Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pattern and distribution of bone metastases in common malignant tumors.

BACKGROUND Bone scan is a sensitive but not specific method for evaluation of bone metastases. However, the clinical data and the pattern of bone scan findings help the physician to narrow the diagnostic differentials. We tried to investigate the distribution of bone metastases in common cancers using bone scintigraphy. MATERIAL AND METHODS 160 consecutive patients with malignancy (prostate cancer: 32, breast cancer: 107, lung cancer:8, and gastrointestinal cancers: 13) underwent bone scan. RESULTS From the 160 patients, 58 patients (36.3%) had abnormal bone scans attributable to metastatic tumor. Bone metastases were found in 32.7%, 40.6%, 38.5% and 62.5% of patients with breast, prostate, GI and lung cancers, respectively (P = 0.35). The most frequently involved area was the spine, followed by ribs and pelvic bones. Spine was the most frequent site of bone metastases in breast and GI cancers. Except for the spine, common locations of bone metastases from breast cancer were ribs and sternum. In prostate cancer, the most frequent site were spine and pelvis, with similar incidences. In lung cancer, ribs followed by spine were most frequent sites of bone metastases. 97 (60.6%) of the cancer patients studied had symptoms of bone pain. The highest incidence was associated with metastatic lesions in bone scan (P = 0.004). Significant correlation between location of bone pain and evidence of bone metastasis in the same region was noticed in the pelvis (P =0.001), skull (P = 0.04), sternum (P = 0.01), spine (P = 0.003) and femur (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that the spine and pelvis in prostate carcinoma and the spine, ribs and sternum in breast carcinoma as well as ribs and spine in lung cancer are most frequently invaded. Bone pain in the skull, sternum, lumbar vertebrae, pelvis and proximal portion of femurs are more important to keep in mind for metastatic bone involvement.
Clinico-Histopathological Study of Cervical Carcinoma At A Tertiary Care Hospital

Aims And Objective:To study various types of cervical carcinoma and correlate histopathological findings with the clinical presentation of the patient. Material And Methods:The present study is a prospective study done over a period of two years, carried out in the department of Pathology in a tertiary care hospital. Our study composed of cervical specimens in the form of biopsies and sections of cervix from hysterectomy specimens received in a tertiary care hospital. Out of 788 cervical specimen 112 (14.2%) were found malignant on histopathology. Results:The maximum number of cases of invasive carcinoma were in 5th and 6th decades. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the commonest invasive carcinoma observed in this study with 100/112 cases (89.30%). Bleeding in the form of post-menopausal bleeding, post coital bleeding or inter-menstrual bleeding and foul smelling per vaginal discharge were the common presenting symptoms in patients having malignancy. Conclusions:All hysterectomy specimens must be sent for histopathological examination and studied meticulously, regardless of the preoperative diagnosis. As,some unusual findings bearing implications on treatment and prognosis will be revealed regardless of the reason for which cervical biopsy/ hysterectomy is performed. Newer terminologies with their descriptions, given by FIGO and WHO, will help to reduce ambiguity and bring uniformity in future studies.
Tobacco nicotine uptake permease (NUP1) affects alkaloid metabolism

An effective plant alkaloid chemical defense requires a variety of transport processes, but few alkaloid transporters have been characterized at the molecular level. Previously, a gene fragment encoding a putative plasma membrane proton symporter was isolated, because it was coordinately regulated with several nicotine biosynthetic genes. Here, we show that this gene fragment corresponds to a Nicotiana tabacum gene encoding a nicotine uptake permease (NUP1). NUP1 belongs to a plant-specific class of purine uptake permease-like transporters that originated after the bryophytes but before or within the lycophytes. NUP1 expressed in yeast cells preferentially transported nicotine relative to other pyridine alkaloids, tropane alkaloids, kinetin, and adenine. NUP1-GFP primarily localized to the plasma membrane of tobacco Bright Yellow-2 protoplasts. WT NUP1 transcripts accumulated to high levels in the roots, particularly in root tips. NUP1-RNAi hairy roots had reduced NUP1 mRNA accumulation levels, reduced total nicotine levels, and increased nicotine accumulation in the hairy root culture media. Regenerated NUP1-RNAi plants showed reduced foliar and root nicotine levels as well as increased seedling root elongation rates. Thus, NUP1 affected nicotine metabolism, localization, and root growth.
Length of life and caloric intake.

Length of life of experimental animals and their susceptibility to a number of degenerative diseases can be significantly modified by nutritional means. Previous studies (1-7) showed that a lifetime regimen of restriction in total food or calorie intake resulted in a remarkable increase in the length of life and a reduction in incidence of several debilitating and life-shortening diseases. The proportion and level of protein and carbohydrate intakes have also been found to modify agespecific morbidity and mortality rate patterns, but not to the same degree (4-7). The few nutritional-longevity programs carried out in the past were begun, almost uniformly, when the animals were newly weaned and the regimens imposed were maintained throughout their lifetimes. Such an unchanging feeding practice may be eminently satisfactory at a specific phase of life but, in all probability, may fail to meet the changing requirements of the organism during development, maturity, and senescence. On the other hand, as some workers have indicated (1), the beneficial effects of dietary limitations may be the direct result of modification of growth processes. Changes in type or amount of diet after growth has ceased should not contribute, therefore, toward any further increase in the duration of life provided that the initial regimen met the needs of the growing animal. We were able, however, to demonstrate that when the dietary regimen of mature male rats was changed, length of life was either drastically curtailed or significantly lengthened, depending upon the level of caloric restriction and the protein-calorie ratio of the diet (8. 9). Of the various diets tested, only that diet with a protein-calorie ratio of 1:5 fed in limited amounts, led to an increase in life expectancy. The increase or decrease in life expectancy of the mature rat after change in type and amount of food allotted was also found to relate to the weight level eventually achieved, either through gain or loss in body weight. For every 10% reduction of body weight there was a 1 3.5 % gain in life expectancy; obversely, for every 10% gain in body weight there was a 1 3.5 % reduction in life expectancy (9). The data to be presented here in brief form have been taken from three interdisciplinary longevity studies and are limited to the effects upon length of life of the level of food intake and the age when an experimental regimen is instituted. They illustrate 1) that a dietary regimen maintained for a relatively short period of time early in life has long lasting effects in that it ultimately influences life expectancy patterns of the population, and 2) that the level of caloric restriction most conducive to an increase in length of life changes with age.
A technique for internal fixation of scapulohumeral luxation using scapulohumeral tension sutures in three alpacas and one miniature steer.

OBJECTIVE To report a technique for open reduction and internal fixation of scapulohumeral joint luxation in large animals, and outcome. STUDY DESIGN Clinical case reports. ANIMALS Mature alpacas (n=3) and immature miniature steer (1). METHODS Shoulder joint luxation was diagnosed by physical examination and confirmed by radiography. Open reduction was performed with internal fixation using lateral tension band sutures. RESULTS Animals maintained shoulder joint reduction and were sound with radiographically normal shoulder joints (n=2) and normal range of motion without appreciable gait abnormalities (4) at follow-up 8-36 months later. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to previous reports of open reduction with internal fixation of shoulder joint luxation in large animals, open reduction and use of lateral scapulohumeral tension sutures resulted in functionally normal shoulder joints. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Stabilization of the shoulder joint with lateral scapulohumeral tension sutures after open reduction is effective, technically simple, and should be considered in large animal species weighing <100 kg.
Biological Bulldozers and the Evolution of Marine Benthic Communities

During the Phanerozoic, the diversity of immobile suspension feeders living on the surface of soft substrata (ISOSS) declined significantly. Immobile taxa on hard surfaces and mobile taxa diversified. Extinction rates of ISOSS were significantly greater than in other benthos. These changes in the structure of benthic communities are attributed to increased biological disturbance of the sediment (bioturbation) by diversifying deposit feeders.
The Effect of Intermittent Low Speed Mode Upon Aortic Valve Opening in Calves Supported With a Jarvik 2000 Axial Flow Device

We assessed the effects of an axial flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) upon aortic valve opening, pump outflow, and biologic and hematologic parameters when operated in intermittent low speed (ILS) mode. An ILS controller equipped Jarvik 2000 LVAD was implanted in six calves. Pump speed was maintained at 10,000 rpm, and pump outflow was measured throughout the study period (71 ± 6 days [mean ± SD]). Hematologic and biochemical parameters were analyzed daily for the first 10 days, weekly for the first month, and biweekly thereafter to monitor for kidney or liver dysfunction, hemolysis, bleeding, or infection. Before study termination, esmolol hydrochloride was infused to induce low cardiac output and totally impair aortic valve opening. Radiopaque cineaortography was performed over 30 second intervals (10 seconds before, 10 seconds during, and 10 seconds immediately after ILS controller activation) to assess the effect of ILS mode upon aortic valve opening. After study termination, major end organs and the major vascular tree were removed and examined macroscopically and histologically for thrombus formation and infarction; the aortic valve was examined for thickening and fusion. All pumps were explanted and examined for thrombus formation. All six calves recovered without surgical or mechanical complications. Hematologic and biochemical parameters did not change significantly between baseline and study termination. The aortic valve successfully opened when ILS mode was activated, even under low cardiac output conditions. No thrombus was detected in the major end organs and vascular tree, except for some small renal infarcts in three calves that did not affect renal function. These results indicate that operating an axial flow LVAD in ILS mode allows aortic valve opening and aortic root washout.
Chimeric NKG2D T Cells Require Both T Cell- and Host-Derived Cytokine Secretion and Perforin Expression to Increase Tumor Antigen Presentation and Systemic Immunity12

Treatment of mice bearing established ovarian tumors with T cells expressing chimeric NKG2D receptors (chNKG2D) develop protective host immune responses to tumor Ags. In this study, the mechanisms that chNKG2D T cells require to induce host immunity against ovarian tumors and which of the host immune cells are involved in tumor elimination were determined. Treatment with chNKG2D T cells led to a sustained, increased IFN-γ production by host NK, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells in the spleen and at the tumor site and this continued for many weeks after T cell injection. Tumor Ag presentation was enhanced in chNKG2D T cell-treated mice, and there were greater numbers of tumor-specific T cells at the tumor site and in draining lymph nodes after treatment with chNKG2D T cells. The increase in host cell cytokine secretion and Ag presentation was dependent on chNKG2D T cell-derived perforin, IFN-γ, and GM-CSF. Host immune mechanisms were involved in tumor elimination because inhibition of tumor growth was limited in mice that lacked perforin, IFN-γ, NK cells, or T and B cells (Rag1−/−). There was no role for host-derived GM-CSF or CD1-dependent NKT cells, because mice deficient in these were able to clear tumors as well as treated wild-type B6 mice. In summary, chNKG2D T cells required both cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion as well as the participation of host immune cells for development of a host antitumor immune response and complete efficacy.
The effect of food prices and household income on the British diet

This paper investigates the effect of price variations on the diet composition in Britain. It describes the dynamics of food demand in relation to food prices over time using data from the British National Food Survey (NFS) covering the period 1975-2000. Demand elasticities with respect to price elasticities are estimated by solving a quadratic almost ideal demand system (QUAIDS) model controlling also for total expenditure on food, region of residence, household size, age of head of household, whether women are working, number of time in which the household buys ready food, household type and income quartiles. Focusing on the â€ consumption technologyâ€ function, effects of food price variation on calories intake, energy from fats and energy from carbohydrate have been explored deriving nutrients elasticities with respect to variation of food prices.
A New Member of the LIM Protein Family Binds to Filamin B and Localizes at Stress Fibers*

Human filamins are 280-kDa proteins containing an N-terminal actin-binding domain followed by 24 characteristic repeats. They also interact with a number of other cellular proteins. All of those identified to date, with the exception of actin, bind to the C-terminal third of a filamin. In a yeast two-hybrid search of a human placental library, using as bait repeats 10–18 of filamin B, we isolated a cDNA coding for a novel 374 amino acid protein containing a proline-rich domain near its N terminus and two LIM domains at its C terminus. We term this protein filamin-binding LIM protein-1, FBLP-1. Yeast two-hybrid studies with deletion mutants localized the areas of interaction in FBLP-1 to its N-terminal domain and in filamin B to repeats 10–13. FBLP-1 mRNA was detected in a variety of tissues and cells including platelets and endothelial cells. We also have identified two FBLP-1 variants. Both contain three C-terminal LIM domains, but one lacks the N-terminal proline-rich domain. Transfection of FBLP-1 into 293A cells promoted stress fiber formation, and both FBLP-1 and filamin B localized to stress fibers in the transfected cells. The association between filamin B and FBLP-1 may play a hitherto unknown role in cytoskeletal function, cell adhesion, and cell motility.
Cumulative causation in biofuels development: a critical comparison of the Netherlands and Sweden

Supporting the development and diffusion of sustainable innovations has become a dominant topic on the political agenda of many countries. However, this has proven to be a difficult task. To increase insight in such processes, this paper takes biofuel technologies in the mobility sector as the topic of a comparative case study. Various national governments have supported innovation trajectories around biofuels. We analyse, assess and compare two such trajectories as they have developed so far: one in the Netherlands and one in Sweden. A Technological Innovation System (TIS) approach is applied. A TIS is constituted by actors, networks and institutions, that are to be gradually constructed around a technology. We analyse whether governments and entrepreneurs have succeeded in developing seven key processes, or system functions, necessary for the development and diffusion of biofuel technologies. By analysing the build-up of system functions over time we identify virtuous and vicious forms of cumulative causation. The Dutch and Swedish TISs for biofuels are followed from 1990 to 2005. Our comparison shows that, due to the fulfilment of system functions and the emergence of cumulative causation, the Swedish TIS has reached a market expansion and broad social implementation of biofuels, whereas the Dutch TIS has established considerably less.
Play and Video Effects on Mood and Procedure Behaviors in School-Aged Children Visiting the Pediatrician

This study examines how different types of activities, including medical play, typical play, and videos, affect the mood and behaviors of children visiting a pediatric office. Seventy-two school-aged children visiting a pediatrician’s office were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: medical play, medical information video, typical play, and nonmedical information video control. Children completed a mood self-report measure and their behaviors were recorded during triage by nurses. The medical information video improved the school-aged children’s mood. Children in the medical information video displayed less difficult behaviors during procedures than the medical play group. The findings suggest that providing information about medical equipment through a video of a child engaging in medical play may benefit children visiting the pediatrician.
Accuracy of diagnostic tests for clinically suspected upper extremity deep vein thrombosis: a systematic review

Summary. Background: The best available test for the diagnosis of upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT) is contrast venography. The aim of this systematic review was to assess whether the diagnostic accuracy of other tests for clinically suspected UEDVT is high enough to justify their use in clinical practise and to evaluate if any test can replace venography. Methods: MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched from inception to June 2009. Two reviewers independently evaluated study eligibility, extracted data, and assessed study quality. Results: We identified 17 papers, reporting on 793 patients. Overall, the methodological quality was poor, sample sizes were small, and large between‐study differences were observed in spectrum and design. The summary estimates of sensitivity (95% confidence interval) were 97% (90–100%) for compression ultrasonography, 84% (72–97%) for Doppler ultrasonography, 91% (85–97%) for Doppler ultrasonography with compression, and 85% (72–99%) for phleboreography. The corresponding summary estimates of specificity were, respectively, 96% (87–100%), 94% (86–100%), 93% (80–100%), and 87% (71–100%). Clinical findings, a clinical score, D‐dimer, magnetic resonance imaging, rheography and plethysmography were evaluated in one study each, involving a median number of 46 patients (range 21–214). Sensitivity and specificity ranged from 0% to 100% and from 14% to 100%. Conclusions: Methodological limitations, large between‐study differences and small sample sizes limit the evidence of tests for clinically suspected UEDVT. Compression ultrasonography may be an acceptable alternative to venography. The addition of (color) Doppler does not seem to improve the accuracy. Adequately designed studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
Deficiency of a Sinorhizobium meliloti bacA Mutant in Alfalfa Symbiosis Correlates with Alteration of the Cell Envelope

ABSTRACT The BacA protein is essential for the long-term survival of Sinorhizobium meliloti and Brucella abortus within acidic compartments in plant and animal cells, respectively. Since both the S. meliloti and B. abortus bacA mutants have an increased resistance to bleomycin, it was hypothesized that BacA was a transporter of bleomycin and bleomycin-like compounds into the bacterial cell. However, our finding that the S. meliloti bacA mutant also has an increased sensitivity to detergents, a hydrophobic dye, ethanol, and acid pH supported a model in which BacA function affects the bacterial cell envelope. In addition, an S. meliloti lpsB mutant that is defective at a stage in infection of the host similar to that found for a bacA mutant is also sensitive to the same agents, and the carbohydrate content of its lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is altered. However, analysis of crude preparations of the bacA mutant LPS suggested that, unlike that for LpsB, BacA function did not affect the carbohydrate composition of the LPS. Rather, we found that at least one function of BacA is to affect the distribution of LPS fatty acids, including a very-long-chain fatty acid thought to be unique to the α-proteobacteria, including B. abortus.
Comparison of photodynamic therapy with cryotherapy in the treatment of Bowen's disease

Summary The efficacy and suitability of photodynamic therapy (PDT) was compared with that of cryotherapy in the treatment of 40 lesions of Bowen's disease. Lesions were randomized to receive either cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen, or PDT using a portable desktop lamp incorporating a 300 W xenon short arc discharge source. A porphyrin precursor, 5‐aminolaevulinic acid (5‐ALA), was applied topically 4 h before irradiation in the PDT group. Each lesion received 125J/cm2 at a fluence rate of 70mW/cm2. All patients were reviewed at 2‐monthly intervals and treatments repeated if required. Cryotherapy produced clearance in 10 of 20 lesions after one treatment, the remaining 10 lesions requiring two or three treatment applications. PDT resulted in clearance of 15 of 20 lesions after one treatment and of the remaining five lesions after a second treatment. The probability that a lesion cleared after one treatment was greater with PDT than cryotherapy (P < 0.01). Cryotherapy was associated with ulceration (five of 20), infection (two of 20) and recurrent disease (two of 20): no such complications occured following PDT. PDT using a non‐laser light source and topical 5‐ALA appears to be at least as effective as cryotherapy in the treatment of Bowen's disease with fewer adverse effects.
The relationship between depression and interferon beta-1a therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis

It has been suggested that interferons (IFN) may cause depressionde novo or worsen pre-existing depression. Depression data collected using validated instruments from individual clinical trials in multiple sclerosis, however, have consistently failed to identify an association. In this study, pooled data from 6 controlled studies and 17 noncontrolled clinical trials of subcutaneous IFN beta-1a were assessed to determine the relationship between IFN therapy with physician reports of depression and suicide. In distinction to the negative findings for depressive symptom ratings, pooling of physician-reported side effect data from these clinical trials identified a statistically significant association between depression and IFN use during the first six months of treatment. There was an association between these reported episodes of depression and discontinuation of IFN therapy, but IFN treatment was not associated with suicide attempts. IFN β-1a may induce a constellation of symptoms, particularly early in therapy, that may be labelled as depression by physicians. However, the lack of an increase in depression-rating scale scores and the lack of association with suicide risk suggests that the syndrome may be an atypical one.