LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Physical Activity in Pediatric Cancer patients with solid tumors (PAPEC): trial rationale and design.

BACKGROUND
This randomized controlled trial on Physical Activity in Pediatric Cancer (PAPEC) was designed to assess the impact of an exercise program on pediatric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy for solid tumors.


METHODS AND DESIGN
60 pediatric patients of both sexes, aged 4 to 18 years and undergoing treatment for extracranial primary solid tumors will be recruited for this trial. Each participant will be randomly assigned (with blocking on sex) to either an intervention or control (normal care) group. The intervention group will participate in combined inpatient physical training (aerobic + strength) for the duration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The intervention will include 3 weekly 60-70 min exercise sessions in the child's room or in a pediatric gym at the hospital, depending on the child's health state. In both groups, determination of several primary (cardio-respiratory fitness, muscle strength, functional capacity, physical activity levels, body weight and quality of life) and secondary outcomes [immune function and inflammatory profile (blood levels of 47 cytokines)] will be made at the following time points: (i) before the exercise intervention (immediately after diagnosis and before treatment onset); (ii) after the exercise intervention (upon termination of neoadjuvant chemotherapy); and (iii) after a detraining period (2 months after the intervention).


DISCUSSION
The PAPEC trial will provide relevant new information on biological mechanisms and inform on the potential clinical use of exercise during pediatric cancer treatment as a simple way to prevent future long-term treatment effects and improve the general health state of pediatric cancer patients.
Improved Functional Results After Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy: Intrathoracic Versus Cervical Anastomosis.

BACKGROUND
Both cervical esophagogastric anastomosis (CEA) and intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis (IEA) are used to restore gastrointestinal integrity following minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). No prospective randomized data on functional outcome, postoperative morbidity, and mortality between these techniques are currently available.


METHODS
A comparison was conducted including all consecutive patients with esophageal carcinoma of the distal esophagus or gastroesophageal junction undergoing MIE with CEA or MIE with IEA from October 2009 to July 2014 in 3 high-volume esophageal cancer centers. Functional outcome, postoperative morbidity, and mortality were analyzed.


RESULTS
MIE with CEA was performed in 146 patients and MIE with IEA in 210 patients. The incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy was 14.4% after CEA and 0% after IEA (p < 0.001). Dysphagia, dumping, and regurgitation were reported less frequently after IEA compared with CEA (p < 0.05). Dilatation of benign strictures occurred in 43.8% after CEA and this was 6.2% after IEA (p < 0.001). If a benign stricture was identified, it was dilated a median of 4 times in the CEA group and only once in the IEA group (p < 0.001). Anastomotic leakage for which reoperation was required occurred in 8.2% after CEA and in 11.4% after IEA (not significant). Median ICU stay, hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, 30-day mortality, and 90-day mortality were similar between the groups (not significant).


CONCLUSIONS
MIE with IEA was associated with better functional results than MIE with CEA with less dysphagia, less benign anastomotic strictures requiring fewer dilatations, and a lower incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. Other postoperative morbidity and mortality did not differ between the groups.
A High-Throughput Screen Targeting Malaria Transmission Stages Opens New Avenues for Drug Development

A major goal of the worldwide malaria eradication program is the reduction and eventual elimination of malaria transmission. All currently available antimalarial compounds were discovered on the basis of their activity against the asexually reproducing red blood cell stages of the parasite, which are responsible for the morbidity and mortality of human malaria. Resistance against these compounds is widespread, and there is an urgent need for novel approaches to reduce the emergence of resistance to new antimalarials as they are introduced. We have established and validated the first high-throughput assay targeting the red blood cell parasite stage required for transmission, the sexually reproducing gametocyte. This assay will permit identification of compounds specifically targeting the transmission stages in addition to the asexual stage parasites. Such stage-specific compounds may be used in a combination therapy, reducing the emergence of resistance by blocking transmission of resistant parasites that may be selected in a patient.
Effects of escitalopram on markers of bone turnover: a randomized clinical trial.

CONTEXT
Recent observational studies have suggested that the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors is associated with an increased fracture risk and an accelerated bone loss, although conflicting results have been reported. Furthermore, because many of these studies have been performed in depressed women, confounding by indication may influence these findings.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to determine whether selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors affect bone metabolism Design: This was a randomized controlled trial.


SETTING
The study was conducted in four US clinical sites.


PARTICIPANTS
Healthy peri- and postmenopausal women participated in the study.


INTERVENTION
The intervention was escitalopram (10-20 mg/d) for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Serum carboxyterminal collagen crosslinks (CTX) and serum amino-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (P1NP) were measured.


RESULTS
One hundred forty-one peri- or postmenopausal nondepressed women (mean age 53.7 y, SD 4.1) had baseline and 8-week follow-up samples available for analysis and were included in the study (69 escitalopram, 72 placebo). The groups were balanced across a broad range of baseline characteristics, including age, race, body mass index, smoking status, and mood symptoms. The between-group differences in the change in CTX and P1NP from baseline to week 8 were compared by a repeated-measures linear regression model adjusted for race, clinical center, and baseline measurement. Treatment with escitalopram reduced serum P1NP by 1.02 ng/mL on average [95% confidence interval (CI) -5.17, 3.12] compared with a reduction of 1.88 ng/mL (95% CI -4.82, 1.06) in the placebo group (P = .65). Similarly, serum CTX decreased 0.02 ng/mL on average (95% CI -0.05, 0.01) in the escitalopram group compared with 0.00 ng/mL (95% CI -0.02, 0.02) in the placebo group (P = .24). The results were similar when the analysis was restricted to those women whose adherence to study medication was 70% or greater.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the study was limited to 8 weeks, these results suggest that escitalopram does not significantly alter bone metabolism in the short term.
Behavioral and psychosocial effects of rapid genetic counseling and testing in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients: Design of a multicenter randomized clinical trial

It has been estimated that between 5% and 10% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a hereditary form of the disease, primarily caused by a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. Such women have an increased risk of developing a new primary breast and/or ovarian tumor, and may therefore opt for preventive surgery (e.g., bilateral mastectomy, oophorectomy). It is common practice to offer high-risk patients genetic counseling and DNA testing after their primary treatment, with genetic test results being available within 4-6 months. However, some non-commercial laboratories can currently generate test results within 3 to 6 weeks, and thus make it possible to provide rapid genetic counseling and testing (RGCT) prior to primary treatment. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of RGCT on treatment decisions and on psychosocial health. In this randomized controlled trial, 255 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with at least a 10% risk of carrying a BRCA gene mutation are being recruited from 12 hospitals in the Netherlands. Participants are randomized in a 2:1 ratio to either a RGCT intervention group (the offer of RGCT directly following diagnosis with tests results available before surgical treatment) or to a usual care control group. The primary behavioral outcome is the uptake of direct bilateral mastectomy or delayed prophylactic contralateral mastectomy. Psychosocial outcomes include cancer risk perception, cancer-related worry and distress, health-related quality of life, decisional satisfaction and the perceived need for and use of additional decisional counseling and psychosocial support. Data are collected via medical chart audits and self-report questionnaires administered prior to randomization, and at 6 month and at 12 month follow-up. This trial will provide essential information on the impact of RGCT on the choice of primary surgical treatment among women with breast cancer with an increased risk of hereditary cancer. This study will also provide data on the psychosocial consequences of RGCT and of risk-reducing behavior. The study is registered at the Netherlands Trial Register (NTR1493) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00783822).
A qualitative comparison of Artificial Neural Networks and Support Vector Machines in ECG arrhythmias classification

In this paper, a novel use of Kernel–Adatron (K–A) learning algorithm to aid SVM (Support Vector Machine) for ECG arrhythmias classification is proposed. The proposed pattern classifier is compared with MLP (multi-layered perceptron) using back propagation (BP) learning algorithm. The ECG signals taken from MIT-BIH arrhythmia database are used in training to classify 6 different arrhythmia, plus normal ECG. The MLP and SVM training and testing stages were carried out twice. They were first trained only with one ECG lead signal and then a second ECG lead signal was added to the training and testing datasets. The aim was to investigate its influence on training and testing performance (generalization ability) plus time of training for both classifiers. Implementation of these three criteria for evaluation of ECG signals classification will ease the problem of structural comparisons, which has not been given attention in previous research works. The results indicate that SVM in comparison to MLP is much faster in training stage and nearly seven times higher in performance, but MLP generalization ability in terms of mean square error is more than three times less. The proposed SVM method shows considerable improvement in comparison to recently reported results obtained by Osowski et al. (2008). 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Merkel cell carcinoma: update and review.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive, and often fatal cutaneous malignancy that is not usually suspected at the time of biopsy. Because of its increasing incidence and the discovery of a possible viral association, interest in MCC has escalated. Recent effort has broadened our breadth of knowledge regarding MCC and developed instruments to improve data collection and future study. This article provides an update on current thinking about the Merkel cell and MCC.
A study of factors that contribute to online review helpfulness

Helpfulness of online reviews is a multi-faceted concept that can be driven by several types of factors. This study was designed to extend existing research on online review helpfulness by looking at not just the quantitative factors (such as word count), but also qualitative aspects of reviewers (including reviewer experience, reviewer impact, reviewer cumulative helpfulness). This integrated view uncovers some insights that were not available before. Our findings suggest that word count has a threshold in its effects on review helpfulness. Beyond this threshold, its effect diminishes significantly or becomes near non-existent. Reviewer experience and their impact were not statistically significant predictors of helpfulness, but past helpfulness records tended to predict future helpfulness ratings. Review framing was also a strong predictor of helpfulness. As a result, characteristics of reviewers and review messages have a varying degree of impact on review helpfulness. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Study of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles obtained via pulsed laser ablation of iron in air

Abstract Magnetic nanoparticles were obtained using the nanosecond pulsed laser ablation (Nd:YAG laser, 1064 nm, 7 ns) of an iron target in air at atmospheric pressure. The particles obtained were further annealed at four different temperatures. The composition, structure and properties of all obtained powders were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), DSC, attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, TEM, SAED and other techniques. The initial sample was found to contain monoclinic magnetite and iron nitrides. Presumably, magnetite presents in the form of spherical particles with the distribution maximum of 12–15 nm, and nitrides take the form of lamellas and rolls. Thermal treatment of the sample led to particle enlargement and phase transformations, first, to cubic magnetite, then to a Fe 3 O 4 , α-Fe 2 O 3 and γ-Fe 2 O 3 mixture, and finally to the pure hematite phase. Zeta-potential, BET surface area and magnetic properties changed with the annealing as well. The obtained materials exhibited different properties that make them in demand in different fields, from biomedicine to technology.
Evaluating treatment effectiveness under model misspecification: A comparison of targeted maximum likelihood estimation with bias-corrected matching

Statistical approaches for estimating treatment effectiveness commonly model the endpoint, or the propensity score, using parametric regressions such as generalised linear models. Misspecification of these models can lead to biased parameter estimates. We compare two approaches that combine the propensity score and the endpoint regression, and can make weaker modelling assumptions, by using machine learning approaches to estimate the regression function and the propensity score. Targeted maximum likelihood estimation is a double-robust method designed to reduce bias in the estimate of the parameter of interest. Bias-corrected matching reduces bias due to covariate imbalance between matched pairs by using regression predictions. We illustrate the methods in an evaluation of different types of hip prosthesis on the health-related quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis. We undertake a simulation study, grounded in the case study, to compare the relative bias, efficiency and confidence interval coverage of the methods. We consider data generating processes with non-linear functional form relationships, normal and non-normal endpoints. We find that across the circumstances considered, bias-corrected matching generally reported less bias, but higher variance than targeted maximum likelihood estimation. When either targeted maximum likelihood estimation or bias-corrected matching incorporated machine learning, bias was much reduced, compared to using misspecified parametric models.
Asymmetrical duty cycle permits zero switching loss in PWM circuits with no conduction loss penalty

Operating a bridge-type PWM (pulse width modulation) switch mode power converter with asymmetrical duty ratios can eliminate switching losses with no increase in conduction loss. This circuit topology combines the best features of resonant (zero switching loss) and switch mode (low conclusion loss) circuits. Design equations are presented for just such a circuit.<<ETX>>
Is Propranolol Safe and Effective for Outpatient Use for Infantile Hemangioma? A Prospective Study of 679 Cases From One Center in China.

BACKGROUND
The protocol for the treatment of infantile hemangioma with propranolol varies among different clinical centers.


METHODS
Six hundred seventy-nine patients who were 1 to 12 months old were recruited in this prospective study to receive propranolol treatment. The response to the propranolol therapy was classified as 4 levels. The results were primarily evaluated using color Doppler ultrasound examinations before and after propranolol treatment.


RESULTS
The response was excellent in 176 (25.9%), good in 492 (72.5%), stable in 5 (0.7%), and poor in 6 (0.9%) of the patients. The mean age at the initiation of the therapy was 3.3 months (range, 1 to 10.9 months) and the mean duration of the therapy was 7.1 months (range, 3-17 months). The mean duration of the follow-up time after the discontinuation of the therapy was 5.3 months (range, 3-17 months). Regrowth of the hemangioma was observed in 92 cases (13.5%). Seventy-nine (11.6%) of the parents complained of their child's minor discomfort during the therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Propranolol (2 mg/kg per day) may significantly reduce the size of a hemangioma. As an outpatient therapy, propranolol was found to be safe for Chinese children and to have minor side effects.
Diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia: proposed modification of the Task Force Criteria.

BACKGROUND
In 1994, an International Task Force proposed criteria for the clinical diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) that facilitated recognition and interpretation of the frequently nonspecific clinical features of ARVC/D. This enabled confirmatory clinical diagnosis in index cases through exclusion of phenocopies and provided a standard on which clinical research and genetic studies could be based. Structural, histological, electrocardiographic, arrhythmic, and familial features of the disease were incorporated into the criteria, subdivided into major and minor categories according to the specificity of their association with ARVC/D. At that time, clinical experience with ARVC/D was dominated by symptomatic index cases and sudden cardiac death victims-the overt or severe end of the disease spectrum. Consequently, the 1994 criteria were highly specific but lacked sensitivity for early and familial disease.


METHODS AND RESULTS
Revision of the diagnostic criteria provides guidance on the role of emerging diagnostic modalities and advances in the genetics of ARVC/D. The criteria have been modified to incorporate new knowledge and technology to improve diagnostic sensitivity, but with the important requisite of maintaining diagnostic specificity. The approach of classifying structural, histological, electrocardiographic, arrhythmic, and genetic features of the disease as major and minor criteria has been maintained. In this modification of the Task Force criteria, quantitative criteria are proposed and abnormalities are defined on the basis of comparison with normal subject data.


CONCLUSIONS
The present modifications of the Task Force Criteria represent a working framework to improve the diagnosis and management of this condition. Clinical Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00024505.
Implicit slicing for functionally tailored additive manufacturing

One crucial component of the additivemanufacturing software toolchain is a class of geometric algorithms known as ‘‘slicers.’’ The purpose of the slicer is to compute a parametric toolpath and associated commands, which direct an additive manufacturing system to produce a physical realization of a threedimensional inputmodel. Existing slicing algorithms operate by application of geometric transformations upon the input geometry in order to produce the toolpath. In this paper we introduce a new implicit slicing algorithmbased on the computation of toolpaths derived from the level sets of arbitrary heuristicsbased or physics-based fields defined over the input geometry. This enables computationally efficient slicing of arbitrarily complex geometries in a straight forward fashion. Additionally, the calculation of component ‘‘infill’’ (as a process control parameter) is explored due to its crucial effect on functional performance fields of interest such as strain and stress distributions. Several examples of the application of the proposed implicit slicer are presented. Finally, an example demonstrating improved structural performance during physical testing is presented. We conclude with remarks regarding the strengths of the implicit approach relative to existing explicit approaches, and discuss future work required in order to extend the methodology. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Estimating Liquefaction-Induced Lateral Displacements Using the Standard Penetration Test or Cone Penetration Test

A semiempirical approach to estimate liquefaction-induced lateral displacements using standard penetration test ~SPT! or cone penetration test ~CPT! data is presented. The approach combines available SPTand CPT-based methods to evaluate liquefactio with laboratory test results for clean sands to estimate the potential maximum cyclic shear strains for saturated sandy soils un loading. A lateral displacement index is then introduced, which is obtained by integrating the maximum cyclic shear strains w Empirical correlations from case history data are proposed between actual lateral displacement, the lateral displacement geometric parameters characterizing ground geometry for gently sloping ground without a free face, level ground with a free gently sloping ground with a free face. The proposed approach can be applied to obtain preliminary estimates of the magnitud displacements associated with a liquefaction-induced lateral spread. DOI: 10.1061/ ~ASCE!1090-0241~2004!130:8~861! CE Database subject headings: Liquefaction; Lateral displacement; Earthquakes; Sand; In situ tests. rated enorbeen d res ound types for
Antimicrobial activity in sub-Arctic marine invertebrates

In the marine environment, any living or non-living surface is exposed to bacterial colonization. Many invertebrate species in temperate, tropical and Antarctic regions have demonstrated chemical defences against the formation of microbial films. In the present study, the antimicrobial activity of sub-Arctic invertebrates was investigated for the first time. Crude extracts of abundant invertebrates belonging to several taxonomic groups were tested for their inhibitory effects on the growth of five sympatric phylogenetically diverse bacterial strains. Six out of 18 (33%) crude extracts inhibited bacterial growth at natural extract concentrations. The crude extract of the sponge Haliclona viscosa inhibited growth of all five bacterial strains, suggesting the presence of metabolites with broad-spectrum activity. Three active compounds were isolated from H. viscosa having antibacterial properties similar to those of the crude extract. Our data indicate that antibacterial secondary metabolites are present in sub-Arctic marine invertebrates but are less abundant than in temperate, tropical or Antarctic species.
Spatial and Temporal Enhancement of Depth Images Captured by a Time-of-Flight Depth Sensor

In this paper, we present a new method to enhance depth images captured by a time-of-flight (TOF) depth sensor spatially and temporally. In practice, depth images obtained from TOF depth sensors have critical problems, such as optical noise existence, unmatched boundaries, and temporal inconsistency. In this work, we improve depth quality by performing a newly-designed joint bilateral filtering, color segmentation-based boundary refinement, and motion estimation-based temporal consistency. Experimental results show that the proposed method significantly minimizes the inherent problems of the depth images so that we can use them to generate a dynamic and realistic 3D scene.