Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corneal temperature registrations in temporal arteritis and CRA ‐embolism

eyes with poster ior les ions. One reason i s that the probes used have been rather thick and therefore difficult t o place properly over the suspect lesion without broad surgical exploration of the poster ior par t of the globe. In an attempt to develop a probe allowing measurements under ophthalmoscopic control, a modification h a s been made of the so-called needle detectors constructed by AB Atomenergi, Studsvik, Sweden. A tubular probe with an outer diameter of 2 . 2 mm i s bent to a 60' angle about 15 mm from i t s distal end where i t contains a small 2 x 5 m m silicone element . On the concave side of the probe, a t the distal end of the silicone element, is a cone-shaped tip 0 . 7 mni in height. With this construction, the probe can be used like a Meyer-Schwickerath indicator and, under ophthalmoscopic control, can be accurately placed over the lesion to be examined. The detector has been tested on 7 eyes with histologically verified malignant melanomas of the choroid. Measurements were done 48 hours after intravenous injection of $2 (10 pC/kg body weight; maximum dose 750 pC). Uptake over the tumour ranged f rom 130-290 %, in good agreement with resu l t s reported by other investigators using other types of probes. However, a small malignant melanoma of the ci l iary body showed no increased uptake of P32.
Different pattern of pleiotrophin and midkine expression in neuropathic pain: Correlation between changes in pleiotrophin gene expression and rat strain differences in neuropathic pain

Pleiotrophin (PTN) and midkine (MK) are two growth factors highly redundant in function that exhibit neurotrophic actions and are upregulated at sites of nerve injury, both properties being compatible with a potential involvement in the pathophysiological events that follow nerve damage (i.e. neuropathic pain). We have tested this hypothesis by comparatively studying PTN and MK gene expression in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of three rat strains known to differ in their behavioural responses to chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve: Lewis, Fischer 344 (F344) and Sprague–Dawley (SD). Real time RT-PCR revealed minimal changes in PTN/MK gene expression in the spinal cord after CCI despite the strain considered, but marked changes were detected in DRG. A significant upregulation of PTN gene expression occurred in injured DRG of the F344 strain, the only strain that recovers from CCI-induced mechanical allodynia 28 days after surgery. In contrast, PTN was found to be downregulated in injured DRG of SD rats, the most sensitive strain in behavioural studies. These changes in PTN were not paralleled by concomitant modifications of MK gene expression. The results demonstrate previously unidentified differences between PTN and MK patterns of expression. Furthermore, the data suggest that upregulation of PTN, but not MK, could play an important role in the recovery from CCI.
Effects of ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on hot flashes and quality of life among middle-aged women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial

Objective: To compare the effects of enriched ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid (E-EPA) omega-3 fatty acid supplementation with those of placebo on hot flashes (HFs) and quality of life among middle-aged women. Methods: Women were considered for participation if they were between 40 and 55 years of age and had moderate to severe psychological distress. A total of 120 women were randomly assigned to E-EPA or placebo for 8 weeks. Only women with HFs were included in this analysis (E-EPA, n = 45; placebo, n = 46). Outcomes were changes from baseline to week 8 postintervention regarding hot flash (HF) frequency (number of HFs per day), intensity and score (frequency × intensity), and Menopause-specific Quality of Life questionnaire scores. Results: At baseline, the average number of HFs was 2.8 per day. After 8 weeks, HF frequency and score decreased significantly in the E-EPA group compared with the placebo group. There was no difference in the change in HF intensity between groups. Frequency of HFs declined by a mean of 1.58 per day (95% CI, −2.18 to −0.98) in the E-EPA group and by 0.50 per day (95% CI, −1.20 to 0.20) in the placebo group. The odds of being a responder among those taking E-EPA were about three times greater than among those taking placebo (odds ratio, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.03-7.03; P = 0.04). Menopause-Specific Quality of Life scores improved significantly over time in both groups but no significant differences were noted between them. Conclusions: Supplementation with E-EPA omega-3 fatty acid reduced HF frequency and improved the HF score relative to placebo. These results need to be confirmed by a clinical trial specifically designed to evaluate HFs in more symptomatic women.
Tamoxifen use and endometrial lesions: hysteroscopic, histological, and immunohistochemical findings in postmenopausal women with breast cancer

Objective: To evaluate immunohistochemical, hysteroscopic, and histological findings in postmenopausal women taking tamoxifen for breast cancer. Methods: Forty postmenopausal women taking 20 mg/day tamoxifen for breast cancer underwent hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy from January 2000 to December 2003. Medical records and paraffin blocks were analyzed retrospectively, and Ki-67, estrogen receptors (ERs), and progesterone receptors were measured using an immunohistochemical technique. Results: The mean ± SD age of the women was 59 ± 14 years at hysteroscopy (95% CI, 54.2-63.7) and 45.1 ± 7 years at menopause (95% CI, 42.6-47.6). Mean ± SD duration of tamoxifen therapy was 27.3 ± 16.5 months (95% CI, 22.0-32.5). Hysteroscopies were performed because of abnormal sonographic findings in 60% of the women and postmenopausal bleeding in 40%. The most common hysteroscopic and histological findings were endometrial polyps (32.5%) and atrophic endometria (22.5%). Immunohistochemistry showed that 85% of the women were progesterone receptor positive, 75% were ER positive, and 50% were Ki-67 positive. Endometrial polyps and polyps associated with atrophic endometrium were ER positive (P = 0.019). Results that were ER negative were more frequent in atrophic endometria (P = 0.01). The longer the time since menopause, the lower the Ki-67 expression in the endometrium was (P = 0.03). Ki-67 expression was greater in the endometrium of younger postmenopausal women (P = 0.01). Conclusions: The expression of steroid receptors in the endometrium was high in our series. All cases of endometrial polyps were ER positive. Estrogen receptors may play a major role in the development of endometrial polyps in postmenopausal women taking tamoxifen. Although most histological findings were benign, 22.5% were atrophic.
Effect of rhBMP-7 combined with two bone grafts on human periodontal ligament cell differentiation

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7 (rhBMP-7) combined with demineralised freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) and an inorganic bovine material with a synthetic peptide (PepGen P-15) on human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cell differentiation, in a time-dependent manner. hPDL cells were cultured and treated with: (1) 500 ng/ml of rhBMP-7, (2) 10 mg of DFDBA or PepGen P-15 and (3) their combination. Cell differentiation was estimated after 48 and 72 h by measuring alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity and osteocalcin (OC) secretion. The presence of rhBMP-7, DFDBA, PepGen P-15, rhBMP-7 + DFDBA and rhBMP-7+ PepGen P-15 promoted a significant increase of ALPase activity after 48 and 72 h. The combination of rhBMP-7 with DFDBA or PepGen P-15 did not lead to significant OC secretion. The results of this study imply that rhBMP-7 stimulates the early osteoblastic differentiation of hPDL cells and that DFDBA and PepGen P-15 could serve as carriers for rhBMP-7.
Predictors of placebo response in a randomized, controlled trial of phytotherapy in menopause

Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate predictors of the placebo response in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of a phytotherapeutic combination for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Methods:A post hoc analysis was conducted on data from 46 placebo participants completing the study. Variables at baseline were investigated for prediction of improvement on any of the endpoints of flushing, depression measured on the Hamilton Depression Inventory, and menopausal symptoms measured on the Greene Climacteric Scale. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were carried out on the individual endpoints, controlling for baseline scores. Multivariate linear regression analysis was also conducted on these three endpoints in combination. Results:Higher anxiety at study entry predicted placebo response on all three outcome measures individually (flushing: R2 = 0.33, P = 0.03; depression: R2 = 0.34, P < 0.001; and Greene Climacteric score: R2 = 0.24, P = 0.04); and in combination (P = 0.002), as did total Greene Climacteric scores at study entry (R2 = 0.24, P = 0.005). Improvement during nontreatment run-in predicted placebo response for depression (P = 0.005), menopausal symptoms (R2 = 0.28, P = 0.013), and the three combined endpoints (P = 0.015). Severity of scores at baseline predicted subsequent improvement on the Greene Climacteric scores only (r = 0.038, P = 0.009). Conclusions:These findings may facilitate identification of potential placebo responders in future randomized controlled trials on menopausal symptoms and have relevance to study design in this context. Further research is required.
Developing and validating the Communication Function Classification System for individuals with cerebral palsy

Aim The purpose of this study was to create and validate the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) for children with cerebral palsy (CP), for use by a wide variety of individuals who are interested in CP. This paper reports the content validity, interrater reliability, and test–retest reliability of the CFCS for children with CP.
HGF-induced DNA synthesis in hepatocytes is suppressed by p38

Abstract Previous studies in rat hepatocytes have shown that the MEK/ERK, PI3K/Akt and p38 pathways are all involved in the activation of DNA synthesis by EGF and that sustained activation of MEK/ERK is required. Here, we show that although HGF stimulated DNA synthesis and activated signaling in the same manner as EGF, the contribution of the signaling pathways to the induction of DNA synthesis differed. While HGF-induced DNA synthesis was dependent on MEK/ERK, with no significant contribution from PI3K/Akt, p38 suppressed HGF-induced DNA synthesis. The p38 inhibitor SB203580 increased HGF-induced DNA synthesis and enhanced the phosphorylation of ERK. In contrast, SB203580 decreased EGF-induced ERK phosphorylation. This suggests that p38 has distinct effects on DNA synthesis induced by EGF and HGF. Due to differential regulation of signaling through the MEK/ERK pathway, p38 acts as an enhancer of EGF-induced DNA synthesis and as a suppressor of HGF-induced DNA synthesis.
Estrogenic effects of herbal medicines from Costa Rica used for the management of menopausal symptoms

Objective:Outcomes from the Women's Health Initiative have demonstrated adverse effects associated with hormone therapy and have prioritized the need to develop new alternative treatments for the management of menopause and osteoporosis. To this end, we have been investigating natural herbal medicines used by Costa Rican women to manage menopausal symptoms. Methods:Seventeen plant species were collected and extracted in Costa Rica. To establish possible mechanisms of action and to determine their potential future use for menopause or osteoporosis, we investigated the estrogenic activities of the herbal extracts in an estrogen-reporter gene estrogen receptor (ER) &bgr;-Chemically Activated Luciferase Expression assay in U2-OS cells and in reporter and endogenous gene assays in MCF-7 cells. Results:Six of the plant extracts bound to the ERs. Four of the six extracts stimulated reporter gene expression in the ER-&bgr;-Chemically Activated Luciferase Expression assay. All six extracts modulated expression of endogenous genes in MCF-7 cells, with four extracts acting as estrogen agonists and two extracts, Pimenta dioica and Smilax domingensis, acting as partial agonist/antagonists by enhancing estradiol-stimulated pS2 mRNA expression but reducing estradiol-stimulated PR and PTGES mRNA expression. Both P. dioica and S. domingensis induced a 2ERE-luciferase reporter gene in transient transfected MCF-7 cells, which was inhibited by the ER antagonist ICI 182,780. Conclusions:This work presents a plausible mechanism of action for many of the herbal medicines used by Costa Rican women to treat menopausal symptoms. However, it further suggests that studies of safety and efficacy are needed before these herbs should be used as alternative therapies to hormone therapy.
Treatment of Terminal Restlessness

Terminal restlessness is an important issue in the management of symptoms at the end of life with between 25% and 88% of dying patients exhibiting this condition.1–5 The purpose of this review was to examine the empiric evidence about the pharmacological treatment for terminal restlessness. All available literature, in all languages, from 1966–2002 including randomized trials, concurrent observations, retrospective chart reviews, single case studies, clinical practice guidelines, expert consensus, single expert opinion articles, and editorials were reviewed as “best available evidence. ” Of the 72 articles reviewed, 14 met the criteria and were chosen for analysis. Despite the majority of authors recommending neuroleptic medications as a first or second line pharmacological treatment of restlessness, a number of studies demonstrated the effectiveness of other medications such as benzodiazepines (notably midazolam and lorazepam), or phenothiazines, either alone or in combinations. There is insufficient evidence to suggest that a single medication or class of medications is appropriate for terminal restlessness. There is a clear need for additional trials of neuroleptics, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and combination protocols to determine which protocols are the most effective and have the least side effects.
Targeting multiple kinases in glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults, is associated with high mortality. Current standard-of-care treatments, including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, offer only palliation. Recent research in cancer therapy has shifted towards targeting the specific molecular aberrations that underlie the pathogenesis of cancers including GBM. Protein kinases are a family of enzymes that are key components in regulating cellular homeostasis. Protein kinases can be deregulated by several mechanisms, which contribute to cancer initiation and maintenance. Several protein kinases are important in gliomagenesis, thus representing new therapeutic targets in GBM. Low molecular weight inhibitors are the most commonly used agents to target protein kinases in the treatment of cancers. However, first-generation kinase inhibitors targeting only single kinases have demonstrated limited efficacy in unselected GBM patient populations. Several mechanisms of failure of monotherapy with single-targeted kinase inhibitors have been explained as new therapeutic strategies have emerged to overcome resistance. Simultaneous disruption of several kinases can be achieved by either multitargeted kinase inhibitors or combination of single-targeted kinase inhibitors with one another or with traditional cytotoxics. In this review, we will discuss the current clinical status of targeted therapy in GBM and recent approaches to target multiple kinases in this devastating cancer.
Use of complementary and alternative therapy by women in the first 2 years after diagnosis and treatment of invasive breast cancer

Objective: Our aim was to document patterns of consultation with alternative practitioners, use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) commonly used to alleviate menopausal symptoms, and lifestyle changes made by women in the first 2 years after their diagnosis with invasive breast cancer. Methods: A total of 1,588 women in the MBF Foundation Health and Wellbeing After Breast Cancer Study completed both the enrollment questionnaire and the first follow-up questionnaire (FQ1), on average, 41 and 92 weeks after diagnosis, respectively. The Menopause Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Psychological General Wellbeing Index were included in the FQ1. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine characteristics associated with consulting a CAM practitioner or using CAMs. Results: At the time of completion of the FQ1, 16.4% of women had consulted a CAM practitioner and 10.6% reported using at least one CAM commonly used to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Women who consulted a CAM practitioner and women who were using at least one CAM at the time of completion of the FQ1 were, on average, younger and more educated and had a higher Menopause Quality of Life Questionnaire score than did women who did not. Of the women, 33.6% reported having made a dietary change, and the most common lifestyle change was an increase in physical activity, which was reported by 29.0% of women. Conclusions The frequency of use of CAMs in common usage for menopausal symptoms by women with breast cancer was lower than anticipated, increased with time from diagnosis, and is associated with more severe menopausal symptoms.
Risk assessment of offenders with an autism spectrum disorder

Purpose – Integral to the process of formulating and managing the difficulties of mentally disordered offenders is the assessment of risk. However, the opinion held by many clinicians who work with offenders with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is that most conventional risk assessment tools fail to capture the underlying reasons why such individuals may offend. This needs to be explored.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a screening study of the HCR 20 risk assessment tool and some other characteristics of ‘high risk’ individuals with an ASD. Also presented is a brief literature review supported by clinical experience of the assessment of psychopathy in ASD and highlighting potential key factors to be included in a risk assessment of offenders with an ASD.Findings – It was found that nine out of the 20 risk items contained in the HCR 20 are present in 50 per cent or less of the sample. Whilst some conventional risk factors are present, clinical experience and the literature suggests that .
Letter to the Editor: Regulations and Innovation Lead to Clean Diesels

The article by A. Pusateri and K. Shrader-Frechette, “Commentary: Flawed Scientific-Evidence Standards Delay Diesel Regulations” (2015), presents a flawed view and a fundamental misunderstanding of how diesel exhaust emissions are regulated under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The articles contains no evidence that its preparation was based on a systematic review of the substantial literature on the hazards of diesel exhaust exposure and related U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Contrary to the unsubstantiated assertions in the commentary, EPA, using its broad authority under the CAA, has aggressively regulated diesel engine emissions, and the engine manufacturers and fuel refiners have responded in a positive way resulting in cleaner air. The success story of how the use of toxicological science, epidemiological studies, stringent regulations, and technological innovations has led to clean diesel engines, without developing a Unit Risk Estimate (URE) for the cancer potency of diesel exhaust particulates, has been documented (McClellan, Hesterberg, and Wall, 2012). Moreover, senior EPA officials have regularly related this as a success story rivalling removal of lead from gasoline. It is a success story that deserves emulation with other technologies and hazardous emissions. Shrader-Frechette and her student, Pusateri, in their commentary on the science and art of risk assessment applied to diesel engine emissions, focus exclusively on using a single tool, classification, and regulation of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Fortunately, the CAA provides a multifaceted tool box for achieving cleaner air. By analogy, using only the “HAPs hammer” Pusateri and Shrader-Frechette try to drive home a misleading premise, falsely alleging that in the absence of a URE for Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM), EPA has not appropriately regulated diesel technology in a timely and appropriate manner. A key component of their misleading story is the assumption that it is necessary to scare the public through the repeated use of unsubstantiated and highly uncertain estimates of cancer risks to spur the implementation of regulations to control diesel engine emissions. To that end, the authors postulate an estimate of “avoidable DPM deaths annually in
Delayed uncoupling is related to cardioprotection induced by κ-agonist U-50,488H in rat heart

Objectives. To determine whether the κ-opioid receptor agonist U50,488H affects electrical uncoupling during prolonged ischemia and, if so, whether the changes are associated with its cardioprotective action. Design. The isolated rat heart was perfused in a Langendorff apparatus. Formazan content, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and hemodynamic parameters were measured to confirm the cardioprotective effect of U50,488H. The effects of U50,488H on electrical coupling during prolonged ischemia were also measured. Results. U50,488H concentration-dependently increased formazan content and reduced LDH release, and the ameliorating effect of 10−5 mol/L U50,488H was abolished by 5×10−6 mol/L nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI), a selective κ-opioid receptor antagonist, or 10−4 mol/L 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD), a selective mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel blocker. The onset of electrical uncoupling during prolonged ischemia was delayed by U50,488H, and the delay was not only abolished, but also advanced by nor-BNI or 5-HD relative to the control group. Conclusions. These results demonstrate that delayed uncoupling during prolonged ischemia is associated with the cardioprotection of U50,488H, and these effects of U50,488H are mediated by mitochondrial KATP channels.