Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gene expression in mixed type liposarcoma

Aims: Mixed type liposarcomas are rare. Here, we analysed the characteristics of an unusual case of mixed type liposarcoma, which consisted of a well‐differentiated liposarcoma (WDL) and a pleomorphic liposarcoma (PL), with a special emphasis on molecular alterations. Methods: Microscopic and immunohistochemical approaches were used to investigate this case of mixed type liposarcoma, and to identify molecular alterations in this tumour, gene expression was examined in PL, WDL, and normal adipose tissue (NA) samples using a 17 000 cDNA microarray. Results: The tumour mass, 9×5×5 cm, was located in the left upper arm of a 76‐year‐old man. Grossly, the proximal portion of the tumour was composed of a yellowish fatty lesion, whereas the distal portion of the tumour was whitish and necrotic in nature. Histologically, the tumour was composed of two distinct components. The proximal component of the tumour was a WDL and the distal component was a PL. Immunohistochemically, S100 protein immunoreactivity highlighted lipoblasts in both tumour portions. The Ki‐67 proliferation index was <1% in the WDL and 20% in the PL. MDM2 was positive in the WDL, but negative in the PL. p53 was negative in both areas. Numerous differentially expressed genes were found, which included genes coding for signal transduction, transcription, cell cycle, enzyme, structural protein, immune system and others. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that multiple genes are differentially expressed in mixed type liposarcoma and suggest that these genes are associated with the differences in the morphological characteristics and pathogenesis of mixed type liposarcoma.
Biochemical Changes in Endocannabinoid System are Expressed in Platelets of Female but not Male Migraineurs

The endogenous cannabinoid anandamide (AEA) plays important roles in modulating pain. Head pain is an almost universal human experience, yet primary headache disorders, such as migraine without aura (MoA) or episodic tension-type headache (ETTH), can represent a serious threat to well-being when frequent and disabling. We assessed the discriminating role of endocannabinoids among patients with ETTH or MoA, and control subjects. We measured the activity of AEA hydrolase and AEA transporter, and the level of cannabinoid receptors in peripheral platelets from MoA, ETTH and healthy controls. Sixty-nine headache patients and 36 controls were selected. Diagnosis of headache type was made according to the International Headache Society criteria. We observed significant sex differences concerning AEA membrane transporter and fatty acid amide hydrolase activity in all groups. An increase in the activity of AEA hydrolase and AEA transporter was found in female but not male migraineurs. Cannabinoid receptors were the same in all groups. Here we show that the endocannabinoid system in human platelets is altered in female but not male migraneurs. Our results suggest that in migraineur women an increased AEA degradation by platelets, and hence a reduced concentration of AEA in blood, might reduce the pain threshold and possibly explain the prevalence of migraine in women. The involvement of the endocannabinoid system in migraine is new and broadens our knowledge of this widespread and multifactorial disease.
Hourglass bladder after ileocystoplasty (case report)

Narrowing of the anastomotic area between the bowel segment and urinary bladder is known as “hour-glass bladder. ” This report describes a rare case of hourglass bladder deformity occurring post-ileocystoplasty in a 14-year-old male. We describe the essential steps that should be taken during bladder augmentation to avoid such a complication, along with a discussion of the relevant literature. This case emphasizes the need to strictly adhere to the steps of augmentation cystoplasty to avoid this technical complication.
Using PCA to detect head motion from PET list mode data

PET can be used for studying the brain. However, structures in the brain are small and results can be affected by patient motion, especially during dynamic PET scans. Many researchers have studied correction of head movement using data from an external camera. Here, we report on a fast technique to detect when the movement happens from the PET data only. The method uses PCA on (spatially coarse) dynamic sinogram data. It allows the detection of movements in arbitrary direction, as long as the movement is fast compared to biological kinetics. We use this information as input for the Multiple Acquisition Frame (MAF) technique to split the list mode data in dynamic frames, ignoring periods of fast movement, followed by image reconstruction and rigid registration. We compare this technique with using dynamic data with fixed time frames of 30secs or 300secs. We show that for a given number of time frames, MAF-PCA can give better results than using fixed frame duration.
Qualitative insights into the psychological stress before and during colposcopy: a focus group study

Abstract Objective: To determine the reasons for women’s anxiety and psychological stress before and during colposcopy, in order to define strategies to decrease their stress. Methods: Qualitative study with 15 women participating in four focus groups between April 2011 and April 2012. All participants were diagnosed with a cervical cytological abnormality and attended a gynecologist’s clinic to undergo colposcopy. The focus group interview was audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis to identify themes. Results: Psychological stress before colposcopy was seen as being caused by unsatisfactory explanation of abnormal cervical smears and the colposcopy procedure itself. Additionally, a fear of cancer, pain and discomfort, embarrassment, waiting time in the hospital, and a longer interval between referral and the actual colposcopy appointment increased psychological stress and anxiety. Women indicated that more detailed and practical information about the cervical smear result and the colposcopy procedure may reduce stress and anxiety. Conclusion: In order to minimize the adverse psychological consequences of an abnormal cervical smear and colposcopy, timely, practical and detailed information needs to be provided to the women, and waiting and access times need to be as short as possible. These measures may reduce the psychological stress and anxiety, however some stress and anxiety will always remain, and may even be desirable in order to ensure proper follow-up of abnormal cervical smears.
Impact of Bankruptcy Eligibility Requirements and Statutory Liens on Borrowing Costs

While bankruptcy protection remains an instrument of last resort, a recent wave of petitions has aroused the interest of key participants in the municipal bond market. To date, 12 states unconditionally authorize municipalities to file for bankruptcy protection, 15 states require that municipalities satisfy certain threshold requirements, while the remaining 23 states either explicitly prohibit or have not specifically provided this authority to municipal governments. As bankruptcy protection rules influence bondholder risk exposures, we empirically test the significance of the state-specific bankruptcy eligibility requirements on borrowing costs. In a representative sample of general obligation bonds, empirical results suggest that municipalities eligible to file for bankruptcy protection pay a premium. The premium is higher if issuers are unconditionally authorized to file for bankruptcy protection, especially for debt with longer maturities. Findings also show that there are benefits associated with statutory liens; however, these benefits diminish with maturity.
Burden of Behavioral and Psychiatric Symptoms in People Screened Positive for Dementia in Primary Care: Results of the DelpHi-Study.

BACKGROUND There is limited knowledge about the range and effects of neuropsychiatric symptoms shown by persons with dementia (PWD) living in the community and their related caregiver burden. OBJECTIVE To examine neuropsychiatric symptoms in PWD in primary care with regard to frequency, severity, and burden to caregiver; to compare PWD with and without symptoms with regard to sociodemographics, care-related, and disease-related variables; and to identify variables associated with symptoms. METHODS A general physician-based epidemiological cohort of 248 people screened positive for dementia over the age of 70 (living at home) and their caregivers, was assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Interview (NPI), sociodemographics, and disease-related variables. RESULTS In preliminary analyses, neuropsychiatric symptoms were frequent in PWD. Prevalence numbers ofdysphoria/depression, apathy, and agitation/aggression were each more than 30% . The severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms in people screened positive for dementia in primary care is moderate with a mean NPI score of m = 11.91 (SD = 16.0). Overall, caregiver distress is low, indicated by a total distress score of m = 5.94 (SD = 7.2, range 0-39). Common or frequent symptoms are not necessarily the most distressing symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Neuropsychiatric symptoms are common in people screened positive for dementia in primary care. While frequency, severity, and perceived distress might be low in the total sample, we identified the dimensions delusions, aggression, anxiety, disinhibition, and depression to be perceived "severely" to "extremely" distressing in more than 30% of the caregivers affected. The association between activities of daily living and symptoms needs further attention.
Identification of a domain in Rck, a product of the Salmonella typhimurium virulence plasmid, required for both serum resistance and cell invasion

Rck is encoded on the Salmonella typhimurium virulence plasmid and is a member of a family of related 17- to 19-kDa outer membrane proteins of Enterobacteriaceae, including Ail (Yersinia enterocolitica) and PagC (S. typhimurium). Structural models for these proteins predict eight membrane-spanning domains alternating with hydrophilic inner and outer loops. When expressed in Escherichia coli, Rck and Ail, but not PagC, confer high-level resistance to the bactericidal activity of complement as well as the ability to adhere to and invade mammalian cell lines. To identify functional domains of Rck, we made and screened random mutations in Rck for decreased bioactivity. We found that a single amino acid substitution (glycine to aspartic acid) in the putative third outer loop greatly reduced Rck-mediated serum resistance and eukaryotic cell invasion. We then constructed two chimeric proteins between Rck and PagC. Substitution of the C-terminal half of Rck with the corresponding PagC fragment containing both the third and the fourth outer loops abolishes the Rck-mediated serum resistance and invasion phenotypes. Substitution of Rck with a smaller C-terminal portion of PagC containing the fourth outer loop did not affect the invasive phenotype or serum resistance. These data reveal that the third putative outer membrane loop region is important for the virulence-associated properties of the Rck protein and suggest a similarity between the mechanism of serum resistance and epithelial cell invasion involving the same domain of Rck.
Multiple ionic mechanisms mediate inhibition of rat motoneurones by inhalation anaesthetics

1 We studied the effects of inhalation anaesthetics on the membrane properties of hypoglossal motoneurones in a neonatal rat brainstem slice preparation. 2 In current clamp, halothane caused a membrane hyperpolarization that was invariably associated with decreased input resistance; in voltage clamp, halothane induced an outward current and increased input conductance. Qualitatively similar results were obtained with isoflurane and sevoflurane. 3 The halothane current reversed near the predicted K+ equilibrium potential (EK) and was reduced in elevated extracellular K+ and in the presence of Ba2+ (2 mm). Moreover, the Ba2+‐sensitive component of halothane current was linear and reversed near EK. The halothane current was not sensitive to glibenclamide or thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH). Therefore, the halothane current was mediated, in part, by activation of a Ba2+‐sensitive K+ current distinct from the ATP‐ and neurotransmitter‐sensitive K+ currents in hypoglossal motoneurones. 4 Halothane also inhibited Ih, a hyperpolarization‐activated cationic current; this was primarily due to a decrease in the absolute amount of current, although halothane also caused a small, but statistically significant, shift in the voltage dependence of Ih activation. Extracellular Cs+ (3 mm) blocked Ih and a component of halothane‐sensitive current with properties reminiscent of Ih. 5 A small component of halothane current, resistant to Ba2+ and Cs+, was observed in TTX‐containing solutions at potentials depolarized to ∼−70 mV. Partial Na+ substitution by N‐methyl‐D‐glucamine completely abolished this residual current, indicating that halothane also inhibited a TTX‐resistant Na+ current active near rest potentials. 6 Thus, halothane activates a Ba2+‐sensitive, relatively voltage‐independent K+ current and inhibits both Ih and a TTX‐insensitive persistent Na+ current in hypoglossal motoneurones. These effects of halothane decrease motoneuronal excitability and may contribute to the immobilization that accompanies inhalation anaesthesia.
Organ-sparing surgery in urology: partial cystectomy

Purpose of review While radical cystectomy continues to be the gold standard for surgical management of muscle invasive bladder cancer, there has been a renewed interest in partial cystectomy as a viable treatment alternative. The purpose of this review is to summarize and discuss the recent literature regarding partial cystectomy for bladder cancer. Recent findings Utilization of partial cystectomy has remained stable, at a rate of 7–10% of all cystectomies performed nationally. Additionally, recent population-based series as well as single institution cohorts have found that partial cystectomy did not compromise survival when compared to radical cystectomy. While patients may recur, those with organ-confined disease had no difference in survival following salvage cystectomy when compared to primary radical cystectomy. Current data indicate 14% of patients experience an in-hospital complication, which is a marked decrease compared to radical cystectomy. Finally, innovations in surgical technique, such as robotics, as well as the inclusion of partial cystectomy into trimodal therapy, offer exciting new frontiers in bladder cancer treatment. Summary Once maligned, partial cystectomy now represents a standard-of-care option for management of bladder cancer. Although additional research is needed to clarify patient selection and outcomes, partial cystectomy is an important treatment option for appropriately selected patients.
Elevated expression of Cripto-1 correlates with poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Cripto-1 could promote tumorigenesis in a wide range of carcinomas, yet little is known in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The expression of Cripto-1 and MMP-9 were assessed by immunohistochemistry in 205 HCC specimens. The correlation between Cripto-1 and MMP-9, clinicopathological/prognostic value in HCC was examined. Cripto-1 overexpression was correlated with larger tumor, TNM stage, BCLC stage and tumor recurrence. In multivariate analyses, Cripto-1 was an independent predictor for overall survival (OS) and time to recurrence (TTR). Cripto-1 expression was increased in TNM and BCLC stage-dependent manner. Cripto-1 overexpression was associated with poor prognosis in patients subgroups stratified by tumor size, tumor differentiation, TNM and BCLC stage. In addition, Cripto-1 was positively correlated with MMP-9 among 205 HCC samples. Patients with Cripto-1 upregulation had poor OS and shorter TTR in low and high aggressiveness groups. Furthermore, Cripto-1 had predictive validity for early and late recurrence in HCC patients. Combination of Cripto-1 and serum AFP was correlated with OS and TTR. In conclusion, Cripto-1 overexpression contributes to aggressiveness and poor prognosis of HCC. Cripto-1/AFP expression could be a potential prognostic biomarker for survival in HCC patients.
Seroprevalence of TORCH infections in women of childbearing age in Croatia

During 2005–2009, a seroepidemiological study was carried out in Croatia to define the population susceptible to common TORCH agents among pregnant and non-pregnant women of childbearing age. The IgG seroprevalence was 29.1% forT. gondii, 94.6% for rubella, 75.3% for cytomegalovirus (CMV), 78.7% for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), and 6.8% for HSV-2. Acute toxoplasmosis and CMV infection (positive IgM antibodies with low IgG avidity) were documented in 0.25% and 0.09% women, respectively. IgM prevalence was 1.2% for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. None of the participants showed acute rubella infection. Seropositivity to T. gondii and HSV-2 varied significantly between age groups (p = 0.001 and p = 0.036, respectively). Women residing in rural regions showed a significantly higher seroprevalence rate for T. gondii, CMV, and HSV-1 than urban women (T. gondii: 44.0% vs. 25.4%, p < 0.001; CMV: 85.0% vs. 73.1%, p = 0.018; HSV-1: 86.0% vs. 76.4%, p = 0.041).
Low-fat dietary pattern and risk of treated diabetes mellitus in postmenopausal women: the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled dietary modification trial.

BACKGROUND Decreased fat intake with weight loss and increased exercise may reduce the risk of diabetes mellitus in persons with impaired glucose tolerance. This study was undertaken to assess the effects of a low-fat dietary pattern on incidence of treated diabetes among generally healthy postmenopausal women. METHODS A randomized controlled trial was conducted at 40 US clinical centers from 1993 to 2005, including 48,835 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 years. Women were randomly assigned to a usual-diet comparison group (n = 29,294 [60.0%]) or an intervention group with a 20% low-fat dietary pattern with increased vegetables, fruits, and grains (n = 19,541 [40.0%]). Self-reported incident diabetes treated with oral agents or insulin was assessed. RESULTS Incident treated diabetes was reported by 1303 intervention participants (7.1%) and 2039 comparison participants (7.4%) (hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.90-1.03; P = .25). Weight loss occurred in the intervention group, with a difference between intervention and comparison groups of 1.9 kg after 7.5 years (P < .001). Subgroup analysis suggested that greater decreases in percentage of energy from total fat reduced diabetes risk (P for trend = .04), which was not statistically significant after adjusting for weight loss. CONCLUSIONS A low-fat dietary pattern among generally healthy postmenopausal women showed no evidence of reducing diabetes risk after 8.1 years. Trends toward reduced incidence were greater with greater decreases in total fat intake and weight loss. Weight loss, rather than macronutrient composition, may be the dominant predictor of reduced risk of diabetes.
Association between Polymorphisms in the Fatty Acid Desaturase Gene Cluster and the Plasma Triacylglycerol Response to an n-3 PUFA Supplementation

Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids have been reported to have a variety of beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease risk factors. However, a large inter-individual variability in the plasma lipid response to an omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation is observed in different studies. Genetic variations may influence plasma lipid responsiveness. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a supplementation with n-3 PUFA on the plasma lipid profile in relation to the presence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene cluster. A total of 208 subjects from Quebec City area were supplemented with 3 g/day of n-3 PUFA, during six weeks. In a statistical model including the effect of the genotype, the supplementation and the genotype by supplementation interaction, SNP rs174546 was significantly associated (p = 0.02) with plasma triglyceride (TG) levels, pre- and post-supplementation. The n-3 supplementation had an independent effect on plasma TG levels and no significant genotype by supplementation interaction effects were observed. In summary, our data support the notion that the FADS gene cluster is a major determinant of plasma TG levels. SNP rs174546 may be an important SNP associated with plasma TG levels and FADS1 gene expression independently of a nutritional intervention with n-3 PUFA.
Title of dissertation : TOPICS ON WAGE DIFFERENCES ACROSS LOCAL LABOR MARKETS

Title of dissertation: TOPICS ON WAGE DIFFERENCES ACROSS LOCAL LABOR MARKETS Marios Michaelides, Doctor of Philosophy, 2007 Dissertation directed by: Professor Seth Sanders Department of Economics It is well established that average wages differ across local labor markets. Researchers have found that this is partially explained by differences of worker ability, as reflected in observable dimensions of worker skill, such as education and labor market experience. However, the classical human capital explanation only partially explains differences in wages across metropolitan areas. In my dissertation, I consider two variations from this framework to explain why wage differentials across observably homogeneous workers persist. First, I consider the role of unobserved dimensions of worker skill and the level of location amenities. I do this in the context of professional basketball, where worker skill and non-pecuniary employer characteristics are unusually well measured. I find strong evidence in support of the compensating differentials theory in this context. The analysis also demonstrates that when important measures of worker skill are omitted from the specification, the quality of the results is distorted and inference on the validity of the theory is misleading. The work also suggests that certain specifications are sensitive to when we do not control for important portions of worker skills. The partially linear and the classic linear regression models outperform the Box-Cox alternatives in matching the hedonic estimates produced in the “full” specification case. Second, I ask whether firms in a local market can exploit individual mobility costs and offer workers wages that are lower than the competitive rate. I describe a wage renegotiation model in which firms use information on worker mobility and on local labor market competition. The model predicts that workers with positive mobility costs receive lower wages, while the ability of firms to exploit these costs declines in the intensity of local competition. To test this model, I construct measures of individual mobility costs and occupation-specific measures of local labor market competition. I find that individual mobility costs have a negative effect on wages and that this effect gets weaker the more competitive is the local labor market. Finally, the negative effect of mobility costs on wages is significantly lower for workers in highly unionized occupations, where individual wage renegotiation is less likely to occur. TOPICS ON WAGE DIFFERENCES ACROSS LOCAL LABOR MARKETS