Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Basal cell skin carcinoma and other nonmelanoma skin cancers in Finland from 1956 through 1995.

OBJECTIVE To study trends of nonmelanoma skin cancer in Finland. DESIGN Descriptive analysis of incidence and mortality rates for basal cell skin carcinoma (BCC) and other non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) from 1966 and 1956, respectively, through 1995 in relation to sex, age, anatomical distribution, place of residence, and occupation. SETTING Data were obtained from the nationwide Finnish Cancer Registry, to which reporting of skin cancer is compulsory. PATIENTS Inhabitants of Finland (5.1 million in 1998). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Age- and sex-specific incidence and mortality rates and overall rates adjusted for age to the world standard population; occupation-specific standardized incidence ratios, with the total Finnish population as reference. RESULTS The age-adjusted incidence rate in 1991 through 1995 for BCC was 49 per 100,000 person-years in men and 45 in women. For NMSC it was 8.7 in men and 5.3 in women. Both cancer types showed an increasing trend in incidence rates. The proportion of tumors in the face, scalp, and neck was 59% for BCC and 67% for NMSC. The incidence rate of NMSC increased from north to south, while there was no great urban-rural or occupational variation in the occurrence of NMSC. The incidence rate for BCC was higher in urban than in rural regions. Farmers, forestry workers, and fishermen showed low incidence of BCC, whereas occupations with a high level of education or compulsory health checkups and medical care occupations appeared to have an increased incidence of BCC. The mortality rate for BCC in 1991 through 1995 was 0.08 per 100,000 person-years in men and 0.05 in women, and for NMSC, it was 0.38 in men and 0.23 in women. The mortality trend was decreasing for both cancer types. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of NMSC is fairly low in Finland, accounting for 3.5% of all new cancer cases. Conversely, BCC is the most common cancer type. The incidence trend is increasing for both skin cancer types, but mortality remains low.
Successful aging in the oldest old: Who can be characterized as successfully aged?

BACKGROUND Successful aging is a worldwide aim, but it is less clear which indicators characterize elderly persons as successfully aged. We explored the meaning of successful aging from 2 perspectives. METHODS Analysis of data from the first cross-sectional part of the longitudinal Leiden 85-plus Study, conducted in Leiden, the Netherlands. All inhabitants of Leiden aged 85 years were eligible. Data were obtained from 599 participants (response rate, 87%). Successful aging from a public health perspective was defined as a state of being. All participants were classified as successful or not successful based on optimal scores for physical, social, and psychocognitive functioning and on feelings of well-being, using validated quantitative instruments. Qualitative indepth interviews on the perspectives of elderly persons were held with a representative group of 27 participants. RESULTS Although 45% (267/599) of the participants had optimal scores for well-being, only 13% (79/599) had optimal scores for overall functioning. In total, 10% (58/599) of the participants satisfied all the criteria and could be classified as successfully aged. The qualitative interviews showed that most elderly persons viewed success as a process of adaptation rather than a state of being. They recognized the various domains of successful aging, but valued well-being and social functioning more than physical and psychocognitive functioning. CONCLUSIONS If successful aging is defined as an optimal state of overall functioning and well-being, only a happy few meet the criteria. However, elderly persons view successful aging as a process of adaptation. Using this perspective, many more persons could be considered to be successfully aged.
The potential of ovarian tissue transplant to preserve fertility

Laboratory research on ovarian cryopreservation and transplantation began in the 1950s leading to clinical studies in the 2000s. The research that was performed during this half a century indicated that cryopreserved ovarian tissue has the potential to restore fertility in women who face premature ovarian failure due to chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery. Until today, ovarian function has been restored in at least four women. Even though no pregnancies have been reported to date from these clinical studies, animal studies indicate that this is a valid prospect for humans. Future clinical trials will determine in a larger number of patients the longevity of ovarian grafts, normalcy of hormone production and ovarian follicle development, possibility and safety of pregnancy and the safety of auto-transplantation in cancer patients. In addition, further basic research may be needed to develop better cryoprotectants and cryopreservation techniques. However, the major improvement in the efficiency of ovarian transplantation is anticipated to come from research exploring the revascularisation process.
Flow Control as a Stochastic Optimal Control Problem with Incomplete Information

A nonlinear stochastic control problem related to ow control is considered. It is assumed that the state of a link is described by a controlled hidden Markov process with a finite state set, while the loss ow is described by a counting process with intensity depending on a current transmission rate and an unobserved link state. The control is the transmission rate, and it has to be chosen as a nonanticipating process depending on the observation of the loss process. The aim of the control is to achieve the maximum of some utility function that takes into account losses of the transmitted information. Originally, the problem belongs to the class of stochastic control problems with incomplete information; however, optimal filtering equations that provide estimation of the current link state based on observations of the loss process allow one to reduce the problem to a standard stochastic control problem with full observations. Then a necessary optimality condition is derived in the form of a stochastic maximum principle, which allows us to obtain explicit analytic expressions for the optimal control in some particular cases. Optimal and suboptimal controls are investigated and compared with the ow control schemes used in TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocols/Internet Protocols) networks. In particular, the optimal control demonstrates a much smoother behavior than the TCP/IP congestion control currently used.
The influence of relaxin on motility of human sperm in vitro

Summary Sperm of healthy men were incubated in an IVF medium with relaxin at concentrations of 3, 30, 300 and 3000 ng ml‐1. Immediately after addition of relaxin and 60 and 120 min later motility, progressive motility, mean path velocity, mean progressive velocity, mean linearity and mean lateral head displacement were measured with the Hamilton‐Thorn motility analyser. Neither immediately after relaxin addition, nor after 60 or 120 min, was an improvement of sperm motility observed at any concentration.
Amdinocillin (Mecillinam) Resistance Mutations in Clinical Isolates and Laboratory-Selected Mutants of Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Amdinocillin (mecillinam) is a β-lactam antibiotic that is used mainly for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections. The objectives of this study were to identify mutations that confer amdinocillin resistance on laboratory-isolated mutants and clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and to determine why amdinocillin resistance remains rare clinically even though resistance is easily selected in the laboratory. Under laboratory selection, frequencies of mutation to amdinocillin resistance varied from 8 × 10−8 to 2 × 10−5 per cell, depending on the concentration of amdinocillin used during selection. Several genes have been demonstrated to give amdinocillin resistance, but here eight novel genes previously unknown to be involved in amdinocillin resistance were identified. These genes encode functions involved in the respiratory chain, the ribosome, cysteine biosynthesis, tRNA synthesis, and pyrophosphate metabolism. The clinical isolates exhibited significantly greater fitness than the laboratory-isolated mutants and a different mutation spectrum. The cysB gene was mutated (inactivated) in all of the clinical isolates, in contrast to the laboratory-isolated mutants, where mainly other types of more costly mutations were found. Our results suggest that the frequency of mutation to amdinocillin resistance is high because of the large mutational target (at least 38 genes). However, the majority of these resistant mutants have a low growth rate, reducing the probability that they are stably maintained in the bladder. Inactivation of the cysB gene and a resulting loss of cysteine biosynthesis are the major mechanism of amdinocillin resistance in clinical isolates of E. coli.
Is depression a risk factor for dementia or cognitive decline?

Background: It is generally accepted that depression can be associated with significant cognitive deficits and that depression can be comorbid with dementia. Objective: This review seeks to go further and ask whether depression earlier in life can be a risk factor for subsequent dementia or for cognitive decline. Methods: A review was made of the epidemiological evidence from case-control and prospective studies that depression is a risk factor. The literature was also reviewed in relation to six hypotheses that might explain an association: (1) depression treatments are a risk factor for dementia, (2) dementia and depression share common risk factors, (3) depression is a prodrome of dementia, (4) depression is an early reaction to cognitive decline, (5) depression affects the threshold for manifesting dementia, and (6) depression is a causal factor in dementia. Results: A meta-analysis found that depression was associated with an increased risk of subsequent dementia in both case-control studies (95% CI for relative risk: 1.16–3.50) and prospective studies (95% CI: 1.08–3.20). There was little support for hypotheses 1 and 2. The other hypotheses have limited support, but warrant further research. Conclusion: There is sufficient evidence to take seriously the possibility that depression is a risk factor for dementia and cognitive decline. Further work is needed to examine depression as a prodrome of vascular dementia, depression as an early reaction to perceived cognitive decline, the effects of depression on the threshold for manifesting dementia, and depression as a source of hippocampal damage through a glucocorticoid cascade.
GRIA2 is a novel diagnostic marker for solitary fibrous tumour identified through gene expression profiling

The NAB2–STAT6 fusion was recently identified as a consistent finding in solitary fibrous tumour (SFT), resulting in nuclear expression of the C‐terminal part of STAT6. Gene expression studies of SFT revealed high expression of the GRIA2 gene. The aim of this study was to examine GRIA2 expression in SFTs and other soft tissue tumours to evaluate its diagnostic utility.
Insular cortex involvement in mesiotemporal lobe epilepsy: A positron emission tomography study

Somesthetic and emotional symptoms that are common in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy are usually related to hippocampo‐amygdalar complex involvement. Recent stereo‐electroencephalographic studies have shown a relationship between such symptoms and epileptic insular discharges. To further investigate this problem, we carried out a positron emission tomography study using fluorodeoxyglucose (18F‐FDG) and flumazenil (11C‐FMZ) in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy patients. The aim of our study was to assess the existence of a cortical insular involvement in order to examine its clinical correlates and the relationship between the postoperative outcome and the insular involvement. Fluorodeoxyglucose and flumazenil‐positron emission tomography studies were carried out in 18 patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy patients. A statistical parametric mapping (SPM96) was performed to analyze the data in comparison to 18 healthy volunteers. For each set of fluorodeoxyglucose and flumazenil images a group and an individual analysis were performed. In addition, a region of interest analysis was performed to validate the results. Focusing on the metabolic abnormalities, we also investigated the role of insular cortex in the symptoms experienced by the patients and the prognostic value of insular metabolic abnormalities. Highly significant hypometabolism and BZR binding decreases were detected in the insular cortex. Results were similar using the region of interest approach. Insular involvement (mainly ipsilateral to the seizure focus) was present in 60% of the patients. Emotional symptoms correlated with hypometabolism in the anterior part of the ipsilateral insular cortex, whereas somesthetic symptoms correlated with hypometabolism in the posterior part. No relationship between postoperative outcome and ipsilateral insular hypometabolism was found. Unilateral mesial temporal lobe epilepsy is associated with insular hypometabolism and benzodiazepine receptor loss. Our results also suggest that the anterior part of the insular cortex is involved in the emotional symptoms and the posterior insular cortex is involved in the somesthetic symptoms. Hypometabolism located in the insula did not influence postoperative outcome after anterior lobectomy.
Effect of Brand Extension on Brand Image : A Study in the Brazilian Context

The article investigates the consequences of brand extension in the Brazilian context, analyzing how the variables relating to the parent brand (quality, similarity of categories, familiarity and customer attitude) influence brand image after extension, and the variation in customer’s interest in the original product category, before and after extension. Four hypotheses were tested through regression equations and two through mean comparisons. Results confirmed that the effects of the extension strategy are regardless of the product category under study and type of extension. Also, customer’s interest in the original product category proved to be affected negatively after extension.
Roles of Periosteum, Dura, and Adjacent Bone on Healing of Cranial Osteonecrosis

It has been reported that large cranial osteonecrotic areas can heal. It was hypothesized that optimal healing is possible by the synchronized contribution of the osteogenic structures (periosteum, dura, and adjacent bone) that envelop the necrotic cranium. This hypothesis was tested by preserving or isolating the contribution of these osteogenic tissues. A total of 37 4-old-month rats were included in the study. Twelve animals were killed immediately, and cranial bone samples were taken and processed for examination (from 6 animals as fresh samples [Group A] and from the rest as autoclaved samples [Group B]). Group B was created to test if the bone was completely nonviable. In Group C (n = 25), cranial bone disks 8 mm in diameter were taken from 4-month-old rats, autoclaved, and put back onto the defect area. This group was further divided into the four Subgroups C1 through C4 (n = 7 in C3; n = 6 in C1, C2, and C4). Dura mater was isolated from the overlying bone disk with a polytetrafluoroethylene sheet in Subgroups C1 and C2, whereas the bone contacted the dura in the rest. The bone samples were covered with healthy periosteum in Subgroups C1 and C3 and with skin in Subgroups C3 and C4. These animals were killed after a healing period of 12 weeks, and the relevant bone disks were obtained. Surrounding healthy bone was also harvested from the same animals after they were killed to create Group D. The data of Group A and D were compared with those of the experimental group to comment on the degree of bone healing in the latter group. Quantitative and qualitative assessment was performed by mammography, bone densitometry, computed tomography, and histological examinations to find out the density and cellular content (osteocytes and vessels) of the samples. Examination of Group B samples showed nonviable tissue with a preserved microstructure. Analysis of other samples showed that both the periosteum and, mainly, the dura play an important role in cranial bone healing. The periosteal reaction was observed to be more evident when the dura was not separated. Cellular repopulation was more evident when both structures contributed to the healing process. Newly formed bone progressed centripetally; however, adjacent bone without the support of the dura and periosteum was capable of producing limited neovascularization and bone formation.
The effect of certificate of need and moratoria policy on change in nursing home beds in the United States.

OBJECTIVES This study examined the effects of state certificate of need and/or moratorium requirements on the change in nursing home bed growth in states over a 13-year period. METHODS Data were collected from five telephone surveys of state officials about state certificate of need and moratorium policies, state Medicaid nursing home reimbursement rates, and the licensed nursing home beds in each state for the 1979 through 1993 period. Two-stage least squares regression analysis treated certificate of need and/or moratorium and Medicaid reimbursement rates as endogenous variables in predicting the change in nursing home beds per aged population in states. RESULTS States that had a certificate of need and/or moratorium did have significant reductions in the growth in nursing home beds but Medicaid nursing home reimbursement rates were not related to change in bed stock. The percentage of the population living in a metropolitan area, the personal income per 1,000 population, the percent unemployed, a state's tax effort, and time were positively associated with change in nursing home beds. The ratio of nursing home beds per 1,000 aged population in the previous year was a negative predictor of change in bed stock in a given year. CONCLUSIONS State regulatory policies have an effect on bed growth in contrast to reimbursement policies.
Small-Animal PET Study of Adenosine A1 Receptors in Rat Brain: Blocking Receptors and Raising Extracellular Adenosine

Activation of adenosine A1 receptors (A1R) in the brain causes sedation, reduces anxiety, inhibits seizures, and promotes neuroprotection. Cerebral A1R can be visualized using 8-dicyclopropylmethyl-1-11C-methyl-3-propyl-xanthine (11C-MPDX) and PET. This study aims to test whether 11C-MPDX can be used for quantitative studies of cerebral A1R in rodents. Methods: 11C-MPDX was injected (intravenously) into isoflurane-anesthetized male Wistar rats (300 g). A dynamic scan of the central nervous system was obtained, using a small-animal PET camera. A cannula in a femoral artery was used for blood sampling. Three groups of animals were studied: group 1, controls (saline-treated); group 2, animals pretreated with the A1R antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX, 1 mg, intraperitoneally); and group 3, animals pretreated (intraperitoneally) with a 20% solution of ethanol in saline (2 mL) plus the adenosine kinase inhibitor 4-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-7-(6-morpholino-pyridin-3-yl)pyrido[2,3-d] pyrimidine dihydrochloride (ABT-702) (1 mg). DPCPX is known to occupy cerebral A1R, whereas ethanol and ABT-702 increase extracellular adenosine. Results: In groups 1 and 3, the brain was clearly visualized. High uptake of 11C-MPDX was noted in striatum, hippocampus, and cerebellum. In group 2, tracer uptake was strongly suppressed and regional differences were abolished. The treatment of group 3 resulted in an unexpected 40%–45% increase of the cerebral uptake of radioactivity as indicated by increases of PET standardized uptake value, distribution volume from Logan plot, nondisplaceable binding potential from 2-tissue-compartment model fit, and standardized uptake value from a biodistribution study performed after the PET scan. The partition coefficient of the tracer (K1/k2 from the model fit) was not altered under the study conditions. Conclusion: 11C-MPDX shows a regional distribution in rat brain consistent with binding to A1R. Tracer binding is blocked by the selective A1R antagonist DPCPX. Pretreatment of animals with ethanol and adenosine kinase inhibitor increases 11C-MPDX uptake. This increase may reflect an increased availability of A1R after acute exposure to ethanol.
Histoenzymic Distribution in Ileal Peyer's Patches of Buffalo during Prenatal Development

The study was carried out on ileum of 15 buffalo fetuses ranging from 14.5 cm curved crown-rump length (CVRL) (93 days) to 100 cm CVRL (299 days) to elucidate the histoenzymic distribution of enzymes i.e. alkaline phosphatase (AKPase), Glucose-6-Phosphatase (G-6-Pase), Succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) and Diaphorases on ileal peyer's patches during their prenatal development. The fetuses were categorized into three groups based on their CVRL. In Group upto 20 cm CVRL, weak alkaline phosphatase, SDH activity was observed and activity of LDH and Non specific esterase (NSE) was absent. In 20 to 40 cm CVRL fetuses, strong AKPase and moderate granular G-6-PD activity was observed in the villi of small intestine and developing group of lymphocytes in submucosa. In > 40 cm CVRL fetuses, strong AKPase activity was observed in dome region of the lymphoid follicle that invaded the mucosa in ileum. However, moderate SDH activity was observed at the periphery. The activity of LDH in 20 to 40 cm CVRL fetuses and also in > 40 cm CVRL fetuses was very weak. Intense activity of NADH enzyme was observed in submucosal lymphoid aggregates in group III of ileum.
Interactions between schistosomiasis and infection with HIV‐1

In many regions of the world, both schistosomiasis and HIV/AIDS are endemic, resulting in patients harbouring co‐infections. Because interaction with host CD4 + T cells is a characteristic of schistosome as well as HIV‐1 infections, bi‐directional disease effects may be sufficiently different from sequelae caused by either infectious agent alone to warrant alteration of public health approaches in areas of co‐endemnicity. Studies published over the past decade provide useful insights into interactions between schistosomiasis and infection with HIV‐1, and overall support the hypothesis that special emphasis on treatment of schistosomiasis in populations with elevated prevalence or risk of HIV‐1 infection is justified.
On the homogenization of thin perforated walls of finite length

The present work deals with the resolution of the Poisson equation in a bounded domain made of a thin and periodic layer of finite length placed into a homogeneous medium. We provide and justify a high order asymptotic expansion which takes into account the boundary layer effect occurring in the vicinity of the periodic layer as well as the corner singularities appearing in the neighborhood of the extremities of the layer. Our approach combines the method of matched asymptotic expansions and the method of periodic surface homogenization.