Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Discussion of paper by Foss et al

Uveal melanoma is one of the few forms of cancer treated before a pathologist can examine tissue to assess the risk of metastasis by assigning a histological grade. Study of the microcirculation architecture in these tumours was initially aimed at evaluating the prognostic significance of microcirculatory patterns in tissue sections of eyes removed for choroidal or ciliary body melanoma and also to determine if these patterns could be imaged by ultrasonographic or angiographic techniques. Patterns formed by the microcirculation architecture in uveal melanomas were found to be strongly associated with death from metastatic melanoma by our research group1 2-7 and by others.8 9 Ophthalmic pathologists have shown interest in using a simple histological technique developed in our laboratory to detect these microcirculatory patterns and compare features of prognostic significance in uveal melanomas.10 By using a periodic acid Schiff (PAS) stain without haematoxylin counterstaining for nuclei, the amount of visual ‘noise’ is reduced, improving the sensitivity of detecting small microvessels. After a green filter is placed into the light path of the microscope, visualisation of the microcirculation is enhanced. The PAS stain resists bleaching …
Correlates and Predictors of Psychological Distress Among Older Asian Immigrants in California

ABSTRACT Psychological distress occurs frequently in older minority immigrants because many have limited social resources and undergo a difficult process related to immigration and acculturation. Despite a rapid increase in the number of Asian immigrants, relatively little research has focused on subgroup mental health comparisons. This study examines the prevalence of psychological distress, and relationship with socio-demographic factors, and health care utilization among older Asian immigrants. Weighted data from Asian immigrants 65 and older from 5 countries (n = 1,028) who participated in the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) were analyzed descriptively and in multiple linear regressions. The prevalence of psychological distress varied significantly across the 5 ethnic groups, from Filipinos (4.83%) to Chinese (1.64%). General health status, cognitive and physical impairment, and health care utilization are all associated (p < .05) with psychological distress in multiple linear regressions. These findings are similar to those from previous studies. The findings reinforce the need to develop more culturally effective mental health services and outreach programs.
IV Medication Safety Software Implementation in a Multihospital Health System

A number of technological advances are becoming incorporated into institutional pharmacy practice in order to reduce the frequency and severity of medication errors. One of these has great promise. They deal with intravenous (IV) medication safety systems, wherein customized drug software is interfaced with “intelligent” infusion pumps. This paper describes the implementation and initial evaluation of Hospira's MedNet decision support infusion software in a five-hospital health care system in Pennsylvania. All of the steps are reviewed (identification of stakeholders, evaluation of software capabilities, evaluation of institution-specific practices, decisions regarding standard operating procedures, writing of the drug libraries, and preparation for “going live”) in detail. In addition, the initial results of the system are described, especially with respect to potential medication errors avoided. The well-documented medication error avoidance potential of such systems has proven useful in a clinical setting.
Adhesion of pancreatic beta cells to biopolymer films

Dramatic reversal of Type 1 diabetes in patients receiving pancreatic islet transplants continues to prompt vigorous research concerning the basic mechanisms underlying patient turnaround. At the most fundamental level, transplanted islets must maintain viability and function in vitro and in vivo and should be protected from host immune rejection. Our previous reports showed enhancement of islet viability and insulin secretion per tissue mass for small islets (<125 μm) as compared with large islets (>125 μm), thus, demonstrating the effect of enhancing the mass transport of islets (i.e. increasing tissue surface area to volume ratio). Here, we report the facile dispersion of rat islets into individual cells that are layered onto the surface of a biopolymer film towards the ultimate goal of improving mass transport in islet tissue. The tightly packed structure of intact islets was disrupted by incubating in calcium‐free media resulting in fragmented islets, which were further dispersed into individual or small groups of cells by using a low concentration of papain. The dispersed cells were screened for adhesion to a range of biopolymers and the nature of cell adhesion was characterized for selected groups by quantifying adherent cells, measuring the surface area coverage of the cells, and immunolabeling cells for adhesion proteins interacting with selected biopolymers. Finally, beta cells in suspension were centrifuged to form controlled numbers of cell layers on films for future work determining the mass transport limitations in the adhered tissue constructs. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 91: 676–685, 2009.
Measures of emergency preparedness contributing to nursing home resilience

ABSTRACT Resilience approaches have been successfully applied in crisis management, disaster response, and high reliability organizations and have the potential to enhance existing systems of nursing home disaster preparedness. This study’s purpose was to determine how the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) “Emergency Preparedness Checklist Recommended Tool for Effective Health Care Facility Planning” contributes to organizational resilience by identifying the benchmark resilience items addressed by the CMS Emergency Preparedness Checklist and items not addressed by the CMS Emergency Preparedness Checklist, and to recommend tools and processes to improve resilience for nursing homes. The CMS Emergency Preparedness Checklist items were compared to the Resilience Benchmark Tool items; similar items were considered matches. Resilience Benchmark Tool items with no CMS Emergency Preparedness Checklist item matches were considered breaches in nursing home resilience. The findings suggest that the CMS Emergency Preparedness Checklist can be used to measure some aspects of resilience, however, there were many resilience factors not addressed. For nursing homes to prepare and respond to crisis situations, organizations need to embrace a culture that promotes individual resilience-related competencies that when aggregated enable the organization to improve its resiliency. Social workers have the skills and experience to facilitate this change.
Age-Dependent Change in the Levels of Aβ40 and Aβ42 in Cerebrospinal Fluid from Control Subjects, and a Decrease in the Ratio of Aβ42 to Aβ40 Level in Cerebrospinal Fluid from Alzheimer’s Disease Patients

In order to address an age-dependent alteration in the concentration of β-amyloid polypeptides (Aβs) within the central nervous system and its probable predisposition to amyloidgenesis in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), we measured two species of soluble Aβs, Aβ40 and Aβ42, in cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) from randomly selected Japanese control subjects at various ages (n = 33) and then compared these data with those of probable Japanese AD patients (n = 23). CSF concentrations of Aβ40 and Aβ42 peptides were age-dependent (ANOVA, Bonferroni’s multiple comparison; p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) and were lower in the infant than in adults. From mid-20, the Aβ40 concentrations were decreasing while Aβ42 were rather stable. Aβs in CSF from AD patients (n = 23), whose ε4 allele frequency of the apolipoprotein E gene was higher than in controls (n = 83, p < 0.03), were not statistically different from those of age-matched controls (n = 13). A linear relationship was detected between the Aβ40 concentration and the Mini-Mental State Examination score (p < 0.05). The ratio of the Aβ42 to the Aβ40 level measured in the AD CSF samples was approximately 38% decreased compared to age-matched controls (p < 0.05). These data suggest that the physiological metabolism of soluble Aβs in the brain is regulated in an age-dependent manner, and that the ratio of Aβ42 to Aβ40 level in the CSF would be a useful marker for monitoring progression of AD.
Sex after divorce: older adult women’s reflections

ABSTRACT People who divorce experience a number of negative impacts, and yet divorce also offers opportunities for growth and transformation. This qualitative study of older adult women offers the possibility that divorce may be sexually empowering, especially for women, based on in-depth interviewing of women who had gone through one or more divorces. Detailed examples of the experiences of fourteen women with divorce and sexual expression are offered, focusing on in which situations divorce might be empowering and how it could contribute to sexual exploration and satisfaction. Overall, for the fourteen women in the study who had experienced divorce, the quality of sex in the marriage impacted the quality of sexual expression after the divorce. Also, these findings supported the idea of transformational learning through divorce, and expand divorce-stress-adjustment and transformational learning perspectives to apply more specifically to sexual expression. Understanding possible impacts of divorce over the lifespan, including strengths-based aspects, is important for social workers as the population they serve ages.
Review: The liver bile acid‐binding proteins

The liver bile acid‐binding proteins, L‐BABPs, formerly called the liver “basic” fatty acid‐binding proteins, are a subfamily of the fatty acid‐binding proteins, FABPs. All the members of this protein group share the same fold: a 10 stranded β barrel in which two short helices are inserted in between the first and the second strand of antiparallel β sheet. The barrel encloses the ligand binding cavity of the protein while the two helices are believed to be involved in ligand accessibility to the binding site. The L‐BABP subfamily has been found to be present in the liver of several vertebrates: fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds but not in mammals. The members of the FABP family present in mammals that appear to be more closely related to the L‐BABPs are the liver FABPs and the ileal BABPs, both very extensively studied. Several L‐BABP X‐ray structures are available and chicken L‐BABP has also been studied using NMR spectroscopy. The stoichiometry of ligand binding for bile acids, first determined by X‐ray crystallography for the chicken liver protein, is of two cholates per protein molecule with the only exception of zebrafish L‐BABP which, due to the presence of a disulfide bridge, has a stoichiometry of 1:1. The stoichiometry of ligand binding for fatty acids, determined with several different techniques, is 1:1. An unanswered question of great relevance is the identity of the protein that in mammals performs the function that in other vertebrates is carried out by the L‐BABPS. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 91: 1196–1202, 2009.
Effects of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics on Hypercholesterolemia: A Review

Cholesterol plays a major role in human health. High cholesterol is a leading risk factor for human cardiovascular disease such as atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and stroke. Excess cholesterol in the bloodstream can form plaque in the artery walls. Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. A number of pharmacological and non-pharmacological (including dietary) approaches being employed to reduce the cholesterol level. Numerous drugs that lower serum cholesterol have been developed to treat hypercholesterolemic patients, the best example being the statins drugs (Atorvastatin, Simvastatin, Rosuvastatin, and Lovastatin). However, the undesirable side effects of these compounds were observed and have caused concern about their long term therapeutic use. Several studies have been reported that the consumption of fermented dairy products decreases serum cholesterol. Probiotics are live microorganisms that promote health benefits upon consumption, while prebiotics are nondigestible food ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract. Probiotics and prebiotics have been suggested to reduce cholesterol via various mechanisms without any deleterious effect to the human health. This paper may throw some light to prove the ability of these synbiotics as a novel alternative or adjuvant to chemical drugs to help fight the hypercholesterolemic problem.
Correlation between transverse plan kinematics and foot progression angle in children with spastic diplegia

In diplegic patients, the orientation of foot progression depends on multiple factors. We investigated the relationship between foot progression alignment, hip and pelvic rotations during gait, femoral anteversion, and tibial torsion. Kinematic and clinical parameters were evaluated for 114 children who walked independently and had not undergone previous surgery. Causes of intoeing presented combined in 72% of cases. Internal foot progression correlated with internal hip rotation and showed an inverse correlation with tibial torsion. Our results indicate that data from clinical examination and gait analysis should be evaluated carefully before making treatment recommendations, especially in terms of the correction of torsional problems, in patients with cerebral palsy.
Dietary Isothiocyanates, Glutathione S-Transferase M1 (GSTM1), and Lung Cancer Risk in African Americans and Caucasians from Los Angeles County, California

Isothiocyanates, found in cruciferous vegetables, are anticarcinogenic. Racial differences in smoking do not fully account for the African-American excess lung cancer incidence. African Americans consume more cruciferous vegetables than U.S. Whites. Impact on lung cancer risk is unknown. The glutathione S transferase M1 (GSTM1) gene promotes urinary isothiocyanate excretion. We evaluated dietary isothiocyanates and lung cancer using a population-based case-control study of 933 African Americans and Caucasians (non-Hispanic U.S. White) from Los Angeles County, California (311 cases; 622 controls). Broccoli, cauliflower, greens, and cabbage food-frequency variables represented isothiocyanates. Isothiocyanates were protective for lung cancer risk. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) for the uppermost quartile > 80 μ mol isothiocyanates/wk, compared to lowest, was 0.65 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.41–1.00, trend P = 0.02]. Association was stronger among subjects with homozygous deletion of GSTM1 (OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.31–0.86) than subjects with at least one GSTM1 copy (OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.49–1.21). The difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.16). Despite African Americans consuming more cruciferous vegetables, the isothiocyanate association did not vary by race (P = 0.52). Reduced lung cancer risk with higher isothiocyanate intake may be slightly stronger among subjects with deletion of GSTM1.
Morinda Citrifolia (Noni) Reduces Cancer Risk in Current Smokers by Decreasing Aromatic DNA Adducts

Quantitative determination of aromatic DNA adducts in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) of current smokers is an useful surrogate biomarker for the evaluation of environmental carcinogen exposure or chemopreventive intervention. In this study, we examined the impact of Tahitian Noni Juice (TNJ) on the aromatic DNA adducts of PBLs, before and after a 1-mo intervention, using 32P postlabeling assay. Of 283 enrolled, 203 smokers completed the trial. Aromatic DNA adducts levels in all participants were significantly reduced by 44.9% (P < 0.001) after drinking 1 to 4 oz of TNJ for 1 mo. Dose-dependent analyses of aromatic DNA adduct levels showed reductions of 49.7% (P < 0.001) in the 1-oz TNJ group and 37.6% (P < 0.001) in the 4-oz TNJ group. Gender-specific analyses resulted in no significant differences in the 4-oz TNJ groups. Interestingly, the 1-oz TNJ group showed a reduction of 43.1% (P < 0.001) in females compared with 56.1% (P < 0.001) in males. The results suggest that drinking 1 to 4 oz of TNJ daily may reduce the cancer risk in heavy cigarette smokers by blocking carcinogen-DNA binding or excising DNA adducts from genomic DNA.
Physical Activity and Reduced Breast Cancer Risk: A Multinational Study

We evaluated the association between physical activity and breast cancer risk among 1,463 breast cancer cases and 4,862 controls in a multinational study. All subjects were asked how many times and for how long they exercised or engaged in strenuous physical labor per week. We used multivariate logistic regression to assess the association between physical activity and breast cancer risk. For all subjects combined, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio was 50% lower (95% confidence interval = 0.4–0.6) for women who reported physical activity once per week or more after adjusting for age, race, body mass index, and pack years of smoking compared to those who reported physical activity less than once per week. Women who reported physical activity 3 times/wk or more did not gain any additional reduced risk. The amount of time spent in physical activity per session was also significantly associated with reduced risk. All ethnic groups examined including Caucasian-Americans, African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Tunisian-Arabs, and Polish-Caucasians were at 35% or greater reduced risk for breast cancer if they were physically active for more than 30 minutes per week. Our study shows that physical activity may reduce breast cancer risk regardless of race, weight category, or family history of breast cancer.
Correlation of structural retinal nerve fibre layer parameters and functional measures using Heidelberg Retinal Tomography and Spectralis spectral domain optical coherence tomography at different levels of glaucoma severity

Background: To compare the structure/function relationship in glaucoma cases at different levels of severity, and with different disc sizes, between the Heidelberg Retinal Tomography and Spectralis spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Design: Retrospective study of glaucoma patients attending a Sydney-based private practice. Participants: 169 eyes of 169 patients with a clinical diagnosis of glaucoma. Methods: Patients were divided on visual field criteria into early (mean deviation > –4 dB), moderate (–4 dB < mean deviation < –10 dB) and severe (mean deviation < –10 dB) disease. Bivariate correlation (Spearman’s rho) between mean threshold scores for each area and the corresponding mean retinal nerve fibre layer thickness sectoral measurement were calculated. Main Outcome Measures: Correlation, as measured by Spearman’s rho, between retinal nerve fibre layer measurements and mean threshold scores. Comparison of correlation strengths between the two scanning modalities with analysis of the effect of disease severity and disc size. Results: Both imaging techniques showed only moderate correlations at best. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (global retinal nerve fibre layer Spearman’s rho = 0.670, P < 0.01) had higher correlation coefficients compared with Heidelberg Retinal Tomography rim area (Spearman’s rho = 0.449, P < 0.01) and retinal nerve fibre layer (Spearman’s rho = 0.421, P < 0.01). Disc size did not have a significant influence on the structure/function
Neuroendocrine Lung Tumors

Abstract: A case of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the lung is presented to introduce the topic of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors. These encompass a spectrum of tumors including the low-grade typical carcinoid (TC), intermediate-grade atypical carcinoid (AC), and the high-grade LCNEC and small cell carcinoma (SCLC). These tumors have certain morphologic, ultrastructural, immunohistochemical, and molecular characteristics in common, but there are important differences in incidence, clinical, epidemiologic, histologic, survival, and molecular characteristics. Although these tumors are frequently discussed in a spectrum, the carcinoid tumors are only distantly related to the high-grade SCLC and LCNEC. In contrast to SCLC and LCNEC, both TC and AC can occur in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 1. In addition, neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia with or without tumourlets is relatively frequent in both TC and AC but not in LCNEC or SCLC. Histologic heterogeneity with other major histologic types of lung carcinoma occurs with both SCLC and LCNEC but not with TC or AC. In contrast to LCNEC, most TC and AC are readily diagnosed by light microscopy without the need for special tests. The percentage of genetic changes is usually low for TC, high for SCLC and LCNEC, and intermediate for AC.
Stimulation of the Nicotine Antiinflammatory Pathway Improves Food Intake and Body Composition in Tumor-Bearing Rats

Inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome. Nicotine administration reduces cytokine levels and mortality during sepsis. Therefore, nicotine administration may result in improved anorexia-cachexia. Sixteen male Fischer rats inoculated with MCA sarcoma were assigned to random injections of nicotine (NIC; 200 mg/kg BW/d) or saline (C). Food intake (FI), body weight, body composition, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 levels were evaluated. Data were analyzed via Student's t-test for paired and unpaired data and ANOVA. FI started declining 12 days after tumor inoculation both in C and NIC rats, but the decline was significantly attenuated by nicotine administration. At the end of the study, lean body mass wasting was more severe in C rats than in NIC rats (P < 0.05), whereas a trend toward attenuation of fat mass depletion was observed. IL-1 circulating levels were significantly lower in NIC rats than in C rats (114 ± 21 pg/mL vs. 190 ± 35 pg/mL, respectively; P < 0.01), whereas the reduction of IL-6 levels in NIC rats was only marginally not significant when compared to C rats (555 ± 174 pg/mL vs. 721 ± 160 pg/mL, respectively; P = 0.06). Our data suggest that the nicotinic antiinflammatory pathway may represent an interesting and possibly effective therapy for anorexia-cachexia syndrome.
PERCUTANEOUS ENDOSCOPIC GASTROSTOMY AND VENTRICULOPERITONEAL SHUNTS: A DANGEROUS COMBINATION?

Background: We report the largest European series of patients in whom both ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS) and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies (PEG) have been inserted with the aim of determining if this combination is safe or if there is an increased risk of VPS infection.
Promoter Methylation of E-Cadherin, p16, and RAR-β2 Genes in Breast Tumors and Dietary Intake of Nutrients Important in One-Carbon Metabolism

Aberrant DNA methylation plays a critical role in carcinogenesis, and the availability of dietary factors involved in 1-carbon metabolism may contribute to aberrant DNA methylation. We investigated the association of intake of folate, vitamins B2, B6, B12, and methionine with promoter methylation of E-cadherin, p16, and RAR-β2 genes in archived tumor tissues from incident, primary breast cancer cases in a population-based case-control study. Real-time methylation-specific PCR was performed on 803 paraffin-embedded samples; usual dietary intake was queried from a food frequency questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression was used to derive adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for likelihood of promoter methylation for high compared to low intake of those 1-carbon nutrients. Overall, in case-case comparisons, dietary intakes of folate, vitamins B2, B6, B12, and methionine were not associated with likelihood of promoter methylation of E- cadherin, p16, and RAR-β2 for all cases combined or within strata defined by menopausal status and estrogen receptor status in this study. This finding, however, does not exclude the possibility that intake of such nutrients might have the ability to modulate promoter methylation in normal or premalignant (dysplastic) breast tissue.