Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fine-mapping loss of gene architecture at the CDKN2B (p15INK4b), CDKN2A (p14ARF, p16INK4a), and MTAP genes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE To identify the extent and the smallest region of loss for CDKN2B(INK4b), CDKN2A(ARF,INK4a), and MTAP. Homozygous deletions of human chromosome 9p21 occur frequently in malignant cell lines and are common in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). This complex region encodes the tumor suppressor genes cyclin-dependent kinase 2B (CDKN2B) (p15(INK4b)) and CDKN2A (p14(ARF), p16(INK4a)) and the housekeeping gene methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP). DESIGN A targeted probe panel designed to finely map the region of 9p21 loss comprised 3 probes for CDKN2B(INK4b), 7 for CDKN2A(ARF, INK4a), and 3 for MTAP and was interrogated using the multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay (MLPA). The MLPA genomic copy number alterations for CDKN2A were validated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. SUBJECTS Six HNSCC primary (A) and recurrent or metastatic (B) cell lines were examined: UMSCC-11A/11B, UMSCC-17A/17B, and UMSCC-81A/81B. RESULTS Cell line UMSCC-11B retained all 9p loci tested in the region. Cell lines UMSCC-17A/B indicated homozygous deletion of CDKN2A(ARF, INK4a) starting at p16(INK4) exon 1alpha to include exons 2 and 3. Homozygous loss was indicated for CDKN2B(INK4b) and CDKN2A(ARF,INK4a) in UMSCC-11A, and UMSCC-81A. Cell line UMSCC-81B indicated retention of all 9p loci except for exon 1alpha (p16(INK4a)). Selective loss of the 3' end of MTAP was observed in UMSCC-11A. Genomic alterations by fine-mapping MLPA were validated at the DNA level for CDKN2A. CONCLUSIONS We identified exon 1alpha (p16(INK4a)) as the smallest region of loss in the CDKN2A(ARF, INK4a) gene. The frequency and precise loss of CDKN2B(INK4b), CDKN2A(ARF, INK4a), and MTAP in the prognosis of 9p21-deleted HNSCC may provide impetus for use of these targets as therapeutic biomarkers in head and neck cancer.
Reasons for adherence and nonadherence: a pilot study comparing first- and multi-episode schizophrenia patients.

RATIONALE Most first-episode schizophrenia patients will stop their medication after their acute symptoms improve. Understanding the salient motivations and attitudes that drive adherence--as well as nonadherence--is an important part of developing strategies to prevent or delay nonadherence during the early phases of the illness. METHODS Self-reported reasons for adherence and nonadherence among first-episode and multi-episode patients with schizophrenia were obtained from cross-sectional adherence interviews from two prospective adherence studies: one composed of a first-episode sample (n=33) and the other with recently relapsing multi-episode patients (n=16). Both groups received the Rating of Medication Influences (ROMI) Scale at approximately 16 to 20 weeks after an acute psychotic episode. The specific ROMI items were ranked in order of percentage (%) strong, and were compared both within each patient group for rank order of importance, and also compared between groups to determine the differences in specific adherence and nonadherence influences. RESULTS The doctor-patient relationship was more likely to be endorsed as a strong adherence influence in the first-episode sample (74%) than in the multi-episode sample (13%, X²=18.07, p<.01). Change in physical appearance attributed to medication was a more commonly endorsed nonadherence influence for the multi-episode sample (25%) relative to the first-episode sample (0%, X²=9.2, p<.01). CONCLUSIONS The doctor-patient relationship stands out as being the major reason for ongoing adherence for first-episode schizophrenia patients. Our post hoc interpretation is that lack of prior experience with medication and treatment elevates the importance of the relationship with the treating clinician for first-episode patients.
Positive action plans in Italian universities: does gender really matter?

Purpose The European university context reveals a high degree of gender inequality. In Italy, the overall female employment rate is significantly lower than in the rest of Europe; nevertheless, gender equality in universities is consistent with the European average. In 2006, the Italian Government required public organisations (thus state universities) to formulate positive action plans (PAPs) and disclose the positive actions planned for the following three years to promote gender equality. However, the law does not provide any guideline for the contents of the PAPs. The purpose of this paper is to analyse gender equality disclosure in PAPs to investigate whether and how Italian State Universities (ISUs) are taking a role in promoting gender equality. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses content analysis to investigate contents of gender disclosure in 28 PAPs. The authors developed a coding instrument based on the Guidelines for Gender Equality Programmes in Science. Findings The paper found that most PAPs are focused on creating a favourable environment for women inside the organisation, while little attention has been paid to creating gender awareness in research and teaching activities, as well as in supporting women’s leadership. The paper concludes that ISUs are failing as key players in the cultural change of the society toward gender equality. Originality/value First, the paper contributes to the accounting literature by providing an analysis of accounting for gender by universities. Second, it adds to the debate on positive actions for gender equality in the university sector.
Mutual Funds, Price Pressure, and Index Options

As research has begun to focus on the fact of less-than-infinite liquidity in real-world financial markets, evidence has begun to accumulate on price effects caused by large trades. Cash inflows into index-based mutual funds can be large and potentially highly correlated across “herding” investors, resulting in flow-induced price effects on the index stocks. In this article, Lehnert shows that mutual fund inflows, which have been shown to push prices of illiquid stocks too far at first only to be followed by predictable reversals later, also affect index options in the form of negative shocks to risk-neutral skewness. Among the interesting results are that inflows are more powerful than outflows; only the unexpected portion of the flow seems to matter; and the effect is largely limited to short maturity options. The article goes on to consider risk-neutral volatility and kurtosis, finding behavior largely consistent with the fund flow hypothesis.
Brachial plexus block with a new local anaesthetic: 0.5 per cent ropivacaine.

A new local anaesthetic, ropivacaine hydrochloride, was used in a concentration of 0.5 per cent in 32 patients receiving a subclavian perivascular block for upper extremity surgery. One group (n = 15) received 0.5 per cent ropivacaine without epinephrine and a second group (n = 17) received 0.5 per cent ropivacaine with epinephrine in a concentration of 1:200,000. Anaesthesia was achieved in 87 per cent of the patients in both groups in all of the C5 through T1 brachial plexus dermatomes. Motor block was profound with 100 per cent of patients in both groups developing paresis at both the shoulder and hand and 100 per cent developing paralysis at the shoulder. There was a rapid initial onset of sensory block (a mean of less than four minutes for analgesia) with a prolonged duration (a mean of greater than 13 hr of analgesia). The addition of epinephrine did not significantly affect the quality or onset of sensory or motor block. The duration of sensory block was reduced by epinephrine at T1 for analgesia and at C7, C8, and T1 for anaesthesia. The duration of sensory block in the remaining brachial plexus dermatomes as well as the duration of motor block was not effected by epinephrine. There was no evidence of cardiovascular or central nervous system toxicity in either group with a mean dose of 2.5-2.6 mg.kg-1 ropivacaine.
Chemistry meets biology in colitis-associated carcinogenesis

Abstract The intestine comprises an exceptional venue for a dynamic and complex interplay of numerous chemical and biological processes. Here, multiple chemical and biological systems, including the intestinal tissue itself, its associated immune system, the gut microbiota, xenobiotics, and metabolites meet and interact to form a sophisticated and tightly regulated state of tissue homoeostasis. Disturbance of this homeostasis can cause inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—a chronic disease of multifactorial etiology that is strongly associated with increased risk for cancer development. This review addresses recent developments in research into chemical and biological mechanisms underlying the etiology of inflammation-induced colon cancer. Beginning with a general overview of reactive chemical species generated during colonic inflammation, the mechanistic interplay between chemical and biological mediators of inflammation, the role of genetic toxicology, and microbial pathogenesis in disease development are discussed. When possible, we systematically compare evidence from studies utilizing human IBD patients with experimental investigations in mice. The comparison reveals that many strong pathological and mechanistic correlates exist between mouse models of colitis-associated cancer, and the clinically relevant situation in humans. We also summarize several emerging issues in the field, such as the carcinogenic potential of novel inflammation-related DNA adducts and genotoxic microbial factors, the systemic dimension of inflammation-induced genotoxicity, and the complex role of genome maintenance mechanisms during these processes. Taken together, current evidence points to the induction of genetic and epigenetic alterations by chemical and biological inflammatory stimuli ultimately leading to cancer formation.
Multisectional Linear Ion Trap and Novel Loading Method for Optical Spectroscopy of Electron and Nuclear Transitions

There is a growing need for the development of atomic and nuclear frequency standards because of the important contribution of methods for precision time and frequency measurements to the development of fundamental science, technology and the economy. It is also conditioned by their potential use in optical clocks and quantum logic applications. It is especially important to develop a universal method that could allow one to use ions of most elements effectively (including ones that are not easily evaporated) proposed for the above-mentioned applications. A linear quadrupole ion trap for the optical spectroscopy of electron and nuclear transitions has been developed and evaluated experimentally. An ion source construction is based on an ultra-high vacuum evaporator in which a metal sample is subjected to an electron beam of energy up to 1 keV, resulting in the appearance of gaseous atoms and ions of various charge state. The linear ion trap consists of five successive quadrupole sections including an entrance quadrupole section, quadrupole mass filter, quadrupole ion guide, ion-trap section and exit quadrupole section. The same radiofrequency but a different direct current voltage feeds the quadrupole sections. The instrument allows the mass- and energy-selected trapping of ions from ion beams of various intensities and their localization in the area of laser irradiation. The preliminary results presented show that the proposed instrument and methods allow one to produce effectively up to triply charged thorium ions as well as to trap ions for future spectroscopic study. The instrument is proposed for future use in optical clocks and quantum logic application development.
Pathways to policy: Partisanship and bipartisanship in renewable energy legislation

ABSTRACT The effort to transition energy sources away from dependence on fossil fuels has become highly divided along partisan lines in some countries, but the social-science literature has not yet caught up with this important problem. Policy-adoption studies do not address the specific problem of polarization and gridlock, and the literature on gridlock does not examine conditions for breaking gridlock for renewable energy and energy efficiency (REEE) policy. Qualitative research can help to fill the void by identifying strategies that legislators use for achieving support for REEE policy where there is gridlock, polarization, and/or strong opposition. Interview data from a stratified sample of US states reveals three strategies that state-government legislators use to enhance REEE policy development under these conditions: bring to the process countervailing industrial interests to align REEE with business; transfer decision making to public service commissions; and use extra-legislative consultation processes to develop stakeholder consensus.
Identification of Polyphosphate-Accumulating Organisms and Design of 16S rRNA-Directed Probes for Their Detection and Quantitation

ABSTRACT Laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) as models for activated sludge processes were used to study enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) from wastewater. Enrichment for polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) was achieved essentially by increasing the phosphorus concentration in the influent to the SBRs. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using domain-, division-, and subdivision-level probes was used to assess the proportions of microorganisms in the sludges. The A sludge, a high-performance P-removing sludge containing 15.1% P in the biomass, was comprised of large clusters of polyphosphate-containing coccobacilli. By FISH, >80% of the A sludge bacteria were β-2 Proteobacteria arranged in clusters of coccobacilli, strongly suggesting that this group contains a PAO responsible for EBPR. The second dominant group in the A sludge was the Actinobacteria. Clone libraries of PCR-amplified bacterial 16S rRNA genes from three high-performance P-removing sludges were prepared, and clones belonging to the β-2 Proteobacteria were fully sequenced. A distinctive group of clones (sharing ≥98% sequence identity) related to Rhodocyclus spp. (94 to 97% identity) andPropionibacter pelophilus (95 to 96% identity) was identified as the most likely candidate PAOs. Three probes specific for the highly related candidate PAO group were designed from the sequence data. All three probes specifically bound to the morphologically distinctive clusters of PAOs in the A sludge, exactly coinciding with the β-2 Proteobacteria probe. Sequential FISH and polyphosphate staining of EBPR sludges clearly demonstrated that PAO probe-binding cells contained polyphosphate. Subsequent PAO probe analyses of a number of sludges with various P removal capacities indicated a strong positive correlation between P removal from the wastewater as determined by sludge P content and number of PAO probe-binding cells. We conclude therefore that an important group of PAOs in EBPR sludges are bacteria closely related toRhodocyclus and Propionibacter.
What do we know about the genetics of aspirin intolerance?

Although acetylsalicylic acid is prescribed for a broad range of diseases, it can induce a wide array of clinically recognized hypersensitivity reactions, including aspirin‐intolerant asthma (AIA) with rhinitis and aspirin‐intolerant urticaria (AIU) with anaphylaxis. Altered eicosanoid metabolism is the generally accepted mechanism of aspirin intolerance; the overproduction of cysteinyl leucotrienes has been suggested to play a causative role in both AIA and AIU. Genetic markers suggested for AIA include HLA‐DPBI*0301, leucotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S), ALOX5, CYSLT, PGE2, TBXA2R and TBX21. Similarly, HLA‐DB1*0609, ALOX5, FCER1A and HNMT have been identified as possible genetic markers for AIU. An additional low‐risk genetic marker for AIA is MS4A2, which encodes the beta‐chain of FCER1. Other single and sets of two or more interacting genetic markers are currently being investigated. Analyses of the genetic backgrounds of patients with AIA and AIU will promote the development of early diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, which may reduce the incidence of AIA and AIU.
Oral health-related quality of life among an Australian sample of people who inject drugs.

OBJECTIVES People who inject drugs (PWID) have poor oral health. However, their oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is unknown. Our study was designed to measure the OHRQoL of PWID. METHODS The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) was administered to 794 PWID recruited in Australian capital cities as part of the 2013 Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). Three OHIP-14 summary indicators were examined: "Prevalence" (proportion reporting ≥1 item at least "fairly often"), "severity" (mean total OHIP-14 score), and "extent" (number of impacts reported at least "fairly often"). Associations between "prevalence" and "extent" and variables drawn from the health, drug use, and social domains were investigated. RESULTS All OHIP-14 summary indicators among IDRS participants were significantly higher than in the general Australian population. In multivariate analysis, the "prevalence" indicator was significantly and positively associated with female gender [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.75, 95% CI 1.27-2.38], those born in Australia (AOR = 2, 95% CI 1.25-3.23), not completing Year 10 compared with those who had completed Year 12 or a higher qualification (AOR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.03-2.44), and methadone treatment (AOR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.14-2.29). The "extent" indicator was significantly and positively associated with female gender [adjusted incidence rate ratio (AIRR) = 1.56, 95% CI 1.19-2.08], unemployment (AIRR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.01-2.44), and having an injecting career of 10-20 years (AIRR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.03-3.01). CONCLUSIONS PWID have poorer OHRQoL than the Australian general population. Poor OHRQoL was particularly common in female PWID and those with longer injecting careers. Interventions to improve the oral health of PWID may improve their OHRQoL.
Physical aggression is associated with preservation of substantia nigra pars compacta in Alzheimer disease.

OBJECTIVE To investigate specific neuropathologic correlates of agitation and physical aggression in Alzheimer disease (AD). DESIGN Neuronal counts in the nucleus basalis, locus ceruleus, and substantia nigra were compared in the brains of patients with pathologically definite AD with or without histories of agitation or interpersonal violence. SETTING Alzheimer disease center of a university department of neurology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Neuron densities in the nucleus basalis and absolute neuron counts in the locus ceruleus and substantia nigra pars compacta. RESULTS The patients with AD who had histories of unequivocal interpersonal violence had significantly greater neuron counts in the substantia nigra pars compacta than did the nonviolent patients with AD. This finding remained significant after multiple clinical and neuropathologic variables were adjusted for. Neuropathologic findings in the nucleus basalis and locus ceruleus were not different between violent and nonviolent patients. CONCLUSION Preservation of pigmented substantia nigra neurons may be a risk factor for physical aggression in AD.
The evolution of social marketing and social entrepreneurship education in business and management schools: conceptions, misconceptions and trends

This study examines how social marketing and social entrepreneurship courses have evolved over the last ten years (2004-2014) and predicts for the next three years the shape of these courses in the future. Data from courses taught in social marketing/entrepreneurship were collected from 62 universities in 11 countries for the past ten years. In order to investigate the four research questions, hierarchical cluster analysis was adopted for an exploratory analysis based on the single-linkage clustering method to reveal the two natural 'social' and 'marketing' clusters of the 20 key concepts within a data set of word counts that were not apparent and then multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Trend analyses based on the frequency word counts indicated prospects for increasing the focus on specific topics. The study innovatively uncovered interesting trends in social entrepreneurship and social marketing education.
Diagnosis and prognosis of congenital CMV infection: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the leading non-genetic cause of sensori-neural hearing loss and neurodevelopmental sequelae. Despite these alarming facts, the general public healthcare system is often not aware of CMV and not enough is done to prevent congenital CMV infection.We describe the clinical and laboratory monitoring of a case with primary CMV infection occurring before the first trimester of gestation. Specific literature review is included in order to point out major goals achieved in the diagnosis and prognosis of congenital CMV infection and the many questions still unanswered. Serological diagnosis of primary CMV infection was performed based on serum-CMV specific-IgM antibodies, combined with low avidity anti-CMV IgG antibodies. The maternal infection was asymptomatic, as it is for most infections in immunocompetent patients. Therefore, disclosing primary infection depended on specific serological tests during the initial period of pregnancy (before weeks 12–16 of gestation). The invasive (amniocentesis) and non-invasive (ultrasonographic examination) prenatal tests, carried out at 21 weeks gestation, revealed a severe CMV infection in a fetus small for gestational age with ventriculomegaly. The presence of overt ultrasound abnormalities combined with high viral load in the amniotic fluid sampled at the appropriate times was highly suggestive of an unfavourable prognosis. The autopsy performed on the fetus confirmed severe disseminated CMV infection with histological brain damage.
Renal dysfunction after myocardial revascularization q

Objectives : In this study, we evaluate the incidence of and analyse the pre and intraoperative risk factors for the development of postoperative renal dysfunction (PRD), and the impact of such an event on perioperative mortality and on hospital length of stay. In addition, we sought to investigate the inﬂuence of a mildly increased serum creatinine (1.3–2.0 mg/dl) on perioperative mortality and morbidity. Methods : The study included 2445 consecutive patients who had no pre-existing renal disease (creatinine # 2.0 mg/dl, without dialysis) and who underwent isolated coronary surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass between July 1996 and December 2001. The main outcome measure was PRD, deﬁned as a postoperative serum creatinine level $ 2.1 mg/dl with a preoperative-to-postoperative increase $ 0.9 mg/dl. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed where appropriate. Results : Global 30-day mortality was 0.7%. The incidence of PRD was 5.6% (136 patients). Mortality for patients who experienced PRD was 8.8 vs. 0.1% for patients who did not ð P , 0 : 001 Þ : PRD increased the length of hospital stay by 3.4 days (7.6 vs. 11.0 days; P , 0 : 001), and patients who needed haemodialysis (11%) had a perioperative mortality of 33.3% and a mean hospital length of stay of 16 days. Multivariable logistic regression identiﬁed the following variables as independent predictors of PRD: age ( P ¼ 0 : 017 ; odds ratio (OR) 1.3 per 10 years), angina class III/IV ( P ¼ 0 : 003 ; OR 1.7); cardiopulmonary bypass time ( P ¼ 0 : 007 ; OR 1.01 per minute); preoperative serum creatinine levels: group 1 (1.3–1.6 mg/dl ( P , 0 : 001 ; OR 5.5)) and group 2 (1.7–2.0 mg/dl ( P , 0 : 001 ; OR 14.2)). Finally, a mild elevation of the preoperative creatinine level (1.3–2.0 mg/dl) increased signiﬁcantly the probability of perioperative mortality, low cardiac output, haemodialysis and prolonged hospital stay. Conclusions : Although the likelihood of PRD in patients without pre-existing renal dysfunction is relatively low, it dramatically increases mortality, morbidity and length of stay after CABG. Mildly elevated ( . 1.2 mg/dl) preoperative serum creatinine level signiﬁcantly increases the perioperative mortality and morbidity.