely susceptible to EBV-induced lymphomagenesis when inoculated with EBV-infected lymphocytes. We inoculated SCID mice with human and marmoset lympho-blastoid cells infected with the same EBV isolates. The marmoset cells never gave rise to lymphomas, even after the administration of acyclovir or an anti-natural killer cell antibody and observation periods of up to 16 wk. In contrast, the human lymphoblastoid cells nearly always gave rise to lymphomas within 8 wk. Furthermore, human lymphoblastoid cells genetically engineered to permit lytic EBV replication also readily formed tumors in the SCID mouse. Thus, in this system, it is the cellular milieu that is crucial in determining whether a given lymphoblastoid cell will give rise to a tumor, not the EBV isolate harbored by the cell or whether the virus is permitted to undergo lytic replication.
Molecular epidemiology and subgroup determination of bovine group A rotaviruses associated with diarrhea in dairy and beef calves

The genome electropherotyping technique was used to examine group A rotaviral infections of diarrheic calves ranging from 1 to 85 days of age in 2 beef and 27 dairy herds. Coelectrophoresis studies demonstrated 38 distinct bovine group A rotavirus genome electropherotypes; all were long genome electropherotypes, and none had extra segments or unusual segment rearrangements. Genome electropherotypes in fecal specimens from diarrheic calves previously inoculated orally with a commercial, modified-live group A rotavirus vaccine differed from the vaccine genome electropherotype. Generally, when fecal specimens for genome electropherotyping were collected from two or more different calves within the same herd over a relatively short time, only one genome electropherotype was detected within a given herd. Different genome electropherotypes were detected in the same herd, however, when fecal specimens were obtained from different diarrheic calves over longer intervals (6 months or more). Twenty-three group A rotavirus strains with distinct genome electropherotypes, from diarrheic calves in 22 herds, were isolated and plaque purified in cell culture, and all were subgroup 1 group A rotaviruses. Non-group A rotavirus genome electropherotypes were not detected in 131 fecal specimens, negative for group A rotavirus, collected from diarrheic calves in 17 dairy herds.
An NSP4‐dependant mechanism by which rotavirus impairs lactase enzymatic activity in brush border of human enterocyte‐like Caco‐2 cells

Lactase‐phlorizin hydrolase (LPH, EC 3.2.1.23‐62) is a brush border membrane (BBM)‐associated enzyme in intestinal cells that hydrolyse lactose, the most important sugar in milk. Impairing in lactase activity during rotavirus infection has been described in diseased infants but the mechanism by which the functional lesion occurs remains unknown. We undertook a study to elucidate whether rotavirus impairs the lactase enzymatic activity in BBM of human enterocyte cells. In this study we use cultured human intestinal fully differentiated enterocyte‐like Caco‐2 cells to demonstrate how the lactase enzymatic activity at BBM is significantly decreased in rhesus monkey rotavirus (RRV)‐infected cells. We found that the decrease in enzyme activity is not dependent of the Ca2+‐ and cAMP‐dependent signalling events triggered by the virus. The LPH biosynthesis, stability, and expression of the protein at the BBM of infected cells were not modified. We provide evidence that in RRV‐infected cells the kinetic of lactase enzymatic activity present at the BBM was modified. Both BBMcontrol and BBMRRV have identical Km values, but hydrolyse the substrate at different rates. Thus, the BBMRRV exhibits almost a 1.5‐fold decreased Vmax than that of BBMcontrol and is therefore enzymatically less active than the latter. Our study demonstrate conclusively that the impairment of lactase enzymatic activity at the BBM of the enterocyte‐like Caco‐2 cells observed during rotavirus infection results from an inhibitory action of the secreted non‐structural rotavirus protein NSP4.
Price, Volume and Liquidity Effects of Stocks Entering and Leaving Jakarta Islamic Index

Previous studies have documented that price and liquidity effects are associated with changes in stock market indices due to bankruptcy, mergers, or tender offers. This study investigates price, volume and liquidity effects of stocks entering and leaving Jakarta Islamic Index (JII) for different reasons such as Sharia compliance, changes in market capitalisation and liquidity have the same impacts. We find that stocks entering JII earn positive and statistically significant abnormal return on the first day after the announcement day and experience a positive significant change in trading volume activity (TVA) on the first day after the announcement day. This result is consistent with price pressure hypothesis recorded in prior work (Chen, Noronha & Singal 2004; Harris & Gurel 1986). Another interesting aspect of the present study is that we use the liquidity proxy of bid-ask spread derived from the methodology of Corwin and Schultz (2012) with daily high and low prices before and after announcement date to discern the effect of liquidity improvement. We find that for entering stocks the post announcement spread starts decreasing significantly from about the third day. Our results remain robust to the use of alternate proxies for liquidity. Overall, our results suggest that investors’ decision to buy stocks is driven more by the performance of stocks and less by its ethical compliance.
[Restless legs syndrome: a clinical study in adult general population and in uremic patients].

BACKGROUND The restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a movement disorder characterized by an imperative urge to move the legs, associated with paraesthesias, motor restlessness and worsening of symptoms at night with at least partial relief by activity. Its prevalence ranges between 2-15% of general adult population and 20-30% of uremic patients. AIM To evaluate the frequency and the clinical features of RLS in a sample of general adult population and in uremic patients, in Chile, correlating it with biochemical parameters. METHOD 100 relatives of outpatients and 166 uremic patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis were interviewed assessing the presence and severity of RLS according to current diagnostic criteria. Biochemical parameters assessed were hematocrit, serum ferritin, phosphate, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels. RESULTS 13% of the general population sample was affected, 15% of them were severe. Forty three cases were found among uremic patients (25.9%) (p < 0.01 vs general population), 60% of them were severe and women were affected with higher frequency (p < 0.05) and severity (p < 0.01). Four patients presented RLS even during hemodialysis. No correlation was found with biochemical parameters. Most RLS cases had not been diagnosed previously. CONCLUSIONS In our population RLS is common and undetected. It is especially prevalent and severe in uremic patients: we found no evidence that anaemia, iron deficiency or iPTH level play a major pathogenic role. Our findings emphasize the need of greater medical awareness of RLS because available therapy may improve the quality of life.
Three-Dimensional Alveolar Bone Anatomy of the Maxillary First Molars: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Study With Implications for Immediate Implant Placement

Purpose:To retrospectively evaluate alveolar dimensions of healthy maxillary first molars (MFMs), which have implications for (immediate) implant placement and endodontic therapy. Materials and Methods:Cone-beam computed tomographic records of 95 patients (150 MFMs) were used [32 men and 63 men, aged 37.2 (14.9) years]. The vertical distance from sinus floor (SF) and MFM apexes (mesio-buccal [MB] and disto-buccal [DB]) and also distance between root apexes (spreading of the roots, MB to palatal and DB to palatal, representing bone width) were measured. Result:The mean (SD) thickness of buccal and palatal bony walls (2 mm from crest) was 1.58 (0.6) mm and 1.34 (0.54) mm, respectively. The mesio-distal and bucco-lingual socket sizes at crest were 7.3 (0.84) mm and 10.5 (0.90) mm, respectively. The mean distance from SF to MFM furcation was 6.51 (2.94) mm. The mean distance (95% confidence interval) between SF and MB, DB, and palatal apexes was −0.36 mm (−0.91 to 0.19), 0.32 mm (−0.27 to 0.9), and −2.2 mm (−2.7 to −1.7), retrospectively. Significant differences were found for root apex distances to SF for MB versus palatal roots and DB roots versus palatal roots, but not for MB versus DB roots (P > 0.05). Conclusion:The present findings on MFM dento-alveolar morphology, in particular high intrusion of palatal roots into SF, can be used as a clinical risk management tool for immediate implant placement and endodontic therapy.
Calpain‐catalyzed cleavage and subcellular relocation of protein phosphotyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP‐1B) in human platelets.

The non‐transmembrane phosphotyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP‐1B) is an abundant enzyme, normally localized to the cytosolic face of the endoplasmic reticulum via a C‐terminal targeting sequence. We have found that agonist‐induced platelet activation results in proteolytic cleavage of PTP‐1B at a site upstream from this targeting sequence, causing subcellular relocation of its catalytic domain from membranes to the cytosol. PTP‐1B cleavage is catalyzed by the calcium‐dependent neutral protease calpain and is a general feature of platelet agonist‐induced aggregation. Moreover, PTP‐1B cleavage correlates with the transition from reversible to irreversible platelet aggregation in platelet‐rich plasma. Engagement of gpIIb‐IIIa is necessary for inducing PTP‐1B cleavage, suggesting that integrins regulate tyrosine phosphatases as well as tyrosine kinases. PTP‐1B cleavage is accompanied by a 2‐fold stimulation of its enzymatic activity, as measured by immune complex phosphatase assay, and correlates with discrete changes in the pattern of tyrosyl phosphorylation. Cleavage and subcellular relocation of PTP‐1B represents a novel mechanism for altering tyrosyl phosphorylation that may have important physiological implications in cell types other than platelets.
Beyond the Machine

Organizational membership is one of the strongest, yet overlooked, predictors of vote buying across Latin America. We argue that this relationship is driven by the fact that politicians outsource some of their vote-buying efforts to interest associations. In contrast to the existing literature that focuses on party brokers, who are loyal to a single political machine, we introduce the concepts of organizational brokers, who represent interest associations and renegotiate ties to political parties between election cycles, and hybrid brokers, who split their loyalties between an interest association and a single political party. We illustrate the operation of these alternative broker types through case studies of street-vending organizations in an uninstitutionalized party system, Colombia, and peasant organizations in an institutionalized party system, Mexico. Attention to the role of brokers and the organizations that they represent has implications for political accountability, collective action, and the persistence of clientelism.
Serum 25(OH)D concentration, common variants of the VDR gene and lung cancer occurrence

The first aim of our study was to examine the association between common variants in VDR [rs2228570 (FokI), rs1544410 (BsmI), rs7975232 (ApaI), rs731236 (TaqI) and rs11568820 (Cdx2)] and lung cancer risk in the Polish population. Genotyping and statistical analysis which included Chi‐square test with Yates correction and haplotype frequency analysis were performed on a series of 840 consecutively collected lung cancer patients and 920 healthy controls. The second aim was to evaluate the link between serum 25(OH)D concentration and the number of lung cancers in a subgroup of 200 patients. A separate control group that consisted of 400 matched (by age, sex, smoking habits and the season of blood collection) healthy individuals was used to avoid posterior adjustment on the matched variables. Statistical analysis with the use of Chi‐square test with Yates was performed. We found no statistically significant difference in the distribution of the allels of studied VDR variants among cases and controls. A statistically significant over‐representation of VDR haplotypes: rs731236_A + rs1544410_T [odds ratio (OR) = 2.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.11–5.32, p < 0.001], rs731236_G + rs1544410_T (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.31–1.81, p < 0.001) and rs731236_G + rs1544410_C (OR = 0.04, 95% CI = 0.03–0.07, p < 0.001) was detected. We found a tendency toward an increased number of lung cancers among individuals with low serum levels of 25(OH)D. To answer the question, whether VDR can be regarded as lung cancer susceptibility gene and low 25(OH)D serum levels is associated with lung cancer occurrences, additional, multicenter study needs to be performed.
Multi-gate devices for the 32nm technology node and beyond

Due to the limited control of the short channel effects, the high junction leakage caused by band-to-band tunneling and the dramatically increased VT statistical fluctuations, the scaling of planar bulk MOSFETs becomes more and more problematic with every technology node. The ITRS roadmap predicts that from the 32 nm technology node on planar bulk devices will not be able to meet the stringent leakage requirements anymore and that multi-gate devices will be required. In this paper, the suitability of FinFET based multi-gate devices for the 32 nm technology and beyond will be discussed. Apart from the benefits, some technological challenges will be addressed.
Optimization of a Virus-Induced Gene Silencing System with Soybean yellow common mosaic virus for Gene Function Studies in Soybeans

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is an effective tool for the study of soybean gene function. Successful VIGS depends on the interaction between virus spread and plant growth, which can be influenced by environmental conditions. Recently, we developed a new VIGS system derived from the Soybean yellow common mosaic virus (SYCMV). Here, we investigated several environmental and developmental factors to improve the efficiency of a SYCMV-based VIGS system to optimize the functional analysis of the soybean. Following SYCMV: Glycine max-phytoene desaturase (GmPDS) infiltration, we investigated the effect of photoperiod, inoculation time, concentration of Agrobacterium inoculm, and growth temperature on VIGS efficiency. In addition, the relative expression of GmPDS between non-silenced and silenced plants was measured by qRT-PCR. We found that gene silencing efficiency was highest at a photoperiod of 16/8 h (light/dark) at a growth temperature of approximately 27°C following syringe infiltration to unrolled unifoliolate leaves in cotyledon stage with a final SYCMV:GmPDS optimal density (OD)600 of 2.0. Using this optimized protocol, we achieved high efficiency of GmPDS-silencing in various soybean germplasms including cultivated and wild soybeans. We also confirmed that VIGS occurred in the entire plant, including the root, stem, leaves, and flowers, and could transmit GmPDS to other soybean germplasms via mechanical inoculation. This optimized protocol using a SYCMV-based VIGS system in the soybean should provide a fast and effective method to elucidate gene functions and for use in large-scale screening experiments.
Complementary and alternative medicine for low-back pain in pregnancy: a cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE To identify common treatments used for low-back pain (LBP) during pregnancy. DESIGN A two-part anonymous survey. SETTING/LOCATION New Haven, Connecticut. SUBJECTS Pregnant women and providers of prenatal health care (nurse educators, nurse midwives, and obstetricians). RESULTS We found that the majority of pregnant women who participated in our survey (61.7%) reported that they would accept complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy as treatment for LBP during pregnancy. Similarly, 61% of providers of prenatal health care in our sample reported that they would consider using CAM as treatment for LBP during pregnancy. Massage (61.4%), acupuncture (44.6%), relaxation (42.6%), yoga (40.6%), and chiropractic (36.6%) were the most common CAM therapies recommended for LBP in pregnancy by the providers of prenatal health care in our sample. CONCLUSIONS This two-part survey study found that both providers of prenatal health care and pregnant women in New Haven county are likely to use CAM treatments for pregnancy-induced LBP. Further investigation should focus on whether it is a nationwide phenomenon, as well as if various CAM therapies are an efficacious treatment for LBP during pregnancy.
Giant cell fibroblastoma. A juvenile form of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

A clinicopathologic analysis of 28 cases of giant cell fibroblastoma (GCF), a rare mesenchymal tumor occurring predominantly in the first decade of life, is presented. This disease presented as a painless, slowly enlarging, subcutaneous mass. The tumor recurred locally in 47% of the patients; however, metastasis was not detected. On microscopic examination, GCF showed an unique combination of spindle cell patterns, pleomorphic and multinucleated giant cells, myxoid areas, and distinctive sinusoid‐like spaces. This unrecognized histomorphologic picture led to a misdiagnosis of sarcoma in 40% of the cases. The histogenesis of this lesion remains uncertain; however, based on both clinical and morphologic similarities, it is proposed that GCF is a juvenile form of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP).