Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pegaspargase: An Alternative?

OBJECTIVE: TO review the chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical activity, adverse effects, dosage, and administration guidelines for pegaspargase. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search (1980–1996), a CANCERLIT search (1983–1996), and a CURRENT CONTENTS search (1980–1996) using the terms pegaspargase, PEG-asparaginase, PEG-L-asparaginase, polyethylene glycol L-asparaginase, polyethylene glycol conjugated L-asparaginase, and Oncaspar were conducted. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All articles were considered for possible inclusion in this review. Abstracts were included only when they were judged to add critical information not otherwise available in the medical literature. DATA SYNTHESIS: L-Asparaginase has been a main component of treatment regimens for acute lymphocytic leukemia. A key limiting factor of L-asparaginase use has been the development of hypersensitivity to the drug. Recently, a polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugated form of L-asparaginase, pegaspargase, has been made available. PEG modification of L-asparaginase has been shown to alter the tendency of the enzyme to induce an immune response and to extend the half-life of the drug. The majority of patients with hypersensitivity to the native enzyme preparations tolerate pegaspargase without further clinical hypersensitivity. The adverse effect profile of pegaspargase is similar to that of the native forms of L-asparaginase. The recommended dosage of pegaspargase is 2500 IU/m2 administered by intramuscular or intravenous injection every 2 weeks in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents. CONCLUSIONS: Pegaspargase is a safe, effective alternative to L-asparaginase in patients who have had clinical hypersensitivity reactions to both Escherichia coli- and Erwinia carotovora-demed L-asparaginase. However, pegaspargase should not be routinely substituted for L-asparaginase.
Five-year changes in periodontal disease measures among postmenopausal females: the Buffalo OsteoPerio study.

BACKGROUND Understanding of longitudinal characteristics of periodontal disease in older females is limited. This study examined 5-year changes in periodontal disease measures among postmenopausal females. METHODS Participants were 1,025 postmenopausal, 53- to 83-year-old females who completed baseline (1997 to 2001) and 5-year follow-up (2002 to 2006) whole-mouth oral examinations in a study ancillary to the Women's Health Initiative. Periodontal disease was characterized using probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), alveolar crest height (ACH), and tooth loss. Differences in measures between examinations were used to characterize patterns of change. RESULTS Baseline prevalence of none/mild, moderate, and severe periodontal disease defined using criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was 27%, 58%, and 15%, respectively. Tooth loss attributable to periodontitis occurred in 13% of females. Mean ± SD changes in whole-mouth mean measures showed progression when based on ACH (-0.19 ± 0.49 mm) yet relatively stable disease when based on PD (0.11 ± 0.42 mm) and CAL (0.06 ± 0.58 mm). Mean change in worst-site ACH was greater (P <0.001) in females with severe periodontitis and osteoporosis at baseline and with tooth loss during follow-up. Periodontal changes did not differ according to baseline age, hormone therapy use, smoking status, or age at menopause. CONCLUSIONS Five-year changes in periodontal measures among generally healthy postmenopausal females were, on average, small and did not suggest a consistent pattern of disease progression. Females with history of severe periodontitis or osteoporosis may experience accelerated oral bone loss despite stability or small improvement in routine probing measures.
Childhood sexual abuse, stressful life events and risk for major depression in women

Background. In animals, early trauma can produce long-lasting changes in sensitivity to the pathogenic effects of stress. To explore whether similar processes occur in humans, we examine whether childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in women alters sensitivity in adulthood to the depressogenic effects of stressful life events (SLEs). Method. A history of CSA was obtained from a population-based sample of 1404 female adult twins. Cox Proportional hazard models were used to predict onsets of episodes of DSM-III-R major depression (MD) in the past year from previously assessed levels of neuroticism (N), CSA and past-year SLEs scored on long-term contextual threat. Results. In the best-fit model, onset of MD was predicted by CSA, SLEs and N. Individuals with CSA (and especially with severe CSA) had both an overall increased risk for MD and a substantially increased sensitivity to the depressogenic effects of SLEs. A ‘dose–response’ relationship between severity of CSA and sensitivity to SLEs was clearer in those with low to average levels of N than in those with high levels of N. Conclusion. As documented with physiological responses to a standardized laboratory stressor, CSA increases stress sensitivity in women in a more naturalistic setting. Both genetic and early environmental risk factors can produce long-term increase in the sensitivity of individuals to depressogenic life experiences.
Comparison of three risk of malignancy indices in evaluation of pelvic masses.

OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to validate the risk of malignancy index (RMI) incorporating menopausal status, serum CA 125 levels, and ultrasound features for discriminating benign from malignant pelvic masses and to evaluate the performance of the three different risk of malignancy indices (RMI 1, RMI 2, and RMI 3). METHODS This is a retrospective study of 152 women admitted at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, between January 1997 and August 1999 for surgical exploration of pelvic masses. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of serum CA 125 levels, ultrasound findings, and menopausal status were taken separately and combined into the RMI 1, RMI 2, and RMI 3 to diagnose ovarian cancer. The risk of malignancy index is the product of menopausal score, ultrasound score, and serum CA 125 levels. RESULTS The study confirms that the malignancy risk index is more accurate than the menopausal status, serum CA 125 levels, and ultrasound features separately in diagnosing malignancy. There was no statistically significant difference in the performance of these three different malignancy risk indices in identifying malignancy. CONCLUSIONS The risk of malignancy index is able to identify malignant and benign pelvic masses efficiently to optimize therapy. The risk of malignancy index is a simple scoring system which can be used in less specialized gynecology centers. We recommend the use of any of these risk of malignancy indices to facilitate the selection of cases for referral to an oncological unit for adequate staging and optimal debulking.
Trajectory of Material Hardship and Income Poverty in Families of Children Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Prospective Cohort Study

Poverty is correlated with negative health outcomes in pediatric primary care, and is emerging as a negative prognostic indicator in pediatric oncology. However, measures of poverty amenable to targeted intervention, such as household material hardship (HMH)—including food, energy, and housing insecurity—have not been described in pediatric oncology. We describe the trajectory of family reported HMH and income poverty at a pediatric oncology referral center in New England with high psychosocial supports.
Deep reinforcement learning for partial differential equation control

This paper develops a data-driven method for control of partial differential equations (PDE) based on deep reinforcement learning (RL) techniques. We design a Deep Fitted Q-Iteration (DFQI) algorithm that works directly with a high-dimensional representation of the state of PDE, thus allowing us to avoid the model order reduction step common in the conventional PDE control design approaches. We apply the DFQI algorithm to the problem of flow control for time-varying 2D convection-diffusion PDE, as a simplified model for heating, ventilating, air conditioning (HVAC) control design in a room. We also study the transfer learning of a policy learned for a PDE to another one.
Selected climatic variables and blood pressure in Central European patients with chronic renal failure on haemodialysis treatment

Background/aims. Higher blood pressure (BP) in winter has been documented in healthy and hypertensive adults. It may potentially contribute to the observed excess winter cardiovascular mortality in the general population. The aim of the study was to assess whether BP varies similarly among patients with chronic renal failure on haemodialysis treatment, who present an increased risk of cardiovascular death. Methods. We retrospectively analysed values of pre‐dialysis BP and parameters of fluid retention – pre‐dialysis body weight and inter‐dialytic weight gain measured in 49 patients (23 male, 26 female; aged 46.0±13.5 years) from 1995 to 1998. For each patient we calculated deviations of monthly mean values of systolic BP, diastolic BP, pre‐dialysis body weight and inter‐dialytic weight gain from the lowest monthly means of these parameters in a given year. Monthly means of these deviations for the whole study group (dSBP, dDBP, dBW, dWG, respectively) were subsequently computed. Monthly means of air temperature (T), air relative humidity (H) and atmospheric pressure (AP) were provided by the local Institute of Meteorology. The Wilcoxon paired test was applied to compare mean values of BPs and parameters of fluid retention of every patient in three warmest and three coldest months of each year. Spearman rank correlation analysis was employed to evaluate relationships between dSBP, dDBP and climatic variables, dBW or dWG. Results. Systolic BP was higher in summer than in winter (146.6±20.5 vs 143.4±18.9 mmHg; p<0.00001). Diastolic BP was also higher in summer than in winter (82.6±8.5 vs 79.6±7.3 mmHg; p<10−9). Pre‐dialysis body weight and inter‐dialytic weight gain did not differ between summer and winter (66.0±13.2 vs 66.0±13.2 kg; p = 0.98 and 2.27±0.6 vs 2.29±0.5 kg; p = 0.53). There was a positive correlation between dSBP and T (RS = 0.424, p<0.003), as well as dDBP and T (RS = 0.591, p<0.00001) and an inverse correlation between dSBP and H (RS = −0.372, p<0.01), as well as dDBP and H (RS = −0.408, p<0.004). There were no significant associations between BPs and AP, dBW or dWG. Conclusions. In haemodialysed patients from southern Poland, BP is higher in summer than in winter. Changes in BP are related to seasonal changes in climatic variables – air temperature and air relative humidity. Seasonal variation in BP is not associated with variation in fluid retention. Possible alteration of cardiovascular reactivity to changes in climatic environment in haemodialysed chronic renal failure patients may be one of the potential explanations of these observations.
PPARalpha activators inhibit cytokine-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression in human endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND Adhesion molecule expression on the endothelial cell (EC) surface is critical for leukocyte recruitment to atherosclerotic lesions. Better understanding of transcriptional regulation of adhesion molecules in ECs may provide important insight into plaque formation. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARalpha), a member of the nuclear receptor family, regulates gene expression in response to certain fatty acids and fibric acid derivatives. The present study investigated PPARalpha expression in human ECs and their regulation of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). METHODS AND RESULTS Immunohistochemistry revealed that human carotid artery ECs express PPARalpha. Pretreatment of cultured human ECs with the PPARalpha activators fenofibrate or WY14643 inhibited TNF-alpha-induced VCAM-1 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, an effect not seen with PPARgamma activators. Both PPARalpha activators decreased cytokine-induced VCAM-1 mRNA expression without altering its mRNA half-life. Transient transfection of deletional VCAM-1 promoter constructs and electrophoretic mobility shift assays suggest that fenofibrate inhibits VCAM-1 transcription in part by inhibiting NF-kappaB. Finally, PPARalpha activators significantly reduced adhesion of U937 cells to cultured human ECs. CONCLUSIONS Human ECs express PPARalpha, a potentially important regulator of atherogenesis through its transcriptional control of VCAM-1 gene expression. Such findings also have implications regarding the clinical use of lipid-lowering agents, like fibric acids, which can activate PPARalpha.
Role of Virechana Karma in cure and prevention of recurrence of Vicharchika (Eczema)

Mandip and Chandola reported that administration of Rasayana (Guduchi and Bhringaraja) after Koshtha Shuddhi with Aragvadha Hima and simultaneous giving of Shirishadi decoction orally and applying of Snuhyadi Lepa externally provided complete remission to 22.6% patients of Vicharchika (Eczema) and checked the recurrences of the disease in the 89.5% patients. As in this group, cure rate was not up to the expectation; therefore, it was thought desirable to see whether performing of Virechana Karma instead of Koshtha Shuddhi prior to the administration of the above drugs enhances the cure rate for the Vicharchika (Eczema) patients. For the present study, 39 patients of Vicharchika (Eczema) were registered, of which 32 patients completed the full course of the treatment. These patients were given Virechana after preparing with the proper internal Snehana, Abhyanga, and Svedana as per classical method. After the Samsarjana Krama, they were administered the Shirishadi decoction and Guduchi-Bhringraja Rasayana powder orally with simultaneous local application of Snuhyadi Lepa on the eczematous lesions. The results of this study showed that when Virechana Karma was performed prior to the administration of Guduchi-Bhringaraja Rasayana and Shirishadi decoction orally and SnuhyadiLepa externally, it not only increased the cure rate to 81.3% in the patients of Vicharchika (Eczema) but also checked the recurrences to great extent as only negligible number of the patients reported the recurrence.
Analysis of the Tcf‐3 promoter during early development of Xenopus

XTcf‐3 functions as a transcriptional regulator in the canonical Wnt signaling cascade and can repress or activate downstream target genes. Expression of XTcf‐3 is differentially regulated in time and place during development (Molenaar et al. [ 1998 ] Mech Dev. 75:151–154), but little is known about the mechanisms that control transcriptional activation and repression. A 15‐kb genomic fragment of Tcf‐3 sequences from Xenopus tropicalis was cloned, including the 5′ untranslated region; exons 1, 2, and 3; and intron sequences. We used 5′ deletion constructs for transgenesis and episomal luciferase assays in Xenopus to examine temporal and spatial regulation of the promoter during early development. A −3054/+34‐bp Tcf‐3 upstream region was identified that drives a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter transgene in a pattern similar to endogenous expression of XtTcf‐3 from gastrula to tail bud stages. At stage 12, expression of the reporter is restricted to the middle and posterior neurectoderm. At stage 22, expression is strongest in the neural plate, the eye anlagen and branchial arches. At stage 35/36, expression is found in the head mesenchyme, the branchial arches, the heart, the mesencephalon, eyes, otic vesicles, notochord, somites and the lateral plate mesoderm. Part of the cis‐acting elements driving this GFP reporter transgene expression map between −372 and −95 bp of the transcription start site. Furthermore, two TCF/LEF sites are necessary for full activity of the promoter during gastrula stages in episomal luciferase assays. Developmental Dynamics 231:510–517, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
V3 loops of HIV-1 specimens from pregnant women in Malawi uniformly lack a potential N-linked glycosylation site.

The HIV-1 env gene was amplified from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 14 infected pregnant women in Malawi. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing were performed. The PCR product was purified and the C2-V3 region sequenced. Using the similarity function of the multiple aligned sequence editor, 13 of the nucleotide sequences were compared. The interperson variation, based on single base substitutions, ranged from 7.3 to 22.2% (mean 13.6%). All of the sequences showed the tetrapeptide motif at the crown of the V3 loop which is commonly seen among HIV-1 subtypes A, C, D, and E. The C2-V3 coding sequences clustered with the subtype C sequence reported from South Africa. In addition, all of these sequences lacked a potential N-linked glycosylation site found in all HIV-1 sequences except subtype C. In these specimens, the predominant replacement was valine. The role of this site in HIV-1 transmission is controversial.
Assessment of toxicity and mutagenicity in air particulate matter from an urban industrial area in the coast of the Rio de la Plata

Chemical characterization and effects assessment of semivolatile organic compounds in organic extracts from air particulate matter from the region of the greater La Plata area was undertaken. Effects covered the study of mutagenicity with the Ames test (Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and TA98 strains with metabolic activation by S9) and cytotoxicity using the Tetrahymena pyriformis test system (growth rate, cell volume, and cell respiration). Chemical analysis of organic extracts was done using gas chromatography. Results demonstrate the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the matrix, high mutagenicity, and cytotoxicity. A higher mutagenic activity detected with TA98 and TA100 strains is associated with an increment of total PAH and total five or six ring PAH content, respectively. Linked with it, a PAH dependent toxicity on Tetrahymena pyriformis has been observed. This cell system proved to be very sensitive. From the results obtained with the cell respiration assay with T. pyriformis it appears that uncoupling agents are present in the samples. The results of this study indicate that air particulate matter from the Rio de La Plata area contains significant genotoxic and cytotoxic activity probably due to the presence of PAHs. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Environ Toxicol 16: 151–157, 2001
Modeling oscillations in TWTs using the TESLA family of codes

We report recent advances in the development of the TESLA-family of codes, with a focus on algorithms to model self oscillations in TWT amplifiers. The TESLA codes operate essentially in the frequency domain, making it a challenge to find unstable modes without prior knowledge of their frequency. As a rule, codes that operate in the time domain, such as Particle-in-Cell (PIC) codes are a more natural choice as a tool to explore the stability of beam-driven devices. However, the extensive computer resources required for PIC simulation as compared with those needed for hybrid codes such as TESLA, motivate the development presented here. The new capability to model self-oscillations in TWTs by using the TESLA family of large-signal codes is illustrated by TESLA-FW modeling of an experimental G-band serpentine TWT amplifier.
Print versus electronic journals: a preliminary investigation into the effect of journal format on research processes.

PURPOSE To begin investigating the impact of electronic journals on research processes such as information seeking, the authors conducted a pilot journal-use study to test the hypothesis that patrons use print and electronic journals differently. METHODOLOGY We placed fifteen high-use print titles also available in electronic format behind the circulation desk; patrons were asked to complete a survey upon requesting a journal. We also conducted a parallel survey of patrons using library computers. Both surveys asked patrons to identify themselves by user category and queried them about their journal use. RESULTS During the month-long study, patrons completed sixty-nine surveys of electronic and ninety surveys of print journal use. Results analysis indicated that fellows, students, and residents preferred electronic journals, and faculty preferred print journals. Patrons used print journals for reading articles and scanning contents; they employed electronic journals for printing articles and checking references. Users considered electronic journals easier to access and search than print journals; however, they reported that print journals had higher quality text and figures. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION This study is an introductory step in examining how electronic journals affect research processes. Our data revealed that there were distinct preferences in format among categories. In addition to collection management implications for libraries, these data also have implications for publishers and educators; current electronic formats do not facilitate all types of uses and thus may be changing learning patterns as well.
Recognizing images across age progressions: A comprehensive review

With increase in age, there are changes in skeletal structure, muscles mass, and body fat. For recognizing faces with age variations, researches have generally focused on the skeletal structure and body mass. We incorporate weight information to improve the performance of face recognition with age variation which utilizes neural network and random decision forest to encode age variation. This age invariant recognition technique is classified into two categories-Discriminative based techniques and Generative based technique. Generative models are typically more flexible than discriminative models in expressing dependencies in complex learning tasks. We have analyzed various approaches available in Discriminative and Generative based techniques. Standard face public databases such as LFW, YTF, FGNET, MORPH, WhoIsIt, Gallagher, Pubfig83, Twin days dataset are considered for analysis. From our analysis we have found that the Neural Network and random decision forest based classification technique has 28.532±1.03% accuracy for WHOISIT database in Discriminative based technique and SVM method has 92.8±. 28% accuracy for Pubfig83 database.