Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transitional liver cell tumors (TLCT) in older children and adolescents: a novel group of aggressive hepatic tumors expressing beta-catenin.

BACKGROUND We encountered on seven malignant hepatocellular tumors developing in older children and adolescents. RESULTS These tumors exhibit an unusual phenotype with respect to clinical presentation, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and treatment response. As a working hypothesis, we suggest that these apparently novel, unusual, and aggressive tumors occurring in older children and adolescents may form a transition in the putative developmental pathway of hepatocarcinogenesis. CONCLUSION We therefore propose the term, transitional liver cell tumors (TLCT), to denote these lesions.
Exploring high-technology firms' open innovation strategy and performance from knowledge-based view

Many studies have indicated that open innovation is critical to superior performance, yet findings have demonstrated the importance of different sources of abundant external knowledge to innovation efforts. In this study, we attempt to link open innovation view and knowledge-based view to explain how a firm's external technology acquisition ability influences its innovation deployment, as well as performance. That is, grounded in the open innovation view and knowledge-based view literatures, this study identifies key factors that allow for inbound open innovation and increase its efficacy and effects in a high competitive environment contingency. Based on a survey of high-technology firms, the results support the expectation that the ability to build well-developed collaboration channels with external connections in a competitive environment will increase the efficacy of inbound open innovation in achieving superior performance.
[Bleeding peptic ulcer. Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/acetylsalicylic acid].

INTRODUCTION Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)/acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) are risk factors for bleeding peptic ulcer. HP eradication reduces the risk of rebleeding. Antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and presence of blood in the stomach can affect the HP test. The objectives of this study were to determine the HP prevalence and NSAID/ASA use in patients with bleeding ulcer in a low-prevalence HP area, to determine the proportion of idiopathic ulcers and to estimate the proportion of initially false negative HP tests. In addition, the objective was to describe changes in the characteristics of the patients who were admitted with ulcer bleeding during the last two decades. MATERIAL AND METHODS Retrospective review of the records of patients who were admitted with a bleeding ulcer in 2003 to 2006 at The Department of Medical Gastroenterology S, Odense University Hospital. Patients with initially negative or missing HP tests were offered a urea breath test. This population was compared with prospective registrations for the periods 1990-1992 and 2000. RESULTS A total of 264 patients were admitted in 2003-2006. The mean age was 72 years. The HP-prevalence was 34%, and 81% had used NSAID/ASA, as compared with 55% in 1990-1992. The proportion of idiopathic peptic ulcer disease was 6.6%. At admission, 19% and 17% of the patients were in treatment with PPI and antibiotics, respectively. Thirteen percent of the initially HP-negative patients were later found to be HP-positive. CONCLUSION Compared to previous studies, we found a lower HP prevalence (34%) and a higher proportion of NSAID/ASA usage (81%) in 2003-2006. As we found 13% false negative HP-tests when factors that may affect the HP test were present, we advise that a retest be made where these factors are present and the initial HP test is negative.
Elevation of Cortisol and Growth Hormone Levels in the Course of Further Improvement of Performance Capacity in Trained Rowers

In 30 rowers plasma growth hormone and cortisol responses to a 7-min test on a rowing apparatus, performed at the highest possible rate, or to a competition race of 2000 m were recorded three times during a period that lasted up to 20 months. Apart from an improvement of the results in competition the increased performance capacity was also indicated by means of power output during the 7-min test (from 363 +/- 8 to 425 +/- 7 W in group A and from 382 +/- 7 to 437 +/- 9 W in group B). A pronounced rise was found in pre-exercise (in group A) and post-exercise (in both groups) cortisol levels. Post-exercise growth hormone levels increased when the rise in the mean power output was 40 W. Significant correlations were revealed between group values of power output and hormone levels during the study period. The performance capacity correlated with growth hormone levels after competition. The highest values were found in 10 elite rowers, studied additionally during an international competition. In cortisol values this kind of dependence was not found. Only the pre-competition concentrations of cortisol were significantly higher in elite rowers than in rowers of lower performance levels. Thus a further improvement of the performance capacity in previously trained sportsmen is associated with elevated growth hormone and cortisol levels in supramaximal exercises.
Correlations between Arteriograph‐derived pulse wave velocity and aortic elastic properties by echocardiography

Introduction: There is an increased scientific interest on the evaluation of parameters characterizing aortic elasticity. The current study was designed to compare two characteristics of aortic distensibility: Arteriograph‐derived pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index standardized to 80 per minutes heart rate (AIx80) and aortic elastic properties by echocardiography.
Reproductive biology of the crab Munida subrugosa (Decapoda: Anomura: Galatheidae) in the Beagle Channel, Argentina

Munida subrugosa was sampled monthly from November 1997 to November 1999 in the Beagle Channel by means of an epibenthic trawl. The reproductive cycle started in May, reflected by the occurrence of ovigerous females. Maximum size of oocytes, maximum value of gonadosomatic index in females (16·8 g mm carapace length [CL]−1) and males (1·6 g mm CL−1), and the proportion (∼70%) of ovigerous females with full egg-clutches occurred in June. Since the proportion of ovigerous females in October was ∼5% and the planktonic larvae reportedly hatch in September, the embryonic development lasted ∼90–120 days. Females and males attained physiological maturity at 9·9 and 8·0 mm CL respectively, and males reached morphometric maturity at 24·4 mm CL. Fecundity was correlated with female size (r=0·85) and was between 124 and 10,750 eggs per female. Average diameter of recently extruded eggs was 0·69 mm (SD±0·06 mm). At the beginning of the reproductive cycle, ovigerous females had partial broods of ∼300 eggs, which represented <5% of complete clutch.
Consumer Demand for Cynical and Negative News Frames

Commentators regularly lament the proliferation of both negative and/or strategic (“horse race”) coverage in political news content. The most frequent account for this trend focuses on news norms and/or the priorities of news journalists. Here, we build on recent work arguing for the importance of demand-side, rather than supply-side, explanations of news content. In short, news may be negative and/or strategy-focused because that is the kind of news that people are interested in. We use a lab study to capture participants’ news-selection biases, alongside a survey capturing their stated news preferences. Politically interested participants are more likely to select negative stories. Interest is associated with a greater preference for strategic frames as well. And results suggest that behavioral results do not conform to attitudinal ones. That is, regardless of what participants say, they exhibit a preference for negative news content.
Ansiedade materna puerperal e risco para o desenvolvimento infantil

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar comparativamente as possiveis correlacoes entre indices de risco ao desenvolvimento infantil e estado ansioso materno. O metodo utilizado foi o quantitativo descritivo, com carater comparativo sobre as manifestacoes comportamentais do processo interativo mae-bebe. A amostra foi constituida de 182 diades maes-bebes. Foi realizada uma entrevista, aplicada a escala de ansiedade de Beck, o protocolo IRDIs e filmada a interacao da diade mae-bebe. Os resultados demonstraram que ha uma correlacao positiva entre presenca de risco ao desenvolvimento infantil e estado materno ansioso. Contudo, o risco ao desenvolvimento infantil e multifatorial. A ansiedade parece, por outro lado, ser um sintoma visivel, entre outros possiveis, de problematicas pessoais que afetam a constituicao da experiencia da maternidade em algumas mulheres, e que pode trazer risco ao desenvolvimento do bebe.
High resolution annotation of zebrafish transcriptome using long-read sequencing

With the emergence of zebrafish as an important model organism, a concerted effort has been made to study its transcriptome. This effort is limited, however, by gaps in zebrafish annotation, which are especially pronounced concerning transcripts dynamically expressed during zygotic genome activation (ZGA). To date, short read sequencing has been the principal technology for zebrafish transcriptome annotation. In part because these sequence reads are too short for assembly methods to resolve the full complexity of the transcriptome, the current annotation is rudimentary. By providing direct observation of full-length transcripts, recently refined long-read sequencing platforms can dramatically improve annotation coverage and accuracy. Here, we leveraged the SMRT platform to study transcriptome of zebrafish embryos before and after ZGA. Our analysis revealed additional novelty and complexity in the zebrafish transcriptome, identifying 2748 high confidence novel transcripts that originated from previously unannotated loci and 1835 high confidence new isoforms in previously annotated genes. We validated these findings using a suite of computational approaches including structural prediction, sequence homology and functional conservation analyses, as well as by confirmatory transcript quantification with short-read sequencing data. Our analyses provided insight into new homologs and paralogs of functionally important proteins and non-coding RNAs, isoform switching occurrences and different classes of novel splicing events. Several novel isoforms representing distinct splicing events were validated through PCR experiments, including the discovery and validation of a novel 8 kb transcript spanning multiple miR-430 elements, an important driver of early development. Our study provides a significantly improved zebrafish transcriptome annotation resource.
Concentration of viruses from large volumes of tap water using pleated membrane filters

A method is described for the efficient concentration of viruses from large volumes of tap water in relatively short time periods. Virus in acidified tap water in the presence of aluminum chloride is adsorbed to a 10-inch (ca. 25.4 cm) fiberglass depth cartridge and a 10-inch pleated epoxy-fiberglass filter in series at flow rates of up to 37.8 liters/min (10 gallons/min). This filter series is capable of efficiently adsorbing virus from greater than 19,000 liters (5,000 gallons) of treated tap water. Adsorbed viruses are eluted from the filters with glycine buffer (pH 10.5) and the eluate is reconcentrated using an aluminum flocculation process. Viruses are eluted from the aluminum floc with glycine buffer (pH 11.5). Using this procedure, viruses in 1,900 liters (500 gallons) of tap water can be concentrated 100,000-fold in 3 h with an average recovery of 40 to 50%.
Transcarpal motor conduction velocity in carpal tunnel syndrome

Transcarpal motor conduction to abductor pollicis brevis (APB) was evaluated in 43 patients (70 hands) with suspected carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Transcarpal motor conduction was abnormal in 80% of hands compared with 11.5% with prolongated distal motor latency from wrist stimulation. Transcarpal motor conduction was comparable in sensitivity with transcarpal sensory conduction and 2nd lumbrical–interosseous latency difference. Transcarpal motor conduction is a sensitive test for diagnosis of CTS. Sensory fibers were no more susceptible than motor fibers to compression in the carpal tunnel, and fibers to APB were as susceptible as those to the 2nd lumbrical muscle. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 966–968, 2001
Comparison of induction characteristics of four intravenous anaesthetic agents

The induction characteristics of thiopentone, etomidate and methohexitone have been compared to those of propofol (2,6 di‐isopropyl phenol) in unpremedicated patients. Propofo1 2.5 mg/kg caused significantly more hypotension, excitatory side effects and pain on injection at the dorsum of hand than thiopentone 5 mg/kg. However, with regard to the latter two sequelae. etomidate 0.3 mg/kg and methohexitone 1.5 mg/kg caused similar or more frequent upset. Propofol 2.0 mg/kg was equipotent with thiopentone 4.0 mg/kg in terms of successful induction of anaesthesia. Hypotension may contraindicate the use of propofol in the hypovolaemic or unfit patient.
Limitations of short‐term studies in predicting long‐term adverse effects of inhaled corticosteroids

This paper examines the value of short-term studies in predicting long-term, clinically relevant adverse effects of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in children with asthma. Increasing use of ICS in younger and less severely affected children with asthma justifies concern about long-term adverse effects. For each system potentially affected by ICS, short-term and sensitive studies have limited value in predicting clinically relevant effects, even when correlations are highly statistically significant. This is due to inherent limitations of the short-term tests utilized and normal physiologic variations in systems being studied. Specific limitations include: 1) poor distinction between systemic presence of ICS and adverse systemic effects (e.g., integrated plasma cortisol) 2) lack of data validating the connection between test results and the end point in question (bone markers to predict growth and fracture risk) 3) sensitivity confounded by normal physiologic variation (knemometry to predict long-term growth). Consequently, predicting clinically relevant long-term effects from short-term studies detecting physiologic perturbations remains a challenge. Positive predictive value is improved by well-designed intermediate-term (>12 months) studies utilizing dynamic hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis testing, dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning, or precise stadiometry. Ultimately, however, long-term studies are required to assess long-term risks, and the reliability of short-term assessments in predicting them.
Response of ferrets to mumps virus.

Ferrets inoculated intranasally with large doses of infectious egg-adapted mumps virus developed bronchiolitis and pneumonitis resembling that caused by some influenza virus strains. This was followed by the appearance of specific antibodies in high titer. The immunologic response evoked by noninfectious virus by this route and by subcutaneous inoculation of either infectious or noninfectious virus was relatively low. Mumps virus was recovered from nasal washings, lungs, or turbinates several days after inoculation, but proof of propagation of the virus in the ferret respiratory tissues was not obtained. The data provide additional analogies between mumps virus and the other members of the Myxovirus group.
Distribution of Components of the SNARE Complex in Relation to Transmitter Release Sites at the Frog Neuromuscular Junction

At the frog neuromuscular junction, neurotransmitter release sites are regularly spaced at 1 μm intervals along the nerve terminal, directly facing postsynaptic folds which contain a high density of acetylcholine receptors. Immunostaining and laser confocal scanning microscopy were used to compare the distribution of presynaptic proteins implicated in exocytosis with that of fluorescent α‐bungarotoxin. Syntaxin, synaptosome‐associated 25 kDa protein and calcium channels were located predominantly at release sites. Synaptobrevin (vesicle‐associated membrane protein) was distributed in the cytoplasm of the nerve terminal, presumably in the packets of microvesicles associated with each active zone. N‐Ethylmaleimide‐sensitive fusion protein (NSF) and soluble NSF attachment proteins (αβSNAP) displayed a diffuse distribution throughout the terminal cytoplasm and also colocalized in distinct concentrated zones adjacent to the presynaptic membrane.
Functional expression of NOD2, a novel pattern recognition receptor for bacterial motifs, in primary murine astrocytes

There is growing appreciation that resident brain cells can initiate and/or regulate inflammation after trauma or infection in the central nervous system (CNS). Recent studies from our laboratory have begun to shed light on the mechanisms by which astrocytes perceive bacterial challenges by demonstrating the functional expression of Toll‐like receptors (TLR) in this cell type. In the present study, we demonstrate that astrocytes also express members of the novel nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain (NOD) family of proteins that can serve as cytosolic pattern recognition receptors. We show that isolated cultures of murine astrocytes constitutively express robust levels of NOD2, a molecule that can recognize a minimal peptidoglycan motif. Expression of NOD2 is significantly upregulated after exposure to two disparate and clinically relevant bacterial pathogens of the CNS, Borrelia burgdorferi and Neisseria meningitidis. Similarly, NOD2 protein expression is elevated after exposure to specific bacterial ligands for TLRs. Importantly, we show that astrocytes express Rip2 kinase, an essential downstream effector molecule for NOD‐mediated cell responses, and demonstrate that this expression is upregulated after bacterial challenge. Furthermore, we confirm the functional nature of NOD2 in astrocytes by demonstrating that a specific ligand for this receptor induces significant inflammatory cytokine production and augments immune responses induced by TLR ligation. Taken together, the present demonstration that astrocytes express functional NOD2 proteins may represent a potentially important mechanism by which this glial cell type initiates either protective host responses within the brain or the progression of damaging CNS inflammation. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gene frequencies and microdifferentiation among the Makiritare Indians. II. Seven serum protein systems.

The Makiritare Indians, as described in the first paper in this series (Gershowitz et al. 1970), are a semiacculturated Venezuelan and Brazilian tribe of Carib-speakers who were selected for a study of microdifferentiation and gene flow. The present paper reports the results of studies of the haptoglobin (Hp), transferrin (Tf), group specific component (Gc), albumin (Alb), ceruloplasmin (Cp), lipoprotein (Lp) and pseudocholinesterase (Ps) types in seven villages. The location of the villages and a description of the techniques of blood collection and transport are given in Gershowitz et al. (1970). For purposes of comparison, the results of previous investigations of some of these genetic systems in other Makiritare Indians will also be presented.
The Effect of Precertification on the Rate of Hospitalization of Patients with Low Back Pain

This report is a study of the rates of hospitalization of two similar groups of patients with a diagnosis of medical low back pain resulting from an injury. It is based on a 7-year experience with utilization review. None of the patients had met the minimal criteria for hospitalization described by the "Reference Criteria for Short-Stay Hospital Review" of the American Medical Association (1). One of these two groups was required to undergo a preservice review (precertifi cation) before hospitalization. The other group did not undergo this precertification. This study tests the hypotheses that there is a significant incidence of unnecessary hospitalization of patients with medical low back pain and that precertification does reduce this rate of hospitalization. It also tests the hypothesis that race, age, and gender correlate with this unnec essary hospitalization. Further, it examines the rela tionship between the precertification process and the time of admission and the length of stay once admit ted. The methods used are defined, and the contro versy surrounding precertification and unnecessary hospitalization in general, and for low back pain in particular, is described.
Water and the Oxidation State of Subduction Zone Magmas

Tracing Mantle Oxidation The chemical composition of the Earth's mantle varies with tectonic setting. For example, basaltic melts near subduction zones are more oxidized than magma near divergent plate boundaries. Kelley and Cottrell (p. 605; see the Perspective by Hirschmann) examined melts formed in different tectonic environments, using highly sensitive synchrotron-based analytical methods. The oxidation state of Fe increased with water content and mobile trace elements concentrations. Thus, fluids released from wet subducting plates drive mantle oxidation above subduction zones, which may help to explain the spatial differences in oxygen fugacity of the mantle. Oxidation of Earth’s mantle at subduction zones is caused by fluids released from the melting of subducting plates. Mantle oxygen fugacity exerts a primary control on mass exchange between Earth’s surface and interior at subduction zones, but the major factors controlling mantle oxygen fugacity (such as volatiles and phase assemblages) and how tectonic cycles drive its secular evolution are still debated. We present integrated measurements of redox-sensitive ratios of oxidized iron to total iron (Fe3+/ΣFe), determined with Fe K-edge micro–x-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy, and pre-eruptive magmatic H2O contents of a global sampling of primitive undegassed basaltic glasses and melt inclusions covering a range of plate tectonic settings. Magmatic Fe3+/ΣFe ratios increase toward subduction zones (at ridges, 0.13 to 0.17; at back arcs, 0.15 to 0.19; and at arcs, 0.18 to 0.32) and correlate linearly with H2O content and element tracers of slab-derived fluids. These observations indicate a direct link between mass transfer from the subducted plate and oxidation of the mantle wedge.
Effect of hydrogen peroxide on thawed ovine sperm motility

Oxidative stress, resulting from excessive levels of ROS in semen, has a negative impact on functional parameters and sperm fertility. In this study we examined the influence of the oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in ovine sperm motility after thawing and catalase (CAT) ability to preserve sperm motility. Semen was incubated at 37°C with 100 µM H2O2, 1 U catalase + 100 µM H2O2 or no treatment, for 30 min. Immediately after adding treatments, sperm motility was determined by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Incubation with H2O2 led to a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in motility parameters whereas catalase prevented a decline in motility secondary to oxidative stress. After 30 min of incubation with H2O2, total motility (12.0% vs. control 73.0%, H2O2 +CAT 70.0%), progressive motility (0.0% vs. control 19.0%, H2O2 +CAT 19.0%) and rapid motility (1.0% vs. control 43.0%, H2O2 +CAT 40.0%) decreased significantly (P < 0.05), whereas percentage of static cells increased (84.0% vs. control 18.0%, H2O2 +CAT 20.0%). We conclude that H2O2 causes damage to ovine sperm motility and that catalase is able to avoid detrimental effect of H2O2 on sperm motility.