Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Esophageal cancer risk among immigrants in Sweden

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is linked to alcohol drinking, whereas esophageal adenocarcinoma risk is increased by overweight and obesity. Both histologies are directly related to tobacco smoking. We wanted to define the risk of esophageal cancer by histology and length of stay among immigrants in Sweden. The nationwide Swedish Family Cancer database (2010 version: data on cancers originate from the nationwide Swedish Cancer Registry) was used to calculate standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for esophageal cancer among immigrants compared with the native Swedes. SIRs for lung cancer were also calculated as a proxy for smoking prevalence. The patient series covered 5930 male and 1998 female Swedes, and 410 and 198 immigrants. The risk of esophageal cancer was increased in female Finns (SIR=1.66), Britons (3.73), and Southeast Africans (5.26), whereas male Baltic (0.44), former Yugoslavian (0.47), other Europeans (0.58), and other Asians (0.52) showed a decreased risk. The risk of squamous cell carcinoma was increased among Finns (men=1.32, women=1.90) and Iranian women (3.80), whereas Danish men (1.66) had an increased risk of adenocarcinoma. No trend was observed for the risks in immigrants according to the length of stay. We found no covariation between the birth region-specific SIRs for squamous cell carcinoma and lung cancer. Early childhood exposures or preservation of original habits might be the main environmental exposures influencing squamous cell carcinoma risks in some immigrants. The increased risk of adenocarcinoma among Danish men may confirm the role of obesity in adenocarcinoma risk.
Development of the skull and pectoral girdle in Siberian sturgeon, Acipenser baerii, and Russian sturgeon, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii (Acipenseriformes: Acipenseridae)

The head is considered the major novelty of the vertebrates and directly linked to their evolutionary success. Its form and development as well as its function, for example in feeding, is of major interest for evolutionary biologists. In this study, we describe the skeletal development of the cranium and pectoral girdle in Siberian (Acipenser baerii) and Russian sturgeon (A. gueldenstaedtii), two species that are commonly farmed in aquaculture and increasingly important in developmental studies. This study comprises the development of the neuro‐, viscero‐ and dermatocranium and the dermal and chondral components of the pectoral girdle, from first condensation of chondrocytes in prehatchlings to the early juvenile stage and reveals a clear pattern in formation. The otic capsules, the parachordal cartilages, and the trabeculae cranii are the first centers of chondrification, at 8.4mm TL. These are followed by the mandibular, then the hyoid, and later the branchial arches. Teeth form early on the dentary, dermopalatine, and palatopterygoid, and then appear later in the buccal cavity as dorsal and ventral toothplates. With ongoing chondrification in the neurocranium a capsule around the brain and a strong rostrum are formed. Dermal ossifications start to form before closure of the dorsal neurocranial fenestrae. Perichondral ossification of cartilage bones occurs much later in ontogeny. Our results contribute data bearing on the homology of elements such as the lateral rostral canal bone that we regard homologous to the antorbital of other actinopterygians based on its sequence of formation, position and form. We further raise doubts on the homology of the posterior ceratobranchial among Actinopteri based on the formation of the hyoid arch elements. We also investigate the basibranchials and the closely associated unidentified gill‐arch elements and show that they are not homologous. J. Morphol. 278:418–442, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Treatment with Venlafaxine Extended Release After SSRI Nonresponse or Intolerance: A Randomized Comparison of Standard- and Higher-dosing Strategies

Objective: Evaluate efficacy of standard and higher doses of venlafaxine extended release (ER) in depressed outpatients who had either not responded to or could not tolerate an adequate trial of therapy with a selective serotonin reuptake ihibitor (SSRI). Methods: Outpatients (n = 232) with major depressive disorder were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of treatment with either "standard" (n = 119; mean dose = 148 mg/d) or "hirher" (n = 113; mean dose = 309 mg/d) dosage therapies. Between weeks 8 and 12, nonresponders in the standard dose group could receive higher dose therapy. Results: Response rates in the higher dose group were significantly greater at week 8 on the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale (68% vs 52%; P < 0.001) and Patient Global Impressions scale (intent-to- treat; 68% vs 52%; P < 0.001). The dosing strategies did not, however, differ significantly in change in HAM-D21 total score or HAM-D21 responnse or remission rates. At week 12, there were no significant efficacy differences between the two groups in the intent-to-treat sample. Five side effects (costipation, sweating, hypertension, agitation, and urinary frequency) were more common in the high-dose group. Conclusions: Higher dose therapy with venlafaxine ER (ie, 300-375 mg/d) resulted in a more rapid response on some measures, but was not as well tolerated as therapy at standard doses. Although these data provide further evidence of a dose-response relationship for venlafaxine therapy results suggest that slower titration to higher doses of venlafaxine ER may improve tolerability without greatly diminishing the probability of sucess.
Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomic Analyses in Contact Lens-Related Dry Eye

Purpose: To identify potential protein biomarkers associated with dry eye in contact lens wearers. Methods: Upon enrollment, current galyfilcon A contact lens wearers completed a previously described questionnaire used to classify dry eye status. Approximately 5 μL of aqueous tears were carefully sampled from the inferior-lateral tear prism of each eye using glass microcapillaries. A variety of proteomic approaches were used to compare samples including quantification by Bradford analyses, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) (alone in varying percentages and with MultiPlex analyses for posttranslational modifications), nano-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectometry (nano-LC-MS/MS), and differential gel electrophoresis. Results: Twenty-one subjects were enrolled in the study (age 31.3 ± 11.6 years). Eleven of the subjects were classified with contact lens-related dry eye, while the remaining 10 were normal contact lens wearers. Across all proteomic approaches, several proteins (including several glycoproteins) were identified as potential biomarkers associated with dry eye disease state. In summary across the approaches used, extracellular proteins identified to be altered included β-2 microglobulin, proline rich 4, lacritin, and secretoglobin 1D1, which were found to be decreased in the dry eye state. Secretoglobin 2A2, serum albumin, glycoprotein 340, and prolactin-inducible protein were all found to be increased in the dry eye state. Conclusions: Dry eye in contact lens wearers is related to several changes in the tear film protein. While functional studies for these candidate proteins are ongoing, initial insights into the functions of these proteins suggest roles in altered tear secretion, in addition to possible increased susceptibility to infection.
Resourcefulness Training for Grandmothers Raising Grandchildren: Is There a Need?

Grandmothers raising grandchildren may experience stress that adversely affects their health and, thus, they may benefit from interventions to promote resourcefulness. Before conducting definitive tests about the effectiveness of resourcefulness training (RT), it is essential to determine the need for the training. This study of 126 grandmothers examined baseline resourcefulness, attrition rates from the resourcefulness training, and perceived need for RT. Baseline resourcefulness scores indicated that 72% of the grandmothers had more than a moderate need for RT. Reasons for attrition were unrelated to perceived need. After receiving RT, 88% perceived that they needed it. The results support testing RT effectiveness as the next step.
Human parathyroid hormone‐(1–38) restores cancellous bone to the immobilized, osteopenic proximal tibial metaphysis in rats

The purpose of this study was to determine if human parathyroid hormone‐(1–38) (hPTH(1–38)) can restore cancellous bone mass to the established osteopenic, immobilized proximal tibial metaphyses of female rats. The right hindlimbs of 6‐month‐old female Sprague‐Dawley rats were immobilized by bandaging the right hindlimbs to the abdomen. After 30 days of right hindlimb immobilization, the rats were subcutaneously injected with 200 μg hPTH(1–38)/kg/day for 15 days (short‐term treatment) or 75 days (longer‐term treatment). Static bone histomorphometry was performed on the primary spongiosa, and both static and dynamic histomorphometry were performed on the secondary spongiosa of the right proximal tibial metaphyses. Immobilization for 30 days without treatment decreased trabecular bone area, number, and thickness in both primary and secondary spongiosa, and induced an increase in eroded perimeter and a decrease in tissue referent‐bone formation rate in the secondary spongiosa. These changes reached a new steady state thereafter. Treatment with 200 μg hPTH(1–38)/kg/day for 15 days, beginning 30 days after immobilization, significantly increased trabecular bone area, thickness, and number in both primary and secondary spongiosa despite continuous immobilization when compared with controls. The short‐term PTH treatment (15 days) significantly increased labeling perimeter, mineral apposition rate, and tissue referent‐bone formation rate in the secondary spongiosa and stimulated longitudinal bone growth as compared with the controls. Longer PTH treatment (75 days) further increased trabecular bone area, thickness, and number as compared with controls and groups given short‐term PTH treatment (15 days). The bone formation indices in the secondary spongiosa of the longer‐term treated rats were lower than those of the short‐term treated group, but they were still higher than those of controls. Our findings indicate that PTH treatment stimulates cancellous bone formation, and restores and adds extra cancellous bone to the established, disuse‐osteopenic proximal tibial metaphysis of female rats with continuously immobilized right hindlimbs. These results suggest that PTH may be useful in treating disuse‐induced osteoporosis in humans.
Growth performance and development of internal organ, and gastrointestinal tract of calf supplementation with calcium propionate at various stages of growth period

To investigate the effects of calcium propionate (CaP) supplementation on performance, the development of the internal organ, and gastrointestinal tract of calves at various stages of growth period, 54 male Jersey calves (age = 7 ± 1 d, body weight(BW) = 23.1 ± 1.2 kg) were randomly allocated to three treatment groups. While control calves were fed basis dietary with no additives (0CaP), other treatment calves were fed basis dietary supplementation with CaP at 50 (5CaP) or 100 (10CaP) g kg−1 dry matter. The experiment lasted 160 d and was divided into three feeding stages: Stage 1 (d 0 to 30), Stage 2 (d 31 to 90), and Stage 3 (d 91 to160). Six calves from each group were randomly selected and slaughtered on days 30, 90, and 160 when at the conclusion of each experimental feeding stage. The BW of calves increased with 10CaP after feeding 90 d, whereas it increased with 5CaP and 10CaP at feeding 120d and 160d compared to 0CaP. The 10CaP group improved average daily gain (ADG) of calves at stage 2, and d120-160 of stage 3 compared with the 0CaP group. The ADG of 5CaP was greater than the 0CaP group only at 120–160 d of stage 3 compared with the 0CaP group. The results of feed efficiency were in agreed with ADG as no dry matter intake difference at all stages of growth period. The 10CaP treatment exhibited the greatest spleen weight among the treatment at the end of the experiment; the liver weight of the 5CaP and 10CaP calves at feeding 90 d and of the 10CaP calves at feeding 160 d and were greater than those of the 0CaP animals. The CaP at the tested doses increased the rumen weight after feeding 90d of Jersey calves, and also improved the development of intestine. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with calcium propionate at the tested doses caused a beneficial effect in the growth performance and gastrointestinal tract traits of Jersey calves, thus to add 10% CaP before feeding 90 days was better and 5% CaP supplementation was expected at the period for feeding 90 to160 d.
MiR-99a and MiR-491 Regulate Cisplatin Resistance in Human Gastric Cancer Cells by Targeting CAPNS1

Cisplatin is the first-line agent utilized for the clinical treatment of a wide variety of solid tumors including gastric cancer. However, the intrinsic or acquired cisplatin resistance is often occurred in patients with gastric cancer and resulted in failure of cisplatin therapy. In order to investigate if miRNA involves in cisplatin resistance of human gastric cancer, we first screened and compared the expression of miRNAs between cisplatin resistant gastric cancer cell lines SGC-7901/DDP and BGC-823/DDP and their sensitive parental cells by miRNAs microarray and followed by analysis of 2D-GE/MS to identify their target proteins. We found both miR-99a and miR-491 were upregulated while their target gene calpain small subunit 1 (CAPNS1) was downregulated in resistant gastric cancer cells. Dual-luciferase- reporter assays with wild-type and mutated CAPNS1 3'-UTR confirmed their specificity of targeting. Inhibition of miR-99a and miR-491, or overexpress CAPNS1 can enhance cisplatin sensitivity of the resistant cells while transfection of two miRNAs' mimics or si-CAPNS1 in the sensitive cells can induce their resistance. Moreover, our results demonstrated CAPNS1 positively regulated calpain1 and calpain2, the catalytic subunits of CAPNS1, and cleaved caspase3 which further cleaved PARP1 and directly induced apoptosis. Therefore, miR-99a and miR-491 might be work as novel molecules regulate cisplatin resistance by directly targeting CAPNS1 associated pathway in human gastric cancer cells.
Dynamic changes of the spinal canal in patients with cervical spondylosis at flexion and extension using magnetic resonance imaging.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES The authors determine the dynamic changes of the spinal canal during flexion and extension in patients with cervical spondylosis. METHODS Forty-six patients were studied inside a whole-body magnetic resonance (MR) scanner with between 50 degrees of flexion and 30 degrees of extension, using a positioning device. At neutral position (0 degree) and maximum flexion and extension sagittal T2-weighted turbo spin echo sequences were acquired. RESULTS A significant (P < or = 0.05) increase of spinal stenosis was found at extension (48%, 22 of 46 patients) when compared with flexion (24%, 11 of 46). Cervical cord compression was diagnosed at flexion in 5 patients (11%) and at extension in 9 patients (20%). Concerning the number of patients with cervical cord compression at flexion and extension, significant differences (P < or = 0.05) were found in patients with degenerative changes at four segments compared with patients with one segment involvement. CONCLUSIONS Magnetic resonance imaging identified a significant percentage of increased spinal stenosis at flexion and, especially, at extension, which was not observed at neutral position (0 degree). Flexion and extension MR imaging demonstrates additional information using a noninvasive technique concerning the dynamic factors in the pathogenesis of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
Exposure to War-Related Traumatic Events, Prevalence of PTSD, and General Psychiatric Morbidity in a Civilian Population From Southern Lebanon

The South of Lebanon has experienced prolonged armed conflict. The current study aims to investigate the degree of exposure to traumatic events and prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and nonspecific general psychiatric morbidity in a civilian population from the South of Lebanon. The design was cross-sectional with random sampling. War-related traumatic events and symptoms of PTSD were assessed by the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire and general psychiatric morbidity by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Almost all participants, 97.7%, had experienced, witnessed, or heard of a war-related traumatic event. Current PTSD prevalence was 29.3%. PTSD symptoms correlated highly with GHQ-28 symptoms, r = . 73 (p < .0001). The present study indicates a need for psychological interventions in the population and studies to assess such interventions.
Comparison of Three Maximal Anaerobic Running Test Protocols in Marathon Runners, Middle-Distance Runners and Sprinters

Three modifications of the maximal anaerobic running test (MART) were compared in sprinters (Spr, n = 5), middle-distance runners (Mid, n = 5) and marathon runners (Mar, n = 6). The MART1, MART3 and MART5 consisted of n sets of 1.20-s, 3.20-s and 5.20-s runs, respectively, on a treadmill with 40-s recovery between the runs and 100-s recovery between the sets. In each MART the velocity of the first set of runs was 3.0 m.s-1 and the slope 4 degrees. Thereafter, the velocity was gradually increased by 0.38 m.s-1 for each consecutive set until exhaustion. After each set and after exhaustion fingertip blood samples were taken to determine lactate concentration and three counter-movement jumps (CMJ) were performed. Maximal (Pmax) and submaximal (P4mM) running power in each MART was expressed as the oxygen demand (ml.kg-1.min-1) of the runs. In MART1, Mar had a significantly lower Pmax than Mid or Spr (mean +/- SD; 97.8 +/- 5.4 vs. 121.0 +/- 4.4 vs. 119.2 +/- 5.4 ml.kg-1.min-1), while in MART3 the groups did not differ significantly, and the sprinters were unable to perform MART5. Mar, Mid and Spr attained the lower Pmax the more runs per set in MART (p < 0.01). Mar had the higher peak blood lactate the more runs each set consisted of (p < 0.001). In Mid and Spr, the peak blood lactate did not differ significantly between the MARTs but was significantly higher than the corresponding peak blood lactate of the marathon runners. Pmax in MART1 correlated positively with maximal 20-m sprinting speed on a track and with CMJ height (p < 0.001, n = 16) but negatively with VO2 max (p < 0.001, n = 16) while in MART3 no significant correlations were found. It was concluded that the n.1.20-s protocol should be used to measure the maximal anaerobic power of all runners. However, in long-distance runners more runs per set may be needed to evaluate their anaerobic capacity.
A suite of Gateway® cloning vectors for high‐throughput genetic analysis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In the post‐genomic era, academic and biotechnological research is increasingly shifting its attention from single proteins to the analysis of complex protein networks. This change in experimental design requires the use of simple and experimentally tractable organisms, such as the unicellular eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and a range of new high‐throughput techniques. The Gateway® system has emerged as a powerful high‐throughput cloning method that allows for the in vitro recombination of DNA with high speed, accuracy and reliability. Two Gateway‐based libraries of overexpression plasmids containing the entire complement of yeast open reading frames (ORFs) have recently been completed. In order to make use of these powerful resources, we adapted the widely used pRS series of yeast shuttle vectors for use in Gateway‐based cloning. The resulting suite of 288 yeast Gateway vectors is based upon the two commonly used GPD and GAL1 promoter expression systems that enable expression of ORFs, either constitutively or under galactose‐inducible conditions. In addition, proteins of interest can be fused to a choice of frequently used N‐ or C‐terminal tags, such as EGFP, ECFP, EYFP, Cerulean, monomeric DsRed, HA or TAP. We have made this yeast Gateway® vector kit available to the research community via the non‐profit Addgene Plasmid Repository (http://www.addgene.org/yeast_gateway). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in the elderly: clinical course in 178 patients

Abstract: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is often diagnosed in the elderly (age ≥65 yr), where it generally presents as a chronic disease. The objective of the present study was to describe the natural history of ITP in the elderly and to evaluate the risk of bleeding and the possible occurrence of other pathologies. We retrospectively evaluated 178 ITP patients (82 men, 96 women; mean age: 72 yr) diagnosed between 1981 and 1998. Therapy was started at diagnosis or during follow‐up, depending on the platelet count and/or bleeding events. Sixty‐six out of one hundred and seventy‐eight patients (37%) initiated therapy at diagnosis; whereas in 11 of the 112 untreated patients (9.8%) therapy was necessary during the follow‐up. Low‐dose of prednisone was the first‐line treatment in all patients (mean daily dose of 0.43 mg/kg). Forty‐nine (63.6%) of the seventy‐seven treated patients showed a response, 14 of these (28.6%) suffered a relapse. Another pathology occurred in 19 of the 178 patients (10.7%). We conclude that low‐dose prednisone is an appropriate initial treatment for elderly persons. We also stress that an adequate follow‐up is advisable, given that isolated thrombocytopenia could in some cases be the first sign of another underlying pathology.
Telecardiology: Potential impact on acute care

Echocardiography is often used to diagnose and exclude important cardiac diagnoses in adults and children. Evolving telemedicine technology has the potential to improve access to echocardiography diagnoses in the intensive care unit, emergency room, and newborn nursery. The two primary modes of telemedicine practice are “store and forward” and “real-time” videoconferencing. A digital echocardiogram (often several one cardiac cycle loops) can be stored at one site and forwarded across a telemedicine network to a receiving station for review at a later time. Pediatric cardiologists often favor “real-time” telemedicine because of the ability to guide sonographers with limited experience in congenital heart disease. A complete telemedicine system requires a modified computer, a low- or high-speed connection, and telemedicine inputs. Several adult and pediatric clinical studies have shown telemedicine to be accurate and cost-effective, improve patient care, enhance echocardiogram quality and sonographer proficiency, and promote practice expansion. Obstacles to widespread implementation of telemedicine include lack of standardization of telemedicine components, confusing legal issues and licensure requirements, and poor reimbursement.