Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neoadjuvant oxaliplatin and capecitabine and bevacizumab without radiotherapy for poor-risk rectal cancer: N-SOG 03 Phase II trial.

OBJECTIVE This Phase II trial was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant oxaliplatin and capecitabine and bevacizumab without radiotherapy in patients with poor-risk rectal cancer. METHODS Patients with magnetic resonance imaging-defined poor-risk rectal cancer received neoadjuvant oxaliplatin and capecitabine and bevacizumab followed by total mesorectal excision or more extensive surgery. RESULTS Between February 2010 and December 2011, 32 patients were enrolled in this study. The completion rate of the scheduled chemotherapy was 91%. Reasons for withdrawal were refusal to continue therapy in two patients and disease progression in one, with two of these three patients not undergoing surgery. Among the 29 patients who completed the scheduled chemotherapy, one refused surgery within 8 weeks after the completion of chemotherapy, which was the period stipulated by the protocol, and another had rectal perforation, requiring urgent laparotomy. As a result, the completion rate of this experimental treatment was 84%. Of the 30 patients who underwent surgery, the R0 resection rate was 90% and a postoperative complication occurred in 43%. A pathological complete response was observed in 13% and good tumor regression was exhibited in 37%. CONCLUSIONS Neoadjuvant oxaliplatin and capecitabine plus bevacizumab for poor-risk rectal cancer caused a high rate of anastomotic leakage and experienced a case with perforation during chemotherapy, both of which were bevacizumab-related toxicity. Although the short-term results with the completion rate of 84.4% and the pathological complete response rate of 13.3% were satisfactory, we have to reconsider the necessity of bevacizumab in neoadjuvant chemotherapy (UMIN number, 000003507).
Identification of steroid receptors in human adipose tissue

Steroids have the ability to alter adipose tissue distribution. Controversy exists as to whether these effects of sex hormones (oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone) on human adipose tissue are indirect or direct, as only very few studies have focused on steroid receptor status in human adipose tissue. In the present study, we reinvestigated steroid receptor status in human mature adipose tissue and human preadipocytes. Oestrogen, glucocorticoid and androgen receptors were found in human mature adipocytes from both women and men. The receptors were detected by ligand binding. Furthermore, the existence of the receptors was confirmed by demonstrating that adipocytes contained mRNA encoding the receptors. cDNA was generated using reverse transcriptase (RT) followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using specific primers (RT–PCR) for the specific steroid receptors. Adipocytes did not contain mRNA encoding the progesterone receptor (PR), and no progesterone binding was detectable in human adipocytes. Human preadipocytes contained glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA and androgen receptor (AR) mRNA, whereas we were unable to detect oestrogen receptor (ER) mRNA and progesterone mRNA in human preadipocytes. In conclusion, oestrogen glucocorticoid and androgen receptors are present in mature adipocytes from subjects of both sexes, whereas adipocytes do not contain progesterone receptors. In preadipocytes, only glucocorticoid receptors and androgen receptors are present, whereas oestrogen receptors and progesterone receptors are not present.
Synthetic double-stranded RNA induces interleukin-32 in bronchial epithelial cells

ABSTRACT Objective: Interleukin (IL)-32 is a novel cytokine and is involved in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases, including asthma and COPD. However, the regulatory mechanisms of IL-32 expression and its precise pathogenic role remain to be defined. Given that viral infections are known to potentially cause and exacerbate airway inflammation, in this study, we investigated the expression of IL-32 induced by synthetic double-stranded (ds) RNA, and its signaling mechanisms involved. Methods: Bronchial epithelial cells were stimulated with synthetic dsRNA poly I:C. The levels of IL-32 expression were analyzed using real-time PCR and ELISA. The involvement of transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) and a subunit of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), p65 was determined by western blot analyses. TAK1 inhibitor, 5Z-7-Oxozeaenol and NF-κB inhibitor, BAY 11-7082 were added to the culture to identify key signaling events leading to the expression of IL-32. Finally, the effect of short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting TAK1 and p65 was investigated. Results: dsRNA significantly induced IL-32 gene and protein expression, concomitant with activation of TAK1 and p65. Pretreatment of 5Z-7-Oxozeaenol diminished dsRNA-induced phosphorylation of NF-κB. Both 5Z-7-Oxozeaenol and BAY 11-7082 significantly abrogated dsRNA-induced IL-32 production. Moreover, transfection of the cells with siRNAs targeting TAK1 and p65 inhibited the expression of IL-32. Conclusions: The expression of IL-32 is induced by dsRNA via the TAK1-NF-κB signaling pathway in bronchial epithelial cells. IL-32 is involved in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation, and may be a novel therapeutic target for airway inflammatory diseases.
High IgE secretion capacity of human plasma cells

In accordance with results obtained in another culture system, it has previously been shown that human B cells frequently switch to immunoglobulin E (IgE) when they are co‐cultured with irradiated mutant EL4 thymoma cells (which provide a CD40 ligand‐mediated B cell activation signal), T cell supernatant and recombinant interleukin (IL)‐4. However, because of the potentially severe side effects of IgE, such as anaphylaxis, B cells could have a limited capacity to produce this isotype. The IgE secretion rate of plasma cells is not known. In the present study, we compared the secretion rates for different Ig classes by means of limiting dilution analysis of plasmocytic cells that were harvested after 8 to 9 days from primary EL4/B cell cultures and titrated into secondary cultures in the presence of a cell proliferation‐blocking concentration of hydroxyurea. These cells secreted Ig at constant rates for periods of up to 2 weeks; IgE secretion was IL‐4 independent. The mean cellular secretion rates were similarly high for IgE (150 pg/cell/24 h) and other isotypes (IgM 273 pg, IgG 112 pg, IgA 136 pg/cell/24 h). In terms of molecules per min this represents 3.3 × 105 for IgE versus 1.2 × 105 for IgM, 3.1 × 105 for IgG and 3.6 × 105 for IgA. The relative frequency of IgE‐secreting cells was only 0.3 % of the total number of Ig‐secreting cells, suggesting a small size of IgE‐producing clones in this in vitro system. Whether this is relevant regarding an in vivo response is not known. Clearly, the Ig secretion capacity of plasma cells would not limit an IgE response in the absence of extrinsic control.
Retrospective analysis of 102 cases of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas in China

Objective Clinicopathological features and surgical outcomes in patients with solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas were analysed. Methods Data regarding clinicopathological features, surgery and outcome for patients with SPN were retrospectively collected and analysed. Patients were followed-up by telephone interview. Results The study included 102 patients (89 females/13 males), 99 of whom underwent surgical resection. A total of 89 patients (87.3%) were followed-up (mean duration 26.98 months, range 2–95 months); 86 (96.6%) had no relapse or metastasis. Conclusions Surgical resection is the primary therapy for SPN, and results in a good prognosis.
Attenuation of Inflammatory Events in Human Intervertebral Disc Cells With a Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonist

Study Design. The inflammatory responses of primary human intervertebral disc (IVD) cells to tumor necrosis factor &agr; (TNF-&agr;) and an antagonist were evaluated in vitro. Objective. To investigate an ability for soluble TNF receptor type II (sTNFRII) to antagonize TNF-&agr;-induced inflammatory events in primary human IVD cells in vitro. Summary of Background Data. TNF-&agr; is a known mediator of inflammation and pain associated with radiculopathy and IVD degeneration. sTNFRs and their analogues are of interest for the clinical treatment of these IVD pathologies, although information on the effects of sTNFR on human IVD cells remains unknown. Methods. IVD cells were isolated from surgical tissues procured from 15 patients and cultured with or without 1.4 nmol/L TNF-&agr; (25 ng/mL). Treatment groups were coincubated with varying doses of sTNFRII (12.5–100 nmol/L). Nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and interleukin-6 (IL6) levels in media were quantified to characterize the inflammatory phenotype of the IVD cells. Results. Across all patients, TNF-&agr; induced large, statistically significant increases in NO, PGE2, and IL6 secretion from IVD cells compared with controls (60-, 112-, and 4-fold increases, respectively; P < 0.0001). Coincubation of TNF-&agr; with nanomolar doses of sTNFRII significantly attenuated the secretion of NO and PGE2 in a dose-dependent manner, whereas IL6 levels were unchanged. Mean IC50 values for NO and PGE2 were found to be 35.1 and 20.5 nmol/L, respectively. Conclusion. Nanomolar concentrations of sTNFRII were able to significantly attenuate the effects of TNF-&agr; on primary human IVD cells in vitro. These results suggest this sTNFR to be a potent TNF antagonist with potential to attenuate inflammation in IVD pathology.
Swim training restores glucagon‐like peptide‐1 insulinotropic action in pancreatic islets from monosodium glutamate‐obese rats

Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) is an important modulator of insulin secretion by endocrine pancreas. In the present study, we investigated the effect of swim training on GLP‐1 insulinotropic action in pancreatic islets from monosodium glutamate (MSG)‐obese rats.
Contribution of Trochanteric Soft Tissues to Fall Force Estimates, the Factor of Risk, and Prediction of Hip Fracture Risk*

We compared trochanteric soft tissue thickness, femoral aBMD, and the ratio of fall force to femoral strength (i.e., factor of risk) in 21 postmenopausal women with incident hip fracture and 42 age‐matched controls. Reduced trochanteric soft tissue thickness, low femoral aBMD, and increased ratio of fall force to femoral strength (i.e., factor of risk) were associated with increased risk of hip fracture.
Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Produce Bioactive Neurotrophic Factors: Source, Individual Variability and Differentiation Issues

The possible use of cell therapies for neurological lesions and disorders is regarded as a very promising strategy. However, many issues related to cell type, tissue donor, expected biological action etc., are still open. In this study human mesenchymal stem cells derived from different fetal and adult tissues were examined in order to explore growth and neurotrophic factor synthesis and biological action, also considering the individual variability of the donors. Cells were derived from different human tissues and characterized according to the guidelines of the International Society for Cellular Therapy. Growth and neurotrophic factor synthesis was evaluated by real time PCR, biological assays and ELISA. It was found that human mesenchymal stem cells produce vascular endothelial-, nerve-growth factor (VEGF, NGF), brain-derived-, ciliary- and glial-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF, CDGF, GDNF), which are neuroprotective molecules, but the source and the donor influence the synthesis rate. Accordingly, it is suggested that the source and the individual variability are key issues to be considered in the perspective of the clinical use of mesenchymal stem cells in neurological disorders.
Assessing the Content of Online Agricultural Awareness Campaigns

This study explored the content of online agricultural awareness webpages. Content analysis was used to determine the content, image categories, messaging appeals, and frames used. The majority of the pages included images and logos, but they were less likely to include other media components, such as social media plugins. The most prevalent image types were non-farming adults, positive food products, fields, and freeroaming animals, though they were included in less than one-third of the pages. The use of non-farming adult images is likely connecting to a consumer audience, while the images of positive food products, fields, and free-roaming animals are likely providing contextual, cultural, or direct meaning to the viewers. Logical appeals were more prevalent than emotional appeals. The primary use of logical appeals could be limiting webpage effectiveness because emotional appeals are known to create stronger connections with audiences and be remembered. The most prevalent frames were agricultural education and economic. Previous literature indicates that education-only communication is traditionally less effective as consumers consider more than facts when making decisions. It is recommended that agricultural communicators pre-test webpages with target audiences prior to launch, utilize webpage planning to better reach target audiences, and conduct formative evaluations of webpages to assess effectiveness and make any needed adjustments. Additionally, it is recommended that agricultural communicators incorporate more emotional appeals into their communication messages. Future research should continue to assess online agricultural awareness information as well as the impact the information has on a consumer audience.
Effect of Adductor Canal Block Versus Femoral Nerve Block on Quadriceps Strength, Mobilization, and Pain After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized, Blinded Study

Background and Objectives Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is often associated with severe pain. Different regional anesthetic techniques exist, all with varying degrees of motor blockade. We hypothesized that pain relief provided by the adductor canal block (ACB) could increase functional muscle strength. Methods We included 50 TKA patients with severe movement-related pain; defined as having visual analog scale pain score of greater than 60 mm during active flexion of the knee. The ACB group received an ACB with ropivacaine 0.2% 30 mL and a femoral nerve block (FNB) with 30 mL saline. The FNB group received an ACB with 30 mL saline and an FNB with ropivacaine 0.2% 30 mL. We compared the effect of the ACB versus FNB on maximum voluntary isometric contraction of the quadriceps muscle relative to a postoperative baseline value. Secondary end points were differences between groups in ability to ambulate and changes in pain scores (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01922596). Results After block, the quadriceps maximum voluntary isometric contraction increased to 193% (95% confidence interval [CI], 143–288) of the baseline value in the ACB group and decreased to 16% (95% CI, 3–33) in the FNB group with an estimated difference of 178% (95% CI, 136–226), P < 0.0001. Pain scores were similar between groups. Before block, 2 of 25 patients in each group were unable to perform the Timed-Up-and-Go test; after block, this number increased to 7 of 25 in the FNB group and decreased to 0 of 25 in the ACB group. Conclusion Adductor canal block provides a clinically relevant and statistically significant increase in quadriceps muscle strength for patients in severe pain after TKA.
Growth Arrest of Epithelial Cells during Measles Virus Infection Is Caused by Upregulation of Interferon Regulatory Factor 1

ABSTRACT Natural infection with measles virus (MeV) is initiated when the virus reaches epithelial cells in the respiratory tract, oropharynx, or conjunctivae. Human epithelial cells infected with MeV frequently show growth suppression. In this study, we investigated the possible mechanisms for this suppression. The bronchiolar epithelial cell A549 showed growth arrest in G0/G1 following MeV infection or treatment with gamma interferon (IFN-γ). IFN regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) was upregulated during MeV infection, although A549 did not produce IFN-γ. Cells of the cervical squamous cell line SiHa persistently infected with various strains of MeV displayed slower growth than uninfected SiHa cells, although the growth rates varied depending on the MeV strain. Transfection of antisense-oriented IRF-1 cDNA released the MeV-infected SiHa cells from growth suppression. Although these infected cells did not produce IFN-γ and suppressed IFN-α/β-induced Jak1 phosphorylation, Jak1 was constitutively phosphorylated. The growth rates negatively correlated with levels of both IRF-1 expression and constitutively phosphorylated Jak1. These results indicate that MeV upregulates IRF-1 in a manner that is independent of IFN but dependent on the JAK/STAT pathway. This induction of IRF-1 appears to suppress cell growth, although the extent seems to vary among MeV strains.
Efficiency of Banks in Croatia

An understanding of a bank's relative efficiency is important for analysts, practitioners and policymakers alike. In this paper, we analyze bank efficiency in Croatia between 1995 and 2000, using Data Envelopment Analysis. We find that foreign-owned banks are on average most efficient, that the new banks are more efficient than the old ones, and that smaller banks are globally efficient but large banks appear to be efficient when we allow for variable returns to scale. We also find that there has been strong equalization in terms of average efficiency in the Croatian banking market, both between and within the peer groups of banks.
Factors Contributing to Inappropriate Visits of Frequent Attenders and Their Economic Effects at an Emergency Department in Singapore.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to determine which factors contribute to frequent visits at the emergency department (ED) and what proportion were inappropriate in comparison with nonfrequent visits. METHODS This study was a retrospective, case-control study comparing a random sample of frequent attenders and nonfrequent attenders, with details of their ED visits recorded over a 12-month duration. Frequent attenders were defined as patients with four or more visits during the study period. RESULTS In comparison with nonfrequent attenders (median age = 45.0 years, interquartile range [IQR] = 28.0 to 61.0 years), frequent attenders were older (median = 57.5 years, IQR = 34.0 to 74.8 years; p = 0.0003). They were also found to have more comorbidities, where 53.3% of frequent attenders had three or more chronic illnesses compared to 14% of nonfrequent attenders (p < 0.0001), and were often triaged to higher priority (more severe) classes (frequent 52.2% vs. nonfrequent 37.6%, p = 0.0004). Social issues such as bad debts (12.7%), heavy drinking (3.3%), and substance abuse (2.7%) were very low in frequent attenders compared to Western studies. Frequent attenders had a similar rate of appropriate visits to the ED as nonfrequent attenders (55.2% vs. 48.1%, p = 0.0892), but were more often triaged to P1 priority triage class (6.7% vs. 3.2%, p = 0.0014) and were more often admitted for further management compared to nonfrequent attenders (47.5% vs. 29.6%, p < 0.001). The majority of frequent attender visits were appropriate (55.2%), and of these, 81.1% resulted in admission. For the same number of patients, total visits made by frequent attenders ($174,247.60) cost four times as much as for nonfrequent attenders ($40,912.40). This represents a significant economic burden on the health care system. CONCLUSIONS ED frequent attenders in Singapore were associated with higher age and presence of multiple comorbidities rather than with social causes of ED use. Even in integrated health systems, repeat ED visits are frequent and expensive, despite minimal social causes of acute care. EDs in aging populations must anticipate the influx of vulnerable, elderly patients and have in place interventional programs to care for them.
Effects of glyceryl trinitrate on the pyloric motor response to intraduodenal triglyceride infusion in humans

Abstract. The retardation of gastric emptying induced by infusion of triglyceride into the small intestine is associated with suppression of antral pressure waves and stimulation of basal pyloric tone in combination with phasic pressure waves localized to the pylorus. The role of nitric oxide (NO) mechanisms in the control of pyloric motility was evaluated in 12 healthy male subjects (21–43 years), using the NO donor glyceryl trinitrate (GTN). Antropyloric pressures were measured with a manometric assembly incorporating nine sideholes, spanning the antrum and proximal duodenum, and a pyloric sleeve sensor. On separate days, an intraduodenal triglyceride infusion (10% intralipid at l mL min‐1) was started during antral phase I activity and continued for 60 min. On one of the days GTN (600 μg) was given sublingually 20 min after start of the triglyceride infusion. The tonic pyloric motor response to triglyceride [5.6 (SEM 0.8.) vs. 2.7 (1.3) mmHg, P <0.001] and both the number [3.2 (0.2) vs. 2.2 (0.2) min‐1, P <0.05] and amplitude [40 (4) vs. 27 (5) mmHg, P <0.05] of phasic isolated pyloric pressure waves were reduced by GTN. These observations suggest that NO mechanisms are involved in the regulation of pyloric motor activity in humans.
Insulin Gene in Familial NIDDM: Lack of Linkage in Utah Mormon Pedigrees

Although non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is well recognized to be an inherited disease, the genetic lesion responsible remains to be determined. Several pedigrees have been reported in which defects of the insulin gene result in glucose intolerance or diabetes in affected members, but the role of insulin gene mutations in NIDDM is unknown. To evaluate this role, we ascertained 23 Caucasian pedigrees for a diabetic individual with at least one diabetic family member, sampled the unaffected individuals by a 75-g glucose tolerance test, and prepared leukocyte DNA on all family members. Included in the pedigrees ascertained were those with both predominantly lean and predominantly obese diabetic members and four pedigrees included as insulin-dependent diabetic individual. Insulin gene involvement was evaluated via previously described restriction-fragment-length polymorphisms (RFLPs) for the insulin gene and the nearby c-Ha-Ras oncogene (HRAS). Combination of these RFLPs resulted in the ability to trace the insulin alleles in all pedigrees studied. Analysis of individual pedigrees for sharing of insulin alleles was possible in 12 pedigrees, and lack of linkage was demonstrated in 6 of them. Neither linkage nor lack of linkage could be proved in the remaining pedigrees. Analysis of the pooled pedigree data failed to demonstrate linkage under several models, including autosomal-dominant and -recessive inheritance with different sporadic frequencies of diabetes and different prevalence figures. These results show that mutations of the insulin gene and the immediately surrounding area, including regulatory regions of the insulin gene, are unlikely to account for a significant subset of NIDDM in Caucasian individuals.
The influence of journal submission guidelines on authors' reporting of statistics and use of open research practices

From January 2014, Psychological Science introduced new submission guidelines that encouraged the use of effect sizes, estimation, and meta-analysis (the “new statistics”), required extra detail of methods, and offered badges for use of open science practices. We investigated the use of these practices in empirical articles published by Psychological Science and, for comparison, by the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, during the period of January 2013 to December 2015. The use of null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) was extremely high at all times and in both journals. In Psychological Science, the use of confidence intervals increased markedly overall, from 28% of articles in 2013 to 70% in 2015, as did the availability of open data (3 to 39%) and open materials (7 to 31%). The other journal showed smaller or much smaller changes. Our findings suggest that journal-specific submission guidelines may encourage desirable changes in authors’ practices.