Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New WHO histologic classification predicts prognosis of thymic epithelial tumors

In 1999, a World Health Organization (WHO) committee published histologic criteria for distinct thymoma entities (labeled as Type A, AB, B1, B2, B3 thymomas) and for the heterogeneous group of thymic carcinomas, collectively called Type C thymomas. Whether WHO‐defined histologic thymoma subtypes are of independent prognostic relevance has yet to be proved.
Gender-specific issues in liver and kidney failure and transplantation: a review.

INTRODUCTION Historically, research has been performed in male animals and extrapolated to the care of females regardless of biological differences. Men and women differ, however, with regard to severity and pathogenesis of disease and healthcare needs and this uniform approach, regardless of gender, is not always in the best interests of the patient. The relationship between sex hormones and immunological processes has been extensively documented but is not yet well understood and these differences will be discussed as they relate to liver and kidney failure and transplantation. DISCUSSION Certain forms of organ failure are more common in either men or women and the physiological changes associated with pregnancy present unique challenges to the transplant physician since pregnancy may adversely affect graft function and immunosuppression presents a risk for opportunistic infection in the mother or fetal injury. Donor and recipient gender affect graft and patient survival after transplantation and there is clearly some gender bias in organ donation and transplantation. CONCLUSIONS We need to be mindful of these differences in relation to gender-specific diseases, hormonal and immunological differences in designing clinical protocols and treatment pathways in order to improve outcomes in transplantation. Unfortunately, this is difficult in an environment where our practice is largely restricted by a shortage of donor organs and the need to decrease waiting list mortality.
Unraveling the Entry Mechanism of Baculoviruses and Its Evolutionary Implications

ABSTRACT The entry of baculovirus budded virus into host cells is mediated by two distinct types of envelope fusion proteins (EFPs), GP64 and F protein. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that F proteins were ancestral baculovirus EFPs, whereas GP64 was acquired by progenitor group I alphabaculovirus more recently and may have stimulated the formation of the group I lineage. This study was designed to experimentally recapitulate a possible major step in the evolution of baculoviruses. We demonstrated that the infectivity of an F-null group II alphabaculovirus (Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus [HearNPV]) can be functionally rescued by coinsertion of GP64 along with the nonfusogenic Fdef (furin site mutated HaF) from HearNPV. Interestingly, HearNPV enters cells by endocytosis and, less efficiently, by direct membrane fusion at low pH. However, this recombinant HearNPV coexpressing Fdef and GP64 mimicked group I virus not only in its EFP composition but also in its abilities to enter host cells via low-pH-triggered direct fusion pathway. Neutralization assays indicated that the nonfusogenic F proteins contribute mainly to binding to susceptible cells, while GP64 contributes to fusion. Coinsertion of GP64 with an F-like protein (Ac23) from group I virus led to efficient rescue of an F-null group II virus. In summary, these recombinant viruses and their entry modes are considered to resemble an evolutionary event of the acquisition of GP64 by an ancestral group I virus and subsequent adaptive inactivation of the original F protein. The study described here provides the first experimental evidence to support the hypothesis of the evolution of baculovirus EFPs.
Modulation of alpha 5 beta 1 and alpha V beta 3 integrins on the cell surface during mitosis.

One of the hallmarks of cells undergoing mitotic division is their rounded morphology and reduced adhesion to the substratum. We have studied and compared the attachment of interphase and mitotic cells to substrata coated with fibronectin and vitronectin. We have found that adhesion of mitotic cells, as compared to interphase cells, is significantly reduced to fibronectin, but is higher to vitronectin. These results correlate well with the expression of alpha 5 beta 1 and alpha V beta 3 integrins, the respective receptors for fibronectin and vitronectin, on the cell surface. Mitotic cells show higher levels of alpha V beta 3 and very low levels of alpha 5 beta 1 proteins on the cell surface as compared to interphase cells. This difference in the levels of these integrins also reflects in the total amounts of fibronectin and vitronectin present on the cell surface of these cells. We have further shown, by flow cytometry, that binding of vitronectin, or the synthetic peptide -GRGDSP-, causes an increase in the intracellular levels of Ca2+ in mitotic cells, but no change is seen in the interphase cells. Binding of fibronectin to either of these cells fails to elicit any response. One interesting feature of our results is that the levels of total, i.e., cytoplasmic plus membrane bound, alpha 5 beta 1 and alpha V beta 3 integrins of mitotic and interphase cells remain the same, thus implying an alteration in the distribution of integrin chains between the plasma membrane and the cytoplasm during the conversion of interphase cells into the mitotic phase.
Thymidylate Synthase Protein Expression by IHC and Gene Copy Number by SISH Correlate and Show Great Variability in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Introduction: Increased expression of thymidylate synthase (TS) is thought to be associated with resistance to TS-targeting drugs, e.g., pemetrexed. Methods: TS protein expression (PE) and gene copy number (GCN) were assayed using immunohistochemistry and silver in situ hybridization, respectively, on primary tumors of 189 resected non–small cell lung patients. Associations with pathological and clinical features and prognosis were explored. Results: Median immunohistochemistry H-score was 220 (range, 10–380) on a 0 to 400 scale; 17% of the patients had a TS expression of 300 or more. TS PE expression did not significantly differ by histology and did not significantly associate with disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS). However, there was a tendency for increased DFS (p = 0.12) and OS (p = 0.12) in PE positive (>median) squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) patients. Median GCN was 2.5 genes/nucleus (range, 1.4–9.6); 29% of patients had GCN of 3 or more, 7% of 4 or more and 0.8% amplification. GCN differed by histology (p = 0.015); 50% of SCCs having GCN more than 2.5 versus 32% of adenocarcinomas. There was no significant relationship between TS GCN and DFS or OS; however, a trend toward better DFS (p = 0.18) and OS (p = 0.10) with increased GCN in SCCs was observed. TS GCN was significantly correlated with PE (r = 0.30, p = 0.0009). Conclusions: TS PE and GCN vary widely in non–small cell lung and correlate significantly with each other. TS GCN is higher in SCCs, whereas TS PE does not associate with histological subtypes, clinical features, or survival. Variability of TS PE and GCN may indicate potential benefit from pemetrexed therapy in selected SCC patients.
Molecular Targets and Anticancer Potential of Indole-3-Carbinol and Its Derivatives

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is produced by members of the family Cruciferae, and particularly members of the genus Brassica (e.g., cabbage, radishes, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and daikon). Under acidic conditions, 13C is converted to a series of oligomeric products (among which 3,3’-diindolylmethane is a major component) thought to be responsible for its biological effects in vivo. In vitro, 13C has been shown to suppress the proliferation of various tumor cells including breast cancer, prostate cancer, endometrial cancer, colon cancer, and leukemic cells; induce G1/S arrest of the cell cycle, and induce apoptosis. The cell cycle arrest involves downregulation of cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)2, CDK4, and CDK6 and upregulation of p15, p21, and p27. Apoptosis by I3C involves downregulation antiapoptotic gene products, including bcl-2, bcl-xl, survivin, inhibitor-of-apoptosis protein (IAP), X chromosome-linked IAP (XIAP), and Fas-associated death domain protein-like interleukin-1-b-converting enzyme inhibitory protein (FLIP); upregulation of proapoptotic protein bax; release of micochondrial cytochrome C; and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. This agent inhibits the activation of various transcription factors including nuclear factor-kappaB, SP1, estrogen receptor, androgen receptor and nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). This indole potentiates the effects of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) through induction of death receptors and synergises with chemotherapeutic agents through downregulation of P-glycoprotein (P-gp). In vivo, I3C was found to be a potent chemopreventive agent for hormonal-dependent cancers such as breast and cervical cancer. These effects are mediated through its ability to induce apoptosis, inhibit DNA-carcinogen adduct formation, and suppress free-radical production, stimulate 2-hydroxylation of estradiol, inhibit invasion and angiogenesis. Numerous studies have indicated that I3C also has a strong hepatoprotective activity against various carcinogens. Initial clinical trials in women have shown that I3C is a promising agent against breast and cervical cancers.
Students with Learning Disabilities in Education

The purpose of this study was to examine factors that have contributed to the success of students with learning disabilities (LD) in schools and to explore how these students manage their disabilities from kindergarten through college. The study followed a qualitative research methodology consisting of reviewing academic records and conducting interviews and classroom observations over a 6-month period. The subjects were 9 students with learning disabilities enrolled in a public 4-year university. It was found that the students experienced labeling, stigmatization, and gatekeeping throughout their school years. Furthermore, the students employed a variety of positive and negative coping techniques in an effort to successfully manage their disabilities in school. Positive coping techniques included relying on benefactors, implementing self-improvement techniques, and utilizing particular strategies and management skills to assist with academics. Negative coping techniques were described as “passing” and created tension for the students. Students employed passing techniques to avoid disclosure of their disability and to make it through school. The results of this study have significant implications for school administrators and university educators who provide services for students with LD under current federal laws, and further underscore the need for such students to self-advocate.
Tourism Stimulated Prosperity and Peace in Provincial Destination: An Appraisal of Far West Nepal

Tourism thrives in peace. It is a major beneficiary of peace. Nevertheless, it is also be a benefactor to peace if it is planned, developed and managed from the perspectives of building socio-economic foundation, environmental wellness and socio-cultural contacts and communications. Such elements of peace through tourism are applicable to all destinations including provincial, national, local or international. This paper presents the general conceptual foundation on tourism stipulated prosperity and peace and relates this feature with Far West Nepal which is a newly established provincial destination in Nepal. It argues that peace related objectives of tourism can be achieved through planned development, operation and purposeful management of tourism directed to enhancing socio-economic foundations and intercultural relations. The responsibilities for such aspects lie at all actors (hosts and guests) and all levels of government like local, national and provincial. This aspect is truly applicable in Far West a newly growing regional tourist destination where the provincial government is on board with people’s mandate and necessary resources.
A Rape in Cyberspace

They say he raped them that night. They say he did it with a cunning little doll, fashioned in their image and imbued with the power to make them do whatever he desired. They say that by manipulating the doll he forced them to have sex with him, and with each other, and to do horrible, brutal things to their own bodies. And though I wasn’t there that night, I think I can assure you that what they say is true, because it all happened right in the living room -right there amid the well-stocked bookcases and the sofas and the fireplace -of a house I came later to think of as my second home.
A neural network forecasting model of Beijing's water supplied and consumed based on set pare analysis

By using neural networks, Beijing's water supplied and consumed is forecasted, and connection number and total partial connection number of the set pair analysis (SPA) are obtained. Principal factors and development trend are sequenced based on absolute relative error between sample value xi and predominant value yi so as to set up a mathematics model of forecasting Beijing's water supplied and consumed. The instance analysis shows that it's a scientific and practicable method of system analysis with a higher forecasting accuracy.
Outcomes of total elbow arthroplasty for rheumatoid arthritis: comparative study of three implants.

BACKGROUND As the English-language literature on prosthetic elbow arthroplasty contains only two comparative studies of implants in contemporary use, to our knowledge, comparisons of prosthetic performance is difficult. An improved knowledge of comparative outcomes would be valuable in guiding implant selection. METHODS We identified three groups of consecutive patients who had undergone prosthetic elbow arthroplasty with the Souter-Strathclyde, Kudo, or Coonrad-Morrey implant for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. There were thirty-three elbows in each group. All procedures were done by or under the supervision of one surgeon. Surviving patients in whom the elbow had not been revised were followed for a mean of sixty-one months after treatment with the Souter-Strathclyde implant, sixty-seven months after treatment with the Kudo implant, and sixty-eight months after treatment with the Coonrad-Morrey implant. Clinical function was assessed on the basis of pain relief and the range of flexion. Survivorship was assessed with use of a life-table method, with revision surgery and radiographic signs of loosening as the end points. RESULTS The groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, and mean duration of follow-up. All three implant procedures relieved pain. Sustained improvement in the range of flexion was comparable among the three groups, with no implant procedure dramatically changing the fixed flexion deformity and all three improving maximum flexion. Revision surgery was needed because of infection, dislocation, and aseptic loosening. Survival of the Coonrad-Morrey implant was better than that of the other two implants. The five-year survival rates, with revision and radiographic signs of loosening as the end points, were 85% and 81% for the Souter-Strathclyde implant, 93% and 82% for the Kudo implant, and 90% and 86% for the Coonrad-Morrey implant. While radiographic evidence of loosening of the Coonrad-Morrey implants was less common, we noted focal osteolysis adjacent to 16% of these ulnar components and half of these cases progressed to frank loosening. CONCLUSIONS The clinical function of these implants was similar in terms of pain relief and range of motion. We believe that component linkage with the Coonrad-Morrey implant prevents dislocation without increasing the risk of loosening.
Correlation analysis of object shape recognition from EEG and tactile signals

Touch perception can be decoded from brain signals as well as from tactile pressure signals obtained while holding objects using a sensor. The present work aims to classify object shapes from EEG signals and tactile pressure signals obtained from a capacitive tactile sensor while exploring objects of different shapes; thereby drawing a mutual relation or dependence between these two sources of haptic information in response to the same tactile stimuli. It is evident from the classification results that object-shapes can be classified efficiently from both EEG and tactile signals with mean classification accuracy of 74.21% and 97.12% respectively. Correlation analysis using various metrics show that EEG and tactile signals are non- linearly correlated and only a very small amount of non linear correlation exists. The polynomial fitting of EEG signals on tactile signals depicts that in absence of brain signals tactile signals can successfully predict the corresponding EEG signals.
Re-assessing the role of financial professionals in pension fund investment strategies

ABSTRACT Funded pensions are now established components of most mature retirement income systems. The value of global pension fund assets is higher than ever before, and the way these assets are invested affects both the welfare of future retirees, and the performance of national economies. Recent research has identified systematic cross-national variation in the investment behaviour of pension funds, explaining it through the preferences and influence of employer-sponsors and plan members. Yet the ongoing ‘de-risking’ of UK pension funds remains puzzling. Informed by the UK case, this article develops the argument that variation in pension fund asset allocation reflects the independent influence of networks of investment professionals who construct and institutionalise norms of liability driven investment.
The V2Suit “down” tracking algorithm

The Variable Vector Countermeasure Suit (V2Suit) is a wearable intravehicular system that will provide a viscous resistance to movements that are parallel to a specified direction of `down. ' The V2Suit utilizes control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) in modules on the user's limbs that are commanded to point the gyroscopic torque vector perpendicular to `down' during movements. An algorithm has been developed to initialize the direction of `down' and track the V2Suit module with respect to that direction using the output of an on-board inertial measurement unit (IMU). The `down' tracking algorithm uses the angular velocity and linear acceleration outputs of the IMU to initialize and determine the direction of `down' in the local module coordinate frame. This paper describes the algorithm for initializing the direction of `down' for each of the V2Suit wearable modules, and the tracking of the module orientation and velocity with respect to that direction. IMU data from representative arm movements was collected and run through the initialization and `down' tracking algorithms to quantify performance as a function of time. The performance of the IMU and algorithm combination is used to determine the operational duration before the system must be re-initialized. This work was funded by a Phase II award from NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program.
The effect of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 and glucagon‐like peptide‐2 on microcirculation: A systematic review

GLP‐1 and GLP‐2 are gut‐derived hormones used in the treatment of diabetes type‐2 and short bowel syndrome, respectively. GLP‐1 attenuates insulin resistance and GLP‐2 reduces enterocyte apoptosis and enhances crypt cell proliferation in the small intestine. In addition, both hormones have vasoactive effects and may be useful in situations with impaired microcirculation. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview of the potential effects of GLP‐1 and GLP‐2 on microcirculation. A systematic search was performed independently by two authors in the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Scopus, and Web of Science. Of 1111 screened papers, 20 studies were included in this review: 16 studies in animals, three in humans, and one in humans and rats. The studies were few and heterogeneous and had a high risk of bias. However, it seems that GLP‐1 regulates the pancreatic, skeletal, and cardiac muscle flow, indicating a role in the glucose homeostasis, while GLP‐2 acts primarily in the regulation of the microcirculation of the mid‐intestine. These findings may be useful in gastrointestinal surgery and in situations with impaired microcirculation of the gut.
Meat intake and risk of stomach and esophageal adenocarcinoma within the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).

BACKGROUND Dietary factors are thought to have an important role in gastric and esophageal carcinogenesis, but evidence from cohort studies for such a role is lacking. We examined the risks of gastric cancer and esophageal adenocarcinoma associated with meat consumption within the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. METHODS A total of 521,457 men and women aged 35-70 years in 10 European countries participated in the EPIC cohort. Dietary and lifestyle information was collected at recruitment. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine associations between meat intake and risks of cardia and gastric non-cardia cancers and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Data from a calibration substudy were used to correct hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for diet measurement errors. In a nested case-control study, we examined interactions between Helicobacter pylori infection status (i.e., plasma H. pylori antibodies) and meat intakes. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS During a mean follow-up of 6.5 years, 330 gastric adenocarcinoma and 65 esophageal adenocarcinomas were diagnosed. Gastric non-cardia cancer risk was statistically significantly associated with intakes of total meat (calibrated HR per 100-g/day increase = 3.52; 95% CI = 1.96 to 6.34), red meat (calibrated HR per 50-g/day increase = 1.73; 95% CI = 1.03 to 2.88), and processed meat (calibrated HR per 50-g/day increase = 2.45; 95% CI = 1.43 to 4.21). The association between the risk of gastric non-cardia cancer and total meat intake was especially large in H. pylori-infected subjects (odds ratio per 100-g/day increase = 5.32; 95% CI = 2.10 to 13.4). Intakes of total, red, or processed meat were not associated with the risk of gastric cardia cancer. A positive but non-statistically significant association was observed between esophageal adenocarcinoma cancer risk and total and processed meat intake in the calibrated model. In this study population, the absolute risk of development of gastric adenocarcinoma within 10 years for a study subject aged 60 years was 0.26% for the lowest quartile of total meat intake and 0.33% for the highest quartile of total meat intake. CONCLUSION Total, red, and processed meat intakes were associated with an increased risk of gastric non-cardia cancer, especially in H. pylori antibody-positive subjects, but not with cardia gastric cancer.
UTILIZATION OF INDIGENOUS ARABLE CROP STORAGE AND PRESERVATION TECHNOLOGY IN NIGERIA

Farmers and their technology remain central to national food security and agricultural development in Nigeria. There is growing concern that the technologies used by farmers for storage and preservation of arable crops may constitute impediments to rural agricultural development. The study assessed farmers' utilization of indigenous storage and preservation technologies for arable crops with a view to expanding technology options. Multi-staged sampling procedure was used to obtain data from 240 practicing arable crop farmers. The results revealed that 15 technologies were utilised with variations between crops and gender. The constraints to technology utilisation and reasons for usage were also identified. Results of regression analysis revealed that years of formal education, years of farming experience and farm size significantly influenced technology utilization in arable crops in Nigeria. There was a low extent of utilization and most farmers were dissatisfied with indigenous technologies despite few available alternatives.