Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epstein‐Barr virus associated gastric carcinoma: Epidemiological and clinicopathological features

In this paper, the roles of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) in gastric carcinogenesis are discussed, reviewing mainly epidemiological and clinicopathological studies. About 10% of gastric carcinomas harbor clonal EBV. LMP1, an important EBV oncoprotein, is only rarely expressed in EBV‐associated gastric carcinoma (EBV‐GC) while EBV‐encoded small RNA is expressed in almost every EBV‐GC cell, suggesting its importance for developing and maintaining this carcinoma. In addition, the hypermethylation‐driven suppressor gene downregulation, frequently observed in EBV‐GC, appears to give a selective advantage for carcinoma cells. EBV reactivation is suspected to precede EBV‐GC development since antibodies against EBV‐related antigens, including EBV capsid antigen (VCA), are elevated in prediagnostic sera. Interestingly, the average anti‐VCA immunoglobulin G antibody titer in EBV‐GC patients was significantly higher among men than among women, whereas EBV‐negative GC cases did not show such a sex difference. A higher frequency of human leucocyte antigen‐DR11 in EBV‐GCs suggests that major histocompatibility complex‐restricted EBV nuclear antigen 1 epitope recognition may enhance EBV reactivation. EBV infection of gastric cells by lymphocytes with reactivated EBV is suspected to be the first step of EBV‐GC development. Male predominance of EBV‐GC suggests the involvement of lifestyles and occupational factors common among men. The predominance of EBV with XhoI+ and BamHI type i polymorphisms in EBV‐GC in Latin America suggests a possibility of some EBV oncogene expressions being affected by EBV polymorphism. The lack of such predominance in Asian countries, however, indicates an interaction between EBV polymorphism and the host response. In conclusion, further studies are necessary to examine the interaction between EBV infection, its polymorphisms, environmental factors, and genetic backgrounds. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 195 –201)
Civic Websites and Community Engagement: a Mixed Methods Study of Citizen Empowerment Initiatives

This paper examines whether the Web and particularly a new breed of civic action sites operated by non-governmental actors provide a new pathway into wider community and political participation. Using an innovative mixed-methodology we conduct a qualitative and quantitative over time analysis of the users of four civic action sites developed by mySociety, an online UK non-profit organization The key question posed is whether the highly targeted or ‘particularized’ actions that these sites promote such as contacting a local council have a spill-over effect in terms of mobilizing less engaged individuals into a wider range of participatory actions. Alternatively are they attracting and reinforcing the resource bias of the most active citizens? The results are mixed in that they confirm that users of these sites are typically more aware and engaged than average. However, it is also clear that they have integrated these tools into their existing repertoire of engagement and this reinforces their feeling that they can have an impact on their wider communities. Overall the study suggests that involvement in collective rather than individual approaches to resolve problems is most likely to further increase individuals’ levels community engagement.
Modelling and rendering techniques for African hairstyles

We develop or enhance hair modelling and rendering techniques to produce three different forms of hair commonly found in African hairstyles. The forms of hair are natural curly hair, straightened hair, and braids or twists of hair. We use an implicit model, implemented as a series of textured layers to represent curly hair. Straightened hair is represented explicitly, and modelled by defining and replicating a few control hairs. Braids and twists are implemented as textured generalized cylinders. A synthesis of existing hair illumination models is used as a basis for an African hair illumination model. Parameter values to match African hair characteristics are discussed. A number of complete African hairstyles are shown, demonstrating that the techniques can be used to model and render African hair successfully.
Personalized Information as a Tool to Improve Pension Savings: Results from a Randomized Control Trial in Chile

Forecasting of the outcome of saving for retirement is challenging, particularly for individuals who have limited financial literacy. We explore how reducing that barrier by offering personalized information affects long-term savings. To this end, we randomly offered personalized information or general information within the context of individual retirement accounts in Chile. Personalized information increased voluntary pension savings. Heterogeneity analysis suggests that the updating of priors by information recipients played an important role. However, despite the significant short-term response to the intervention, its temporary nature and limited magnitude are not enough to meaningfully alter the annuity payment that would be obtained from the savings stock.
Gene therapy of severe combined immunodeficiencies

Recent advances in gene transfer in human hematopoietic cells, combined with a better understanding of the genetic aspects of several immunodeficiencies, has offered new opportunities in the domain of gene therapy. Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) appear to represent a good model for the application of gene therapy, combining an expected selective advantage for transduced cells, an absence of immunological response to the vector and/or the therapeutic transgene, together with accessibility to hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). Ex vivo retroviral transduction of a therapeutic transgene in HSC prior to transplantation appears to be a particularly effective and long‐lasting means of restoring the expression of a mutated gene in the lymphoid lineage. Furthermore, encouraging therapeutic benefits as a result of a gene therapy protocol for the treatment of X‐linked severe combined immunodeficiencies (SCID‐X1) invites many questions as to the reasons for this therapeutic benefit. This review outlines the results that have been achieved in gene therapy for SCID‐X1, ADA‐SCID as well as other types of SCID, and discusses the possible relationship between the physiopathology of each disease and the success of relevant trials. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A study of the relationship between administrators' characteristics and the implementation of mandated change in higher education in Ohio /

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Factors related to on-treatment platelet aggregation assessed by multiple electrode aggregometry in percutaneous coronary intervention patients on clopidogrel and aspirin

Introduction There is ongoing controversy concerning the clinical value of platelet function monitoring in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Patients at risk of high on-treatment platelet aggregation (HPR) may benefit most from such monitoring. Aim To define the factors related to HPR on aspirin and clopidogrel, looking at a wider spectrum of variables than those assessed in some previous studies. Material and methods We assessed platelet function in 908 patients on clopidogrel and aspirin after PCI using the multielectrode aggregometry system Multiplate to define which clinical, procedural and laboratory factors are related to on-treatment platelet aggregation in response to aspirin and clopidogrel either as linear values or using established cutoff values for HPR. Results We found that in PCI patients on clopidogrel and aspirin, age (OR per year 1.06; 95% CI: 1.024–1.097; p = 0.001), gender (OR = 0.319; 95% CI: 0.139–0.731; p = 0.007), active smoking (OR = 2.57; 95% CI: 1.29–5.15; p = 0.008), diabetes (β = 37.6; 95% CI: 16.5–58.8; p = 0.001) and hypertension (β = 26.9; 95% CI: 6.73–47.1; p = 0.009) are independently linked to platelet aggregation values treated as linear values and as dichotomous variables at the accepted cutoffs. The same is true for stented segment length (OR per mm 1.033; 95% CI: 1.010–1.057; p = 0.009) and stent inflation pressure (OR per atmosphere 0.862; 95% CI: 0.772–0.963; p = 0.002). Conclusions The study shows that, contrary to some earlier data, in the tested cohort women are better clopidogrel responders, but more often aspirin low-responders. Older age, active smoking, diabetes and hypertension all predispose to HPR. A novel finding is that stented segment length is an independent predictor of lower response both to aspirin and clopidogrel, possibly as a marker of more diffuse atherosclerosis.
NORMALIZATION OF HEMATOCRIT IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS DOES NOT AFFECT SILENT ISCHEMIA

Transient ST-segment depression measured on ambulatory ECG monitors has been described as representing silent ischemia. Patients who demonstrate silent ischemia have been reported to show increased mortality compared to patients without silent ischemia. We undertook this study to determine if the correction of anemia in End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients from(± = standard deviation) 30 ± 3 to 42 ± 3 with the use of Epoetin alfa would result in decreased silent ischemia in patients with clinically evident ischemic heart disease or congestive heart failure. Methods: Thirty one ESRD patients with congestive heart failure or patients with clinically-evident ischemic heart disease were randomized into one of two arms. Patients in Group A had their hematocrit increased with the use of slowly escalating doses of Epoetin alfa to 42 ± 3% and patients in Group B were maintained with a hematocrit of 30 ± 3% throughout the course of the study. All patients had a 24 hour Holter monitor recording at baseline and at 28 weeks after randomization (when they had reached their target hematocrit). Significant silent ischemia was considered to be present if patients demonstrated at least 60 seconds of ≥ 1 mm ST segment depression. Results: Fifteen patients were randomized to Group A and 16 patients were randomized to Group B. The mean hematocrit increased in group A from 29.1 ± 2.4% to 40.8 ± 5.2% after 30 weeks. The mean hematocrit in Group B remained stable at 30 ± 3% throughout the course of the study. Ten patients demonstrated silent ischemia at baseline. At follow up patients in group A demonstrated a mean of 1.7 ± 4.9 minutes of ischemia compared to 1.1 ± 3.4 minutes in group B. These were not significantly different. A similar number of patients in group A and Group B required adjustments in their anti-anginal medication during the course of the study. Conclusion: It is possible to increase hematocrit to near normal levels in hemodialysis with the administration of exogenous Epoetin alfa. The increase in hematocrit form 30 ± 3% to 42 ± 3% is not associated with a change in the level of silent ischemia these patients demonstrate.
Vertebrate-Type Intron-Rich Genes in the Marine Annelid Platynereis dumerilii

Previous genome comparisons have suggested that one important trend in vertebrate evolution has been a sharp rise in intron abundance. By using genomic data and expressed sequence tags from the marine annelid Platynereis dumerilii, we provide direct evidence that about two-thirds of human introns predate the bilaterian radiation but were lost from insect and nematode genomes to a large extent. A comparison of coding exon sequences confirms the ancestral nature of Platynereis and human genes. Thus, the urbilaterian ancestor had complex, intron-rich genes that have been retained in Platynereis and human.
C-reactive protein is associated with aortic stiffness in a cohort of African American and white women transitioning through menopause

ObjectiveArterial stiffness is a marker of cardiovascular health. Arterial stiffness and C-reactive protein (CRP) are linked to cardiovascular outcomes. Increases in both inflammation and arterial stiffness are known to occur with menopause. The association between CRP and arterial stiffness is well accepted; however, no study has determined whether there are differences in this association by menopause status and race, independent of age. MethodsThe cross-sectional association between CRP and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), a validated measure of central arterial stiffening, was evaluated in 307 African American and white women enrolled in an ancillary study to the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation. Women were categorized into premenopausal or early perimenopausal (n = 185) and late perimenopausal or postmenopausal (n = 122). ResultsNatural log-transformed CRP was not associated with PWV in a linear regression model adjusted for age and cardiovascular risk factors (&bgr; = 15.9, P = 0.11). Moreover, models stratified by menopause status showed a linear relationship between CRP and PWV among late perimenopausal or postmenopausal women (&bgr; = 36.2, P = 0.049) but not for premenopausal or early perimenopausal women (&bgr; = 5.9, P = 0.61). The menopause status × log-transformed CRP and menopause status × race interactions were significant in their respective models adjusted for age and risk factors (P = 0.03 for both); however, when combined into one model, the two interactions were slightly attenuated (P = 0.063 and 0.052, respectively). ConclusionsMenopause is strengthening the association between CRP and PWV, independent of age, and this effect seems to be stronger among African American women. This study provides a potential mechanism for the increased risk of cardiovascular disease among postmenopausal women.
A Low Profile Microstrip Yagi Dipole Antenna for Wireless Communications in the 5 GHz Band

A low profile microstrip Yagi antenna is presented for 5 GHz band wireless applications such as WLAN and DSRC. Results are presented to demonstrate that the characteristics of the proposed antenna can be altered through changing various parameters in the design. The antenna achieves high gain of 5.95 to 10.4 dBi across the 5 to 6 GHz frequency range without the use of active components. The impedance bandwidth is 9.53% and 11.34% within 2:1 VSWR at 5.35 and 5.89 GHz resonance frequencies
Compact Ridged Half-Mode Substrate Integrated Waveguide Bandpass Filter

A compact bandpass filter employing a novel ridged half-mode substrate integrated waveguide (RHMSIW) and the planar mixed electric and magnetic coupling is presented. The RHMSIW is proposed by integrating a ridge into the half-mode substrate integrated waveguide (HMSIW), where the ridge introduces a large capacitance in the cavity and hence leads to a lower cutoff frequency and a more compact size compared to the conventional HMSIW. Based on the RHMSIW, a fourth-order filter with the mixed coupling is designed and fabricated. The mixed coupling is realized by using an embedded open-ended strip line combined with an inductive window between adjacent RHMSIW cavities. Two transmission zeros are achieved in the upper stopband by using the mixed coupling. It is shown that the proposed RHMSIW filter is compact, low loss, easy to fabricate and integrate with other electronic systems.
Eosinophilic dermatosis of hematologic malignancy mimicking varicella zoster infection: report in a woman with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and review of the literature

Eosinophilic dermatosis of hematologic malignancy is a rare papulovesicular eruption that presents in patients with hematoproliferative disorders, particularly chronic lymphocytic leukemia. A 59-year-old woman with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who developed eosinophilic dermatosis of hematologic malignancy mimicking varicella zoster infection is described. PubMed database was searched with the key words: chronic, dermatosis, eosinophilic, hematologic, infection, leukemia, lymphocytic, malignancy, varicella, zoster. The papers generated by the search and their references were reviewed. The patient presented, on more than 20 occasions, with a dermatomal vesicular eruption. Her oncologist, based on the clinical presentation, treated each episode as recurrent varicella zoster virus infection. A complete workup of the patient not only demonstrated negative viral studies but also revealed pathologic changes consistent with eosinophilic dermatosis of hematologic malignancy on lesional skin biopsy. The recurrence of the patient’s dermatosis was less frequent when her malignancy was under better control. Eosinophilic dermatosis of hematologic malignancy may mimic other reactive dermatoses. The morphology of our patient’s recurrent dermatosis resembled varicella zoster virus infection. Disseminated zoster virus infection with dermatomal and non-dermatomal distribution should be added to the clinical differential diagnosis of eosinophilic dermatosis of hematologic malignancy.
Momentum Investment Strategies, Corporate Governance, and Firm Performance: An Analysis of Islamic Banks

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the effect of investments in organisational resources and corporate governance features on market-based performance of Islamic banks (IBs). Design/methodology/approach The required data to calculate different constituents of banks’ investment strategies and governance mechanism were hand collected from 268 annual reports. Different regression models were used to determine the impact of investment in human and structural capital and corporate governance features on market performance of IBs. Findings The paper finds that investments in knowledge resources (human capital, in particular) have a significantly positive impact on the market value of IBs. The results further reveal that IBs’ strategy to rely on long-term human capital accumulation can be seen as idiosyncratic problem-solving knowledge capital. Based on market measure, the paper finds role duality to have a significant positive impact and the size of the advisory board to have the opposite effect on market value. Research limitations/implications This study includes IBs only and ignores other Islamic financial services providers such as Takaful (insurance) companies. The study leaves this chasm to be filled by future researchers. Practical implications The findings may serve as a useful input for both Islamic bankers and regulators to apply knowledge management in their institutions. Furthermore, the dominant role of human capital also provides insight to managers with respect to business performance levers. Originality/value The main contribution of this paper is to provide insight into the Islamic banking business model using a unique hand-collected data set, to identify the effect of investments in organisational resources and bank governance on market value in before, during and after financial crisis.
Familial Currarino syndrome presenting with peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour arising with a sacral teratoma

This report illustrates a rare genetic disorder, Currarino syndrome, in association with an unusual malignant transformation to a peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour within a sacral teratoma. The triad of features consists of a presacral mass, partial sacral agenesis and anorectal anomalies. The most common presentation is constipation. In this case there was a history of constipation, teratomas and spinal abnormalities in many of the family members over three generations. Detailed family history taken at time of initial presentation may have prevented delay in diagnosis and averted the need for intensive treatment, which may well cause late sequelae. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:172–175. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of Diagnostic Comorbidity and Dimensional Symptoms of Attention-Deficit–Hyperactivity Disorder in Men with Antisocial Personality Disorder

Objective: Although children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk for later onset of antisocial personality disorder (APD) as adults, the utility of ADHD as either a comorbid diagnosis (ADHDc) or dimensional symptoms (ADHDd) in predicting behaviour and substance use problems in APD subjects has not been examined. Method: A total of 105 adult male offenders with Structured Clinical Interview for Axis II Disorders (SCID-II)-based DSM-III-R APD were studied in terms of: (i) psychopathy scores on the Hare Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R); (ii) ADHDc diagnostic comorbidity on clinically administered DSM-IV questionnaire; and (iii) ADHDd dimensional symptoms by means of Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) and Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) during a 12 month study period (May 2005–May 2006). Results: Sixty five per cent of APD subjects met criteria for ADHDc diagnostic comorbidity with significantly increased rates of childhood neglect, parental divorce and suicide attempt, but not of psychopathy. APD subjects with ADHDd symptoms were noted to have earlier onset and increased rate of self-injurious behaviour (SIB), suicide attempt, and psychopathy. The psychopathy scores, in turn, were predictive of earlier onset of SIB and behavioural problems. Conclusion: Both ADHDc diagnostic comorbidity and ADHDd symptoms need to be assessed in APD subjects and the dimensional measures may be better in detecting earlier onset SIB, suicide attempt and other behavioural problems.
Newer medical therapies for metastatic soft tissue sarcoma

ABSTRACT Introduction: Metastatic/advanced soft tissue sarcoma has a poor prognosis conventionally, treatment options have been limited. In recent years, this area has been a rich ground for research with many new drugs being approved and several more in the pipeline. With multiple new treatment options available, it is vital to keep up pace with this rapidly changing field. Areas covered: Recent data regarding use of novel agents in advanced soft tissue sarcoma is reviewed with a focus on clinical applicability. The goal is to guide the clinician into choosing appropriate lines of therapy for the individual patient in light of recent availability of multiple new treatment options. Expert commentary: Patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma can expect to receive several lines of therapy in the modern era. Tumor histology should ideally guide the choice of therapy. The new FDA approved second line drugs viz, trabectedin, pazopanib and eribulin should be considered first after failure of doxorubicin-based chemotherapy. Additional options have become available, such as antiangiogenic agents, mTOR inhibitors, and several new molecules targeting specific oncogenic pathways. All these agents have a role in treating soft tissue sarcoma, and careful individualization of therapy can help achieve optimal outcomes in these challenging patients.
MYELOID NEOPLASIA CD 33 target validation and sustained depletion of AML blasts in long-term cultures by the bispeci fi c T-cell – engaging antibody AMG 330

myeloid leukemia (AML). We first assessed CD33 expression levels by flow cytometry and found expression in >99% of patient samples (n5 621). CD33 was highest expressed in AMLs with NPM1 mutations (P < .001) and lower in AMLs with complex karyotypes and t(8;21) translocations (P < .001). Furthermore, leukemic stem cells within the CD34/ CD38 compartment displayed CD33 at higher levels than healthy donor stem cells