Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy. Is it an adequate cancer operation.

OBJECTIVE To assess the adequacy of pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) as a definitive surgical treatment for primary malignant diseases of the periampullary region. DESIGN Retrospective review of the clinical records of patients undergoing PPPD for malignant diseases of the periampullary region. Median and 5-year actuarial survival by type and stage of cancer were determined. Survival data from this study were compared with those of patients undergoing a conventional Whipple operation. SETTING Lahey Clinic, Burlington, Mass. STUDY PARTICIPANTS One hundred six patients undergoing PPPD for primary malignant disease of the periampullary region between November 1979 and June 1992. INTERVENTION Pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy was performed with curative intent in the 106 patients. Ninety-five patients underwent proximal pancreatectomy; 11 patients, total pancreatectomy. Resection of the portal vein was performed in 10 patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Long-term survival following PPPD was analyzed with respect to the type and stage of cancer. Median follow-up was 30 months (range, 6 to 156 months). RESULTS Five-year actuarial survival rates were 45.4% for patients with ampullary adenocarcinoma; 6.6%, with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; 33.3%, with distal bile duct adenocarcinoma; 75%, with pancreatic islet cell adenocarcinoma; and 0%, with pancreatic cystadenocarcinoma. An early cancer stage was associated with more favorable survival for ampullary and distal bile duct adenocarcinomas. For pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma only, tumors less than 2 cm were associated with better survival. Duodenal resection margins were free of disease in all patients, while peripancreatic and retroperitoneal extension of the tumor was found in 20%. CONCLUSION For patients with periampullary malignant disease, long-term survival following PPPD is similar to that following a conventional Whipple operation. The potential benefits of hemigastrectomy with perigastric lymphadenectomy are frequently obviated by the presence of positive margins and lymph nodes elsewhere, ie, in the retroperitoneum. We advocate PPPD as the procedure of choice for locally resectable malignant disease of the periampullary region, provided the duodenal margin is viable and tumor free.
Detection and dispersion of oil spills from satellite optical images in a coastal bay

In this study, we accomplished to detect oil spill from DubaiSat-2 and Landsat OLI data using VIS/NIR channels with high spatial resolution and we classified oil spill in two types, such as thick oil and film-like oil. It is hard to recognize film-like oil even at the field and more complex to discriminate film-like oil than thick oil from the satellite data because it shows similar appearance with sea water color and their widespread distributions. In this respect, it is significant that we has developed the algorithm for film-like oil. And also we figured out the effects of tidal current and wind driven current to the movement of oil spill by particle tracking.
Recurrent genomic rearrangements in primary testicular lymphoma

Primary testicular diffuse large B cell lymphoma (PTL) is an aggressive malignancy that occurs in the immune‐privileged anatomical site of the testis. We have previously shown that structural genomic rearrangements involving the MHC class II transactivator CIITA and programmed death ligands (PDLs) 1 and 2 are frequent across multiple B cell lymphoma entities. Specifically in PTL, we found rearrangements in the PDL locus by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). However, breakpoint anatomy and rearrangement partners were undetermined, while CIITA rearrangements had not been reported previously in PTL. Here, we performed bacterial artificial chromosome capture sequencing on three archival, formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue biopsies, interrogating 20 known rearrangement hotspots in B cell lymphomas. We report novel CIITA, FOXP1 and PDL rearrangements involving IGHG4, FLJ45248, RFX3, SMARCA2 and SNX29. Moreover, we present immunohistochemistry data supporting the association between PDL rearrangements and increased protein expression. Finally, using FISH, we show that CIITA (8/82; 10%) and FOXP1 (5/74; 7%) rearrangements are recurrent in PTL. In summary, we describe rearrangement frequencies and novel rearrangement partners of the CIITA, FOXP1 and PDL loci at base‐pair resolution in a rare, aggressive lymphoma. Our data suggest immune‐checkpoint inhibitor therapy as a promising intervention for PTL patients harbouring PDL rearrangements. Copyright © 2015 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of Spatial Frequency Tuned “Covariance” Channels: Individual Differences in the Electrophysiological (VEP) Contrast Sensitivity Function

We investigated the spatial frequency tuned channels underlying the contrast sensitivity functions (CSFs) of adults and infants. CSFs were measured in adults and in 8-, 14-, 20-, and 32-week-old infants, using the swept- contrast visual evoked potential (sweep-VEP). At each age, 8 to 21 subjects provided complete data. Subjects viewed achromatic sine wave gratings (0.3 to 8 c/deg) on a 20° field presented on a CRT. Gratings were counterphased at 12 reversals/s (6 Hz). The second harmonic response was used to interpolate thresholds. We computed statistical “sources” of individual variability (or factors) underlying CSFs, then calculated the number, nature (discrete vs. continuous) and frequency tuning of “covariance” channels. CSFs from adults each contained three spatial frequency tuned covariance channels, consistent with psychophysical results spanning a similar spatial frequency range. Covariance channels in infants shifted upward in spatial frequency with age, with rapid shifts occurring between 8 and 14 weeks. The change in scale coincided with, and was probably determined by, developmental cone migration into the fovea and growth in eye size.
Dietary Intervention Strategies to Enhance Zinc Nutrition: Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding for Infants and Young Children

Breastmilk is the only dietary source of zinc for exclusively breastfed young infants, and it remains a potentially important source of zinc for older infants and young children who continue breastfeeding beyond early infancy. Therefore, we examined available information on breastmilk zinc concentration and total milk consumption to develop estimates of the amount of zinc transferred in breastmilk to children of different ages. Breastmilk zinc concentration declines rapidly during the first few months postpartum and more slowly thereafter. Breastmilk supplies all of the theoretical zinc needs for at least the first several months of life, although the period during which breastmilk alone remains sufficient is uncertain. Breastmilk continues to provide more than half of children's estimated zinc requirements after the introduction of complementary foods, even into the second year of life. Public health programs to promote and support breastfeeding should be included among the strategies to ensure adequate zinc status of young children.
Multi‐Asset Deprivation and Pro‐Poor Growth in Cameroon

This article analyzes proâ€ poor growth of multiple dimensions of household wellâ€ being by sector of activity in Cameroon. It uses (1) a polychoric principal component analysis to construct indicators of household asset endowments, (2) the growth incidence curve to analyze the proâ€ poorness of the different assets, and (3) a Shapley value framework decomposition to account for changes in deprivation in terms of withinâ€ sector growth and changes in withinâ€ sector inequality. Data is sourced from the second and third Cameroon household consumption surveys. Results show that: (a) proâ€ poor growth is not observed for all assets and households at the bottom of the distribution of the different assets experienced an increase in inequality; (b) for all asset endowments, overall deprivation worsened between 2001 and 2007; (c) whereas the growth component mitigated the worsening incidence, depth and severity of human asset deprivation, both growth and redistribution components accounted for the worsening physical, financial and social asset deprivations; (d) while the tertiary sectors of activity benefited some human asset poverty reduction, all sectors suffered from worsening financial and social asset deprivation. These results have implications for promoting growth and improving the allocation of household assets.
A seroepidemiological study of herpes simplex virus.

Neutralizing and complement-fixing antibodies against herpes simplex virus in sera of 466 persons covering various age groups collected in 1969 were first examined. The general pattern of distribution of neutralizing antibody among children and adults older than 30 years was similar to that previously reported by Yoshino et al. (1962) with sera collected in 1959 to 1960. A significant difference from the earlier survey was that the age group of 20 to 30 years showed various levels of neutralizing antibody in contrast to the earlier data in which a similar antibody distribution was seen between 10 and 20 years. The quantitative relation between neutralizing and complement-fixing antibodies of the above age group also resembled that of younger age groups. Further confirmation of this change was made with additional 51 serum samples collected in 1973 from adults aged between 20 and 30 years. Comparison of the present data with the earlier survey was justified by demonstrating that the methods used for detection of neutralizing antibody were almost equal in sensitivity. These results suggest that primary and repeated infections before the age of 30 years are more frequent than before and it is only after this age that persistent infection is established in the majority of population.
PLANET FORMATION IN STELLAR BINARIES. II. OVERCOMING THE FRAGMENTATION BARRIER IN α CENTAURI AND γ CEPHEI-LIKE SYSTEMS

Planet formation in small-separation (∼20 AU) eccentric binaries such as γ Cephei or α Centauri is believed to be adversely affected by the presence of the stellar companion. Strong dynamical excitation of planetesimals by the eccentric companion can result in collisional destruction (rather than growth) of 1–100 km objects, giving rise to the “fragmentation barrier” for planet formation. We revise this issue using a novel description of secular dynamics of planetesimals in binaries, which accounts for the gravity of the eccentric, coplanar protoplanetary disk, as well as gas drag. By studying planetesimal collision outcomes, we show, in contrast to many previous studies, that planetesimal growth and subsequent formation of planets (including gas giants) in AU-scale orbits within ∼20 AU separation binaries may be possible, provided that the protoplanetary disks are massive (≳ 10−2 M☉) and only weakly eccentric (disk eccentricity ≲ 0.01). These requirements are compatible with both the existence of massive (several MJ) planets in γ Cep-like systems and the results of recent simulations of gaseous disks in eccentric binaries. Terrestrial and Neptune-like planets can also form in lower-mass disks at small (sub-AU) radii. We find that the fragmentation barrier is less of a problem in eccentric disks that are apsidally aligned with the binary orbit. Alignment gives rise to special locations, where (1) relative planetesimal velocities are low and (2) the timescale of their drag-induced radial drift is long. This causes planetesimal pileup at such locations in the disk and promotes their growth locally, helping to alleviate the timescale problem for core formation.
Plasmablast frequency and trafficking receptor expression are altered in pediatric ulcerative colitis

Background: The incidence of pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic autoinflammatory disease of the colon, is on the rise. Although an increased infiltration of B cells from the peripheral blood into the colon occurs in UC, B‐cell trafficking is understudied. We hypothesized that the frequency of circulating plasmablasts (PBs) and their trafficking receptor (TR) expression may be indicative of the location and degree of pathology in pediatric UC. Methods: We conducted multicolor flow cytometry analyses of circulating IgA+/− PBs and IgA+ memory B cells (MBCs) in pediatric UC patients with remission, mild, moderate, and severe state of disease (n = 12), and healthy pediatric (n = 2) and adult donors (n = 11). Results: Compared to healthy donors the average frequency of PBs among total peripheral blood lymphocytes is increased 30‐fold during severe UC activity, and positively correlates with Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index score, C‐reactive protein level, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. A greater percent of PBs in severe patients express the gut‐homing receptors &agr;4&bgr;7 and CCR10, and the inflammatory homing molecule P‐selectin ligand (P‐sel lig). The percent of IgA+ MBCs expressing &agr;4&bgr;7, however, is reduced. Furthermore, expression of the small intestine TR CCR9 is decreased on &agr;4&bgr;7high PBs, and on &agr;4&bgr;7high/CCR10high PBs and MBCs in these patients, consistent with preferential cell targeting to the colon. Conclusions: Peripheral blood PBs with a colon‐homing phenotype (&agr;4&bgr;7/CCR10/P‐sel lig) are elevated in children with severe UC. Screening this B‐cell subset may provide a complementary approach in monitoring disease activity or therapeutic efficacy in pediatric UC. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2012;)
Evidence against Cellular Internalization in Vivo of NMO-IgG, Aquaporin-4, and Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 2 in Neuromyelitis Optica*

Background: Binding of the neuromyelitis optica (NMO) autoantibody (NMO-IgG) to aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is pathogenic in NMO. Results: NMO-IgG binding does not cause endocytosis of itself, AQP4, or glutamate transporter EAAT2 in astrocyte cultures or in vivo. Conclusion: Internalization of NMO-IgG, AQP4, and EAAT2 is not a significant feature of NMO. Significance: Our results challenge a generally accepted paradigm on NMO pathogenesis. Autoantibodies against astrocyte water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4) are thought to be pathogenic in neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Prior work has suggested that a key component of NMO autoantibody (NMO-IgG) pathogenesis is internalization of AQP4 and the associated glutamate transporter EAAT2, leading to glutamate excitotoxicity. Here, we show selective endocytosis of NMO-IgG and AQP4 in transfected cell cultures, but little internalization in brain in vivo. AQP4-dependent endocytosis of NMO-IgG occurred rapidly in various AQP4-transfected cell lines, with efficient transport from early endosomes to lysosomes. Cell surface AQP4 was also reduced following NMO-IgG exposure. However, little or no internalization of NMO-IgG, AQP4, or EAAT2 was found in primary astrocyte cultures, nor was glutamate uptake affected by NMO-IgG exposure. Following injection of NMO-IgG into mouse brain, NMO-IgG binding and AQP4 expression showed a perivascular astrocyte distribution, without detectable cellular internalization over 24 h. We conclude that astrocyte endocytosis of NMO-IgG, AQP4, and EAAT2 is not a significant consequence of AQP4 autoantibody in vivo, challenging generally accepted views about NMO pathogenesis.
Water policy at science–policy interface – challenges and opportunities for India

Water scarcity is a serious concern in emerging economies, as it impacts human development, livelihoods, environment and economic growth. Policies should be formulated in a way that reflects the problem of water scarcity and is oriented towards providing solutions. The science–policy interface can play a key role in translating scientific knowledge into policy action and in mitigating water scarcity of emerging economies like that of India. Hence, the paper aims to review scientific knowledge on water scarcity in India, and analyze the extent to which this knowledge is reflected in the water policies – to understand the science–policy interface. This has been done by extensive review of various scientific approaches used to assess water scarcity at the national and state level. The analysis indicates that Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat in the north-west, and Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in the south experience high water scarcity. To analyze whether this scientific knowledge has been translated into policy, existing water policies were critically reviewed. The paper, by identifying key policy areas, discusses challenges and opportunities for strengthening the science–policy interface, in the context of water scarcity mitigation. The paper argues that translating scientific knowledge into policy action continues to be a major challenge in India.
Modeling the influence of Greenland ice sheet melting on the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation during the next millennia

A three‐dimensional Earth system model of intermediate complexity including a dynamic ice sheet component has been used to investigate the long‐term evolution of the Greenland ice sheet and its effects on the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) in response to a range of stabilized anthropogenic forcings. Our results suggest that the Greenland ice sheet volume should experience a significant decrease in the future. For a radiative forcing exceeding 7.5 W m−2, the modeled ice sheet melts away within 3000 years. A number of feedbacks operate during this deglaciation, implying a strong non‐linear relationship between the radiative forcing and the melting rate. Only in the most extreme scenarios considered, the freshwater flux from Greenland into the surrounding oceans (of ca. 0.1 Sv during a few centuries) induces a noticeable weakening of the AMOC in the model.
Donor‐matched comparison of dental pulp stem cells and bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells in a rat model

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) have drawn much interest for the regeneration of mineralized tissues, and several studies have compared DPSCs to bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs). However, conflicting results, possibly due to donor‐associated variability, have been published and the regenerative potential of DPSCs is currently unclear. In the present study we have sought to address this problem using a donor‐matched experimental design to robustly compare the biological properties of DPSCs and BMMSCs. All experiments were performed using cells isolated from a single adult Sprague–Dawley rat. Our results show that DPSCs and BMMSCs had similar morphologies and flow cytometry profiles, were capable of forming colonies in vitro and were capable of osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation. However, quantitative comparisons revealed that DPSCs had a faster population doubling time and a higher percentage of stem/progenitor cells in the population, as determined by clonogenic assays. Furthermore, while both cell populations formed mineral in vitro, DPSCs had significantly higher alkaline phosphatase activity than BMMSCs after 3 weeks in osteogenic medium. These data show several key differences between DPSCs and BMMSCs and support the possibility of using DPSCs for mineralized tissue regeneration. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What's Hot, What's New in Basic Science: Report From the American Transplant Congress 2015

Research reports presented at the American Transplant Congress 2015 provided an array of basic science findings of relevance to the transplant community. Among key themes is the concept that ischemia–reperfusion injury and early posttransplantation inflammation is linked to adaptive alloimmunity and transplant injury. Molecular and cellular mechanisms contributing to these interactions were highlighted. The relevance of understanding how blocking costimulation, including CD40/CD154 interactions, affects various aspects of the alloimmune response was enhanced by the description of preclinical studies demonstrating efficacy of a unique, blocking anti‐CD40 monoclonal antibody that could potentially be used in humans. The identification of mechanisms underlying interactions among T cell subsets and B cells, including follicular helper T cells, regulatory T cells, effector B cells, and regulatory B cells, provides multiple previously unrecognized targets for future therapeutic interventions. Additional reports of interest include novel insights into effects of the gut microbiome on graft survival and the ability to differentiate insulin‐secreting, islet‐like cells from induced pluripotent stem cells. Overall, the reported basic science findings from American Transplant Congress 2015 add to the fundamental understanding of innate and adaptive alloimmunity and provide novel and testable hypotheses that have the potential to be translated into improved clinical care of transplant patients.
Roles of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein in Dopaminergic Stimulation-induced Synapse-associated Protein Synthesis and Subsequent α-Amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) Receptor Internalization*

Fragile X syndrome, the most common form of inherited mental retardation, is caused by the absence of the RNA-binding protein fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). FMRP regulates local protein synthesis in dendritic spines. Dopamine (DA) is involved in the modulation of synaptic plasticity. Activation of DA receptors can regulate higher brain functions in a protein synthesis-dependent manner. Our recent study has shown that FMRP acts as a key messenger for DA modulation in forebrain neurons. Here, we demonstrate that FMRP is critical for DA D1 receptor-mediated synthesis of synapse-associated protein 90/PSD-95-associated protein 3 (SAPAP3) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). DA D1 receptor stimulation induced dynamic changes of FMRP phosphorylation. The changes in FMRP phosphorylation temporally correspond with the expression of SAPAP3 after D1 receptor stimulation. Protein phosphatase 2A, ribosomal protein S6 kinase, and mammalian target of rapamycin are the key signaling molecules for FMRP linking DA D1 receptors to SAPAP3. Knockdown of SAPAP3 did not affect surface expression of α-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) GluR1 receptors induced by D1 receptor activation but impaired their subsequent internalization in cultured PFC neurons; the subsequent internalization of GluR1 was also impaired in Fmr1 knock-out PFC neurons, suggesting that FMRP may be involved in subsequent internalization of GluR1 through regulating the abundance of SAPAP3 after DA D1 receptor stimulation. Our study thus provides further insights into FMRP involvement in DA modulation and may help to reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying impaired learning and memory in fragile X syndrome.
Exhaled nitric oxide and exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction in young male conscripts: association only in atopics

This study was conducted to evaluate how bronchial responsiveness to direct and indirect stimuli relate to nitric oxide producing airway inflammation, and whether the relationship differs between atopic and nonatopic patients with various degrees of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation in a group of otherwise homogenous young men.