Sentinel node biopsy in relation to survival in floor of the mouth carcinoma.

Promising results have been obtained with sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in early oral carcinoma, but the floor of the mouth remains a site at risk of misdiagnosis. A retrospective and prospective study was designed to test the safety of SNB by comparing survival among patients with early stage carcinoma of the floor of the mouth (FOM) undergoing SNB, to a control group managed traditionally by a combination of clinical observation and elective neck dissection (END). A total of 63 patients with early stage carcinoma of the FOM were treated between 1991 and 2005.

Metabolomics identifies a biological response to chronic low-dose natural uranium contamination in urine samples.

Because uranium is a natural element present in the earth's crust, the population may be chronically exposed to low doses of it through drinking water. Additionally, the military and civil uses of uranium can also lead to environmental dispersion that can result in high or low doses of acute or chronic exposure. Recent experimental data suggest this might lead to relatively innocuous biological reactions.

Chronic eccentric cycling improves quadriceps muscle structure and maximum cycling power.

An interesting finding from eccentric exercise training interventions is the presence of muscle hypertrophy without changes in maximum concentric strength and/or power. The lack of improvements in concentric strength and/or power could be due to long lasting suppressive effects on muscle force production following eccentric training. Thus, improvements in concentric strength and/or power might not be detected until muscle tissue has recovered (e.

High level functions for the intuitive use of an assistive robot.

This document presents the research project ARMEN (Assistive Robotics to Maintain Elderly People in a Natural environment), aimed at the development of a user friendly robot with advanced functions for assistance to elderly or disabled persons at home. Focus is given to the robot SAM (Smart Autonomous Majordomo) and its new features of navigation, manipulation, object recognition, and knowledge representation developed for the intuitive supervision of the robot. The results of the technical evaluations show the value and potential of these functions for practical applications.

Defining the structural origin of the substrate sequence independence of O-GlcNAcase using a combination of molecular docking and dynamics simulation.

Protein glycosylation with O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is a post-translational modification of serine/threonine residues in nucleocytoplasmic proteins. O-GlcNAc has been shown to play a role in many different cellular processes and O-GlcNAcylation is often found at sites that are also known to be phosphorylated. Unlike phosphorylation, O-GlcNAc levels are regulated by only two enzymes, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAc hydrolase (O-GlcNAcase or OGA).

Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides modulate intestinal microbiota and metabolic parameters of humanized gnotobiotic diet induced obesity mice.

Prebiotic fibres like short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) are known to selectively modulate the composition of the intestinal microbiota and especially to stimulate Bifidobacteria. In parallel, the involvement of intestinal microbiota in host metabolic regulation has been recently highlighted. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of scFOS on the composition of the faecal microbiota and on metabolic parameters in an animal model of diet-induced obesity harbouring a human-type microbiota.

Prebiotic stimulation of human colonic butyrate-producing bacteria and bifidobacteria, in vitro.

Dietary macronutrients affect the composition of the gut microbiota, and prebiotics are used to improve and maintain a healthy gut. The impact of prebiotics on dominant gut bacteria other than bifidobacteria, however, is under-researched. Here, we report carbohydrate utilisation patterns for representative butyrate-producing anaerobes, belonging to the Gram-positive Firmicutes families Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae, by comparison with selected Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium species.

Validating the physical model of a chaotic system by topological analysis.

Topological analysis is employed for the first time to our knowledge as a method of validation for a physical model describing a chaotic system. Topological analysis theory provides both a way to characterize the topological structure of chaotic attractors by means of a set of integer numbers and a method to obtain this set departing from a time series generated by the chaotic system. The validation method proposed here consists of comparing the topological structure of chaotic attractors obtained from time series generated on the one hand by an experimental system and on the other hand by the numerical model under test.

Use of clomiphene citrate in the University of Utah Community Clinics.

Objective: To determine patterns of usage of clomiphene citrate (CC) by primary care providers (obstetrician-gynecologists, family physicians, and other providers) within University of Utah Community Clinics.

Study Design: We performed a retrospective chart review (n = 79) and followup telephone survey of patients (n = 43) who were prescribed CC in the University of Utah Community Clinics in 2006.

Results: Most women who were prescribed CC had appropriate indications for therapy (65% with a diagnosis related to irregular menses and 33% with a diagnosis of female infertility), but there was variable and inconsistent monitoring of ovulation (much of which was apparently initiated by the patients).

Interleukin-22 binding protein (IL-22BP) is constitutively expressed by a subset of conventional dendritic cells and is strongly induced by retinoic acid.

Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is mainly produced at barrier surfaces by T cells and innate lymphoid cells and is crucial to maintain epithelial integrity. However, dysregulated IL-22 action leads to deleterious inflammation and is involved in diseases such as psoriasis, intestinal inflammation, and cancer. IL-22 binding protein (IL-22BP) is a soluble inhibitory IL-22 receptor and may represent a crucial regulator of IL-22.

Effects of ketoconazole and esomeprazole on the pharmacokinetics of pazopanib in patients with solid tumors.

Purpose: The metabolism of pazopanib is primarily mediated by CYP3A4. The solubility of pazopanib is pH-dependent, and an elevated gastric pH may decrease its bioavailability. This study evaluated the effect of a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, ketoconazole, and the proton pump inhibitor esomeprazole on the pharmacokinetics and safety of pazopanib and its metabolites.

Monitoring the cluster of high-risk mortality areas in the southwest of Spain.

Inspired by a previous study showing a striking geographical mortality clustering, not attributable to chance, in the south-western region of Spain in 1987-1995, the authors have conducted an ecological study of time trends in all-cause mortality risk between 1987-1995 and 1996-2004 in 2,218 small areas of Spain. To identify high-risk areas, age-adjusted relative risks for each area, stratified by sex and time period, were computed using a Bayesian approach. Areas of high-risk in both periods, or in the second period only, were identified.

Gut microbiota-derived propionate reduces cancer cell proliferation in the liver.

Background: Metabolites released by the gut microbiota may influence host metabolism and immunity. We have tested the hypothesis that inulin-type fructans (ITF), by promoting microbial production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), influence cancer cell proliferation outside the gut.

Methods: Mice transplanted with Bcr-Abl-transfected BaF3 cells, received ITF in their drinking water.

Road project opportunity costs subject to a regional constraint on greenhouse gas emissions.

France has constrained the Aquitaine region to set up a climate plan to avoid an emission of 2883 ktCO(2)eq for the period 2007-2013. In parallel, the region has decided to carry out the construction of road infrastructures in order to avoid very high congestion costs. Those road projects will involve an increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during that period.

Construction of an isokinetic eccentric cycle ergometer for research and training.

Eccentric cycling serves a useful exercise modality in clinical, research, and sport training settings. However, several constraints can make it difficult to use commercially available eccentric cycle ergometers. In this technical note, we describe the process by which we built an isokinetic eccentric cycle ergometer using exercise equipment modified with commonly available industrial parts.

A dairy fat matrix providing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is better than a vegetable fat mixture to increase brain DHA accretion in young rats.

Achieving an appropriate DHA status in the neonatal brain is an important goal of neonatal nutrition. We evaluated how alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), provided for six weeks after weaning by different dietary fat matrix, improved brain DHA content of young male rats born from deficient-dams. The level of ALA achieved was based on the fat composition of usual infant vegetable formula.

Diet modulates endogenous thrombin generation, a biological estimate of thrombosis risk, independently of the metabolic status.

Objective: High endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) is associated with venous and arterial thrombosis. Better knowledge of environmental influences on ETP may help to prevent thrombosis.

Methods And Results: Weaning rats exhibited high ETP values that decreased in low-fat diet and remained elevated on high-fat diet.

Fatigue is specific to working muscles: no cross-over with single-leg cycling in trained cyclists.

Fatigue induced via a maximal isometric contraction of a single limb muscle group can evoke a "cross-over" of fatigue that reduces voluntary muscle activation and maximum isometric force in the rested contralateral homologous muscle group. We asked whether a cross-over of fatigue also occurs when fatigue is induced via high-intensity endurance exercise involving a substantial muscle mass. Specifically, we used high-intensity single-leg cycling to induce fatigue and evaluated associated effects on maximum cycling power (P (max)) in the fatigued ipsilateral leg (FAT(leg)) as well as the rested contralateral leg (REST(leg)).

PEPFAR's past and future efforts to cut costs, improve efficiency, and increase the impact of global HIV programs.

Amid the global economic crisis, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and other organizations have been pressed to do more with constrained resources to meet unmet needs in the worldwide HIV/AIDS pandemic. PEPFAR has approached this challenge through the development of an Impact and Efficiency Acceleration Plan, which includes improving the collection and use of economic and financial data, increasing the efficiency of HIV/AIDS program implementation, and collaborating with governments and multilateral organizations to maximize the impact of the resources provided by the United States. For example, by linking financial data with program outputs, PEPFAR was able to help its implementing partners in Mozambique reduce mean unit expenditures for people receiving antiretroviral treatment by 45 percent, from $265 to $145 per person, between 2009 and 2011.

Restoring specific lactobacilli levels decreases inflammation and muscle atrophy markers in an acute leukemia mouse model.

The gut microbiota has recently been proposed as a novel component in the regulation of host homeostasis and immunity. We have assessed for the first time the role of the gut microbiota in a mouse model of leukemia (transplantation of BaF3 cells containing ectopic expression of Bcr-Abl), characterized at the final stage by a loss of fat mass, muscle atrophy, anorexia and inflammation. The gut microbial 16S rDNA analysis, using PCR-Denaturating Gradient Gel Electrophoresis and quantitative PCR, reveals a dysbiosis and a selective modulation of Lactobacillus spp.

Odontoid pannus formation in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis causing atlanto-axial instability.

Ankylosing spondylitis is one of the commonest inflammatory diseases of the axial skeleton and can be complicated by atlanto-axial instability. This serious and likely underestimated complication can be easily overlooked. However, there are clear features which can help alert suspicion to initiate the appropriate investigations with imaging that is very effective at diagnosing and assessing this complication.

Investigating social gaze as an action-perception online performance.

Gaze represents a major non-verbal communication channel in social interactions. In this respect, when facing another person, one's gaze should not be examined as a purely perceptive process but also as an action-perception online performance. However, little is known about processes involved in the real-time self-regulation of social gaze.

Dairy fat blends high in α-linolenic acid are superior to n-3 fatty-acid-enriched palm oil blends for increasing DHA levels in the brains of young rats.

Achieving an appropriate docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) status in the neonatal brain is an important goal of neonatal nutrition. We evaluated how different dietary fat matrices improved DHA content in the brains of both male and female rats. Forty rats of each gender were born from dams fed over gestation and lactation with a low α-linolenic acid (ALA) diet (0.

Effects of locomotor muscle fatigue on joint-specific power production during cycling.

Unlabelled: Previous authors have reported reductions in maximum power after high-intensity cycling exercise. Exercise-induced changes in power produced by ankle, knee, and hip joint actions (joint-specific powers), however, have not been reported.

Purpose: Our purpose was to evaluate joint-specific power production during a cycling time trial (TT) and also to compare pre- to post-TT changes in maximal cycling (MAXcyc) joint-specific powers.

Functional dysbiosis within the gut microbiota of patients with constipated-irritable bowel syndrome.

Background: The role of the gut microbiota in patho-physiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is suggested by several studies. However, standard cultural and molecular methods used to date have not revealed specific and consistent IBS-related groups of microbes.

Aim: To explore the constipated-IBS (C-IBS) gut microbiota using a function-based approach.