Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ncology bsence of Relationship etween Steroid Hormone Levels nd Prostate Cancer Tumor Grade avid

BJECTIVES To analyze the relationship between plasma testosterone and estradiol levels on prostate biopsy and radical prostatectomy Gleason scores in a cohort of patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. ETHODS Patients with prostate cancer evaluated at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute from 2001 to 2005 who were enrolled in a prospective sample banking protocol were eligible for this study. Stored plasma was processed for total testosterone, total estradiol, and sex hormone-binding globulin levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The frequency of high-grade biopsy and radical prostatectomy Gleason scores ( 6) was the primary endpoint. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between the hormone levels and high-grade Gleason scores while adjusting for sex hormone-binding globulin, age, body mass index, and prostate-specific antigen. ESULTS A total of 539 patients were included in this study, 199 of whom underwent radical prostatectomy. The median prostate-specific antigen level was 5.1 ng/dL, and 67% of the cancers were not palpable. The Gleason score was 2-6, 7, and 8-10 in 53%, 37%, and 10% of the cancers, respectively. On univariate analysis of the high-grade biopsy and radical prostatectomy Gleason score, the total testosterone, total estradiol, and estradiol-to-testosterone ratio were not significant as continuous or categorical variables. Adjusting these results for sex hormone-binding globulin level, body mass index, age, and prostate-specific antigen level did not change the conclusions, and these results were unchanged when categorizing high-grade prostate cancer as Gleason score 8-10. ONCLUSIONS No relationship was found between the circulating steroid hormone levels and the Gleason score in this cohort. UROLOGY 73: 356–361, 2009. © 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc.
Intracellular pH and calcium signaling as molecular targets of diclofenac-induced apoptosis against colon cancer

The role of intracellular pH and Ca2+ and their association with mitochondrial dysfunction and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) are explored in the chemoprevention of colon cancer. 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (DMH), a potent procarcinogen with selectivity for the colon, at a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight was used to induce initial stages of colon cancer when administered for 6 weeks in male Sprague–Dawley rats. Diclofenac, a preferential cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, was used at the anti-inflammatory dose (8 mg/kg body weight) for chemoprevention. The control group was administered vehicles for both DMH and diclofenac. A diclofenac-alone group with the same dose was also run simultaneously. Intracellular pH values as determined by biscarboxyethyl carboxyfluorescein fluorescence assay showed an alkaline pH in colonocytes from the DMH-treated group as compared with the control group. Moreover, the level of intracellular Ca2+ was also found to be decreased with DMH treatment, as shown by the fura-2 acetoxymethyl study and chlortetracycline assay. Apoptosis was studied by comet assay and Apaf-1 immunofluorescent expression and was found to be markedly decreased in this group, indicating that disturbances in pH and Ca2+ homeostasis promoted proliferation in colon and inhibited apoptosis. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS levels were analyzed in isolated colonocytes by rhodamine 123 and 2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate labeling, respectively. DMH treatment promoted a higher mitochondrial membrane potential while reducing ROS levels. These parameters are known to be associated with pH and Ca2+ changes intracellularly and hence can be suggested to be linked with them in this study also. Diclofenac promoted apoptosis in colonocytes when coadministered with DMH and also ameliorated the changes observed in the above parameters, confirming these mechanisms as early events for the onset of apoptosis in cancer cells.
Efficient FES triggering applying Kalman filter during sensory supported treadmill walking

In this paper an algorithm for a functional electrical stimulation (FES) gait re-education system for incomplete spinal cord injured persons, providing efficient stimulation triggering, is presented. During neurological impaired gait FES was provided as motor augmentation support. Simultaneously the gait kinematics were recorded using the proposed sensory system, which is equipped with a dual-axial accelerometer and a gyroscope. The sensory device was placed at the shank of the paretic leg. The data assessed were input into a mathematical algorithm applied for shank angle estimation. The algorithm is based on the Kalman filter, estimating the angle error and correcting the actual measurement. Furthermore the information was combined with other kinematic data for the purpose of efficient and reliable stimulation triggering. The algorithm was tested with preliminary measurements on several neurologically intact persons during even terrain and treadmill walking. Trial measurements were verified with a contactless optical measurement system, with FES only simulated on controller output. Later on a treadmill training in combination with FES triggering was carried out. The outcome of the measurements shows that the use of sensory integration may successfully solve the problem of data assessment in dynamic movement where an inclinometer does not provide sufficient information for efficient control of FES.
Diabetes, impaired fasting glucose and their relations to plasma pro‐inflammatory cytokines: a population‐based study in China

waist circumference. Leone et al. [3] showed that abdominal obesity as part of the metabolic syndrome was the strongest predictor for impaired lung function by presenting a figure for the relationship between %PFVC and waist circumference. However, the presented result was not stratified according to the presence or absence of metabolic abnormalities, consequently retaining the suspicion that central obesity may mechanically deteriorate lung function. Generally, spirometry is considered to be normal in mild obesity [4]. As BMI increases, particularly in morbidly obese individuals, there is evidence for reduced vital capacity. In this study, most subjects were non-obese. Thus, mechanical effects of obesity, if any, on pulmonary function were expected to be small. Consistently, %PFVC in subjects without impaired glucose metabolism did not significantly decrease with increasing waist circumference. Unfortunately, we could not evaluate the effect of clinical obesity (i.e.BMI ‡ 30 kg ⁄ m). However, we did evaluate the effect of central obesity, as defined as waist circumference ‡ 90 cm using the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel Asian criteria [6], on the association between impaired glucose metabolism and vital capacity. Intriguingly, the thresholds of fasting plasma glucose (‡ 5.4 mmol ⁄ l) and HbA1c [‡ 5.8% (NGSP); ‡ 40 mmol ⁄ mol (IFCC)] for low vital capacity were equal to, or only marginally higher than, the upper limits of the normal ranges, suggesting that the association between impaired lung function and impaired glucose metabolism may occur during the early stage of impaired glucose metabolism. Finally, because this study comprised a relatively small sample size, further large studies, including women and smokers, are needed to confirm the current observations and to determine the thresholds for fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c for low vital capacity. Our results are not in keeping with a mechanical cause for the relation between waist circumference and low vital capacity, but are compatible with a metabolic cause.
Validation of an ambient measurement system (AMS) for walking speed

Abstract Walking speed is an important indicator of worsening in a variety of neurological and neuromuscular diseases, yet typically is measured only infrequently and in a clinical setting. Passive measurement of walking speed at home could provide valuable information to track the progression of many neuromuscular conditions. The purpose of this study was to validate the measurement of walking speed by a shelf-top ambient measurement system (AMS) that can be placed in a patient’s home. Twenty-eight healthy adults (16 male, 12 female) were asked to walk three pre-defined routes two times each (total of 168 traversals). For each traversal, walking speed was measured simultaneously by five sources: two independent AMSs and three human timers with stopwatches. Measurements across the five sources were compared by generalised estimating equations (GEE). Correlation coefficients compared pairwise for walking speeds across the two AMSs, three human timers, and three routes all exceeded 0.86 (p < .0001), and for AMS-to-AMS exceeded 0.92 (p < .0001). Aggregated across all routes, there was no significant difference in measured walking speeds between the two AMSs (p = .596). There was a statistically significant difference between the AMSs and human timers of 8.5 cm/s (p < .0001), which is comparable to differences reported for other non-worn sensors. The tested AMS demonstrated the ability to automatically measure walking speeds comparable to manual observation and recording, which is the current standard for assessing walking speed in a clinical setting. The AMS may be used to detect changes in walking speed in community settings.
Validity of heart rate measurements by the Garmin Forerunner 225 at different walking intensities

Abstract The accuracy of wrist worn heart rate monitors based on photoplethysmography (PPG) is not fully clinically accepted. Therefore, we aimed to validate heart rate measurements of a commercially available PPG heart rate monitor, i.e. the Garmin Forerunner® 225. Twelve healthy volunteers (six women; mean age: 28 years) performed a treadmill protocol consisting of: five minutes sitting, five minutes standing, 10 minutes walking at 4 km/h, 10 minutes walking at a gradient of 5% and intensity of 4–6 metabolic equivalents (METs), 10 minutes walking at a gradient of 8% and intensity of seven METs or more. Walking speeds were individually determined. Walking bouts were separated by a standardised five minute rest period. Heart rate was measured as the average of the last three minutes standing and of each walking bout. A three lead patch-based electrocardiogram (ECG; Zensor®) was used as criterion method. Statistical analyses included Pearson’s correlation (r), paired t-tests, root mean squared error (RMSE) and Bland? Altman plots. The mean values per three minutes of every condition did not differ significantly between the Garmin Forerunner® 225 and the Zensor®. RMSE was 3.01 beats per minute (bpm) or 2.89%. The Bland–Altman bias was 1.57 bpm. Limits of agreement (LoA) were wide, ranging from 32.53 to 29.40 bpm. However, Pearson’s r ranged from 0.650 to 0.868 suggesting moderate to strong validity. Generally, mean heart rates, r values, RMSE and the Bland–Altman bias indicated good overall agreement in this sample of healthy adults, but wide LoA are making it difficult to trust individual measurements.
End products of lipid peroxidation in erythrocyte membranes in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is accompanied by oxidative stress in the brain. Because the brain tissue is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, it is prone to the free radical attack resulting in lipid peroxidation. Intermediates of lipid peroxidation may diffuse from the primary site, cross the blood–brain barrier and modify erythrocyte membranes in the bloodstream. We exposed isolated erythrocyte membranes from patients with AD and the control group to in vitro free radical damage and monitored the accumulation of the end products of lipid peroxidation, lipofuscin‐like pigments (LFPs), by fluorescence spectroscopy. LFPs were analyzed by means of tridimensional and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy. The levels of LFP formed during in vitro peroxidation were significantly higher in erythrocyte membranes from patients with AD compared with the control group. Furthermore, the chemical composition of LFP in AD was different from the control group. The analysis of the specific modifications of erythrocyte membranes in AD is of great medical importance regarding the need of a diagnostic blood biomarker. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hemichannels: permeants and their effect on development, physiology and death

Hemichannels, which are one half of the gap junction channels, have independent physiological roles. Although hemichannels consisting of connexins are more widely documented, hemichannels of pannexins, proteins homologous to invertebrate gap junction proteins also have been studied. There are at least 21 different connexin and three pannexin isotypes. This variety in isotypes results in tissue‐specific hemichannels, which have been implicated in varied events ranging from development, cell survival, to cell death. Hemichannel function varies with its spatio‐temporal opening, thus demanding a refined degree of regulation. This review discusses the activity of hemichannels and the molecules released in different physiological states and their impact on tissue functioning. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association of dietary and supplemental iron and colorectal cancer in a population-based study

We evaluated the role of dietary iron, heme iron, and supplemental iron on colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in a population-based case–control study in Pennsylvania, including 1005 incident cases and 1062 controls. Diet was assessed through a modified food frequency questionnaire that included supplement use and a meat-specific module. Cases reported intakes for the year before diagnosis, whereas controls reported intakes for the year before interview. Heme iron intake was calculated using a new heme database developed by the US National Cancer Institute. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression. After multivariate adjustment, there were no significant associations between heme iron or total iron intake and CRC incidence. Dietary iron intake was inversely associated with CRC among women (OR Q5 vs. Q1=0.45; 95% CI=0.22–0.92), but not among men. Supplemental iron intake of more than 18 mg/day versus none was positively associated with CRC incidence (OR=2.31; 95% CI=1.48–3.59; P-trend<0.001), an effect that was observed in both men (OR=2.56; 95% CI=1.30–5.05) and women (OR=2.46; 95% CI=1.34–4.52). These findings suggest that consumption of more than 18 mg/day of supplemental iron may increase risk for CRC.
Can serum angiogenin be used to improve the diagnostic performance in prostate cancer screening?

Several biomarkers have been studied to avoid unnecessary biopsies resulting from suboptimal performance of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. We aimed to assess the use of serum angiogenin as a prostate cancer diagnostic tool among candidates for biopsy. We selected 252 patients referred for ultrasound-guided transrectal prostate biopsy on the basis of an abnormal digital rectal examination and/or elevated total PSA. Serum angiogenin was quantitatively analyzed by solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results of the prostatic pathology assessment (cancer vs. noncancer) were defined by biopsy. The median serum angiogenin levels were significantly higher in patients with prostate cancer (median: 487 500 vs. 414 800 pg/ml, P=0.008). Among patients with baseline tPSA of 4.0 ng/ml or less, 37.5% had serum angiogenin less than 389 000 pg/ml (sensitivity: 88.9%; specificity: 45.2%), and the probability of having prostate cancer varied from 22.5% before testing to 6.7% among those with low angiogenin levels. When further restricting the analyses to a group of patients with even lower probability of having cancer, on the basis of tPSA and f/t PSA values, the evaluation of serum angiogenin did not contribute toward a meaningful variation in the post-test probability of cancer. In conclusion, serum angiogenin levels may be useful to distinguish between cancer and noncancer patients among the candidates for prostatic biopsy in regular clinical practice. Further investigation is needed among patients with low PSA levels and to understand the relation between this biomarker and the long-term survival of prostate cancer patients.
Matrix metalloproteinase and cytokine expression in Tenon fibroblasts during scar formation after glaucoma filtration or implant surgery in rats

Failure of surgery for glaucoma is usually due to post‐surgical scarring (fibrosis), a process in which fibroblasts play a prominent role. We investigated the molecular mechanisms of such scarring by examining the expression of matrix metalloproteinases and cytokines in Tenon fibroblasts isolated from rats after glaucoma surgery. Filtration surgery was performed in one eye and implant surgery in the other; and Tenon fibroblasts were isolated from the tissue surrounding the bleb after surgery. The cells were cultured and examined for the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction, immunoblot and gelatin zymographic analyses. Culture supernatants were also assayed for cytokines with a multiplex array. The amounts of MMP‐1 and MMP‐3 mRNAs and proteins were greater in cells isolated after implant surgery than in those isolated after filtration surgery, with the progression of scar formation being more complete after the former surgery. The secretion of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) by cells isolated after filtration surgery was greater than that for cells isolated after implant surgery. Depletion of IL‐6 by RNA interference in cells isolated after filtration surgery increased the expression of MMP‐1 and MMP‐3 in these cells. These results thus suggest that the expression of MMP‐1 and MMP‐3 in Tenon fibroblasts is regulated by IL‐6 during, and may play an important role in, scar formation after glaucoma surgery. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reading about Self-Help Books on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Anxiety

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evolving term. Having emerged in the 1970s and 80s as an imperfect amalgam of cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy, it is by its very nature a changing entity. Today it means something very different to a generation ago. Alongside the development of CBT has been the change in self-help books that use CBT principles, and the treatment of anxiety is a prime example of this evolution. There is now a huge range of self-help materials to choose from, and both service users and professionals can find the choice overwhelming. In this article, I hope to select some of the more pertinent, popular and helpful publications. First I will describe some data from service users that provides their perspective on this issue, then I will describe the properties of a good self-help guide and give some examples. I will end the article with recommendations for further relevant self-help resources.
Effects of MPH-OROS on the organizational, time management, and planning behaviors of children with ADHD.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of stimulant medication on organizational, time management, and planning (OTMP) in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and ascertain whether OTMP is normalized with medication. METHOD Participants included 19 stimulant-naïve children with ADHD (aged 8-13 years) and impaired OTMP functioning, defined as greater than 1 SD below norms on the Children's Organizational Skills Scale. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design, with 4 weeks of each condition, evaluated medication (methylphenidate-osmotic-release oral system [MPH-OROS]) effects on OTMP, based on the parent and teacher versions of the Children's Organizational Skills Scale. The parent and teacher Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham, Version IV, rating scales assessed ADHD symptoms. "Not impaired" in OTMP was defined as no longer meeting study entry criteria, and "not impaired" in ADHD symptoms was defined as having mean Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham, Version IV, scores of < or = 1.0. RESULTS MPH-OROS significantly improved children's OTMP behaviors. These improvements were correlated with significant reductions in ADHD symptoms. However, most of the children (61%) continued to show significant OTMP impairments on MPH-OROS. CONCLUSIONS The MPH-OROS reduced children's OTMP deficits, and these improvements were associated with improvements in ADHD symptoms. Some children remained impaired in OTMP even after effective stimulant treatment of ADHD symptoms. These youngsters may require other treatments that target OTMP deficits.
In vitro gossypol induced spermatozoa motility alterations in rabbits

The objectives of the present study were to: (i) examine the in vitro dose response of rabbit spermatozoa motility to the antifertility agent gossypol (GOS) and (ii) determine whether filtered (FIL) and unfiltered (UNFIL) GOS differ in their magnitude of effect. Rabbit semen belonging to adult males (n = 5; 12–14 months) were cultured with UNFIL GOS and FIL GOS (5% solution) and subsequently diluted (1:1–7) for analysis using a Computer Assisted Semen Analyzer (CASA) system in 5 time periods (0, 60, 120, 180 and 360 minutes). At Time 0, no significant change in rabbit spermatozoa motility (MOT) and progressive motility (PROG) with GOS FIL was noted, while increases were observed with GOS UNFIL. At Time 60, weak changes were noted for MOT and PROG. After 120 minutes of culture with both GOS FIL and GOS UNFIL, MOT and PROG decreased significantly in some experimental groups. However, no differences were recorded for both the parameters at Times 180 and 360, with the exception of PROG in the GOS UNFIL category (groups A, B, E, F and G), where a significant decrease was noticed. Detailed evaluation of the distance and velocity parameters revealed reduction in all these studied markers after 60 and 120 minutes of in vitro culture with both GOS FIL and GOS UNFIL, indirectly confirming the PROG decrease. Straightness (STR), linearity (LIN), wobble (WOB), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and beat cross frequency (BCF) mostly remained unaltered at all time periods for GOS FIL, where as some minor alterations were noticed in GOS UNFIL category for STR, LIN, WOB, ALH and BCF parameters at Time 0, 60 and 120. The present study confirms the dose and time dependent alterations of rabbit spermatozoa motility parameters by GOS. The GOS dynamics in our experiment shows that rabbit spermatozoa as a biological material can indicate a GOS inhibition of motility. Obtained data for the first time indicates a higher immobilizing potential of unfiltered GOS in comparison to filtered GOS in its inhibitory action of spermatozoa motility parameters in rabbits.