Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of metallothioneins in tumor cells.

Metallothioneins (MT) are low molecular weight proteins present both in normal and in neoplastic cells. They represent the main mechanism of the cell which protects it from action of heavy metal ions and the principal zinc-binding proteins. MT act as controllers of zinc-dependent enzymes, participating, i.a. , in cell proliferation processes. The latter is of basic significance also in neoplastic diseases. Despite the relatively short period of studies on the role of MT in neoplastic processes, several data confirm their prognostic significance. Such data have been obtained in studies on expression of the proteins in breast, renal, urinary bladder, ovarian, laryngeal and lung cancers. MT are thought to play certain role in carcinogenesis, as indicated by results of studies on malignant tumors of large bowel, liver and stomach. The frequently noted positive correlation between MT expression and the expression of Ki-67 and PCNA antigens points to role of the proteins in the cell proliferation mechanism. Results collected and discussed in present paper, obtained by various authors and related to the role of MT expression in cells of various malignant tumors suggest a potential for using the protein as a prognostic factor in neoplastic diseases.
The association between regulatory focus and distress in patients with a chronic disease: the moderating role of partner support.

OBJECTIVES To determine the association between two regulatory foci (i.e. promotion and prevention focus) and distress in patients with chronic disease requiring self-management, and to determine whether these associations were moderated by partner support. DESIGN AND METHOD Four hundred and seventy-seven patients with diabetes, asthma, or heart disease completed a postal survey consisting of the Regulatory Focus Questionnaire, questionnaires measuring active engagement (i.e. supportive behaviour) and protective buffering and overprotection (i.e. unsupportive behaviour) by the partner as perceived by the patient, and the General Health Questionnaire-12 to measure distress. RESULTS A promotion focus was negatively associated with distress. This association was only found when patients reported that their partner engaged in relatively low levels of active engagement or relatively high levels of protective buffering and overprotection. The positive association between prevention focus and distress was not consistently found to be moderated by partner support. CONCLUSION Active engagement appears to buffer against high distress in patients with a weak promotion focus, while protective buffering and overprotection appear to aggravate distress in these patients.
Remote controlled high-Q cavity filters providing center frequency and bandwidth re-allocation

A novel re-configuration approach for high-Q cavity filters is shown to provide re-allocation of center frequency and bandwidth with only two actuations drives. It relies on a side-wall cavity arrangement that allows independent movement of the cavity end-walls at both sides; i.e. all cavity end-walls at each side are associated with one remote-controlled drive unit for a synchronous adjustment. Thus, the lengths of the cavities and the electro-magnetic (EM) field strength at the coupling discontinuities can be varied to accommodate flexible center frequency and bandwidth re-allocations. This basic principle has been considered for the implementation of 2- and 5-order filters at 11.2GHz using TE113 dual-mode cavities. The designs have been focused to satisfy the same demands imposed on comparable fixed filters, namely the realization of responses with convenient located transmission zeros (TZ) and the same high unloaded Q for all reallocations. The special design considerations for this reconfigurable filter development are introduced. The results of the EM-analysis of the 5-order filter and the measured remote controlled hardware of the 2-order design prove the feasibility of remote controlled center frequency and bandwidth reallocation with only two actuation drives.
Trends in Smoking Rates by Level of Psychological Distress-Time Series Analysis of US National Health Interview Survey Data 1997-2014.

INTRODUCTION People with mental health problems have high rates of smoking, and represent a large proportion of adult smokers in the United States. However, few public health programs in tobacco control address mental health. This study sought to determine if smoking is declining at comparable rates in people with different levels of psychological distress. METHODS Time series analysis of smoking prevalence between 1997 and 2014 was undertaken, by level of psychological distress, age group, and sex using data from the US National Health Interview Survey, a series of cross-sectional surveys. Exponential smoothing and auto-regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) modeling were used to estimate trends over time. RESULTS Smoking prevalence has declined steadily in adults with no psychological distress. In males the smoking rate has dropped from 24.4% in 1997 to 16.6% in 2014 in the underlying trend series, a decline of 0.46 percentage points per year (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.43-0.48), and in females from 18.4% to 11.3%, a decline of 0.42 percentage points per year (95% CI: 0.39-0.45). In males with high psychological distress there was a much smaller and statistically nonsignificant reduction of 0.08 percentage points per year (95% CI: -0.26-0.42) from 45.6% in 1997 to 44.9% in 2014, while in females the annual rate of decline was 0.29 percentage points (95% CI: -0.11-0.47) representing a smaller decline from 42.0% in 1997 to 37.7% in 2014. CONCLUSIONS People with high levels of psychological distress continue to smoke at particularly high rates, and may benefit less from existing tobacco control measures. IMPLICATIONS Rates of smoking have declined substantially over time in people with no or low levels of psychological distress and much smaller reductions have occurred in people with high levels of psychological distress. If this trend continues the disparity in smoking rates by levels of psychological distress will continue to rise. These results suggest people with high levels of psychological distress do not benefit to the same extent as others from existing tobacco control measures. Psychological distress and mental illness may be important considerations for future tobacco control efforts.
Comparison of continuous-flow and pulsatile-flow left ventricular assist devices: is there an advantage to pulsatility?

BACKGROUND Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CFVAD) are currently the most widely used type of mechanical circulatory support as bridge-to-transplant and destination therapy for end-stage congestive heart failure (HF). Compared to the first generation pulsatile-flow left ventricular assist devices (PFVADs), CFVADs have demonstrated improved reliability and durability. However, CFVADs have also been associated with certain complications thought to be linked with decreased arterial pulsatility. Previous studies comparing CFVADs and PFVADs have presented conflicting results. It is important to understand the outcome differences between CFVAD and PFVAD in order to further advance the current VAD technology. METHODS In this review, we compared the outcomes of CFVADs and PFVADs and examined the need for arterial pulsatility for the future generation of mechanical circulatory support. RESULTS CVADs offer advantages of smaller size, increased reliability and durability, and subsequent improvements in survival. However, with the increasing duration of long-term support, it appears that CFVADs may have specific complications and a lower rate of left ventricular recovery associated with diminished pulsatility, increased pressure gradients on the aortic valve and decreased compliance in smaller arterial vessels. PFVAD support or pulsatility control algorithms in CFVADs could be beneficial and potentially necessary for long term support. CONCLUSIONS Given the relative advantages and disadvantages of CFVADs and PFVADs, the ultimate solution may lie in incorporating pulsatility into current and emerging CFVADs whilst retaining their existing benefits. Future studies examining physiologic responses, end-organ function and LV remodeling at varying degrees of pulsatility and device support levels are needed.
[The plasma levels and diagnostic utility of selected hematopoietic growth factors in endometrial cancer patients and with myoma uteri].

UNLABELLED Hematopoietic growth factors (HGFs) are involved in the regulation of growth hematopoietic cells. Some clinical investigations have shown an autologous production of HGFs in various human cell lines in vitro and by tumour cells in vivo, for example in endometrial cancer. THE AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate the plasma levels and diagnostics utility of selected HGFs, such as SCF M-CSF, G-CSF in endometrial cancer patients and with myoma uteri. MATERIAL AND METHODS We have investigated the plasma levels of HGFs and tumor marker like CA 125 in patients with endometrial cancer (55 women), with myoma uteri (30 patients) and in 30 healthy subjects. HGFs were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), CA 125 was measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CMIA). RESULTS SCF and M-CSF similarly to CA 125 plasma levels were significantly higher in endometrial cancer patients comparing to the healthy subjects. Furthermore M-CSF was significantly higher in endometrial cancer comparing to the myoma patients. The diagnostic sensitivity of M-CSF was high and slightly lower than CA 125 (51% and 60% respectively). The combined use of all tested cytokines resulted in the increased sensitivity range, especially with marker CA 125 (84%). Diagnostic specificities were high and equal for all tested cytokines and for CA 125(93%). Positive predictive values (PPV) were high for all tested parameters, and negative predictive values (NPV) were higher enough to exclude endometrial cancer. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggest that tested cytokines (HGFs) can be clinically useful in diagnostic of endometrial cancer patients. M-CSF can be clinically useful in differentiation of endometrial cancer and myoma uteri. Furthermore SCF and M-CSF showed usefulness in primary diagnostic of cancer uteri, especially with CA 125.
Influence of ghrelin on interdigestive gastrointestinal motility in humans

Background: Recent studies in animals have shown that ghrelin stimulates upper gastrointestinal motility through the vagus and enteric nervous system. The aim of the present study therefore was to simultaneously investigate the effect of administration of ghrelin on upper gastrointestinal motility and to elucidate its mode of action by measuring plasma levels of gastrointestinal hormones in humans. Materials and methods: Nine healthy volunteers (four males; aged 22–35 years) underwent combined antroduodenal manometry and proximal stomach barostat study on two separate occasions at least one week apart. Twenty minutes after the occurrence of phase III of the migrating motor complex (MMC), saline or ghrelin 40 μg was administered intravenously over 30 minutes in a double blind, randomised, crossover fashion. Ghrelin, motilin, pancreatic polypeptide, glucagon, and somatostatin were measured by radioimmunoassay in blood samples obtained at 15–30 minute intervals. The influence of ghrelin or saline on MMC phases, hormone levels, and intraballoon volume was compared using paired t test, ANOVA, and χ2 testing. Results: Spontaneous phase III occurred in all subjects, with a gastric origin in four. Administration of ghrelin induced a premature phase III (12 (3) minutes, p<0.001; gastric origin in nine, p<0.05), compared with saline (95 (13) minutes, gastric origin in two). Intraballoon volumes before infusion were similar (135 (13) v 119 (13) ml; NS) but ghrelin induced a longlasting decrease in intraballoon volume (184 (31) v 126 (21) ml in the first 60 minutes; p<0.05). Administration of ghrelin increased plasma levels of pancreatic polypeptide and ghrelin but motilin, somatostatin, and glucagon levels were not altered. Conclusions: In humans, administration of ghrelin induces a premature gastric phase III of the MMC, which is not mediated through release of motilin. This is accompanied by prolonged increased tone of the proximal stomach.
Energy expenditure in critically ill children

Objective: To assess the measured resting energy expenditure pattern over time in a group of critically ill children who were admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit and to determine whether a hypermetabolic response, i.e., >10% above predicted, occurred in a pattern similar to that observed in adults. A secondary aim was to compare the accuracy of a newly derived prediction equation specific to the pediatric intensive care unit and the measured resting energy expenditure. Design: A prospective, clinical, observational study. Setting: A pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care medical center. Patients: Forty-four children (29 males, 15 females) ages 2 wks to 17 yrs. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: During the course of their stay in the pediatric intensive care unit, 44 patients' measured resting energy expenditure was assessed using indirect calorimetry 94 times at up to three time points. The first measurement was at a mean time of 25 ± 10 (±sd) hrs after admission, the second at 73 ± 16 hrs, and the third immediately before discharge, which occurred at a mean of 193 ± 93 hrs after admission. Measured energy expenditure varied only slightly (7% to 10%) from the first to second and the second to third measurements. Evidence for hypermetabolism was not apparent. Generally, the prediction equations performed well. Mean measured resting energy expenditure for all measurements was 821 ± 653 kcals/24 hrs. The Schofield equation estimate was 798 ± 595 kcals/24 hrs and the White equation estimate was 815 ± 564 kcals/24 hrs (p = not significant). Nineteen (20%) measurements were >110% above the age-appropriate Schofield-predicted equation, and 30 measurements (32%) were <90% below that predicted by Schofield. Consequently, 45% of measured resting energy expenditure measurements were within 90% to 110% of that predicted by the Schofield equation. The White equation was inaccurate (not within 10% of measured resting energy expenditure) in 66 of 94 measurements (70%). The discrepancy was greatest (100%) in children with measured resting energy expenditure <450 kcal/24 hrs. Conclusion: The hypermetabolic response apparent in adults was not evident in these critically ill children. Currently available prediction equations cannot substitute for indirect calorimetry measurement of energy expenditure in guiding nutritional support in pediatric intensive care units.
EXPERIMENTAL INFECTION AND HORIZONTAL TRANSMISSION OF MODOC VIRUS IN DEER MICE (PEROMYSCUS MANICULATUS)

Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) were inoculated with a sublethal dose of a field strain of Modoc virus to determine patterns of viral persistence, shedding, and transmission. Blood, serum, urine, fecal, and oral swab samples were collected at selected intervals until 63 days postinoculation (PI) after which lung, liver, spleen, kidney, and salivary glands were explanted. Viral assays were conducted by intracranial inoculations of suckling mice and antibody titers were determined by the micro-complement-fixation test. Viremias lasted for up to 4 days PI. Antibody titers were present by day 8 PI, peaked at day 13–20 PI, and persisted until day 63 PI. There was no evidence of viral shedding in urine, fecal, or oral swab samples. Virus was detected in explanted lungs only. In a separate experiment, deer mice were inoculated with virus and lungs were removed from five mice per wk for 10 wk. Indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) techniques were used to determine the location of virus in lung tissue and to examine fixed tissue for lesions. IFA showed virus in lung parenchymal cells beginning 42 days PI and persisting at least 70 days PI. No histopathologic changes were seen. Horizontal transmission of the virus was studied by placing uninoculated mice with inoculated mice for 42 days and determining if the test animals developed antibodies or had virus in their lungs. Fifty-percent of the uninoculated mice developed antibody. One of these animals had virus in its lungs. Therefore, Modoc virus may be transmitted by direct contact.
Sorafenib for the treatment of thyroid cancer: an updated review

Introduction: Sorafenib (Nexavar) is an oral multi-kinase inhibitor targeting B-type Raf kinase (BRAF) (both wild type and BRAFV600E), VEGFR1, VEGFR2, VEGFR3, PDGFRβ and RET (also RET/PTC) influencing both differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Areas covered: Encouraging results achieved in numerous Phase II trials were confirmed in a Phase III study conducted in radioiodine-refractory DTC. Sorafenib compared to placebo significantly prolongs progression-free survival, 10.8 versus 5.8 months, respectively. However, its administration resulted mainly in disease stabilization. No complete remission was obtained in any study. Beneficial effects were also demonstrated for medullary and anaplastic thyroid cancer; however further studies fulfilling evidence based medicine criteria are necessary. Its toxicity profile is convergent with other VEGFR inhibitors. The most common treatment-related side-effects involve skin toxicity (predominantly hand-foot skin reaction, different rashes and alopecia), gastrointestinal disturbances (diarrhea, abdominal pain), constitutional adverse reactions (anorexia, weight loss, fatigue) and hypertension. Although most adverse reactions are manageable, > 50% of patients required dose reduction. Expert opinion: Sorafenib constitutes the first line treatment option in advanced, radioiodine-refractory DTC. However, there are still no data on its efficacy in patients progressed after another tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Other applications of the drug, such as use as adjuvant therapy to 131-I treatment, requires further studies.
Growth and Morphogenesis during Early Heart Development in Amniotes

In this review, we will focus on the growth and morphogenesis of the developing heart, an aspect of cardiovascular development to which Antoon Moorman and colleagues have extensively contributed. Over the last decades, genetic studies and characterization of regionally regulated gene programs have provided abundant novel insights into heart development essential to understand the basis of congenital heart disease. Heart morphogenesis, however, is inherently a complex and dynamic three-dimensional process and we are far from understanding its cellular basis. Here, we discuss recent advances in studying heart morphogenesis and regionalization under the light of the pioneering work of Moorman and colleagues, which allowed the reinterpretation of regional gene expression patterns under a new morphogenetic framework. Two aspects of early heart formation will be discussed in particular: (1) the initial formation of the heart tube and (2) the formation of the cardiac chambers by the ballooning process. Finally, we emphasize that in addition to analyses based on fixed samples, new approaches including clonal analysis, single-cell sequencing, live-imaging and quantitative analysis of the data generated will likely lead to novel insights in understanding early heart tube regionalization and morphogenesis in the near future.
Central CRF, urocortins and stress increase colonic transit via CRF1 receptors while activation of CRF2 receptors delays gastric transit in mice

Recently characterized selective agonists and developed antagonists for the corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) receptors are new tools to investigate stress‐related functional changes. The influence of mammalian CRF and related peptides injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) on gastric and colonic motility, and the CRF receptor subtypes involved and their role in colonic response to stress were studied in conscious mice. The CRF1/CRF2 agonists rat urocortin 1 (rUcn 1) and rat/human CRF (r/h CRF), the preferential CRF1 agonist ovine CRF (oCRF), and the CRF2 agonist mouse (m) Ucn 2, injected i.c. v. inhibited gastric emptying and stimulated distal colonic motor function (bead transit and defecation) while oCRF9–33OH (devoid of CRF receptor affinity) showed neither effects. mUcn 2 injected peripherally had no colonic effect. The selective CRF2 antagonist astressin2‐B (i.c.v.), at a 20 : 1 antagonist: agonist ratio, blocked i.c. v. r/hCRF and rUcn 1 induced inhibition of gastric transit and reduced that of mUcn 2, while the CRF1 antagonist NBI‐35965 had no effect. By contrast, the colonic motor stimulation induced by i.c. v. r/hCRF and rUcn 1 and 1h restraint stress were antagonized only by NBI‐35965 while stimulation induced by mUcn 2 was equally blocked by both antagonists. None of the CRF antagonists injected i.c. v. alone influenced gut transit. These data establish in mice that brain CRF1 receptors mediate the stimulation of colonic transit induced by central CRF, urocortins (1 and 2) and restraint stress, while CRF2 receptors mediate the inhibitory actions of these peptides on gastric transit.
Central Nervous System Infections in the Intensive Care Unit

Infections of the central nervous system are a frequent cause for admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). These infections can be the reason for presentation to a hospital or a complication of an injury or surgical procedure. Diagnosing these infections can be very challenging, given the relative paucity of tests with high sensitivity and specificity. Regardless, identifying and treating the underlying cause remains the primary objective in each of these cases, but management of complications is the most common reason for ICU admission. Frequent complications include increased intracranial pressure, stroke, coma, and status epilepticus. Although the underlying infection often causes harm, the immune response to the agent and ensuing complications are often responsible for greater damage to the host. Even if the underlying infectious agent does not have a specific therapy, identifying it is important for limiting unnecessary testing. When certain infections are suspected, such as bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis, empiric therapy should be initiated immediately. Outcomes for these conditions are linked to how quickly appropriate therapies are initiated.
Evaluation of Differential Gene Expression in Fluconazole-Susceptible and -Resistant Isolates of Candida albicans by cDNA Microarray Analysis

ABSTRACT The opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans is the major causative agent of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) in AIDS. The development of azoles, such as fluconazole, for the treatment of OPC has proven effective except in cases where C. albicans develops resistance to fluconazole during the course of treatment. In the present study, we used microarray technology to examine differences in gene expression from a fluconazole-susceptible and a fluconazole-resistant well-characterized, clinically obtained matched set of C. albicans isolates to identify genes which are differentially expressed in association with azole resistance. Among genes found to be differentially expressed were those involved in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism; cell stress, cell wall maintenance; lipid, fatty acid, and sterol metabolism; and small molecule transport. In addition to CDR1, which has previously been demonstrated to be associated with azole resistance, the drug resistance gene RTA3, the ergosterol biosynthesis gene ERG2, and the cell stress genes CRD2, GPX1, and IFD5 were found to be upregulated. Several genes, such as the mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase gene ALD5, the glycosylphosphatidylinositol synthesis gene GPI1, and the iron transport genes FET34 and FTR2 were found to be downregulated. Further study of these differentially regulated genes is warranted to evaluate how they may be involved in azole resistance. In addition to these novel findings, we demonstrate the utility of microarray analysis for studying the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in pathogenic organisms.