Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha is a favorable independent prognostic factor in renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common malignancy of the kidney composed of specific tumor types. The sporadic conventional RCCs are, in contrast to the other RCC types, characterized by a high rate of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) mutations and hypermethylation. The majority of these tumors lack functional VHL protein (pVHL) that leads to increased hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) expression. The pVHL is the physiologic regulator of the activity of HIF-1alpha by targeting it to the proteasome for degradation under normoxia. Both pVHL and HIF-1alpha target other genes that are important for cancer survival and proliferation. Expression of HIF-1alpha has been linked to poor prognosis in different malignancies, although few studies have been done on the relation between HIF-1alpha and clinical variables in RCC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN HIF-1alpha protein expression was analyzed in tumor tissue from 92 patients with RCC. HIF-1alpha was quantified by Western blot relative to a positive control. RESULTS The HIF-1alpha protein was expressed as two bands which strongly correlated (r = 0.906, P < 0.001); therefore, they were added and the sum evaluated against clinicopathologic variables. There was no association between HIF-1alpha and gender, stage, grade, tumor size, or vein invasion. Conventional RCCs had significantly higher HIF-1alpha expression compared with papillary and chromophobe RCCs and kidney cortex. In conventional RCC, HIF-1alpha was an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSION HIF-1alpha levels varied significantly between the different RCC types. In conventional RCC, HIF-1alpha was an independent prognostic factor. These data indicate that HIF-1alpha is involved in tumorogenesis and progression of RCC. Evaluation of other HIF target gene products and correlation to angiogenesis seems warranted.
PIGMENTED VILLONODULAR SYNOVITIS IN A RETICULATED GIRAFFE (GIRAFFA CAMELOPARDALIS)

Abstract: A 17-yr-old, female, captive-born reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) presented with acute-onset lameness of the right metacarpophalangeal (fetlock) joint. Despite multiple courses of treatment, the lameness and swelling progressively worsened over a 3.5-yr period, and the giraffe was euthanized. At necropsy, gross and microscopic changes in the right, front fetlock and associated flexor tendon sheath included villous synovial hyperplasia and the formation of discrete pigmented nodules within synovial membranes. Histologically, the nodules were composed of abundant, fibrous connective tissue with heavy macrophage infiltration, hemosiderin deposition, and distinctive, multinucleated cells that resembled osteoclasts. These findings were consistent with pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS), a rare condition affecting both humans and animals. Although the pathophysiology of PVNS is poorly understood, lesions exhibit features of both neoplastic and reactive inflammatory processes. This case report represents, to the authors' knowledge, the first description of PVNS in a nondomestic ungulate.
Alcohol consumption reduces HbA1c and glycated albumin concentrations but not 1,5-anhydroglucitol

Background The effect of alcohol consumption on glycaemic control indicators is not well known. In this study, we studied the effect of alcohol consumption on the plasma glucose and glycaemic control indicators in non-diabetic men. Methods The study enrolled 300 non-diabetic men who received a complete medical checkup (age: 52.8 ± 6.5 years, body mass index: 24.4 ± 2.8 kg/m2). The subjects were divided into four groups by the amount of alcohol consumed, and the plasma glucose, HbA1c, glycated albumin (GA) and 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) concentrations of the groups were compared. Results As the level of alcohol consumption increased, significantly high concentrations of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were observed, and the oral glucose tolerance test 2-h plasma glucose concentrations tended to rise. While no significant effect of alcohol consumption on HbA1c, 1,5-AG, and the 1,5-AG/FPG ratio was observed, the HbA1c/FPG ratio, GA and the GA/FPG ratio exhibited significantly low values as the level of alcohol consumption increased. In stepwise multivariate regression analysis, alcohol consumption was a significant negative independent variable for HbA1c and GA, but not for 1,5-AG. Conclusions As the level of alcohol consumption increased, the plasma glucose concentrations rose, but the HbA1c and GA concentrations were lower compared with the plasma glucose concentrations. These findings suggest that alcohol consumption may reduce HbA1c and GA concentrations, but not 1,5-AG.
Child-Led Research: Questioning Knowledge

Over the last twenty years, childhood studies has challenged the schooled and developmental models of childhood. The children’s rights agenda has combined with academic childhood studies, to emphasise that children are and can be social actors and to seek ways to recognise and support their participation rights. For those who promote the participation of children and young people, there is considerable enthusiasm to involve them in all research stages—from research planning, fieldwork, and analysis to dissemination, leading to growth in what is often called ‘child-led research’. This article draws upon an empirical study of ‘child-led research’ projects, undertaken in Bangladesh, Jordan and Lebanon, for a critical examination of the meanings and implications of ‘child-led research’. In particular, this paper explores what counts as knowledge in social science research within contexts of generational difference and power.
Effects of carrier release kinetics on bone morphogenetic protein-2-induced periodontal regeneration in vivo.

BACKGROUND Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have shown considerable promise as a therapeutic agent to enhance periodontal regeneration although the optimal characteristics of a suitable release system are not known. AIM The aim of this study was to compare the effects of slow and fast degrading gelatin carriers on BMP-2-induced periodontal healing. METHOD Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) was incorporated into gelatin and subsequently differentially cross-linked to produce slow and fast release carrier systems. Release kinetics were confirmed in vitro, by measuring release of 125I-growth hormone from similar gelatin plugs. Effects of BMP were evaluated in surgically created rat periodontal fenestration defects which were processed for histology 10 days post-operatively. The rats were divided into 4 groups and the control defects were treated with either slow or fast degrading gelatin (CONs or CONf respectively), whilst test groups were treated with 1.25 microg rhBMP-2 in the slow or fast degrading gelatin (BMPs or BMPf respectively). RESULTS BMPf greatly increased bone formation compared with the control (CONf) (1.67 +/- 0.65 versus 0.34 +/- 0.11 x 10(-4) m2), but no significant differences were observed with BMPs and CONs. In contrast, new cementum formation was significantly greater in the BMPs group compared with all other groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Release kinetics of BMP may have important effects on the outcome of BMP-induced periodontal regeneration. New bone formation may be affected by rapid-release kinetics although further investigation is necessary to confirm this. In contrast, new cementum formation is promoted by slow release of BMP.
Inflammatory Cells, Cytokines and Matrix Metalloproteinases in Amicrobial Pustulosis of the Folds and other Neutrophilic Dermatoses

Amicrobial pustulosis of the folds (APF) is a rare cutaneous disease characterized by relapsing sterile pustules frequently associated with autoimmune disorders. Although APF pathophysiology is still undefined, scattered reports suggest involvement of neutrophils. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the role of the skin inflammatory infiltrate, selected multifunctional cytokines and effectors of tissue damage in APF and other neutrophilic dermatoses. We studied, by immunohistochemical methods, inflammatory cell markers (CD3, CD163, myeloperoxidase), cytokines (TNF-α, IL-8, IL-17), metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9) and vascular-endothelial-growth-factor (VEGF) in lesional skin from six patients with APF, 11 with pyoderma gangrenosum (PG), 7 with Sweet's syndrome, and in 20 normal skin samples. Immunoreactivities of CD3, CD163, myeloperoxidase, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-17, MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF were significantly higher in APF, PG and Sweet's syndrome than in controls (p=0.0001). IL-8 was more expressed in PG than in APF (P=0.002) and Sweet's syndrome (p=0.001). In APF, MMP-9 reactivity was higher than in Sweet's syndrome, (p=0.035), but less intense than in PG (p=0.020). Our study supports the role of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines and MMPs as important effectors for the tissue damage in APF similarly to classic neutrophilic dermatoses.
Influence of Intravenous Drug Abuse on Vascular Access Placement and Survival in HIV-Seropositive Patients

Background: The influence of intravenous drug abuse (IVDA) on hemodialysis access placement practices and access survival in HIV-infected patients is unknown. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 60, HIV seropositive, maintenance hemodialysis patients. Type of access and assisted access survival (measured from date of placement) were compared in those with (77%) and without (23%) a history of IVDA. Results: Mean age was 37.8 years, mean baseline serum albumin was 2.9 g/dl and median CD4 count was 222 cells/mm3. Fifteen patients, all IVDA, were dialyzed using only tunneled catheters (median number of catheters per person (range): 2.5 (1–11)). There were longer delays in creation of a permanent access (p = 0.08), but no difference in the type of permanent access placed in IVDA versus the non-IVDA group. Over 1,051 cumulative months of access follow-up, 134 tunneled catheters, 28 grafts and 19 fistulae were placed, with observed failure rates of 1 per 4.7 access-months, 1 per 19.7 access-months, 1 per 38.2 access-months, respectively. The adjusted relative hazard of access failure for grafts versus catheters was 0.41 (95% CI: 0.23, 0.72; p = 0.002) and for fistulae versus catheters was 0.21 (95% CI: 0.08, 0.52; p = 0.001). Thirty-two percent of accesses were removed due to infection, an infection removal rate for catheters of 1 per 7.8 access-months and for grafts of 1 per 62.5 access-months; all graft infections occurred in the IVDA group. No fistula was removed due to infection. Conclusion: Fistulae are the first line of choice for hemodialysis access in HIV-seropositive patients regardless of IVDA history; if not feasible, graft placement in non-IVDA or abstinent IVDA patients is recommended. In those with active IVDA, the optimal method of renal replacement therapy and type of hemodialysis access remain uncertain.
Prognostic impact of HER2/neu protein in urothelial bladder cancer. Survival analysis of 80 cases and an overview of almost 20 years' research.

PURPOSE This study was conducted to evaluate the quantitative assessment of HER2/neu immunohistochemical expression in urothelial bladder cancer in order to determine its prognostic significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS Archival tumor tissue from 80 patients with primary urothelial carcinoma were analysed for HER2/neu immunohistochemical expression. A highly reproducible standardized procedure on a Bond-X automated slide stainer was used. RESULTS HER2 protein was overexpressed in 41 of 80 patients (51.25%), demonstrating an increase in the expression rate corresponding to progressively advanced tumor stage (p=0.032) and tumor grade (p=0.0001). Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that positive membranous expression of HER2/neu was not associated with an increased probability of tumor recurrence (p=0.362). In contrast, HER2 scores correlated strongly with specific survival probability (p=0.002) and overall survival (p=0.025). Multivariate analysis revealed that only stage was an independent predictor of specific survival (p=0.016). HER2 expression was an independent predictor of specific survival with borderline statistical significance (p=0.08). CONCLUSION HER2 overexpression represents a prognostic factor for adverse disease outcome.
Reducing hemorrhagic complication by dabigatran via neurovascular protection after recanalization with tissue plasminogen activator in ischemic stroke of rat

This study assesses the risks and benefits of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment under oral anticoagulation with dabigatran compared with warfarin or vehicle control in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). After pretreatment with warfarin (0.2 mg/kg/day), dabigatran (20 mg/kg/day), or vehicle (0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt) for 7 days, tMCAO was induced for 120 min, followed by reperfusion and tPA (10 mg/kg/10 ml). Clinical parameters, including cerebral infarction volume, hemorrhagic volume, and blood coagulation, were examined. At 24 hr after reperfusion, markers for the neurovascular unit at the peri‐ischemic lesion were immunohistochemically examined in brain sections, and MMP‐9 activity was measured by zymography. Paraparesis and intracerebral hemorrhage volume were significantly improved in the dabigatran‐pretreated group compared with the warfarin‐pretreated group. A marked dissociation between astrocyte foot processes and the basal lamina or pericyte was observed in the warfarin‐pretreated group, which was greatly improved in the dabigatran‐pretreated group. Furthermore, a remarkable activation of MMP‐9 in the ipsilateral warfarin‐pretreated rat brain was greatly reduced in dabigatran‐pretreated rats. The present study reveals that the mechanism of intracerebral hemorrhage with warfarin‐pretreatment plus tPA in ischemic stroke rats is the dissociation of the neurovascular unit, including the pericyte. Neurovascular protection by dabigatran, which was first shown in this study, could partially explain the reduction in hemorrhagic complication by dabigatran reported from clinical study. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adult Attachment Dimensions and Specificity of Emotional Distress Symptoms: Prospective Investigations of Cognitive Risk and Interpersonal Stress Generation as Mediating Mechanisms

Three prospective studies examined the relation between adult attachment dimensions and symptoms of emotional distress (anxiety and depression). Across all three studies, avoidant and anxious attachment prospectively predicted depressive symptoms, and anxious attachment was associated concurrently with anxiety symptoms. Study 2 tested a cognitive risk factors mediational model, and Study 3 tested an interpersonal stress generation mediational model. Both cognitive and interpersonal mediating processes were supported. The cognitive risk factors pathway, including elevated dysfunctional attitudes and low self-esteem, specifically mediated the relation between insecure attachment and prospective elevations in depression but not anxiety. For the interpersonal stress generation model, experiencing additional interpersonal, but not achievement, stressors over time mediated the association between insecure attachment and prospective elevations in depressive and anxious symptoms. Results advance theory and empirical knowledge about why these interpersonal and cognitive mechanisms explain how insecurely attached people become depressed and anxious.
Pattern of clinical features of chronic simple rhinosinusitis in Port Harcourt.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the symptoms, signs and types of chronic simple rhino-sinusitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS This is prospective work done over a 2-year period. All the patients had symptoms of more than 8 weeks duration. Only patients with symptoms indicative of chronic rhino-sinusitis were included in the study. All the patients had plain x-rays of the paranasal sinuses done and a radiologist reported such. RESULTS One hundred and fifteen patients were studied. The male to female ratio was 1:1.4 age range 15 years to 70 years. The mean duration of symptoms was 32.03 months. Rhinorrhoea 100%, stuffy nose 97.4%, sneezing 67.6%, anosmia 54.8% and headache 54.8% were the common symptoms while engorged inferior turbinates 79.1%, anterior nasal discharge 63.5% and postnasal discharge 39.1% were the common findings on examination. The clinical diagnosis was chronic infective sinusitis 72.7%, vasomotor rhinitis 17.4% and allergic rhinitis 10.4%. Engorged turbinate was the commonest radiological comment. CONCLUSION Chronic infective rhino-sinusitis is the commonest type of chronic rhino-sinusitis seen in this study.
Src modulates contractile vascular smooth muscle function via regulation of focal adhesions

Src is a known regulator of focal adhesion turnover in migrating cells; but, in contrast, Src is generally assumed to play little role in differentiated, contractile vascular smooth muscle (dVSM). The goal of the present study was to determine if Src‐family kinases regulate focal adhesion proteins and how this might affect contractility of non‐proliferative vascular smooth muscle. We demonstrate here, through the use of phosphotyrosine screening, deconvolution microscopy imaging, and differential centrifugation, that the activity of Src family kinases in aorta is regulated by the alpha agonist and vasoconstrictor phenylephrine, and leads to focal adhesion protein phosphorylation and remodeling in dVSM. Furthermore, Src inhibition via morpholino knockdown of Src or by the small molecule inhibitor PP2 prevents phenylephrine‐induced adhesion protein phosphorylation, markedly slows the tissue's ability to contract, and decreases steady state contractile force amplitude. Significant vasoconstrictor‐induced and Src‐dependent phosphorylation of Cas pY‐165, FAK pY‐925, paxillin pY‐118, and Erk1/2 were observed. However, increases in FAK 397 phosphorylation were not seen, demonstrating differences between cells in tissue versus migrating, proliferating cells. We show here that Src, in a cause and effect manner, regulates focal adhesion protein function and, consequently, modulates contractility during the action of a vasoconstrictor. These data point to the possibility that vascular focal adhesion proteins may be useful drug discovery targets for novel therapeutic approaches to cardiovascular disease. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3585–3592, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adolescents with cerebral palsy: stability in measurement of quality of life and health‐related quality of life over 1 year

This study assessed stability of measurement of quality of life (QOL) and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) over the course of 1 year among 185 adolescents (mean age 16y, SD 1y 9mo) with cerebral palsy (CP). Participants were classified on the Gross Motor Function Classification System as level I (n=55), II (n=30), III (n=27), IV (n=46), or V (n=27). QOL was assessed by self‐ (n=125) or proxy‐report (n=60) with the Short Version of the Quality of Life Instrument for People with Developmental Disabilities (QOL Instrument), which describes domains of Being, Belonging, and Becoming. HRQOL was captured through parent proxy‐reports with the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3). Generalizability coefficients (G) for domain and Overall QOL scores on the QOL Instrument ranged from 0.50 to 0.73, indicating that between 50 and 73% of the variance was stable over 1 year. Stability on the HUI3 was excellent (G>0.90) for ambulation and overall utility scores; moderate (G=0.70–0.90) for speech, vision, dexterity, cognition, and hearing; and low for pain (G=0.48) and emotion (G=0.24). Correlations between scores on the two instruments were moderate even when adjustments were made for the lack of perfect stability over 1 year. This supports the notion that QOL and HRQOL are different aspects of life experience among adolescents with CP.
Azithromycin based triple therapy versus standard clarithromycin based triple therapy in eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in Iran: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND/AIMS In regarding to azithromycin's high tissue concentration, long biologic half life, low cost, and excellent anti bacterial profile for Helicobacter pylori in Iran, we sought to compare an azithromycin-based regimen with an already established clarithromycinbased regimen in regards to the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective, open label, randomized controlled trial was conducted on 165 patients who presented to gastrointestinal clinics of QOM Medical University Clinics, with complaint of dyspepsia. All patients received upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and underwent rapid urease test to confirm Helicobacter pylori infection. Patients were randomized to a treatment arm, which consisted of, clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and omeprazole, or another treatment arm consisting of azithromycin, amoxicillin, and omeprazole. Informed consent was obtained from all patients participating in the trial. Urease breath test was performed in patients 6 weeks after end of treatment to assess eradication. All side effects were recorded. Comparison between the two groups was made using a chi-square test. RESULT Seventy six and 89 patients received regimen clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and omeprazole and azithromycin, amoxicillin, and omeprazole, respectively, and completed the study course. Per protocol, eradication rate was 83% with clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and omeprazole and 75% with azithromycin, amoxicillin, and omeprazole (p =0.158). Eradication rate for a subgroup of patients with peptic ulcer disease in two groups were 83% and 74%, respectively (p=0.134). Only one patient in each group was compelled to stop the treatment due to a severe skin hypersensitivity reaction. Other lesser side effects were comparable within the two groups. CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that azithromycin, amoxicillin, and omeprazole at best is as effective as clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and omeprazole; and this new therapy could be considered as an alternative choice for Helicobacter pylori eradication, especially in geographic areas with lower economic status.
Submodularity in Input Node Selection for Networked Linear Systems: Efficient Algorithms for Performance and Controllability

Networked systems are systems of interconnected components in which the dynamics of each component (often referred to as a node or agent) are influenced by the behavior of neighboring components. Examples of networked systems include biological networks, ranging in scale from the gene interactions within a single cell to food webs of an entire ecosystem, and critical infrastructures such as power grids, transportation systems, the Internet, and social networks. The growing importance of such systems has led to an interest in the control of networks to ensure performance, stability, robustness, and resilience [1]-[4]. Indeed, over the past several decades, a variety of control-theoretic methods has been employed to better understand and control networked systems [5]. Moreover, new subdisciplines of control theory have emerged, including networked control systems (where plants, sensors, and actuators are connected by communication networks) and control of cyberphysical systems [6]-[8].