Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elevated neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio predicts survival in advanced pancreatic cancer

Background: Elevated neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is linked with worse survival in many malignancies, whereas its association with pancreatic cancer (PC) remains unclear. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 95 patients with locally advanced or metastatic PC receiving gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. The prognostic value of NLR was evaluated. Results: Elevated pretreatment NLR (>5) was observed in 16 out of 89 eligible patients, which was identified as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS). The median OS for patients with elevated and normal NLR were 2.4 months and 7.7 months, respectively (p <0.001). Conclusions: Elevated NLR is a predictor of shorter survival in patients with advanced PC.
Novel low-molecular-weight hypromellose polymeric films for aqueous film coating applications

The concentration of hypromellose (HPMC) is known to significantly impact the viscosity of coating solutions. The purpose of this study was to determine the viscosity of novel low-molecular-weight (LMW) HPMC products as a function of polymer concentration. The mechanical properties and water vapor permeability of free films prepared from these novel LMW HPMC polymers were also determined and the results were compared with films prepared with conventional HPMC. Solutions of LMW and conventional HPMC 2910 and 2906 containing up to 40% polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 were prepared and the viscosities were measured using a Brookfield viscometer. Solutions were then cast onto glass plates and stored at 30°C and 50% relative humidity until films were formed. A Chatillon digital force gauge attached to a motorized test stand was used to quantify the mechanical properties of the films, whereas water vapor permeabilities were determined according to the ASTM E96 M-05 water method. As expected, the novel LMW polymer solutions exhibited significantly lower viscosities than the conventional comparators at equivalent polymer concentrations. Film strength of the LMW materials was lower than films prepared from the conventional HPMC solutions, although this effect was not as evident for the HPMC 2906 chemistry. Increasing concentrations of the plasticizer resulted in decreased tensile strength and Young’s modulus and increased elongation as well as increased water vapor permeability, irrespective of polymer type. No statistical difference was found between the tensile strength to Young’s modulus ratios of the F chemistry LMW and conventional HPMC polymer films.
Role of abdominal drains in perforated duodenal ulcer patients: a prospective controlled study.

BACKGROUND Duodenal ulcer perforation is a common emergency in south India, with about 100-120 cases being treated at Jawaharalal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research each year. The routine to date has been to leave two tube drains: one in the Morrison's pouch and one in the pelvis after omental patch closure. This study was conducted to test the efficacy and safety of drain usage routinely after duodenal ulcer perforation closure with Roscoe Graham omental patch technique. METHODS In this prospective controlled study, 44 patients formed the test group (without drains) and 75 patients formed the control group (with abdominal drainage). Only patients of perforated duodenal ulcer closed with Roscoe Graham omental patch technique were included in the study. The incidence of postoperative fever, wound infection, time for return of bowel function and duration of hospital stay were noted. Details of drainage noted were the mean amount of daily drainage, mean time of drain removal and occurrence of drain-related complications. Peritoneal fluid, wound discharges, drain tips and drain wounds were cultured. Abdominal ultrasound was performed in all patients in the second postoperative week or if earlier indicated to detect intra-abdominal collections. RESULTS It was found that there was no difference in incidence or duration of postoperative pyrexia, return of bowel function or postoperative hospital stay between the two groups. Routine use of drains was not effective in preventing postoperative fluid collection nor in decreasing the incidence of intra-abdominal abscesses. The migration of bacteria from the exterior to the peritoneal cavity via the drain was also demonstrated. Drains were found to cause morbidity including intestinal obstruction. CONCLUSION The routine use of drains was found to be neither safe nor effective in patients of perforated duodenal ulcer treated by omental patch closure.
Morphological Features of Cell Blocks Prepared from Residual Liqui-PREP Samples Can Distinguish between High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions and Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value and compare morphological features of cell block sections of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Study Design: A total of 135 cell blocks were prepared from residual Liqui-PREP samples. Of these, 43 biopsy-confirmed cases (24 HSIL and 19 SCC) were reviewed. Morphological features determined included cell clusters, epithelial-stromal interface, stromal invasion and tumor necrosis. Results: Ninety-three percent (40/43) of cell block diagnoses were consistent with histological diagnoses, which was better than the cytological diagnoses (81.4%; 35/43). The mean cell block size was 0.54 cm (range, 0.3–1.0 cm) for HSIL and 0.84 cm (range, 0.4–1.4 cm) for SCC (p < 0.0001). Cell clusters were present in 70.8% (17/24) of HSIL and 100% (19/19) of SCC (p < 0.0001). No epithelial-stromal interface, stromal invasion or tumor necrosis was observed on HSIL cell block sections, which is in contrast to the 84.2% (16/19), 68.4% (13/19) and 42.1% (8/19) on SCC cell blocks, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Cell blocks may increase the diagnostic accuracy of liquid-based cytology. The presence of stromal invasion, epithelial-stromal interface and tumor necrosis on cell block sections may be useful for accurate SCC diagnosis.
Network Coding for Linear Finite-Field Deterministic Network

A novel network coding model for linear finite-field deterministic network is considered. In our model, each channel between 2 connected nodes is represented by a channel gain matrix, while each mapping from input signals to output signals in a node is represented by an encoder mapping matrix. We apply our model to algebraic network coding framework introduced by Ralf Koetter and Muriel Médard. Those matrices are regarded as elements to generate the adjacency matrix F, from which the system matrix M can be derived. Based on our model, we propose an algorithm to trace all the feasible routes in a network for given source and destination. We also give the capacity of the network based on the routes enumerated by the algorithm.
Functional imaging of pain in patients with primary fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVE To examine the function of the nociceptive system in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). METHODS Two groups of women, 9 with FM and 9 pain-free, volunteered to participate. In Experiment 1, we assessed psychophysical responses to painful stimuli and prepared participants for fMRI testing. For Experiment 2, subjects underwent fMRI scanning while receiving painful and nonpainful heat stimuli. Conventional and functional MR images were acquired using a 1.5 T MR scanner. Scanning occurred over 5 conditions. Condition 1 served as a practice session (no stimuli). Conditions 2 and 5 consisted of nonpainful warm stimuli. Conditions 3 and 4 consisted of an absolute thermal pain stimulus (47 degrees C) and a perceptually equivalent pain stimulus delivered in counterbalanced order. RESULTS Experiment 1 indicated that subjects with FM were significantly more sensitive to experimental heat pain than controls (p < 0.001). In Experiment 2, fMRI data indicated that the FM group exhibited greater activity than controls over multiple brain regions in response to both nonpainful and painful stimuli (p < 0.01). Specifically, in response to nonpainful warm stimuli, FM subjects had significantly greater activity than controls in prefrontal, supplemental motor, insular, and anterior cingulate cortices (p < 0.01). In response to painful stimuli, FM subjects had greater activity in the contralateral insular cortex (p < 0.01). Data from the practice session indicated brain activity in pain-relevant areas for the FM group but not for controls. CONCLUSION Our results provide further evidence for a physiological explanation for FM pain.
Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Augments Proinflammatory Cytokine Production from Macrophages In Vitro and in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Endotoxin Shock in Mice

ABSTRACT Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) exerts an anti-inflammatory effect indirectly, via cortisole production, and a proinflammatory effect directly on immune cells. The aim of the present work was to examine the effect of CRH on macrophage-derived cytokines both in vitro and in vivo. For the in vitro experiments we used two types of macrophages: (i) the RAW264.7 monocyte/macrophage cell line and (ii) thioglycolate-elicited peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice. We have found that CRH enhanced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 production. For the in vivo experiments we have used the LPS-induced endotoxin shock model in BALB/c mice, an established model for systemic inflammation in which macrophages are the major source of the proinflammatory cytokines responsible for the development of the shock. Administration of antalarmin, a synthetic CRH receptor 1 (CRHR1) antagonist, prior to LPS prolonged survival in a statistically significant manner. The effect was more evident at the early stages of endotoxin shock. CRHR1 blockade suppressed LPS-induced elevation of the macrophage-derived cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, confirming the role of CRH signals in cytokine expression. In conclusion, our data suggest that CRH signals play an early and crucial role in augmenting LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokine production by macrophages. Our data suggest that the diffuse neuroendocrine system via CRH directly affects the immune system at the level of macrophage activation and cytokine production.
Stent design‐related coronary artery remodeling and patterns of neointima formation following self‐expanding and balloon‐expandable stent implantation

The self‐expanding Wallstent (WS) and balloon‐expandable Palmaz‐Schatz stents (PS) display different mechanical and dynamical stent properties. We analyzed the impact of the respective stent design on coronary wall geometry using quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and intracoronary ultrasound (ICUS) measurements. Serial measurements were performed within the stent and within reference segments of 50 patients (25 WS, 25 PS). Relative changes for each parameter in both stent designs were calculated (Mann‐Whitney U‐test; 95% CI). The luminal net gain in WS was not significantly higher in WS compared with PS (1.63 ± 1.11 vs. 1.44 ± 0.63 mm; P = 0.2554). The respective loss indexes were also similar (0.38 ± 0.42 vs. 0.36 ± 0.23; P = 0.8578). The WS segments showed significant postinterventional stent expansion with positive vessel remodeling. The neointima formation was significantly higher in WS segments (4.23 ± 2.07 vs. 2.22 ± 2.22 mm2). The coronary wall morphology and stent geometry after 6.5 ± 1.2 months are related to the stent design. In WS segments, the neointima formation was balanced by postinterventional stent expansion, resulting in a comparable relative lumen loss in both stent types. The respective stent design had no impact on the vessel reference segments. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;56:478–486. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Using Mobile Moodle to enhance Moodle LMS accessibility and usage at the University of Dar es Salaam

Over the last decade, there has been a remarkable increase in the adoption and use of learning management systems (LMS) in sub-Saharan Africa in a bid to improve the quality of on-campus delivery as well as increasing access to education through blended and distance learning. Despite the increased adoption of LMS in the region, their potential has not been fully exploited as relatively few users tend to use them, thereby not justifying the high infrastructure investment costs. The continued penetration and adoption of mobile phones amongst users in the region presents an opportunity to find ways of making LMS accessible to users via mobile phones. However, there are relatively few attempts to enhance accessibility and usage of LMS into users' mobile phones especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This article aims at sharing experiences of configuring and using Mobile Moodle to enhance Moodle LMS usage and accessibility via mobile phones at the University of Dar es Salaam. Through analyzing log of two selected courses, it was revealed that the majority of students used Course View and User List features to read course notes and to check for their fellow students respectively. In addition, students indicated that the Mobile Moodle was easy to use and enable them to accomplish learning activities more quickly through a questionnaire that was distributed to elicit their opinions about the Mobile Moodle. The findings from this study will enable those who are involved in LMS implementation especially in sub-Saharan Africa to widen access of LMS via mobile phones and therefore increase LMS usage.
Assessment of Estrogen Receptors and Apoptotic Factors in Cryopreserved Human Ovarian Cortex

The aims of this study were: (i) to examine frozen-thawed ovarian tissues for features of follicular health and atresia by histology; (ii) to assess the expression of estrogen receptors alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ) by real-time PCR; (iii) to evaluate the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, as an apoptotic index, in the ovarian tissues before and after cryopreservation. Ovarian cortical biopsies were obtained from 11 patients. The fragments were subdivided into two groups, fresh (control tissues) and cryopreserved tissues obtained by direct plunging into liquid nitrogen. Both tissue groups were subjected to a histological evaluation of the healthy and atretic follicles, immunohistochemical localization of the ER, and a real-time PCR (qPCR) to evaluate the expression of ER, Bax, Bcl-2 as well as β-actin, as control gene. Damage was observed in 31% of primordial, 45% of primary, and 75% of secondary follicles in the cryopreserved tissue group. The qPCR analysis showed that the level of ERβ was greater in fresh than cryopreserved tissues, whereas the ERα expression and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio were similar in both tissue groups. A significant inverse association was observed between ERα mRNA levels in the fresh tissue group and subjects' ages. The results show that cryopreservation and thawing of human ovarian tissue does not affect the morphology of primordial or primary follicles and that cryopreservation does not affect apoptosis. However, cryopreservation seems to have an inhibitory effect on the level of ERβ. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the differential effects of freezing follicles at different stages of follicular development and ovarian steroidogenesis.
Microstructural Change of the Brain in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Voxel-Based Investigation by MRI

Abstract Background: Cognitive deficit is a common problem in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate if MRI can demonstrate microstructural volume loss and the diffusion anisotropic change in subjects with COPD, compared with cognitively normal (CN) subjects. Methods: Six subjects with severe COPD, 13 with moderate COPD, and 12 CN subjects underwent isotropic volumetric T1-weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Voxel-based statistical analyses among groups were performed on brain volumes, fractional anisotropy (FA) and trace. Cognitive function tests were performed in all subjects, and the Cognitive function tests (CFT) scores were compared among the three groups. Results: No significant regional difference in volume was found in both the severe and moderate COPD groups relative to the CN group. Comparing between severe COPD and CN, FA was reduced in both the cerebral cortices, and in frontoparietal periventricular white matter. The trace value of the severe COPD group was significantly higher in the cerebral cortices, and in frontoparietal periventricular white matter, than that of the CN group. The severe COPD group showed significantly lower scores in the language-related, visuospatial, and frontal executive functions compared to those of the CN and moderate COPD group. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that COPD could affect the axonal integrity in multiple brain regions, and change in DTI might be related with the severity of the COPD.
Surface Display of Foreign Epitopes on the Lactobacillus brevis S-Layer

ABSTRACT So far, the inability to establish viable Lactobacillus surface layer (S-layer) null mutants has hampered the biotechnological applications of Lactobacillus S-layers. In this study, we demonstrate the utilization of Lactobacillus brevis S-layer subunits (SlpA) for the surface display of foreign antigenic epitopes. With an inducible expression system, L. brevis strains producing chimeric S-layers were obtained after testing of four insertion sites in the slpA gene for poliovirus epitope VP1, that comprises 10 amino acids. The epitope insertion site allowing the best surface expression was used for the construction of an integration vector carrying the gene region encoding the c-Myc epitopes from the human c-myc proto-oncogene, which is composed of 11 amino acids. A gene replacement system was optimized for L. brevis and used for the replacement of the wild-type slpA gene with the slpA-c-myc construct. A uniform S-layer, displaying on its surface the desired antigen in all of the S-layer protein subunits, was obtained. The success of the gene replacement and expression of the uniform SlpA-c-Myc recombinant S-layer was confirmed by PCR, Southern blotting MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, whole-cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunofluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, the integrity of the recombinant S-layer was studied by electron microscopy, which indicated that the S-layer lattice structure was not affected by the presence of c-Myc epitopes. To our knowledge, this is the first successful expression of foreign epitopes in every S-layer subunit of a Lactobacillus S-layer while still maintaining the S-layer lattice structure.
Impaired Trafficking of Gnai2+/− and Gnai2−/− T Lymphocytes: Implications for T Cell Movement within Lymph Nodes

Signals generated by the engagement of chemoattractants with their cognate receptors orchestrate lymphocyte movements into and out of lymphoid organs and sites of inflammation. Yet, the role of chemokines in organizing lymphocyte movements in lymphoid organs is controversial. Recent evidence suggests that the extensive network of fibroblastic reticular cells within the T cell areas helps guide T cells. The expression of adhesion molecules and chemokines by fibroblastic reticular cells most likely facilitates their influence on T cell movements. Consistent with this hypothesis, CD4 T cells with defective chemokine receptor signaling move very differently within lymph nodes than do normal cells. For the imaging studies, we used CD4 T cells prepared from Gnai2−/− mice, which lack Gαi2 expression. We first demonstrate that CD4 as well as CD8 T cells from these mice are markedly defective in chemokine receptor signaling. Gnai2−/− T cells have profound defects in chemokine-induced intracellular calcium mobilization, chemotaxis, and homing, whereas Gnai2+/− T cells exhibit modest defects. Intravital imaging revealed that within the inguinal lymph nodes Gnai2−/− CD4 T accumulate at the cortical ridge, poorly accessing the lymph node paracortex. They also lack the customary amoeboid-like cell movements and active membrane projections observed with normal CD4 T cells. These results demonstrate the importance of Gαi2 for T lymphocyte chemokine receptor signaling and argue that local chemoattractants regulate the movement of CD4 T cells in lymph nodes.
Extragonadal germ cell tumors of the mediastinum and retroperitoneum: results from an international analysis.

PURPOSE To characterize the clinical and biologic features of extragonadal germ cell tumor (EGCT) and to determine the overall outcome with currently available treatment strategies. PATIENTS AND METHODS Of an unselected population of 635 consecutive patients treated from 1975 through 1996 at 11 cancer centers, 341 patients (54%) had primary mediastinal EGCT, and 283 patients (45%) had retroperitoneal EGCT. Five hundred twenty-four patients (83%) had a nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (GCT), and 104 patients (16%) had a seminomatous histology. RESULTS After platinum-based induction chemotherapy with or without secondary surgery, 141 patients (49%) with mediastinal nonseminomas (median follow-up, 19 months; range, 1 to 178 months) and 144 patients (63%) with retroperitoneal nonseminoma (median follow-up, 29 months; range, 1 to 203 months) are alive (P =.0006). In contrast, the overall survival rate for patients with a seminomatous EGCT is 88%, with no difference between patients with mediastinal or retroperitoneal tumor location (median follow-up, 49 months; range, 4 to 193 months; respective 70 months; range, 1 to 211 months). A significantly lower progression-free survival rate was found in seminoma patients treated with initial radiotherapy alone compared with chemotherapy. Nonseminomatous histology, presence of nonpulmonary visceral metastases, primary mediastinal GCT location, and elevated beta-human chorionic gonadotropin were independent prognostic factors for shorter survival. Hematologic malignancies (n = 17) occurred without exception in patients with primary mediastinal nonseminoma. Sixteen patients developed a metachronous testicular cancer despite the use of platinum-based chemotherapy. CONCLUSION Whereas patients with pure seminomatous EGCT histology have a long-term chance of cure of almost 90% irrespective of the primary tumor site, 45% of patients with mediastinal nonseminomas are alive at 5 years. This outcome is clearly inferior compared with patients with nonseminomatous retroperitoneal primary tumors.
Prospects for 'competitive exclusion' treatment to control salmonellas and other foodborne pathogens in poultry.

In newly hatched chicks, the rapid establishment of an adult-type intestinal microflora, via the oral route, produces almost immediate resistance to colonization by any food poisoning salmonellas that gain access to the rearing environment. Exploitation of the 'competitive exclusion' (CE) effect is now an accepted part of the overall strategy by which poultry-associated salmonellas are being controlled in some countries. This review covers practical aspects of CE treatment and factors affecting efficacy in both laboratory-scale trials and field studies. It also considers possible applications in preventing colonization of poultry with Escherichia coli O157 and Campylobacter jejuni. For the latter, evidence suggests that the 'protective' organisms are different from those involved in salmonella control.