Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical and pharmacokinetic characteristics of intracavitary administration of pegylated liposomal encapsulated doxorubicin in dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma.

BACKGROUND Canine splenic hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a fatal malignancy, and most affected dogs die within a few months of diagnosis. Most dogs present with signs from tumor rupture, resulting in hemoabdomen and intra-abdominal dissemination. The abdomen is also the main site of disease recurrence. HYPOTHESIS Intraperitoneal (IP) administration of doxorubicin will delay or prevent intra-abdominal tumor recurrence and prolong survival in dogs with HSA. ANIMALS Fourteen dogs with splenic HSA. METHODS A prospective, unmasked, uncontrolled clinical trial. After staging of disease status and splenectomy, pegylated liposomal encapsulated doxorubicin was administered intraperitoneally (1 mg/kg body weight) every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. All dogs were monitored for recurrence of HSA. Samples of plasma and abdominal fluid were collected for measurement of doxorubicin concentration and pharmacokinetic analysis. Nonlinear mixed-effect modeling was used to describe the pharmacokinetics of liposomal doxorubicin administered IP. RESULTS All 14 dogs died, 12 because of HSA and 2 from other causes. Postmortem examination was performed on 12 dogs. All 12 dogs died because of HSA-related causes and had hepatic metastases and hemoabdomen. The IP-treated dogs had fewer serosal, mesenteric, and omental metastases than historical controls treated with systemic doxorubicin. Results of the postmortem examination and pharmacokinetic analysis confirmed that IP delivery of doxorubicin resulted in an effective drug concentration with a clearance comparable with that after i.v. delivery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE IP pegylated liposomal encapsulated doxorubicin administration did not prevent intraabdominal recurrence of HSA in dogs.
Pain Control After Knee Arthroplasty: Intraarticular Versus Epidural Anesthesia

The current study compared the effectiveness of a pain control infusion pump with patientcontrolled epidural anesthesia in managing pain after primary total knee arthroplasty. Two protocols using the infusion pump or epidural anesthesia were reviewed retrospectively. Eighty-six consecutive patients (91 knees) treated with the infusion pump were compared with 82 consecutive patients (91 knees) treated with epidural anesthesia. The infusion pump delivered bupivacaine (0.5%) at 2 mL/hour after the knee was infiltrated with 20 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine in the operating room. The patient-controlled epidural anesthesia delivered fentanyl (2 μg/mL) and bupivacaine (0.125%) at 15 mL/hour, with a demand bolus of 5 mL available every 30 minutes. Both methods were discontinued on the first postoperative day, and each allowed on-demand oral, intravenous, or intramuscular narcotics, intramuscular ketorolac, and acetaminophen. No drain was used for patients with an infusion pump. A reinfusable drain was used for patients with epidural anesthesia. Significantly more acetaminophen, propoxyphene napsylate, and ketorolac were used by patients with an infusion pump. Similar amounts of other analgesics were used in each group. Prolonged wound drainage (> 3 days) was more common in the patients with an infusion pump (four patients; five knees) versus patients with epidural anesthesia (no patients).
An investigation of the effect of immediate and extended release venlafaxine on nocturnal melatonin and cortisol release in healthy adult volunteers

The secretion of the hormone melatonin is particularly robust to the effect of pharmacological agents. Medications may alter melatonin levels through either altering adrenergic activity or affecting liver enzymes involved in melatonin metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of venlafaxine, a third generation antidepressant with known adrenergic properties on melatonin secretion. A further aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between plasma and salivary measures on this medication. Eight healthy adult participants (four males, four females) took part in this double blind placebo controlled randomised trial. Participants were tested on 3 nights after taking venlafaxine XR (75 mg), venlafaxine IR (75 mg) or placebo. Participants were placed in a darkened room between 1900 and 0300 h and regular temperature readings, blood and saliva samples were drawn to assess melatonin and cortisol secretion in each condition. There was no significant effect of venlafaxine IR or XR on melatonin concentrations in plasma or saliva and no effects on other circadian parameters including cortisol and temperature. It was notable that the correlation between plasma and salivary melatonin levels became poor after drug treatment. These results indicate that at low doses the mixed serotonergic and noradrenergic drug venlafaxine has no effect on nocturnal melatonin concentrations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wide-Band Slot Antenna Arrays With Single-Layer Corporate-Feed Network in Ridge Gap Waveguide Technology

Single-layer, wideband, and low-loss corporate-feed networks for slot antenna arrays are described. The antenna is built using ridge gap waveguide technology, formed between two parallel metal plates without the requirements of electrical contact between these plates. The corporate-feed network is realized by a texture of pins and a guiding ridge in the bottom plate, and the radiating slots are placed in the smooth top plate. The paper describes two test antennas: a 4 × 1 linear slot array and a 2 × 2 planar slot array. Both have been fabricated and tested at Ku- band. The linear array shows more than 20% bandwidth and the 2 × 2 array shows a bandwidth of 21% for 10-dB return loss. There are good agreements between measured and simulated patterns for both antennas. Measured gain for the planar array is found to be at least 12.2 dBi over 12-15 GHz band.
Postnatal Neurogenesis and Gliogenesis in the Olfactory Bulb from NG2-Expressing Progenitors of the Subventricular Zone

We used a 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase (CNP)-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) transgenic mouse to study postnatal subventricular zone (SVZ) progenitor fate, with a focus on the olfactory bulb (OB). The postnatal OB of the CNP-EGFP mouse contained EGFP+ interneurons and oligodendrocytes. In the anterior SVZ, the majority of EGFP+ progenitors were NG2+. These NG2+/EGFP+ progenitors expressed the OB interneuron marker Er81, the neuroblast markers doublecortin (DC) and Distalless-related homeobox (DLX), or the oligodendrocyte progenitor marker Nkx2.2. In the rostral migratory stream (RMS), EGFP+ cells displayed a migrating phenotype. A fraction of these cells were either NG2-/Er81+/DC+/DLX+ or NG2+/Nkx2.2+. DiI (1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate) injection into the lateral ventricle (LV) of early postnatal mice demonstrated that NG2+/EGFP+ progenitors migrate from the SVZ through the RMS into the OB. Moreover, fluorescence-activated cell-sorting-purified NG2+/CNP-EGFP+ or NG2+/β-actin-enhanced yellow fluorescent protein-positive (EYFP+) progenitors transplanted into the early postnatal LV displayed extensive rostral and caudal migration. EYFP+ or EGFP+ graft-derived cells within the RMS were DLX+/Er81+ or Nkx2.2+, migrated to the OB, and differentiated to interneurons and oligodendrocytes. In the subcortical white matter (SCWM), grafted cells differentiated to either oligodendrocytes or astrocytes. Transplantation of NG2+/EYFP+ progenitors selectively purified from the SVZ showed that these cells were migratory and generated glia and neurons in the OB, hippocampus, and striatum. In contrast, cortical, OB, or cerebellar NG2+ cells had a very limited migratory potential and gave rise to glia in the SCWM and striatum. Our findings indicate region-specific differences between NG2+ progenitor cells and show that NG2+ cells can migrate throughout the RMS and contribute to both gliogenesis and neurogenesis in the postnatal OB.
Successful treatment of POLG-related mitochondrial epilepsy with antiepileptic drugs and low glycaemic index diet

Epilepsy is a common manifestation of mitochondrial disease associated with mutations of the mitochondrial polymerase γ (POLG). Prognosis of mitochondrial epilepsy is often poor and there are few reports of successful treatment of POLG-related epilepsy. We describe a 26-year-old woman who experienced severe headache during a three-day period, followed by symptoms of visual flashing, speech difficulty, and generalised seizures. EEG recording showed non-convulsive status epilepticus (left occipital area) and brain MRI revealed parieto-occipital T2-hyperintensities. Visual aura and aphasia persisted despite antiepileptic medication with phenytoin, oxcarbazepine, and levetiracetam. Mitochondrial disorder was clinically suspected and a homozygous c.2243G>C mutation (p.Trp748Ser) was discovered in the POLG1 gene. The patient was then set on a low glycaemic index treatment (LGIT) variant of the ketogenic diet, after which the headaches, aphasia, and visual aura progressively improved and disappeared. She returned home twoweeks after onset of symptoms and has not had further seizures. She continues to receive levetiracetam monotherapy and LGIT.We conclude that, at least for this patient, the combination of three antiepileptic drugs and LGIT is effective and well tolerated as treatment for severe episodes of POLG-related mitochondrial epilepsy.
Changes in the masticatory function of complete denture wearers after relining the mandibular denture with a soft denture liner.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the masticatory function of complete denture wearers after relining the mandibular denture with a soft liner. MATERIALS AND METHODS Conventional complete dentures were fabricated for 6 completely edentulous patients. One month after completing adjustments of the dentures, maximum biting force, masticatory performance, and electromyography of the masseter muscle during mastication were recorded. Chewing strokes, chewing time, muscular activity, and masticatory rhythm were calculated using the recorded electromyography. The mandibular dentures were then relined with a soft liner. One month after finishing adjustments of the relined dentures, the same tests were performed. These values were compared using a paired t test (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS When using the soft liner, masticatory performance and maximum biting force were significantly greater (P = 0.019 and P = 0.023, respectively). In addition, the number of chewing strokes was significantly lower (P = 0.020), and chewing time was reduced (P = 0.010). A more stable masticatory rhythm was also found in the initial chewing stage. The muscular activity tended to decrease after the insertion of the lined denture, but no significant difference was found between before and after relining. CONCLUSION It was shown that applying a soft lining material to the mandibular dentures of 6 edentulous patients improved masticatory function with no adverse effect on the muscular task.
Local anesthetics as antimicrobial agents: a review.

BACKGROUND Since the introduction of cocaine in 1884, local anesthetics have been used as a mainstay of pain management. However, numerous studies over the past several decades have elucidated the supplemental role of local anesthetics as antimicrobial agents. In addition to their anesthetic properties, medications such as bupivacaine and lidocaine have been shown to exhibit bacteriostatic, bactericidal, fungistatic, and fungicidal properties against a wide spectrum of microorganisms. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted using MEDLINE 1950-present for in vitro and in vivo studies pertaining to the antimicrobial activity of various local anesthetics on a broad range of bacterial and fungal pathogens. Studies testing the effect on microbial growth inhibition of local anesthetics alone and in combination with other agents, such as preservatives and other medications, as well as the effect of conditions such as concentration and temperature, were included for review. Outcome measures included colony counts, area-under-the-curve and time-kill curve calculations, minimum inhibitory concentrations, and post-antibiotic effect. RESULTS Evidence suggests that local anesthetics as a class possess inherent antimicrobial properties against a wide spectrum of human pathogens. Multiple local anesthetics at concentrations typically used in the clinical setting (e.g., bupivacaine 0.125%-0.75%; lidocaine 1%-3%) inhibit the growth of numerous bacteria and fungi under various conditions. Different local anesthetics showed various degrees of antimicrobial capacity; bupivacaine and lidocaine, for example, inhibit growth to a significantly greater extent than does ropivacaine. Greater concentrations, longer exposure, and higher temperature each correlate with a proportional increase in microbial growth inhibition. Addition of other agents to the anesthetic solutions, such as preservatives, opioids, or intravenous anesthetics such as propofol, modify the antimicrobial activity via either synergistic or antagonistic action. Limited studies attribute the mechanism of action of antimicrobial activity of local anesthetics to a disruption of microbial cell membrane permeability, leading to leakage of cellular components and subsequent cell lysis. CONCLUSIONS Local anesthetics not only serve as agents for pain control, but possess antimicrobial activity as well. In such a capacity, local anesthetics can be considered as an adjunct to traditional antimicrobial use in the clinical or laboratory setting. Additionally, caution should be exercised when administering local anesthetics prior to diagnostic procedures in which culture specimens are to be obtained, as the antimicrobial activity of the local anesthetic could lead to false-negative results or suboptimal culture yields.
RISK SHARING AND MOBILE PHONES: EVIDENCE IN THE AFTERMATH OF NATURAL DISASTERS∗

We provide empirical evidence that Rwandans use the mobile phone network to transfer airtime to those affected by unexpected shocks. Using an extensive dataset on mobile phone activity in Rwanda and exploiting the quasi-random timing and location of natural disasters, we show that individuals make transfers and calls to people affected by disasters. The magnitude of these transfers is small in absolute terms, but statistically significant; in response to the Lake Kivu earthquake of 2008, we estimate that roughly US$84 in airtime was transferred to individuals in the affected region, and that US$16,959 was spent calling those near the epicenter. Unlike other documented forms of risk sharing, airtime transfers are sent over large geographic distances and in response to covariate shocks. Transfers are more likely to be sent to wealthy individuals, and are sent predominantly between pairs of individuals with a strong history of reciprocal exchange. JEL Classification: O17, H84, O16, O33
Different biology and clinical outcome according to the absolute numbers of clonal B‐cells in monoclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis (MBL)

The biological and clinical relationship between Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) and Monoclonal B‐cell Lymphocytosis (MBL) has now been reported in some detail. This review investigates associations between biology and disease activity as they relate to the absolute numbers of abnormal cells. The clonal B‐cells in CLL‐type MBL are indistinguishable from CLL with respect to surface phenotype and the presence of chromosomal abnormalities. However, the majority of CLL‐type MBL cases in the general population have very low numbers of clonal B‐cells, typically in the range 0.1–10 per μL, and such cases use different IGHV genes than higher‐count CLL‐type MBL cases and often show intraclonal heterogeneity. Cases with higher counts are biologically similar to CLL although there is a relationship between the CLL cell count at presentation and the likelihood of further clonal expansion. Individuals presenting with CLL cell counts above 2,000 per μL are more likely to have gradually increasing B‐cell counts over time and although the risk of requiring treatment for progressive CLL remains low there may be impaired normal B‐cell activity. © 2010 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Randomized trial of cisplatin and ifosfamide with or without bleomycin in squamous carcinoma of the cervix: a gynecologic oncology group study.

PURPOSE Phase II trial reports have suggested that the addition of bleomycin to the combination of cisplatin and ifosfamide may improve response rates and possible survival in squamous carcinoma of the cervix. This study prospectively evaluates the combination of bleomycin to this regimen in women with histologically proven advanced recurrent or persistent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligible women were randomized to receive either cisplatin (50 mg/m(2)), ifosfamide (5 g/m(2) over 24 hours), and mesna (6 g/m(2) during ifosfamide infusion and the following 12 hours) (CI) versus bleomycin 30 units over 24 hours on day 1 followed by cisplatin (50 mg/m(2)), ifosfamide (5 g/m(2) over 24 hours), and mesna (6 g/m(2) during ifosfamide infusion and the following 12 hours) (CIB). Three hundred three women were enrolled onto this trial, of which 287 were assessable. RESULTS There were no significant differences between CI and CIB with regard to response rates (32% v 31.2%, respectively), progression-free survival (PFS), or overall survival. PFS and survival were associated with initial performance status (PS). Patients with a PS of 0 experienced a lower rate of failure (P =.013) and a lower risk of death (P =.009) compared with patients with PS of 2. The most frequent grade 3/4 toxicities were leukopenia, neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and nausea and vomiting. Neither regimen was associated with a significant increase in incidence of these toxicities. CONCLUSION The CI regimen was virtually identical to CIB with regard to response rate, PFS, survival, and toxicity profile. Thus, the addition of bleomycin in the dose-schedule employed to cisplatin and ifosfamide did not improve outcome in patients with advanced cervical cancer.
The Cytomegalovirus Homolog of Interleukin-10 Requires Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Activity for Inhibition of Cytokine Synthesis in Monocytes

ABSTRACT Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) has evolved numerous strategies for evading host immune defenses, including piracy of cellular cytokines. A viral homolog of interleukin-10, designated cmvIL-10, binds to the cellular IL-10 receptor and effects potent immune suppression. The signaling pathways employed by cmvIL-10 were investigated, and the classic IL-10R/JAK1/Stat3 pathway was found to be activated in monocytes. However, inhibition of JAK1 had little effect on cmvIL-10-mediated suppression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production. Inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway had a more significant impact on TNF-α levels but did not completely relieve the immune suppression, demonstrating that cmvIL-10 stimulates multiple signaling pathways to modulate cell function.
Mecanismes de fatigue de contact dans les cables de haubanage du genie civil

Le travail presente precise l'environnement de fonctionnement des cables de genie civil utilises pour le haubanage ou la suspension des ouvrages d'art. Les observations de ruptures en fatigue sur site mettent en evidence les phenomenes de fatigue de contact. Une analyse bibliographique sur les frottements et la mecanique des contacts a permis d'orienter les etudes experimentales sur les factures non accessibles par les theories : coefficient de frottement -cinetique d'usure et regimes d'accomodation des petits deplacements relatifs entre fils constitutifs des cables collage - glissement partiel - glissement total et les etudes theoriques sur le comportement local des contacts. Le fonctionnement mecanique de la structure des cables soumis a des efforts de traction pure et a des deformations de flexion superposees a une charge permanente de traction est decrit en s'appuyant en partie sur des travaux anterieurs. Cette etude permet de relier les sollicitations globales externes aux comportements et sollicitations locales de contact : forces de contact, amplitude, sens et direction des deplacements relatifs entre fils, contraintes de flexion et forces globale d'entrainement induites par les frottements. La partie experimentale apporte les valeurs quantitatives propres aux contacts entre fils cylindriques. Elle met en evidence les conditions de fissuration et d'endurance liees au fonctionnement en glissement, glissement partiel ou collage des contacts entre fils. L'analyse des contraintes sous sollicitations de flexion alternee de cable permet ensuite par l'application d'un critere de fatigue tridimensionnel adapte en application des travaux de miller et dang van de justifier le comportement en fatigue des cables par la definition de criteres d'amorcage et le rappel de conditions de propagation propres aux fils trefiles utilises dans les cables de genie civil.
Peripheral Administration of an Angiotensin II AT1 Receptor Antagonist Decreases the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Response to Isolation Stress.

Angiotensin II, which stimulates AT(1) receptors, is a brain and peripheral stress hormone. We pretreated rats with the AT(1) receptor antagonist candesartan for 13 d via sc-implanted osmotic minipumps, followed by 24-h isolation in individual metabolic cages. We measured angiotensin II receptor-type binding and mRNAs and tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA by quantitative autoradiography and in situ hybridization, catecholamines by HPLC, and hormones by RIA. Isolation increased AT(1) receptor binding in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus as well as anterior pituitary ACTH, and decreased posterior pituitary AVP. Isolation stress also increased AT(1) receptor binding and AT(1B) mRNA in zona glomerulosa and AT(2) binding in adrenal medulla, adrenal catecholamines, tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA, aldosterone, and corticosterone. Candesartan blocked AT(1) binding in paraventricular nucleus and adrenal gland; prevented the isolation-induced alterations in pituitary ACTH and AVP and in adrenal corticosterone, aldosterone, and catecholamines; abolished the increase in AT(2) binding in adrenal medulla; and substantially decreased urinary AVP, corticosterone, aldosterone, and catecholamines during isolation. Peripheral pretreatment with an AT(1) receptor antagonist blocks brain and peripheral AT(1) receptors and inhibits the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal response to stress, suggesting a physiological role for peripheral and brain AT(1) receptors during stress and a possible beneficial effect of AT(1) antagonism in stress-related disorders.