Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spindle Cell Oncocytomas and Granular Cell Tumors of the Pituitary Are Variants of Pituicytoma

Pituicytomas are neoplasms that arise from pituicytes, which are specialized glia of the posterior pituitary. Pituicytes have 5 ultrastructural variants: light, dark, granular, ependymal, and oncocytic. Granular cell tumors of the pituitary gland are thought to arise from granular pituicytes. Spindle cell oncocytomas are considered to arise from folliculostellate cells, which are sustentacular cells of the adenohypophysis. Recent data suggest that, whereas pituicytes and all 3 tumor types are positive for TTF-1, folliculostellate cells are negative for TTF-1. We investigated 7 spindle cell oncocytomas, 4 pituicytomas, and 3 granular cell tumors for their genetic (BRAFV600E mutation and BRAF-KIAA fusion), immunohistochemical (GFAP, vimentin, S100 protein, olig2, IDH1-R132H, NF, galectin-3, chromogranin-A, CD56, EMA, CAM5.2, CD68, TTF-1, and bcl-2), and ultrastructural features to refine their classification. All tumors had nuclear positivity for TTF-1 and were negative for CAM5.2, chromogranin-A, and NF. GFAP, vimentin, S100, galectin-3, EMA, and CD68 were variably positive in the majority of the 3 tumor groups. Olig2 was only positive in 1 pituicytoma. Whereas granular cell tumors were negative for bcl-2 and CD56, pituicytomas and spindle cell oncocytomas showed variable positivity. All tumors were negative with the IDH1-R132H mutation–specific antibody, and none had evidence of BRAF alterations (BRAFV600E mutation and BRAF-KIAA fusion). Diffuse TTF-1 expression in nontumorous pituicytes, pituicytomas, spindle cell oncocytomas, and granular cell tumors indicates a common pituicyte lineage. The ultrastructural variants of pituicytes are reflected in these 3 morphologic variants of tumors arising from these cells. We propose the terminology “oncocytic pituicytomas” and “granular cell pituicytomas” to refine the classification of these lesions.
The Basic Environmental Economics of the Circular Economy

This paper sets up a Ramsey model with exhaustible natural resources to study the optimal recycling of polluting raw materials and household waste products. During the process of economic development, it is optimal for the economy to go through an initial “linear” phase with no recycling followed by a “circular” phase where some materials and waste products are recycled to alleviate growing natural resource scarcity and environmental degradation. Ensuring the optimal degree of recycling in a market economy requires a Pigouvian tax on non-recycled raw materials combined with a subsidy to recycling of household waste and a tax on man-made wealth to internalize the environmental cost of capital accumulation.
ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma) Classification of Allergic Rhinitis Severity in Clinical Practice in France

Background: The Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) workshop proposes a classification of allergic rhinitis severity. It does not take into account impairment in quality of life and treatment should be adapted accordingly. Methods: Two cross-sectional surveys were designed:a spring survey, for which 1,321 practitioners enrolled 3,026 patients consulting for seasonal allergic rhinitis and an autumn-winter survey, for which 1,346 practitioners enrolled 3,507 patients consulting for perennial allergic rhinitis. Simple quality of life parameters were included and logistic regressions were performed in order to assess the impairment of quality of life. Results: The majority of the patients were experiencing an impairment on their quality of life (92.2%). Except for cough, these patients had significantly more nasal, lung and ocular symptoms. In a multivariate analysis, rhinorrhea, nasal itching, red eyes, dyspnea, change in voice, fatigue and headache were correlated to impairment of quality of life. Persistent rhinitis was associated only with subjects who expressed difficulties in reading, and intermittent rhinitis with those who had to blow their nose and who expressed an impact on their professional activities. Conclusions: The proposal of the ARIA expert panel defining the severity of allergic rhinitis based on quality of life parameters is likely to simplify daily physician practice.
Betaproteobacteria growth and nitrification rates during long-term natural dissolved organic matter decomposition experiments

As a first attempt to relate net nitrification rates with bacterial community structure in the coastal embayment of the Ria de Vigo (NW Spain), a set of 6 long-term (lasting 53 to 74 d) dis- solved organic matter decomposition experiments were conducted in the dark and at a constant tem- perature of 15°C with surface seawater collected in January, February, April, and June 2008. Net nitrification rates were estimated from nitrate concentration changes. Evolution of bacterial commu- nity composition was followed using catalyzed reporter deposition-fluorescent in situ hybridization (CARD-FISH) and specific probes for 6 relevant bacterial groups, including Beta- and Gammapro- teobacteria. The growth rates of Betaproteobacteria showed a significant linear positive relationship with nitrification rates that explained 82% of the observed variability, which strongly suggests that the main nitrifying microorganisms during the incubations belonged to the Beta subclass of Pro- teobacteria. A positive relationship was found between net nitrification rates and both ammonium (r 2 = 0.92) and phosphate (r 2 = 0.97) concentrations, which suggests a tight link among the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles, likely as a result of the role of phosphate as the bacterial growth-limiting nutrient.
Nurse Practitioners as Attending Providers for Injured Workers: Evaluating the Effect of Role Expansion on Disability and Costs

Background:A 3-year pilot program to expand the role of nurse practitioners (NPs) in the Washington State workers’ compensation system was implemented on July 1, 2004. This legislation authorized NPs to independently perform most functions of an attending physician. Objective:The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of this legislation by examining medical costs and disability outcomes for injured workers in the care of NPs benchmarked against those in the care of primary care physicians (PCPs). Research Design:This observational study compared NPs and PCPs in the role of attending provider based on the medical costs and disability outcomes of injured workers in their care. Comparisons controlled for sociodemographics, geographic location, injury, employment, and provider characteristics. Data Source:The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries provided claim and medical billing data for 29,949 injured workers who had an accident report filed by an NP or PCP between July 1, 2004 and June 30, 2005. Data were collected through June 30, 2006. Results:NPs were more likely than PCPs to be located in rural areas and counties with high unemployment. The distributions of injury type and severity/complexity indicators were similar across provider types. The likelihood of any time loss was lower for NP claims, but duration of lost work time and medical costs did not significantly differ by provider type. Conclusions:Attending provider type is not a significant predictor of disability or medical costs for injured workers in Washington State.
Asylum seekers in the European Union : building evidence to inform policy making

In 2015 and 2016, migrant flows into the European Union (EU) surged, with Greece and Italy the main entry points. Many of the migrants applied for international protection in Europe, becoming asylum seekers. This spike in EU asylum seekers, as well as the increasing numbers of those granted refugee status, brought a need for information on who they are their sociodemographic characteristics; their education and work experience; their experience on the journey to Italy and Greece; and what it cost them not only financially but also physically and emotionally to get there. This study took a rigorous approach to ensure that it produced hard data to support policy decisions, decisions made not only in receiving countries but also in countries of origin and transit. This report then, contributes to knowledge of aspects of migration and forced displacement, but much more has yet to be learned.
MicroRNA signature obtained from the comparison of aggressive with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphomas: potential prognostic value in mantle-cell lymphoma.

PURPOSE Mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL) has a variable natural history but is incurable with current therapies. MicroRNAs (miRs) are useful in prognostic assessment of cancer. We determined an miR signature defining aggressiveness in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) and assessed whether this signature aids in MCL prognosis. METHODS We assessed miR expression in a training set of 43 NHL cases. The miR signature was validated in 44 additional cases and examined on a training set of 119 MCL cases from four institutions in Canada. miRs significantly associated with overall survival were examined in an independent cohort of 114 MCL cases to determine association with patient outcome. miR expression was combined with current clinical prognostic factors to develop an enhanced prognostic model in patients with MCL. RESULTS Fourteen miRs were differentially expressed between aggressive and indolent NHL; 11 of 14 were validated in an independent set of NHL (excluding MCL). miR-127-3p and miR-615-3p were significantly associated with overall survival in the MCL training set. Their expression was validated in an independent MCL patient set. In comparison with Ki-67, expression of these miRs was more significantly associated with overall survival among patients with MCL. miR-127-3p was combined with Ki-67 to create a new prognostic model for MCL. A similar model was created with miR-615-3p and Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index scores. CONCLUSION Eleven miRs are differentially expressed between aggressive and indolent NHL. Two novel miRs were associated with overall survival in MCL and were combined with clinical prognostic models to generate novel prognostic data for patients with MCL.
Testing Leverage and Spillover Effects in Precious Metal ETFs

This research employed the Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity-in-Mean-Autoregressive Moving Average (GARCH-M-ARMA) and the Exponentially Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity-in-Mean-Autoregressive Moving Average (EGARCH-M-ARMA) models to investigate the spillover and leverage effects in the returns and volatilities of precious metal (base metal) ETFs. Significant positive relationships were found between precious metal (base metal) ETFs and precious metal (base metal) price indices. Further, the positive relationship between risk and return was illustrated in daily precious metal (base metal) ETFs.
Hemodynamic impact of cerebral aneurysm endovascular treatment devices: coils and flow diverters

Coils and flow diverters or stents are devices successfully used to treat cerebral aneurysms. Treatment aims to reduce intra-aneurysmal flow, thereby separating the aneurysmal sac from the blood circulation. The focus and this manuscript combining literature review and our original research is an analysis of changes in aneurysmal hemodynamics caused by endovascular treatment devices. Knowledge of post-treatment hemodynamics is a path to successful long-term treatment. Summarizing findings on hemodynamic impact of treatment devices, we conclude: coiling and stenting do not affect post-treatment intra-aneurysmal pressure, but significantly alter aneurysmal hemodynamics through flow reduction and a change in flow structure. The impact of treatment devices on aneurysmal flow depends, however, on a set of parameters including device geometry, course of placement, parent vessel and aneurysm geometry.
5-Caffeoylquinic acid decreases diet-induced obesity in rats by modulating PPARα and LXRα transcription.

BACKGROUND Chlorogenic acids (CGAs) are widely distributed in plant material, including foods and beverages. 5-Caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA) is the most studied CGA, but the mechanism of its hypolipidaemic effect remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the effect of 5-CQA on lipid metabolism in the liver of Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). RESULTS 5-CQA suppressed HFD-induced increases in body weight and visceral fat-pad weight, serum lipid levels, and serum and hepatic free fatty acids in a dose-dependent manner. Real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that 5-CQA altered the mRNA expression of the transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and liver X receptor α (LXRα) and target genes involved in hepatic fatty acid uptake, β-oxidation, fatty acid synthesis, and cholesterol synthesis. Moreover, hepatic tissue sections from HFD-fed rats showed many empty vacuoles, suggesting that liver cells were filled with more fat droplets. However, 5-CQA significantly ameliorated this effect. CONCLUSION 5-CQA may improve lipid metabolism disorders by altering the expression of PPARα and LXRα, which are involved in multiple intracellular signalling pathways.
High‐affinity triplex‐forming oligonucleotide target sequences in mammalian genomes

Site‐specific recognition of duplex DNA by triplex‐forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) provides a promising approach to manipulate mammalian genomes. A prerequisite for successful gene targeting using this approach is that the targeted gene must contain specific, high‐affinity TFO target sequences (TTS). To date, TTS have been identified and characterized in only ∼37 human or rodent genes, limiting the application of triplex‐directed gene targeting. We searched the complete human and mouse genomes using an algorithm designed to identify high‐affinity TTS. The resulting data set contains 1.9 million potential TTS for each species. We found that 97.8% of known human and 95.2% of known mouse genes have at least one potential high‐affinity TTS in the promoter and/or transcribed gene regions. Importantly, 86.5% of known human and 83% of the known mouse genes have at least one TTS that is unique to that gene. Thus, it is possible to target the majority of human and mouse genes with specific TFOs. We found substantially more potential TTS in the promoter sequences than in the transcribed gene sequences or intergenic sequences in both genomes. We selected 12 mouse genes and 2 human genes critical for cell signaling, proliferation, and/or carcinogenesis, identified potential TTS in each, and determined TFO binding affinities to these sites in vitro. We identified at least one high‐affinity, specific TFO binding site within each of these genes. Using this information, many genes involved in mammalian cell proliferation and carcinogenesis can now be targeted. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intentions and statins prescribing: can the theory of planned behaviour explain physician behaviour in following guideline recommendations?

OBJECTIVES Few studies have assessed the utility of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) in explaining physicians' behaviour. This study uses the TPB for explaining physicians' implementation of guidelines' prescribing recommendations. METHODS We developed the questionnaire via conducting qualitative interviews and pilot study. A random sample of 155 general practitioners (GPs) in England participated in the study. Prescribing and practice data were collected from routine sources. We analysed the data using regression methods. RESULTS TPB explained 48% of variation in reported intentions to follow guidelines' prescribing recommendations. Attitude and perceived controls, but not subjective norms, were predictors of variation in intentions. TPB belief variables significantly explained variation in effective and efficient prescribing indicators (14% and 12% respectively). Normative, control and behavioural beliefs contributed to the models. Only for efficient prescribing, the TPB items retained their significance in presence of demographic variables. We found no significant relationship between intention and prescribing. CONCLUSIONS TPB helped understanding of GPs prescribing behaviour and their intentions to implement a clinical guideline. Beliefs (e.g. normative beliefs) were better predictors of behaviour than the composite scores for their corresponding higher-level construct (e.g. indirect subjective norm). TPB models should be tested alongside randomized trials to test the assumption of causality that change in beliefs ultimately results in change in behaviour.
Down-regulation of Fas-ligand mRNA in Sjögren's syndrome patients with enlarged exocrine glands

We have reported that Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients with enlarged exocrine glands (EEG) formerly referred to as Mikulicz's disease were defective with Fas-ligand (FasL) expression in PBL and lacrimal glands (LGs). To investigate the mechanisms of reduced FasL expression in SS patients with EEG, FasL mRNA expression level was determined using real-time PCR. The FasL gene promoter region (from − 1197 to − 3) was also amplified using PCR and specific primers. Expression of the FasL mRNA in the LGs and PBLs of three SS patients with EEG was significantly decreased. Direct sequencing revealed a heterozygous point mutation ( − 259T/C) in the FasL gene promoter region in one SS patient with EEG. A luminescent β-galactosidase (β-gal) reporter assay using a pβgal Enhancer Vector demonstrated that β-gal activity from the vector including the mutant ( − 259C) FasL (pβgal/mFasL) gene promoter region (735 ± 42) was similar (p = 0.13) to that from a pβgal Enhancer Vector without the gene promoter region (603 ± 66). On the other hand, the β-gal activity was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) than that from a vector including the wild-type ( − 259T) FasL (pβgal/wFasL) (3226 ± 148). In conclusion, the down-regulation of FasL in SS patients with EEG may be due to transcriptional regulation, and the point mutation at − 259T/C in the FasL gene promoter region may lead to the down-regulation of FasL mRNA expression and the lymphoproliferative process observed in SS patients with EEG.
Cytokine gene polymorphisms in acute pancreatitis.

CONTEXT Pro-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines play a key role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. Genetic loci encoding cytokines have been shown to be polymorphic, in some cases influencing protein expression. OBJECTIVE To investigate if TNF and IL-10 gene loci are associated with the occurrence or severity of acute pancreatitis. SETTING Acute surgical unit within large district hospital serving a population of 500,000. METHODS, Three TNF microsatellite loci (TNFa, TNFb, TNFc), the TNF-308 polymorphism, the IL-10.G microsatellite locus, and 3 i-allelic polymorphisms in the IL-10 5' region were typed using PCR in 135 acute pancreatitis patients and ethnically matched normal controls (n=107). Aetiology of disease was determined and patients grouped according to disease severity by assigning an organ failure score or classification according to the Atlanta system. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Allelic frequency of polymorphic loci in patients with different aetiology and disease course in acute pancreatitis. RESULTS No difference was noted in allelic frequency of any of the cytokine gene loci between groups stratified according to disease severity. When aetiology was studied again there was no significant difference in allelic frequency. CONCLUSIONS The cytokine gene polymorphisms studied play no part in determination of disease severity or susceptibility to acute pancreatitis.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Bovine Herpesvirus 1 Latency

SUMMARY Primary infection by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) can cause clinical symptoms in the peripheral and central nervous system, upper respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal tract. Recurrent ocular shedding leads to corneal scarring that can progress to vision loss. Consequently, HSV-1 is the leading cause of corneal blindness due to an infectious agent. Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) has similar biological properties to HSV-1 and is a significant health concern to the cattle industry. Latency of BHV-1 and HSV-1 is established in sensory neurons of trigeminal ganglia, but latency can be interrupted periodically, leading to reactivation from latency and spread of infectious virus. The ability of HSV-1 and BHV-1 to reactivate from latency leads to virus transmission and can lead to recurrent disease in individuals latently infected with HSV-1. During latency, the only abundant HSV-1 RNA expressed is the latency-associated transcript (LAT). In latently infected cattle, the latency-related (LR) RNA is the only abundant transcript that is expressed. LAT and LR RNA are antisense to ICP0 or bICP0, viral genes that are crucial for productive infection, suggesting that LAT and LR RNA interfere with productive infection by inhibiting ICP0 or bICP0 expression. Numerous studies have concluded that LAT expression is important for the latency-reactivation cycle in animal models. The LR gene has recently been demonstrated to be required for the latency-reactivation cycle in cattle. Several recent studies have demonstrated that LAT and the LR gene inhibit apoptosis (programmed cell death) in trigeminal ganglia of infected animals and transiently transfected cells. The antiapoptotic properties of LAT map to the same sequences that are necessary for promoting reactivation from latency. This review summarizes our current knowledge of factors regulating the latency-reactivation cycle of HSV-1 and BHV-1.
Does Small Intestinal Atresia Affect Epithelial Protein Expression in Human Newborns?

Objectives: Bowel segments distal to a congenital intestinal obstruction have been suggested to be immature. In other words, luminal components such as amniotic fluid (before birth) and/or enteral nutrition (after birth) may be required to activate intestinal epithelial protein expression, thereby influencing epithelial differentiation. We investigated cell-type–specific protein expression proximal and distal to jejunal and ileal atresias in human newborns. Patients and Methods: We immunohistochemically studied intestinal tissue specimens of 16 newborns who had undergone surgery for jejunal or ileal atresia. Sections were taken from both the proximal and distal sides of the atresias. Results: For all patients, the enterocyte-specific markers lactase, sucrase-isomaltase, sodium glucose cotransporter 1, glucose transporters 2 and 5, intestinal fatty acid–binding protein and alkaline phosphatase were expressed at a mean 3 ± 1 days after birth, both proximal and distal to jejunal and ileal atresias. Expression of goblet cell–specific markers mucin 2 and trefoil factor 3 and that of the Paneth cell marker lysozyme was maintained at either side of the atretic segment. Conclusions: With respect to the markers used, the human small intestinal epithelium is already differentiated shortly after birth. The absence of intestinal continuity in case of a jejunal or ileal atresia does not affect epithelial protein expression. This would seem to indicate that the developing small intestinal epithelium matures independently of luminal components.