Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The course of depressive symptoms in early Parkinson's disease

Little is known about the course of depressive symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). We studied the course of clinically significant depressive symptoms using data from two clinical trials that followed 413 early, untreated PD subjects for 12 to 18 months. We measured depressive symptoms with the 15‐item geriatric depression scale (GDS‐15); a score of ≥5 indicates clinically significant depressive symptoms. We used a time‐dependent Cox model to examine the association between demographic variables, PD severity, and medication use on the time to resolution of depressive symptoms. One hundred fourteen of 413 (27.6%) subjects were screened positive for depression during the study, with a median GDS‐15 score of 6, indicating mild symptoms. Within 6 months, 47% of subjects experienced remission of clinically significant depressive symptoms. Subjects with mild depressive symptoms were more likely to develop moderate to severe depressive symptoms (GDS ≥ 10) than those without prior symptoms (relative risk = 6.16). Increasing severity of depressive symptoms, older age, and longer PD duration predicted a lower likelihood of symptom resolution (hazard ratios 0.83–0.92). Mild depressive symptoms have a variable course, with remission and development of more sustained and severe symptoms occurring over time. More severe depressive symptoms may herald a protracted course. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
The Great Recession of 2007 in the United States and the male: female ratio at birth.

OBJECTIVE Male live births slightly exceed female live births by approximately 3%. The ratio of male to total live births is conventionally represented as M/F. Many factors have been shown to affect M/F, mainly privation, toxins, and stress, all of which reduce M/F. Population stress may be engendered by natural phenomena such as earthquakes and man-made events such as short wars, terrorist attacks, and contracting economies. This study was conducted to ascertain whether the onset of the "Great Recession" (2007) was associated with changes in M/F in the United States (US). MATERIAL AND METHODS Annual monthly live births by gender for January 2006 to December 2008 were obtained from United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. RESULTS In 2007, there were 4316233 live births [M/F: 0.51157; 95% confidence intervals: 0.51110-0.51205). M/F rose between January and June, and then fell sharply between August and December. M/F was statistically significantly lower in the second half of 2007 (p=0.007). The dip in M/F from June to July was also significant (p=0.02). These findings were not replicated in the amalgamated data for 2006 and 2008. CONCLUSION The United States housing boom of the mid-2000s was fueled by rising house prices and cheap mortgages given to credit-poor buyers. A halt in rising house prices resulted in defaults and foreclosures, triggering the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. The associated stress appears to have decreased M/F in the US.
Impact of epidermal growth factor (EGF) radioreceptor analysis on long-term survival of gastric cancer patients.

BACKGROUND The EGF receptor/ligand system seems to be involved in the regulation of gastric mucosa proliferation and progression of gastric carcinomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS EGF receptor levels were quantitatively determined in 47 gastric carcinomas by 125J [EGF] radioreceptor assays in membrane preparations of tumor samples or corresponding adjacent mucosa. Specific receptor binding was determined by the analysis of displacement curves by non-linear least-square regression analysis using an estimated model of 'goodness of fit'. RESULTS Increased EGF receptor binding was observed in gastric carcinomas (mean +/- SEM: 11.87 +/- 1.9 fmol/mg protein) in comparison to adjacent normal gastric mucosa ( 5.28 +/- 1.0 fmol/mg protein, p = 0.003). Elevated EGF receptor levels were especially found in more invasive T3/4 carcinomas, tumors with positive lymph nodes, advanced UICC III carcinomas, undifferentiated tumors, carcinomas of the diffuse-type according to Lauren's classification and gastric carcinomas localized distal from the cardia. In histopathologically normal appearing gastric mucosa, EGF-receptor levels were significantly decreased relative to corresponding tumor samples from advanced UICC stages (UICC I vs UICC I/II: p = 0.008) or tumors with low levels of differentiation (G2 vs G3: p = 0.028). Overall survival was significantly reduced in patients with advanced gastric carcinomas according to UICC classification (UICC III vs UICC I/II: 18.8 vs 45.5 months, p = 0.016). A subgroup analysis of gastric carcinomas localized distal from the cardia indicated, that increased EGF-receptor levels were an independent indicator of poor prognosis as determined by univariate (p = 0.020) and multivariate analysis (p = 0.042). CONCLUSION Gastric carcinomas with increased EGF receptors might be a possible target for anticancer strategies blocking the EGF receptor/ligand pathway.
Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Predicts Venous Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma : A Prospective Study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the correlation between serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level and the clinicopathologic features in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Summary Background DataVEGF is an important angiogenic factor regulating tumor angiogenesis. A high serum VEGF level has been shown to be associated with tumor progression and metastasis in several human cancers, but its significance in HCC is unclear. The correlation between serum VEGF level and tumor pathologic features in patients with HCC has not been studied before. MethodsPreoperative serum samples and tumor specimens were prospectively collected in 100 patients undergoing resection of HCC. Serum VEGF level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and tumor VEGF expression was assessed by immunohistochemical study. Histopathologic examination was performed by a pathologist without prior knowledge of the serum VEGF level or tumor VEGF expression. ResultsPreoperative serum VEGF levels ranged from 15 to 1,789 pg/mL (median 269). When serum VEGF levels were compared between groups categorized by different clinicopathologic variables, significant correlation was found between a high serum VEGF level and absence of tumor capsule, presence of intrahepatic metastasis, presence of microscopic venous invasion, and advanced stage. There was a positive correlation between the serum VEGF level and tumor expression of VEGF as well as platelet count. When the 75th percentile serum VEGF level (500 pg/mL) was used as a cutoff level, the frequency of venous invasion in patients with a high serum VEGF level was significantly greater compared with patients with a low serum VEGF level. By multivariate analysis, a serum VEGF level of more than 500 pg/mL and tumor size more than 5 cm were independent preoperative factors predictive of microscopic venous invasion. During a median follow-up of 11.6 months, 48% of patients with a serum VEGF level of more than 500 pg/mL and 27% of those with a serum VEGF level of 500 pg/mL or less developed postoperative recurrence. ConclusionsThese results show that a high preoperative serum VEGF level is a predictor of microscopic venous invasion in HCC, suggesting that the serum VEGF level may be useful as a biologic marker of tumor invasiveness and a prognostic factor in HCC.
Distribution of In Vivo Insulin Action in Pima Indians as Mixture of Three Normal Distributions

If a single gene produced insulin resistance, with environmental effects creating some additional variance, insulin action might be distributed as a mixture of two normal distributions if the gene is dominant or recessive or as a mixture of three normal distributions if the gene is codominant. To estimate maximal insulin-stimulated glucose uptake rates (MaxMs), hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps were performed on 245 nondiabetic Pima Indians (126 men, 119 women). Five models (for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 components each, normally distributed with a common variance) were fitted to the frequency distribution of MaxM by iterative maximum-likelihood estimation. The three-component model fit the data significantly better than a single normal distribution (χ2 = 14.3 with 4 df P < .01) or a mixture of two normal distributions (χ2 = 9.9 with 2 df, P < .01). Mixtures of four or five normal distributions did not fit the data significantly better than a mixture of three normal distributions. The first component of the distribution comprised 23%, the second 48%, and the third 29% of the total distribution. Similarly, the frequency distributions of fasting plasma insulin concentrations and a principal component score derived from MaxM and fasting insulin were best fitted by a mixture of three normal distributions. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that among Pimas, insulin resistance is determined by a single gene with a codominant mode of inheritance. Segregation analyses of studies performed in pedigrees are indicated to prove or disprove this genetic hypothesis.
Acute and Maintenance Electroconvulsive Therapy for Treatment of Severe Major Depression During the Second and Third Trimesters of Pregnancy With Infant Follow-Up to 18 Months: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is considered to be a safe and effective treatment in the management of severe mood disorders during pregnancy. Nevertheless, for the clinician in practice, decision making regarding ECT administration in this special population is challenging. This is due both to the risks of untreated or inadequately treated mental illness for the mother and the fetus as well as the risks of complications from ECT itself during pregnancy. Special measures and modifications of ECT procedures are required to minimize the risk of complications in pregnant patients undergoing ECT. Here we report the successful and safe administration of acute and continuation ECT in a 39-year-old pregnant patient with severe major depression. A total of 18 bilateral-bifrontal treatments were administered in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy with presession and postsession fetal monitoring. Following an elective cesarean delivery at 37 weeks of a healthy female infant, a total of 13 additional ECT treatments were administered as maintenance treatment in the first 6 months postpartum during which time the patient was successfully transitioned to antidepressant medication. Development of the child has been assessed as fully normal in all follow-up visits with the pediatrician out to 18 months.
Tumorigenesis and Neoplastic Progression c-Fos-Dependent Induction of the Small Ras-Related GTPase Rab11a in Skin Carcinogenesis

Malignant transformation of mouse skin by tumor promoters and chemical carcinogens, such as the phorbol ester 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), is a multistage process leading to the formation of squamous cell carcinomas. It has been shown that mice lacking the AP-1 family member c-Fos exhibit an impaired transition from benign to malignant skin tumors. Here, we demonstrate enhanced expression of the small Ras-related GTPase Rab11a after short-term TPA treatment of mouse back skin. Expression of Rab11a in vivo and in vitro critically depended on c-Fos, because TPA application to the back skin of c-Fos-deficient mice and to mouse embryonic fibroblasts did not induce Rab11a mRNA or protein expression. Moreover, dexamethasone, which is a potent inhibitor of AP-1-mediated transactivation that exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor promoting activities, inhibited TPA-induced expression of Rab11a. Within the Rab11a gene promoter, we identified a functional AP-1 binding element that exhibited elevated c-Fos binding activity after TPA treatment of keratinocytes. Enhanced expression was not restricted to chemically induced mouse skin tumors but was also found in tumor specimens derived from patients with epithelial skin tumors. These data identify Rab11a as a novel, tumor-associated c-Fos/AP-1 target
Differences in the Microstructural Properties of the Anteromedial and Posterolateral Bundles of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Background: Tissue properties of the anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) have not been previously characterized with real-time dynamic testing. The current study used a novel polarized light technique to measure the material and microstructural properties of the ACL. Hypothesis: The AM and PL bundles of the ACL have similar material and microstructural properties. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: The AM and PL bundles were isolated from 16 human cadaveric ACLs (11 male, 5 female; average age, 41 years [range, 24-53 years]). Three samples from each bundle were loaded in uniaxial tension, and a custom-built polarized light imaging camera was used to quantify collagen fiber alignment in real time. A bilinear curve fit was applied to the stress-strain data of a quasistatic ramp-to-failure to quantify the moduli in the toe and linear regions. Fiber alignment was quantified at zero strain, the transition point of the bilinear fit, and in the linear portion of the stress-strain curve by computing the degree of linear polarization (DoLP) and angle of polarization (AoP), which are measures of the strength and direction of collagen alignment, respectively. Data were compared using t tests. Results: The AM bundle exhibited significantly larger toe-region (AM 7.2 MPa vs PL 4.2 MPa; P < .001) and linear-region moduli (AM 27.0 MPa vs PL 16.1 MPa; P = .017) compared with the PL bundle. Average DoLP values were similar at low strain but were significantly larger (ie, more uniform alignment) for the AM bundle in the linear region of the stress-strain curve (AM 0.22 vs PL 0.19; P = .036) compared with the PL bundle. The standard deviation AoP values was larger for the PL bundle at both transition (P = .041) and linear-region strain (P = .014), indicating more disperse orientation. Conclusion: Material and microstructural properties of the AM and PL bundles of the ACL differ during loading. The AM bundle possessed higher tissue modulus and failure stress, as well as more uniform fiber alignment under load. Clinical Relevance: These insights into native ligament microstructure can be used to assess graft options for ACL reconstruction and optimize surgical reconstruction techniques.
Retinoid‐dependent mRNA expression and poly‐(A) contents in bovine oocytes meiotically arrested and/or matured in vitro

The presence of retinoic acid (RA) during in vitro maturation (IVM) improves bovine oocyte quality and developmental potential. In this work, we investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. Cumulus–oocyte complexes were meiotically arrested by roscovitine and/or matured in defined medium containing RA, 1% ethanol (vehicle), or no additives. Cumulus‐free oocytes were analyzed for poly‐(A) mRNA contents and relative mRNA expression of genes involved in cell cycle regulation (cyclin B1 and H1) and antioxidative defence (Mn‐superoxide dismutase and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase). Poly‐(A) mRNA increased after meiotic inhibition and decreased with IVM completion, both in meiotically arrested and permissively matured oocytes, i.e., matured without previous meiotic arrest. RA dramatically increased poly‐(A) mRNA in meiotically arrested oocytes, but more than half of the poly‐(A) mRNA disappeared during maturation. Irrespective of oocyte origin, transcripts were detected for all the genes analyzed. IVM, with or without previous meiotic inhibition, increased expression of cyclin B1 and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, and decreased cyclin H1 and Mn‐superoxide dismutase. Except for a decreasing of Mn‐superoxide dismutase in meiotically arrested and matured oocytes, RA did not affect mRNA expression. Ethanol led to an abnormal poly‐(A) mRNA profile and expression of all the genes analyzed. RA does not modify expression of cyclin B1 and HI genes in the bovine oocyte, and probably does not generate oxidative stress. In addition, RA enhanced mRNA amount as measured by poly‐(A) mRNA contents. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 69: 101–108, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of the Absence or Presence of Various Protein Supplements on Further Development of Bovine Oocytes During In Vitro Maturation1

Abstract The evaluation of culture medium for bovine oocytes has progressed toward more defined conditions during the last few years. The main objective of this study was to evaluate different sources of albumin as a protein supplement during in vitro maturation (IVM) of bovine oocytes in synthetic oviduct fluid medium (SOF). The replacement of protein with polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was also evaluated. The effect of recombinant human FSH on cumulus expansion and nuclear maturation in SOF containing BSA (BSA-V) or PVP-40 was also studied. Addition of BSA-V during IVM retarded nuclear maturation when compared with addition of PVP-40 or use of SOF alone. The inclusion of different concentrations of BSA-V, fetal calf serum (FCS), or PVA during IVM had no positive effect on the developmental capacity of the oocytes compared with the use of SOF alone with no supplement but significantly decreased the percentage of embryos reaching the morula and blastocyst stages. However, when BSA-V was replaced with purified BSA, BSA that was essentially free of fatty acids, or chicken egg albumin, embryonic development rates were restored. The presence of PVP-40 but not PVP-360 during IVM significantly increased morula and blastocyst production. These results indicate that although SOF alone can support bovine oocyte maturation, a high proportion of morulae and blastocysts can be produced from IVM oocytes cultured in medium containing PVP-40. These studies are the first to show that the effect of FSH on nuclear maturation and cumulus expansion is dependent on substrates present in IVM medium.
Protein-tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Deficiency Reduces Insulin Resistance and the Diabetic Phenotype in Mice with Polygenic Insulin Resistance*

Mice heterozygous for insulin receptor (IR) and IR substrate (IRS)-1 deficiency provide a model of polygenic type 2 diabetes in which early-onset, genetically programmed insulin resistance leads to diabetes. Protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) dephosphorylates tyrosine residues in IR and possibly IRS proteins, thereby inhibiting insulin signaling. Mice lacking PTP1B are lean and have increased insulin sensitivity. To determine whether PTP1B can modify polygenic insulin resistance, we crossed PTP1B–/– mice with mice with a double heterozygous deficiency of IR and IRS-1 alleles (DHet). DHet mice weighed slightly less than wild-type mice and exhibited severe insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, with ∼35% of DHet males developing diabetes by 9–10 weeks of age. Body weight in DHet mice with PTP1B deficiency was similar to that in DHet mice. However, absence of PTP1B in DHet mice markedly improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity at 10–11 weeks of age and reduced the incidence of diabetes and hyperplastic pancreatic islets at 6 months of age. Insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of IR, IRS proteins, Akt/protein kinase B, glycogen synthase kinase 3β, and p70S6K was impaired in DHet mouse muscle and liver and was differentially improved by PTP1B deficiency. In addition, increased phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase expression in DHet mouse liver was reversed by PTP1B deficiency. In summary, PTP1B deficiency reduces insulin resistance and hyperglycemia without altering body weight in a model of polygenic type 2 diabetes. Thus, even in the setting of high genetic risk for diabetes, reducing PTP1B is partially protective, further demonstrating its attractiveness as a target for prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes Complication Screening in 937 Children and Adolescents

Results are presented of diabetes complication screening in children and adolescents aged 6-20 years. Their diabetes duration was 0.02-18.4 yr and median HbA1c over the preceding 36 months was 8.4% [IQR 7.8-9.3]. Gradable retinal photographs were obtained in 937: 110 less than 11 years (< 11 yr Gp). Albumin excretion rate (AER) was obtained from 3 timed overnight urine collections in 691: 100 in < 11 yr Gp. Early retinopathy was found in 27% (9% in < 11 yr Gp). Microalbuminuria (AER > or = 20 micrograms/min) was found in 4%. Significant individual risk factors for both complications were higher blood pressure, cholesterol, HbA1c, pubertal staging, older age and longer diabetes duration. Using multiple logistic regression, significant risk factors for retinopathy were longer duration and older age and in addition higher HbA1c. Diabetes complication screening detected early subclinical disease in children and adolescents who may benefit from lowering blood pressure and improving metabolic control. Screening should commence after five years of duration in young children, and after two years of duration in adolescents.
Agency nursing in Melbourne, Australia: a telephone survey of hospital and agency managers.

BACKGROUND Agency nursing is a poorly understood and under-researched phenomenon. Despite the considerable costs and possible benefits of using agency nurses, little is known about the nature of agency nursing from different perspectives, including hospital and agency managers. AIM To describe the professional relationship between hospitals and nursing agencies, utilization trends of agency nurses, and institutional policies relating to the employment of agency nurses. METHODS A telephone survey was conveyed to managers of 70 acute hospitals (service purchasers) and 26 agencies (service providers) to provide baseline information on the utilization of agency nurses in acute hospitals in Melbourne, Australia. Introductory telephone calls were made to the chief nursing officers of the hospitals and the chief executive officers of nursing agencies in order to explain and seek approval for the proposed project. Approval to conduct telephone interviews was obtained from 30 acute hospitals and six agencies, representing a response rate of 43% and 23%, respectively. Separate questionnaires were used for the two categories of respondent. In some cases the questionnaire could not be completed using the telephone and a copy was then sent by post for completion. RESULTS Findings revealed the high utilization of agency nurses in hospitals, the limited nature of continuing education for agency nurses, tensions between matching agency nurse qualifications with acute specialty needs and the notion that agencies preferred nurses to be flexible in their work assignments. CONCLUSIONS The study was limited by the fact that the final sample was small (30 hospitals and six agencies), and therefore may not be representative of the wider population of Melbourne hospitals or agencies. However, it provided evidence on the utilization of agency nurses in public and private hospitals that will help shape policy on the regulation of the agency nursing workforce.