LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial of vitamin E and pentoxifylline in patients with chronic arm lymphoedema and fibrosis after surgery and radiotherapy for breast cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Treatment-induced arm lymphoedema is a common and distressing complication of curative surgery and radiotherapy for early breast cancer. A number of studies testing alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) and pentoxifylline suggest evidence of clinical regression of superficial radiation-induced fibrosis but there is only very limited evidence from randomised trials. Arm lymphoedema after lymphatic radiotherapy and surgery has been used in the present study as a clinical system for testing these drugs in a double-blind placebo-controlled randomised phase II trial.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
Sixty-eight eligible research volunteers with a minimum 20% increase in arm volume at a median 15.5 years (range 2-41) after axillary/supraclavicular radiotherapy (plus axillary surgery in 51/68 (75%) cases) were randomised to active drugs or placebo. All volunteers were given dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate 500 mg twice a day orally plus pentoxifylline 400 mg twice a day orally, or corresponding placebos, for 6 months. The primary endpoint was volume of the ipsilateral limb measured opto-electronically using a perometer and expressed as a percentage of the contralateral limb volume.


RESULTS
At 12 months post-randomisation, there was no significant difference between treatment and control groups in terms of arm volume. Absolute change in arm volume at 12 months was 2.5% (95% CI -0.40 to 5.3) in the treatment group compared to 1.2% (95% CI -2.8 to 5.1) in the placebo group. The difference in mean volume change between randomisation groups at 12 months was not statistically significant (P = 0.6), -1.3% (95% CI -6.1 to 3.5), nor was there a significant difference in response at 6 months (P = 0.7), where mean change in arm volume from baseline in the treatment and placebo groups was -2.3% (95% CI -7.9 to 3.4) and -1.1% (95% CI -3.9 to 1.7), respectively. There were no significant differences between randomised groups in terms of secondary endpoints, including tissue induration (fibrosis) in the irradiated breast or chest wall, pectoral fold or supraclavicular fossa, change in photographic breast/chest wall appearance or patient self-assessment of function and Quality of Life at either 6 or 12 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The study fails to demonstrate efficacy of dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate plus pentoxifylline in patients with arm lymphoedema following axillary surgery and lymphatic radiotherapy, nor does it suggest any benefits of these drugs in radiation-induced induration (fibrosis) in the breast, chest wall, pectoral fold, axilla or supraclavicular fossa.
Design of Folded Cascode OTA in Different Regions of Operation through gm / ID Methodology

This paper presents an optimized methodology to folded cascode operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) design. The design is done in different regions of operation, weak inversion, strong inversion and moderate inversion using the gm/ID methodology in order to optimize MOS transistor sizing. Using 0.35μm CMOS process, the designed folded cascode OTA achieves a DC gain of 77.5dB and a unity-gain frequency of 430MHz in strong inversion mode. In moderate inversion mode, it has a 92dB DC gain and provides a gain bandwidth product of around 69MHz. The OTA circuit has a DC gain of 75.5dB and unity-gain frequency limited to 19.14MHZ in weak inversion region. Keywords—CMOS IC design, Folded Cascode OTA, gm/ID methodology, optimization.
Higher Spin Symmetries, Star-Product and Relativistic Equations in AdS Space

We discuss general properties of the theory of higher spin gauge fields in $AdS_4$ focusing on the relationship between the star-product origin of the higher spin symmetries, AdS geometry and the concept of space-time locality. A full list of conserved higher spin currents in the flat space of arbitrary dimension is presented.
A randomized study of back school in women with chronic low back pain: quality of life at three, six, and twelve months follow-up.

STUDY DESIGN
A randomized controlled trial.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of the back school program on quality of life in women with chronic low back pain.


SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA
There is a controversial debate whether back school program might improve quality of life in back pain patients. This study aimed to address this issue.


METHODS
One hundred and two eligible women were randomly allocated into 2 groups. The 2 groups including back school group who received the back school program plus medication (n = 50) and clinic group who received just medication (n = 52) were compared at 4 points in time. Data were collected at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months follow-up using the SF-36 questionnaire. Repeated measures analysis was performed to compare quality of life scores in 2 groups.


RESULTS
Quality of life scores were significantly different between 2 groups throughout the study (P < 0.0001) indicating a better quality of life among intervention group.


CONCLUSION
The back school program might improve the quality of life score in women with chronic low back pain.
Towards a Cognitive Assistant System for Emergency Response

This abstract presents our preliminary results on development of a cognitive assistant system for emergency response that aims to improve situational awareness and safety of first responders. This system integrates a suite of smart wearable sensors, devices, and analytics for real-time collection and analysis of in-situ data from incident scene and providing dynamic data-driven insights to responders on the most effective response actions to take.
Complementary and alternative medicine use among patients with thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND
To report on the incidence and predictors of use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among patients with thyroid cancer.


METHODS
Data were collected using a web-based online anonymous survey under Institutional Review Board approval from Boston University. This report is based on 1327 responses from subjects with thyroid cancer. Patient factors were compared by univariate and multivariate analyses.


RESULTS
After excluding multivitamin and prayer use, 74% (n=941) used CAM. Respondents were primarily over age 40, white, and female and held a college degree. The top five modalities were massage therapy, chiropraxy, special diets, herbal tea, and yoga. Few patients reported perceiving a particular modality had a negative effect on treatment. CAM was more often used for treatment of symptoms (73%) than as part of thyroid cancer treatment (27%). Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that patients reporting a poor health status, higher education, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary symptoms, or persistent, recurrent, or metastatic disease were more likely to use CAM for treatment of thyroid cancer symptoms. Nearly one third of respondents reported their CAM use was not known, prescribed, or asked about by their physicians.


CONCLUSIONS
In comparison to national surveys of the general U.S. population, patients with thyroid cancer use CAM therapies twice as often and report their use far less often. Physicians who treat patients with thyroid cancer should be aware of these data to further assist in their assessment and care.
Neuronavigation in minimally invasive spine surgery.

OBJECT
Parallel advancements in image guidance technology and minimal access techniques continue to push the frontiers of minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS). While traditional intraoperative imaging remains widely used, newer platforms, such as 3D-fluoroscopy, cone-beam CT, and intraoperative CT/MRI, have enabled safer, more accurate instrumentation placement with less radiation exposure to the surgeon. The goal of this work is to provide a review of the current uses of advanced image guidance in MISS.


METHODS
The authors searched PubMed for relevant articles concerning MISS, with particular attention to the use of image-guidance platforms. Pertinent studies published in English were further compiled and characterized into relevant analyses of MISS of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral regions.


RESULTS
Fifty-two studies were included for review. These describe the use of the iso-C system for 3D navigation during C1-2 transarticular screw placement, the use of endoscopic techniques in the cervical spine, and the role of navigation guidance at the occipital-cervical junction. The authors discuss the evolving literature concerning neuronavigation during pedicle screw placement in the thoracic and lumbar spine in the setting of infection, trauma, and deformity surgery and review the use of image guidance in transsacral approaches.


CONCLUSIONS
Refinements in image-guidance technologies and minimal access techniques have converged on spinal pathology, affording patients the ability to undergo safe, accurate operations without the associated morbidities of conventional approaches. While percutaneous transpedicular screw placement is among the most common procedures to benefit from navigation, other areas of spine surgery can benefit from advances in neuronavigation and further growth in the field of image-guided MISS is anticipated.
How Robust is 3D Human Pose Estimation to Occlusion?

[1] Zhong, Z.; Zheng, L.; Kang, G., Li, S.; Yang, Y.: Random erasing data augmentation. arXiv:1708.04896, 2017 [2] Pavlakos, G.; Zhou, X.; Derpanis, K. G.; Daniilidis, K.: Coarse-to-fne volumetric prediction for single-image 3D human pose. CVPR 2017 [3] Sun, X.; Xiao, B.; Liang, S.; Wei, Y.: Integral human pose regression. ECCV 2018 [4] Sárándi, I.; Linder, T.; Arras, K. O.; Leibe, B.: Synthetic occlusion augmentation with volumetric heatmaps for the 2018 ECCV PoseTrack Challenge on 3D human pose estimation. ArXiv:1809.04987 (2018) ● Baseline 3D pose estimator is sensitive even to low degrees of occlusion
A diet based on high-heat-treated foods promotes risk factors for diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases.

BACKGROUND
The modern Western lifestyle is characterized by the consumption of high-heat-treated foods because of their characteristic taste and flavor. However, it has been shown that treating food at high temperatures can generate potentially harmful compounds that promote inflammation and cardiovascular disease in subjects with diabetes.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine whether high-heat-treated foods also pose a risk for healthy subjects.


DESIGN
A randomized, crossover, diet-controlled intervention trial with 62 volunteers was designed to compare the potential metabolic effects of 2 diets, one that was based on mild steam cooking and another that was based on high-temperature cooking. These 2 diets differed mainly in their contents of Maillard reaction products (MRPs). MRPs were assessed in the diet and in subjects' feces, blood, and urine samples, with N(epsilon)-carboxymethyllysine as an indicator of MRPs. Biological indicators of glucose and lipid metabolism as well as oxidative stress were analyzed in subjects after 1 mo on each diet.


RESULTS
In comparison with the steamed diet, 1 mo of consuming the high-heat-treated diet induced significantly lower insulin sensitivity and plasma concentrations of long-chain n-3 (omega-3) fatty acids and vitamins C and E [-17% (P < 0.002), -13% (P < 0.0001), and -8% (P < 0.01), respectively]. However, concentrations of plasma cholesterol and triglycerides increased [+5% (P < 0.01) and +9% (P < 0.01), respectively].


CONCLUSIONS
A diet that is based on high-heat-treated foods increases markers associated with an enhanced risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in healthy people. Replacing high-heat-treatment techniques by mild cooking techniques may help to positively modulate biomarkers associated with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases.
Partial Communication in a Voluntary Contribution Mechanism Experiment

This paper presents a result of a voluntary contribution mechanism experiment with partial communication. We found that the trend of mean investments depended on whether a communication network was connected or not and on how fast all subjects could share information.
Paternal Depression: An Examination of Its Links with Father, Child and Family Functioning in the Postnatal Period

BACKGROUND
Maternal depression is common and is known to affect both maternal and child health. One of the mechanisms by which maternal depression exerts its effects on child health is through an increased rate of parental disharmony. Fathers also experience depression, but the impact of this on family functioning has been less studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between paternal depressive disorder and family and child functioning, in the first 3 months of a child's life.


METHODS
A controlled study comparing individual and familial outcomes in fathers with (n = 54) and without diagnosed depressive disorder (n = 99). Parental couple functioning and child temperament were assessed by both paternal and maternal report.


RESULTS
Depression in fathers is associated with an increased risk of disharmony in partner relationships, reported by both fathers and their partners, controlling for maternal depression. Few differences in infant's reported temperament were found in the early postnatal period.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings emphasize the importance of considering the potential for men, as well as women, to experience depression in the postnatal period. Paternal symptoms hold the potential to impact upon fathers, their partners, and their children.
Atherosclerotic coronary plaque in subjects with diabetic neuropathy: the prognostic cardiovascular role of Charcot neuroarthropathy—a case–control study

The aim of this study was to investigate the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and the plaque composition in neuropathic type 2 diabetic subjects with and without Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) undergoing multidetector computed tomography coronary angiography (MDCT-CA). The study was a single-center, observational, with unmatched case–control design. We selected 17 CN patients and 18 patients with diabetic neuropathy (DN) without CN. In all the patients, multidetector computed tomography was performed to assess the coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and degree of coronary artery stenosis. Patients were classified as positive in the presence of significant CAD if there was at least one stenosis >50 % on MDCT-CA. The invasive coronary angiography was performed in case of significant stenosis detected with MDCT-CA, both as reference to standard and eventually as treatment. Groups were matched for age, sex, and traditional CAD risk factors. As compared to DN individuals, CN exhibited higher rates of significant coronary stenoses (p = 0.027; OR 7.7 [1.3–43.5]). However, no significant differences were observed in the CACS, which reflects plaque burden, in the two groups (p = 0.759). No significant differences were observed comparing CACS distribution in all subjects for stenosis higher/equal or lower than 50 % (p = 0.320). Finally, no significant differences were observed comparing CACS distribution in CN and DN subjects for coronary stenoses higher/equal or lower than 50 %. Our results suggest that CN patients have a higher prevalence of severe coronary plaques compared to DN patients. Nevertheless, coronary plaques in CN patients did not exhibit an increased degree of calcification.
The influence of linseed on rabbit meat quality

A research was conducted to study the infl uence of the dietary use of whole linseed on rabbit meat quality. A total of 288 growing rabbits were fed ad libitum (from 55 to 81 d old) with a commercial diet (C) or experimental diets containing 3, 6, or 9% whole linseed (L3, L6 and L9, respectively). After slaughtering, L. lumborum muscles and rabbit meat hamburgers were used to determine pH, colour, cooking loss, total lipid content, fatty acid composition and induced TBARS. Hind leg muscles were analyzed for total lipid content, fatty acid composition and induced TBARS. Finally, a sensory test was carried out to establish the level of acceptability of rabbit meat hamburgers prepared with the meat batters stored for 3 or 6 months at −20°C. The use of linseed determined a lower content of total saturated fatty acid and a higher content of PUFA (P<0.01) in all types of meat. The PUFA n-3 content of the meat increased signifi cantly (P<0.01) with the increasing level of whole linseed in the diet, mainly due to the higher content of α-linolenic acid, which also determined a reduction of the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. The hamburgers prepared from L6 and L9 groups exhibited higher TBARS values in comparison with L3 and C. Furthermore, the cooking loss of hamburgers was lower in meat from rabbits fed the control diet (C), intermediate in L3 and higher in L6 and L9 (P<0.01). With regard to sensory analysis, the diet did not determine signifi cant differences in the acceptability of the hamburgers produced with frozen meat batters stored for 3 or 6 months. In general, the use of 3% linseed in diets for growing rabbits could be considered suitable for achieving both the enrichment of the meat with α-linolenic acid and maintaining good product quality characteristics.
Physical Framework of Quantization Problem

The paper presents shortly the geometric approach to the problem of a general quantization formalism, both physically meaningful and mathematically consistent.
Validity of the hospital discharge diagnosis in epidemiologic studies of biliopancreatic pathology

Background: The aim was to analyse the magnitude, direction and predictors of change in the main hospital discharge diagnosis (HDD) after a clinical expert review, among patients included in a multicentre molecular epidemiologic study of biliopancreatic diseases. Methods: A total of 602 patients with a suspicion diagnosis of pancreas cancer (PC), cancer of the extrahepatic biliary system (CEBS) or benign biliopancreatic pathologies (BPP) were prospectively recruited at five general hospitals. A structured form was used to collect information from medical records. A panel of experts revised all diagnostic information and established the main clinico-pathological diagnosis (CPD) by consensus. Results: Of the 204 cases with a HDD of PC, 176 (86%) were deemed to have a CPD of PC, eight of CEBS, twelve a neoplasm of different origin, four BPP and four syndromic diagnoses. Thus, 28 cases (14%) were false positives. Of the 129 patients with a HDD of CEBS, 15 (12%) were false positives. Nine of the 396 cases with a HDD of non-PC (2%) had a CPD of PC (false negatives), whilst 14 of 471 patients with a HDD of non-CEBS (3%) were deemed to have CEBS. Overall, sensitivity and specificity of HDD for PC were, respectively, 95 and 93%, and for CEBS, 89 and 97%. Cytohistological confirmation and laparotomy were independent predictors of diagnostic change. Conclusions: Validity of the HDD was high, but its association with some clinical variables suggests that sole reliance on HDD can significantly bias results, and highlights the need to review all HDDs. Alternatively, only patients at high risk of misdiagnosis could be reviewed: primarily, those lacking a cytohistological diagnosis or a laparotomy. No exclusions appear warranted solely on the basis of age, gender or tumour spread.
Serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism genotype is associated with behavioral disinhibition and negative affect in children of alcoholics.

BACKGROUND
Serotonergic (5-HT) dysfunction has been implicated in the etiology of both behavioral disinhibition (BD) and negative affect (NA). This work extends our previous finding of relationships between whole blood 5-HT and both BD and NA in pubescent, but not prepubescent, children of alcoholics and continues examination of a hypothesized role of 5-HT dysfunction in alcoholism risk. The long and short (L and S) variants of the 5-HT transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) are responsible for differing transcriptional efficiencies in 5-HT uptake. Although associations have been found between the SS 5-HTTLPR genotype and severe alcoholism and neuroticism, recent reports describe relationships between the LL genotype and both low level of response to alcohol and alcoholism diagnosis and a predominance of the LL genotype in early-onset alcoholics.


METHODS
This report is from an ongoing prospective study of the development of risk for alcoholism and other problematic outcomes in a sample of families classified by father's alcoholism subtype. This study examines relationships between 5-HTTLPR genotype and both child BD (Child Behavior Checklist Aggressive Behavior) and NA (Child Behavior Checklist Anxious/Depressed) in offspring from 47 families.


RESULTS
Results showed significantly higher levels of BD and NA in the 16 children with the LL genotype than the 46 SS or SL children.


CONCLUSIONS
Behaviors of undercontrol, which occur at increased rates in children of alcoholics, may be genetically influenced through the regulation of the 5-HT transporter. Due to the small sample size and the preliminary nature of our findings, replication is necessary.
Thenar oxygen saturation measured by near infrared spectroscopy as a noninvasive predictor of low central venous oxygen saturation in septic patients

To validate thenar oxygen saturation (StO2) measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as a noninvasive estimation of central venous saturation (ScvO2) in septic patients. Prospective observational study. A 26-bed medical–surgical intensive care unit at a university-affiliated hospital. Patients consecutively admitted to the ICU in the early phase of severe sepsis and septic shock, after normalization of blood pressure with fluids and/or vasoactive drugs. We recorded demographic data, severity score, hemodynamic data, and blood lactate, as well as ScvO2, and StO2 measured simultaneously on inclusion. Patients were divided into two groups according to ScvO2 values: group A, with ScvO2 < 70%, and group B, with ScvO2 ≥ 70%. Forty patients were studied. StO2 was significantly lower in group A than in group B (74.7 ± 13.0 vs. 83.3 ± 6.2, P 0.018). No differences in age, severity score, hemodynamics, vasoactive drugs, or lactate were found between groups. Simultaneously measured ScvO2 and StO2 showed a significant Pearson correlation (r = 0.39, P 0.017). For a StO2 value of 75%, sensitivity was 0.44, specificity 0.93, positive predictive value 0.92, and negative predictive value 0.52 for detecting ScvO2 values lower than 70%. StO2 correlates with ScvO2 in normotensive patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. We propose a StO2 cut-off value of 75% as a specific, rapid, noninvasive first step for detecting patients with low ScvO2 values. Further studies are necessary to analyze the role of noninvasive StO2 measurement in future resuscitation algorithms.