Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Massive Isolation, Morphological and Functional Characterization, and Xenotransplantation of Bovine Pancreatic Islets

The limited availability of human donors makes the search for alternative islet sources mandatory for future developments in pancreatic islet transplantation. In this study, we report on the massive isolation of bovine islets of proven in vitro and in vivo viability. The islets were prepared by collagenase digestion, sequential filtrations, and density-gradient purification by modifying a technique previously developed in our laboratory for the porcine pancreas. The prepurification yield was 2,743 ± 78 islet equivalents (IE)/g pancreas (mean ± SE), with a postpurification recovery of 78.7 ± 2.2%. Purity ranged from 80 to 90%. The histological and immunocytochemical studies demonstrated the identity and integrity of the islets with well-preserved insulin-, glucagon-, and somatostatin-containing cells. The morphological integrity of cultured bovine islets was demonstrated for up to 4 weeks from isolation. Insulin secretion from freshly isolated islets was similar at 3.3 mmol/l glucose (0.36 ± 0.06 pmol.IE−1 · min−1) and at 14 mmol/l glucose (0.42 ± 0.00 pmol.IE−1 · min−1), and it increased significantly (P < 0.01) at 25 mmol/l glucose (1.44 ± 0.12 pmol.IE−1 · min−1). Arginine, theophylline, and propionic acid increased insulin secretion from freshly isolated islets at 3.3 and 14 mmol/l glucose, but not at 25 mmol/l glucose. Islets cultured at 37 degrees C in CMRL 1066 culture medium for at least 10 days were shown to become responsive to a lower glucose concentration, as demonstrated by the significant increase of insulin release in response to 14 mmol/l glucose, when compared with basal secretion. This recovered responsivity to glucose was maintained after 4 weeks of culture. Reversal of hyperglycemia was obtained in nude mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, after transplantation of ∼ 1,500 bovine islets under the kidney capsule. Retrieval of the islet-bearing kidneys 28 days after implantation caused a return to hyperglycemia. Taken together, these results support the use of bovine islets as an alternative and readily available source of pancreatic endocrine tissue in transplantation studies.
Studies of chemical and enzymatic characteristics of Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) and its flours

Due to the importance of studies on yacon related to health, its in natura pulp, in natura peel, pulp flour, and peel flour were chemically analyzed in terms of its centesimal composition, specific minerals, total dietary fiber and fractions, pH, total soluble solids, total titratable acidity, tannins, oxalic acid, and nitrate. The polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase enzymatic activities were evaluated for in natura pulp and peel only. Yacon pulp and peel flour presented average yield of 7.94% and 10.86%, respectively. The in natura pulp presented a higher moisture and carboydrate content and lower lipid, protein, total dietary fiber, and ash than those of the peel flour. The same pattern was observed for pulp flour when compared to peel flour. The highest tannin, nitrate, and oxalic acid levels were found in the peel flour, 15,304.5 mg.kg-1, 1,578.3 mg.kg-1, and 7,925.0 mg.kg-1 (wet weight), respectively. The polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase enzymes presented higher enzymatic activity in the yacon peel. Based on the results obtained, it can be said that the yacon and its derivatives are important dietary carbohydrate and mineral sources and contain antinutritional substance contents lower than those harmful to health.
Is the suppressive effect of cyproterone acetate on serum anti-Müllerian-hormone levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome stronger than under oral contraceptive pill?

Abstract Objective: To compare the suppressive effect of anti-androgen therapy by cyproterone acetate (CPA) and by oral contraceptive pill (OCP) on anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in order to detect a putative direct anti-androgen effect on AMH excess. Methods: This is a prospective longitudinal study including 58 women with PCOS between January 2010 and April 2014 at the Lille University Hospital. A total of 47 women with clinical hyperandrogenism were treated by CPA (50 mg/d was administered 20 days out of 28) and 11 women with PCOS but without clinical hyperandrogenism received OCP. Result(s): Serum AHM levels at baseline were similar in CPA and OCP groups (median [5–95th percentiles]: 60.4 pmol/l [25.1–200.2] versus 58 pmol/l [27.6–100], respectively, p = 0.39). After 3 months of treatment, serum AMH levels decreased significantly by 28% ± 20% and by 22% ± 27% in CPA and OCP groups, respectively. The decrease under both treatments was similar (p = 0.48). Conclusion(s): That any anti-androgen effect could be observed on AMH in our CPA group in addition to the gonadotropin-suppressing effect suggests that either androgens are not involved in AMH regulation or that they act by interfering with gonadotropin effects on granulosa cells.
Cerebral blood flow and metabolism following superficial temporal artery to superior cerebellar artery bypass for vertebrobasilar occlusive disease.

In order to clarify the effectiveness of extracranial-intracranial bypass operations in patients with vertebrobasilar occlusive disease, the authors used positron emission tomography to investigate the cerebral blood flow (CBF) and metabolism of eight patients undergoing superficial temporal artery (STA)-superior cerebellar artery (SCA) bypass procedures. In the preoperative studies, CBF in the region of the posterior fossa was low and the oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) was high, the so-called "misery perfusion syndrome. " Such changes were evident in both the posterior circulation and the anterior circulation regions. Postoperatively, there was a significant increase in CBF, a significant decrease in the OEF not only in the region of posterior circulation but also over the entire brain, and a disappearance of the uncoupling between CBF and oxygen metabolism. The STA-SCA bypass procedure is effective in improving CBF and metabolism in patients with vertebrobasilar occlusive disease.
Non-convex Finite-Sum Optimization Via SCSG Methods

We develop a class of algorithms, as variants of the stochastically controlled stochastic gradient (SCSG) methods (Lei and Jordan, 2016), for the smooth non-convex finite-sum optimization problem. Assuming the smoothness of each component, the complexity of SCSG to reach a stationary point with $\mathbb{E} \|\nabla f(x)\|^{2}\le \epsilon$ is $O\left (\min\{\epsilon^{-5/3}, \epsilon^{-1}n^{2/3}\}\right)$, which strictly outperforms the stochastic gradient descent. Moreover, SCSG is never worse than the state-of-the-art methods based on variance reduction and it significantly outperforms them when the target accuracy is low. A similar acceleration is also achieved when the functions satisfy the Polyak-Lojasiewicz condition. Empirical experiments demonstrate that SCSG outperforms stochastic gradient methods on training multi-layers neural networks in terms of both training and validation loss.
Design, implementation and reporting strategies to reduce the instance and impact of missing patient-reported outcome (PRO) data: a systematic review

Objectives Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) provide important information about the impact of treatment from the patients' perspective. However, missing PRO data may compromise the interpretability and value of the findings. We aimed to report: (1) a non-technical summary of problems caused by missing PRO data; and (2) a systematic review by collating strategies to: (A) minimise rates of missing PRO data, and (B) facilitate transparent interpretation and reporting of missing PRO data in clinical research. Our systematic review does not address statistical handling of missing PRO data. Data sources MEDLINE and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases (inception to 31 March 2015), and citing articles and reference lists from relevant sources. Eligibility criteria English articles providing recommendations for reducing missing PRO data rates, or strategies to facilitate transparent interpretation and reporting of missing PRO data were included. Methods 2 reviewers independently screened articles against eligibility criteria. Discrepancies were resolved with the research team. Recommendations were extracted and coded according to framework synthesis. Results 117 sources (55% discussion papers, 26% original research) met the eligibility criteria. Design and methodological strategies for reducing rates of missing PRO data included: incorporating PRO-specific information into the protocol; carefully designing PRO assessment schedules and defining termination rules; minimising patient burden; appointing a PRO coordinator; PRO-specific training for staff; ensuring PRO studies are adequately resourced; and continuous quality assurance. Strategies for transparent interpretation and reporting of missing PRO data include utilising auxiliary data to inform analysis; transparently reporting baseline PRO scores, rates and reasons for missing data; and methods for handling missing PRO data. Conclusions The instance of missing PRO data and its potential to bias clinical research can be minimised by implementing thoughtful design, rigorous methodology and transparent reporting strategies. All members of the research team have a responsibility in implementing such strategies.
Short Communication IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS

Objective: To analyze the incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with chemotherapeutic drugs and study its management. Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out on hospitalized patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy. The identified ADRs were assessed for causality, severity and preventability. Results: Among 120 patients followed 100 patients developed 161 ADRs. Most common ADRs were anemia, leucopenia, mucositis fever, and chills. As per the WHO causality assessment 87(54.0%) ADRs were probable whereas with the Naranjo’s scale 98(60.9%) were probable. Moderate reactions were 59.62%. Majority 122 (75.8%) of the ADRs were not preventable. Most of ADRs were implicated with cisplatin followed by 5-Fluro-uracil and the combination drugs which included FAC (Flurouracil, adriyamycin, cyclophosphamide) regimen, Paclitaxel, and Carboplatin (PC) regimen. Conclusion: Patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy have higher chances to develop ADRs. Those patients on chemotherapy with cisplatin followed by 5-Fu and combination drugs which include FAC and PC regimen should be strictly monitored for the early detection and prompt management of the ADR to prevent morbidity and mortality.
Quantitative evaluation of colour development in milk model systems during heat treatment: a kinetic study.

The rate of the Maillard reaction and the nature of its products are governed by the immediate chemical environment of the reactants defined by the chemical composition of the system. The fast developing marker has the advantage of providing a tool to follow early changes, even when quality has not changed, and it is still possible to take corrective actions.0 The aim of present work was to compare the kinetics of color development during the heat treatment under different conditions, in order to define suitable markers to sensitively assess the degree of reactions taking place in milk model systems accounting for the time-temperature effects. The increase in color intensity was followed in two milk model systems (casein and lactose – CN-L and casein, whey protein concentrate and lactose – CN-WPC-L) at two pH values (6.6 and 7.5) in different buffer solution (0.7 M phosphate and 0.2 M acetate). The extent of changes measured by the increase in browning index could be described by a first-order fractional conversion model, resulting in activation energy of 37.07±1.4 kJ.mol-1 and 21.48±1.6 kJ.mol-1 for CN-L and respectively CN-WPC-L systems in 0.7M phosphate buffer, pH 7.5 and 16.5±1.65 kJ.mol-1 and 26.5±2.1 kJ.mol-1 for CN-WPC-L system at pH 7.5 and respectively 6.6 in 0.2 M acetate buffer.
Nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae among HIV-infected and –uninfected children <5 years of age before introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Mozambique

Nasopharyngeal carriage is a precursor for pneumococcal disease and can be useful for evaluating pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) impact. We studied pre-PCV pneumococcal carriage among HIV-infected and -uninfected children in Mozambique. Between October 2012 and March 2013, we enrolled HIV-infected children age <5 years presenting for routine care at seven HIV clinics in 3 sites, including Maputo (urban-south), Nampula (urban-north), and Manhiça (rural-south). We also enrolled a random sample of HIV-uninfected children <5 years old from a demographic surveillance site in Manhiça. A single nasopharyngeal swab was obtained and cultured following enrichment in Todd Hewitt broth with yeast extract and rabbit serum. Pneumococcal isolates were serotyped by Quellung reaction and multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Factors associated with pneumococcal carriage were examined using logistic regression. Overall pneumococcal carriage prevalence was 80.5% (585/727), with similar prevalences among HIV-infected (81.5%, 339/416) and HIV-uninfected (79.1%, 246/311) children, and across age strata. Among HIV-infected, after adjusting for recent antibiotic use and hospitalization, there was no significant association between study site and colonization: Maputo (74.8%, 92/123), Nampula (83.7%, 82/98), Manhiça (84.6%, 165/195). Among HIV-uninfected, report of having been born to an HIV-infected mother was not associated with colonization. Among 601 pneumococcal isolates from 585 children, serotypes 19F (13.5%), 23F (13.1%), 6A (9.2%), 6B (6.2%) and 19A (5.2%) were most common. The proportion of serotypes included in the 10- and 13-valent vaccines was 44.9% and 61.7%, respectively, with no significant differences by HIV status or age group. Overall 36.9% (n = 268) of children were colonized with a PCV10 serotype and 49.7% (n = 361) with a PCV13 serotype. Pneumococcal carriage was common, with little variation by geographic region, age, or HIV status. PCV10 was introduced in April 2013; ongoing carriage studies will examine the benefits of PCV10 among HIV-infected and–uninfected children.
After the Court Moved Away: A Reinterpretation of the Ivory Finds within the Royal Palaces of Kalḫu

Excavations at Kalḫu (modern Nimrud) have resulted in a collection of ivories that are exceptional in their quantity, quality and diversity. They have been used to assess the appreciation and use of ivories by the Assyrian royal court. A re-examination of the archaeological contexts in which ivories were found within the Northwest Palace and Fort Shalmaneser suggests that most belong to the period after the royal court had moved away. In the few preserved contexts, imported and Assyrian ivories were generally intermixed. These contexts are easiest to explain if one assumes that imported and Assyrian ivories were used side by side. Nimrud’s complicated history during the 7th century B.C., however, argues against such a simple equation. The ivories were rarely found in their original contexts and were much affected by the looting, sack and abandonment of the palaces. The recontextualisation of the ivory finds into their 7th century contexts brings different, non-royal agents to the fore within the Assyrian palaces.
Flow cytometric measurement of intracellular migration inhibition factor and tumour necrosis factor alpha in the mucosa of patients with coeliac disease

There is increasing evidence that proinflammatory cytokines contribute to many of the small intestinal features in coeliac disease. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of two proinflammatory cytokines, migration inhibition factor (MIF) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) in duodenal biopsy specimens from patients with coeliac disease on a gluten‐free diet and normal control subjects. A flow cytometric system was used to analyse intracellular protein levels of MIF and TNF‐α in freshly isolated cells from duodenal biopsies taken from 12 patients with treated coeliac disease and 10 healthy control subjects. From the biopsy specimens, single cell suspensions of the epithelium and lamina propria were prepared using EDTA/DTT and enzymes. Intracellular cytokine expression was studied in intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs), lamina propria T cells (LP T) and intestinal epithelial cells using different surface labelling antibodies. MIF protein was constitutively expressed in IELs, LP T cells and epithelial cells from normal intestinal mucosa. In contrast, although TNF‐α was found in LP T cells, this cytokine was virtually undetectable in either IELs or epithelial cells. In coeliac disease, intracellular levels of MIF were significantly higher in epithelial cells compared with control subjects (P = 0·005). Raised levels of TNF‐α were found in epithelial cells (P = 0·03) as well as IELs (P = 0·045) from coeliac patients compared with controls. The findings from this study show up‐regulated expression of MIF and TNF‐α in IELs and epithelial cells of histologically normal mucosa in patients with coeliac disease. Increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines in cells occupying the epithelial layer could help explain the rapidity with which the coeliac mucosa may respond to gluten challenge.
Blockade of Adenosine Triphosphate–sensitive Potassium Channels by Thiamylal in Rat Ventricular Myocytes

Background: The adenosine triphosphate (ATP)–sensitive potassium (KATP) channels protect myocytes during ischemia and reperfusion. This study investigated the effects of thiamylal on the activities of KATP channels in isolated rat ventricular myocytes during simulated ischemia. Methods: Male Wistar rats were anesthetized with ether. Single, quiescent ventricular myocytes were dispersed enzymatically. Membrane currents were recorded using patch-clamp techniques. In the cell-attached configuration, KATP channel currents were assessed before and during activation of these channels by 2,4-dinitrophenol and after administration of 25, 50, and 100 mg/l thiamylal. The open probability was determined from current–amplitude histograms. In the inside-out configuration, the current–voltage relation was obtained before and after the application of thiamylal (50 mg/l). Results: In the cell-attached configuration, 2,4-dinitrophenol caused frequent channel opening. 2,4-Dinitrophenol–induced channel activities were reduced significantly by glibenclamide, suggesting that the channels studied were KATP channels. Open probability of KATP channels was reduced by thiamylal in a concentration-dependent manner. KATP channels could be activated in the inside-out configuration because of the absence of ATP. Thiamylal inhibited KATP channel activity without changing the single-channel conductance. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study indicate that thiamylal inhibits KATP channel activities in cell-attached and inside-out patches, suggesting a direct action of this drug on these channels.
Responses of serum folates of preruminant and ruminant calves to a dietary supplement of folic acid.

The effect of dietary supplemental folic acid on serum folates of preruminant and ruminant calves was studied. In Trial 1, doses of 0, . 07, . 14, . 28, and . 56 mg of folic acid per kilogram of BW were added to the milk of preruminant calves. In Trial 2, doses of 0, . 5, 1, 2, and 4 mg of folic acid per kilogram of BW were incorporated into the concentrates of ruminant heifers. In the first part of each trial, serum folates were determined in blood samples taken 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 (both trials), and 32 h (Trial 2) after a single meal supplemented with folic acid. In the second part of the two trials, the supplement of folic acid was given in feed during seven consecutive days. Blood samples were taken the day before the trial and subsequently every day during 7 d. In preruminant and ruminant calves, the area under the curve and the peak of concentration of serum folates after a meal increased with the dose ingested (P less than or equal to .05, linear and quadratic effect of doses, respectively) but the amount of folic acid needed to obtain a similar response was lower for preruminant than for ruminant calves. In preruminants, the time to reach the maximal concentration was 3 to 4 h after the meal, whatever the dose ingested (P less than or equal to .05), whereas in ruminants this time decreased with the dose ingested (quadratic effect of treatment, P less than or equal to .05). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Réintervention chirurgicale au cours d'un même séjour: un indicateur de qualité des soins utilisable ? : Étude pilote en chirurgie générale et vasculaire au CHU - Hôpitaux de Rouen

Les retours imprevus en salle operatoire (RISO) ont ete proposes comme indicateurs de qualite des soins dans certains pays developpes. L'objectif de notre etude pilote etait d'evaluer la faisabilite du recueil en routine de cet indicateur au moyen du PMSI, de confirmer sa validite, et de rechercher les caracteristiques des patients et des interventions associees aux RISO. Methode : pour trois mois d'activite, les donnees codees du PMSI ont ete comparees a celles du cahier de bloc operatoire (CBO) pour l'identification des reinterventions ; la sensibilite, la specificite, les valeurs predictives positive et negative du PMSI ont ete calculees, ainsi que la plus petite variation de frequence des reinterventions reperable par le PMSI et par le CBO ; les caracteristiques des malades et des interventions-index ont ete recueillies pour l'annee 1997, ainsi que le pronostic (deces, duree de sejour). Une etude cas-temoins a permis d'identifier les facteurs associes de facon independante aux RISO apres chirurgie vasculaire a l'aide d'une analyse en regression logistique. Resultats : pour 537 sejours chirurgicaux, le CBO retrouvait 18 % de reinterventions ; la sensibilite du codage des reinterventions etait de 91 %, la specificite de 96 %, la valeur predictive positive de 83 % et la valeur predictive negative de 98 %. La plus petite variation significative reperable a partir du CBO etait de 2,5 % versus 2,9 % avec le PMSI (NS). En 1997, parmi 271 reinterventions, 89 % etaient imprevues, 52 % etaient dues a une complication, elles etaient associees au deces chez 17 % des patients et a une duree mediane de sejour de 47 jours. Le mode d'entree en urgence, la realisation de l'intervention en urgence, un score ASA superieur ou egala 3, un pontage vasculaire au cours de l'intervention-index, et un delai entre admission et intervention superieur a 48 heures etaient lies de facon independante au risque de reintervention. Conclusion : les retours en salle d'operation sont un indicateur valide des RISO ; celles-ci sont associees a un moins bon pronostic des patients. Notre etude suggere que le recueil en routine de cet indicateur au moyen du PMSI est faisable.