Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of silicon photonic crystal resonator designs for optical trapping of nanomaterials

The use of silicon photonic devices for optical manipulation has recently enabled the direct handling of objects like nucleic acids and nanoparticles that are much smaller than could previously be trapped using traditional laser tweezers. The ability to manipulate even smaller matter however requires the development of photonic structures with even stronger trapping potentials. In this work we investigate theoretically several photonic crystal resonator designs and characterize the achievable trapping stiffness and trapping potential depth (sometimes referred to as the trapping stability). Two effects are shown to increase these trapping parameters: field enhancement in the resonator and strong field containment. We find trapping stiffness as high as 22.3 pN nm − 1 for 100 nm polystyrene beads as well as potential depth of 51 000 kBT at T = 300 K, for one Watt of power input to the bus waveguide. Under the same conditions for 70 nm polystyrene beads, we find a stiffness of 69 pN nm − 1 and a potential depth of 177 000 kBT. Our calculations suggest that with input power of 10 mW we could trap particles as small as 7.7 nm diameter with a trapping depth of 500 kBT. We expect these traps to eventually enable the manipulation of small matter such as single proteins, carbon nanotubes and metallic nanoparticles.
Is progression-free survival associated with a better health-related quality of life in patients with lung cancer? Evidence from two randomised trials with afatinib

Objective Progression-free survival (PFS) is frequently used as an efficacy end point in oncology clinical trials. However, there is limited evidence to support a positive association between improvement in PFS and improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The association between PFS and HRQoL was evaluated in two randomised trials. Materials and methods Data from two randomised controlled trials in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC; LUX-Lung 1 and LUX-Lung 3) were used to investigate HRQoL in patients to determine whether tumour progression is accompanied by worsening HRQoL. HRQoL was assessed using the cancer-specific European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core questionnaire QLQ-C30, the EuroQol EQ-5D overall utility and EuroQol EQ visual analogue scale. In both studies, progression was evaluated by independent review using RECIST criteria (primary end point) and also by investigator assessment. The relationship between tumour progression and HRQoL was evaluated using analysis of covariance and a longitudinal model. Results Compliance with HRQoL questionnaire completion was high. In both studies, patients with progression consistently experienced numerically poorer HRQoL at the time of progression than patients without progression. Differences in mean scores were statistically significant (p<0.05) between patients with and without progression at week 4 in all analyses in LUX-Lung 1 and at multiple time points in LUX-Lung 3. Results from the longitudinal analysis showed that progression (by independent review and investigator assessment) appears to have consistent negative impact on all three HRQoL measures (all p<0.0001). Conclusions Tumour progression in patients with NSCLC was associated with statistically significant worsening in HRQoL. These findings confirm the value of PFS as a patient-relevant end point.
High mucin 5AC expression predicts adverse postoperative recurrence and survival of patients with clear-cell renal cell carcinoma

Background Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC), as a member of secreted/gel-forming mucin family, was frequently found to be abnormally expressed in inflammation or malignant diseases. However, the clinic pathologic features and prognostic values of MUC5AC in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) have not been reported up to now. Methods MUC5AC expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays. Kaplan-Meier survival curves, Univariate and Multivariate Cox analysis and newly-established nomogram model were performed to evaluate the prognostic value. Results MUC5AC expression was firstly found to be up-regulated in patients with ccRCC, positively associated with tumor size, pN stage, lymphovascular invasion, Fuhrman grade, rahbdoid differentiation, sarcomatoid features, tumor necrosis, ECOG-PS and recurrence. Furthermore, MUC5AC expression might be contributed to risk stratification of ccRCC patients with TNM stage III+IV or Fuhrman grade 3 or 4 for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) analysis, and it was demonstrated to be negatively correlated with OS and RFS of ccRCC patients. What's more, MUC5AC was identified as a potential independent adverse prognostic factor; prediction accuracy of MUC5AC-based new nomogram model was drastically improved for OS and RFS of ccRCC patients. Conclusion MUC5AC is a promising independent adverse prognostic factor for ccRCC patients, it maybe conducive to postoperative risk stratification and guide treatment in the future.
DRD2 Variation and Frontostriatal Morphology: Genetic and Volumetric Predictors of Resilience to Substance Use Disorders

Individuals with a family history of alcohol dependence are at increased risk for all substance use disorders (SUDs). Common genetic, morphological, and personality characteristics are thought to contribute to the greater addiction susceptibility among this population. The identification of predictors of resilience to any SUD could improve our understanding of the etiology of addiction and guide future prevention and interventions efforts. Aberrant dopaminergic transmission and frontostriatal circuitry have been identified in substance dependent individuals and their unaffected relatives in association with greater impulsivity. Therefore, the current study sought to evaluate variation in the C957T polymorphism of the dopamine D2 receptor gene (SNP rs6277) and volume of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and caudate nucleus as predictors of resilience to SUD among individuals at high familial risk and normal controls. Families with multiple cases of alcohol dependence, known as multiplex families, are ideal for studying disease-related genotypes and endophenotypes. The present study included offspring from multiplex alcohol dependence families and control families who received annual clinical diagnostic assessments, MRI scans, and provided blood samples for genotyping. Binary logistic mixed model regression analyses were conducted to quantify the relationships between genetic and morphological variation and SUD onset by age 20. The results revealed a significant association between C957T variation and resilience in young adulthood (p = .046). A risk by gene interaction was also observed for OFC volume, such that among HR offspring only, DRD2 genotype was a significant predictor of total OFC volume (p = .034). The identification of mechanisms mediating the association between DRD2 variation and resilience to SUD could contribute to the development of future preventative interventions for high-risk individuals.
From Six Gene Polymorphisms of the Antioxidant System, Only GPX Pro198Leu and GSTP1 Ile105Val Modulate the Risk of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Oxidative stress might contribute to the occurrence of cancers, including the hematological ones. Various genetic polymorphisms were shown to increase the quantity of reactive oxygen species, a phenomenon that is able to induce mutations and thus promote cancers. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the association between CAT C262T, GPX1 Pro198Leu, MnSOD Ala16Val, GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 Ile105Val gene polymorphisms and acute myeloid leukemia risk, in a case-control study comprising 102 patients and 303 controls. No association was observed between AML and variant genotypes of CAT, MnSOD, GSTM1, and GSTT1 polymorphisms. Our data revealed a statistically significant difference regarding the frequencies of GPX1 Pro198Leu and GSTP1 Ile105Val variant genotypes between AML patients and controls (p < 0.001). Our results showed no association in the distribution of any of the CAT C262T, GPX1 Pro198Leu, GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphisms regarding age, gender, FAB subtype, cytogenetic risk groups, FLT3 and DNMT3 gene mutations, and overall survival. Our data suggests that the presence of variant allele and genotype of GPX1 Pro198Leu and GSTP1 Ile105Val gene polymorphisms may modulate the risk of developing AML.
Extracellular membrane vesicles from umbilical cord blood-derived MSC protect against ischemic acute kidney injury, a feature that is lost after inflammatory conditioning

Background Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are shown to have a great therapeutic potential in many immunological disorders. Currently the therapeutic effect of MSCs is considered to be mediated via paracrine interactions with immune cells. Umbilical cord blood is an attractive but still less studied source of MSCs. We investigated the production of extracellular membrane vesicles (MVs) from human umbilical cord blood derived MSCs (hUCBMSC) in the presence (MVstim) or absence (MVctrl) of inflammatory stimulus. Methods hUCBMSCs were cultured in serum free media with or without IFN-γ and MVs were collected from conditioned media by ultracentrifugation. The protein content of MVs were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Hypoxia induced acute kidney injury rat model was used to analyze the in vivo therapeutic potential of MVs and T-cell proliferation and induction of regulatory T cells were analyzed by co-culture assays. Results Both MVstim and MVctrl showed similar T-cell modulation activity in vitro, but only MVctrls were able to protect rat kidneys from reperfusion injury in vivo. To clarify this difference in functionality we made a comparative mass spectrometric analysis of the MV protein contents. The IFN-γ stimulation induced dramatic changes in the protein content of the MVs. Complement factors (C3, C4A, C5) and lipid binding proteins (i.e apolipoproteins) were only found in the MVctrls, whereas the MVstim contained tetraspanins (CD9, CD63, CD81) and more complete proteasome complex accompanied with MHCI. We further discovered that differently produced MV pools contained specific Rab proteins suggesting that same cells, depending on external signals, produce vesicles originating from different intracellular locations. Conclusions We demonstrate by both in vitro and in vivo models accompanied with a detailed analysis of molecular characteristics that inflammatory conditioning of MSCs influence on the protein content and functional properties of MVs revealing the complexity of the MSC paracrine regulation.
Global solutions for the relativistic Boltzmann equation in the homogeneous case on the Minkowski space-time

We prove, for the relativistic Boltzmann equation in the homogeneous case, on the Minkowski space-time, a global in time existence and uniqueness theorem. The method we develop extends to the cases of some curved space-times such as the flat Robertson-Walker space-time and some Bianchi type I space-times.
“Bath Salt” Ingestion Leading to Severe Intoxication Delirium: Two Cases and a Brief Review of the Emergence of Mephedrone Use

Background: Recreational use of designer substances containing synthetic cathinones such as mephedrone, commonly sold as “bath salts,” has recently been increasing in the United States (National Institute on Drug Abuse. Available at: http://www.nida.nih.gov/about/welcome/MessageBathSalts211.html. Accessed March 25, 2011; The Washington Post. Available at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/officials-fear-bath-salts-becoming-the-next-big-drug-menace/2011/01/22/ABybyRJ_story.html. Accessed March 25, 2011). “Bath salt” ingestion can generate an intense stimulant toxidrome and has been associated with significant morbidity. Objectives: The authors seek to alert clinicians to the potential for profound delirium, psychosis, and other medical and behavioral sequelae of “bath salt” use. Methods: Case series. Results: We describe our recent experience with two highly agitated and delirious patients following “bath salt” ingestion and offer a brief review of the emergence of this phenomenon. Conclusions: Challenges and strategies surrounding diagnosis and treatment are described, which may be useful as “bath salt” use becomes more widespread. Scientific Significance: As an emerging trend, bath salt intoxication delirium appears to cause intense psychosis that can be managed with antipsychotic medications. Clinicians should be aware of this phenomenon until more precise detection methods are available.
AKT is highly phosphorylated in pheochromocytomas but not in benign adrenocortical tumors.

CONTEXT Activation of AKT plays a major role in a variety of human neoplasias. In mice, a heterozygous deletion of the Pten gene is associated with increased activation of AKT and with development of pheochromocytomas. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was the investigation of the role of AKT in the pathogenesis of pheochromocytomas and adrenocortical tumors. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Total AKT and phosphorylated AKT (pAKT) in 15 pheochromocytomas, nine aldosterone-producing adenomas, nine cortisol-producing adenomas, eight adrenocortical carcinomas (ACC), and 15 normal adrenals were investigated by Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemistry for total AKT and pAKT was performed in pheochromocytomas (n = 8), ACC (n = 4), and normal adrenal glands (n = 2). In addition, in pheochromocytomas PTEN protein expression and PTEN loss of heterozygosity were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Determination of pAKT/total AKT ratio in adrenal tissues was the main outcome. RESULTS In comparison to normal adrenals, total AKT expression was elevated in both pheochromocytomas (193 +/- 22%) and ACC (176 +/- 36%). The pAKT/AKT ratio was significantly increased in pheochromocytomas (338 +/- 49% vs. 100 +/- 11%) but not in ACC, aldosterone-producing adenomas, and cortisol-producing adenomas. No loss of heterozygosity of PTEN and no decrease in PTEN protein was detected in pheochromocytomas. Immunohistochemistry showed strong and homogeneous AKT and pAKT staining in pheochromocytomas and focal staining in ACC. CONCLUSION Our findings provide evidence for increased activation of AKT in pheochromocytomas but not in adrenocortical adenomas.
Insulin resistance increases the risk of spontaneous abortion after assisted reproduction technology treatment.

OBJECTIVE This study aims to examine the impact of insulin resistance (IR) on the risk of spontaneous abortion in patients who received infertility treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS This is a cohort study of 107 patients who achieved their first pregnancy after infertility treatment in a tertiary medical center. A homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) was carried out. Patient demographic characteristics and pregnancy outcome were also recorded. Statistical comparison was made between patients with and without IR. Logistical regression analysis was used to assess the effect of IR and several other factors simultaneously on the risk of spontaneous abortion. RESULTS The incidence of spontaneous abortion was 17.8%. The association of IR with the risk of spontaneous abortion was significant after adjusting for other risk factors. The effect of overweight/obesity and polycystic ovarian syndrome was not statistically significant in the multivariate model. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This study suggested that IR was an independent risk factor for spontaneous abortion. Because of the high prevalence of IR in obese or polycystic ovarian syndrome patients, the risk of spontaneous abortion in these patients can be raised. Patients with IR should be advised to improve their insulin sensitivity through lifestyle change or medical intervention before infertility treatment to reduce their risk of spontaneous abortion.
Effects of a physical conditioning programme on asthmatic patients.

AIMS to determine whether moderate/severe asthmatics can improve their physical fitness using standard commercial gymnasium fitness programmes and to examine the effect on their asthma. METHODS eight moderate to severe asthmatics and seven nonasthmatic controls were tested before and after 12 weeks indoor circuit training at a commercial gymnasium. The aerobic fitness of both groups was assessed before, during and after the conditioning period. Measures of asthma severity, habitual activity levels and psychological status were also assessed. RESULTS peak oxygen uptakes increased significantly in both asthmatics and controls, mean and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) values rising from 27.5 (21.9-33.0) to 31.3 (23.5-39.1) and 29.2 (25.9-32.5) to 32.2 (28.5-35.9) mL.min-1.kg-1 respectively. Following training, minute ventilation at high workloads was significantly reduced in the asthmatic subjects. In all participants subjective ratings of the ability to perform physical tasks was significantly increased as was the amount of habitual physical activity reported. Although the asthmatics' bronchial responsiveness to histamine, medication usage and symptom scores did not change, the daily recorded peak expiratory flow (PEFR) increased slightly, and its variability declined. CONCLUSIONS these findings demonstrate that with proper management severe asthmatics can engage in vigorous circuit training and enjoy the health benefits of regular exercise.
CT features of pulmonary arterial hypertension and its major subtypes: a systematic CT evaluation of 292 patients from the ASPIRE Registry

We evaluated the prevalence and prognostic value of CT-pulmonary angiographic (CTPA) measures in 292 treatment naive patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Pulmonary artery calcification (13%) and thrombus (10%) were exclusively seen in PAH-congenital heart disease. Oesophageal dilation (46%) was most frequent in PAH-systemic sclerosis. Ground glass opacification (GGO) (41%), pericardial effusion (38%), lymphadenopathy (19%) and pleural effusion (11%) were common. On multivariate analysis, inferior vena caval area, the presence of pleural effusion and septal lines predicted outcome. In PAH, CTPA provides diagnostic and prognostic information. In addition, the presence of GGO on a CT performed for unexplained breathlessness should alert the physician to the possibility of PAH.
Sexual Function in Nondepressed Women Using Escitalopram for Vasomotor Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sexual function in midlife women using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for vasomotor symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors effectively treat vasomotor symptoms but adversely affect sexual function in depressed populations. Information on sexual function in nondepressed midlife women using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for vasomotor symptoms is lacking; any treatments that might impair function are of concern. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial comparing 8 weeks of escitalopram with placebo in women ages 40–62 years with 28 or more bothersome vasomotor symptoms per week. Change in Female Sexual Function Index composite score (ranges from 2 [not sexually active, no desire] to 36) and six sexual domains (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, pain) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale, and a single-question of sexually-related personal distress from the Female Sexual Distress Scale, were compared between groups. RESULTS: Among all women, median composite baseline Female Sexual Function Index score was 18.1 (interquartile range 2.4–26.5, n=200) and among sexually active women was 22.8 (interquartile range 17.4–27.0, n=75) in the escitalopram group and 23.6 (interquartile range 14.9–31.0, n=70) in the placebo group. Treatment with escitalopram did not affect composite Female Sexual Function Index score at follow-up compared with placebo (P=.18 all women; P=.47 sexually active at baseline). Composite mean Female Sexual Function Index change from baseline to week 8 was 0.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] −1.5 to 1.7) for escitalopram and 2.0 (95% CI 0.2–3.8) for placebo. The Female Sexual Distress Scale results did not differ between groups (P=.73) nor did adverse reports of sexual function. At week 8, among those women sexually active at baseline, there was a small difference between groups in Female Sexual Function Index domain mean score change in lubrication (P=.02) and a marginal nonsignificant difference in orgasm (P=.07). CONCLUSION: Escitalopram, when used in the treatment of vasomotor symptoms, did not worsen overall sexual function among nondepressed midlife women. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials. gov, NCT00894543. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I
Effect of Phase I Estimation on Phase II Control Chart Performance with Profile Data

This paper illustrates how phase I estimators in statistical process control (SPC) can affect the performance of phase II control charts. The deleterious impact of poor phase I estimators on the performance of phase II control charts is illustrated in the context of profile monitoring. Two types of phase I estimators are discussed. One approach uses functional cluster analysis to initially distinguish between estimated profiles from an in‐control process and those from an out‐of‐control process. The second approach does not use clustering to make the distinction. The phase II control charts are established based on the two resulting types of estimates and compared across varying sizes of sustained shifts in phase II. A simulated example and a Monte Carlo study show that the performance of the phase II control charts can be severely distorted when constructed with poor phase I estimators. The use of clustering leads to much better phase II performance. We also illustrate that the performance of phase II control charts based on the poor phase I estimators not only have more false alarms than expected but can also take much longer than expected to detect potential changes to the process. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A randomized controlled trial of home injury hazard reduction: the HOME injury study.

OBJECTIVE To test the efficacy of installing safety devices in the homes of young children on total injury rates and on injuries deemed a priori modifiable by the installation of these devices. DESIGN A nested, prospective, randomized controlled trial. SETTING Indoor environment of housing units. PARTICIPANTS Mothers and their children from birth to 3 years old participating in the Home Observation and Measures of the Environment study. Among 8878 prenatal patients, 1263 (14.2%) were eligible, 413 (32.7%) agreed to participate, and 355 were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 181) or control (n = 174) groups. INTERVENTION Installation of multiple passive measures (eg, stair gates, cabinet locks, and smoke detectors) to reduce exposure to injury hazards. Injury hazards were assessed at home visits by teams of trained research assistants using a validated survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Modifiable and medically attended injury (ie, telephone calls, office visits, and emergency visits for injury). RESULTS The mean age of children at intervention was 6.3 months. Injury hazards were reduced in the intervention homes but not in the control homes at 1 and 2 years (P < .004). There was no difference in the rate for all medically attended injuries in intervention children compared with controls: 14.3 injuries (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.7-21.1 injuries) vs 20.8 injuries (95% CI, 14.4-29.9 injuries) per 100 child-years (P = .17); but there was a significant reduction in the rate of modifiable medically attended injuries in intervention children compared with controls: 2.3 injuries (95% CI, 1.0-5.5 injuries) vs 7.7 injuries (95% CI, 4.2-14.2 injuries) per 100 child-years (P = .03). CONCLUSION An intervention to reduce exposure to hazards in homes led to a 70% reduction in the rate of modifiable medically attended injury. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00129324.