LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Azacitidine in patients with WHO-defined AML – Results of 155 patients from the Austrian Azacitidine Registry of the AGMT-Study Group

OBJECTIVE
The Austrian Azacitidine Registry is a multi-center database (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01595295). The nature and intent of the registry was to gain a comprehensive view of the use, safety and efficacy of the drug in a broad range of AML-patients treated in real-life scenarios.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
The sole inclusion criteria were the diagnosis of WHO-AML and treatment with at least one dose of azacitidine. No formal exclusion criteria existed. A total of 155 AML-patients who were mostly unfit/ineligible for intensive chemotherapy, or had progressed despite conventional treatment, were included. True ITT-analyses and exploratory analyses regarding the potential prognostic value of baseline-variables/performance-/comorbidity-/risk-scores on overall survival (OS), were performed.


RESULTS
In this cohort of 155 pretreated (60%), and/or comorbid (87%), elderly (45% ≥75 years) AML-patients, azacitidine was well tolerated and efficacious, with an overall response rate (CR, mCR, PR, HI) of 45% in the total cohort (ITT) and 65% in patients evaluable according to IWG-criteria, respectively. Pre-treatment with conventional chemotherapy (P = .113), age ≤/>80 years (P = .853), number of comorbidities (P = .476), and bone marrow (BM) blast count (P = .663) did not influence OS. In multivariate analysis hematologic improvement alone (without the requirement of concomitant bone marrow blast reduction), although currently not regarded as a standard form of response assessment in AML, was sufficient to confer OS benefit (18.9 vs. 6.0 months; P = .0015). Further deepening of response after first response was associated with improved OS (24.7 vs. 13.7 months; P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
In this large cohort of AML-patients treated with azacitidine, age >80 years, number of comorbidities and/or BM-blasts >30% did not adversely impact OS.
Patient self-appraisal of change and minimal clinically important difference on the European organization for the research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire core 30 before and during cancer therapy

Clinical interpretation of health related quality of life (HRQOL) scores is challenging. The purpose of this analysis was to interpret score changes and identify minimal clinically important differences (MCID) on the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30) before (T1) and during (T2) cancer treatment. Patients (N = 627) in stem cell transplant (SCT) and medical (MED) or radiation (RAD) oncology at two comprehensive cancer centers, enrolled in the Electronic Self-Report Assessment-Cancer study and completed the QLQ-C30 at T1 and T2. Perceived changes in five QOL domains, physical (PF), emotional (EF), social (SF), cognitive functioning (CF) and global quality of life (QOL), were reported using the Subject Significance Questionnaire (SSQ) at T2. Anchored on SSQ ratings indicating “improvement”, “the same”, or “deterioration”, means and effect sizes were calculated for QLQ-C30 score changes. MCID was calculated as the mean difference in QLQ-C30 score changes reflecting one category change on SSQ rating, using a two-piece linear regression model. A majority of SCT patients (54%) perceived deteriorating global HRQOL versus improvement (17%), while approximately equal proportions of MED/RAD patients perceived improvement (25%) and deterioration (26%). Global QOL decreased 14.2 (SCT) and 2.0 (MED/RAD) units, respectively, among patients reporting “the same” in the SSQ. The MCID ranged 5.7-11.4 (SCT) and 7.2-11.8 (MED/RAD) units among patients reporting deteriorated HRQOL; ranged 2.7-3.4 units among MED/RAD patients reporting improvement. Excepting for the global QOL (MCID =6.9), no meaningful MCID was identified among SCT patients reporting improvement. Cancer treatment has greater impact on HRQOL among SCT patients than MED/RAD patients. The MCID for QLQ-C30 score change differed across domains, and differed for perceived improvement and deterioration, suggesting different standards for self-evaluating changes in HRQOL during cancer treatment. Specifically, clinical attention can be focused on patients who report at least a 6 point decrease, and for patients who report at least a 3 point increase on QLQ-C30 domains. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00852852
Organizational space: a new frontier in international business strategy?

Purpose – Through an intervention from a geographical perspective on organizational space, this article aims to offer a new horizon in understanding international business strategy. Design/methodology/approach – Starts with two interrelated questions: does space exist in organizations and how does an organization manipulate and produce this organizational space in order to gain competitive advantage? By tackling these questions in the context of international business activities, this paper engages existing (international) management theories. Findings – This article critically reviews the narrow focus of most international business theories on physical location and distance as a significant determinant of foreign direct investment and diverse activities of transnational corporations (TNCs). Quantitative empirical studies in this genre tend to emphasize physical space as a mere “container” of different locations of TNC activities and to measure the distance between these locations as an independent variable in statistical models. Drawing upon recent theoretical developments in economic geography, the paper develops a relational perspective on business organizations. In such an organization space, there are no fixed locations manifesting themselves in physically measurable forms. Instead, locations and distances in an organizational space are relational and thus discursively constructed through actor-specific strategies and practice. The paper argues that one key strategic goal of business organizations is to continuously expand its organizational space (viz. physical space) and to economize on this spatial expansion. Research limitations/implications – Reveals the need for a critical reexamination of existing management and organization theories to take account of how space and boundaries may influence the strategy, structure, and performance of business organizations. Originality/value – Examines the properties of organizational space and applies the proposed concept to the case of TNCs.
A DC Motor Driven by a DC/DC Boost Converter-Inverter: Modeling and Simulation

In this paper the new topology DC/DC Boost power converter-inverter-DC motor that allows bidirectional rotation of the motor shaft is presented. In this direction, the system mathematical model is developed considering its different operation modes. Afterwards, the model validation is performed via numerical simulations by using Matlab-Simulink.
Prevalence of diabetes in care home residents.

OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of known and undetected diabetes diagnosed either by an elevated fasting baseline sample or by a 2-h post-glucose load sample in a group of residents of care homes in an urban-district setting.


RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We completed individual interviews with patients and caregivers in 30 care homes (both residential and nursing homes) in two metropolitan districts of Birmingham, West Midlands, U.K. All care homes were under the supervision of primary care physicians (general practitioners). We carried out 75-g oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) in consenting residents without previous known diabetes. Criteria for diagnosis of diabetes were obtained from the World Health Organization (1998) and the American Diabetes Association (1997).


RESULTS
Of 636 residents available for study, 76 residents (12.0%) were known to have diabetes; of the 560 remaining residents, 286 either refused to participate or were deemed too ill or unavailable to undergo testing. Complete data on 274 OGTTs were obtained (median age 83 years, range 45-101). A total of 46 subjects were diagnosed as having diabetes and 94 as having impaired glucose tolerance. Allowing for subjects who refused or were unable to participate, the calculated total prevalence (which includes known and newly detected diabetes) was 26.7% (95% CI 21.9-32.0). The calculated overall prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance was 30.2% (25.2-35.6).


CONCLUSIONS
In a group of care home residents not known to have diabetes and able to undergo testing, a substantial proportion have undetected diabetes based on a 2-h postglucose load. These residents warrant further study as they may be at higher cardiovascular risk and require an intervention.
Cyberbullying, self-esteem, empathy and loneliness

Cyberbullying is a unique phenomenon, distinguished from traditional bullying by the speed at which information is distributed, permanence of material and availability of victims. There is however a paucity of research in this area, and few studies have examined the factors contributing to cyberbullying behaviour. The present study investigated the influence of self-esteem, empathy and loneliness on cyberbullying victimisation and perpetration. British adolescents (N = 90) aged 16–18 years were recruited from Further Education colleges. Participants completed the Revised Cyber Bullying Inventory (RCBI, Topcu & Erdur-Baker, 2010), the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell, Peplau, & Ferguson, 1978), Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ, Spreng, McKinnon, Mar, & Levine, 2009) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965) online. Standard multiple regressions revealed that together, loneliness, empathy and self-esteem predicted levels of cyberbullying victimisation and perpetration. Self-esteem was a significant individual predictor of cyberbullying victimisation and perpetration, such that those with low self-esteem were most likely to report experience of cyberbullying. Empathy was a significant individual predictor of cyberbullying perpetration, such that as empathy decreases, likelihood of cyberbullying perpetration increases. These findings indicate that self-esteem and empathy oriented interventions may successfully address cyberbullying behaviour. 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Experiences in Improving Risk Management Processes Using the Concepts of the Riskit Method

This paper describes experiences from two organizations that have used the Riskit method for risk management in their software projects. This paper presents the Riskit method, the organizations involved, case study designs, and findings from case studies. We focus on the experiences and insights gained through the application of the method in industrial context and propose some general conclusions based on the case studies.
A numerical study of performance for tight gas and shale gas reservoir systems

Various analytical, semi-analytical, and empirical models have been proposed to characterize rate and pressure behavior as a function of time in tight gas and shale gas systems featuring a horizontal well with multiple hydraulic fractures. Despite a few analytical models, as well as a small number of published numerical studies there is currently little consensus regarding the large-scale flow behavior over time in such systems, particularly regarding the dominant flow regimes and whether or not reservoir properties or volumes can be estimated from well performance data. We constructed a fit-for-purpose numerical simulator which accounts for a variety of production features pertinent to these systems — specifically: ultra-tight matrix permeability, hydraulically fractured horizontal wells with induced fractures of various configurations, multiple porosity and permeability fields, and desorption. These features cover the production mechanisms which are currently believed to be most relevant in tight gas and shale gas systems. We employ the numerical simulator to examine various tight gas and shale gas systems and to identify and illustrate the various flow regimes which progressively occur over time. We perform this study at fine grid discretization on the order of one millimeter to accurately capture flow effects at all time periods. We visualize the flow regimes using specialized plots of rate and pressure functions, as well as maps of pressure and sorption distributions. We use pressure maps to visualize the various flow regimes and their transitions in tight gas systems. In a typical tight gas system, we illustrate the initial linear flow into the hydraulic fractures (i.e., formation linear flow), transitioning to compound formation linear flow, and eventually transforming into elliptical flow. We explore variations of possible shale gas system models. Based on diffusive flow (with and without desorption), we show that due to the extremely low permeability of shale (a few nanodarcies), the flow behavior is dominated by the extent of and configuration of the fractures. This work expands our understanding of flow behavior in tight gas and shale gas systems, where such an understanding may ultimately be used to estimate reservoir properties and reserves in these types of reservoirs. 2 C.M. Freeman, G. Moridis, D. Ilk, and T.A. Blasingame SPE 12496
Breast volume determination in breast hypertrophy: an accurate method using two anthropomorphic measurements.

BACKGROUND
Precise determination of breast volume facilitates reconstructive procedures and helps in the planning of tissue removal for breast reduction surgery. Various methods currently used to measure breast size are limited by technical drawbacks and unreliable volume determinations. The purpose of this study was to develop a formula to predict breast volume based on straightforward anthropomorphic measurements.


METHODS
One hundred one women participated in this study. Eleven anthropomorphic measurements were obtained on 202 breasts. Breast volumes were determined using a water displacement technique. Multiple stepwise linear regression was used to determine predictive variables and a unifying formula.


RESULTS
Mean patient age was 37.7 years, with a mean body mass index of 31.8. Mean breast volumes on the right and left sides were 1328 and 1305 cc, respectively (range, 330 to 2600 cc). The final regression model incorporated the variables of breast base circumference in a standing position and a vertical measurement from the inframammary fold to a point representing the projection of the fold onto the anterior surface of the breast. The derived formula showed an adjusted R of 0.89, indicating that almost 90 percent of the variation in breast size was explained by the model.


CONCLUSION
Surgeons may find this formula a practical and relatively accurate method of determining breast volume.
MS2 VLP-based delivery of microRNA-146a inhibits autoantibody production in lupus-prone mice

BACKGROUND
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of pathogenic autoantibodies. Recent studies suggest that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential role in immunoregulation and may be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. Therefore, it was of interest to investigate the potential therapeutic application of miRNAs in SLE, a concept that has not been thoroughly investigated thus far. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are a type of recombinant nanoparticle enveloped by certain proteins derived from the outer coat of a virus. Herein, we describe a novel miRNA-delivery approach via bacteriophage MS2 VLPs and investigate the therapeutic effects of miR-146a, a well-studied and SLE-related miRNA, in BXSB lupus-prone mice.


METHODS
VLPs containing miR-146a, and the control VLPs, were prepared using an Escherichia coli expression system and then administered to lupus-prone mice over a 12-day period. We performed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to evaluate the anti-dsDNA antibody, autoantibody to nuclear antigen (ANA), total IgG and total IgM levels in serum. The expression of miR-146a was analyzed by qRT-PCR. SLE-related cytokines as well as some toll-like receptor signaling pathway molecules were also measured.


RESULTS
Treatment with MS2-miR146a VLP showed profound effects on lupus-prone BXSB mice, including an increased level of mature miR-146a, which led to a significant reduction in the expression of autoantibodies and total IgG. Remarkably, these mice also exhibited reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including IFN-Interferon-α (IFN-α), Interleukin-1β (Il-1β) and Interleukin-6 (Il-6). Moreover, we showed that the toll-like receptor pathway was involved in this regulation.


CONCLUSION
Restoring the loss of miR-146a was effective in eliminating the production of autoantibodies and ameliorating SLE progression in lupus-prone mice. Thus, the induction of dysregulated miRNAs by an MS2 VLP-based delivery system may lead to novel therapies.
A process model for analyzing and managing flexibility in information systems

Received: 23 May 2011 Revised: 20 February 2012 2nd Revision: 7 September 2012 3rd Revision: 6 November 2012 Accepted: 7 November 2012 Abstract Competitive pressures are forcing organizations to be flexible. Being responsive to changing environmental conditions is an important factor in determining corporate performance. Earlier research, focusing primarily on IT infrastructure, has shown that organizational flexibility is closely related to IT infrastructure flexibility. Using real-world cases, this paper explores flexibility in the broader context of the IS function. An empirically derived framework for better understanding and managing IS flexibility is developed using grounded theory and content analysis. A process model for managing flexibility is presented; it includes steps for understanding contextual factors, recognizing reasons why flexibility is important, evaluating what needs to be flexible, identifying flexibility categories and stakeholders, diagnosing types of flexibility needed, understanding synergies and tradeoffs between them, and prescribing strategies for proactively managing IS flexibility. Three major flexibility categories, flexibility in IS operations, flexibility in IS systems & services development and deployment, and flexibility in IS management, containing 10 IS flexibility types are identified and described. European Journal of Information Systems (2014) 23, 151–184. doi:10.1057/ejis.2012.53; published online 8 January 2013
Short-course antiretroviral therapy in primary HIV infection.

BACKGROUND
Short-course antiretroviral therapy (ART) in primary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection may delay disease progression but has not been adequately evaluated.


METHODS
We randomly assigned adults with primary HIV infection to ART for 48 weeks, ART for 12 weeks, or no ART (standard of care), with treatment initiated within 6 months after seroconversion. The primary end point was a CD4+ count of less than 350 cells per cubic millimeter or long-term ART initiation.


RESULTS
A total of 366 participants (60% men) underwent randomization to 48-week ART (123 participants), 12-week ART (120), or standard care (123), with an average follow-up of 4.2 years. The primary end point was reached in 50% of the 48-week ART group, as compared with 61% in each of the 12-week ART and standard-care groups. The average hazard ratio was 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45 to 0.90; P=0.01) for 48-week ART as compared with standard care and was 0.93 (95% CI, 0.67 to 1.29; P=0.67) for 12-week ART as compared with standard care. The proportion of participants who had a CD4+ count of less than 350 cells per cubic millimeter was 28% in the 48-week ART group, 40% in the 12-week group, and 40% in the standard-care group. Corresponding values for long-term ART initiation were 22%, 21%, and 22%. The median time to the primary end point was 65 weeks (95% CI, 17 to 114) longer with 48-week ART than with standard care. Post hoc analysis identified a trend toward a greater interval between ART initiation and the primary end point the closer that ART was initiated to estimated seroconversion (P=0.09), and 48-week ART conferred a reduction in the HIV RNA level of 0.44 log(10) copies per milliliter (95% CI, 0.25 to 0.64) 36 weeks after the completion of short-course therapy. There were no significant between-group differences in the incidence of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, death, or serious adverse events.


CONCLUSIONS
A 48-week course of ART in patients with primary HIV infection delayed disease progression, although not significantly longer than the duration of the treatment. There was no evidence of adverse effects of ART interruption on the clinical outcome. (Funded by the Wellcome Trust; SPARTAC Controlled-Trials.com number, ISRCTN76742797, and EudraCT number, 2004-000446-20.).
Revealing Alzheimer’s disease genes spectrum in the whole-genome by machine learning

BACKGROUND
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an important, progressive neurodegenerative disease, with a complex genetic architecture. A key goal of biomedical research is to seek out disease risk genes, and to elucidate the function of these risk genes in the development of disease. For this purpose, expanding the AD-associated gene set is necessary. In past research, the prediction methods for AD related genes has been limited in their exploration of the target genome regions. We here present a genome-wide method for AD candidate genes predictions.


METHODS
We present a machine learning approach (SVM), based upon integrating gene expression data with human brain-specific gene network data, to discover the full spectrum of AD genes across the whole genome.


RESULTS
We classified AD candidate genes with an accuracy and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 84.56% and 94%. Our approach provides a supplement for the spectrum of AD-associated genes extracted from more than 20,000 genes in a genome wide scale.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, we have elucidated the whole-genome spectrum of AD, using a machine learning approach. Through this method, we expect for the candidate gene catalogue to provide a more comprehensive annotation of AD for researchers.
Public Administration Domain Ontology for a Semantic Web Services EGovernment Framework

In this paper we present a generic public administration (PA) domain ontology. We define a formal model for a public administration service on the basis of the Web service modeling ontology (WSMO). For this purpose we employ the generic public service object model of the governance enterprise architecture (GEA) providing PA domain specific semantics. We describe the ontology using the Web service modeling language (WSML). This domain ontology is implemented in order to be used in semantic Web services architecture for e-government.
Variational EM Algorithms for Non-Gaussian Latent Variable Models

We consider criteria for variational representations of non-Gaussian latent variables, and derive variational EM algorithms in general form. We establish a general equivalence among convex bounding methods, evidence based methods, and ensemble learning/Variational Bayes methods, which has previously been demonstrated only for particular cases.