Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Focal follicular features in tonsillar diffuse large B-cell lymphomas: follicular lymphoma with diffuse areas or follicular colonization.

Focal follicular features in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) are bound to raise the question of follicular lymphoma (FL) with diffuse areas, because the diagnosis of FL is based on the presence of follicular areas, even though focal. We report 7 cases of primary tonsillar DLBCLs with focal follicular features that presented with morphologic, immunohistochemical, and biological features distinct from those of FL. Histologically, these tumors were characterized by involvement of pericryptal follicles with adjacent dominant diffuse areas. Monomorphous large tumor cells were evenly spaced with abundant, often clear cytoplasm, and blastoid nuclei often with a delicate nuclear membrane. Importantly, residual germinal centers (GCs) were present in the form of either an intrafollicular GC remnant or an isolated GC in the midst of diffuse tumor. An extrafollicular and/or parafollicular growth pattern was also observed. Bcl-6 staining revealed a predominantly sporadic occurrence of Bcl-6(+) cells, comprising <50% of tumor cells, and none displayed diffusely dense collections (>75%) of Bcl-6(+) tumor cells characteristic of the GC or FL. Staining for CD10 was negative in 6 cases. Five of 7 patients were younger than 60, the median age of other patients with primary tonsillar DLBCL. No extratonsillar involvement was seen at 18 months after diagnosis. After chemotherapy or radiotherapy, complete remission was achieved with ease in all patients, but 2 patients who were treated with chemotherapy alone relapsed at 24 and 30 months. In conclusion, tonsillar DLBCL includes a small (10%) but distinct subgroup that warrants distinction from FL with predominant diffuse areas or de novo DLBCL. It appears that the focal follicular features in tonsillar DLBCL likely represent follicular colonization of marginal zone B-cell lymphoma, probably high-grade, if the possibility of FL is excluded.
Meiotic competence in vitro of pig oocytes isolated from early antral follicles.

Pig oocytes were isolated from early antral follicles of different sizes and their abilities to resume and complete meiotic maturation in vitro were compared. After 24 h of culture, more than 80% of the oocytes from follicles 0.3-0.7 mm in diameter remained at the germinal vesicle stage, while 66, 94.3 and 100% oocytes from follicles 0.8-1.6, 1.7-2.2 and 3-5 mm in diameter, respectively, completed germinal vesicle breakdown. After 48 h of culture, 35% of the oocytes in the smallest follicle class progressed to prometaphase and only 4% to metaphase I. Of the oocytes from follicles 0.8-1.6 mm in diameter, 23% reached metaphase I and 17.3% metaphase II. About 50 and 76% of the oocytes from follicles 1.8-2.2 mm and 3-5 mm in diameter, respectively, extruded the first polar body. The ability to resume meiosis (i.e. to undergo germinal vesicle breakdown) is reached by porcine oocytes when they approach their full size in antral follicles greater than 0.8 mm in diameter and before they are capable of completing it (i.e. reaching metaphase II). The ability to complete meiotic maturation acquired in antral follicles of about 2 mm in diameter coincided with a significant decrease in the nucleolar transcriptional activity of the oocytes.
Associations of Adiponectin with Paraoxonase 1 and sE-Selectin in Hemodialyzed Patients

Background/Aims: In hemodialyzed (HD) patients, adiponectin and sE-selectin levels are elevated, while antioxidant paraoxonase 1 activity (PON1) is decreased. We determined if the hyperadiponectinemia in HD patients has a protective effect on the decrease in PON1 and elevation in sE-selectin in kidney failure. Methods and Design: Predialysis serum adiponectin, PON1 and sE-selectin as well as other metabolic variables were measured in 70 HD patients. Results: Adiponectin had (1) no association with PON1 or sE-selectin, (2) a positive association with dialysis efficiency and HDL-C, and (3) an inverse association with BMI, waist circumference, HOMA IR, triglyceride, hsCRP, fibrinogen, and albumin. Moreover, albumin, BMI, and HOMA-IR were independent negative predictors of adiponectin. Conclusions: In kidney failure, in contrast to normal renal function, higher adiponectin levels had no correlation with PON1 activity or the sE-selectin level. However, adiponectin has an association with dialysis efficiency and, similar to individuals with preserved kidney function, traits of metabolic syndrome. In addition to BMI and HOMA-IR, the serum albumin concentration is also one of the independent negative predictors of the serum adiponectin level. Collectively, these findings may add details to the understanding of the role that adiponectin plays in chronic renal disease related to ‘reverse epidemiology’.
Common understandings of women's mental illness in Ghana: Results from a qualitative study

Despite the high rates of depression and anxiety disorders amongst women, the mental health of women is a neglected area, particularly in Africa. This study sought to explore what key stakeholders perceive as the main causes of mental illness in women in Ghana. Using qualitative methods, 81 semi-structured interviews and seven focus group discussions were conducted with 120 key stakeholders drawn from 5 of the 10 regions in Ghana. The analysis was undertaken using a grounded theory approach. Respondents attributed mental illness in women to a number of causes. These included women being the weaker sex, hormones, witchcraft, adultery, abuse and poverty. Explanations could be clustered under three broad categories: women's inherent vulnerability, witchcraft, and gender disadvantage. The way in which women's subordinate position within society may underpin their mental distress needs to be recognized and addressed. The results from this study offer opportunities to identify how policy can better recognize, accommodate and address the mental health needs of women in Ghana and other low-income African countries.
Physical fitness and performance. Fatigue responses during repeated sprints matched for initial mechanical output.

PURPOSE To compare muscle fatigability during two sets of repeated cycling sprints matched for initial mechanical output in a nonfatigued and fatigued state. METHODS Eight young men performed 10, 6-s all-out sprints on a cycle ergometer interspersed with 30 s of recovery, followed, after 6 min of passive recovery, by five 6-s sprints, again interspersed by 30 s of recovery. RESULTS On the basis of total work (TW), performance in sprint 11 (79.8 +/- 4.8 J.kg) was not significantly different to performance in sprint 4 (80.3 +/- 5.3 J.kg; P = 0.81). The decrease in TW for the five sprints after sprint 4 (i.e., sprints 4 to 8) averaged 14.5% (P < 0.001), which was significantly less than the decrement in TW from sprints 11 to 15 (20.3%; P < 0.05). Despite no significant differences in TW values achieved in sprints 4 and 11, the amplitude of the electromyogram (EMG) signal (i.e., root mean square (RMS)) recorded during sprint 11 (0.398 +/- 0.03 V) was 12.0% lower (P < 0.05) than in sprint 4 (0.452 +/- 0.02 V). In contrast, values of EMG median frequency (MF) recorded during sprint 4 (85.5 +/- 5.5 Hz) and 11 (89.3 +/- 7.2 Hz) were not significantly different (P = 0.33). However, the rate of decrease in EMG activity (i.e., RMS and MF) was similar for the two set of sprints. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that previous fatiguing repeated-sprint exercise, followed by a rest period, induces greater fatigability during subsequent repeated-sprint exercise, regardless of the initial mechanical output, and that these changes are associated with acute neuromuscular adjustments.
Sequential monitoring of lymphocyte subsets and of T-and-B cell neogenesis indexes to identify time-varying immunologic profiles in relation to graft-versus-host disease and relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

T and B lymphocyte subsets have been not univocally associated to Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and relapse of hematological malignancies after stem cell transplantation (SCT). Their sequential assessment together with B and T cell neogenesis indexes has been not thoroughly analysed in relation to these changing and interrelated immunologic/clinic events yet. Lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood (PB) and B and T cell neogenesis indexes were analysed together at different time points in a prospective study of 50 patients. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used as first step of multivariate analysis to address issues related to a high number of variables versus a relatively low number of patients. Multivariate analysis was completed by Fine-Gray proportional hazard regression model. PCA identified 3 clusters of variables (PC1-3), which correlated with acute GVHD: PC1 (pre-SCT: KRECs≥6608/ml, unswitched memory B <2.4%, CD4+TCM cells <45%; HR 0.5, p = 0.001); PC2 (at aGVHD onset: CD4+>44%, CD8+TCM cells>4%; HR 1.9, p = 0.01), and PC3 (at aGVHD onset: CD4+TEMRA<1, total Treg<4, TregEM <2 cells/μl; HR 0.5, p = 0.002). Chronic GVHD was associated with one PC (TregEM <2 cells/μl at day+28, CD8+TEMRA<43% at day+90, immature B cells<6 cells/μl and KRECs<11710/ml at day+180; HR 0.4, P = 0.001). Two PC correlated with relapse: PC1 (pre-SCT: CD4+ <269, CD4+TCM <120, total Treg <18, TregCM <8 cells/μl; HR 4.0, p = 0.02); PC2 (pre-SCT mature CD19+ >69%, switched memory CD19+ = 0 cells and KRECs<6614/ml at +90; HR 0.1, p = 0.008). All these immunologic parameters were independent indicators of chronic GVHD and relapse, also considering the possible effect of previous steroid-therapy for acute GVHD. Specific time-varying immunologic profiles were associated to GVHD and relapse. Pre-SCT host immune-microenvironment and changes of B cell homeostasis could influence GVH- and Graft-versus-Tumor reactions. The paradoxical increase of EM Treg in PB of patients with GVHD could be explained by their compartmentalization outside lymphoid tissues, which are of critical relevance for regulation of GVH reactions.
Cognitive therapy and pharmacotherapy for depression.

Cognitive therapy (CT) for depression has generated considerable interest in recent years. Comparisons with tricyclic pharmacotherapy in nonbipolar outpatients have suggested that (a) CT may be roughly comparable in the treatment of the acute episode: (b) combined CT-pharmacotherapy does not appear to be clearly superior to either modality (although indications of potential enhancement do exist to justify additional studies with larger samples), and (c) treatment with CT during the acute episode (either alone or with medications) may reduce the risk of subsequent relapse following termination. Nonetheless, for a variety of reasons (e.g., limitations in study design and execution, inadequate design power, and possible differential retention), these conclusions can be considered only suggestive at this time. More than a decade after the publication of the first controlled study involving CT, the approach remains a promising, but not adequately tested, alternative to pharmacotherapy in the treatment of depression.
Cervical length in prediction of preterm birth after laser surgery for twin–twin transfusion syndrome

To determine the risk factors for spontaneous preterm delivery (PTD) or preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) at < 34 weeks' gestation after fetoscopic laser surgery for twin–twin transfusion syndrome and to identify the optimal threshold for preoperative cervical length (CL) that indicates a high risk for spontaneous PTD.
Community-acquired pneumonia

Purpose of review Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the most common infectious disease cause of death. We summarize recent findings regarding the epidemiology of CAP in adults, efficacy of vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae, diagnostics, and discuss the current controversy between CAP and healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP). Recent findings The emergence of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and the avian influenza A strain H7N9 are of concern but still these are infrequent causes of CAP. Recent data indicate that vaccinating children also protects adults against CAP by generating significant herd immunity, and that the conjugated pneumococcal vaccine in adults may offer some efficacy in preventing CAP caused by vaccine serotypes. The immunochromotagraphic urinary antigen test has improved the diagnostic yield for the aetiology of CAP, and initial data demonstrate that a novel multiplex urinary antigen test will further increase the sensitivity for detection of S. pneumoniae. There has been significant concern that a relatively recently described pneumonia category, HCAP, requires empirical treatment for potentially multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO). However, new evidence shows that (at least in Europe) pneumonia caused by MDRO remains uncommon even in HCAP category patients. Summary CAP remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Advances in vaccination and diagnosis should help reduce the amount of disease due to S. pneumoniae, the commonest cause of CAP. Outside of the United States, MDRO are relatively uncommon causes of CAP, and the increased mortality of HCAP category patients seems to be related to their comorbidities and age rather than microbial aetiology.
Radiographic Assessment and Quantitative Motion Analysis of the Cervical Spine After Serial Sectioning of the Anterior Ligamentous Structures

Study Design. Cadaveric study of a diagnostic test for cervical spine instability. Objective. Determine if flexion-extension (FE) radiographs can be used to detect incremental damage to anterior cervical structures. Summary of Background Data. Prior studies have shown that damage to cervical structures can alter motion between vertebrae, and FE radiographs are sometimes used to detect this damage. However, no study has determined if FE radiographs are sensitive and specific for acute injury. Methods. FE radiographs were taken of the intact neck and after each incremental increase in damage to the anterior structures. Intervertebral motion was quantified using previously validated methods. The sensitivity and specificity of intervertebral motion measurements were assessed. Results. Motion within the intact spines was within normal ranges. Although intervertebral rotation changed significantly after certain anterior structures were damaged, rotation frequently remained within normal ranges, even after extensive damage. A center of rotation that was posterior to the 95% confidence interval for normal motion was 100% sensitive and specific for damage to the anterior structures of the spine. Conclusions. The results suggest that extensive damage to the anterior cervical spine could be missed if instability assessment was based on intervertebral rotation or displacements measured from FE radiographs. In contrast, a center of rotation that was located posterior to normal was both sensitive and specific for damage to anterior structures.
Food intake, leisure time activities and the prevalence of obesity in schoolchildren in Slovakia.

AIM OF THE STUDY In 2006-2008 a survey analyzing food patterns, intake of main food items and leisure time activities of 5,410 schoolchildren was carried out. METHODS The study was performed in 13 randomly selected regions of Slovakia. 5,410 elementary school children (2,848 girls and 2,562 boys) aged from 6.3 to 15.9 years, mean age was 11 +/- 2.6 years, were included. The data collected by questionnaire concerned nutrition and leisure time activities. RESULTS Noteworthy results are that only 63% of participants eat breakfast regularly. Almost all of the children eat lunch during workdays regularly and 60.9% prefer a cooked (hot) dish for supper. Although dairy products are a substantial part of child nutrition, in general their consumption in our sample was low. Only 50.1% of children consume these daily and 62% of children drink milk daily, more often boys than girls. A striking observation is that only 65.5% of interviewed pupils eat fruit every day and 30.9% of them eat vegetables daily. The frequency of consumption of poultry and pork in our sample was almost the same, however, the analysis showed that only 14% of children consume fish once per week. Moreover, only 12.6% of subjects prefer wholegrain bread. In our sample 56.8% of children eat sweets daily, 32% prefer a salty snack almost 2 times per week. Within the group of pupils 35.8% do not attend physical trainings even once a week. Almost every child is used to watch TV and 64% of them play PC games daily. While both girls and boys watched TV on average over 2 hours, boys spend more time on PC per day than girls (girls 0.72 hours per day vs. boys 1.13 hours per day, p < 0.001). The food patterns and leisure time activities of children older than 11 years and rural pupils were less favourable. CONCLUSIONS According to results of our analysis we recommend to increase the consumption of dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables in Slovak schoolchildren and spare no effort in making children to take breakfast regularly. It is necessary to promote daily moderate physical activity. Nutritional and lifestyle education should begin already in childhood.
Transactivation of the EGFR by AP-1 Is Induced by Helicobacter pylori in Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND:Helicobacter pylori infection of the gastric mucosa is strongly associated with gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer. However, the mechanisms by which H. pylori causes cancer are currently unknown. Binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to its receptor (EGFR) may be important in the development of gastric cancer. This interaction accelerates cell proliferation and migration, and triggers epithelial cell signaling. In this study, we investigated the effects of H. pylori on EGFR- and AP-1-mediated signal transduction pathways in the AGS gastric epithelial cell line and gastric tissue from humans.METHODS:Cells were treated with H. pylori and cell death was examined at a variety of time points using cell viability and trypan blue exclusion dye assay. To investigate the effects on EGFR regulation, AGS cells were transfected with a full-length and truncated EGFR luciferase (luc) reporter. Tissue microarray containing 44 samples of gastric biopsies from H. pylori-positive patients was analyzed for protein expression level of EGFR by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS:EGFR promoter activity was increased (˜twofold) 3 h after treatment with H. pylori commenced. Using a series of EGFR promoter deletion mutants, we identified a region that was crucial for transactivation of the EGFR by H. pylori. To determine whether AP-1 binding was altered, we transfected AGS cells with an AP-1 luciferase construct and then treated them with H. pylori for up to 6 h. We found that AP-1 activity was induced by H. pylori in gastric cells, while electrophoretic mobility shift assays confirmed that binding of AP-1 to the EGFR promoter site was increased following H. pylori treatment. Binding of c-Jun and c-Fos to the EGFR promoter region −1,062/−900 was induced eight- and six fold, respectively, using ChIP assay. Active EGFR staining was markedly increased in gastric mucosa from infected persons, compared to uninfected controls.CONCLUSIONS:We conclude that exposure of gastric cells to H. pylori induces increased production of EGFR through various signal transduction pathways, including those mediated by the EGFR and AP-1. Distinct effects on EGFR activation may specify the subset of AP-1 target genes that are selected, including those involved in proliferation and apoptosis. This is consistent with EGFR activation that was found in the gastric mucosa of humans infected with H. pylori. Hence, the balance between apoptosis and proliferation in these cells may be altered in response to injury caused by H. pylori infection, leading to an increased risk of cancer.
Does the High Nucleic Acid Content of Individual Bacterial Cells Allow Us To Discriminate between Active Cells and Inactive Cells in Aquatic Systems?

ABSTRACT The nucleic acid contents of individual bacterial cells as determined with three different nucleic acid-specific fluorescent dyes (SYBR I, SYBR II, and SYTO 13) and flow cytometry were compared for different seawater samples. Similar fluorescence patterns were observed, and bacteria with high apparent nucleic acid contents (HNA) could be discriminated from bacteria with low nucleic acid contents (LNA). The best discrimination between HNA and LNA cells was found when cells were stained with SYBR II. Bacteria in different water samples collected from seven freshwater, brackish water, and seawater ecosystems were prelabeled with tritiated leucine and then stained with SYBR II. After labeling and staining, HNA, LNA, and total cells were sorted by flow cytometry, and the specific activity of each cellular category was determined from leucine incorporation rates. The HNA cells were responsible for most of the total bacterial production, and the specific activities of cells in the HNA population varied between samples by a factor of seven. We suggest that nucleic acid content alone can be a better indicator of the fraction of growing cells than total counts and that this approach should be combined with other fluorescent physiological probes to improve detection of the most active cells in aquatic systems.
Abandoned to the strains of daily life: a qualitative study of the long-term experiences in partners to persons after a mild to moderate stroke

Abstract Purpose: To describe the experiences of everyday life over 6 years after stroke, from the perspectives of partners to persons after stroke. Materials and methods: Semi structured individual interviews were conducted with seven partners to persons who had had stroke. The interviews were recorded and then transcribed verbatim. The participants comprised two men and five women aged 60–82 years. The data were collected and analysed using a grounded theory approach. Results: One core category Living in strained everyday circumstances and three categories Feelings of anxiety, Living a demanding day to day life, and Adjusting to a changed role emerged from the analysis. The participants had developed strategies and new ways to boost their energy level in order to find the strength needed for their everyday life. Conclusion: This study shows that the everyday lives of partners to people who have had a stroke are characterised by feelings of strain and anxiety and that they need possibilities for different kinds of long-term support. Our findings may contribute to increased knowledge among health workers and increased readiness to offer support or referral to other meeting places such as peer support groups. Implications for rehabilitation The everyday lives of partners to people who have had a stroke are characterised by feelings of strain and anxiety. Partners to people who have had a stroke need possibilities for different kinds of long-term support. Possibilities for relief among partners to persons after stroke may be organised for example within the municipality or by patient organisations and other voluntary networks such as peer support groups.