Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variants in microRNA genes in familial papillary thyroid carcinoma

Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma (PTC) displays one of the highest familiality scores of all cancers as measured by case-control studies, yet only a handful of genes have been implicated until now. Variants in microRNAs have been associated with the risk of several cancers including PTC but the magnitude of this involvement is unclear. This study was designed to test to what extent genomic variants in microRNAs contribute to PTC risk. We used SOLiD technology to sequence 321 genomic regions encoding 427 miRNAs in one affected individual from each of 80 PTC families. After excluding variants with frequency ≥ 1% in 1000 Genomes Phase 1 (n = 1092) we detected 1978 variants. After further functional filtering steps 25 variants in pre-miRs remained. Co-segregation was observed for six out of 16 tested miRNA variants with PTC in the families, namely let-7e, miR-181b, miR-135a, miR-15b, miR-320, and miR-484. Expression of miR-135a and miR-181b was tested in normal thyroid and tumor tissue from patients that carry the variants and a decrease in expression was observed. In vitro assays were applied to measure the effect of the variants on microRNAs’ maturation. Four out of six variants were tested. Only the let-7e and miR-181b variants showed an effect on processing leading to lower levels of mature miRNA. These two variants were not detected in 1170 sporadic PTC cases nor in 1404 controls. Taken together, our data show that high penetrance germline sequence variants of miRNAs potentially predispose to a fraction of all PTC but are not common.
Radiation-associated peritoneal angiosarcoma

Angiosarcomas account for only 1–2% of all soft tissue sarcomas, with the most common site of origin being in the head and neck region. Peritoneal angiosarcoma is an extremely rare tumour and few cases have been reported previously. Presentation of peritoneal angiosarcoma can be very variable, hence making diagnosis difficult. Herein, we review the current literature and describe a rare case of a patient who presented with haemorrhagic ascites, 17 years after radiotherapy for endometrial carcinoma and was subsequently diagnosed with peritoneal angiosarcoma. Due to extensive disease, surgery was not a viable option. She was started on palliative chemotherapy, but despite treatment, her condition deteriorated further and she eventually passed away. We highlight the diagnostic challenges and considerations in these patients as well as current treatment and management options available.
No . 717 , 2007 Employment Protection and Sickness Absence

An exemption in the Swedish Employment Security Act (LAS) in 2001 made it possible for employers with a maximum of ten employees to exempt two workers from the seniority rule at times of redundancies. Using this within-country enforcement variation, the relationship between employment protection and sickness absence among employees is examined. The average treatment effect from the exemption is found to decrease sickness absence by more than 13 percent at those establishments that were treated relative to those that were not and this was due to a behavioral, rather than a compositional, effect. The results suggest that the exemption had the largest impact on shorter spells and among establishments with a relatively low share of females or temporary contracts.
Baseline somatization influences sport-related concussion recovery

Sport-related concussion with its associated physical and cognitive symptoms has become an area of widespread interest with respect to developing techniques to best manage acute concussion effects, determining when concussed athletes may return to play without increased risk of further injury, as well as evaluating the long-term effects from repeated concussions sustained over many years and the degree to which they contribute to pathologic brain changes.
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Randomized Trial of Exercise in Sedentary Middle Aged Women: Effects on Quality of Life

Increasing physical activity is currently considered to be a possible prevention strategy for cancer, obesity, and cardiovascular disease, either alone or in combination with dietary changes. This paper presents results of a randomized trial of moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise in middle aged, sedentary women; specifically, we report changes in and correlates of quality of life and functional status of this exercise intervention program for both the short (three months) and longer term (12 months). The intervention group showed a significant increase in Mental Health score from baseline to 3 months (p < .01), significantly greater than the change in the control group at 3 months (p < .01). A similar trend among exercisers was observed for the General Health score (p < .01), and this finding was significantly greater than the change in control group at 3 months (p = .01). Change in Social Support – Affection were predictors of the changes in quality of life variables. This study documented improvements in quality of life and general functioning that occurred as a result of participating in an exercise intervention in sedentary middle-aged women.
APOC3 Loss-of-Function Mutations, Remnant Cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, and Cardiovascular Risk: Mediation- and Meta-Analyses of 137 895 Individuals

Objective— Loss-of-function mutations in APOC3 associate with low remnant cholesterol levels and low risk of ischemic vascular disease (IVD). Because some studies show an additional association with low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), low LDL-C may explain the low risk of IVD in APOC3 loss-of-function heterozygotes. We tested to what extent the low risk of IVD in APOC3 loss-of-function heterozygotes is mediated by low plasma remnant cholesterol and LDL-C. Approach and Results— In APOC3 loss-of-function heterozygotes versus noncarriers, we first determined remnant cholesterol and LDL-C levels in meta-analyses of 137 895 individuals. Second, we determined whether the association with LDL-C was masked by lipid-lowering therapy. Finally, using mediation analysis, we determined the fraction of the low risk of IVD and ischemic heart disease mediated by remnant cholesterol and LDL-C. In meta-analyses, remnant cholesterol was 43% lower (95% confidence interval, 40%–47%), and LDL-C was 4% lower (1%–6%) in loss-of-function heterozygotes (n=776) versus noncarriers. In the general population, LDL-C was 3% lower in loss-of-function heterozygotes versus noncarriers, 4% lower when correcting for lipid-lowering therapy, and 3% lower in untreated individuals (P values, 0.06–0.008). Remnant cholesterol mediated 37% of the observed 41% lower risk of IVD and 54% of the observed 36% lower risk of ischemic heart disease; corresponding values mediated by LDL-C were 1% and 2%. Conclusions— The low risk of IVD observed in APOC3 loss-of-function heterozygotes is mainly mediated by the associated low remnant cholesterol and not by low LDL-C. Furthermore, the contribution of LDL-C to IVD risk was not masked by lipid-lowering therapy. This suggests APOC3 and remnant cholesterol as important new targets for reducing cardiovascular risk.
Pharmacological properties of various anesthetic protocols in 10-day-old neonatal rats

In general, the anesthesia in neonates involves high risk. Although hypothermic anesthesia is recommended in rats up to the age of 7 days, neonatal anesthesia for later periods has not been standardized. The present study investigated the pharmacological properties of conventional anesthetic protocols in 10-day-old SD rats. The rats were anesthetized with four anesthetics: a combination of ketamine and xylazine (K/X); a combination of medetomidine, midazolam, and butorphanol (M/M/B); isoflurane; and sevoflurane. Anesthetic depth was scored by reflex response to noxious stimuli. Induction and recovery times were recorded. Vital signs and mortality rate were evaluated for safety assessment. All rats died after administration of K/X at a dose of 60/6 mg/kg, whereas K/X at 40/4 mg/kg resulted in insufficient anesthetic depth, indicating inappropriate for neonatal anesthesia. Although M/M/B at the adult rat dose (0.15/2/2.5 mg/kg) did not provide surgical anesthetic depth, the mouse dose (0.3/4/5 mg/kg) showed sufficient anesthetic depth with relatively stable vital signs. Isoflurane required a long induction period, and caused remarkable respiratory depression and hypothermia, resulted in a 25% mortality rate. In contrast, sevoflurane provided consistent surgical anesthetic depth with rapid induction. Although respiratory rate decrease was markedly observed, all rats survived. Among the anesthetic protocols investigated in the present study, sevoflurane and M/M/B at the mouse dose were recommended for the neonatal anesthesia. Compared with adult rats, the required dose of both anesthetics in neonates was higher, possibly associated with their lower anesthetic sensitivity.
The Impact of IgG Transplacental Transfer on Early Life Immunity

Pediatric vaccines have significantly reduced infectious disease–related infant mortality, but as protective immunity often requires several infant vaccine doses, maternally acquired Abs are critical to protect infants during the first months of life. Consequently, immunization of pregnant women is an important strategy not only to protect mothers from infection, but also to provide immunity to young infants. Nevertheless, maternal immunization can also negatively impact early life immunity. In fact, maternal Abs can interfere with the development of infant immune responses, although it is unclear whether such interference is clinically significant. Moreover, the transplacental transfer of maternal Ig therapeutics can be harmful to the fetus. Thus, the risk–benefit of maternal immunization for both the mother and the fetus should be carefully weighed. In addition, it is critical to fully understand the mechanisms by which IgG is transferred across the placenta to develop optimal maternal and infant immunization strategies.
Modeling and Simulation of Three Level Piezoelectric Transformer Converters

This paper proposes a modeling and simulation of three level piezoelectric transformer converters. The increasing utilization of piezoelectric transformers (PT) in power electronics requires fundamental analysis and design of PT power converters. In addition, the possibility of overcoming the essential limitations of PT power ability by a combined operation of PTs needs to be examined. These studies could provide wide opportunities for PT exploitation in power electronic circuits. The electrical circuit and model of piezoelectric transformers (PTs) ELS-60 is developed. Rosen-type PT and many other non-isolated conversion circuits have the inherit problem of the common neutral between the input and output that make it difficult to connect the output in series like the magnetic transformer. A new method based on the bootstrap method is proposed to solve the aforementioned problem. A new circuit for output summation of voltage level in the output side of each PT is developed. The impact of load and output filter capacitor on the conversion ratio and resonant frequency is discussed. The paper finally proposes a multilevel concept for many PT connected together for voltage summation. The method proposed can be applied to other multiple conversion circuits, which are based on common neutral between the input and output. The MATLAB/SIMULINK software used to design the required circuit diagram.
Complete genome sequence of the thermophilic sulfur-reducer Desulfurobacterium thermolithotrophum type strain (BSAT) from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent

Desulfurobacterium thermolithotrophum L’Haridon et al. 1998 is the type species of the genus Desulfurobacterium which belongs to the family Desulfurobacteriaceae. The species is of interest because it represents the first thermophilic bacterium that can act as a primary producer in the temperature range of 45–75 °C (optimum 70°C) and is incapable of growing under microaerophilic conditions. Strain BSAT preferentially synthesizes high-melting-point fatty acids (C18 and C20) which is hypothesized to be a strategy to ensure the functionality of the membrane at high growth temperatures. This is the second completed genome sequence of a member of the family Desulfurobacteriaceae and the first sequence from the genus Desulfurobacterium. The 1,541,968 bp long genome harbors 1,543 protein-coding and 51 RNA genes and is a part of the GenomicEncyclopedia ofBacteria andArchaea project.
Shared Services Strategies and Their Determinants: A Multiple Case Study Analysis in the Public Sector

Shared service has proven to be a key element when it comes to increasing government efficiency by collaboration. Here, we seek to investigate into the shared services phenomenon in the context of government reforms. For this purpose, an interview and document analysis-based multiple case study has been conducted in Germany. The qualitative analysis covers three shared service implementations on the local government level and identifies important preconditions for shared service emergence, namely cost pressure as motive, the existence of key actors promoting the topic and the existence of prior cooperation. Moreover, it is shown that the structure of such previous cooperation determines, if shared services are being organised in a centralised (shared service centre) or decentralised format (shared service network).
Circulating microRNAs found dysregulated in ex-exposed asbestos workers and pleural mesothelioma patients as potential new biomarkers

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), a fatal cancer, is an occupational disease mostly affecting workers ex-exposed to asbestos fibers. The asbestos, a cancerogenic mineral of different chemical composition, was widely employed in western Countries in industrial manufactures of different types. MPM may arise after a long latency period, up to five decades. MPM is resistant to conventional chemo- and radio-therapies. Altogether, these data indicate that the identification of new and specific markers are of a paramount importance for an early diagnosis and treatment of MPM. In recent years, microRNAs expression was found dysregulated in patients, both in cancer cells and sera, affected by tumors of different histotypes, including MPM. Cell and circulanting microRNAs, found to be dysregulated in this neoplasia, were proposed as new biomarkers. It has been reported that circulating microRNAs are stable in biological fluids and could be employed as potential MPM biomarkers. In this investigation, circulating microRNAs (miR) from serum samples of MPM patients and workers ex-exposed to asbestos fibers (WEA) and healthy subjects (HS) were comparatively analyzed by microarray and RT-qPCR technologies. Our results allowed (i) to select MiR-3665, an endogenous stable microRNA, as the internal control to quantify in our analyses circulating miRNAs; to detect (ii) miR-197-3p, miR-1281 and miR 32-3p up-regulated in MPM compared to HS; (iii) miR-197-3p and miR-32-3p up-regulated in MPM compared to WEA; (iv) miR-1281 up-regulated in both MPM and WEA compared to HS. In conclusion, three circulating up-regulated microRNAs, i.e. miR-197-3p, miR-1281 and miR-32-3p are proposed as potential new MPM biomarkers.
Product information extraction & analysis

Discovering usable information or knowledge from the Web for better decision making is a challenging task for the researchers from both academia and industry. This paper describes the research work on the construction of the Competitor Mining System (CMS), whose goal is to enable business people to find and watch their competitors in an effective and efficient way. A technical framework and the detailed algorithms employed inside for product information extraction from the Web and their competitiveness analysis are presented. The initial experiments on the evaluation are reported, which demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed solutions. The future extensions from research and application perspectives are discussed. We believe that this work can serve as an important reference for the development of other similar systems related to the Web based object mining.
Mouse Emi2 is required to enter meiosis II by reestablishing cyclin B1 during interkinesis

During interkinesis, a metaphase II (MetII) spindle is built immediately after the completion of meiosis I. Oocytes then remain MetII arrested until fertilization. In mouse, we find that early mitotic inhibitor 2 (Emi2), which is an anaphase-promoting complex inhibitor, is involved in both the establishment and the maintenance of MetII arrest. In MetII oocytes, Emi2 needs to be degraded for oocytes to exit meiosis, and such degradation, as visualized by fluorescent protein tagging, occurred tens of minutes ahead of cyclin B1. Emi2 antisense morpholino knockdown during oocyte maturation did not affect polar body (PB) extrusion. However, in interkinesis the central spindle microtubules from meiosis I persisted for a short time, and a MetII spindle failed to assemble. The chromatin in the oocyte quickly decondensed and a nucleus formed. All of these effects were caused by the essential role of Emi2 in stabilizing cyclin B1 after the first PB extrusion because in Emi2 knockdown oocytes a MetII spindle was recovered by Emi2 rescue or by expression of nondegradable cyclin B1 after meiosis I.
The Design of Clinical Trials in Portal Hypertension

Abstract Portal hypertension (PH) is the main consequence of cirrhosis and is responsible for the majority of its complications. Gastroesophageal varices and variceal hemorrhage are direct consequences of PH; therefore, most clinical trials in PH have been directed toward treating or preventing variceal hemorrhage. However, varices and variceal hemorrhage are not isolated events; they must be considered in the context of the presence (or absence) of other complications of cirrhosis/PH. Cirrhosis progresses across different stages, each with a different prognosis and pathophysiology and hence different therapeutic targets. In this review, the authors discuss the design of proof-of-concept studies for the assessment of new drugs for the treatment of PH, that are mainly based on the drug's ability to reduce the hepatic venous pressure gradient. They further discuss the design of studies with clinical endpoints in the context of each stage of cirrhosis, specifically targets of therapy, optimal therapies in the control arm, risk stratification, and primary outcome.
Impact of Bandwidth and Channel Variation on Presentation Attack Detection for Speaker Verification

Vulnerabilities to presentation attacks can undermine confidence in automatic speaker verification (ASV) technology. While efforts to develop countermeasures, known as presentation attack detection (PAD) systems, are now under way, the majority of past work has been performed with high-quality speech data. Many practical ASV applications are narrowband and encompass various coding and other channel effects. PAD performance is largely untested in such scenarios. This paper reports an assessment of the impact of bandwidth and channel variation on PAD performance. Assessments using two current PAD solutions and two standard databases show that they provoke significant degradations in performance. Encouragingly, relative performance improvements of 98% can nonetheless be achieved through feature optimisation. This performance gain is achieved by optimising the spectro-temporal decomposition in the feature extraction process to compensate for narrowband speech. However, compensating for channel variation is considerably more challenging.
Isolated epiphyseal chondrocyte allografts into joint surfaces

SUMMARY Isolated epiphyseal chondrocytes from5weekoldfemale NewZealand whiterabbits were transplanted as allografts intodrill holes inthetibial articular surface ofadult maleNew Zealand white rabbits. Thegrafts were examined after 8weeks. Fresh chondrocytes which were partially separated fromtheir matrix were more successful (47%)thancompletely separated cells (20%)andweresignificantly more successful (P>005)inskeletally mature(58%) asopposed to immature recipients (20%). Storage ofthecells at-79°Cfor2to9days orat-196°Cfor36to58weeksgavesuccessful results of23% and33%,respectively. Control defects showed fibrocartilage filling thedefect in25%. Thefactors affecting survival ofchondrocyte allografts require further study before clinical application ofthemethod.
Ultra-thin alumina and silicon nitride MEMS fabricated membranes for the electron multiplication

In this paper we demonstrate the fabrication of large arrays of ultrathin freestanding membranes (tynodes) for application in a timed photon counter (TiPC), a novel photomultiplier for single electron detection. Low pressure chemical vapour deposited silicon nitride (SixNy) and atomic layer deposited alumina (Al2O3) with thicknesses down to only 5 nm are employed for the membrane fabrication. Detailed characterization of structural, mechanical and chemical properties of the utilized films is carried out for different process conditions and thicknesses. Furthermore, the performance of the tynodes is investigated in terms of secondary electron emission, a fundamental attribute that determines their applicability in TiPC. Studied features and presented fabrication methods may be of interest for other MEMS application of alumina and silicon nitride as well, in particular where strong ultra-thin membranes are required.
Convective-diffusive mass transfer inside complex micro-molds during electrodeposition

During fabrication, local variations in convective-diffusive mass transfer and current distribution can give rise to undesirable variations in material composition for electrodeposited microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). Local transport characteristics are normally difficult to analyze in complex microstructures, especially the convective-diffusive conditions present during device fabrication. To tackle this problem, we have developed an experimental method called "Process Archaeology. " The general approach involves the electrodeposition of NiFe alloys from an electrolyte formulated to give a local composition that is very sensitive to the local mass transfer rate. Spatially-resolved measurements of the alloy composition and growth rate are accomplished by combining scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Using a simple inverse problem formulation, these experimentally measured quantities are related to the local convective-diffusive mass transfer coefficient (k) and the local Sherwood number present during fabrication. Here the Sherwood number is defined as Sh=kH/D, where H is the thickness of the lithographic mask and D is the diffusivity of a key transport-controlled species. Electrodeposited microgears are used as a test bed for demonstrating "Process Archaeology. " Sherwood number images show the wide ranges of mass transfer rates and the complex mixing features present during microgear fabrication, especially in the region downstream of the microgear's central hub.