Targeting pancreatic cancer cell stemness by blocking fibronectin-binding integrins on cancer-associated fibroblasts.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) generate an extracellular matrix (ECM) which provides a repository for factors that promote pancreatic cancer progression. Here, we establish that CAF contribution to pancreatic tumor initiation, i.e.

Contraceptive use, prevalence and incidence of pregnancy and associated factors among women participating in a vaccine preparedness cohort study in Masaka, Uganda, a retrospective secondary analysis.

Background: HIV prevention trials usually require that women of childbearing potential use an effective method of contraception. This is because the effect of most investigational products on unborn babies is unknown. We assessed contraceptive use, prevalence and incidence of pregnancy and associated factors among women in a HIV vaccine preparedness study in Masaka, Uganda.

Running performance in Australopithecus afarensis.

The evolution of bipedal gait is a key adaptive feature in hominids, but the running abilities of early hominins have not been extensively studied. Here, we present physics simulations of Australopithecus afarensis that demonstrate this genus was mechanically capable of bipedal running but with absolute and relative (size-normalized) maximum speeds considerably inferior to modern humans. Simulations predicted running energetics for Australopithecus that are generally consistent with values for mammals and birds of similar body size, therefore suggesting relatively low cost of transport across a limited speed range.

Sarcopenia in interstitial lung disease.

Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) encompasses a heterogeneous group of chronic lung conditions with considerable variability in prognosis and response to treatment. People with reduced muscle mass and function, known as sarcopenia, have a higher risk of mortality and adverse clinical outcomes both in the general population and in other chronic disease states. The importance of sarcopenia across the spectrum of patients with ILD is not well established.