Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender Differences in Depression and Anxiety Among Atopic Dermatitis Patients

Background: Dermatological patients invariably suffer one or the other psychological problems which may escalate to the extent of a mental disorder. One of the most common dermatological disorders is atopic dermatitis (AD), but the literature has limited data on gender differences for psychiatric morbidity in such patients. Aims: To evaluate and compare gender differences in the prevalence of depression and anxiety in AD. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study with consecutive sampling was done in an outpatient clinic of Dermatology at a Tertiary Care Center. AD subjects giving informed consent were evaluated on a brief semi-structured performa for collecting demographic and clinical information. Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) was used to assess the presence of psychiatric symptoms in these patients. Descriptive analysis was done for the socio-demographic profile and independent sample t-test, Chi-square and Cramer's V test was carried out to find in-between group differences for males and females. Results: A total of 81 patients were included in the final analysis (males = 36, females = 45) with no significant difference in mean age between male and female subjects (36.14 ± 17.62 and 33.98 ± 14.49 years, respectively; P = 0.54). When including moderate to severe grade of depression or anxiety, the current study found prevalence rates of 15% and 12% respectively. Females had significantly more anxiety and depression scores than males (P = 0.04 and P = 0.03 respectively). Conclusions: There is a female preponderance of depression and anxiety disorder in AD patients.
Distinct molecular profiles in Lynch syndrome‐associated and sporadic ovarian carcinomas

Ovarian carcinoma in Lynch syndrome (LS) is associated with unexpectedly high survival; yet, beyond DNA mismatch repair (MMR) defects, the developmental mechanisms are unknown. We used established (genetic) and new (epigenetic) classifiers of ovarian cancer to explore similarities and differences between LS‐associated and sporadic diseases. To this end, all available ovarian carcinomas (n = 20) from MMR gene mutation carriers ascertained through a nation‐wide registry and 87 sporadic ovarian carcinomas of the main histological types were molecularly profiled. LS‐ovarian carcinomas were mostly of nonserous histology (12 endometrioid, seven clear cell and one serous), diagnosed at a mean age of 45.7 years, and associated with a 10‐year survival of 87%. Among LS‐ovarian carcinomas, 19/20 (95%) were MMR‐deficient vs. 11/87 (13%) among sporadic cases (p < 0.0001). In a striking contrast to the sporadic cases, the expression of p53 was normal and KRAS/BRAF mutations absent in all LS‐ovarian carcinomas. PIK3CA mutations, suggested to be a favorable prognostic factor, occurred with a frequency of 6/20 (30%), which was comparable to sporadic tumors of endometrioid or clear cell type. Tumor suppressor genes were more frequently methylated and LINE‐1 hypomethylation less common in LS‐ovarian carcinomas compared to their sporadic counterparts. The patterns of genetic and epigenetic alterations reflected the origin as LS vs. sporadic cases on one hand and the histological type on the other hand. In conclusion, the significant molecular differences observed between LS‐associated and sporadic ovarian carcinomas help explain the different behavior of these tumors and emphasize the need for tailored clinical management.
Uptake of low density lipoproteins by human leukemic cells in vivo: relation to plasma lipoprotein levels and possible relevance for selective chemotherapy.

The success of cancer chemotherapy is dependent on the possibility to utilize biological differences between malignant and normal cells to selectively destroy the tumor cells. One such difference may be that of receptor-mediated cellular uptake of low density lipoproteins (LDLs). Previous studies have shown that leukemic cells from patients with acute myelogenous leukemia have elevated receptor-mediated uptake and degradation rates of plasma LDL in vitro compared to normal white blood and bone marrow cells, and that plasma cholesterol levels at diagnosis are inversely correlated with the LDL receptor activity of the malignant cells. An important question is whether the uptake of LDL by the leukemic cells is also increased in vivo. To evaluate the in vivo uptake of LDL, 11 adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myelogenous leukemia received an i.v. injection of [14C]-sucrose-labeled LDL. On degradation of [14C]sucrose-LDL, the radiolabeled sucrose moiety is known to remain trapped in the lysosomal compartment of the cells. After injection, radioactivity accumulated progressively for at least 12 hr in the leukemic cells. The uptake of radioactivity in vivo correlated with the rate of receptor-mediated degradation of 125I-labeled LDL by the leukemic cells assayed in vitro (r = +0.88, P less than 0.001). An inverse correlation between plasma LDL cholesterol concentrations and the in vivo cellular uptake of [14C]sucrose-LDL in whole blood (r = -0.76, P less than 0.01) indicates that the hypocholesterolemia is due to elevated LDL uptake by the leukemic cells. Postmortem biopsies from virtually all tissues were obtained from one patient, and the distribution of radioactivity revealed that the liver and bone marrow had accumulated most radioactivity; the adrenals had the highest uptake of label per gram of tissue weight. The results indicate that LDL may be used as a carrier targeting lipophilic cytotoxic drugs to leukemic cells.
Comparative analyses of genomic locations and race specificities of loci for quantitative resistance to Pyricularia grisea in rice and barley

Comparative genomic analyses have revealed extensive colinearity in gene orders in distantly related taxa in mammals and grasses, which opened new horizons for evolutionary study. The objective of our study was to assess syntenic relationships of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for disease resistance in cereals by using a model system in which rice and barley were used as the hosts and the blast fungus Pyricularia grisea Sacc. as the pathogen. In total, 12 QTL against three isolates were identified in rice; two had effects on all three isolates, and the other 10 had effects on only one or two of the three isolates. Twelve QTL for blast resistance were identified in barley; one had effect on all three isolates, and the other 11 had effects on only one or two of the three isolates. The observed isolate specificity led to a hypothesis about the durability of quantitative resistance commonly observed in many plant host-pathogen systems. Four pairs of the QTL showed corresponding map positions between rice and barley, two of the four QTL pairs had complete conserved isolate specificity, and another two QTL pairs had partial conserved isolate specificity. Such corresponding locations and conserved specificity suggested a common origin and conserved functionality of the genes underlying the QTL for quantitative resistance and may have utility in gene discovery, understanding the function of the genomes, and identifying the evolutionary forces that structured the organization of the grass genomes.
Screening Adolescents for Alcohol Use: Tracking Practice Trends of Massachusetts Pediatricians

Objectives: Substance use screening is a recommended component of routine healthcare for adolescents. A 2008 survey of Massachusetts primary care physicians found high rates of screening, but low rates of validated tool use, leading to the concern that physicians may be missing substance use-related problems and disorders. In an effort to improve practice, a cross-disciplinary group developed and distributed an adolescent screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment toolkit in 2009. A new survey of Massachusetts primary care physicians was conducted in 2014; this report describes its findings, and compares them to those from 2008. Methods: A survey was mailed to a randomly selected sample of Massachusetts primary care physicians listed in the state Board of Registration in Medicine database. Item response frequencies were computed. Multiple logistic regression modeling was used to compare 2008 and 2014 responses, while controlling for any demographic differences between samples. Results: Pediatrician respondents in 2014 (analysis N = 130) reported a high rate of annually screening patients for alcohol use (96.2%), but only 56.2% reported using a validated screening tool. Rates of screening and validated tool use were higher in 2014 than 2008. Insufficient knowledge as a reported barrier to screening decreased from 2008 to 2014. However, lack of time or staff resources remained key perceived barriers to screening. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that adolescent alcohol use screening practices among Massachusetts pediatricians have improved in recent years, during a time of national and statewide efforts to educate physicians. However, opportunities for practice improvement remain.
Association of C‐erbB‐2 protein over‐expression with high rate of cell proliferation, increased risk of visceral metastasis and poor long‐term survival in breast cancer

C‐erbB‐2 protein over‐expression was studied immunohis‐tochemically in 319 paraffin‐embedded breast carcinomas representing 89% of all breast‐cancer cases operated in the Tampere University Hospital between 1977 and 1981. The immunohistochemical evaluation of c‐erbB‐2 was optimized using protease pre‐treatment and verified using antibodies for both the external and the internal domains of the protein. c‐erbB‐2 over‐expression was found in 72 (23%) of the 319 cases and was associated with high histological and nuclear grade (p < 0.0001), DNA aneuploidy (p = 0.003), high tumor S‐phase fraction (p < 0.000l), and lack of estrogen (p < 0.0001) and progesterone (p = 0.03) receptors. Overall, breast‐cancer patients with c‐erbB‐2 over‐expression had about 2.2‐fold relative risk (RR) of death (p < 0.001) as compared with those without over‐expression. According to a multivariate analysis, c‐erbB‐2 over‐expression was an independent prognostic factor in the whole material as well as in the node‐negative sub‐set. In node‐negative breast‐cancer tumor size, S‐phase and c‐erbB‐2 status defined a large patient group with only 4% 5‐year and 15% 10‐year mortality rate without adjuvant therapy. In comparison with c‐erbB‐2‐negative tumors, those with over‐expression of this gene metastasized 3 times more often (p = 0.0002) to the lungs, liver and brain and 3 times less often to the bone. Our findings suggest that the prognostic value of c‐erbB‐2 over‐expression may be related not only to increased cell proliferation rate but also to a distinctive pattern of metastasis.
Effect of paratenon and repetitive motion on the gliding resistance of tendon of extrasynovial origin

We measured the gliding resistance of canine and human tendons of intrasynovial origin and tendons of extrasynovial origin with and without paratenon, and investigated the structure of paratenon using scanning electron microscopy. In the canine study, seven intrasynovial flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendons, seven extrasynovial fibularis (peroneus) longus (FL) tendons with paratenon, and seven FL tendons without paratenon were used. In the human study, seven intrasynovial FDP tendons and seven extrasynovial palmaris longus (PL) tendons cut in half (one half with paratenon, the other half without paratenon) were used. The gliding resistance of each tendon was measured at 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and100 flexion/extension cycles. The canine and human FDP tendons maintained a gliding resistance significantly lower than that of the other tendons at all observation points (P < 0.05). In the canine, the gliding resistance of the FL tendon with paratenon was significantly lower than that of the FL tendon without paratenon up to 50 flexion/extension cycles (P < 0.05), but the two were not significantly different at 100 cycles. In the human, the gliding resistance of PL tendons with paratenon was significantly lower than that of the PL tendons without paratenon at all measuring points (P < 0.05). Preservation of paratenon thus appears to decrease the gliding resistance of extrasynovial tendons after repetitive motion in vitro. Clin. Anat. 15:199–205, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A comparison of thalamocortical and other synaptic inputs to dendrites of two non‐spiny neurons in a single barrel of mouse SmI cortex

A Golgi impregnated, non‐spiny multipolar cell whose soma occurred in layer V of the region of mouse SmI cortex containing the posteromedial barrel subfield (PMBSF) (Woolsey and Van der Loos, '70) was gold‐toned and deimpregnated (Fairen et al., '77). Two of its dendrites, contained within a single PMBSF barrel, were serial thin‐sectioned and then reconstructed in three dimensions. Dendrites of an unimpregnated, non‐spiny layer IV bitufted cell, present within the same barrel, were also reconstructed in three dimensions from the series of thin sections. This approach permitted a comparison of the distribution of synapses along dendrites of the two non‐spiny neurons. Results showed dendrites of the layer IV bitufted cell formed about twice as many synapses per unit lenght as those of the multipolar cell. Particularly striking was the contrast between the large number of synapses made by degenerating thalamocortical axon terminals with the dendrites of the bitufted cell and the rarity with which such synapses occur on dendrites of the multipolar cell. Furthermore, the proportion of the total number of synapses made by thalamocortical axon terminals onto dendrites of the bitufted cell was six times greater than the proportion of the thalamocortical synapses onto the multipolar cell dendrites.
How often does a CSF pleocytosis follow generalized convulsions?

Postictal pleocytosis is a transient and otherwise unexplained increase in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leukocytes occurring after repetitive generalized tonic‐clonic seizures. We reviewed 98 episodes of seizures in 91 patients in whom the CSF was examined within 72 hours of the last seizure. Patients who had diseases associated with CSF pleocytosis were excluded. Two of the 98 initial CSF samples showed a pleocytosis, which subsequent examinations proved to be transient.
Regional Financial Developments and Research and Development Investment–Cash Flow Sensitivity: Evidence on Chinese Public High‐Tech Companies

In a sample of 485 Chinese public high-tech companies, we show that the R&D investment is significantly dependent on internal cash flow. Based on the sizable discrepancies of stock market and financial intermediary developments in the East, Middle and West regions of China, empirical estimation provides strong evidence that the financial developments in both credit and equity markets have large effects on reducing financing constraints. The effects are most significant in the financially advanced East region of China.
Essays on Malawian agriculture: Micro-level welfare impacts of agricultural productivity; profitability of fertilizer use; and targeting of fertilizer subsidy programs

Darko, Francis Addeah. PhD. Purdue University, December 2016. Essays on Malawian Agriculture: Micro-level Welfare Impacts, Profitability of Fertilizer Use; and Targeting of Fertilizer Subsidy Programs. Major Professor: Jacob Ricker-Gilbert. This dissertation comprises of three essays that address different aspects of agriculture in Malawi using a two-wave panel data collected by the National Statistical Office of Malawi with support from the World Bank Living Standards Measurement Study – Integrated Surveys on Agriculture (LSMS-ISA) program. Each essay stands alone as an independent study because of differences in research questions and the methodologies used in addressing the questions. The first essay analyzes the micro-level welfare impacts of agricultural productivity. Welfare is measured by various dimensions of poverty and food insecurity; and agricultural productivity is measured by maize yield and value of crop output per hectare. Depending on the measure of welfare, the impact of agricultural productivity was estimated with a household fixed effects estimator, a two-part estimator or a correlatedrandom effects ordered probit estimator. The results indicate that increasing agricultural productivity has the expected statistically significant welfare improving effect, but the magnitude of the effect is small given the attention that agriculture usually receives. Efforts to effectively improve the welfare of rural agricultural households should therefore go beyond increasing agricultural productivity.
Prognostic impact of CXCR4 and CXCR7 expression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Chemokines and their receptors are known to play important roles in the tumorigenesis of many malignancies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of the expression of the chemokine receptors CXCR4 and CXCR7 in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC).
Mammalian lipocalin allergens – insights into their enigmatic allergenicity

Most of the important mammal‐derived respiratory allergens, as well as a milk allergen and a few insect allergens, belong to the lipocalin protein family. As mammalian lipocalin allergens are found in dander, saliva and urine, they disperse effectively and are widely present in the indoor environments. Initially, lipocalins were characterized as transport proteins for small, principally hydrophobic molecules, but now they are known to be involved in many other biological functions. Although the amino acid identity between lipocalins is generally at the level of 20–30%, it can be considerably higher. Lipocalin allergens do not exhibit any known physicochemical, functional or structural property that would account for their allergenicity, that is, the capacity to induce T‐helper type 2 immunity against them. A distinctive feature of mammalian lipocalin allergens is their poor capacity to stimulate the cellular arm of the human or murine immune system. Nevertheless, they induce IgE production in a large proportion of atopic individuals exposed to the allergen source. The poor capacity of mammalian lipocalin allergens to stimulate the cellular immune system does not appear to result from the function of regulatory T cells. Instead, the T cell epitopes of mammalian lipocalin allergens are few and those examined have proved to be suboptimal. Moreover, the frequency of mammalian lipocalin allergen‐specific CD4+ T cells is very low in the peripheral blood. Importantly, recent research suggests that the lipocalin allergen‐specific T cell repertoires differ considerably between allergic and healthy subjects. These observations are compatible with our hypothesis that the way CD4+ T‐helper cells recognize the epitopes of mammalian lipocalin allergens may be implicated in their allergenicity. Indeed, as several lipocalins exhibit homologies of 40–60% over species, mammalian lipocalin allergens may be immunologically at the borderline of self and non‐self, which would not allow a strong anti‐allergenic immune response against them.
EFFECTS OF DEPRECIATION METHODS ON PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT METHODS: A CASE OF ENERGY SECTOR

The companies amortize according to the tax laws and accounting standards for their assets recorded in their actives. The amounts calculated according to the useful life based on the standards and tax regulations and depreciation rates connected with it are ascertained and recognized as an expense pursuant to periodicity concept. Since the amounts recognized as an expense directly affects the profit and loss, it is important for the companies to calculate the useful life of their fixed assets and to determine and implement the proper method. Besides, current performance measurement methods confront us with different approaches and the methods being used enhances the success, value of the companies while being a guide. In this research, the effects on performance measurement methods of current depreciation procedures according to accounting standards has been analyzed and the issue has been tried to assessed by taking the energy industry into consideration. Within this scope, the performances in 2014-2015 of energy companies active in Istanbul Stock Exchange are examined based on Economical Added Value (EVA) and Cash Flow Return on Investment (CFROI) models and it was determined whether or not the companies has created value.
Postnatal development of dopamine D1 receptor immunoreactivity in the rat retina

Dopamine, an important neuromodulator in the retina, controls the balance of rod cone photoreceptor activity and influences the activity of several interneurons. The postnatal development of dopaminergic neurons, visualized immunocytochemically, was compared to the development of dopamine D1 receptor immunoreactivity. Expression of D1 receptors was monitored throughout the postnatal development of the rat retina using a subtype‐specific monoclonal antibody. D1 receptors are expressed in the inner plexiform layer beginning at birth. Labeling of the inner plexiform layer changed from a diffuse pattern, staining the entire layer, to the typical adult punctate staining, that was organized in layered bands and occurred in the second postnatal week. The staining did not co‐localize with dopaminergic cells; instead, it co‐localized with cells in the inner nuclear layer or the ganglion cell layer. Within these cells, D1 receptors were most heavily expressed in processes stratifying in the inner plexiform layer. Staining in the outer plexiform layer and in horizontal cells was found beginning in the second postnatal week. Clustering of the D1 receptor within plexiform layers, a process typical for the well‐described function of dopamine modulation in the adult, occurred late in postnatal development. A possible function of D1 receptors in neuronal development is discussed. J. Neurosci. Res. 56:397–404, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tourism farms: a demand-supply framework

The aim of this paper is to set a demand and supply framework within the farming sector engaged in agritourism activity. The study is based on data collected at twenty different agritourism located in South Tyrol (Italy) during December 2013 and December 2014. As a first step of the empirical research, through a cluster analysis, the sample of tourism farms is classified into two homogenous groups, that is: “tourism enthusiast” and “tourism opportunist” farms. As a second step of the investigation, a principal component analysis is run to gather orthogonal latent variables related to general and specific motivations (i.e. push and pull factors), and positive and negative perceived externalities. In this manner, through a probabilistic modeling, it is possible to investigate the determinants that are likely to influence the likelihood to choose one of the two types of agritourism. The results show that general push motivations, as well as the specific motivations related to nature and authenticity, are the most relevant determinants in positively influencing customers’ choice of a farm that engages in the tourism industry because of a genuine interest to get in contact with people and to integrate the income of the farm. However, perceived negative externalities, such as a neglected environment, the presence of polluting factories and congestion, will negatively influence the choice of this type of farms.