Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Pathologic Complete Response in Rectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Total Mesorectal Excision After Preoperative Chemoradiation

AbstractPreoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard of care for patients with stage II and III rectal cancer. This strategy leads to pathologic complete response (pCR) in a significant number of patients. Factors predictive of pCR are currently being extensively investigated. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical factors that might be predictive of pCR.This study was a retrospective analysis of rectal cancer patients from January 2004 through December 2012. A total of 332 stage II and III patients with middle and low rectal cancer (⩽10 cm) who received CRT and underwent curative total mesorectal excision were eligible. The median radiation dose was 50.4 Gy, and 72.6% of patients received infusional 5-fluorouracil with leucovorin, whereas 19.6% of patients received TS-1 with irinotecan, and 7.8% of patients received xeloda only. Pathologic complete response was confirmed by using pathologic specimens and analyzed based on predictive clinical factors.Among the 332 patients, 27.4% (n = 91) achieved pCR. Age, sex, body mass index, clinical T and N stages, tumor differentiation, the chemotherapy agent for CRT, and the time interval between CRT and surgery did not differ between the pCR and non-pCR groups. Carcinoembryogenic antigen (CEA) levels before CRT were 4.61 ± 7.38 ng/mL in the pCR group and 10.49 ± 23.83 ng/mL in the non-pCR group (P = 0.035). Post-CRT CEA levels were 1.4 ± 1.07 ng/mL in the pCR group and 2.16 ± 2.8 ng/mL in the non-pCR group (P = 0.014), and the proportion of middle rectal cancer patients was higher in pCR group (54.9%, P = 0.028). The results from multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that higher tumor location (odds ratio 2.151; P = 0.003) and low post-CRT CEA level (odds ratio 0.789; P = 0.04) were independent predictive factors for pCR.Tumor location and post-CRT CEA level were predictive factors in pCR for rectal cancer patients. Therefore, these factors may be important determinants in achieving pCR, and may also be used to predict oncologic outcomes.
REM Latency in Endogenously Depressed Adolescents

Twenty-three adolescents with DSM–III major depressive disorder (endogenous subtype) and 23 normal controls were studied polysomnographically (PSG). The depressed group showed significantly shortened REM latencies (P=0.005) and longer sleep latencies (P=0.04). No other PSG measures differentiated the two groups. The implications of these findings for adolescent depression are discussed.
Association between langerhans cells population and histological grade of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Context: Langerhans cells (LCs) are a unique population of antigen processing cells in the epidermis and mucous membrane, which may play a role in the defence mechanism against epithelial tumors. Aims: To compare the distribution of LCs in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) and normal oral epithelium; and to determine whether the population of LCs in OSCC has any correlation with histological grading of these malignancies. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional immunohistochemical analysis of OSCC cases. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight randomly selected paraffin tissue blocks of OSCC cases and 30 cases of normal oral epithelium were included. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of the OSCC cases were reviewed and categorized as high-grade malignant tumors or low-grade malignant tumors. Tissue sections were analyzed for density of LCs using CD1a antibody expression. Statistical Analysis Used: Data are expressed as percentages compared by Chi-square statistics; mean ± standard deviation, compared by Mann-Whitney-U test and Spearman's correlation tests. Results: LCs population was significantly higher in normal oral epithelium when compared with OSCC cases (P = 0.001). There was also a significant difference in the number of LCs per millimetre square area of tissue section between well-differentiated tumors and poorly-differentiated tumours (P = 0.03). There was a negative correlation between the population density of LCs and the grade of OSCC. Conclusions: These findings suggest that oral mucosal LCs are involved in immune-surveillance and immunologic impairment may characterize invasive OSCC. In addition, LCs density characterizes histological grades of OSCC, which may be of a prognostic value.
The Prediction of Depression by the Early Trauma and Maladaptive Schema in 11 - 13 Year-Old Students

Background: Depressive disorder spectrum has been shown to be a significant mental health issue for school-age children. Yet little work has been done to investigate the predictive factors correlated with this early form of depression. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the predictive role of early trauma and maladaptive schema in dimensions of depression in 11 - 13 year-old students. Materials and Methods: Multi-stage random sampling was used to select 292 school-age children (201 females, 91 males) with mean age 12.33. All subjects were asked to complete children’s depression inventory (CDI), childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ) and schemas inventory for children (SIC). The analysis of data was done using canonical correlation. Results: Structural coefficients showed that the pattern of high scores in early trauma and maladaptive schema correlate with the pattern of high scores in depression dimensions. Therefore, the findings indicate that the combination of low early trauma and maladaptive schema can probably decrease the likelihood of depression. Conclusions: In general, the findings of this study showed that early trauma and maladaptive schema can predict depression in children and explain a considerable variance of survival index.
Antecedents and Consequences of market orientation: a brazilian meta-analysis and an international mega-analysis

Market orientation has emerged as a significant antecedent of organizational performance and is presumed to contribute to the long-term success of a firm. The growing number of academic studies on market orientation and the mixed findings they have reported complicate the efforts among managers and academics to identify the real antecedents and outcomes of this construct. We have conducted a Brazilian meta-analysis, aggregating a sample size of 4,537 in 27 papers. The findings suggest that the relationship between market orientation and business performance is positive and strong (r = .39). We have also conducted an international mega-analysis, aggregating a sample size of seven meta-analyses on market orientation. The results show that there is a positive, strong and consistent international relationship between market orientation and performance across countries (r = .33).
Low dose diamorphine reduces breathlessness without causing a fall in oxygen saturation in elderly patients with end-stage idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

There is very little evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of opioids for the control of dyspnoea in the terminal stages of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We conducted an open case series study of 11 elderly opioid-naive patients referred for management of severe breathlessness before and after their first injection of 2.5 mg diamorphine subcutaneously. Subjective breathlessness, measured by a 100 mm visual analogue scale, fell by a mean of 47 mm in the first 15 min (PB 0.0001) and the mean heart rate fell by 12/min (P-0.007). There were small non-significant falls in the mean respiratory rate (2/min), systolic blood pressure (6 mmHg) and oxygen saturation (1%). These changes were maintained at 30 min. Follow up treatment with oral morphine remained effective in reducing the symptom of breathlessness and no patient showed signs of respiratory depression. Low dose opioids are effective and safe in the palliative management of IPF in frail elderly patients.
Monitoring ICT integration: how to include early childhood education

Simultaneously with technology investments, a call for monitoring instruments arose to gain insight into the return on investment. In Flanders, a monitoring instrument, called MICTIVO, is used to obtain information about the status of ICT integration in Flemish education. During the first edition of MICTIVO (2007-2008), actors from early childhood education indicated that a lot of questions used in the monitor were not applicable to the early childhood education context. Therefore, a new scale was developed to measure ICT use in this educational context. Exploratory factor analysis was carried out in a previous study. Confirmatory factor analysis was used on partial data from the second edition of MICTIVO. Results indicate that two types of ICT use can be distinguished: ‘ICT use supporting basic skills and attitudes’ and ‘ICT use supporting contents and individual learning needs’. The constructed scales are valid and reliable measurement scales with good goodness of fit estimates and good levels of internal consistency. These two instruments are helpful in further research on ICT integration in early childhood education. Moreover, data confirms that the grade in which a teacher works is an important factor related to the amount of ICT use in early childhood education.
Stator and rotor flux based deadbeat direct torque control of induction machines

A new deadbeat type of direct torque control is proposed, analyzed and experimentally verified in this paper. The control is based on stator and rotor flux as state variables. This choice of state variables allows a graphical representation which is transparent and insightful. The graphical solution shows the effects of realistic considerations such as voltage and current limits. A position and speed sensorless implementation of the control, based on the self-sensing signal injection technique, is also demonstrated experimentally for low speed operation. The paper first develops the new, deadbeat DTC methodology and graphical representation of the new algorithm. It then evaluates feasibility via simulation and experimentally demonstrates performance of the new method with a laboratory prototype including the sensorless methods.
Music-enhanced recall: An effect of mood congruence, emotion arousal or emotion function?

Research on whether music facilitates recall has been inconsistent and has lacked a theoretical basis. Three competing emotion-based theories yield differential predictions dependent on arousal levels, mood congruence, and functional relevance of information respectively. The aim of this study was to determine the most informative framework to understand the effect of emotion-inducing music on the short-term recall of information about narratives. Ninety-five participants (range = 18–58 years) were randomly allocated to one of four groups differentiated by the type of music presented to them, which was either happy (n = 26), sad (n = 19), fearful (n = 25), or calm (n = 25). Participants listened to music, followed by a positively or negatively emotionally-valenced narrative, and free recall of the narrative was tested approximately five minutes later. The results provided strongest support for the mood congruence theory in this context. After exposure to positive music, recall of positive information was significantly greater than recall of negative information. Mood regulation ability moderated this effect, with symmetrical mood congruence observed in participants with a tendency to repair their negative moods. Music may therefore offer an effective means of facilitating encoding of information when the mood induced by preceding music is congruent with the valence of information learnt. While the arousal and function theories may be more informative in other contexts (for instance, when music is played following learning or longer-term recall is tested), the current findings may help to clarify some of the inconsistencies previously observed in the research on music-facilitated recall.
Differential Regulation of 6- and 7-Transmembrane Helix Variants of μ-Opioid Receptor in Response to Morphine Stimulation

The pharmacological effect of opioids originates, at the cellular level, by their interaction with the μ-opioid receptor (mOR) resulting in the regulation of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and inwardly rectifying K+ channels that ultimately modulate the synaptic transmission. Recently, an alternative six trans-membrane helix isoform of mOR, (6TM-mOR) has been identified, but its function and signaling are still largely unknown. Here, we present the structural and functional mechanisms of 6TM-mOR signaling activity upon binding to morphine. Our data suggest that despite the similarity of binding modes of the alternative 6TM-mOR and the dominant seven trans-membrane helix variant (7TM-mOR), the interaction with morphine generates different dynamic responses in the two receptors, thus, promoting the activation of different mOR-specific signaling pathways. We characterize a series of 6TM-mOR-specific cellular responses, and observed that they are significantly different from those for 7TM-mOR. Morphine stimulation of 6TM-mOR does not promote a cellular cAMP response, while it increases the intracellular Ca2+ concentration and reduces the cellular K+ conductance. Our findings indicate that 6TM-mOR has a unique contribution to the cellular opioid responses. Therefore, it should be considered as a relevant target for the development of novel pharmacological tools and medical protocols involving the use of opioids.
Genome-wide localization analysis of a complete set of Tafs reveals a specific effect of the taf1 mutation on Taf2 occupancy and provides indirect evidence for different TFIID conformations at different promoters

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, TFIID and SAGA principally mediate transcription of constitutive housekeeping genes and stress-inducible genes, respectively, by delivering TBP to the core promoter. Both are multi-protein complexes composed of 15 and 20 subunits, respectively, five of which are common and which may constitute a core sub-module in each complex. Although genome-wide gene expression studies have been conducted extensively in several TFIID and/or SAGA mutants, there are only a limited number of studies investigating genome-wide localization of the components of these two complexes. Specifically, there are no previous reports on localization of a complete set of Tafs and the effects of taf mutations on localization. Here, we examine the localization profiles of a complete set of Tafs, Gcn5, Bur6/Ncb2, Sua7, Tfa2, Tfg1, Tfb3 and Rpb1, on chromosomes III, IV and V by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-chip analysis in wild-type and taf1-T657K mutant strains. In addition, we conducted conventional and sequential ChIP analysis of several ribosomal protein genes (RPGs) and non-RPGs. Intriguingly, the results revealed a novel relationship between TFIIB and NC2, simultaneous co-localization of SAGA and TFIID on RPG promoters, specific effects of taf1 mutation on Taf2 occupancy, and an indirect evidence for the existence of different TFIID conformations.
Mode of Children's Testimony and the Effect of Assumptions about Credibility

Due to changes in legislation, children's testimony in many jurisdictions can be presented differently to the way in which most adults’ testimony is presented. The present research was conducted to investigate whether the various ways in which children's testimony is given affects how child victims in cases of child sexual assault are perceived in terms of reliability and how their testimony is evaluated. We examined the effect of giving testimony in court via closed-circuit TV (CCTV), via a pre-recorded testimony, and a combination of the two. The results indicate that the timing of the recording of the testimony, and the presence of the child in court, did affect the use of stereotypes in ratings of the case. Stereotypes about children's memories had an effect when an early recording of the child's testimony was lacking and when the child did not appear in court. Furthermore, the effect of these stereotypes was mediated by perceptions of the honesty and accuracy of the child in the case. This indicates that jurors do appear to use assumptions about children's memories and authenticity when making decisions in these kinds of cases.
Developmental changes in decision making under risk: The role of executive functions and reasoning abilities in 8- to 19-year-old decision makers

Previous studies have shown that children and adolescents often tend toward risky decisions despite explicit knowledge about the potential negative consequences. This phenomenon has been suggested to be associated with the immaturity of brain areas involved in cognitive control functions. Particularly, “frontal lobe functions,” such as executive functions and reasoning, mature until young adulthood and are thought to be involved in age-related changes in decision making under explicit risk conditions. We investigated 112 participants, aged 8–19 years, with a frequently used task assessing decisions under risk, the Game of Dice Task (GDT). Additionally, we administered the Modified Card Sorting Test assessing executive functioning (categorization, cognitive flexibility, and strategy maintenance) as well as the Ravens Progressive Matrices assessing reasoning. The results showed that risk taking in the GDT decreased with increasing age and this effect was not moderated by reasoning but by executive functions: Particularly, young persons with weak executive functioning showed very risky decision making. Thus, the individual maturation of executive functions, associated with areas in the prefrontal cortex, seems to be an important factor in young peoples’ behavior in risky decision-making situations.
Functional analysis of the cis‐acting elements responsible for the induction of the Cyp6a8 and Cyp6g1 genes of Drosophila melanogaster by DDT, phenobarbital and caffeine

Many Drosophila cytochrome P450 or Cyp genes are induced by caffeine and phenobarbital (PB). To understand the induction mechanism, we created Drosophila S2 cell lines stably transformed with different luciferase reporter plasmids carrying upstream DNAs of Cyp6a8 allele of the resistant 91‐R strain, and the 1.1‐kb upstream DNAs of Cyp6g1 of the 91‐R and the susceptible 91‐C strains. Following 24 h treatment with dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), caffeine or PB, luciferase activity of all cell lines was determined. Results showed that the 0.1‐kb DNA of Cyp6a8 and the upstream DNAs of Cyp6g1 from both strains are not induced by these chemicals in S2 cells. However, the 0.2‐, 0.5‐ and 0.8‐kb DNAs of Cyp6a8 showed 13–24‐, 4–5‐ and 2.2–2.7‐fold induction with caffeine, PB and DDT, respectively. These DNAs also showed a 2–3‐fold synergistic effect of caffeine and PB but not of caffeine and DDT. The results suggest that the cis‐regulatory elements for all three chemicals are located within the ‐11/‐199 DNA of Cyp6a8. Furthermore, caffeine and PB inductions appear to be mediated via different cis‐elements, whereas caffeine and DDT induction may involve common regulatory elements. These stably transformed cell lines should help understand the mechanism of resistance‐associated Cyp gene overexpression in Drosophila.
Unwed adolescent fathers: problems they face and their sources of social support.

Describes a pilot study designed to elucidate the problems encountered by black unwed adolescent fathers as well as sources of social support for resolving these problems. 20 black unwed adolescent fathers were selected through a convenience sample and were seen in personal interviews. Information on demographic and social variables was obtained and interview questions focused on the father in terms of who he is what he is like what his problems are and what social supports he utilizes in coping with these problems. A typical profile of an unwed father from this sample is an employed high school graduate from a family with 4 or more children in which both parents are present and with slight trend toward unwed parenthood among siblings. Most of these young men reported being closer to their mothers growing up having happy relations with their families getting a lot of fun out of life and also believed they controlled their own destiny. On the negative side the majority of them said they felt useless at times and had wanted to move away from home when growing up. There was no prevailing theme regarding the types of problems reported but responses did show that unwed adolescent fatherhood is a stressful experience. These fathers overwhelmingly chose parents as sources of social support rejecting both friends and clergymen and teachers for this purpose. However 95% did express a high degree of willingness to participate in programs for unwed adolescent fathers if they were available. It is stated that such a service would help these young fathers to feel less overwhelmed rejected and frustrated as a result of the unwanted pregnancy.
Self-perceived Authenticity is Contaminated by the Valence of One’s Behavior

Abstract Two studies tested whether people are biased to infer that their positive actions are more authentic than their negative actions. In Study 1, participants identified a positive or negative personal characteristic and assessed the authenticity of past behavior that reflected that characteristic. In Study 2, people imagined themselves performing positive and negative behaviors that they authentically did or did not want to perform. Both studies showed that people’s judgments of the authenticity of their behavior were contaminated by their perceptions of the valence of their behavior even when the objective authenticity of the behavior was controlled. Future research must disentangle authenticity and positivity to determine the degree to which each contributes to positive outcomes that have been attributed to authenticity.
Commentary on the HEI Reanalysis of the Harvard Six Cities Study and the American Cancer Society Study of Particulate Air Pollution and Mortality

This prospective epidemiological study (Dockery et al., 1993), referred to hereafter as “H6CS,” began in 1974 with an emphasis on the respiratory health of child and adult volunteers who were exposed to different levels of particulate matter (PM) and the oxides of sulfur (SO2 and SO ) by virtue of their regions of residence. The major clinical measures obtained during the study were those of pulmonary function. Follow-up of adult mortality was completed in the early 1990s to allow differences in survival to be compared with various indices of air quality. However, the emphasis was shifted to “cardiopulmonary” diseases (cardiovascular + respiratory causes) since the effects on respiratory mortality per se were in the opposite direction (beneficial), as shown in the reanalysis (Krewski et al., 2000). Unfortunately, the study was not originally designed to monitor cardiovascular health, and clinical data on blood pressure, cholesterol, diet, and exercise were not collected at entry. H6CS was severely limited by having only six locations for cross-sectional analysis, but it had the advantages of follow-up over the years and of researchgrade air quality data for each city, including some personal exposure data. The analysis was performed using logistic regression for the 8111 individuals in the study (1430 deaths over 14–16 yr of follow-up), controlling for age, sex, smoking, education, and body mass index. The excess mortality risk was then computed for each location relative to the least polluted city (Portage, WI), and those risks were then plotted against various air quality indices, averaged over the period of follow-up. Based on these plots, the relationships appeared strongest for fine particles (PM2.5) and SO aerosols. However, only one city (Steubenville, OH) showed a statistically significant excess mortality relative to Portage. Sensitivity tests included consideration of mortality by cause (cardiopulmonary, lung cancer and all other causes) and of risks for selected subsets of the cohort (by sex, smoking status, occupational exposure to dusts and/or fumes, hypertension, diabetes).