Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of EGFR-Related Tyrosine Kinase Activity Inhibition on the Growth and Invasion Mechanisms of Prostate Carcinoma Cell Lines

Increased urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) levels and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-related tyrosine kinase activity are associated with poor prognosis in several cancers. We studied the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and a specific inhibitor of EGFR, ZM252868, on the growth and invasiveness of the prostate cancer cell lines PC3 and DU145. PC3 cell growth was stimulated by exogenous EGF but DU145 cell growth was not. EGFR-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor significantly inhibited the growth of both cell types. EGF increased uPA protein level and uPA activity in both cell types. EGF stimulation also resulted in increased uPAR transcript in both cell lines. uPA production and activity were suppressed by the inhibitor to well below the levels in control cells. Matrigel invasion of PC3 cells was increased by EGF. ZM252868 also reversed the EGF-stimulated matrigel invasion by PC3 cells. Our results indicate that EGF is a potent stimulative agent for both growth and invasion in prostate cancer cells, and that targeting the EGFR function inhibits not only tumor growth but also invasiveness.
Evaluation of Biomarkers : Application in Urological Cancers

The net reclassification improvement (NRI) is an increasingly popular measure to evaluate improvements in risk predictions. In this chapter we first review 67 publications in high-impact general clinical journals that considered the NRI. We find incomplete reporting of methods for the NRI, incorrect calculation, and common misinterpretations. To aid improved applications of NRI, we elaborate on several aspects of the computation and interpretation in various settings. We discuss limitations and controversies, including the impact of miscalibration of prediction models, the use of continuous NRI and ‘clinical’ NRI, and the relation with decision-analytic measures. We propose a systematic approach towards presenting NRI analysis: detail and motivate the methods used for computation of the NRI; use clinically meaningful risk cut-offs for category-based NRI; always report the separate NRI components; address issues of calibration; and do not interpret the overall NRI as a percentage of the study population reclassified. Promising NRI findings need to be followed with decision-analytic or formal cost-effectiveness evaluations.
Image segmentation using kernel fuzzy c-means clustering on level set method

In this paper, kernel fuzzy c-means (KFCM) was used to generate an initial contour curve which overcomes leaking at the boundary during the curve propagation. Firstly, KFCM algorithm computes the fuzzy membership values for each pixel. On the basis of KFCM the edge indicator function was redefined. Using the edge indicator function the image segmentation of a medical image was performed to extract the regions of interest for further processing. The above process of segmentation showed a considerable improvement in the evolution of the level set function.
Inconsistent Estimation and Asymptotically Equal Interpolations in Model-Based Geostatistics

It is shown that in model-based geostatistics, not all parameters in the Matérn class can be estimated consistently if data are observed in an increasing density in a fixed domain, regardless of the estimation methods used. Nevertheless, one quantity can be estimated consistently by the maximum likelihood method, and this quantity is more important to spatial interpolation. The results are established by using the properties of equivalence and orthogonality of probability measures. Some sufficient conditions are provided for both Gaussian and non-Gaussian equivalent measures, and necessary conditions are provided for Gaussian equivalent measures. Two simulation studies are presented that show that the fixed-domain asymptotic properties can explain some finite-sample behavior of both interpolation and estimation when the sample size is moderately large.
Living Donors' Perception of Their Quality of Health after Donation

Progress in Transplantation, Vol 11, No. 2, June 2001 Kidney transplantation has become a treatment of choice for many patients with end-stage renal disease. As of September 1998, there were 40 848 pa tients with this disease registered for a kidney transplant on the United Network for Organ Sharing national pa tient waiting list. Cadaveric kidney donation has not in creased substantially to accommodate this high de mand for kidneys. The average time a patient waits on the list for a transplant is approximately 1000 days. To alleviate the long wait on the cadaveric transplant list, recipients are pursuing the option of living donation. From 1988 to 1997, there has been a 51% increase in transplants using living donors. Living donation not only offers an alternative for individuals awaiting trans plantation, but also increases the organ supply pool. The decision to donate is not an easy one and can generate significant stress. The potential concerns of the donor at the time of making the decision to donate are valid. Research shows that 75% of donors have significant health or socioeconomic concerns that need to be addressed before the decision to donate can be made. These concerns or questions must be addressed to better assist the donor in making an informed consent for which disclosure, comprehension, competence, and the donation being voluntary are key. The healthcare team needs to provide as much information as necessary to the donor to assist with decision making. A frequently asked question from potential donors is the effect donating a kidney will have on their health. In determining the quality of health after donation, donors’ self-perception of the quality of their health following donation needs to be investigated. Quality of health is a subjective measurement. What one person may perceive as healthy may be entirely different from another person’s perception of health. Health and wellness is a composite of physical, emotional, spiritual, and social health. Health is a dynamic process that changes with time and varies according to the circumstances in a person’s life. Definitions and diagnosis of disease, sickness, and health may even vary in the same individual at different times. Blaxter, in a health and lifestyles survey in 1990, showed how perceptions of health changed throughout the life course. The concept of health status is a multidimensional phenomenon and should be reflected in the health status measurement of donor’s health after donation. Health has been defined by the World Health Organization as the state of physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. When assessing the quality of health, both mental and physical concepts need to be measured along with social and role changes that occur if quality of health has changed. Living donors’ perception of their quality of health after donation
Orthodontic Treatment with Fixed Appliances in the General Dental Service in Scotland

Over the past two decades, many studies have been conducted to investigate the standard and outcome of orthodontic treatment and the associated factors. Generally speaking, orthodontic care provided by the Hospital Service (Table 1) has produced superior treatment results to that provided by the General Dental Service (Table 2). Previous studies showed that, among other factors, severe pretreatment malocclusions, use of fixed appliances, and twoarch appliance therapy brought about more improvement as a result of orthodontic treatment than mild pretreatment malocclusions, use of removable appliances, and 1-arch appliance therapy (Table 3). However, the type of orthodontic appliance used, the operator’s qualifications and experience may be all related to the pretreatment severity of the malocclusions treated (Fox et al., 1997), since severe malocclusions tend to be treated with fixed appliances in the Hospital Service.
Accuracy of urine telomerase activity to detect bladder cancer in symptomatic patients

Telomerase activity assessment in voided urine is an important noninvasive tool for bladder cancer diagnosis. In a previous case-control study we verified that this method can detect tumor cells in urine with high sensitivity and specificity, but few data are still available on its accuracy to detect tumors in patients with symptomatic urinary tract diseases. Following recently published guidelines on bladder cancer, we aimed to define the diagnostic accuracy of urine telomerase levels in symptomatic patients. Telomerase activity, expressed in arbitrary enzymatic units (AEUs), was evaluated in urine collected from 515 patients: 197 with urinary tract symptoms and 318 with a first diagnosis of bladder cancer. Telomerase repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) sensitivity ranged from 93% to 61% and specificity varied from 42% to 88% at the different AEU cutoff values. At the cutoff of 50, the sensitivity was 87% (95% CI 83-91), the specificity was 70% (95% CI 63-75), and the overall accuracy, in terms of true positives and true negatives, was 80%. Sensitivity did not vary in relation to tumor grade or stage at diagnosis, or to patient age. Our results indicate that urine telomerase activity is a good marker for the early diagnosis of bladder tumors in symptomatic patients, a subset which represents an “at-risk” population requiring close surveillance. (Int J Biol Markers 2009; 24: 253-7)
Attitudes of Potential Candidates for Heart and Heart-Lung Transplantation to Xenotransplantation

280 It is clear from studies looking at organ donation rates, and methods of increasing them, that despite a positive view and general support for transplantation, the number of organs available for such surgery is not increasing. By the end of 2000, 845 solid organ cadaveric donors had been recruited in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland while 6984 people were still waiting for suitable organs. By the end of 2000, according to United Kingdom Transplant, 349 patients were waiting for thoracic organ transplants in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Of that 494, 178 people were waiting for a heart transplant, 111 for heart and lung transplants, and 205 for a lung transplant. In 2000, 217 heart, 33 heart and lung, and 98 lung transplantations took place. In the United States as of February 2002, 79 523 people were waiting for suitable organs, of these, 4155 were waiting for a heart transplant, 211 for a heart and lung transplant, and 3819 for lung only. In 2000, 2198 heart, 48 heart and lung, and 956 lung transplantations took place. In the light of the shortfall between supply and demand, use of nonhuman organs in transplantation has been suggested. Xenotransplantation is transplantation of organs across species. The use of genetic modification may facilitate this process. Currently, the animal most researched as a potential source of organs for transplantation into humans is the pig. Genetic modification can be used to prevent hyperacute rejection of the xenograft and may in the future be used to prevent other forms of rejection. Supporters of this intervention cite the following as advantages of xenotransplantation: the supply of organs would be unlimited; the organs would be available selectively; pretreatment of the donor or the recipient to enhance acceptance of the graft could be planned; donor organs would not be subjected to the potentially damaging effects of brain Attitudes of potential candidates for heart and heart-lung transplantation to xenotransplantation
Multi-modality Imaging Identifies Key Times for Annexin V Imaging as an Early Predictor of Therapeutic Outcome

Radiolabeled annexin V may provide an early indication of the success or failure of anticancer therapy on a patient-by-patient basis as an in vivo marker of tumor cell killing. An important question that remains is when, after initiation of treatment, should annexin V imaging be performed. To address this issue, we obtained simultaneous in vivo measurements of tumor burden and uptake of radiolabeled annexin V in the syngeneic orthotopic murine BCL1 lymphoma model using in vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLI) and small animal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). BCL1 cells labeled for fluorescence and bioluminescence assays (BCL1−gfp/luc) were injected into mice at a dose that leads to progressive disease within two to three weeks. Tumor response was followed by BLI and SPECT before and after treatment with a single dose of 10 mg/kg doxorubicin. Biodistribution analyses revealed a biphasic increase of annexin V uptake within the tumor-bearing tissues of mice. An early peak occurring before actual tumor cells loss was observed between 1 and 5 hr after treatment, and a second longer sustained rise from 9 to 24 hr after therapy, which heralds the onset of tumor cell loss as confirmed by BLI. Multimodality imaging revealed the temporal patterns of tumor cell loss and annexin V uptake revealing a better understanding of the timing of radiolabeled annexin V uptake for its development as a marker of therapeutic efficacy.
Preoperative Predictors for Postoperative Problems in Heart Transplantation: Psychiatric and Psychosocial Considerations

heart failure a chance for improved quality of life and prolonged survival. Yet, it can turn into a potential cure only for those patients both willing and capable to comply with the strict medical regimen necessary to sustain a transplanted heart. The existing literature clearly shows that multiple psychological stresses associated with transplantation can affect patients with or without preexisting psychiatric conditions. A successful transplantation is dependent upon many psychosocial factors, some of which can be identified during a comprehensive assessment of the patient. However, previous research also indicates that there is substantial variability between centers with regard to the type and extent of pretransplant psychiatric evaluation. Generally, the process through which heart failure patients proceed involves the following steps: referral to a transplant center, completion of a multidisciplinary assessment and review of the patient, treatment recommendations, and possible placement on a waiting list. When a heart transplant is not recommended, alternatives include surgical interventions such as a ventricular assist device, medical management, or palliative care. When a matched heart is found, transplantation proceeds quickly for the patient on the waiting list. Following a successful transplantation, the patient is discharged with stringent lifetime follow-up care. This article seeks to carefully analyze each step of this process.
Uncertainties on distance and chromatic dispersion measurement using optical low-coherence reflectometry

The optical low-coherence reflectometer (OLCR) is a very powerful tool to characterize optical fibres and integrated optical components. However, this is a very complex set-up and in addition to that it performs Fourier transforms. Evaluating uncertainty in these conditions becomes very complicated. To overcome this difficulty, we chose to use an alternative statistical method as partly described in the ISO5725 standard. The most significant quantities which can be extracted from the OLCR measurements are length and chromatic dispersion (CD) of the optical component. An uncertainty of 0.036 mm (k = 2) for the length and of 0.12 ps nm−1 km−1 (k = 2) for the CD can be achieved for a 1 m long G652 type fibre.
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers: Cardiovascular Protection in the Metabolic Syndrome

It is well recognised that the metabolic syndrome, a constellation of risk factors including obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications and the development of Type 2 diabetes. Consequently, timely identification and management of all components of the metabolic syndrome is warranted. In particular, guidelines have emphasised the importance of targeting elevated blood pressure (BP) and dyslipidaemia as a method of reducing global cardiovascular risk. Findings from the Valsartan Antihypertensive Long-term Use Evaluation (VALUE) trial show that the angiotensin receptor blocker, valsartan, reduces cardiovascular events and the development of Type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals. This profile is being further explored in the ongoing Nateglinide And Valsartan in Impaired Glucose Tolerance Outcomes Research (NAVIGATOR) trial. Given the potential advantages to patients and physicians of tackling more than one of the components of the metabolic syndrome, antihypertensive agents such as valsartan would appear to be an important addition to the management of vulnerable patients at high risk of cardiovascular events.
Deciding about Lung Transplantation: Informational Needs of Patients and Support Persons

irreversible end-stage pulmonary disease that is refractory to other medical and surgical treatments. Over the past 3 decades in Canada, more than 1500 lung transplantations have been performed. The benefits of transplantation include increased survival and improved health-related quality of life. However, the procedure entails significant risks and costs. For example, transplant recipients are vulnerable to complications such as infection, acute rejection, and graft failure that can affect survival and quality of life in the short and long term. In addition, families may incur significant out-of-pocket costs, including frequent travel costs to the clinic for medical/rehabilitation appointments and relocation and accommodation expenses if they reside a distance from the transplant clinic. In the Toronto Lung Transplant Program, each patient is required to have a support person, frequently a spouse or parent, who must actively participate in the program from the time a patient is wait-listed for transplantation. Consequently, some families experience a reduced annual income if support persons cut back from paid employment to become full-time caregivers. Information is recognized as essential for informed decision making. It empowers patients to participate in decision making, informs accurate expectations, reduces anxiety, improves compliance with treatment, and promotes self-care. Evidence from other clinical populations suggests that patients have variable informational needs during the decision-making period. Moreover, family and friends are frequently involved in treatment decision making and may have different informational needs and preferred ways of receiving Deciding about lung transplantation: informational needs of patients and support persons
Loss of P53 Function in Colon Cancer Cells Results in Increased Phosphocholine and Total Choline

Mutations in the p53 gene are the most frequently observed genetic lesions in human cancers. Human cancers that contain a p53 mutation are more aggressive, more apt to metastasize, and more often fatal. p53 controls numerous downstream targets that can influence various outcomes such as apoptosis, growth arrest, and DNA repair. Based on previous observations using 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), we have identified choline phospholipid metabolite intensities typical of increased malignancy. Here we have used 1H MRS to characterize the choline phospholipid metabolite levels of p53+/+ and p53−/– cells, and demonstrated that loss of p53 function results in increased phosphocholine and total choline. These data suggest that the increased malignancy of cancer cells resulting from loss of p53 may be mediated, in part, through the choline phospholipid pathway.
Imaging Gene Expression in Regional Brain Ischemia in Vivo with a Targeted [111In]-Antisense Radiopharmaceutical

The gene encoding glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is down-regulated 24 hr after reversible brain ischemia, such as with a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The in vivo imaging of decreased GFAP gene expression in cerebral ischemia was examined in the present studies using a targeted peptide nucleic acid (PNA), which was labeled with 111In, and which hybridized to nucleotides 20–37 of the rat GFAP mRNA. The PNA was monobiotinylated, and was attached to a monoclonal antibody (MAb) to the transferrin receptor (TfR) via a biotin–streptavidin linkage. The TfR MAb enables trans-membrane transport of the PNA antisense radiopharmaceutical from blood to the cytosol of brain cells. The decreased GFAP gene expression at 24 hr after a 1-hr reversible MCAO was confirmed by immunocytochemistry. The [111In]-labeled PNA–MAb conjugate was administered intravenously to anesthetized rats at 24 hr after the 1-hr reversible MCAO, and the brain uptake of the targeted antisense imaging agent was decreased relative to brain regions outside of the infarct zone. These studies provide evidence that decreased expression of a target gene in brain can be imaged in vivo with a sequence-specific PNA, provided the antisense radiopharmaceutical is delivered across cell membranes with a receptor-specific targeting agent.
Eigenvalue Locations of Generalized Companion Predictor Matrices

Generalized predictor companion matrices arise in the linear prediction approach for the fit of a weighted sum of $n$ exponentials to a given set of data points. They are special solutions of matrix equations of the type ${\sf H}(l+p)\, {\sf S}={\sf H}(l)$, where for each $l\ge 0$ ${\sf H}(l)$ is an $M\times N$ Hankel matrix obtained from this data ($M\ge N>n$). We discuss in this paper results about the eigenvalue locations of this class of solutions by means of linear algebra techniques. An application of these results in the case that all the exponents have either negative or positive real parts is that the n exponentials can correspond to eigenvalues which are outside the unit circle depending on the choice of generalized predictor companion matrices. The other (N-n) eigenvalues of these matrices always lie inside the unit circle and approach zero when p increases. This separation can facilitate their numerical calculation.
Incorporating Quality of Life and Patient Satisfaction Measures into a Transplant Outcomes Assessment Program: Technical and Practical Considerations

satisfaction are widely recognized as integral components of a comprehensive outcomes assessment program, with these measures having moved beyond the domain of “research” to being accepted and expected indices of clinical and program effectiveness. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of methods for incorporating the measurement of HRQOL and patient satisfaction into a comprehensive transplant outcomes assessment program. We present an introduction to basic terminology and psychometric concepts relevant to survey evaluation and selection. Also, we discuss the distinction between and complementary nature of health status instruments and preference-based utility measures. We describe the evolution and current structure of the HRQOL outcomes assessment program at the Vanderbilt Transplant Center, including an overview of the development and use of a transplant setting-specific patient satisfaction inventory.