Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors in Iceland, 1990–2003: The Icelandic GIST study, a population‐based incidence and pathologic risk stratification study

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a newly defined clinical and pathologic entity. This study examines the whole population‐based incidence of GIST as well as pathologic risk stratification schemes. All patients diagnosed in Iceland with a gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumor over the years 1990–2003 were evaluated with an immunohistochemical panel including staining for c‐kit. The age‐adjusted incidence of GIST was calculated. Size, mitotic rate per 50 HPF and various other pathologic parameters were evaluated. Each tumor was categorized into 1 of 4 recently defined NIH risk stratification categories. Fifty‐seven of the mesenechymal gastrointestinal tumors were positive for c‐kit and therefore categorized as GIST. The annual incidence for the study period is 1.1 per 100,000. The median age of patients was 65.8 years and median tumor size was 4.6 cm. Only 2 of 35 gastric tumors fall into the NIH high‐risk category while half of the nongastric tumors (11 of 22) fall into this high‐risk category. Eight of the 57 tumors (14%) metastasized, 7 of which were nongastric. The positive predictive value for malignant behavior of the high‐risk category is 46%. The negative predictive value of low‐ and very‐low‐risk NIH category is 100%. Pathologic predictors of malignant behavior are tumor size, mitotic rate, mucosal disruption, necrosis and high cellularity. Nongastric GISTs are clearly at much higher risk of a malignant behavior than gastric GISTs. This population‐based GIST study estimates the incidence of GISTs at 1.1 per 100,000 and furthermore supports the NIH consensus categories for the prediction of malignant behavior of GISTs. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oxidative stress and increased eNOS and NADPH oxidase expression in mouse microvessel endothelial cells

Elevated oxidative stress plays a key role in diabetes‐associated vascular disease. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that high glucose‐induced oxidative stress was associated with changes in the expression of NADPH oxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Oxidative stress was assessed in cell cultures of mouse microvessel endothelial cells (MMECs) by fluorescence labelling with dihydroethidium, lucigenin‐enhanced chemiluminescence and determining NADPH oxidase subunit and eNOS expression with real‐time polymerase chain reaction protocol and Western blotting. Oxidative stress and expression of the NADPH oxidase subunit, p22phox, were both increased, SOD1 and 3 expression lowered and eNOS significantly elevated in MMECs treated with 40 mM glucose for 72 h compared to low glucose medium. Oxidative stress, p22phox mRNA, eNOS mRNA, and protein were lowered by concurrent incubation with sepiapterin. When eNOS protein expression in endothelial cells was significantly decreased by eNOS siRNA treatment, superoxide generation was significantly higher in the MMECs grown in low glucose, but reduced in those grown in high glucose for 72 h. Thus, exposure of MMECs to high glucose results in increased oxidative stress that is associated with increased eNOS and NADPH oxidase subunit expression, notably p22phox, and decreased expression of SOD1 and 3. J. Cell. Physiol. 212:682–689, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Strain-induced changes to the electronic structure of germanium

Density functional theory calculations (DFT) are used to investigate the strain-induced changes to the electronic structure of biaxially strained (parallel to the (001), (110) and (111) planes) and uniaxially strained (along the [001], [110] and [111] directions) germanium (Ge). It is calculated that a moderate uniaxial strain parallel to the [111] direction can efficiently transform Ge to a direct bandgap material with a bandgap energy useful for technological applications.
Thermal treatment of solid waste in view of recycling: Chromate and molybdate formation and leaching behaviour

Elevated Cr and Mo concentrations are often found in leachates of thermally treated solid waste, but there is no general explanation for this so far. Therefore, we studied the leaching behaviour after thermal treatment as a function of heating temperature and residence time for two types of solid waste: contaminated sludge and bottom ash from municipal solid waste incineration. The leaching behaviour of both waste streams was compared with experiments on synthetic samples, allowing deduction of a general mechanism for Cr and Mo leaching. Cr and Mo showed a similar leaching behaviour: after an initial increase, the leaching decreased again at higher temperatures. Oxidation of these elements from their lower oxidation states to chromate and molybdate at temperatures up to 600 °C was responsible for the increased leaching. At higher temperatures, both Mo and Cr leaching decreased again owing to the formation of an amorphous phase, incorporating the newly formed chromate and molybdate salts, which prevents them from leaching.
Anti-f in a 24- Year Old Male: A Case Study

This is a case study of a 24-year old male, having total knee arthroplasty, who is found to have an anti-f antibody, and denies history of previous blood product injection or blood transfusion. The anti- f antibody is produced due to exposure to the f antigen, and is one of the Rh blood group system's compound antigens expressed when the c and e alleles are in the cis position on the Rh chromosome. Patients with anti-f requiring transfusion could safely be transfused with units of blood lacking both the c and e antigens and units lacking only the c antigen.
Are CD8 T cells involved in control of African trypanosomiasis in a natural host environment?

Murine models have suggested that CD8 T cells might play a major parasite‐promoting role in African trypanosomiasis. To assess the role of these cells in a natural host environment, we have depleted CD8 cells from Boran cattle in vivo and subsequently infected these animals with Trypanosoma congolense by tsetse fly challenge. Following administration of a mouse monoclonal anti‐bovine CD8 antibody, we have been able to achieve a depletion of more than 99.9% in peripheral blood, spleen, prescapular lymph nodes, prefemoral lymph nodes, mesenteric lymph nodes and Peyer's patches. Depletion could be maintained over a 4–5‐week infection period. Despite the almost total absence of CD8 cells, no effect whatsoever was observed on parasitemia. In addition, anemia, which is the main factor determining the mean survival time in cattle was not affected by the CD8 depletion.
The Effect of Economies of Scope on Iranian Banking Sector Structure: An Application of Multi-Product Function and Multi-Level Effect Approaches

Abstract This paper investigates, using a multi-product paradigm, the market structure of the Iranian banking sector to evaluate the role of scale. In so doing, we checked for economies of scope by multi-product cost function as well as the impact of potential economies on the banking sector structure including 18 banks during the period 2008–2014. The changes in Panzar-Rosse H-Statistic as a result of the variety in products reflect changes in the monopolistic power. The results show that an increase in the variety of offered products increases banks’ monopolistic power.
An Instrument to Measure Skeletal Burden and Predict Functional Outcome in Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone

An instrument to measure skeletal burden in fibrous dysplasia was developed. Biological and clinical relevance was shown by correlating skeletal burden scores with bone markers, quality of life, and ambulatory status. Childhood scores predict adult ambulatory status, and scores were unaffected when bone markers decreased with bisphosphonate treatment or aging.
Femoral Stem Insertion Generates High Bone Cement Pressurization

Adequate bone cement pressurization is critical in obtaining optimal femoral cement mantles during total hip arthroplasty. Pressurization can be generated during insertion of the femoral stem into the cement-filled canal. This may be clinically useful in augmenting conventional cement gun pressurization. Two factors, which were expected to influence the amount of insertion-induced pressurization, are the cement’s cure state (viscosity) at the time of insertion and the femoral stem profile. This study evaluated the effect of these factors on cement pressurization during stem insertion. Femoral stems were inserted at a controlled rate into a reusable, simulated femoral canal. Intramedullary pressures were monitored at four locations along the canal’s medial midline. The intrusion factor quantity, which accounts for pressure magnitude, duration of pressurization, and cement viscosity, was developed to quantify pressurization. Stem insertion into late cure stage (high viscosity) cement resulted in significantly higher intramedullary pressures (as much as 187% higher) and intrusion factors (as much as 43% higher) as compared with early stage (low viscosity) cement. The highest pressures and intrusion factors were found in the distal canal. A tapered stem profile resulted in significantly higher pressures (as much as 65%) and higher intrusion factors (as much as 63%) than a straight stem.
Acute Pulmonary Inflammation Induced by Lung Overloading with Selenium Particles: Leukocyte Response and In Situ Detection of Selenium at High Resolution

The kinetics of the acute inflammatory response of the lung was triggered in CD-1 mice by a single intratracheal instillation of a large amount of Se (10 mg); it was studied by quantitative cytology of bronchoalveolar lavage samples, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with x-ray elemental microanalysis. Bronchoalveolar lavage leukocytes were mostly neutrophils and increased from 12 to 24 h of Se treatment and decreased at 72 h. Only less than half of the granulocytes showed ingested Se particles; in contrast, virtually all BAL macrophages contained Se particles. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray elemental microanalysis revealed that the intracellular Se particles were heterogeneous in size (diameters from 0.4 and up to 14 μm), and that Se inclusions were sometimes accumulated at a pole of the cell. At 72 h after instillation of the particles, Se-loaded alveolar macrophages were migrated in the interstitial space of the alveoli. Se-positive regions had a focal distribution in the lung; accumulation of inflammatory cells erased the alveolar architecture of these areas of the deep lung. Our data indicates that Se overloading of the lung results in: (1) an acute inflammatory response that is dominated by neutrophils; (2) early removal of Se done mostly by alveolar macrophages, and (3) formation of focal areas of invasion of the lung parenchyma by inflammatory infiltrates.
Evaluation of inflammatory cell biomarkers in chronic venous insufficiency

Objective Inflammation has been implicated as a factor that may contribute to chronic venous insufficiency. The purpose of this study is to compare readily available inflammatory cell biomarkers, with an emphasis on neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio, in patients with chronic venous insufficiency. We hypothesized that circulating leukocyte counts would be higher in the peripheral blood of patients with severe compared to mild chronic venous insufficiency. Methods We performed a retrospective medical record review of patients discharged from Ruby Memorial Hospital (Morgantown, WV, USA) with a primary diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency. Patients were organized into two groups—mild and severe chronic venous insufficiency—based on the Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic, and Pathophysiological classification system, and inflammatory cell counts were compared between groups. Results We observed a significantly higher neutrophil count (p = .002) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (p = .005) in patients with severe chronic venous insufficiency compared to mild. Further, the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio may be a useful predictor of chronic venous insufficiency severity. Conclusions We reported significant differences in inflammatory cell biomarkers between mild and severe chronic venous insufficiency, as well as provided support for the use of the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of chronic venous insufficiency severity. These results may provide clinicians with additional insight to manage chronic venous insufficiency in patients and provide a framework for the development of novel treatment options targeting the immune system in chronic venous insufficiency.
Follicular fluid concentration of leukaemia inhibitory factor is decreased among women with polycystic ovarian syndrome during assisted reproduction cycles.

BACKGROUND The possibility that a specific cytokine profile could be detected in the ovaries of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) was investigated. METHOD Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or bioassays were used to assess the concentrations of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), tumour necrosis factor, interleukin 11, gamma interferon, progesterone and oestradiol in follicular fluids from preovulatory follicles collected after ovarian stimulation from 15 PCOS patients, 15 infertile control patients with regular cycles, and 8 oocyte donors. RESULTS LIF and progesterone concentrations were significantly lower in the follicular fluid of PCOS patients (LIF median: 265 pg/ml) compared with controls (LIF median: 816 pg/ml); LIF and progesterone follicular fluid concentrations were correlated (r = 0.720, P = 0.0001). The LH/FSH ratio was negatively correlated with LIF concentrations (r = - 0.714, P = 0.0075). Although the PCOS and control patients did not differ significantly in age, ovarian reserve or IVF indication, the implantation rate was significantly lower among the women with PCOS (IR = 9 versus 21%, P = < 0.01). CONCLUSION The specific cytokine profile of the PCOS patients is probably related to the lower implantation rate since follicular fluid LIF appears to function as an embryotrophic agent.
MICROCIRCULATORY EFFECTS OF CHANGING BLOOD HEMOGLOBIN OXYGEN AFFINITY DURING HEMORRHAGIC SHOCK RESUSCITATION IN AN EXPERIMENTAL MODEL

Microvascular responses to blood volume restitution using red blood cells (RBCs) with modified hemoglobin (Hb) oxygen affinity were studied in the hamster window chamber model during resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock. Allosteric effectors inositol hexaphosphate and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural were introduced into the RBCs by electroporation to decrease and increase Hb-oxygen affinity. In vitro P50s (partial pressure of oxygen at 50% Hb saturation) were modified to 10 and 50 mmHg (normal P50, 32 mmHg). Awake hamsters were subjected to hemorrhage of 50% of blood volume, followed by a shock period of 1 h, and then resuscitated with 25% blood volume with high or low P50 RBCs (hematocrit, 50%). After resuscitation, base excess was significantly lower than baseline in the high-P50 RBC group (HP50; 0.3 ± 2 vs. 5.0 ± 1.7 mM) and MAP was lower than baseline in the low-P50 RBC group (LP50; 93 ± 6 vs. 109 ± 6 mM). Arteriolar diameter and flow were significantly lower in the HP50. Functional capillary density in the HP50 was significantly lower than LP50 at 60 and 90 min after resuscitation. There was no significantly difference in arteriolar PO2. Tissue PO2, venular PO2, and oxygen delivery were higher in LP50 than in HP50. There was no significant difference in oxygen extraction. Oxygen extraction ratio (oxygen extraction/oxygen delivery) × 100 was significantly higher in HP50 than in LP50. These results suggest that lowering blood P50 in resuscitation provides improved microvascular function in comparison with higher P50.
Identification of Polymorphic Outer Membrane Proteins of Chlamydia psittaci 6BC

ABSTRACT The genomes of Chlamydia spp. encode a family of putative outer membrane proteins, referred to as polymorphic outer membrane proteins (POMPs), which may play a role in the avoidance of host immune defenses. We analyzed avian strain 6BC of Chlamydia psittaci by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for the expression of POMPs. At least six putative POMPs were identified on the basis of their size (90 to 110 kDa) and labeling with an outer membrane-specific probe, 3-(trifluoromethyl)-3-(m-[125I]iodophenyl)diazirine. Three of the putative POMPs reacted with antiserum raised against a recombinant ovine C. psittaci strain POMP, and two possessed surface-exposed, trypsin-sensitive sites. The POMPs were dependent on disulfide bonds for their maintenance in sodium lauryl sarcosine- and sodium dodecyl sulfate-insoluble complexes but did not appear to be interpeptide disulfide bond cross-linked. The putative POMPs were found to be synthesized during the late phase of the chlamydial developmental cycle, cotemporally with the cysteine-rich doublet periplasmic proteins.
Validity of the geriatric depression scale and the collateral source version of the geriatric depression scale in nursing homes

ABSTRACT Background: Depression is a common psychiatric disorder in older people. The study aimed to examine the screening accuracy of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Collateral Source version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (CS-GDS) in the nursing home setting. Methods: Eighty-eight residents from 14 nursing homes were assessed for depression using the GDS and the CS-GDS, and validated against clinician diagnosed depression using the Semi-structured Clinical Diagnostic Interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I Disorders (SCID) for residents without dementia and the Provisional Diagnostic Criteria for Depression in Alzheimer Disease (PDCdAD) for those with dementia. The screening performances of five versions of the GDS (30-, 15-, 10-, 8-, and 4-item) and two versions of the CS-GDS (30- and 15-item) were analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: Among residents without dementia, both the self-rated (AUC = 0.75–0.79) and proxy-rated (AUC = 0.67) GDS variations performed significantly better than chance in screening for depression. However, neither instrument adequately identified depression among residents with dementia (AUC between 0.57 and 0.70). Among the GDS variations, the 4- and 8-item scales had the highest AUC and the optimal cut-offs were >0 and >3, respectively. Conclusions: The validity of the GDS in detecting depression requires a certain level of cognitive functioning. While the CS-GDS is designed to remedy this issue by using an informant, it did not have adequate validity in detecting depression among residents with dementia. Further research is needed on informant selection and other factors that can potentially influence the validity of proxy-based measures in the nursing home setting.
Outcomes: wedge resection versus lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer at the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario 1998-2009.

BACKGROUND Sublobar resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial owing to concern about local recurrence and long-term survival outcomes. We sought to determine the efficacy of wedge resection as an oncological procedure. METHODS We analyzed the outcomes of all patients with NSCLC undergoing surgical resection at the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario between 1998 and 2009. The standard of care for patients with adequate cardiopulmonary reserve was lobectomy. Wedge resection was performed for patients with inadequate reserve to tolerate lobectomy. Predictors of recurrence and survival were assessed. Appropriate statistical analyses involved the χ(2) test, an independent samples t test and Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival. Outcomes were stratified for tumour size and American Joint Committee on Cancer seventh edition TNM stage for non-small cell lung cancer. RESULTS A total of 423 patients underwent surgical resection during our study period: wedge resection in 71 patients and lobectomy in 352. The mean age of patients was 64 years. Mean follow-up for cancer survivors was 39 months. There was no significant difference between wedge resection and lobectomy for rate of tumour recurrence, mortality or disease-free survival in patients with stage IA tumours less than 2 cm in diameter. CONCLUSION Wedge resection with lymph node sampling is an adequate oncological procedure for non-small cell lung cancer in properly selected patients, specifically, those with stage IA tumours less than 2 cm in diameter.
Factors associated with survival of horses following relaparotomy

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Relaparotomy may be required to investigate and manage complications that occur following surgical management of colic. OBJECTIVES To report factors associated with survival following relaparotomy. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. METHODS Records of horses that had undergone exploratory laparotomy for treatment of colic over a 10-year period (2002-2012) and had undergone relaparotomy <8 weeks following the initial surgery were reviewed. Descriptive data were generated and association with survival time was modelled using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS Relaparotomy was performed in 96 horses at <8 weeks following initial surgery at a median of 4 days. This represented 6.3% of horses that underwent laparotomy during the study period (n = 1531). Relaparotomy was most frequently undertaken based on signs of persistent post-operative colic (76%; n = 73). Short-term survival for horses undergoing relaparotomy due to persistent colic was 53%, incisional dehiscence 50%, post-operative reflux 37%, haemoperitoneum 17% and septic peritonitis 0%. Median survival was 6 days for all horses undergoing relaparotomy and 778 days for those that recovered following anaesthesia. Nonsurvival was associated with increased packed cell volume at 24 h following initial laparotomy (hazard ratio [HR] 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.10, P = 0.009), peritonitis as a reason for undertaking relaparotomy (HR 4.41, 95% CI 1.43-13.6, P = 0.01) and adhesions found at relaparotomy (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.03-3.04, P = 0.04). Increased likelihood of survival was associated with colic signs being the reason for performing relaparotomy (HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.26-0.88, P = 0.02) and small intestinal distension found at relaparotomy (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.29-0.96, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS This study has provided information about survival rates and risk factors for survival in horses undergoing relaparotomy that can assist clinicians and owners when determining whether to perform relaparotomy and in predicting the likely surgical outcome.
The role of LTA4H and ALOX5AP polymorphism in asthma and allergy susceptibility

Background: Leukotrienes (LTs) have been identified as central mediators in asthma and allergy. Pharmacological inhibition of cysteinyl‐LT activity improves asthma symptoms and control. Accumulating evidence suggests a role for the dihydroxy leukotriene LTB4 in airway disease. LTA4 hydrolase and 5‐lipoxygenase activating protein have key roles in LTB4 production. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) and haplotypes spanning the LTA4H and ALOX5AP genes have been associated with LTB4 production and myocardial infarction (MI).