In a recent study published in Nature Communications, we showed that intron-encoded microRNA genes (miRNA) are frequent partners of fusion genes in the cancer genome. Analyzed from a functional rather than structural perspective, these rearrangements represent a new class of fusions we called “miRNA-convergent fusions”.

Our beliefs and opinions are shaped by others, making our social networks crucial in determining what we believe to be true. Sometimes this is for the good because our peers help us form a more accurate opinion. Sometimes it is for the worse because we are led astray. In this context, we address via agent-based computer simulations the extent to which patterns of connectivity within our social netOur beliefs and opinions are shaped by others, making our social networks crucial in determining what we believe to be true. Sometimes this is for the good because our peers help us form a more accurate opinion. Sometimes it is for the worse because we are led astray. In this context, we address via agent-based computer simulations the extent to which patterns of connectivity within our social net

Increased tissue stiffness is a classic characteristic of solid tumors. One of the major contributing factors is increased density of collagen fibers in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Here, we investigate how cancer cells biomechanically interact with and respond to the stiffness of the ECM. Probing the adaptability of cancer cells to altered ECM stiffness using optical tweezers based micro-rheol

We construct new explicit proper r-harmonic functions on the standard n-dimensional hyperbolic spaces H^n and spheres S^n for any r ≥ 1 and n ≥ 2.

Random graph theory is an important tool to study different problems arising from real world.In this thesis we study how to model connections between neurons (nodes) and synaptic con-nections (edges) in the brain using inhomogeneous random distance graph models. We presentfour models which have in common the characteristic of having a probability of connectionsbetween the nodes dependent on the diRandom graph theory is an important tool to study different problems arising from real world.In this thesis we study how to model connections between neurons (nodes) and synaptic connections (edges) in the brain using inhomogeneous random distance graph models. We presentfour models which have in common the characteristic of having a probability of connectionsbetween the nodes dependent on the dis

The interaction of antikaons with nucleons and nuclei in the low-energy regime represents an active research field in hadron physics with still many important open questions. The investigation of light kaonic atoms, in which one electron is replaced by a negatively charged kaon, is a unique tool to provide precise information on this interaction; the energy shift and the broadening of the low-lyin

Recent studies suggest that a proportion of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients in deep molecular remission can discontinue the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment without disease relapse. In this multi-center, prospective clinical trial (EURO-SKI, NCT01596114) we analyzed the function and phenotype of T and NK cells and their relation to successful TKI cessation. Lymphocyte subclasses w

Background: Individuals with knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) are less physically active than people in general, and many of these individuals have adopted a sedentary lifestyle. In this study we evaluate the outcome of education and supervised exercise on the level of physical activity in individuals with knee or hip OA. We also evaluate the effect on pain, quality of life and self-efficacy. Meth

Objectives: To systematically explore and summarize the risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among the agricultural workers in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). In addition, to identify and analyze the methodological flaws in the reviewed studies. Methods: A comprehensive electronic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Medline, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Science Dire

Background Sometimes, patients with a history of metal intolerance react negatively or doubtfully to nickel at patch testing. Objective The aim of the study was to investigate whether aqueous nickel sulfate hexahydrate at 15% and 30% traces more contact allergy than the nickel preparation in the baseline series at 5%. Methods In the period 1995-2015, more than 800 of 16,059 patients with a negativ

Background: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified 94 common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with breast cancer (BC) risk and 18 associated with ovarian cancer (OC) risk. Several of these are also associated with risk of BC or OC for women who carry a pathogenic mutation in the high-risk BC and OC genes BRCA1 or BRCA2. The combined effects of these variants on BC

Aims: This study investigates the lobbying actors of the food and drink industry (FDI), their web lobbying arguments used in the sugar taxation debate and the tactics deployed when facing legislative restrictions on their products to curb the burden of non-communicable diseases in Europe. Methods: A stakeholder analysis was performed to identify the FDI’s actors lobbying against sugar taxation wit