Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pancreatic Cancer‐Induced Cachexia Is Jak2‐Dependent in Mice

Cancer cachexia syndrome is observed in 80% of patients with advanced‐stage cancer, and it is one of the most frequent causes of death. Severe wasting accounts for more than 80% in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Here we wanted to define, by using an microarray approach and the Pdx1‐cre;LSL‐KrasG12D;INK4a/arffl/fl mice model, the pathways involved in muscle, liver, and white adipose tissue wasting. These mice, which develop systematically pancreatic cancer, successfully reproduced many human symptoms afflicted with this disease, and particularly cachexia. Using the profiling analysis of pancreatic cancer‐dependent cachectic tissues we found that Jak2/Stat3 pathways, p53 and NFkB results activated. Thus, our interest was focused on the Jak2 pathways because it is pharmacologically targetable with low toxicity and FDA approved drugs are available. Therefore, Pdx1‐cre;LSL‐KrasG12D;INK4a/arffl/fl mice were treated with the Jak2 inhibitor AG490 compound daily starting at 7 weeks old and for a period of 3 weeks and animals were sacrificed at 10 weeks old. Body weight for control mice was 27.84 ± 2.14 g, for untreated Pdx1‐cre;LSL‐KrasG12D;INK4a/arffl/fl was 14.97 ± 1.99 g, whereas in animals treated with the AG490 compound the weight loss was significantly less to 24.53 ± 2.04 g. Treatment with AG490 compound was efficient since phosphorylation of Jak2 and circulating interleukin‐6 (IL6) levels were significantly reduced in cachectic tissues and in mice respectively. In conclusion, we found that Jak2/Stat3‐dependent intracellular pathway plays an essential role since its pharmacological inhibition strongly attenuates cachexia progression in a lethal transgenic pancreatic cancer model. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 1437–1443, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Validity of the mean parenchymal transit time as a screening test for the detection of functional renal artery stenosis in hypertensive patients

Functional significance of renal artery stenosis (RAS) was assessed by 99Tcm-DTPA radionuclide scintigraphy, using the mean parenchymal transit time (MPTT) of the tracer as an index of renovascular disorder. Two groups of subjects were investigated retrospectively: eight normal live kidney donors; and 11 patients with hypertension, six with and five without significant RAS. MPTT was 171±11 s in the kidney donors, and there was a significantly prolonged MPTT in patients with RAS, 313±27 s (p < 0.05). MPTT was also prolonged in three hypertensive patients with intrinsic renal disorders. The advantages and limitations of this technique are discussed. It is concluded that prolongation of MPTT can detect functionally significant renovascular disorder without pharmacological challenge.
Changing choices in health care: implications for equity, efficiency and cost1

Abstract Although choice may be seen as an end in itself, the papers included in this special issue of Health Economics, Policy and Law, examine choice policies in European systems of health care, which aim to be effective instruments for ameliorating the systemic pressures from the iron triangle of equity, efficiency, and cost. Three papers consider the nature of differences between and within countries following the Beveridge and Bismarck models of financing and organising the delivery of care, and how choices are changing within different systems. Within countries following the Beveridge model, current policies in England, Denmark and Sweden emphasise increasing patient choice of provider. Within countries following the Bismarck model, current policies in France and Germany seek to restrict choice of specialists by introducing ‘soft’ gatekeeping; and in the Netherlands there is a system of managed competition with choice of insurer that, in principle, allows insurers to contract selectively with providers. A fourth paper considers how government policies that seek to restrict choice within systems of universal coverage have been subject to challenges in the courts. A commentary explores the implications of the fraught and complex nature of choices between insurers and providers of health care for designing effective choice policies.
AUTOMATISK IGENKÄNNING AV TAL

1 INLEDNING Automatisk igenkanning av tal ar ett relativt nytt forskningsfalt. De forsta forsoken borjade i slutet pa 40-talet. Forskningen pa omradet tog inte riktig fart forran datortekniken blev mera allman under 60-talet. 1973 lanserades det forsta kommersiella ordigenkanningssystemet. Det hade en vokabular om hundra ord. Nu finns flera och betydligt mer avancerade produkter pa marknaden, bland annat dikteringssystem som kan kanna igen tiotusentals ord. Forskningen ar idag till stor del inriktad pa att bygga system som kan hantera spontant tal fran godtyckliga anvandare. Dessa kan anvandas i dialogsystem for exempelvis bokning av biljetter eller databassokningar pa Internet, som bland annat kan besvara fragor om vader, lagenheter eller begagnade bilar.
Detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma and cervical lymph node metastasis using activatable near-infrared fluorescence agents.

OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility of optical imaging using activatable near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) agents to detect oral cancer and cervical lymph node metastasis in vivo. DESIGN In vivo study. SETTING University medical center. SUBJECTS Female nude mice aged 4 to 6 weeks. INTERVENTION Luciferase-expressing OSC-19-luc cells were injected into the tongues of nude mice. A control group of nude mice was injected in the tongue with a physiologic saline solution. Tumor growth was followed by bioluminescence imaging. After 3 weeks, animals were randomly allocated to intravenous administration of 1 of 2 activatable NIRF agents: ProSense680 or MMPSense680. Fluorescence imaging of the mice was performed, and the tumor to background ratio (TBR) was determined on histologic sections of the tongue and cervical lymph nodes after resection at necropsy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Fluorescence signals. RESULTS The fluorescence signals in tongue tumor and cervical lymph node metastases were significantly higher than those in control animals. The mean (SD) TBR of ProSense680 in the tongue was 15.8 (8.1) and in the lymph nodes was 11.8 (3.6). For MMPSense680, the mean (SD) TBR in the tongue was 18.6 (9.4) and in the lymph nodes was 10.5 (4.0). CONCLUSIONS Oral cancer and cervical lymph node metastases can be detected by targeting increased proteolytic activity at the tumor borders using NIRF optical imaging. These NIRF agents could be used for real-time image-guided surgery, which has the potential to improve the complete surgical resection of oral cancer.
Mortality in achondroplasia study: A 42‐year follow‐up

Achondroplasia (ACH) is the most common dwarfing condition having a prevalence of 1/25,000 live births. An increase in overall mortality, age specific mortality up to age 34 years and heart disease‐related mortality was first reported in a 1987 study of a large population of ACH individuals. Since this study, concern about premature death, particularly in young adults, has persisted in the ACH population. The present study was undertaken to follow‐up the patterns of mortality in a more contemporaneous ACH population. The vital status of 718 ACH individuals from the original study and 75 new ACH individuals was determined through the search of two computerized mortality database. The results showed that the overall mortality and age‐specific mortality at all ages remained significantly increased. Rates of death were similar across all 42 years of follow‐up suggesting that higher death rates were still occurring in the contemporary ACH population. Accidental, neurological, and heart disease‐related deaths were increased in adults. Heart disease‐related mortality, between ages 25 and 35, was more than 10 times higher than the general population. Overall survival and the average life expectancy for this ACH population were decreased by 10 years. These results demonstrate that despite advances in the knowledge of the natural history of ACH and health care needs of this population, mortality remains significantly increased. The high rate of heart disease related deaths illustrates the need to identify risk factors in the ACH population and develop treatment interventions accordingly. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hybrid auto encoder network for iris nevus diagnosis considering potential malignancy

Iris nevus can be described as a growth commonly found on the iris, or regions surrounding the pupil. This growth is usually pigmented and non-cancerous, and therefore harmless; often requiring little medical attention. However, it has been established that there exists a relatively high risk of transformation of such growths into iris melanoma, which is cancerous or malignant. Furthermore, it has been shown that iris nevus infected patients also run risk of developing secondary glaucoma which requires very crucial medical intervention. Considering the above mentioned severe medical conditions that are associated with iris nevus, its diagnosis hence becomes very important. Generally, the diagnosis of iris nevus is achieved by examining eye images of patients taken by a medical expert. However, diagnosis is not an easily achievable task considering how racial and environmental factors affect the colour of patients' irises and pupils; hence pigmented growths may be concealed from a medical examiner. Also, factors such as stress and fatigue from examiners can lead to erroneous diagnosis. This research presents the use of trained hybrid auto encoders in the intelligent diagnosis of iris nevus. It is suggested that the use of the designed system as described in this work can significantly raise the confidence of medical diagnosis.
Fibroblast transplantation in the airway: implications for subglottic stenosis.

OBJECTIVE Because subglottic stenosis (SGS) represents one of the most challenging pathologies confronting the pediatric otolaryngologist, our laboratory is investigating the role fibroblasts play in mucosal scar formation in the course of SGS development. Our objective is to establish cell transplantation into the subglottic mucosal wound bed as a viable tool for examining the cellular processes that underlie the development of SGS. DESIGN A series of 2 animal experiments, with animals assigned to a control, vehicle-only, or cell-treated group. SETTING John G. Rangos Sr Research Center, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa. SUBJECTS Twenty-six New Zealand white rabbits. This animal model has been well established in the study of SGS formation. INTERVENTIONS Fluorescently labeled exogenous fibroblasts were transplanted into the injured subglottis of the rabbits. RESULTS Exogenous fibroblasts derived from fetal and adult dermis and subglottic mucosa were successfully transplanted into the injured subglottic mucosa of adult rabbits. Transplanted fibroblasts survived into the latter stages of wound healing (at 14 and 21 days) and appeared to be associated with a mild inflammatory cell influx and active remodeling of the mucosal wound bed. CONCLUSION Cell transplantation is a viable tool for the study of fibroblast activity in the mucosal wound bed.
Development of a new nanovesicle formulation as transdermal carrier: Formulation, physicochemical characterization, permeation studies and anti-inflammatory activity

Abstract Context: Ibuprofen is an important NSAID, however, it can cause GI disturbances when given orally, and employment of transdermal route will require permeation enhancer causing skin injury. Objective: Drug-loaded nanovesicles of ceramide-2, cholesterol, palmitic acid, and cholesteryl sulfate (ICVG) were formulated and analyzed for physicochemical and permeation properties. Materials and method: Vesicles were formulated using film hydration method and physicochemical parameters, in vitro drug release, and stability were assessed. Further, nanovesicle gels were evaluated against plain gel containing drug (CG) for ex vivo/in vivo drug permeation and anti-inflammatory activity. Results: The developed formulations showed optimal physicochemical profile and ICV-1 gave 97.24% drug release. Drug permeation was between 17.32 and 33.12 μg/cm2 for ICVG formulations and 0.27 μg/cm2 for CG. ICVG-1 and CG showed Cmax of 9.6 and 0.7 μg/ml at 8 and 4 h. ICVG-1 showed 19.9 times higher AUC than CG. Edema inhibition was 57.98% during initial hours by ICVG-1. Discussion: Ratio of ceramide 2 and palmitic acid plays a critical role in drug permeation through stratum corneum. The stability and protective effect of the formulations were due to ceramide content. Conclusion: The composition has an important role in physicochemical properties and drug permeation thereby generating an optimum formulation.
Whole-protein-based enteral formula stimulates intestinal ornithine decarboxylase activity more than single amino acids but does not affect mucosal adenosine triphosphate content in early postsurgical refeeding.

BACKGROUND To restore intestinal integrity after starvation and trauma, luminal nutrients are essential. Specific nutrients such as glutamine support mucosal proliferation and energy metabolism. The aim of this study was to compare effects of enteral formula vs specific amino acids on ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and adenine nucleotide metabolism in jejunal mucosa. METHODS Male Wistar rats (240 to 280 g) were starved for 48 hours and subjected to intestinal transection, gastrotomy, and jejunal instillation of 5mL nutrient solution. In the first experiment, standard enteral formula (EF) was compared with isonitrogenous formula supplemented with the glutamine precursor, alpha-ketoglutarate (alpha-KG). In a second experiment, 2% glutamine was compared with isonitrogenous ornithine alpha-KG, arginine alpha-KG, glycine and diluted standard enteral formula (EF), or saline. The ODC activity, adenosine triphosphates (ATP), and RNA and protein in the jejunal mucosa were analyzed 2 hours after surgery. RESULTS The ODC peak in jejunal mucosa in animals treated with EF was higher than when supplemented with alpha-KG (p < .05). Compared with specific amino compounds, EF resulted in a significantly higher ODC peak and no differences were seen between the different specific amino acids. Differences seen in ATP or energy charge between the groups were not significant. CONCLUSIONS Immediate postoperative enteral feeding by standard EF results in rapid increase of ODC activity. This response was attenuated when the enteral nutrition was supplemented with alpha-KG and was absent when isonitrogenous single amino acids were administered. We found no significant effects on ATP content in the small bowel mucosa by supplementing the diet with alpha-KG.
Breast cancer screening among American Samoan women.

BACKGROUND Little is known about breast cancer screening practices or predictors of age-specific screening for Samoan women. METHODS Through systematic, random sampling procedures, we identified and interviewed 720 adult (> or =30 years) Samoan women residing in American Samoa, Hawaii, and Los Angeles. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed to determine independent predictors for recent age-specific screening. RESULTS Only 55.6% of women (> or =30 years) had ever had a CBE and 32.9% of women (> or =40 years) had ever had a mammogram. Furthermore, only 24.4 and 22.4% of Samoan women (> or =40 years) residing in Hawaii and Los Angeles, respectively, had an age-specific mammogram within the prior year. Independent predictors of age-specific CBE screening included age, education, health insurance, ambulatory visit, and being a resident of Hawaii or Los Angeles; those for mammography included ambulatory visit and awareness of screening guidelines. CONCLUSION Population-based estimates of age-specific breast cancer screening among Samoan women are lower than the national objectives and those reported for other minorities. Targeted efforts that address doctor-patient communication on preventive behavior, improved access to health care services (especially in American Samoa), and focused educational awareness programs are needed to improve the dismal screening rates observed in this indigenous population.
The Association of Two Productivity Measures with Health Risks and Medical Conditions in an Australian Employee Population

Purpose. To investigate the impact of health on job performance using two measures of productivity loss: (1) a self-reported measure of health-related presenteeism and (2) an objective measure of absenteeism. Design. A cross-sectional survey using a Health Risk Appraisal (HRA) to evaluate self-reported presenteeism and the prevalence of 12 health risks and eight medical conditions. Setting and Subjects. Employees (n = 224) of a private insurance provider in Australia. Measures. A Health Risk Appraisal (HRA) questionnaire was used to evaluate self-reported presenteeism on different aspects of job demands and to assess the prevalence of 12 health risks and eight medical conditions. Illness absent hours were obtained from company administrative records. Results. Increased presenteeism was significantly associated with high stress, life dissatisfaction, and back pain, while increased illness absenteeism was significantly associated with overweight, poor perception of health, and diabetes. Excess presenteeism associated with excess health risks (productivity loss among those with medium- or high-risk status compared to those with low-risk status) was independently calculated at 19.0% for presenteeism and 12.8% for illness absenteeism. Conclusions. This study demonstrates an association between health metrics and self-reported work impairment (presenteeism) and measured absenteeism. The study provides a first indication of the potential benefits of health promotion programming to Australian employees in improving health and to the corporation in minimizing health-related productivity loss.
Out of the study and into the field : ethnographic theory and practice in French anthropology

List of illustrations List of authors discussed in this volume Preface Introduction: ethnographic practice and theory in France Robert Parkin and Anne de Sales Chapter 1. 'Keeping your eyes open': Arnold van Gennep and the autonomy of the folkloristic Giordano Charuty Chapter 2. Canonical ethnography: Hanoteau and Letourneux on Kabyle communal law Peter Parkes Chapter 3. Postcards at the service of the Imaginary: Jean Rouch, shared anthropology and the cine-trance Paul Henley Chapter 4. Eric de Dampierre and the art of fieldwork Margaret Buckner Chapter 5. What sort of anthropologist was Paul Rivet? Laura Rival Chapter 6. Alfred Metraux: empiricist and romanticist Peter Riviere Chapter 7. Roger Bastide or the 'darknesses of alterity' Stefania Capone Chapter 8. The art and craft of ethnography: Lucien Bernot, 1919-1993 Gerard Toffin Chapter 9. Andre-Georges Haudricourt: a thorough materialist Alban Bensa Chapter 10. Louis Dumont: from museology to structuralism via India Robert Parkin Chapter 11. Will the real Maurice Leenhardt please stand up? Four anthropologists in search of an ancestor Jeremy MacClancy Notes on Contributors Index
Associations between Intensity of RRT, Inflammatory Mediators, and Outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Critically ill patients requiring RRT have higher circulating plasma concentrations of inflammatory and apoptosis markers that are associated with subsequent RRT dependence and death. Whether intensive dosing of RRT is associated with changes in specific mediators is unknown. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS A multicenter, prospective, cohort study of 817 critically ill patients receiving RRT ancillary to the Veterans Affairs/National Institutes of Health Acute Renal Failure Trial Network study was conducted between November 2003 and July 2007. Plasma inflammatory (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, and macrophage migration inhibitory factor) and apoptosis (TNF receptor-I [TNFR-I], TNFR-II, and death receptor-5) biomarkers on days 1 and 8 were examined after initiation of intensive RRT. Whether intensive RRT, given day 1 biomarkers, is associated with RRT independence and lower mortality at day 60 was also examined. RESULTS Overall, no differences were found in day 8 biomarker concentrations between intensive and less-intensive RRT groups. When adjusted for day 1 biomarkers and clinical variables, intensive RRT was not associated with renal recovery (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.56 to 1.14) or mortality (adjusted OR, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.81 to 1.64). Use of intensive RRT, however, was associated with lower day 8 concentrations when day 1 plasma IL-6, macrophage migration inhibitory factor, and TNFR-I concentrations were high (interaction P value for all markers, <0.01). In contrast, day 8 marker concentrations were higher when day 1 levels were low (P<0.01). Elevated biomarker concentrations on day 8 among 476 participants were associated with lower renal recovery (adjusted OR range, 0.19-0.87) and higher mortality (adjusted OR range, 1.26-3.18). CONCLUSIONS Among critically ill patients receiving RRT, intensive dosing of RRT has variable association with biomarker concentration and no association with renal recovery and mortality. However, elevated concentrations of inflammatory and apoptosis markers on day 8 of RRT were associated with RRT dependence and death.
Phenanthroline Derivatives with Improved Selectivity as DNA‐Targeting Anticancer or Antimicrobial Drugs

Phenanthroline derivatives are of interest due to their potential activity against cancer, and viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. In a search for highly specific antitumor and antibacterial compounds, we report the activities of 1,10‐phenanthroline‐5,6‐dione (phendione or L1), dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine (dppz or L2), and their corresponding platinum complexes ([PtL1Cl2] and [PtL2Cl2]), and provide the solid‐state 3D structure for [PtL1Cl2]. It is generally known that a toxic metal ion coordinated to an active organic moiety leads to a synergistic effect; however, we report herein that the platinum complexes [PtL1Cl2] and [PtL2Cl2] have weaker activities relative to those of the free ligands, especially against bacteria. Testing these agents against a variety of human cancer cell lines revealed that L1 and [PtL1Cl2] were at least as active as cisplatin against several of the cell lines (including a cisplatin‐resistant cell line). The absence of antibacterial activity of [PtL1Cl2] removes the detrimental effect of phenanthrolines toward intestinal flora, suggesting a highly promising new strategy for the development of anticancer drugs with reduced side effects.
Emergence of a Pneumococcal Clone with Cephalosporin Resistance and Penicillin Susceptibility

ABSTRACT We report two South African serotype 6B pneumococcal isolates with cephalosporin resistance, yet with susceptibility to penicillin. DNA fingerprinting revealed that they were clonal in origin. pbp 2X and 1A genes showed major alterations typical of cephalosporin-resistant pneumococci. The pbp 2B gene was completely unaltered, explaining the penicillin susceptibility of the isolates.