Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optic disc measurements in full term infants

Background The objectives of this study were to measure optic disc size in full term infants and to determine whether this value is influenced by sex or birth weight. Methods Retinal images from a cohort of full term infants admitted to a tertiary perinatal centre were obtained using a retinal camera. Optic disc size was measured by carefully delineating the outline with a cursor using image analysis software. MEDLINE was then systematically searched to compare the data with other published articles. Results 35 images of left and right eyes from 35 infants were assessed. An image from one eye per patient was then chosen for analysis. The following results were found: mean birth weight 3050±706 g; mean gestation 38.9±1.4 weeks. Mean optic disc area was 1.26±0.23 mm2; mean vertical diameter was 1.37±0.15 mm; and mean horizontal diameter was 1.14±0.12 mm. The vertical diameter of the optic disc was significantly longer than the horizontal diameter (p<0.0001). Conclusion Birth weight and sex did not influence the size of the optic disc in term infants. There were no differences in optic disc measurements between male and female infants and between low birth weight and normal birth weight infants.
Organochlorines and breast cancer: A case‐control study in Brazil

Breast cancer is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Brazil. Some studies have analyzed the potential role of organochlorine compounds in breast cancer etiology. These chemical compounds have been widely used in agriculture and in vector‐control programs in Brazil. A case‐control study was carried out in the main cancer hospital of the Instituto Nacional de Câncer in Rio de Janeiro to investigate exposure to organochlorinated pesticides as a risk factor for breast cancer. We investigated 177 cases of invasive breast cancer at the hospital, between May 1995 and July 1996, and 350 controls selected among female visitors at the same hospital. In addition to information obtained from interviews, blood samples were taken, to analyze residual amounts of organochlorine by gas chromatography using an electron capture detector. [1,1‐Dichloro‐2,2‐bis(p‐chlorophenyl)ethylene] (DDE) was determined in sera of 457 women from a total of 493 participants who had serum samples available. Residues of hexachlorobenzene were found in 11 women only. No statistically significant association was found between breast cancer risk and serum level of DDE or history of exposure to pesticides. Serum levels of DDE (ng/ml) were similar in patients (median = 3.1, mean = 5.1) and controls (median = 3.1, mean = 4.8) (p = 0.93). The age‐adjusted odds ratio of breast cancer for women in the upper quintile compared with those in the lowest quintile was 0.90 (95% confidence interval 0.47–1.73). When adjusted for other variables, the risk remained not statistically significant (upper quintile odds ratio = 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.39–1.60). In our hands, exposure to organochlorinated pesticides measured by history or serum analysis was thus not a risk factor for breast cancer. Int. J. Cancer 83:596–600, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Palifermin reduces the incidence of oral mucositis in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with fluorouracil-based chemotherapy.

PURPOSE To characterize the efficacy and safety of palifermin in reducing the incidence of oral mucositis (OM) and diarrhea when administered to patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) receiving fluorouracil/leucovorin (FU/LV) chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients (N = 64) were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or palifermin (40 microg/kg for 3 consecutive days) before each of two consecutive cycles of chemotherapy with FU/LV. The incidence of OM and diarrhea, safety, disease progression, and survival were evaluated. RESULTS Thirty-six patients received placebo and 28 patients received palifermin. The incidence of WHO grade 2 or higher OM was lower in patients who received palifermin compared with placebo (29% v 61% in cycle 1; 11% v 47% in cycle 2). FU dose reductions in the second chemotherapy cycle were more frequent in the placebo group (31%) than in the palifermin group (14%). Investigators reported lower mucositis scores and patients reported less severe symptoms with palifermin. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence or severity of diarrhea or in overall survival between the groups. Overall, palifermin was safe and well tolerated. CONCLUSION Palifermin administered at the indicated dosing regimen (40 microg/kg for 3 consecutive days) before chemotherapy was well tolerated and resulted in a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in the incidence of WHO grade 2 or higher OM in patients with metastatic CRC.
The Etiologic Role of HPV in Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma Fine Tuned

Purpose: High-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) plays a role in the development of a subset of vulvar squamous cell carcinomas. Uncertainty exists about the true impact of HPV in this tumor type because conflicting reports have been published with diverging prevalence rates. This study was done to fine tune the role of high-risk HPV infection in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma development in relation to clinical prognosis. Experimental Design: 130 vulvar squamous cell carcinomas of patients with known survival data were analyzed for histology of the adjacent lesion (differentiated or HPV-associated usual vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia), in relation to p16INK4A expression as marker of HPV activity, and presence and integration of high-risk HPV DNA. Results: Usual vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia was present adjacent to vulvar squamous cell carcinoma in 25 of 130 cases. Usual vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia–associated squamous cell carcinomas had high p16INK4A expression, and 24 of 25 squamous cell carcinomas contained integrated high-risk HPV DNA. Differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia was found adjacent to 105 of 130 vulvar squamous cell carcinomas. High-risk HPV was detected in 11 (10.5%) differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia–associated vulvar squamous cell carcinoma but correlated with high p16INK4A expression in only one case. Integration of viral DNA was never observed in differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia–associated squamous cell carcinomas, which suggests that a causal relationship of high-risk HPV in differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia–associated tumors is highly unlikely. The disease-specific survival of the differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia–associated vulvar squamous cell carcinoma patients was significantly worse compared with patients with a usual vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia–associated tumor. Conclusions: High-risk HPV is causally associated with the development of usual vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia associated squamous cell carcinomas, which comprise 19% of all vulvar squamous cell carcinomas, but not with differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia–associated vulvar squamous cell carcinomas. Differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia–associated vulvar squamous cell carcinomas have a significantly worse prognosis. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(7):2061–7)
Conformational changes in NhaA Na+/H+ antiporter

Abstract Na+/H+ antiporters play a primary role in Na+/H+ homeostasis in cells and many organelles and have long been drug targets. The X-ray structure of NhaA, the main antiporter of Escherichia coli, provided structural insights into the antiport mechanism and its pH regulation and revealed a novel fold; six of the 12 TMs (Trans membrane segments) are organized in two topologically inverted repeats, each with one TM interrupted by an extended chain creating a unique electrostatic environment in the middle of the membrane at the cation binding site. Remarkably, inverted repeats containing interrupted helices with similar functional implications have since been observed in structures of other bacterial secondary transporters with almost no sequence homology. Finally, the structure reveals that NhaA is organized into two functional regions: a ‘pH sensor' – a cluster of amino acyl side chains that are involved in pH regulation; and a catalytic region that is 9 Å removed from the pH sensor. Alternative accessibility of the binding site to either side of the membrane, i.e., functional-dynamics, is the essence of secondary transport mechanism. Because NhaA is tightly pH regulated, structures of the pH-activated and ligand-activated NhaA conformations are needed to identify its functional-dynamics. However, as these are static snapshots of a dynamic protein, the dynamics of the protein both in vitro and in situ in the membrane are also required as reviewed here in detail. The results reveal two different conformational changes characterizing NhaA: One is pH-induced for NhaA activation; the other is ligand-induced for antiport activity.
International Media Images:

The proponents of development communication have been suggesting since the New World Information Order debate over the international flow of news that news ought to be harnessed in the interest of international peace and understanding. With globalization accelerating at such a tremendous pace over the last few decades, it is becoming even more important that news contribute to international good will. Regardless of what the publicists say, the question is: Do newspapers themselves view their mission to be serving international understanding? Are they providing their global audience with positive, reassuring news and information about cultural, economic, social and political developments from around the world? To answer this question, one needs to compare theory and practice regarding what constitutes news for journalists and what the newspapers are actually carrying. Western journalists define news in terms of interest, proximity, prominence, conflict, novelty, human-interest, and timeliness (see Harris, et. al, 1995; Hough, 1994; Kessler, 1989; Martin & Chaudhary, 1983; Stevenson & Shaw, 1984) because in the competitive and profit-oriented Western media markets, it is imperative to give the public what it wants instantaneously in order to achieve the largest audience possible while in a majority of Third World countries where the main concern is the promotion of national goals that will help in the development of the nation, the interests and wants of the public count very little in the journalists' criteria of news selection. A number of Third World critics have strongly criticized the Western concept of news (Illustrated Weekly of India, 1967; Nasser, 1983) and have emphasized the need for 'development news' (Aggarwala, 1980). Political leaders
Ventral striatopallidothalamic projection: IV. Relative involvements of neurochemically distinct subterritories in the ventral pallidum and adjacent parts of the rostroventral forebrain

Retrograde and anterograde tract‐tracing studies were carried out to determine whether the capacity of the nucleus accumbens to influence the thalamic mediodorsal nucleus via ventral striatopallidothalamic connections disproportionately favors the shell over the core subterritory. After injections of Fluoro‐Gold into the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus, retrogradely labeled neurons were detected in sections also processed for calbindin‐D 28‐kD and neurotensin immunoreactivities to facilitate identification of subterritories in the ventral pallidum. Fluoro‐Gold‐labeled cells were counted in series of sections cut through the ventral pallidum, rostral globus pallidus, nucleus of the vertical limb of the diagonal band, preoptic region, lateral hypothalamus, and the sublenticular gray region, including parts of the extended amygdala. Data were expressed as cells/unit area and as percentages of all labeled forebrain cells. Mediodorsal nucleus‐projecting rostroventral forebrain neurons were most numerous in the ventromedial part of the subcommissural ventral pallidum and pallidal parts of the olfactory tubercle. Few were observed in the dorsolateral part of the subcommissural ventral pallidum.
Rising incidence of early‐onset colorectal cancer in Australia over two decades: Report and review

The average age at diagnosis for colorectal cancer (CRC) in Australia is 69, and the age‐specific incidence rises rapidly after age 50 years. The incidence has stabilized or is declining in older age groups in Australia during recent decades, possibly related to the increased uptake of screening and high‐risk surveillance. In the same time frame, a rising incidence of CRC in younger adults has been well‐documented in the United States. This rise in incidence in the young has not been reported from other countries that share long‐term exposure to westernised urban lifestyles. Using data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, we examined trends in national incidence rates for CRC under age 50 years and observed that rates in people under age 40 years have been rising for the last two decades. We further performed a review of the literature regarding CRC in young adults to outline the extent of current understanding, explore potential risk factors such as obesity, alcohol, and sedentary lifestyles, and to identify the questions remaining to be addressed. Although absolute numbers might not justify a population screening approach, the dispersal of young adults with CRC across the primary health‐care system decreases probability of their recognition. Patient and physician awareness, aided by stool and emerging blood‐screening tests and risk profiling tools, have the potential to aid in identification of those young adults who would most benefit from a colonoscopy through early detection of CRCs or by removal of advanced polyps.
Magnetic skyrmion-based artificial neuron device

Neuromorphic computing, inspired by the biological nervous system, has attracted considerable attention. Intensive research has been conducted in this field for developing artificial synapses and neurons, attempting to mimic the behaviors of biological synapses and neurons, which are two basic elements of a human brain. Recently, magnetic skyrmions have been investigated as promising candidates in neuromorphic computing design owing to their topologically protected particle-like behaviors, nanoscale size and low driving current density. In one of our previous studies, a skyrmion-based artificial synapse was proposed, with which both short-term plasticity and long-term potentiation functions have been demonstrated. In this work, we further report on a skyrmion-based artificial neuron by exploiting the tunable current-driven skyrmion motion dynamics, mimicking the leaky-integrate-fire function of a biological neuron. With a simple single-device implementation, this proposed artificial neuron may enable us to build a dense and energy-efficient spiking neuromorphic computing system.
Perceptions of the Physical Environment, Stage of Change for Physical Activity, and Walking among Australian Adults

Abstract Data for this study were from a population survey of 1,200 adults ages 40–60 years, sampled from the Illawarra region of New South Wales. Questionnaire items on perceptions of the environment were factor analyzed into: Aesthetic Environment and Practical Environment. For both factors, those in the Contemplation stage had more negative views of the environment than those in Maintenance. Those who walked for 0–20 min/week held more negative perceptions of their environment than those who walked for 21–120 min/week and those who walked for > 120 min/week. The health promotion implications of these findings are that environments perceived as attractive and as providing convenient access to services and facilities may influence motivational readiness for physical activity and time spent walking.
Expression of the mRNAs for the insulin-like growth factors and their binding proteins during development of porcine ovarian follicles.

We examined the expression of the mRNAs for the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and two of their binding proteins (BPs), IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3, in individual follicles of the porcine ovary. Follicular development was synchronized with a progestin (altrenogest). Individual follicles were isolated on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 after progestin withdrawal. No IGFBP-3 mRNA was detected. While IGF-II mRNA was easily detected, the levels of expression did not change. IGF-I and IGFBP-2 mRNAs increased and decreased, respectively, with follicle development until day 7 when IGF-I expression declined. Regression analysis of IGF-I and IGFBP-2 mRNA expression was performed to assess the relative strength of correlations with day, diameter and steroid concentrations as covariates. IGFBP-2 mRNA was correlated with both day and diameter (r = -.713 and -.705, respectively, n = 24) and neither estrogen (E2) nor progesterone (P4) contributed to the fit. While IGF-I mRNA expression was correlated to both day (r = .483) and diameter (r = .587), the strongest predictor was E2 concentration (r = .694, n = 27). In conclusion, the expression of IGF-I and IGFBP-2 mRNAs in the ovarian follicle are discordantly regulated during follicular growth and maturation. The observed changes in these parameters should result in increased bioavailable IGF-I. This supports a pivotal autocrine/paracrine role for these factors during follicle growth and development.
Development of aerobic power in pubescent male soccer players related to hematocrit, hemoglobin and maturation. A longitudinal study.

AIM More than ever young athletes are training intensively and compete at high levels. As adolescent athletes are training in a period associated with many changes in growth and maturation longitudinal studies are important to elucidate the development in physical parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the development in aerobic power in elite as well as non-elite soccer players during the years of puberty and to relate it to maturation as well as hemoglobin and hematocrit. METHODS Forty-nine young male soccer players at elite and non-elite levels (10.5-13 y) were recruited as subjects. All subjects were tested 4 times over a period of 3.5 years. Anthropometrical parameters including skinfold were measured. VO2max was assessed during treadmill run, testicular volume and testosterone levels were used to estimate maturation, and hemoglobin (Hb) as well as hematocrit (Htc) was measured from blood samples. RESULTS A longitudinal development in VO2max (l/min) was found for all players together. The elite players have higher values and steeper increase compared to non elite-players. This difference was still present when VO2max was adjusted for body weight (ml/kg/min). CONCLUSIONS The general development in VO2max was significantly correlated to the development in Hb and Htc as well as maturation, but the difference between elite and non-elite players could not be explained from differences in these variables. As elite players often are selected at a very young age it is possible that training effect is present but it cannot be excluded that genetic factors may play an important role.
CD56/NCAM-Positive Langerhans Cell Sarcoma: A Clinicopathologic Study of 4 Cases

This report concerns the clinicopathologic features of 4 patients with CD56/neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)-positive Langerhans cell sarcoma (LCS). Three of the patients were elderly, between 59 and 62 years of age at presentation, and the other was 35 years old. The presenting symptoms included fever, bone pain, and weakness. The patients shared some clinical findings, such as multiorgan involvement of lymph nodes, skin, lung, bone marrow, and spleen. LCS carries a poor prognosis, and 3 of the patients died of the disease within several years of presentation despite multiagent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Of special interest is that all of the cases showed CD56 expression on the tumor cells in addition to expression of CD1a, S100β, and langerin, the presence of which suggests derivation from Langerhans cells. For control, CD56 was also examined in 8 cases of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), a single-system unifocal or multifocal disease, and the results of staining of the tumor cells were negative. Our findings indicated that CD56 may be a clinically relevant biologic marker for predicting an intractable course of Langerhans cell neoplasms, although it is often difficult to draw a definite morphologically-based distinction between LCS and LCH.
Essential Roles of NF-κB and C/EBP in the Regulation of Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 after Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection of Human Respiratory Epithelial Cell Cultures

ABSTRACT To determine the molecular mechanism(s) of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) upregulation in respiratory epithelial cells (REC; A549 cell cultures), we investigated the roles of the transcription factors NF-κB and C/EBP. Increases in ICAM-1 message required de novo mRNA synthesis. ICAM-1 promoter constructs (luciferase reporter gene) transfected into A549 monolayers demonstrated promoter activation following RSV infection. Activation was abolished by site-specific mutation of the NF-κB (−228) or C/EBP (−239) sites. These data support the critical role of the activation of NF-κB and C/EBP in RSV-induced ICAM-1 expression by REC.
Validity and reliability of the Greek version of the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale in multiple sclerosis patients

Fatigue in multiple sclerosis (MS) may be attributed to a variety of biological and psychological factors. Scales addressing the multidimensionality of fatigue are used in MS evaluation, although adequacy of data on their reliability and validity is questionable. The aim of the present study was to provide evidence for the validity and reliability of the Greek version of the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). The MFIS was translated into Greek and administered to 99 MS patients and 75 controls. Exploratory factor analysis was carried out and reliability measures were calculated. Discriminant validity was also assessed. The mean MFIS score was 33.8 (SD 17.8). Two factors (physical and cognitive) were extracted through factor analysis; a psychosocial factor was not identified. Reliability measures (intraclass correlation coefficient, Cronbach’s &agr;, Pearson’s correlation) yielded high values. Patients and nonpatients differed statistically significantly in the MFIS scores; no statistically significant differences in MFIS score according to the type of MS were observed. It can be concluded that the Greek version of MFIS is valid and reliable, although questions about the scale dimensions remain. Further modifications and cultural adaptation of the scale may help create a useful tool for screening and assessment of fatigue in MS patients.