Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reproductive factors and menopausal hormone therapy and bladder cancer risk in the NIH‐AARP Diet and Health Study

The incidence of bladder cancer among women is at least one‐third to one‐fourth that observed among men in many countries. Even after accounting for known risk factors, the reason for this gender disparity remains unexplained. We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of reproductive factors and exogenous hormone use with a primary focus on menopausal hormone therapy use and risk of bladder cancer in women in the NIH‐AARP Diet and Health Study. Reproductive and hormonal factors were ascertained on the baseline questionnaire in 1995–1996 among 201,492 females who were followed until December 31, 2006. During follow‐up, 651 cases of bladder cancer were diagnosed. A subset of women provided detailed information on use of MHT in a second questionnaire in 1996–1997. In this analysis, 127,361 females were followed through June 30, 2002 and 198 incident bladder cancer cases were identified. Cox proportional hazard models, adjusted for smoking status, cigarettes per day and body mass index using age as the time metric, were used to obtain hazard ratios (HRs). A reduced risk was observed among parous women (HR=0.76; 95% CI 0.62–0.93) and women who reported late age at menarche (≥15 years) (HR=0.57; 95% CI 0.39–0.84). Women who reported ever using estrogen and progestin therapy had a decreased risk (HR=0.53; 95% CI: 0.34–0.83) compared with women who did not report MHT use. No association was observed for estrogen only users (HR=0.82; 95% CI: 0.58–1.15). Our results suggest a putative role for sex hormones in the etiology of bladder cancer among women.
Growth and physiological response of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Stapf.) under different levels of fly ash-amended soil

ABSTRACT Revegetation with metal tolerant plants for management of fly ash deposits is an important environmental perspective nowadays. Growth performance, photosynthesis, and antioxidant defense of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Stapf. ) were evaluated under various combination of fly ash amended with garden soil in order to assess its fly ash tolerance potential. Under low level of fly ash (25%) amended soil, the plant growth parameters such as shoot, root, and total plant biomass as well as metal tolerance index were increased compared to the control plants grown on garden soil, followed by decline under higher concentration of fly ash (50%, 75% and 100%). In addition, leaf photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and photosystem (PS) II activity were not significantly changed under low level of fly ash (25%) amended soil compared to the garden soil but these parameters were significantly decreased further with increase of fly ash concentrations. Furthermore, increase of activities of some antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and guaiacol peroxidase over control were noticed in lemongrass under all fly ash treatments. Taken together, the study suggests that lemongrass can be used for phytoremediation of fly ash at 25% amended soil.
Treatment with Ibrutinib Inhibits BTK- and VLA-4–Dependent Adhesion of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells In Vivo

Purpose: Ibrutinib leads to a transient lymphocytosis in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that develops within hours of starting drug and is due to the efflux of cells from lymphoid tissues into the blood. We therefore sought to investigate the in vivo effect of ibrutinib on migration and adhesion of CLL cells. Experimental Design: Patients received single-agent ibrutinib (420 mg daily) on an investigator-initiated phase II trial. Serial blood samples were collected pretreatment and during treatment for ex vivo functional assays. Results: Adhesion of CLL cells to fibronectin was rapidly (within hours) and almost completely inhibited (median reduction 98% on day 28, P < 0.001), while the effect on migration to chemokines was more moderate (median reduction 64%, P = 0.008) and less uniform. Although cell surface expression of key adhesion molecules such as CD49d, CD29, and CD44 were modestly reduced, this was only apparent after weeks of treatment. Stimulation of CLL cells from patients on ibrutinib with PMA, which activates PKC independent of BTK, restored the ability of the cells to adhere to fibronectin in a VLA-4–dependent manner. Finally, the addition of ibrutinib to CLL cells adhered to fibronectin in vitro caused the detachment of 17% of the cells, on average; consisten t with in vivo observations of an increasing lymphocytosis within 4 hours of starting ibrutinib. Conclusions: Inhibition of BTK and VLA-4–dependent adhesion of CLL cells to stroma and stromal components provides a mechanistic explanation for the treatment-induced lymphocytosis and may reduce CD49d-dependent prosurvival signals in the tissue microenvironment. Clin Cancer Res; 21(20); 4642–51. ©2015 AACR.
Investigating the relationships among students’ self-efficacy beliefs, their perceptions of classroom learning environment, gender, and chemistry achievement through structural equation modeling

Abstract Background: Investigating factors contributing to chemistry achievement is important since it enables us to make more concrete instructional decisions related to improving students? chemistry achievement. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate how students? perceptions of learning environment, self-efficacy and gender are related to chemistry achievement. Sample: Three hundred fifty six high school students with the age range of 14 and 19 from three different schools in the same district were the participants. Design and methods: A structural equation model was designed and tested. Constructivist learning environment survey, self-efficacy scale were the instruments of the study. Information about students? gender and their chemistry grades belonging to the previous semester were also collected. Results: The model testing showed that chemistry self-efficacy beliefs, students? perceptions of constructivist learning environment (through chemistry-self efficacy) and gender were significantly related to chemistry achievement. Moreover, the findings showed that students? chemistry self-efficacy beliefs mediated the relation of students? learning environment perceptions to their chemistry achievement. Conclusions: The present study has some educational implications for teachers, teacher educators and curriculum developers. First of all, self-efficacy was found to have an effect on students? achievement. Therefore, teachers should consider students? self-efficacy beliefs and devise their instruction accordingly. Another implication of this study is the necessity of considering gender differences in designing teachers? instruction.
Le modèle causal obésité en Tunisie

In Tunisia, the prevalence of obesity increased more than twofold during the last two decades to reach 22,7% in women and 6,4% in men according to the National Nutrition Survey1996/97. In an attempt to understand the evolution of obesity prevalence, a hypothetical causal model has been developed by a multidisciplinary teem. This model has been partially validated using available data. These data were quantitative (economic status, education level, energy intake, etc.) and qualitative (perceptions, representations, knowledge and behaviours regarding obesity and its prevention). Several indicators were selected from the model in view of future obesity surveillance. This model will permit ulterior research orientation and intervention decision in obesity strategy prevention.
Adjunctive use of lithium carbonate for the management of neutropenia in clozapine‐treated children

Clozapine, a dibenzodiazepine antipsychotic, is the most effective medication for treatment‐resistant schizophrenia. However, its use has been limited by the high risk of neutropenia. In children, the rate of neutropenia is higher when compared to adults. We decided to explore the use of lithium to manage neutropenia in childhood‐onset schizophrenia (COS) through a systematic audit of COS cases.
Epidemiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis of lymphangioleiomyomatosis

ABSTRACT Introduction. Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a disease of women characterized by cystic lung destruction, lymphatic involvement, and renal angiomyolipomas. Areas covered. LAM is caused by proliferation of abnormal smooth muscle-like LAM cells containing mutations and perhaps epigenetic modifications of the TSC1 or TSC2 genes, which encode, respectively, hamartin and tuberin, two proteins controlling the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. LAM occurs sporadically or in association with tuberous sclerosis complex. LAM may present with dyspnea, recurrent pneumothorax or chylothorax. Pulmonary function tests show reduced flow rates and lung diffusion capacity. Exercise testing may reveal hypoxemia and ventilatory limitation. The severity and progression of disease may be assessed by computer tomography, and pulmonary function and exercise testing. mTOR inhibitors, (e.g., sirolimus) are effective in stabilizing lung function, and reducing the size of chylous effusions, lymphangioleiomyomas, and angiomyolipomas. Expert opinion. Different clinical phenotypes including variable rates of disease progression and variable responses to therapy are seen in LAM patients. No one test is available that predicts the course of disease at the time of diagnosis. Further research regarding the molecular biology of LAM clinical phenotypes is warranted. Recent advances in the characterization of the pathogenesis of LAM are leading to the development of new therapies.
Fitness costs of rifampicin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis are amplified under conditions of nutrient starvation and compensated by mutation in the β′ subunit of RNA polymerase

Rifampicin resistance, a defining attribute of multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis, is conferred by mutations in the β subunit of RNA polymerase. Sequencing of rifampicin‐resistant (RIF‐R) clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis revealed, in addition to RIF‐R mutations, enrichment of potential compensatory mutations around the double‐psi β‐barrel domain of the β′ subunit comprising the catalytic site and the exit tunnel for newly synthesized RNA. Sequential introduction of the resistance allele followed by the compensatory allele in isogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis showed that these mutations respectively caused and compensated a starvation enhanced growth defect by altering RNA polymerase activity. While specific combinations of resistance and compensatory alleles converged in divergent lineages, other combinations recurred among related isolates suggesting transmission of compensated RIF‐R strains. These findings suggest nutrient poor growth conditions impose larger selective pressure on RIF‐R organisms that results in the selection of compensatory mutations in a domain involved in catalysis and starvation control of RNA polymerase transcription.
Comparison of Wide-Field Fluorescein Angiography and Nine-Field Montage Angiography in Uveitis

, Abstract Purpose— To qualitatively and quantitatively compare Optos© fundus camera fluorescein angiographic images of retinal vascular leakage with 9-field montage Topcon© fluorescein angiography (FA) images in patients with uveitis. We hypothesized that Optos images reveal more leakage in uveitis patients. Design— Retrospective, observational case series. Methods— Images of all uveitis patients imaged with same-sitting Optos FA and 9-field montage FA during a 9 month period at a single institution (52 eyes of 31 patients) were graded for the total area of retinal vascular leakage. The main outcome measure was area of fluorescein leakage. Results— The area of apparent FA leakage was greater in Optos images than in 9-field montage images (median 22.5 mm 2 vs. 4.8 mm 2 , P <0.0001). Twenty-two of 49 (45%) eyes with gradable photos had at least 25% more leakage on the Optos image than on the montage image. Two (4.1%) had at least 25% less leakage on Optos, and 25 (51%) were similar between the two modalities. Two eyes had no apparent retinal vascular leakage on 9-field montage but were found to have apparent leakage on Optos images. Twenty-three of the 49 eyes had posterior pole leakage, and of these 17 (73.9%) showed more posterior pole leakage on the Optos image. A single 200 degree Optos FA image captured a mean 1.50x the area captured by montage photography. Conclusion— More retinal vascular pathology, both in the periphery and the posterior pole, is seen with Optos FA in uveitis patients when compared with
Towards a Framework for Detecting Containment Violations in Service Choreography

In the design and development of service oriented applications, service choreography models describe the interactions between services at different abstraction levels. These models are usually created and evolved independently by different stakeholders and consequently deviations occur among models such as message not received and incompatible behaviours. It is therefore crucial to detect and resolve the deviations before actual implementation and deployment is undertaken. This paper presents a containment checking approach that verifies whether the behaviour (or interactions) described by the local choreography models collectively encompasses those specified in the global model. Previous studies have not considered the containment relationship between global and local choreography models. The proposed approach performs automated transformation of service choreography models into formal descriptions and consistency constraints for leveraging the analytical powers of model checking techniques for the containment verification. The approach provides more informative and comprehensive feedbacks to the stakeholders for identification of containment problems and their resolutions. The applicability of the approach is demonstrated through use case scenarios of ATM machine, travel booking and order processing systems.
Active commuting and cardiovascular disease risk: the CARDIA study.

BACKGROUND There is little research on the association of lifestyle exercise, such as active commuting (walking or biking to work), with obesity, fitness, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 2364 participants enrolled in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study who worked outside the home during year 20 of the study (2005-2006). Associations between walking or biking to work (self-reported time, distance, and mode of commuting) with body weight (measured height and weight); obesity (body mass index [BMI], calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared, >or= 30); fitness (symptom-limited exercise stress testing); objective moderate-vigorous physical activity (accelerometry); CVD risk factors (blood pressure [oscillometric systolic and diastolic]); and serum measures (fasting measures of lipid, glucose, and insulin levels) were separately assessed by sex-stratified multivariable linear (or logistic) regression modeling. RESULTS A total of 16.7% of participants used any means of active commuting to work. Controlling for age, race, income, education, smoking, examination center, and physical activity index excluding walking, men with any active commuting (vs none) had reduced likelihood of obesity (odds ratio [OR], 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.33-0.76), reduced CVD risk: ratio of geometric mean triglyceride levels (trig(active))/(trig(nonactive)) = 0.88 (95% CI, 0.80 to 0.98); ratio of geometric mean fasting insulin (FI(active))/(FI(nonactive)) = 0.86 (95% CI, 0.78 to 0.93); difference in mean diastolic blood pressure (millimeters of mercury) (DBP(active)) - (DBP(nonactive)) = -1.67 (95% CI, -3.20 to -0.15); and higher fitness: mean difference in treadmill test duration (in seconds) in men (TT(active)) - (TT(nonactive)) = 50.0 (95% CI, 31.45 to 68.59) and women (TT(active)) - (TT(nonactive)) = 28.77 (95% CI, 11.61 to 45.92). CONCLUSIONS Active commuting was positively associated with fitness in men and women and inversely associated with BMI, obesity, triglyceride levels, blood pressure, and insulin level in men. Active commuting should be investigated as a modality for maintaining or improving health.
Speech and language therapy students’ experience of peer assisted learning:Undergraduates investigate PAL as a means of enhancing academic and professional development

The implementation of Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) on healthcare courses in Higher Education Institutions has been explored in a number of studies. This paper presents research into the experience of PAL on a BSc Speech & Language Therapy (SLT) programme. The research was conducted by final year undergraduate SLT students to form the basis for their final dissertations. The focus for their research was on the effects of PAL on academic and professional development for both mentees and mentors on the same course. Data were generated from standard PAL evaluations and focus groups. Findings indicate that mentees benefit from PAL in terms of their university experience and learning. Mentors benefited from opportunities to develop and practice skills for their future employment. Engagement with PAL is attributed to its structured yet informal nature and the enthusiasm of the mentors. However, the collaborative nature of PAL takes time to develop, impacting on the behaviours of both mentees and mentors. Overall PAL offers mentees and mentors opportunities which enhance their academic learning and professional development.
9 A map of complex movements in motor cortex of primates

We used electrical microstimulation to study the organization of motor cortex in awake monkeys. Stimulation on a behaviourally relevant time scale (0.5–1 s) evoked coordinated, complex postures that involved many joints. For example, stimulation of one site caused the mouth to open and also caused the hand to shape into a grip posture and move to the mouth. Stimulation of this site always drove the joints towards this final posture, regardless of the initial posture. Stimulation of other cortical sites evoked different postures. Postures that involved the arm were arranged across cortex to form a map of hand positions around the body. This map encompassed both primary motor and lateral premotor cortex. Primary motor cortex appears to represent the central part of the workspace, where monkeys most often manipulate objects with their fingers. These findings suggest that primary motor and lateral premotor cortex might not be arranged in a hierarchy, but instead might operate in parallel, serving different parts of the workspace.
The Role of Working Memory in Visual Selective Attention

The hypothesis that working memory is crucial for reducing distraction by maintaining the prioritization of relevant information was tested in neuroimaging and psychological experiments with humans. Participants performed a selective attention task that required them to ignore distractor faces while holding in working memory a sequence of digits that were in the same order (low memory load) or a different order (high memory load) on every trial. Higher memory load, associated with increased prefrontal activity, resulted in greater interference effects on behavioral performance from the distractor faces, plus increased face-related activity in the visual cortex. These findings confirm a major role for working memory in the control of visual selective attention.
Trends in Diabetes, High Cholesterol, and Hypertension in Chronic Kidney Disease Among U.S. Adults: 1988–1994 to 1999–2004

OBJECTIVE—The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) increased among U.S. adults from 1988–1994 to 1999–2004. We sought to explore the importance of trends in risk factors for CKD over time RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—The prevalence of cigarette smoking, obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes among U.S. adults with stage 3 CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2) and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g), separately, were determined for 1988–1994 and 1999–2004 using data from serial National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. The prevalence ratios (PRs) for stage 3 CKD and albuminuria by the presence of these risk factors were compared across survey periods. RESULTS—The PR for CKD declined between 1988–1994 and 1999–2004 for obesity (PR 1.51 and 1.14 for 1988–1994 and 1999–2004, respectively; P for change = 0.010), hypertension (PR 2.60 and 1.70; P for change = 0.005), and high cholesterol (PR 1.58 and 1.20; P for change = 0.028). However, for diagnosed diabetes, the PR remained unchanged (1.64 and 1.62; P for change = 0.898). Similar results were observed for undiagnosed diabetes (PR of CKD 1.38 and 1.50; P for change = 0.373). The association of cigarette smoking was similar in each time period. Besides obesity, for which the association remained stable over time, similar patterns were observed for the PR of albuminuria. CONCLUSIONS—In terms of CKD, improvements in hypertension and high cholesterol management have been offset by both diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes. Further increases in CKD may occur if diabetes continues to increase.
Coping with Romantic Betrayal: Sex Differences in Responses to Partner Infidelity

The current research tested the hypothesis that, because infidelity entails somewhat different negative consequences for men and women, men and women display different emotional and behavioral reactions aimed at reducing the costs of infidelity. The study utilized an open-response method in which participants wrote about their reactions to an imagined infidelity. Findings suggest that, in response to partner infidelity, men display greater feelings of anger and a greater propensity for violence (particularly toward the male interloper), whereas women display greater feelings of sadness and a greater inclination toward seeking out sources of compensatory social affiliation (particularly from existing friendships). The current research is some of the first to identify functional responses designed to help women and men offset the social costs inflicted by a partner's infidelity.
Frequent enrichment for CD8 T cells reactive against common herpes viruses in chronic inflammatory lesions: towards a reassessment of the physiopathological significance of T cell clonal expansions found in autoimmune inflammatory processes

We recently evidenced a dramatic enrichment for T cells reactive against Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) within inflamed joints of two rheumatoid arthritis patients. To assess the generality of this phenomenon and its relevance to autoimmunity, we studied the responses of CD8 T cells from patients with either acute or chronic inflammatory diseases (rheumatoid arthritis: n = 18, ankylosing spondylitis: n = 5, psoriatic arthritis: n = 4, Reiter's syndrome: n = 3, arthrosis: n = 2, uveitis: n = 2, multiple sclerosis: n = 2, encephalitis: n = 1) against viral proteins derived from EBV and another common herpes virus, human cytomegalovirus (CMV). T cell responses against EBV and/or CMV epitopes were frequently observed within CD8 T cells derived from chronic inflammatory lesions, irrespective of their location (knee, eye, brain) and autoimmune features. In most cases, CD8 T cells derived from affected organs yielded stronger anti‐viral T cell responses than CD8 T cells derived from patients' PBL, even in chronic inflammatory diseases devoid of autoimmune features or induced by defined bacterial agents. Taken together, these results suggest that the presence of virus‐specific T cells within inflamed lesions of patients suffering from autoimmune diseases is a general phenomenon associated with chronic inflammation rather than the initiating cause of the autoimmune process. Since this phenomenon was sometimes associated with long‐term T repertoire biases within inflamed lesions, the physiopathological significance of T cell clonal expansions found in a recurrent fashion within chronically inflamed autoimmune lesions should be interpreted with caution.