Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of the cell adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the cytosol of breast cancer tissue, benign breast tissue and corresponding sera.

OBJECTIVE Cellular adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 have been implicated in tumor progression and metastasis. As the sequential interaction of neoplastic cells with the endothelium of tumor neovascularisation is believed to be essential for tumor metastasizing processes, we analysed the concentration of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the cytosol of patients with human breast cancers and their corresponding sera. We compared the obtained values with established prognostic parameters for breast cancer. Benign breast tissues were also analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS Levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 of 62 patients with invasive breast cancer and 17 patients with benign breast tissue were measured using commercially available sandwich enzyme-linked immunoassays with monoclonal antibodies. To establish a reference and control group, levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were measured in the sera of 66 women without breast tumors. RESULTS The mean cytosol concentration of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was significantly higher in the breast cancer specimens than in the tissue of patients with benign breast diseases. This could be found not only in the tumor cytosol but also in the corresponding sera of the patients. No correlations between the ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expressions and established prognostic parameters could be observed. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that malignant breast cancer cells could induce neovascularisation with subsequent high expressions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. These upregulations of adhesion molecules might contribute to changes in invasive phenotypes by promoting endothelial cell adhesion and angiogenesis, as well as being responsible for the recognition of tumor cells by the human immune system. Prognostic relevance for the development of breast cancer could not be established.
Gemcitabine, Cisplatin, and Radiation in Advanced, Unresectable Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: A Feasibility Study

Alternating chemoradiotherapy was shown by our institution to be superior to standard radiation in patients with nonsurgical squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCC-HN). Gemcitabine has shown in vitro and in vivo radiosensitizing properties, synergistic activity with cisplatin, and cytotoxic activity against SCC-HN. Thus, the authors tested the feasibility and antitumoral activity of a modified alternating chemoradiotherapy program that includes gemcitabine. Fourteen patients with stage IV (nine patients) or relapsed after surgery (five patients) unresectable SCC-HN were enrolled. None had previously received chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The treatment plan consisted of cisplatin, 20 mg/m2/day, days 1 to 5, weeks 1 and 5, and gemcitabine 800 mg/m2, day 5, weeks 1, 2, 3, and 5, 6, 7. Radiation was administered during weeks 2, 3, and 4 and 6, 7, and 8 with conventional fractionation up to 60 Gy. At the end of the combined therapy, patients had to receive two additional courses of cisplatin, 20 mg/m2/day, and fluorouracil, 200 mg/m2/day, for 5 days every 21 days. All the patients are evaluable for toxicity and 11 for response. Main grade III–IV toxicities and frequencies were: neutropenia (79%), neutropenia with fever (50%), thrombocytopenia (57%), anemia (35%), mucositis (100%), and cutaneous toxicity (14%). Ten patients (71%) had a weight loss greater than 10%. All but two patients needed hospitalization and tube feeding or parenteral nutrition. The median relative dose intensity of gemcitabine actually delivered was 83%. Two patients died 1 month after the end of treatment before the final evaluation. One patient died of sepsis during the additional cisplatin and fluorouracil courses before response assessment. Ten patients reached a complete response (intention to treat: 71%), and 1 patient had a partial response (9%). At a median follow-up of 34 months, the actuarial 3-year progression-free survival and overall survival are 41% and 63%, respectively. The estimated 3-year locoregional control is 70%. Considering the expected poor prognosis of the enrolled patients, this combined regimen showed an impressive antitumoral activity, but the severity of acute local and hematologic toxicity correlated makes the exportation of this regimen unproposable. However, the activity observed warrants the exploration of different, less toxic, chemo-radiotherapy programs including gemcitabine.
Bereitschaftspotential in depressed and non‐depressed patients with Parkinson's disease

Impaired initiation and slowed execution of movements are two of the principal characteristics of Parkinson's disease (PD). A similar pattern of movement impairments (psychomotor retardation) can be seen frequently in patients with idiopathic depression. In addition, affective disorders have been frequently reported in patients with different basal ganglia disorders. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are some particularities in the cerebral electrical activity during the preparation and execution of voluntary internally paced movements (i.e., Bereitschaftspotential, BP) in depressed PD patients, which can distinguish them from non‐depressed PD patients, as well as from healthy controls. The BPs were recorded in 16 patients with idiopathic PD, eight of whom were depressed (PD‐D), and eight of whom were not (PD‐ND). Additional recordings were taken from a group of eight age‐ and sex‐matched healthy subjects. Depression was classified using the Research Diagnostic Criteria and the two PD groups were matched for age, disease severity, and disease duration. The amplitudes and slopes of the BPs from PD patients were generally smaller than in controls, but there was no specific pattern of BP changes that distinguished depressed from non‐depressed PD patients. In addition, there was no particular association between measures of depression severity and BP parameters. The data suggest that presence of depression in PD might not have any additional deteriorating influence on already impaired preparation for self‐paced spontaneous movements. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
Smoking cessation and risk of age-related cataract in men.

CONTEXT Although cigarette smoking has been shown to be a risk factor for age-related cataract, data are inconclusive on the risk of cataract in individuals who quit smoking. OBJECTIVE To examine the association between smoking cessation and incidence of age-related cataract. DESIGN Prospective cohort study conducted from 1982 through 1997, with an average follow-up of 13.6 years. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS A total of 20,907 US male physicians participating in the Physicians' Health Study I who did not have a diagnosis of age-related cataract at baseline and had reported their level of smoking at baseline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Incident age-related cataract defined as self-report confirmed by medical record review, diagnosed after study randomization and responsible for vision loss to 20/30 or worse, and surgical extraction of incident age-related cataract, in relation to smoking status and years since quitting smoking. RESULTS At baseline, 11% were current smokers, 39% were past smokers, and 50% were never smokers. Average reported cumulative dose of smoking at baseline was approximately 2-fold greater in current than in past smokers (35.8 vs 20.5 pack-years). Two thousand seventy-four incident cases of age-related cataract and 1193 cataract extractions were confirmed during follow-up. Compared with current smokers, multivariate relative risks (RRs) of cataract in past smokers who quit smoking fewer than 10 years, 10 to fewer than 20 years, and 20 or more years before the study were 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-0.98), 0.73 (95% CI, 0.61-0.88), and 0.74 (95% CI, 0.63-0.87), respectively, after adjustment for other risk factors for cataract and age at smoking inception. The RR for never smokers was 0.64 (95% CI, 0.54-0.76). The reduced risk in past smokers was principally due to a lower total cumulative dose (RR of cataract for increase of 10 pack-years of smoking, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.04-1.10). A benefit of stopping smoking independent of cumulative dose was suggested in some analyses. Results for cataract extraction were similar. CONCLUSION These prospective data indicate that while some smoking-related damage to the lens may be reversible, smoking cessation reduces the risk of cataract primarily by limiting total dose-related damage to the lens. JAMA. 2000;284:713-716
Melanoma antigen‐encoding gene expression in melanocytic naevi and cutaneous malignant melanomas

Melanoma antigen‐encoding (MAGE) genes encode peptides which are expressed by a proportion of malignant melanomas (MMs) and can be recognized in vitro by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes in a human leucocyte‐associated antigen (HLA)‐restricted manner. Although expression of MAGE genes has been studied in cutaneous MMs, little is known about their expression in melanocytic naevi. We studied MAGE 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12 gene expression in tissue from 10 benign melanocytic naevi, 14 dysplastic melanocytic naevi, three cutaneous MMs in situ, four primary cutaneous MMs and three distant metastatic MMs. MAGE gene expression was determined with reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using random hexamers to generate cDNA from total tissue homogenate RNA followed by PCR using intron‐spanning, MAGE‐specific primer pairs. Controls were cDNA from MAGE‐expressing melanoma cell lines. Expression of HLA class 1 was used as a cDNA quality control. MAGE 2, 4, 6 and 12 gene expression was not detected in any of the lesions studied. MAGE 1 and 3 gene expression was also not detected in any of the cases of benign and dysplastic melanocytic naevi and in situ MMs. One of four primary MMs expressed the MAGE 3 gene. Two of three distant metastatic MMs also expressed the MAGE 3 gene and one of these additionally expressed the MAGE 1 gene. Thus, MAGE gene expression appears to be a late event in the evolution of MMs.
Perceptions of Health Status and Play Activities in Parents of Overweight Hispanic Toddlers and Preschoolers

Childhood overweight among lower socioeconomic, Hispanic children has increased. Interviews regarding health status and play patterns were conducted with 76 predominantly Hispanic mothers of overweight toddlers and preschoolers served by Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Most participants believed their child was healthy and half were unconcerned about their child's weight. Most parents reported having a safe place to play and access to a playground, although gender differences were found. Access to an outside play area was related to amount of active play activities. Children watched an average of 1.7 hours per day of television. Health professionals must partner with parents to address childhood obesity.
Oxidative stress responses in physical education students during 8 weeks aerobic training.

AIM This study aimed to evaluate responses of selected markers of oxidative stress in physical education students during aerobic training. METHODS Twenty male students were randomly assigned into either a control (mean+/-SD: age 23.5+/-1.4 years, height 1.72+/-0.06 m, body mass 68.9+/-5.8 kg, n=10) or an aerobic training (mean+/-SD: age 23.8+/-1.8 years, height 1.66+/-0.03 m, body mass 65.5+/-4.8 kg, n=10, 3 training sessions per week, 8 weeks, running at 75-80% of HR(max)) group. Plasma samples, collected at rest and after exercise to exhaustion before and after 8 weeks, were analysed for the determination of selected markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde MDA, carbonylated proteins CP, and creatine kinase CK). RESULTS Aerobic training caused a 10% increase in maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2max)) and a 9% increase in exercise time to exhaustion (P<0.05). The aerobic training did not significantly change (P>0.05) MDA and CP levels at rest and after exercise to exhaustion. An exhaustive exercise caused a substantial increase (P<0.05) of CK in both groups independent of treatment and time of measurement. However, aerobic training did not prevent serum CK from increasing after exercise to exhaustion (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS It can be concluded that this pattern of moderate aerobic exercise training did not have any effect on oxidative stress levels in moderately trained physical education students, whereas it enhanced their functional performance and aerobic power of these physical education students.
MicroRNA 155 Regulates Japanese Encephalitis Virus-Induced Inflammatory Response by Targeting Src Homology 2-Containing Inositol Phosphatase 1

ABSTRACT MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded small RNA molecules that regulate various cellular processes. miRNA 155 (miR-155) regulates various aspects of innate and adaptive immune responses and plays a key role in various viral infections and the resulting neuroinflammation. The present study evaluated the involvement of miR-155 in modulating Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)-induced neuroinflammation. We observed that miR-155 expression was upregulated during JEV infection of mouse primary microglia, the BV-2 microglia cell line, and in both mouse and human brains. In vitro and in vivo knockdown of miR-155 minimized JEV-induced inflammatory responses. In the present study, we confirmed targeting of the Src homology 2-containing inositol phosphatase 1 (SHIP1) 3′ untranslated region (UTR) by miR-155 in the context of JEV infection. Inhibition of SHIP1 by miR-155 resulted in higher beta interferon (IFN-β) and proinflammatory cytokine production through activation of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK-1). Based on these observations, we conclude that miR-155 modulates the neuroinflammatory response during JEV infection via negative regulation of SHIP1 expression. Thus, modulation of miR-155 could be a novel strategy to regulate JEV-induced neuroinflammation. IMPORTANCE Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a member of the family Flaviviridae that causes Japanese encephalitis (JE), is the most common mosquito-borne encephalitis virus in the Asia-Pacific region. The disease is feared, as currently there are no specific antiviral drugs available. JEV targets the central nervous system, leading to high mortality and neurological and psychiatric sequelae in some of those who survive. The level of inflammation correlates well with the clinical outcome in patients. Recently, microRNA (miRNA), a single-stranded noncoding RNA, has been implicated in various brain disorders. The present study investigates the role of miRNA in JEV-induced neuroinflammation. Our results show that miRNA 155 (miR-155) targets the Src homology 2-containing inositol phosphatase 1 (SHIP1) protein and promotes inflammation by regulating the NF-κB pathway, increasing the expression of various proinflammatory cytokines and the antiviral response. Thus, miR-155 is a potential therapeutic target to develop antivirals in JE and other brain disorders where inflammation plays a significant role in disease progression.
Effect of corpus callosum damage on ipsilateral motor activation in patients with multiple sclerosis: A functional and anatomical study

Functional MRI (fMRI) studies have shown increased activation of ipsilateral motor areas during hand movement in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We hypothesized that these changes could be due to disruption of transcallosal inhibitory pathways. We studied 18 patients with relapsing‐remitting MS. Conventional T1‐ and T2‐weighted images were acquired and lesion load (LL) measured. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed to estimate fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) in the body of the corpus callosum (CC). fMRI was obtained during a right‐hand motor task. Patients were studied to evaluate transcallosal inhibition (TCI, latency and duration) and central conduction time (CCT). Eighteen normal subjects were studied with the same techniques. Patients showed increased MD (P < 0.0005) and reduced FA (P < 0.0005) in the body of the CC. Mean latency and duration of TCI were altered in 12 patients and absent in the others. Between‐group analysis showed greater activation in patients in bilateral premotor, primary motor (M1), and middle cingulate cortices and in the ipsilateral supplementary motor area, insula, and thalamus. A multivariate analysis between activation patterns, structural MRI, and neurophysiological findings demonstrated positive correlations between T1‐LL, MD in the body of CC, and activation of the ipsilateral motor cortex (iM1) in patients. Duration of TCI was negatively correlated with activation in the iM1. Our data suggest that functional changes in iM1 in patients with MS during a motor task partially represents a consequence of loss of transcallosal inhibitory fibers. Hum Brain Mapp, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of amelin and amelogenin in epithelial root sheath remnants of fully formed rat molars.

OBJECTIVE To study the expression patterns of 2 enamel proteins, amelin and amelogenin, in the epithelial cells of the root sheath of fully formed rat molars. STUDY DESIGN Twelve Sprague-Dawley rats, 50, 65, and 85 days of age, were used in this study. The maxillae of the rats were dissected free, and sagittal serial sections were made through the mesial root of the first molar. In situ hybridization of amelin and amelogenin mRNAs was performed, and immunohistochemical examinations of the corresponding proteins in the epithelial cells of the root sheaths of fully formed rat molars were performed. Antibodies against epidermal keratins were used to identify epithelial root sheath remnants. RESULTS A group of epithelial cells, enclosed at the border between cellular cementum and dentin, expressed and synthesized amelin, but not amelogenin. Another group of epithelial cells, forming islands or strands, which were partially or totally incorporated in the matrix of the cellular cementum, expressed and synthesized both amelogenin and amelin. A third group of epithelial cells at the periphery of the cellular cementum expressed neither of the 2 proteins. Epithelial cells at the surface of acellular cementum did not express either of the 2 proteins. CONCLUSION This study showed that the epithelial root sheath remnants in rat molars express and synthesize amelogenin, as well as amelin. However, there are marked regional differences. The roles of the enamel proteins in the formation of the radicular hard tissues of the rat molars and in the maintenance of the periodontal tissues remain to be clarified.
Validity and Reliability of the Polish Version of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI).

BACKGROUND In the last decade, studies on frailty have become increasingly frequent in the literature on aging, and also the number of available questionnaires regarding frailty has increased over the years. Therefore, the choice of which questionnaire to use is becoming more difficult. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Polish version of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI), an instrument that identifies frailty in the elderly population. DESIGN Setting, and Participants. The study was carried out in a community-based setting in Wrocław, Poland. Nurses and doctors (general practitioners) administered the TFI in primary care facilities. Participants included a sample of 212 community dwelling elderly aged 60 or older (mean age:70.6 SD≥7.16). MEASUREMENTS The validation (assessment of face validity, content validity) was carried out in accordance with the literature. The Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) consists of two different parts. One part addresses the potential determinants of frailty and the other specifically addresses the components of frailty, covering its physical, psychological and social domains. Scale reliability was estimated using two methods: Cronbach's alpha, measuring the scale's internal consistency, and the test-retest method, determining the scale's absolute stability. To assess test-retest reliability, the same group was re-interviewed by the same observer within 10-14 days of the first interview. RESULTS The test-retest reliability showed a high level of agreement for all items of the instrument, with values ranging from 96 to 100%. The Cronbach's Alpha internal consistency was 0.74. CONCLUSION The Polish version of the TFI proved to be a valid and reproducible tool for assessment of Frailty Syndrome for the Polish population. We would recommend to be used as the screening tool to assess frailty.
PPARγ‐dependent effects of conjugated linoleic acid on the human glioblastoma cell line (ADF)

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to exert beneficial effects against carcinogenesis, atherosclerosis and diabetes. It has been demonstrated that CLA modulates lipid metabolism through the activation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPARs). The PPAR family comprises 3 closely related gene products, PPAR α, β/δ and γ, differing for tissue distribution, developmental expression and ligand specificity. It has also been demonstrated that activated PPARγ results in growth inhibition and differentiation of transformed cells. These observations stimulated a great interest toward PPARγ ligands as potential anticancer drugs to be used in a differentiation therapy. Glioblastomas are the most commonly diagnosed primary tumors of the brain in humans. The prognosis of patients with high‐grade gliomas is poor and only marginally improved by chemotherapy. The aim of this work was to study the effects of CLA and of a specific synthetic PPARγ ligand on cell growth, differentiation and death of a human glioblastoma cell line as well as on parameters responsible for the metastatic behavior of this tumor. We demonstrate here that CLA and PPARγ agonist strongly inhibit cell growth and proliferation rate and induce apoptosis. Moreover, both treatments decrease cell migration and invasiveness. The results obtained show that CLA acts, directly or indirectly, as a PPARγ activator, strongly suggesting that this naturally occurring fatty acid may be used as brain antitumor drug and as a chemopreventive agent. Moreover, the γ‐agonist, once experimented and validated on man, may represent a useful coadjuvant in glioblastoma therapy and in the prevention of recurrences. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relative antiviral efficacy of ritonavir‐boosted darunavir and ritonavir‐boosted tipranavir vs. control protease inhibitor in the POWER and RESIST trials

To compare the relative antiviral efficacy of TMC114 with low‐dose ritonavir (TMC114/r) and tipranavir with low‐dose ritonavir (TPV/r) vs. control protease inhibitor (CPI) in treatment‐experienced patients, using data from the POWER 1/2 and RESIST 1/2 trials. These trials recruited antiretroviral‐experienced patients with HIV RNA > 1000 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL and at least one primary PI mutation, and used optimized nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors with or without enfuvirtide, plus investigator‐selected CPI in the control arms.