BACKGROUND Extensive evidence has accumulated regarding the role of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in tumor progression, but the exact effects and mechanisms underlying this role remain unclear. We investigated the effects of MSC-associated tumor progression in MSC-sarcoma models and a gastric cancer metastatic model. METHODS We conducted an in vitro growth kinetics assay and an in vivo tum...

BACKGROUND There is a coordinated inhibition of motility of the colon after its surgical manipulation that contributes to the accumulation of fluids and gas, in turn characterized by nausea,vomiting, pain, abdominal distension, and constipation. Motility is recovered in the majority of patients within the first 72 hours. A delay in its resolution is known as prolonged postoperative ileus. AIM...

Correspondence: Fabio Monzani Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy Tel +39 050 993 490 Fax +39 050 553 235 Email [email protected] Abstract: Interferon (INF) β 1a 22 or 44 μg (Rebif ) administered s.c. 3 times a week (t.i.w) is a well established immunomodulating treatment for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). This review focuses o...

The current study reviewed all prior studies conducted on family home movies of infants who would be later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Out of 41 original reports found since 1975, we retained 18 studies (317 films, maximum), sorted according to their methodological design using a quality grid. In the first 2 years of life, signs that differentiated childrenwith ASD from child...

In this paper we describe the application of a wavelet analysis-based method, to characterize the frequency power distribution of the unsteady respiratory sound signals in order to better discriminate the healthy state of a given subject. To evaluate the methodology, both normal tracheal sounds as well as adventitious respiratory sounds were investigated. In particular, our analysis shows the p...

Effects of prolonged running on Achilles tendon properties were assessed after a 60 min treadmill run and 140 min intermittent shuttle running (simulated cricket batting innings). Before and after exercise, 11 participants performed ramp-up plantar flexions to maximum-voluntary-contraction before gradual relaxation. Muscle-tendon-junction displacement was measured with ultrasonography. Tendon f...

BACKGROUND Of the few studies that have investigated quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes after transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM), the majority have reported only short-term follow-up data. This study assessed long-term clinical and instrumental outcomes (QoL, sexual, urinary and sphincter function) after TEM for extraperitoneal rectal cancer. METHODS Preoperative and postoperative anorectal ...

Recently, First Nation (FN) organizations have entered into agreements with federal and provincial government representatives to remediate radar-line sites in Ontario. These agreements stipulated that FN people would take part in the site delineation and remediation process to gain job experience and economic benefits. One important aspect of the process was protecting FN personnel from contami...

This paper exploits bilateral product-level trade for a wide range of OECD countries to derive export and import PPPs and terms of trade levels. This is based on a hedonic regression model in which a product is characterized by the location of both the buyer and seller. Relative price levels of imports and exports are significantly different from one in most countries, confirming the widespread...