Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Linkage analysis of malignancy-associated sarcoidosis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine whether a reported association between sarcoidosis and malignancy can be supported. DESIGN In this retrospective survey in a general community setting, we crossmatched the Kaiser Permanente Northwest Region (KPNW) Tumor Registry comprising 3 x 10(4) cases observed over 32 years against a sarcoidosis registry of 243 cases observed over 24 years. We used linkage criteria, eg, previously reported associated malignancies, late age onset of sarcoidosis, and close temporal proximity, to identify joint occurrences suggesting an etiologic relationship. We assessed the feasibility of detecting an association of sarcoidosis and Hodgkins disease (HD) by computing the required sample size based on incidence estimates of sarcoidosis and HD in this population. Medical records of 241 persons identified by the Tumor Registry as having HD were reviewed. SETTING KPNW, a health maintenance organization. POPULATION We studied 6.8 x 10(6) KPNW member-years from 1960 to 1992 at risk for malignancy; 5.6 x 10(6) member-years from 1971 to 1992 at risk for sarcoidosis. RESULTS Six of the 11 (55%; 95% confidence interval, 26 to 84) correctly classified sarcoidosis and malignancy (S&M) cases met two or more linkage criteria. A seventh case, incorrectly classified as sarcoidosis, exhibited a necrotizing systemic granulomatous process, believed to represent a response to a fatal lymphoproliferative disorder. The mean age (40 years) of the 11 patients with S&M was 9 years higher than the mean age of the patients with sarcoidosis in the population from which they were drawn. The stage of sarcoidosis at diagnosis among the 11 S&M cases was exclusively 0 and I and thus divergent from expected values in this population. We found no instances of sarcoidosis accompanying HD. CONCLUSION Linkage analysis provides evidence that S&M may be etiologically related in at least a quarter of cases in which both are present.
Keratinocyte stem cells: Friends and foes

Skin and its appendages provide a protective barrier against the assaults of the environment. To perform its role, epidermis undergoes an ongoing renewal through a balance of proliferation and differentiation/apoptosis called homeostasis. Keratinocyte stem cells reside in a special microenvironment called niche in basal epidermis, adult hair follicle, and sebaceous glands. While a definite marker has yet to be detected, data raised part in humans and part in the mouse system point to a critical role of stem and its progeny transit amplifying cells in epidermal homeostasis. Stem cells are protected from apoptosis and are long resident in adult epidermis. This renders them more prone to be the origin of skin cancer. In this review, we will outline the main features of adult stem cells in mouse and humans and discuss their fate in relation to differentiation, apoptosis, and cancer. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 310–315, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Osteoclast Progenitors Reside in the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ-Expressing Bone Marrow Cell Population

ABSTRACT Osteoclasts are bone-resorbing cells essential for skeletal development, homeostasis, and regeneration. They derive from hematopoietic progenitors in the monocyte/macrophage lineage and differentiate in response to RANKL. However, the precise nature of osteoclast progenitors is a longstanding and important question. Using inducible peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ)-tTA TRE-GFP (green fluorescent protein) reporter mice, we show that osteoclast progenitors reside specifically in the PPARγ-expressing hematopoietic bone marrow population and identify the quiescent PPARγ+ cells as osteoclast progenitors. Importantly, two PPARγ-tTA TRE-Cre-controlled genetic models provide compelling functional evidence. First, Notch activation in PPARγ+ cells causes high bone mass due to impaired osteoclast precursor proliferation. Second, selective ablation of PPARγ+ cells by diphtheria toxin also causes high bone mass due to decreased osteoclast numbers. Furthermore, PPARγ+ cells respond to both pathological and pharmacological resorption-enhancing stimuli. Mechanistically, PPARγ promotes osteoclast progenitors by activating GATA2 transcription. These findings not only identify the long-sought-after osteoclast progenitors but also establish unprecedented tools for their visualization, isolation, characterization, and genetic manipulation.
Factors Associated With the Development of Delirium in Elderly Patients in Intensive Care Units

Background: High prevalence rates of delirium have been found in intensive care units (ICUs), ranging from 20% to 80%. The development of delirium may prolong length of stay, impair cognition, and result in placement in a nursing home for thepatient. Purpose: There is a lack of research focused on the aging population, so the purpose of this study was to establish the incidence rate of delirium among ICU elderly patients and to identify its risk factors. Methods: An observational design with repeated measures was used. Subjects older than 65 years who had been admitted to the ICU within 24 hours were recruited. The Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit and Richmond Agitation–Sedation Scale were used twice a day to identify subjects experiencing delirium by RA. The demographic data, history of illness, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores, and laboratory data of the participants were recorded. Results: Ninety participants were included from a medical ICU. The incidence rate of delirium was 75.6% (n = 68). Average age was 78.28 ± 7.6 years; Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores ranged from 7 to 35. Most participants were diagnosed with respiratory failure (73.3%), and 86.76% of participantsdeveloped delirium within 24 hours. The most frequently experienced type of delirium was the mixed subtype (47.05%); the second most frequently experienced was hypoactive next. The risk factors were analyzed using logistic regression. The numberof anesthetic analgesics used, total number of medications prescribed, duration of dehydration, use of corticosteroids before admissions, and shock were identified and explained 31.3% of variance. Conclusions/Implications for Practice: Delirium is a severe problem among elderly patients in the ICU. Healthcare professionals should pay more attention to elderly patients at greater risk for experiencing delirium.
Diphyllobothrium latum and Diphyllobothrium sp. as the agents of Diphyllobothriasis in Brazil: morphological analysis and two new case reports

Between August 2004 and April, 2005 two adults, a man and a woman, living in Rio de Janeiro, frequently feeding on raw fish (sushi and sashimi) without a recent historical of being abroad, presented similar symptoms of abdominal pain. Fecal samples with the presence of eggs recovered from both patients with together a strobila found in the stools of the woman were sent to the Laboratorio de Helmintos Parasitos de Vertebrados, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz for examination. In order to avoid the accurate identification of parasites, eggs and proglottids were measured and analyzed; transversal and sagittal sections of the proglottids were also obtained. Results showed the presence of Diphyllobothrium latum and Diphyllobothrium sp. in the two infected individuals, man and in the woman, respectively. A survey of other human cases of diphyllobothriasis occurring in Brazil is presented.
Comparison of resampling algorithms for particle filter based remaining useful life estimation

Due to the high performance on state tracking and predicting, particle filter (PF) algorithm has been utilized for diagnosis and prognosis in a variety of areas. Especially, PF can provide uncertainty representation and management on estimating the remaining useful life (RUL) of components and systems. However, particle degeneracy phenomenon limits its performance and application in most of the situations. Therefore, several re-sampling algorithms are proposed to alleviate this problem. Thus, different re-sampling algorithms should be focused and studied for the adaptability and applicability in RUL estimation. This work aims to compare the capabilities of different re-sampling algorithms and evaluate the performance in lithium-ion battery RUL prediction. Four re-sampling algorithms including multinomial re-sampling, residual re-sampling stratified re-sampling and systematic re-sampling are involved and analyzed. Actual battery test data sets from NASA PCoE are used to conduct experiments for evaluation and comparison. Moreover, some quantitative analysis metrics are applied to compare the results of battery RUL estimation.
Comparison of primary thyroid lymphoma with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma on computed tomographic imaging.

PURPOSE Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (LY) and anaplastic carcinoma (AC) of the thyroid gland are rare malignant tumors, and the initial symptoms of these diseases are very similar. The aim of our study was to compare the characteristics of the two diseases using computed tomographic (CT) scans in order to make an accurate differential diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten patients with LY and 10 with AC were analyzed. Differences in the CT findings of the two diseases were evaluated before treatment and statistically tested with either Student's t-test or the chi-square test. RESULTS In the analysis of characteristics of CT imaging, the existence of calcification and necrosis, and heterogeneous tumor were dominant findings in AC, and there was a statistically significant difference in frequency between the two diseases (p < 0.01). Calcification detected in AC was usually multiple and/or gross (mean size: phi8.2 mm). All lymphadenopathies were delineated as having the same homogeneous attenuation as the tumors in the thyroid gland in LY, but were shown as irregular rim enhancement in AC. CONCLUSION The CT features of the two diseases are characteristic in terms of calcification, necrosis, and tumor composition. Evaluation by means of CT imaging is useful in distinguishing between LY and AC.
On the relation between stable matrix fraction factorizations and regulable realizations of linear systems over rings

Various types of transfer matrix factorizations are of interest when designing regulators for generalized types of linear systems (delay differential, 2D, families of systems). This paper studies the existence of stable and of stable proper factorizations, in the context of the theory of systems over rings. Factorability is related to stabilizability and detectability properties of realizations of the transfer matrix.
An experimental study of gill net and trammel net 'ghost fishing' off the Algarve (southern Portugal)

Four 100 m lengths of both monofilament gill nets and trammel nets were deployed at depths between 15 and 18 m off the coast of the Algarve (south of Portugal) between April 1995 and June 1996. The nets were set on a natural rocky bottom with one end cut loose to simulate lost nets. Changes in net structure (net height, effective fishing area, movement, colonisation, wear and tear) and their catches (species, sizes, numbers, and biomass) were monitored by divers. Similar patterns were observed in all the nets, with a sharp decrease in net height and effective fishmg area, and an increase in visibility within the first few weeks. Net movement was negligible except in the case of interference from other fishing gears. Catch rates were initially comparable to normally fished gd.l nets and trammel nets in this area, but decreased steadily over time. No sea birds, reptiles or mammals were caught in any of the 8 nets. Catches were dominated by fish (89% by number, at least 27 species), in particular by sea breams (Sparidae) and wrasscs (Labridae). Under the conditions experienced throughout the study the fishlng hfetime of a 'lost' net is between 15 and 20 wk. Based on an exponential model, we estimated that 100 m lengths of gill net and trammel net will catch 314 and 221 fish respectively over a 17 wk period. However, we consider this to be an underestimate due to high rates of predation and scavenging by octopuses, cuttlefish, moray eels, conger eels, and other fish such as the wrasse Coris julis. When the nets were surveyed in the following spring. 8 to 11 mo after being deployed, they were found to be completely destroyed or heavily colonised by algae and had become incorporated into the reef.
Antiphospholipid antibodies and infertility

Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are an established cause of recurrent pregnancy loss. As defective embryonic implantation is a common link between unexplained infertility and recurrent miscarriage, interest has focused on the potential relationship between aPL and implantation failure after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). This review critically examines the published data to determine whether women undergoing IVF-ET should be routinely screened for aPL. Although most studies have reported an increased prevalence of aPL among women undergoing IVF-ET, prospective studies examining the effect of aPL on the outcome of IVF-ET demonstrate that these antibodies do not significantly affect either the implantation or ongoing pregnancy rates. The increased prevalence of aPL among women with infertility is therefore likely to be part of a generalized autoimmune disturbance associated with infertility. Hence routine screening for aPL among women undergoing IVF-ET is not warranted and therapeutic interventions should be used only in well designed randomized controlled trials.
The Relationships among Perception of Body Image, a Desire for Thinness, and Dieting Behavior in Young Females in Japan

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship among body image perceptions, a desire for thinness, and dieting behavior in young females in Japan. The subjects were 302 Japanese female university students (age 19.9 ± 1.4 years). An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted between July and August 2011. The questionnaire clarified the subjects’ physical status, perception about personal body shape, desired body shape, the time frame when they first thought about body shape dieting, exercise habits, and eating behaviors. The results revealed that many of the underweight or normal weight subjects perceived themselves as obese, and often the reasons for the perception of obesity were comparisons with others or with themselves in the past. The scores of EAT-26 in those who perceived themselves as obese were higher than the scores in those who did not. Those who perceived themselves as obese had a desire to become slim, were concerned about body shape at an early age, were concerned about dieting, had dieting experience, and were willing to increase daily exercise. These results indicated that incorrect perceptions about body shape have connection to a desire for thinness and dieting behavior.
Localization of β-Secretase Memapsin 2 in the Brain of Alzheimer's Patients and Normal Aged Controls

Chronic accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brain has been shown to result in complex molecular and cellular changes that accompany neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we examined the expression of a newly identified beta-secretase, memapsin 2 (M2) or beta-site APP cleaving enzyme in deparaffinized sections from 10 AD patients and 10 aged matched controls and in frozen samples of parietal cortex from 11 AD and 8 controls. M2 is mainly expressed in neurons, with high levels in CA4 to CA2 regions and transentorhinal cortex and low or intermediate levels in CA1, subiculum, and granule cells of the dentate gyrus. The majority of AD brains showed an increase of M2 expression in the CA1, but a decrease in the transentorhinal cortex. A subset of controls and AD patients had high M2 expression in parietal neocortex. Double-staining revealed that senile plaques are not directly associated with the soma of M2-expressing neurons. Neurofibrillary tangles were associated with lower M2 expression in AD. These data indicate that beta-secretase M2 may not be straightforwardly involved in amyloid plaque formation in AD brain.
A comparison study of body dysmorphic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

BACKGROUND Body dysmorphic disorder, a preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in appearance, is classified as a somatoform disorder, but has been hypothesized to be related to obsessive-compulsive disorder. A reflection of this hypothesis, body dysmorphic disorder is included in the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale symptom checklist, and its transfer to the anxiety disorders' section was considered for DSM-IV. However, the similarities and differences between body dysmorphic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder have received little investigation. METHOD We compared patients with DSM-IV body dysmorphic disorder (N = 53), obsessive-compulsive disorder (N = 53), or both disorders (N = 33) in terms of demographic features, clinical features, comorbidity, and family history. We also assessed the rate of body dysmorphic disorder among 62 of these subjects initially diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. RESULTS 14.5% (9 of 62) of subjects initially diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder had comorbid body dysmorphic disorder. The 2 disorders did not differ significantly in terms of sex ratio; most other demographic, course, and impairment variables; illness severity; or lifetime frequency of most associated disorders in probands or first-degree relatives. However, subjects with body dysmorphic disorder were less likely to be married and more likely to have had suicidal ideation or made a suicide attempt because of their disorder. They also had an earlier onset of major depression and higher lifetime rates of major depression, social phobia, and psychotic disorder diagnoses, as well as higher rates of substance use disorders in first-degree relatives. CONCLUSION Body dysmorphic disorder appears to be relatively common among patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. While the 2 disorders have many similarities, they also have some differences and should be differentiated in clinical and research settings.
Antecedents for user intention to adopt another auction site

Purpose – Multiple adoption (the adoption of another auction site in addition to the present one) enables startup or non-leading firms to survive and grow by eroding the customer bases of market leaders. Thus understanding multiple adoption is important. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to propose and examines antecedents of user intention to adopt another online auction site. Design/methodology/approach – This study utilized a cross-sectional design and an online survey, obtaining 495 valid responses. Findings – Analytical results indicate that self-efficacy and inherent novelty seeking contribute to the intention to adopt another auction site. Moreover, transaction opportunities enhance the intention. Perceived network externality also increases the intention. However, perceived relational switching costs reduce such intention. Originality/value – This study is new in investigating why users intend to use another auction site and identifying the antecedents.
A study of orofacial clefts seen in a tertiary referral hospital in Nepal.

OBJECTIVES Clefts of lip (CL), palate (CP), or both (CLP) are the most common orofacial congenital malformations found among live births, accounting for a large number of head and neck anomalies. To date, little is known regarding the epidemiology and pattern of orofacial clefts in Nepal. The objectives were to know the frequency and pattern of orofacial clefts in Eastern Nepal and compare with different parts of the world. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted at B P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences to identify all children with orofacial clefts who were treated during a period of five years. Cleft lip and/or palate records were obtained from patient files in the Hospital's Medical Record Department. Age at presentation, sex, region of origin, type and laterality of the cleft were recorded. RESULTS A total of 398 orofacial cleft cases were seen during the period. Isolated cleft lip (CL) was the most common cleft type followed closely by cleft palate (CP). CONCLUSIONS The distribution of clefts by side showed a significant preponderance of the left side followed by the right and bilateral sides.
Impact of UV-B Radiation on Photosynthetic Assimilation of 14C-Bicarbonate and Inorganic 15N-Compounds by Cyanobacteria

The cyanobacteria Anabaena cylindrica and Synechococcus leopoliensis (= Anacystis nidulans) were grown at different levels of UV-B radiation (439. 717, 1230 and 1405 J m -2d-1 weighted according Caldwell, 1971) for 2 days. Dry weight was hardly affected but phycocyanin content of both species decreased linearly to the level of UV-B radiation. Contents of protein, carotenoids and chlorophyll a were reduced only after exposure to high doses (1230 J m-2d-1) of UV-B radiation. Photosynthetic 14CO2 fixation of Anabaena cells was reduced linearly with increasing UV-B dose whereas no effect could be observed in Synechococcus. A depression of photosynthetic 15N-nitrate uptake was found after UV-B stress in both species. UV-B irradiance caused an increase of 15N-incorporation into glutamine, but no effect was noted for incorporation into alanine or aspartic acid. An increase of 15N-excess in glutamic acid linear with the UV-B dose was observed in Synechococcus, only. Patterns of 14C-labelled photosynthetic products were either less affected by UV-B radiation (Anabaena) or an enhancement of 14C-label in total amino acids was detected (Synechococcus). The amount of total free amino acids increased parallel to the level of UV-B radiation. Only, the high dose of UV-B (1405 J m-2d-1, weighted) results in a decrease of the glutamine pool. Our results indicate an inhibition of glutamate synthase by UV-B irradiation in Anabaena, only. Results were discussed with reference to the damage of the photosynthetic apparatus.
Republished paper: Nice guidance on the investigation of chest pain

The NICE guidance on chest pain provides a structured and evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and triage of patients with chest pain and provides a series of improvements on the status quo.1 However, the challenge is the high prevalence of occult vascular disease in our community, especially in older people and at younger ages in men than in women. There is also a high prevalence of chest pain (20%-40% of the population)2–4 but this is frequently non-cardiac in origin. Among those presenting to their primary care doctor with chest pain, the final diagnosis was not ischaemic heart disease in 83%. 3 Nevertheless, because of the high prevalence of asymptomatic coronary disease there may be an unintended consequence: detection of incidental non-obstructive coronary disease . This non-obstructive coronary disease may not have been responsible for the symptoms and may “convert” an individual into a cardiac patient. Further, do we have good evidence that defining the anatomy with CT and angiography in those with non-obstructive disease will change the secondary prevention treatments that should be provided based on the patient's risk factors? From a professional and economic viewpoint we must also consider the implications for changes in clinical practice and the increased demands on finite human and economic resources. Strengths of the guidance include the emphasis on establishing an early and accurate diagnosis based on clinical, electrocardiographic and biomarker assessments among those presenting with suspected cardiac chest pain.5 Appropriately, there is emphasis on very early identification of ST elevation infarction and on the remainder of acute coronary syndromes (in one diagnostic pathway) and on managing those with stable angina (second diagnostic pathway). The subsequent management of these conditions is dealt with in separate NICE guidance.6 7 The NICE guidance on chest pain also emphasises the importance of providing …