Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surgical treatment of gastric stromal tumors: laparoscopic versus open approach.

AIM Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are quite rare tumors, but yet they are the most common mesenchymal lesions of gastrointestinal tract. Their outmost frequent origin site is stomach and presently surgical resection is the mainstay in the treatment of gastric non metastatic GIST. Their peculiar characteristic of growth and poor metastatic tendency make this tumors particularly prone to be managed by minimally invasive technique. Presenting our experience we want show the feasibility and safeness of laparoscopic approach for gastric GIST and its benefits versus traditional open surgery and pointing out short term and long terms outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS In our series we included 60 patients who underwent surgery for gastric GIST from 2004 to 2014 at Clinica Chirurgica of Università Politecnica delle Marche. Patients were divided in two group according with surgical approach (open or laparoscopic). Criteria of exclusion were metastatic disease and palliative purpose of surgical resection. All patients underwent endoscopic ultrasonography, fine needle aspiration, TC/MRI or PET before surgery. However most of the definitive diagnosis were postoperative. CD117 and CD34 immunohistochemical positivity were considered suggestive for GIST. Tumors were classified in four different prognostic groups according with pathological findings (size and mitotic count) as reported in Fletcher classification. None of the patients received Imatinib before surgery. All patients underwent follow-up with Computerized Tomography (TC) and/or Magnetic Resonance (MRI) repeated every year (mean 51.98 ± 35.68 months). RESULTS We performed open surgery on 22 patients (36.7%) and laparoscopic wedge resection on 38 patients (63.33%); one of these underwent robotic wedge resection by da the da Vinci® surgical system. The median age at diagnosis was 64 years (range= 45-71). Patients with gastric GIST presented with various symptoms, including fatigue secondary to anemia, intraluminal gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, abdominal mass, vomiting and syncope. In 26 patients (43.3%) gastric GISTs were detected incidentally during abdominal exploration, endoscopy, or radiologic imaging. Tumor dimensional difference between the two groups was not significant (mean 4.75 cm, range= 2-13). Operation time was significantly lower in laparoscopic approach (82.4 versus 117.8 min). We did not experience of intraoperative or post-operative complications in laparoscopic group. Conversely 4 patients of open group were transfused for anemia. In our series we didn't observe recurrence or metastasis at mean follow up period of (range= 49-120 months). CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive approach to the treatment of GISTs and offers many advantages such as short hospital stay and low morbidity. In the meantime oncological outcomes of laparoscopy for gastric GIST, assessed as tumor free resection margins and recurrence rate, are comparable to traditional open strategy. KEY WORDS Gastrointestinal stromal tumors, Laparoscopy, Minimally invasive surgery, Stomach.
Methane Emission from Fields with Three Various Rice Straw Treatments in Taiwan Paddy Soils

Flooded rice fields are one of the major biogenic methane sources. In this study, the effects of straw residual treatments on methane emission from paddy fields were discussed. The experimental field was located at Tainan District Agricultural Improvement Station in Chia‐Yi county (23°25′08″N, 120°16′26″E) of southern Taiwan throughout the first and the second crop seasons in 2000. The seasonal methane fluxes in the first crop season with rice stubble removed, rice straw burned and rice straw incorporated were 4.41, 3.78 and 5.27 g CH4 m− 2, and the values were 32.8, 38.9 and 75.1 g CH4 m− 2 in the second crop season, respectively. In comparison of three management methods of rice straw residue, the incorporation of rice straw residue should show a significant tendency for enhancing methane emission in the second crop season. Moreover, stubble removed and straw burned treatments significantly reduced CH4 emissions by 28 ∼ 56% emissions compared to straw incorporated plot. Concerning for air quality had led to legislation restricting rice straw burning, removing of rice stubble might be an appropriate methane mitigation strategy in Taiwan paddy soils.
Which patients die in their preferred place? A secondary analysis of questionnaire data from bereaved relatives

Background: Previous studies on factors influencing the place of death have focused on cancer patients dying at home. However, home is not always the preferred place. Aim: To provide insight into the extent to which patients with various diseases die in their preferred place and into factors associated with dying in the preferred place. Design: A secondary analysis of the data set of the evaluation study of the National Quality Improvement Programme for Palliative Care was undertaken to explore factors related to ‘dying in the preferred place’. Setting/participants: A total of 797 bereaved relatives filled in the Consumer Quality Index Palliative Care, a validated and reliable questionnaire. Results: Two-thirds of the patients died in the preferred place. A preference for dying at home and having had a stroke decreased the likelihood of dying in the preferred place, while having a partner, dementia, contact with the general practitioner in the last week before death, and continuity of care between professionals increased the likelihood of dying in the preferred place. Furthermore, people who wanted to die at home and also had dementia were more likely to die elsewhere than people without dementia who wanted to die at home. Conclusion: Positive associations were found between continuity of care between healthcare professionals and contact with the general practitioner and the chance of people dying in their preferred place. Moreover, special attention for people who have had a stroke and for people with dementia who want to die at home seems indicated as their diagnosis is negatively associated with dying in their preferred place.
Mutation of a cleavage site adjacent to the mature domain leads to increase in secreted mature BMP-2 with reduced activity

Proteolytic cleavage of precursor bone morphogenetic protein (proBMP) is an important step in generating the active mature BMP. ProBMP-2 contains two proprotein convertase (PC) recognition sites (S1 and S2) and is postulated to be cleaved by PCs at those sites. Cell lines expressing proBMP-2, with a silenced S1 site (mS1) that inhibited PC cleavage, secreted the 20-kDa form BMP-2, while cells expressing wild type (wt) BMP-2 secreted 18- and 20-kDa mature BMP-2 N-terminal isoforms. The mS1 cells secreted 15-fold more mature BMP-2 than the wt, despite their similar mRNA levels. Mutant-secreted BMP-2 demonstrated biological activity in vitro; however, its activity was reduced compared with wt. These data demonstrate that proBMP-2 can be cleaved at an alternative cleavage site without prior S1 site cleavage in cell lines overexpressing BMP-2 and more importantly suggest that the presence of the 2-kDa linker peptide can affect activity and secretion of the mature protein.
Lost in the chaos: Flawed literature should not generate new disorders

The paper by Kuss, Griffiths, and Pontes (2016) titled “Chaos and confusion in DSM-5 diagnosis of Internet Gaming Disorder: Issues, concerns, and recommendations for clarity in the field” examines issues relating to the concept of Internet Gaming Disorder. We agree that there are serious issues and extend their arguments by suggesting that the field lacks basic theory, definitions, patient research, and properly validated and standardized assessment tools. As most studies derive data from survey research in functional populations, they exclude people with severe functional impairment and provide only limited information on the hypothesized disorder. Yet findings from such studies are widely used and often exaggerated, leading many to believe that we know more about the problem behavior than we do. We further argue that video game play is associated with several benefits and that formalizing this popular hobby as a psychiatric disorder is not without risks. It might undermine children’s right to play or encourage repressive treatment programs, which ultimately threaten children’s right to protection against violence. While Kuss et al. (2016) express support for the formal implementation of a disorder, we argue that before we have a proper evidence base, a sound theory, and validated assessment tools, it is irresponsible to support a formal category of disorder and doing so would solidify a confirmatory approach to research in this area.
Chronic kidney disease in children following lung and heart–lung transplantation

Abstract: CKD is a major co‐morbidity in pediatric lung transplant recipients. We report the prevalence of renal impairment post‐lung transplant at a single center, using a modified, age‐adjusted eGFR for the best approximation of true GFR, and investigated associations and possible predictors of decline in renal function post‐transplant. Renal function was assessed by eGFR pre‐transplant, three and 12 months post‐transplant, and at last follow‐up. Decline in renal function was analyzed as percentage fall in eGFR in two phases (0–3 and 3–12). Furthermore, we investigated impact of gender, age, pre‐transplant diagnosis and renal function, transplant type, early post‐transplant dialysis, and tacrolimus trough levels on decline in eGFR using multivariate analysis. Over a five‐yr period, 30 transplants were performed. Mean eGFR pretransplant was 117 mL/min/1.73 m2 (s.d. 35) with mean decline in eGFR during the first three months post‐transplant of 33% (s.d. 31, p < 0.001). Thereafter, mean decline in eGFR was 8% (s.d. 18, p = 0.02). None of the factors assessed were significantly associated with decline in eGFR post‐transplant. In conclusion, many children have decline in renal function following lung transplantation, particularly early post‐transplant. Unlike in adults, we were unable to detect any predictors of renal impairment in pediatric lung transplant recipients.
Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Constituents from Wisteria sinensis

Chromatographic separation of an aqueous MeOH extract of Wisteria sinensis leaves has yielded six known flavonoids, two triterpene aglycones and the new acylated flavone glycoside chrysoeriol-7-O-[2''-O-(5'''-O-caffeoyl)-β-D-apiofuranosyl]-β-D-glucopyranoside (1). All metabolites were isolated for the first time from the genus Wisteria. Their structures were established on the basis of their chromatographic properties, chemical and physicochemical methods including acid hydrolysis analysis, spectroscopic (UV, 1H- and 13C-NMR) data and confirmed by ESI-MS analysis, as well as two-dimensional NMR (1H-1HCOSY, HMQC and HMBC). Biological studies of the defatted aqueous 80% methanol leaf extract and the major isolates 1, 6 and 7 were undertaken and they are reported herein for the first time to have significant cytotoxic activity against the Hep-G2 tumor cell line in addition to antioxidant activity.
Assessing Treatment Effects in Randomized Longitudinal Two-Group Designs with Missing Observations

SAS’s PROC MIXED can be problematic when analyzing data from randomized longitudinal two-group designs when observations are missing over time. Overall (1996, 1999) and colleagues found a number of procedures that are effective in controlling the number of false positives (Type I errors) and are yet sensitive (powerful) to detect treatment effects. Two favorable methods incorporate time in study and baseline scores to model the missing data mechanism; one method was a single-stage PROC MIXED ANCOVA solution and the other was a two-stage endpoint analysis using the change scores as dependent scores. Because the twostage approach can lack sensitivity to detect effects for certain missing data mechanisms, in this article we examined variations of the single-stage approach under conditions not considered by Overall et al., in order to assess the generality of the procedure’s positive characteristics. The results indicate when and when not it is beneficial to include a baseline score as a covariate in the model. As well, we provide clarification regarding the merits of adopting an endpoint analysis as compared to the single-stage PROC MIXED procedure.
An Integrated Tunable Band-Pass Filter Using MEMS Parallel-Plate Variable Capacitors Implemented with 0.35μm CMOS Technology

This paper presents an integrated tunable bandpass filter with RF MEMS varactors fabricated using the TSMC 0.35 μm CMOS process. A maskless post-processing technique is developed which enables the fabrication of RF MEMS parallel-plate capacitors with a high quality factor and a very compact size. A 2-pole coupled line tunable bandpass filter with a center frequency of 9.5 GHz and a 9% relative bandwidth is designed, fabricated and tested. A tuning range of 17% is achieved using integrated variable MEMS capacitors with a quality factor exceeding 20. The filter has an insertion loss of 5.66 dB and occupies a chip area of 1.2 × 2.1 mm2.
Predicting Extrathyroidal Extension in Patients With Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma According to a BRAF Mutation

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between preoperative parameters and extrathyroidal extension (ETE) of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) according to the BRAF mutation and to evaluate the preoperative predictability of ETE. Methods We analyzed the medical records of 332 patients with PTMC (140 in the BRAF– group and 192 in the BRAF+ group). The presence of ETE was subjected to a correlation analysis with age, sex, tumor size, clinical nodal status, and ultrasonography (US) findings. Among the US findings, the correlation between tumors and the thyroid capsule was categorized into four groups; US group A, intraparechymal; US group B, tumor abutting the capsule <50% of diameter; US group C, tumor abutting >50% of diameter; and US group D, tumor destroyed the capsule. The predictive value of ETE, including sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were evaluated. Results Tumor size and US group were significantly correlated with gross ETE in the BRAF– and BRAF+ groups. Tumor size of 0.5 cm and US groups B and C in the BRAF– group were cutoff values for gross ETE, with a negative predictive value of 100%, whereas tumor size of 0.7 cm and US groups A and B in the BRAF+ group had negative predictive values of 92.4% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion Excluding of ETE by US was categorized according to tumor size and US findings. A different categorization to exclude ETE is needed according to the BRAF mutation.
Exotic magnetic states in Pauli-limited superconductors

Magnetism and superconductivity compete or interact in complex and intricate ways. Here we review the special case where novel magnetic phenomena appear due to superconductivity, but do not exist without it. Such states have recently been identified in unconventional superconductors. They are different from the mere coexistence of magnetic order and superconductivity in conventional superconductors, or from competing magnetic and superconducting phases in many materials. We describe the recent progress in the study of such exotic magnetic phases, and articulate the many open questions in this field.
A Complex Chromatin Landscape Revealed by Patterns of Nuclease Sensitivity and Histone Modification within the Mouse β-Globin Locus

ABSTRACT In order to create an extended map of chromatin features within a mammalian multigene locus, we have determined the extent of nuclease sensitivity and the pattern of histone modifications associated with the mouse β-globin genes in adult erythroid tissue. We show that the nuclease-sensitive domain encompasses the β-globin genes along with several flanking olfactory receptor genes that are inactive in erythroid cells. We describe enhancer-blocking or boundary elements on either side of the locus that are bound in vivo by the transcription factor CTCF, but we found that they do not coincide with transitions in nuclease sensitivity flanking the locus or with patterns of histone modifications within it. In addition, histone hyperacetylation and dimethylation of histone H3 K4 are not uniform features of the nuclease-sensitive mouse β-globin domain but rather define distinct subdomains within it. Our results reveal a complex chromatin landscape for the active β-globin locus and illustrate the complexity of broad structural changes that accompany gene activation.
Stem cell therapy : Differentiation potential of insulin producing cells from human adipose derived stem cells and umbilical cord MSCs

Diabetes mellitus is a huge burden for several countries. No matter type I or type II diabetes, the insufficient of insulin causes the dysfunction of regulating blood sugar and leads to hypoinsulinemia and life threatening ketoacidosis. To our knowledge, no effective treatment to cure diabetes and most diabetic patients still need to rely on the long-term injection of insulin. Herein, we summarized new finding and advantageous resource for regenerative medicine with the possibility to be employed in diabetes treatments. We also discuss the differentiation potentials of human adipose derived stromal cells (hADSCs) and human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) and give rise to a new hope of treatment in the future.
Detailed deletion analysis of sporadic breast tumors defines an interstitial region of allelic loss on l7q25

Whole genome analyses of breast tumors with polymorphic markers have detected nonrandom loss of heterozygosity on multiple chromosomes, providing clues to the locations of suspected tumor suppressor genes. Tumors are thought to initiate, progress, and metastasize as mutations accumulate in multiple growth‐regulatory genes; thus, identification and characterization of these genes are critical to understanding and controlling breast tumorigenesis. To map more precisely a novel breast tumor suppressor gene that has been localized previously to distal 17q, we constructed a detailed deletion map of 17q25 by analyzing eight microsatellite markers on 39 sporadic primary breast tumors. The smallest overlapping region of interstitial loss was narrowed to approximately 3 cM and included D17S937/AFM107ye3, which showed the highest percentage of allelic loss (41%). These results provide a framework from which a genomic contig will be constructed and candidate transcripts will be analyzed. Genes Chromosom Cancer 17:64–68 (1996). © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Questioning the first Aurignacian: mono or multi cultural phenomenon during the formation of the Upper Paleolithic in Central Europe and the Balkans

For several decades, it has been commonly admit that the Aurignacian was an homogeneous techno-complex related to the first diffusion of modern humans in Europe. The typo-technological pan-European homogeneity of the Aurignacian has been explained on the basis of bone and lithic specific tools currently known since the Near East to the Atlantic coast (eg. split-based points, Dufour bladelets, carinated and nosed end-scrapers). This predicted cultural homogeneity has led many authors to interpret the Aurignacian as the first East-West migration of modern men in Europe. The revision of 4 major so-called Aurignacian sequences located in the Balkans and in Central Europe (more particularly from East to West Bacho Kiro in Bulgaria, Krems-Hundssteig and Willendorf in Austria and Geissenklosterle in Germany) is in contradiction with this model. In the Balkans, Bacho Kiro is more comparable with some transitional units than with the Aurignacian. In Central Europe, Austrian and German sites enable us to distinguish two distinct cultural traditions actually integrated in the Aurignacian: the Proto-Aurignacian and the Early classical Aurignacian (Aurignacian I). Their relationship and their place in the Middle-to-Upper Paleolithic transition are discussed at the end of the paper.
User Acceptance of Information Technology: System Characteristics, User Perceptions and Behavioral Impacts

Abstract Lack of user acceptance has long been an impediment to the success of new information systems. The present research addresses why users accept or reject information systems and how user acceptance is affected by system design features. The technology acceptance model (TAM) specifies the causal relationships between system design features, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude toward using, and actual usage behavior. Attitude theory from psychology provides the rationale for hypothesized model relationships, and validated measures were used to operationalize model variables. A field study of 112 users regarding two end-user systems was conducted to test the hypothesized model. TAM fully mediated the effects of system characteristics on usage behavior, accounting for 36% of the variance in usage. Perhaps the most striking finding was that perceived usefulness was 50% more influential than ease of use in determining usage, underscoring the importance of incorporating the appropriate functional capabilities in new systems. Overall, TAM provides an informative representation of the mechanisms by which design choices influence user acceptance, and should therefore be helpful in applied contexts for forecasting and evaluating user acceptance of information technology. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Frontotemporal dementia: A review

This review summarizes the clinical, imaging, and pathological features of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Clinicians have become increasingly sensitive to FTD in the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Clinical subgroups of FTD patients have been recognized, including patients with progressive non-fluent aphasia, semantic dementia, and behavioral disorder with executive difficulty. The clinical, neuroimaging and neuropathological profiles associated with these clinically defined subgroups are examined. (JINS, 2002, 8, 566–583.)
Epidemiology of domestic injuries. A survey in an emergency department in North-East Italy.

INTRODUCTION Home injuries (HI) represent a social and public health problem worldwide. In Italy, there are 1,300,000-1,700,000 admissions to Emergency Department (ED) for HI and 130,000 hospitalizations every year, but the data are incomplete and fragmentary. A study of the phenomenon was carried out in Emergency Department (ED) of Civil Hospital of Verona to evaluate prevalence, characteristics and possible preventive actions. METHODS In 2007, 3120 admission for HI have been registered at the Eä of the Civil Hospital of Verona. The distribution was calculated in relation to sex, age, month, code of urgency, outcomes, type and location of trauma. RESULTS Children in pre-school age, men between 30 and 40 years and women over 60 years are the population groups most at risk, with a fairly homogeneous incidence distribution. Both sexes have similar distributions up to 41-50 years followed by an increase in females and a decrease in males at higher age. The traumas are generally slight (49.8% white code and 42.1% green code) and the hospitalizations represent 5.8% of all recorded HI. The most frequent injuries are wounds/abrasions (28.7%), contusions/crushing (27.7%) and fractures/distortions/ dislocations. The most affected body parts are hands and wrists (25.9%). Head trauma is significantly more frequent in children and elderly people, fracture in elderly people, and burn in adult women and male children. Every year about 30% of the admissions to emergency departments are caused by HI. Even though 92% of the times the events aren't serious, the sanitary cost is consistent due to the elevate number of admissions. It is therefore important to do prevention through sanitary education and adequate building legislation.