Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
External Validation of an Eastern Asian Nomogram for Survival Prediction After Gastric Cancer Surgery in a European Patient Cohort

AbstractSeveral nomograms for survival prediction after curative gastric cancer surgery have been published over the recent years. Previous validation studies failed to prove applicability of Eastern Asian nomograms in Western patients. Here we present data on a validation analysis of a newly developed Korean nomogram in a German patient cohort.Among a total of 2771 patients having been treated in the Department of Surgery of the Technische Universitaet Muenchen from 1982 to 2008, 908 patients were eligible to undergo this analysis. Patients were treated according to Japanese Gastric Cancer guidelines and followed up on a regular basis for at least 60 months postoperatively. Baseline characteristics were compared using &khgr;2-testing. Survival analyses were computed with the Kaplan–Meier method and multivariate regression analysis models. The C-statistics and Hosmer–Lemeshow chi-square statistics were computed for comparisons of the nomogram's predictive ability.All baseline characteristics were significantly different (P < 0.0001) between Korean and German patients except Union Internationale Contre le Cancer-stages (P = 0.427). Multivariate regression analysis revealed the same predictive factors for overall survival in the German and Korean cohorts, respectively, with the exception of tumor size >10 cm and an exclusive correlation of whole stomach spread and pN1-stage for German patients only. The C-index was 0.76, representing an adequate value for predictability of the Korea nomogram in German patients. The Hosmer–Lemeshow statistic implied applicability of the nomogram in the TUM-cohort.A newly developed multicenter Korean nomogram for survival prediction after curative gastric cancer surgery may be applicable for estimating survival prognosis in Western (European) patients.
Paracellular route is the major urate transport pathway across the blood‐placental barrier

Urate, the final oxidation product of purine metabolism, is excreted into urine in humans. Clinically, increased serum urate levels are indicative of pregnancy‐induced hypertension (PIH). However, how urate is handled in the placenta is still largely unknown. In this study, we compared maternal serum urate levels with those of umbilical cord blood and investigated urate transport mechanisms in BeWo cells, a trophoblast‐derived cell line. The maternal and umbilical cord blood samples and placentas were collected from patients undergoing cesarean section at Kyorin University Hospital after obtaining informed consents. There were no significant differences in serum urate levels between maternal blood and umbilical cord blood, and between umbilical cord vein and arterial blood, suggesting that urate is freely movable at the placenta and that fetus is not a major source of urate production. RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry showed that urate transporters including OAT4, OAT10, GLUT9/URATv1 and ABCG2 were expressed in the syncytiotrophoblast cells in the placenta as well as BeWo cells. Despite expressing aforementioned urate transporters BeWo cells did not take up urate. After confirming the formation of tight junctions of these cells cultured on the transwell, urate transport between upper and lower chambers was measured. Urate moved through BeWo cell monolayers with nonsaturation kinetics and this movement was observed even when the cells were incubated at 4°C, suggesting that urate moves through the paracellular route by simple diffusion.
Effectiveness of gentamicin-containing collagen sponges for prevention of surgical site infection after hip arthroplasty: a multicenter randomized trial.

BACKGROUND Surgical site infection (SSI) is a feared complication in hip arthroplasty, especially following femoral neck fracture in the elderly, associated with substantially increased morbidity, mortality, and costs. Gentamicin-containing collagen sponges are widely used for prevention of SSIs, but their effectiveness in joint replacement surgery remains unclear. METHODS We performed a multicenter, randomized trial between February 2011 and July 2013. Eligible patients with femoral neck fracture undergoing hemiarthroplasty were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous antimicrobial prophylaxis alone or with the addition of 2 gentamicin-containing collagen sponges into the hip joint perioperatively. The primary end point was SSI according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria within 30 days after surgery. RESULTS Seven hundred thirty-nine patients were randomly assigned, 684 of whom were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis. There was no statistical significant difference in SSI between the gentamicin-collagen group (16 of 329 patients [4.9%]) and the control group (19 of 355 patients [5.4%]) (relative risk [RR], 0.91 [95% confidence interval, .48-1.79]; P = .77). No significant differences were observed between the groups in superficial SSI (2 of 329 [0.6%] vs 3 of 355 [0.8%]; P = .99) and deep SSI (14 of 329 [4.3%] vs 16 of 355 [4.5%]; P = .87). There were no significant differences between the groups regarding type of bacteria isolated. CONCLUSIONS Locally administered gentamicin-collagen sponges did not reduce the incidence of SSI in elderly patients treated with a hemiarthroplasty because of femoral neck fracture. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NCT01287780.
Indirect Systolic Pressures and Pulse Waves in Arterial Occlusive Disease of the Lower Extremities

Measurements were carried out in 146 limbs with angiographically documented arterial occlusive disease (AOD) and in 85 limbs without AOD. Ankle systolic pressure (AP) was equal to or higher than brachial systolic pressure in limbs without AOD. It was below 82% of the brachial in all limbs with complete occlusion, usually below 50% in those with multiple occlusions, and above 50% in limbs with single block. AP was below normal in 19 of 25 limbs with severe and in five of nine with mild stenosis. All limbs with complete occlusion and 14 of 16 with stenosis had abnormal pressures in the thigh. The foot-to-peak time (CT) and the width of pulse waves at half amplitude (WD) were related to heart rate in normal limbs. Considering the heart rate, the majority of limbs with AOD had abnormally prolonged CT and WD. Normal pressures and pulse waves were found together in only two limbs with stenosis and symptoms. The findings indicate that pressures and pulse waves provide a sensitive method for diagnosis and follow-up of patients with AOD.
Ultra-Low-Dose Chest CT in Patients with Neutropenic Fever and Hematologic Malignancy: Image Quality and Its Diagnostic Performance

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the image quality of ultra-low-dose computed tomography (ULDCT) and its diagnostic performance in making a specific diagnosis of pneumonia in febrile neutropenic patients with hematological malignancy. Materials and Methods ULDCT was performed prospectively in 207 febrile neutropenic patients with hematological malignancy. Three observers independently recorded the presence of lung parenchymal abnormality, and also indicated the cause of the lung parenchymal abnormality between infectious and noninfectious causes. If infectious pneumonia was considered the cause of lung abnormalities, they noted the two most appropriate diagnoses among four infectious conditions, including fungal, bacterial, viral, and Pneumocystis pneumonia. Sensitivity for correct diagnoses and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for evaluation of diagnostic accuracy were calculated. Interobserver agreements were determined using intraclass correlation coefficient. Results Of 207 patients, 139 (67%) had pneumonia, 12 had noninfectious lung disease, and 56 had no remarkable chest computed tomography (CT) (20 with extrathoracic fever focus and 36 with no specific disease). Mean radiation expose dose of ULDCT was 0.60±0.15 mSv. Each observer regarded low-dose CT scans as unacceptable in only four (1.9%), one (0.5%), and three (1.5%) cases of ULDCTs. Sensitivity and area under the ROC curve in making a specific pneumonia diagnosis were 63.0%, 0.65 for reader 1; 63.0%, 0.61 for reader 2; and 65.0%, 0.62 for reader 3; respectively conclusion ULDCT, with a sub-mSv radiation dose and acceptable image quality, provides ready and reasonably acceptable diagnostic information for pulmonary infection in febrile neutropenic patients with hematologic malignancy
Diagnosis of Approximal Caries after Delayed Scanning of Photostimulable Phosphor Plates

Statement of the Problem: Considering the high diagnostic accuracy and wide dynamic range of photostimulable phosphor plates (PSPs), they can be a good alternative for radiographic films. Purpose: This study was aimed to assess the effects of delay in scanning PSPs on the diagnostic accuracy of detection of approximal caries. Materials and Method: Radiographs from fifty-two extracted molar and premolar teeth were radiographed using DIGORA PSP (Soredex Corporation, Helsinki, Finland). The teeth were either intact or with non-cavitated approximal caries. The plates were scanned immediately (time zero) and at 10 min, 30 min, 60 min and 120 min after exposure. Sixty-five images were obtained and evaluated for presence or absence of approximal caries by two oral and maxillofacial radiologists and 2 restorative specialists. The diagnostic accuracy of approximal caries detection was measured using a 5-point rating scale. Definite presence of caries was confirmed using a stereomicroscope. Analysis of caries detection data was performed by calculating sensitivity and specificity using repeated measures with ANOVA. Results: Significant differences were found in complete negative predictive value, absolute negative predictive value and complete dentine sensitivity value between different scan times (p< 0.05). These values were significantly different at 10 min, 60 min and 120 min (p< 0.05). However, immediate scan and 30 min delay were not significantly different (p> 0.05). The accuracy of approximal caries detection at 120 min was less than at 60 min and at 60 min was less than at 30 min. Conclusion: In order to detect approximal caries more accurately, DIGORA PSPs should be scanned within 30 min after exposure.
Animal Models to Study the Mutational Landscape for Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancers

ABSTRACT Objectives Cancer is likely caused by alterations in gene structure or expression. Recently, next generation sequencing has documented mutations in 106 head and neck squamous cell cancer genomes, suggesting several new candidate genes. However, it remains difficult to determine which mutations directly contributed to cancer. Here, summarize the animal models which have already validated and may test cancer causing mutations identified by next generation sequencing approaches. Material and Methods We reviewed the existing literature on genetically engineered mouse models and next generation sequencing (NGS), as it relates to animal models of squamous cell cancers of the head and neck (HNSCC) in PubMed. Results NSG has identified an average of 19 to 130 distinct mutations per HNSCC specimen. While many mutations likely had biological significance, it remains unclear which mutations were essential to, or "drive," carcinogenesis. In contrast, "passenger" mutations also exist that provide no selection advantage. The genes identified by NGS included p53, RAS, Human Papillomavirus oncogenes, as well as novel genes such as NOTCH1, DICER and SYNE1,2. Animal models of HNSCC have already validated some of these common gene mutations identified by NGS. Conclusions The advent of next generation sequencing will provide new leads to the genetic changes occurring in squamous cell cancers of the head and neck. Animal models will enable us to validate these new leads in order to better elucidate the biology of squamous cell cancers of the head and neck.
Growth without Governance

It is well known that there is a strong positive correlation between per capita incomes and the quality of governance across countries. Kaufmann and Kraay propose an empirical strategy that allows separation of this correlation into (1) a strong positive causal effect running from better governance to higher per capita incomes, and, perhaps surprisingly at first, (2) a weak and even negative causal effect running in the opposite direction from per capita incomes to governance. The first result confirms existing evidence on the importance of good governance for economic development. The second result is new and suggests the absence of a "virtuous circle" in which higher incomes lead to further improvements in governance. This motivates the authors' choice of title, "Growth Without Governance. " They document this evidence using a newly updated set of worldwide governance-indicators covering 175 countries for the period 2000-01, and use the results to interpret the relationship between incomes and governance focusing on the Latin America and Caribbean regionwithin a worldwide empirical context. Finally, the authors speculate about the potential importance of elite influence and state capture in accounting for the surprising negative effects of per capita incomes on governance, present some evidence on such capture in some Latin American countries, and suggest priorities for actions to improve governance when such pernicious elite influence shapes public policy. This paper - a joint product of the World Bank Institute and the Development Research Group - is part of a larger effort in the Bank to generate and analyze worldwide governance indicators, assessing the manifestations and consequences of governance.
Autoregressive Moving Average Graph Filtering

One of the cornerstones of the field of signal processing on graphs are graph filters, direct analogs of classical filters, but intended for signals defined on graphs. This paper brings forth new insights on the distributed graph filtering problem. We design a family of autoregressive moving average (ARMA) recursions, which are able to approximate any desired graph frequency response, and give exact solutions for specific graph signal denoising and interpolation problems. The philosophy to design the ARMA coefficients independently from the underlying graph renders the ARMA graph filters suitable in static and, particularly, time-varying settings. The latter occur when the graph signal and/or graph topology are changing over time. We show that in case of a time-varying graph signal, our approach extends naturally to a two-dimensional filter, operating concurrently in the graph and regular time domain. We also derive the graph filter behavior, as well as sufficient conditions for filter stability when the graph and signal are time varying. The analytical and numerical results presented in this paper illustrate that ARMA graph filters are practically appealing for static and time-varying settings, as predicted by theoretical derivations.
Combination of recombinant factor VIIa and fibrinogen corrects clot formation in primary immune thrombocytopenia at very low platelet counts

Haemostatic treatment modalities alternative to platelet transfusion are desirable to control serious acute bleeds in primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). This study challenged the hypothesis that recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) combined with fibrinogen concentrate may correct whole blood (WB) clot formation in ITP. Blood from ITP patients (n = 12) was drawn into tubes containing 3·2% citrate and corn trypsin inhibitor 18·3 μg/ml. WB [mean platelet count 22 × 109/l (range 0–42)] was spiked in vitro with buffer, donor platelets (+40 × 109/l), rFVIIa (1 or 4 μg/ml), fibrinogen (1 or 3 mg/ml), or combinations of rFVIIa and fibrinogen. Coagulation profiles were recorded by tissue factor (0·03 pmol/l) activated thromboelastometry. Coagulation in ITP was characterized by a prolonged clotting time (CT, 1490 s (mean)) and a low maximum velocity (MaxVel, 3·4 mm × 100/s) and maximum clot firmness (MCF, 38·2 mm). Fibrinogen showed no haemostatic effect, whereas rFVIIa reduced the CT and increased the MaxVel. The combination of fibrinogen and rFVIIa revealed a significant synergistic effect, improving all parameters (CT 794 s, MaxVel 7·9 mm × 100/s, MCF 50·7 mm) even at very low platelet counts. These data suggest that rFVIIa combined with fibrinogen corrects the coagulopathy of ITP even at very low platelet counts, and may represent an alternative to platelet transfusion.
NS5A inhibitor, daclatasvir, for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Introduction: Chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major pandemic. The current standard of care includes peginterferon and ribavirin plus one of two protease inhibitors, boceprevir and telaprevir, for Genotype 1 patients and peginterferon and ribavirin for all other genotypes. The treatment landscape is rapidly evolving as a number of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) are being developed in clinical trials. Areas covered: Daclatasvir, formerly labeled BMS-790052, is a first-in-class HCV NS5A inhibitor that has been demonstrated in Phase I and II trials to have a very potent antiviral effect across all genotypes and to have a potent clinical efficacy in both treatment naive and experienced cohorts. This review covers the whole spectrum of development of daclatasvir from Phase I to III programs. Expert opinion: While daclatasvir has pangenotypic activity, it has a lower barrier to resistance in Genotype 1a but has been found to be very effective in Genotype 1b patients. However, Genotype 1a patients can be successfully treated with the addition of one or more DAAs alone or in combination with peginterferon and ribavirin. The future for daclatasvir and other DAAs is very encouraging in that all-oral therapies are likely to be effective and well-tolerated.
Modified Iliac Oblique—Outlet View: A Novel Radiographic Technique for Antegrade Anterior Column Screw Placement

Summary: Percutaneous fixation of acetabular fractures can be challenging because of the complex anatomy of the anterior column. We have used a modified iliac oblique–outlet image view in conjunction with more traditional radiographic views to place antegrade anterior column screws. This technique does not replace the pelvic inlet but is a good alternative in the lateral decubitus position because it helps to mitigate the difficulties of obtaining the pelvic inlet radiograph in this position. The purpose of this study is to describe the radiographic technique, demonstrate proper and aberrant screw placement using Sawbones, and present a review of patients in which this technique was used in clinical practice.
Consensus Conference on Best Practices in Live Kidney Donation: Recommendations to Optimize Education, Access, and Care

Live donor kidney transplantation is the best treatment option for most patients with late‐stage chronic kidney disease; however, the rate of living kidney donation has declined in the United States. A consensus conference was held June 5–6, 2014 to identify best practices and knowledge gaps pertaining to live donor kidney transplantation and living kidney donation. Transplant professionals, patients, and other key stakeholders discussed processes for educating transplant candidates and potential living donors about living kidney donation; efficiencies in the living donor evaluation process; disparities in living donation; and financial and systemic barriers to living donation. We summarize the consensus recommendations for best practices in these educational and clinical domains, future research priorities, and possible public policy initiatives to remove barriers to living kidney donation.
A primate model of polydrug abuse: cocaine and heroin combinations.

Abuse of cocaine-opiate combinations ("speedballs") reported clinically was simulated in a rhesus monkey model of simultaneous cocaine and heroin self-administration. The reinforcing effects of nine cocaine-heroin combinations (cocaine [0.001, 0.01 and 0.10 mg/kg per injection i.v.] and heroin [0.0001, 0.001 and 0.01 mg/kg per injection i.v.]) were evaluated for 10 days on a second-order fixed ratio of 4 (variable ratio of 16:S) schedule and compared with self-administration of cocaine and heroin alone. Dose-effect curves for cocaine-heroin combinations usually were similar to those for cocaine and heroin alone, and intermediate doses maintained equivalent high levels of drug self-administration. No toxic effects were observed. In drug discrimination studies, cocaine (0.004-1.3 mg/kg) substitution resulted in a dose-dependent generalization to the training dose (0.4 mg/kg i.m.) in all five monkeys. Heroin substitution (0.01-1.0 mg/kg i.m.) resulted in dose-dependent and complete generalization to cocaine in three of five monkeys. Heroin pretreatment (0.1-0.18 mg/kg i.m.) did not change the cocaine discrimination dose-effect curve. Pretreatment with an opiate antagonist, quadazocine (0.1 mg/kg i.m.), had no effect on the discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine but antagonized the cocaine-like discriminative stimulus effects of heroin. Pretreatment with a dopamine antagonist, flupenthixol (0.018 mg/kg), antagonized the discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine but did not affect the cocaine-like effects of heroin. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of maintaining self-administration of cocaine-heroin combinations and suggest that cocaine and heroin have similar reinforcing and discriminative stimulus effects in rhesus monkeys.
Equine Herpes Virus-1: Virus, Immunity and Vaccines

Equine Herpes virus-1 (EHV-1) is one of the most common respiratory pathogens of the horse. EHV-1 induces several clinical signs of disease ranging in severity, from mild respiratory distress to abortion in pregnant mares, neonatal foal death and neuropathogenic disorders. This review details some aspects of EHV-1 biology, its life cycle and patho-genicity in the natural host. Protective immunity stimulated by natural EHV-1 infection, which is short lived and depends of both humoral and cellular immune responses, will also be treated here. Vaccination remains today one of the best options to fight EHV-1 infection and several different strategies of vaccination that have been investigated and developed over the past decades will be presented in this report.
Study of Latex Migration Mechanism during Coating Consolidation

A new mechanism for latex migration during coating consolidation was proposed, which suggested that Brownian motion induced particle diffusion, as described by the classic Stokes-Einistein Equation for dilute suspensions, was the main force driving latex particles to migrate to the coating surface. Series of latex clay coating colors were prepared and apllied on impervious substrate. By measuring carbon content at coating surface dried under different conditions, the new mechanism was validated.
Temperature-cycling acceleration factors for aluminium metallization failure in VLSI applications

Low-cycle fatigue data for four common aluminium failure mechanisms in VLSI applications are presented; fractured intermetallic bond failure, chip-out bond failure, shear-stress-induced metal movement and passivation cracking and tensile-stress-induced metal notching and voiding (stress migration). Except for the tensile-stress-induced notching and voiding, uniform acceleration exists when commonly used accelerated temperature cycling ranges are compared: 0 degrees C/125 degrees C, -40 degrees C/85 degrees C, -40 degrees C/140 degrees C, and -65 degrees C/150 degrees C. Tensile-stress induced metal notching and voiding is not uniformly accelerated by temperature cycling; it is accelerated more effectively by simple elevated temperature storage. A temperature-cycling acceleration factor model, based on the Coffin-Manson law, is presented. The problem of using only the temperature cycling range when calculating the acceleration factor is highlighted. <<ETX>>