Wikipedia Information Flow Analysis Reveals the Scale-Free Architecture of the Semantic Space

In this paper we extract the topology of the semantic space in its encyclopedic acception, measuring the semantic flow between the different entries of the largest modern encyclopedia, Wikipedia, and thus creating a directed complex network of semantic flows. Notably at the percolation threshold the semantic space is characterised by scale-free behaviour at different levels of complexity and this relates the semantic space to a wide range of biological, social and linguistics phenomena. In particular we find that the cluster size distribution, representing the size of different semantic areas, is scale-free. Moreover the topology of the resulting semantic space is scale-free in the connectivity distribution and displays small-world properties. However its statistical properties do not allow a classical interpretation via a generative model based on a simple multiplicative process. After giving a detailed description and interpretation of the topological properties of the semantic space, we introduce a stochastic model of content-based network, based on a copy and mutation algorithm and on the Heaps' law, that is able to capture the main statistical properties of the analysed semantic space, including the Zipf's law for the word frequency distribution

Prevalence and risk factors of allergies in turkey (PARFAIT): Results of a multicentre cross-sectional study in adults

The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Allergies in Turkey (PARFAIT) study was planned to evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for asthma and allergic diseases in Turkey. The present analysis used data from 25,843 parents of primary school children, obtained from a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. A total of 25,843 questionnaires from 14 centres were evaluated. In rural areas, the prevalences asthma, wheezing, allergic rhinitis and eczema in males were: 8.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.9-9.1%), 13.5% (95% CI 12.8-14.2%), 17.5% (95% CI 16.7-18.2%) and 10.8% (95% CI 10.211.4%), respectively; and in females were: 11.2% (95% CI 10.9-11.8%), 14.7% (95% CI 14.315.1%), 21.2% (95% CI 20.4-22.0%) and 13.1% (95% CI 2.4-13.8%), respectively. In urban areas, the corresponding prevalences in males were: 6.2% (95% CI 5.8-6.6%), 10.8% (95% CI 10.311.3%), 11.7% (95% CI 11.4-12.0%) and 6.6% (95% CI 6.2-7.0%), respectively; and in females were: 7.5 % (95% CI 7.9-7.1%), 12.0% (95% CI 11.7-12.3%), 17.0% (95% CI 16.4-17.6%) and 7.3% (95% CI 6.9-7.7%), respectively. Having an atopic first-degree relative or any other atopic diseases had significant effects on the prevalence of allergic diseases. Housing conditions, such as living in a shanty-type house, visible moulds at home and use of wood or biomass as heating or cooking material were associated with one or more allergic diseases. Although genetic susceptibility is strongly associated, country-and population-based environmental factors may contribute to increased prevalence rates of allergic diseases. Copyright © ERS Journals Ltd 2009

Mutations in RAD21 disrupt regulation of apob in patients with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction

Background Aims Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is characterized by severe intestinal dysmotility that mimics a mechanical subocclusion with no evidence of gut obstruction. We searched for genetic variants associated with CIPO to increase our understanding of its pathogenesis and to identify potential biomarkers. Methods We performed whole-exome sequencing of genomic DNA from patients with familial CIPO syndrome. Blood and lymphoblastoid cells were collected from patients and controls (individuals without CIPO); levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) and proteins were analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunoblot, and mobility shift assays. Complementary DNAs were transfected into HEK293 cells. Expression of rad21 was suppressed in zebrafish embryos using a splice-blocking morpholino (rad21a). Gut tissues were collected and analyzed. Results We identified a homozygous mutation (p.622, encodes Ala>Thr) in RAD21 in patients from a consanguineous family with CIPO. Expression of RUNX1, a target of RAD21, was reduced in cells from patients with CIPO compared with controls. In zebrafish, suppression of rad21a reduced expression of runx1; this phenotype was corrected by injection of human RAD21 mRNA, but not with the mRNA from the mutated p.622 allele. rad21a Morpholino zebrafish had delayed intestinal transit and greatly reduced numbers of enteric neurons, similar to patients with CIPO. This defect was greater in zebrafish with suppressed expression of ret and rad21, indicating their interaction in the regulation of gut neurogenesis. The promoter region of APOB bound RAD21 but not RAD21 p.622 Ala>Thr; expression of wild-type RAD21 in HEK293 cells repressed expression of APOB, compared with control vector. The gut-specific isoform of APOB (APOB48) is overexpressed in sera from patients with CIPO who carry the RAD21 mutation. APOB48 also is overexpressed in sporadic CIPO in sera and gut biopsy specimens. Conclusions Some patients with CIPO carry mutations in RAD21 that disrupt the ability of its product to regulate genes such as RUNX1 and APOB. Reduced expression of rad21 in zebrafish, and dysregulation of these target genes, disrupts intestinal transit and the development of enteric neurons. © 2015 by the AGA Institute

EXTRACORPOREAL ELECTROMAGNETIC SHOCK-WAVE LITHOTRIPSY OF URETERAL STONES INSITU

Between June 1989 and June 1990, 277 patients with ureteric stones were treated by the Siemens Lithostar Plus in situ. In 113 patients, the stones were in the upper third of ureter, in 51 in the midureter, and in another 113 in the lower ureter. After a mean follow-up of 32 weeks, 79 % of the patients were stone free. While this figure was 85 % for upper ureteric stones, it was 71 % and 76 % for mid and lower ureteric stones, respectively. There was complete fragment clearance in 86 % of the stones with a diameter of 1 to 10 mm (n = 140), 78 % of those 11 to 20 mm (n = 118), and 32 % of those larger than 21 mm (n = 19). We believe that, despite the fact that some of the stones in the present series were impacted, such high success rates justify in situ extracorporeal lithotripsy as the initial treatment of ureteric stones

Significance of serum laminin P-1 values in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

Objectives. The goal of this study was to investigate the relation between serum laminin P-1 expression and the grade, stage, size, and multiplicity of the tumors to elucidate the potential role of laminin as a diagnostic and prognostic factor in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder

Comparison of microvascularization in diagnostic needle biopsies and radical prostatectomies in prostate carcinoma.

Objectives: Quantitation of microvessel density has been shown to predict tumor aggressiveness in prostate carcinoma (Pca). The correlation of estimated values of angiogenesis in needle biopsy and radical prostatectomy materia Is mig ht show the efficiency of the diagnostic biopsy material to represent a good sample of the entire tumor. In this study, we assessed the correlation of microvascularization computed by morphometric methods in biopsy and radical operation materials. Methods: Sections from diagnostic biopsy and radical prostatectomy materials of 23 patients with Pea were stained with factor-8-associated antigen by immunohistochemistry and vascular surface density (VSD), microvessel numbers (NVES) and maximum microvessel number (NVES-MAX) were assessed by stereological methods. The microvascularization values in biopsy a nd radical operation materials were compared by Wilcoxon signed-ranks test for paired samples. Results: No significant difference was observed between VSD and NVES values that were obtained from biopsy and radical operation materials of the same cases (p = 0.2478 and 0.3458, respectively). However, a significant difference was noted for NVES-MAX (p = 0.0004). Conclusion:We have shown, in a limited number of cases, that microvascularity prediction by stereological analysis using VSD and NVES in diagnostic needle biopsies correlates well with the radical operation specimens. Preoperative biopsies may predict overall tumor neovascularization characteristics that may have an impact on pathological stage and behavior

Prognostic significance of microvascular invasion in localized renal cell carcinoma.

Objectives: The treatment of localized and even advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is radical nephrectomy. However, 30% of these patients progress after radical nephrectomy. Prognostic factors are needed in order to determine the course of disease in patients undergoing radical nephrectomy. The aim of this study is to study the prognostic significance of microvascular invasion (MVI) in patients who had undergone radical nephrectomy for localized RCC

Giant angiomyolipoma associated with marked pulmonary lesions suggesting lymphangioleiomyomatosis in a patient with tuberous sclerosis.

The association between Tuberous Sclerosis (TS) and Angiomyolipoma (AML) is well known. A patient with TS and giant AML mimicking Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), measuring 29 × 18 × 11 cm, weighing 4700 gr is presented. Imaging studies revealed coexistent pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis and concurrent renal and pulmonary involvement is extremely rare in patients in TS. We believe that the growth potential of this hamartomatous lesion may reach to a life threatening size