Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phase II cisplatin, irinotecan, cetuximab and concurrent radiation therapy followed by surgery for locally advanced esophageal cancer.

4064 Background: Weekly irinotecan, cisplatin, and concurrent radiation therapy is a well-tolerated, active regimen in locally advanced esophageal cancer. (Ilson. JCO 2003) Cetuximab, an EGFR inhibitor, is a potent radiation sensitizer in head and neck cancer. (Bonner. Proc ASCO 2004) Methods: In this phase II trial, patients (pts) with T2-4N0-1M0-1A esophageal adenocarcinoma (A) or squamous cell carcinoma (S) receive 5040 cGy/28 fractions of radiation therapy (RT) and concurrent weekly cisplatin 30mg/m2 plus irinotecan 65 mg/m2 on weeks 1, 2, 4, and 5, followed by surgery 4-8 weeks after completion of RT. Additionally, pts receive weekly infusions of cetuximab 250 mg during RT, up to one week before surgery, and for 6 months following surgery. RESULTS Seventeen pts have been entered: male: female = 14:3, median age 54, ECOG PS 0:1 = 6:11, A:S = 17:0, stage IIA:IIB:III:IVA = 6:1:8:2, tumor location-esophagus-mid:lower:gastroesophageal junction = 1:4:12, >10% weight loss-yes:no = 8:9. Of 17 pts entered, 15 pts have proceeded to surgery, 1 pt died from Aspergillus infection resulting in respiratory failure and sepsis, and 1 pt is pending surgery. Of the 15 pts who underwent surgery, 2 (13%) had a complete pathologic response; pathologic stage for other pts: 0 = 1, I = 3, IIA = 3, IIB = 1, III = 4, IV = 1. Grade III/IV toxicity (17 pts) was: diarrhea 9 pts, neutropenia 9 pts, febrile neutropenia 5 pts, anorexia 5 pts, vomiting 4 pts, fatigue 3 pts, mucositis 1 pt. Chemotherapy dose attenuation was required for diarrhea in 5 pts, for neutropenia in 4 pts, and for folliculitis in 1 pt. One patient was removed from study during week 6 for prolonged diarrhea/ dehydration. Due to the 2-step design of the trial, accrual is on hold pending a 3rd required pathologic CR in the first 17 patients. CONCLUSIONS Compared to other trials of irinotecan, cisplatin, radiation therapy, and surgery in similar groups of esophageal cancer patients, early results for this combination with cetuximab suggest a lower complete response rate and higher overall toxicity. Additional data will be available at ASCO. Supported by Bristol-Myers Squibb. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Estabilidad y actividad interfacial de emulsiones modelo con interés en alimentación funcional

En estos estudios se considera el efecto del t ipo de surfactante y la concentracion de este o del tipo de tri acilglicerido estructurado. La tendencia general observada mues tra que la estabilidad de las emulsiones depende no solo del gr ado de saturacion de los acidos grasos en cada triacilglicerido sino tambien de 1 origen del aceite empleado para su sintesis. %&/En un tercer capitulo se presenta el estudio de la lipolisis de lipidos estr ucturados en emulsion. Para ello se ha disenado una metodologia basada en los cambios de turbidez de las emulsiones durante el proceso de lipolisis, asi como en la acumulacion de productos de reaccion en la interfaz aire-agua superior de la muestra, qu e permite obtener unos parametros cineticos de reaccion y compr obar de forma cualitativa la cantidad final de productos de rea ccion que se han liberado a lo largo del proceso. El diseno y u tilizacion de esta metodologia tiene dos ventajas fundamentalme nte. La primera es que permite el estudio de 96 reacciones simu ltaneamente y la segunda es la posibilidad de estudiar el efect o de multiples variables sobre la reaccion con una misma emulsi on. Esto evita las complicaciones propias de trabajar con siste mas en constante proceso de ruptura como las emulsiones, cuyas caracteristicas ademas estan altamente influenciadas por pequen as variaciones e n las condiciones del proceso de fabricacion (temperatura, posi cion del instrumento dispersante, etc). Emulsiones finas y alta mente monodispersas fueron obtenidas a partir de los mismos ace ites y grasas semisolidas presentadas en el capitulo segundo. E 1 efecto sobre las cineticas o el grado de reaccion de variable s tales como las concentraciones de lipasa, aceite, sal biliar, iones Ca2+ o los tipos de substrato o de sal biliar, fue consi derado a lo largo de los diferentes experimentos. Como producto s secundarios de ciertos tipos de interacciones aparecen una se rie de precipitados fibrilares que muestran caracteristicas sim ilares a complejos amiloides. En cuanto a las sales biliares, s e observa que el taurocolato sodico potencia la actividad lipas ica mientras que el taurodeoxicolato sodico la inhibe.
Preoperative tumour staging with multidisciplinary team assessment improves the outcome in locally advanced primary rectal cancer

Aim Multidisciplinary team meetings have been introduced as a result of developments in preoperative radiological tumour staging and neoadjuvant treatment. Multidisciplinary team recommendations will influence treatment decisions but their effect on patient outcome is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess outcome in relation to preoperative local and distant staging, with or without multidisciplinary team assessment.
Non-neoplastic mortality of European workers who produce man made vitreous fibres.

OBJECTIVE: To study mortality from non-neoplastic diseases among European workers who produce man made vitreous fibres (MMVF). METHODS: 11,373 male workers were studied, who were employed for at least 1 year in the production of rock or slag wool (RSW), glass wool (GW), and continuous filament (CF) in 13 factories from seven European countries. Workers were followed up from the beginning of production, between 1933 and 1950 to 1990-2 and contributed 256,352 person-years of observation. Standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated with national mortalities for reference; an internal exposure-response analyses based on multivariate Poisson regression models was also conducted. RESULTS: Mortality from bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma was not increased (SMR 1.03, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.82 to 1.28). In RSW workers, there was no overall increase in mortality from non-malignant renal diseases (SMR 0.97, 95% CI 0.36 to 2.11), although there was the suggestion of an increase in risk with duration of employment. Mortality from ischaemic heart disease was not increased overall (SMR 1.03, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.11), but RSW and CF workers with > or = 30 years since first employment had a higher risk. RSW and CF workers showed an increased mortality from external causes, mainly motor vehicle accidents and suicide, which was higher among workers with a short duration of employment. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality from most non-neoplastic diseases does not seem to be related to employment in the MMVF industry. The results on mortality from ischaemic heart disease and non-malignant renal diseases, however, warrant further investigations.
Carbonyl reduction of naltrexone and dolasetron by oxidoreductases isolated from human liver cytosol

The opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone and the antiemetic 5‐HT3 receptor antagonist dolasetron are ketonic drugs that are efficiently reduced to their corresponding alcohols in‐vivo. These experiments aimed at characterizing the role in these reactions of individual oxidoreductases present in human liver cytosol. Aldo‐keto reductases (AKRs) and carbonyl reductase (CR, EC 1.1.1.184) purified from human liver cytosol were incubated with varying substrate concentrations and 6β‐naltrexol or reduced dolasetron were analysed by HPLC. AKR1C1, AKR1C2, and AKR1C4 were able to reduce both substrates. On the basis of kcat/Km values, AKR1C4 was nearly 1000‐fold more efficient in reducing naltrexone than was AKR1C1, while AKR1C2 was of intermediate efficiency. Substrate inhibition was observed on incubating AKR1C2 or AKR1C4 with naltrexone. In contrast, dolasetron was also a substrate of CR. AKR1C1 and AKR1C4 were the most efficient enzymes in producing reduced dolasetron. We concluded that the efficient reduction of naltrexone by AKR1C4 probably causes the high 6β‐naltrexol/naltrexone ratio in man. The rapid disappearance from human plasma of dolasetron given intravenously and its virtual absence after oral dosage are explained by its liability to reduction by several enzymes, including CR which shows widespread expression in human tissues.
Insulin sensitivity independently influences brachial–ankle pulse‐wave velocity in non‐diabetic subjects

Aims Measurement of pulse‐wave velocity (PWV) is a non‐invasive technique for assessing arterial stiffness. Although insulin resistance is associated with intimal–medial thickness of the carotid artery evaluated by B‐mode ultrasonography, it is not known whether it is related to PWV. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between homeostasis model assessment insulin sensitivity index (HOMA‐%S) and PWV in non‐diabetic subjects. We also examined the effects of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) 2‐h glucose and plasma high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (CRP) on PWV, as these two parameters are associated with atherosclerosis.
Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses among HIV‐infected pregnant women in Uganda and Rwanda

A retrospective survey to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infections was conducted on the samples of 247 African HIV‐1 positive pregnant women who had participated to a mother‐to‐child prevention trial carried out in urban settings in Kampala, Uganda and Kigali, Rwanda. Hepatitis B markers studied were HBs antigen (HBsAg) and, if positive after confirmatory testing, HBe antigen/anti‐HBe antibodies and HBV DNA. A fourth generation HCV enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was used for primary HCV screening. Positive samples were analyzed further with a second different EIA. Both for HBV and for HCV the use of confirmatory tests allowed the removal of frequent false‐positive screening results. HBsAg was found in 10/246 women (seroprevalence 4.1%, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.7–6.8): 8/164 (4.9%) in Uganda and 2/82 (2.4%) in Rwanda. HBe Ag was found in 33% of HBsAg‐positive patients and HBV DNA was quantifiable in 71%. Anti‐HCV antibodies were found in 5/247 women (seroprevalence 2.0% 95%CI 0.3–3.9): 1/165 (0.6%) in Uganda and 4/82 (4.9%) in Rwanda. There was no interrelation between HCV and HBV markers. There was no difference between patients with and without co‐infection with HBV or HCV with regards to CD4+ cell count. Overall, hepatitis B and C co‐infection was relatively infrequent in this group of pregnant women. However, since approximately 6% of HIV‐positive women in these countries had a co‐infection with one hepatitis virus, caution should be used in the monitoring of possible hepatotoxicity related to antiretroviral drugs in these populations. J. Med. Virol. 79:1797–1801, 2007. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of the ACCES model to predict the health economic impact of celecoxib in patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in Norway.

A Norwegian customization of the Arthritis Cost Consequence Evaluation System (ACCES) pharmacoeconomic model was used to predict the economic and health impact of the introduction of celecoxib in Norway. The model predicts that use of celecoxib can be expected to result in a reduction in gastrointestinal events with concomitant annual net savings of at least Norwegian krone (NOK) 580 per osteoarthritis (OA) patient and NOK 514 per rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient. In a cost-effectiveness analysis, celecoxib demonstrated economic dominance (i.e. improved health at reduced cost) compared with the currently available alternatives. In sensitivity analyses, the results of this model have been shown to be relatively robust, with celecoxib demonstrating economic dominance or favourable cost-effectiveness ratios in all analyses. Based on these data, it can be concluded that the introduction of celecoxib into the Norwegian non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug market, and its use as a first-line agent, will provide societal benefits by improving health care at reduced cost in patients with OA and RA.
Different perspectives on management systems integration

Increasingly competitive economies and the market globalisation process have led many organisations to implement management systems as a differential against competition. However, with the variety of standards available, they felt the need to integrate management subsystems aiming at resources and skills optimisation, in order to achieve performance maximisation of the resulting integrated management system (IMS). Added to this, it is known that the value of a single certificate is inversely proportional to the overall increase in certificate numbers. This paper intends to report the study results focusing on critical success factors (CSFs) assessment, difficulties faced by organisations when implementing an IMS, and the resulting benefits. Additionally, the quantitative evolution of IMS in Portuguese companies until 2011 is reported, showing how IMS typologies evolved and increased their relative ‘weight’ among Portuguese certified companies. Related to the study, the sample was composed of four Portuguese IMS ruled organisations based on quality, environment and occupational health and safety certified management subsystems. The data collection methodology was based on semi-structured interviews with the management system manager, through which it was sought to analyse the entire integration process. Results suggest that management subsystems integration contributes positively to the studied organisations. Top management involvement, human and financial resources availability and training were identified as subsystems integration CSF. Among the difficulties faced by organisations they pointed out the non existence of a previous organisational structure and the employees' behaviour changes.
Human Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells Specifically Infiltrated and Retarded the Growth of the Inoculated Human Cholangiocarcinoma Cells in SCID Mice

Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells were examined for safety and efficacy for cholangiocarcinoma treatment. Several conditions of human CIK cells were examined using ex vivo cytotoxic assay and SCID mice pre-inoculated with cholangiocarcinoma cells. We monitored the ex vivo cytotoxicity, tumor sizes and immunohistochemistry. Optimal tumor suppression was observed when CIK cells were pre-exposed to dendritic cells (DCs). Unexpectedly, pulsing of tumor RNA to DCs rendered the co-culturing CIK cells ineffective and raised the proportion of CD4+CD25+ subset. The use of CD3+CD56+ subset instead of the whole population of CIK cells for the co-culture with RNA-pulsed DCs restored the efficacy. Tumor-infiltrating human CD3+ cells were observed from day 2 – 14. The CD3+CD56+ cells are logical candidates for clinical trial while the DC-co-cultured CIK cells produced similar efficacy and more feasible for clinical application. The RNA pulsation of DCs up-regulated the regulatory subset of CIK cells and abrogated the anti-tumor efficacy.
Fully informed consent can be needlessly cruel.

levels in the metabolic derangement of diabetes. N Engl J Med 1984;310: 810-5. 19 Hyer SL, Sharp PS, Brooks RA, Burrin JM5 Kohner EM. Serum IGF-1 concentration in diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic Med 1988;5:356-60. 20 Sharp PS, Fall? n TJ, Brazier OJ, Sandier L, Joplin GF, Kohner EM. Long term follow up of patients who underwent yttrium-90 pituitary implantation for treatment of proliferative retinopathy. Diabetologia 1987;33:199-207. 21 Diabetic Retinopathy Study Research Group. Preliminary report on effects of photocoagulation therapy. Am J Ophthalmol 1976;81:383-97. 22 Sullivan PM, Caldwell G, Alexandra N, Kohner EM. Long term outcome after photocoagulation for preproliferative diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic Med 1990;7:788-94. 23 Davies EG, Petty RG, Kohner EM. Long term effectiveness of photocoagula tion for diabetic retinopathy. Eye 1989;3:764-7. 24 British Multicentre Study Group. Photocoagulation for diabetic maculopathy: a randomised controlled clinical trial using the xenon arc. Diabetes 1983;32:1010-6. 25 Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study. Photocoagulation for diabetic macular disease: report I. Arch Ophthalmol Vis Sei 1985;103:1798-806. 26 Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study. Photocoagulation for diabetic macular oedema: report IV. Int Ophthalmol Clin 1987:27:265-72. 27 Job D, Eschwege E, Guyot-Argenton C, Anbrey JA, Tchobrutsky G. Effect of multiple daily insulin injections on the course of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes 1976;25:463-9. 28 Kroc Collaborative Study Group. Blood glucose control and the evolution of diabetic retinopathy and albuminuria. NEnglJMed 1984;311:365-72. 29 Brinchmann-Hansen O, Dahl-Jorgensen K, Hanssen KF, Sanduik L. The response of diabetic retinopathy to 41 months of multiple insulin injections, insulin pumps and conventional insulin* therapy. Arch Ophthalmol 1988;106: 1242-6. , , i '; 30 Reichard P, Bengt-Yngue N, Rosenqiiiet ? Th? effect of long tenn intensified insulin treatment on the develo? nient of microvascular c? iaplica tions of diabetes mellitus. NEnglJMed 1993;32#30&9v 31 United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study. Study design and progress and performance. Diabetologia 1991 ;34:877-90. * ,. '. *'? ^ v 32 WHO/IDF Europe. Diabetes and research in Europe: the St Vincent declaration. Diabetic Med 1990;7:360. 33 Kohner EM, Porta M. Screening for diabetic retinopathy in Europe: a field guide book. Milan: Boehringer Mannheim, 1992.
3D Reconstruction from multiple views using Particle Swarm Optimization

Given a set of images of a set of 3D points, with known correspondence among them, we would like to reconstruct the coordinates of the 3D points and discover the projection matrices associated with the cameras used to capture these images. Once this information is obtained, we would be able to compute any novel view of these 3D points from a virtual camera placed at any position and orientation. We solve this problem as an optimization problem using the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm.
Effect of temperature and salinity on the toxicity of chromium to three estuarine invertebrates (Corophium volutator, Macoma balthica, Nereis diversicolor)

Etude en laboratoire, pour des temperatures de 5, 10 et 15°C et des salinites de 5 a 40‰, a des intervales de temps allant jusqu'a 384 h. La toxicite croit lorsque la temperature croit et lorsque la salinite decroit. Necessite donc de tenir compte des facteurs de milieu lors d'etudes toxicologiques du chrome en milieu d'estuaire
The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid (HPT) Axis in Fish and Its Role in Fish Development and Reproduction

Bony fishes represent the largest vertebrate class and are a very diverse animal group. This chapter provides a thorough review of the available scientific literature on the thyroid system in these important vertebrate animals. The molecular components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis in this group correspond closely to those of mammals. The thyroid tissue in the fishes is organized as diffuse follicles, with a few exceptions, rather than as an encapsulated gland as is found in most other vertebrate species. The features of this diffuse tissue in fishes are reviewed with an emphasis on feedback relationships within the HPT axis, the molecular biology of the thyroid system in fishes, and comparisons versus the thyroid systems of other vertebrate taxa. A review of the role of thyroid hormone in fish development and reproduction is included. Available information about the HPT axis in fishes is quite detailed for some species and rather limited or absent in others. This review focuses on species that have been intensively studied for their value as laboratory models in assays to investigate disruption in normal function of the thyroid system. In addition, in vitro and in vivo assay methods for screening chemicals for their potential to interfere with the thyroid system are reviewed. It is concluded that there are currently no in vitro or in vivo assays in fish species that are sufficiently developed to warrant recommendation for use to efficiently screen chemicals for thyroid disruption. Methods are available that can be used to measure thyroid hormones, although our ability to interpret the causes and implications of potential alterations in T4 or T3 levels in fishes is nonetheless limited without further research.
Regulation of Hormone Secretion by Acute Cell Volume Changes: Ca2+-Independent Hormone Secretion

Exocytosis of intravesicular material should help a cell meet a relative extracellular hyposmotic challenge by expanding the plasmalemma through fusion with vesicular membrane. Cell swelling evokes an immediate secretory burst of hormones stored in secretory vesicles with dynamics indistinguishable from those induced by specific secretagogues. Hormone secretion induced by cell swelling is not associated with a rise in cAMP, IP3, or prostaglandins, and it is not depressed by inhibition of stretch mechano-receptors or aquaporin channels. In contrast to most types of regulated secretion, that induced by cell swelling in normal cells does not require a rise in intracellular Ca2+ through opening L-type Ca2+ channels. However, such Ca2+ influx is essential for cell-swelling induced secretion in tumor-derived pituitary cells. Cell swelling induces universal secretion of exocytotic material. The response of cells specialized in osmoregulation is, however, different. Possible physiological significance: Consistent stimulation of secretion occurs with a 4% hyposmolar challenge. It is likely that fluctuations in osmotic pressure with resultant cell volume changes have a significant regulatory role in hormone secretion. Released hormones could also play an important role in the pathophysiology of ischemia. Exocytosis itself does not have an essential role in volume regulation.
Is quality of life different between diabetic and non-diabetic people? The importance of cardiovascular risks

Background To analyse and compare the impact of cardiovascular risk factors and disease on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in people with and without diabetes living in the community. Methods We used data of 1,905 people with diabetes and 19,031 people without diabetes from the last Spanish National Health Survey (years 2011–2012). The HRQoL instrument used was the EuroQol 5D-5L, based on time trade-off scores. Matching methods were used to assess any differences in the HRQoL in people with and without diabetes with the same characteristics (age, gender, education level, and healthy lifestyle), according to cardiovascular risk factors and diseases. Disparities were also analysed for every dimension of HRQoL: mobility, daily activities, personal care, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. Results There were no significant differences in time trade-off scores between people with and without diabetes when cardiovascular risk factors or established cardiovascular disease were not present. However, when cardiovascular risk factors were present, the HRQoL score was significantly lower in people with diabetes than in those without. This difference was indeed greater when cardiovascular diseases were present. More precisely, people with diabetes and any of the cardiovascular risk factors, who have not yet developed any cardiovascular disease, report lower HRQoL, 0.046 TTO score points over 1 (7.93 over 100 in the VAS score) compared to those without diabetes, and 0.14 TTO score points of difference (14.61 over 100 in the VAS score) if cardiovascular diseases were present. In fact, when the three risk factors were present in people with diabetes, HRQoL was significantly lower (0.10 TTO score points over 1 and 10.86 points over 100 in VAS score), obesity being the most influential risk factor. Conclusions The presence of established cardiovascular disease and/or cardiovascular risk factors, specially obesity, account for impaired quality of life in people with diabetes.