Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bevacizumab (B) plus gemcitabine (G) in patient (pts) with advanced pancreatic cancer (PC): Updated results of a multi-center phase II trial.

4009 Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors are overexpressed in PC. In preclinical models, anti-VEGF antibodies suppress PC growth and potentiate the activity of gemcitabine. High VEGF expression correlates with advanced stage and decreased survival in PC pts. These data suggest that anti-VEGF therapy may have utility in PC. Bevacizumab (Avastin) is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody to VEGF. METHODS We are conducting a phase II trial of BG in advanced PC pts at 8 centers. Eligible pts have no prior chemotherapy (except 5-FU as a radiosensitizer); PS 0-2; measurable disease; no tumor invasion of major vessels; no bleeding or thrombosis. G 1000 mg/m2 is given over 30 minutes days (D) 1, 8, 15 every 28 D. B 10 mg/kg is given D 1, 15 every 28D. CT scans are obtained every 2 cycles. Plasma VEGF levels are obtained pretreatment. 45 pts enrolled 11/01-12/03. Pt characteristics: male 47%; median age 61 (range 42-83); PS: 0/1/2: 62%/36%/2%; stage IV 100%; liver metastases 80%; prior radiation 18%. RESULTS 182 cycles of BG have been administered (median 3, range <1-11). 42 pts are currently evaluable for response in this ongoing trial (median follow-up 5.7 months). There are 9 confirmed partial responses (21% PR) lasting a median of 9.4 months. 19 pts (45%) had stable disease lasting a median of 5.4 months. Median time to progression is 5.8 months (95% CI: 4.8, 9.1). Median survival is 9.0 months (95% CI: 7.4, 12.4); 6-month survival is 74%. Grade ¾ toxicities (% pts): neutropenia 33%; leukopenia 30%; thrombocytopenia 7%; thrombosis 12%; bowel perforation 5%; hypertension, proteinuria, and headache 2% each. Grade 5 toxicities: 1 gastrointestinal bleed, 1 bowel perforation. Pretreatment plasma VEGF levels in 32 pts (range 0-586 pg/ml) showed no correlation with either response (Fisher's exact test p=1.00) or survival (Log rank test p=0.70). CONCLUSION BG is active and well-tolerated in advanced PC. The median survival of 9.0 months and the 74% 6-month survival are encouraging. A randomized phase III trial of BG vs. G is in development in the Cancer and Leukemia Group B. Supported by NCI grant N01-CM-17102. [Table: see text].
[Darbepoetin in the treatment of the renal anaemia in the patient undergoing peritoneal dialysis previously treated with epoetin alfa].

INTRODUCTION In 2002, it was contraindicated the use of epoetin alfa by a subcutaneous way to avoid the risk of the pure red cell aplasia in chronic renal failure patients. This forced to change the prescription in the way it was supplied, which was especially problematic in predialysis and peritoneal dialysis, as treating out-patients, that is why it was necessary to change to epoetina beta o darbepoetin, where this contraindication was not established, in order to continue using this way. The darbepoetin has an average lifetime longer than the epoetin. Its efficacy and security have been well studied, especially in pre-dialysis and haemodialysis, but little less in peritoneal dialysis. AIMS To evaluate our experience about the efficacy and security of darbepoetin alfa, by a subcutaneous way, in our programme of peritoneal dialysis, after the conversion of the patients previously treated with epoetin alfa. PATIENTS AND METHODS 35 patients. 7 analytical and clinical controls are evaluated, 2 before and 5 after the conversion, with an interval of 6 weeks. Statistics methods: means +/- typical deviation, medians, distribution of frequencies, Wilcoxon test and Friedman test. RESULTS The change into darbepoetin alfa has been successful in maintaining stable haemoglobin levels in patients in peritoneal dialysis, without meaningful changes in the mean levels of haemoglobin before and after the conversion. The percentage of patients with haemoglobin in the rank 11-13 g/dl (85%) has been higher with the darbepoetin, probably due to the dose increment in the patients with previous levels of haemoglobin less than 11 g/dl. The dosages might have been widely separated (7.5 +/- 3 vs 9.2 +/- 3.2 days). The darbepoetin has been well tolerated, without any important adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS The conversion of epoetin alfa into darbepoetin alfa in peritoneal dialysis was simple, effective, secure and well tolerated.
Effect of Acetabular Labrum Tears on Hip Stability and Labral Strain in a Joint Compression Model

Background Acetabular labrum tears are now commonly diagnosed in young and active patients. Because the role of the acetabular labrum is incompletely understood, it is critical to determine how these tears affect native hip biomechanics. Hypothesis Radial and circumferential labral tears significantly decrease hip stability and significantly alter strain patterns in the anterior and anterior-superior acetabular labrum. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Twenty-two human cadaveric hips without evidence of degeneration or dysplasia were assigned to a circumferential tear (n = 11) and a radial tear (n = 11) group. The hips were tested in a neutral position with an average compressive force of 25 N. In the circumferential tear group, the labral states were intact; 1-, 2-, and 3-cm circumferential tears; a 3-cm partial labrectomy; and a full labrectomy. In the radial tear group, the labral states were intact; a radial tear; a 1-, 2-, and 3-cm partial labrectomy; and a full labrectomy. The effect of labral injury on the stability ratio (peak dislocation force/compressive loads) and labral strain in the anterior and anterior-superior labrum was analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results There was no significant difference in stability ratio after circumferential tears 3 cm or less in size compared with the intact labral state. Strain in the anterior and anterior-superior labrum was either unchanged or increased after circumferential labral tear. There was no significant difference in stability ratio after a radial tear or a 1-cm partial labrectomy compared with the intact labral state. A 2-cm partial labrectomy significantly decreased the stability ratio. Anterior and anterior-superior labral strain significantly decreased after a radial tear. Conclusion Under the influence of joint compression in a neutral hip position, the acetabular labrum continues to resist femoral head dislocation despite detachment from the acetabular rim. A radial tear in the acetabular labrum decreases adjacent labral strain, but removal of 2 cm or more of the acetabular labrum is needed before hip stability decreases. Clinical Relevance The findings suggest that the acetabular labrum continues to function to resist femoral head translation despite chondral-labral separation and that labral preservation, particularly with larger tears, may be important for maintaining hip stability. Further studies are needed to determine the effect of partial labral excision on the stability ratio with the hip in provocative positions such as extension, external rotation, and abduction.
The role of copper particle size in low pressure methanol synthesis via CO2 hydrogenation over Cu/ZnO catalysts

Cu/ZnO catalysts with different mean Cu particle sizes were prepared by wet impregnation of copper nitrate onto a zinc oxide support. Their performance was studied in methanol synthesis reaction from CO2 and H2 at temperatures between 160 and 225 °C and a pressure of 7 bar. Selective methanol formation is favored at lower temperatures due to the suppression of CO production. Activation energies were 8–11 kcal mol−1 for methanol formation and 29–31 kcal mol−1 for CO formation and were similar for all the catalysts. For catalysts with copper cluster sizes between 8.5 and 37.3 nm, the methanol formation rates normalized by surface copper atoms were independent of copper particle size. On the contrary, CO formation rates are enhanced over catalysts with smaller copper clusters. Higher selectivity to methanol is favored over catalysts possessing larger copper nanoparticles. Catalysts with copper loading ≥8 wt. % showed a strong sintering of copper nanoparticles and also a significant growth of ZnO support crystallites. These catalysts presented higher intrinsic rates for methanol formation (4 × 10−3 s−1 at 180 °C) compared to catalysts with lower copper loading (0.9 × 10−3 s−1). As the kinetic parameters were similar for all Cu/ZnO catalysts, it is proposed that catalysts with large copper and ZnO particles form new active sites that led ultimately to a very high methanol synthesis activity and selectivity. It is suggested that the important sintering of Cu particles modifies the structure of copper promoting the hydrogenation rate in methanol synthesis.
Prospective uncertainty : The r ange of p ossible f utures in p hysical p redictions

Recent research has suggested that people make physical predictions based on extrapolation from a noisy representation of the world, which gives rise to a probabilistic distribution over possible future worlds. But can people use the uncertainty of their predictions to inform their decisions, or can people access only a single possible future? Here we demonstrate that confidence-sensitive decisions about the future track the amount of uncertainty expected from probabilistic forward extrapolations. Participants were asked to make predictions about where a ball would go and indicate an expected range around that prediction. This range was well correlated with two measures of uncertainty: variability in predictions across participants and the amount of uncertainty expected by a model of physical prediction. This suggests that people form a probabilistic distribution over possible futures in the course of physical prediction and base their decisions about the future on this range.
No effect of antioxidant supplementation on muscle performance and blood redox status adaptations to eccentric training.

BACKGROUND It was recently reported that antioxidant supplementation decreases training efficiency and prevents cellular adaptations to chronic exercise. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin C and vitamin E supplementation on muscle performance, blood and muscle redox status biomarkers, and hemolysis in trained and untrained men after acute and chronic exercise. A specific type of exercise was applied (eccentric) to produce long-lasting and extensive changes in redox status biomarkers and to examine more easily the potential effects of antioxidant supplementation. DESIGN In a double-blinded fashion, men received either a daily oral supplement of vitamin C and vitamin E (n = 14) or placebo (n = 14) for 11 wk (started 4 wk before the pretraining exercise testing and continued until the posttraining exercise testing). After baseline testing, the subjects performed an eccentric exercise session 2 times/wk for 4 wk. Before and after the chronic eccentric exercise, the subjects underwent one session of acute eccentric exercise, physiologic measurements were performed, and blood samples and muscle biopsy samples (from 4 men) were collected. RESULTS The results failed to support any effect of antioxidant supplementation. Eccentric exercise similarly modified muscle damage and performance, blood redox status biomarkers, and hemolysis in both the supplemented and nonsupplemented groups. This occurred despite the fact that eccentric exercise induced marked changes in muscle damage and performance and in redox status after exercise. CONCLUSION The complete lack of any effect on the physiologic and biochemical outcome measures used raises questions about the validity of using oral antioxidant supplementation as a redox modulator of muscle and redox status in healthy humans.
Triazolam-amphetamine interaction: dissociation of effects on memory versus arousal

It is well-documented that benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotics produce robust dose-dependent memoryimpairing effects. However, benzodiazepines also induce marked sedation, as reflected in changes in observer and subjective ratings of arousal and impaired psychomotor performance. Thus, it is possible that the observed amnestic effects are secondary to more global sedative effects, and do not reflect a specific, primary, benzodiazepine effect on memory mechanisms. This study was designed to use the non-specific stimulant d-amphetamine to dissociate the sedative and memory-impairing effects of the benzodiazepine triazolam. Across four sessions, 20 healthy adult volunteers received via oral capsule administration placebo, 0.25 mg/70 kg triazolam alone, 20 mg/70 kg d-amphetamine sulfate alone, and triazolam (0.25 mg/70 kg) and d-amphetamine (20 mg/70 kg) conjointly, in a double-blind, staggered dosing, cross-over design. d-Amphetamine significantly reversed the effects of triazolam on all participant rating and psychomotor performance-based measures of sedative effects, and selectively reversed the memory-impairing effects of triazolam on some measures (e.g. working memory assessed by a 2-back task, episodic memory assessed by free recall, metamemory), but not others (e.g. working memory assessed by a digit recall task, episodic memory assessed by recognition memory). Results suggest that benzodiazepines do have specific effects on memory that are not merely a by-product of the drugs' sedative effects, and that the degree to which sedative effects contribute to the amnestic effects may vary as a function of the particular memory process being assessed. In addition to enhancing the understanding of the mechanisms underlying benzodiazepine induced amnesia, these results may also contribute to a better understanding of the complex relationship between specific memory processes and level of arousal.
Prevalence and persistence of Neisseria cinerea and other Neisseria spp. in adults

Neisseria cinerea is a commensal Neisseria sp. which was first described in 1906 but was subsequently misclassified as a subtype of Branhamella catarrhalis. N. cinerea resembles Neisseria gonorrhoeae in both cultural and biochemical characteristics and, thus, may also have been misidentified as N. gonorrhoeae. Of 202 patients whose oropharynges were colonized by Neisseria spp. , N. cinerea was isolated in 57 (28.2%) patients, including 25 (30.1%) of 83 women, 22 (23.9%) of 92 heterosexual men, and 10 (37.0%) of 27 homosexual men in Seattle, Wash. , in 1983 to 1984. N. cinerea was isolated from the urethra of only one (1.1%) patient. The oropharynges of many individuals were colonized persistently by strains of N. cinerea and other Neisseria spp.
Towards Integrating Technology Supported Peer-to-peer Assessments into Mathematics Education - Experiences with iPad Mobile Tablet Technology

: This paper addresses technology supported formative assessment in university mathematics education. The challenges of formative assessment are the requirements for regular feedback and more student engagement in the learning process. This paper suggests integrating peer-to-peer assessment in mathematics education, using mobile tablet technology. The students are engaged in providing feedback to each other and the technology allows for fast and regular feedback provision. The paper presents the results of experiments with undergraduate engineering students, using iPad tablets and a learning management system. It is shown that mobile tablet technology can greatly contribute to the integration of peer-to-peer assessment into mathematics education; and providing peer-feedback is a practical approach to formative assessment.
A Comprehensive tRNA Genomic Survey Unravels the Evolutionary History of tRNA Arrays in Prokaryotes

Considering the importance of tRNAs in the translation machinery, scant attention has been paid to tRNA array units defined as genomic regions containing at least 20 tRNA genes with a minimal tRNA gene density of two tRNA genes per kilobase. Our analysis of Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans CF27 and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans ATCC 23270T genomes showed that both display a tRNA array unit with syntenic conservation which mainly contributed to the tRNA gene redundancy in these two organisms. Our investigations into the occurrence and distribution of tRNA array units revealed that 1) this tRNA organization is limited to few phyla and mainly found in Gram-positive bacteria; and 2) the presence of tRNA arrays favors the redundancy of tRNA genes, in particular those encoding the core tRNA isoacceptors. Finally, comparative array organization revealed that tRNA arrays were acquired through horizontal gene transfer (from Firmicutes or unknown donor), before being subjected to tRNA rearrangements, deletions, and duplications. In Bacilli, the most parsimonious evolutionary history involved two common ancestors and the acquisition of their arrays arose late in evolution, in the genera branches. Functional roles of the array units in organism lifestyle, selective genetic advantage and translation efficiency, as well as the evolutionary advantages of organisms harboring them were proposed. Our study offers new insight into the structural organization and evolution of tRNA arrays in prokaryotic organisms.
Monoamine oxidase A–uVNTR genotype affects limbic brain activity in response to affective facial stimuli

Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) enzymatically degrades biogenic amines such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, and plays a key role in the regulation of their neurotransmission. Allelic variations at the MAOA locus have been implicated in the neurobiology of aggression and impulsivity. We investigated the possible relationship between the MAOA–upstream variable number of tandem repeats (uVNTR) polymorphism and brain responses to negative facial stimuli, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We found a significant association between a low activity allele of MAOA–uVNTR and neural activation to negative facial stimuli. In the sad condition, participants with the low activity allele showed greater brain activity in the left amygdala. In the angry condition, participants with the low activity allele showed greater brain activity in the right anterior cingulate cortex and hippocampus. Our results suggest that MAOA–uVNTR polymorphism can affect activation of limbic regions, elicited by negative emotional stimuli.
The tax gene of human T-cell leukemia virus type 2 is essential for transformation of human T lymphocytes

The mechanism of human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV)-mediated transformation and induction of malignancy is unknown; however, several studies have implicated the viral gene product, Tax. Conclusive evidence for the role of Tax in the HTLV malignant process has been impeded by the inability to mutate tax in the context of an infectious virus and dissociate viral replication from cellular transformation. To circumvent this problem we constructed a mutant of HTLV type 2 (HTLV-2) that replicates by a Tax-independent mechanism. For these studies, the Tax response element in the viral long terminal repeat was replaced with the cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter enhancer (C-enh). Transcription of the chimeric HTLV-2 (HTLVC-enh) was efficiently directed by this heterologous promoter. Also, the chimeric virus transformed primary human T lymphocytes with an efficiency similar to that of wild-type HTLV-2. A tax-knockout virus, termed HTLVC-enhDeltaTax, was constructed to directly assess the importance of Tax in cellular transformation. Transfection and infection studies indicated that HTLVC-enhDeltaTax was replication competent; however, HTLVC-enhDeltaTax failed to transform primary human T lymphocytes. We conclude that Tax is essential for HTLV-mediated transformation of human T lymphocytes. Furthermore, this chimeric HTLV, that replicates in the absence of Tax, should facilitate studies to determine the precise mechanism of T-lymphocyte transformation by HTLV.
Sex differences in ADHD symptom severity.

BACKGROUND Males show higher rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than do females. Potential explanations include genuine etiological differences or artifact. METHODS 2,332 twin and sibling youth participated in behavioral and cognitive testing. Partially competing models of symptom severity distribution differences, the mean difference, and variance difference models, were tested within a randomly selected subsample. The Delta method was used to test for mediation of sex differences in ADHD symptom severity by processing speed, inhibition and working memory. RESULTS The combined mean difference and variance difference models fully explained the sex difference in ADHD symptom severity. Cognitive endophenotypes mediated 14% of the sex difference effect. CONCLUSIONS The sex difference in ADHD symptom severity is valid and may be due to differing genetic and cognitive liabilities between the sexes.
The effect of temperature upon the production of herpes simplex virus in tissue culture.

The majority of adult human beings have been infected with the herpes simplex virus, judging from the high percentage of the general population whose sera contain complement fixing or neutralizing antibodies (50–90% depending upon the segment of the population tested) (1–7). Once the infection is acquired it appears that the virus may remain in some tissue or tissues in a latent or inapparent state and that under proper conditions it can become active to produce disease in the form of recurrent herpes simplex infections. Some of those who have serologic evidence of infection with the herpes simplex virus develop recurrent disease without apparent cause or in association with such common-place occurrences as menstruation, exposure to sunlight and emotional stress. In contrast, the majority of persons who have serologic evidence of herpetic infection develop recurrent herpes simplex lesions if they contract certain febrile bacterial infections, especially those caused by Meningococci or Pneumococci.
Rheumatoid arthritis in women: still associated with an increased mortality

In recent onset RA excess mortality is not related to disease severity The mortality associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been extensively studied over the past 50 years. Many studies have shown that patients with RA have higher mortality rates than those of the general population.1–4 Hospital based cohorts of patients with RA tend to have higher standardised mortality rates than RA cohorts derived from the community.3 This suggests that the excess mortality in RA is related to disease severity. Most studies of mortality in RA have been carried out in cohorts of patients with established RA. However, more recently, there have been a number of studies of the mortality of inception cohorts of patients with RA. Two studies of RA inception cohorts with disease onset in the 1980s, recruited from hospital settings, failed to find any increase in mortality during the early years of follow up.5,6 By contrast, three other studies of inception cohorts, identified from the community or primary care during an equivalent period of time, showed continuing greater mortality in women with RA even in the early years of the disease.7–9 In this issue of the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases investigators of the Iowa Women’s Health Study report that mortality is increased in women with older onset RA during the early …
Depressive Symptoms in the Frail Elderly: Physical and Psycho-Social Correlates

The elderly who suffer from chronic illness are at unusually high risk of depression and depressive symptoms. This study was conducted to describe the prevalence of depressive symptoms in a sample of chronically-ill elders and to examine the relationship between physical illness and depression, both as it is illuminated in a regression model and as it is understood by the respondents themselves. Interviews were conducted with a random sample of 100 clients in a community-based care program for low-income elderly at risk of nursing home placement. Over one-third of the sample (36%) reported significant depressive symptoms, as measured by the CES-D. Multiple regression analysis identified functional limitations, cognitive impairment and self-perception as significant correlates of depression in a model that explained 30 percent of the variance in CES-D scores.