Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Single-Agent Versus Combination Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and a Performance Status of 2: Prognostic Factors and Treatment Selection Based on Two Large Randomized Clinical Trials

Purpose: Data from two randomized phase III trials were analyzed to evaluate prognostic factors and treatment selection in the first-line management of advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with performance status (PS) 2. Patients and Methods: Patients randomized to combination chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) in one trial and single-agent therapy (gemcitabine or vinorelbine) in the second were included in these analyses. Both studies had identical eligibility criteria and were conducted simultaneously. Comparison of efficacy and safety was performed between the two cohorts. A regression analysis identified prognostic factors and subgroups of patients that may benefit from combination or single-agent therapy. Results: Two hundred one patients were treated with combination and 190 with single-agent therapy. Objective responses were 37 and 15%, respectively. Median time to progression was 4.6 months in the combination arm and 3.5 months in the single-agent arm (p < 0.001). Median survival times were 8.0 and 6.6 months, and 1-year survival rates were 31 and 26%, respectively. Albumin <3.5 g, extrathoracic metastases, lactate dehydrogenase ≥200 IU, and 2 comorbid conditions predicted outcome. Patients with 0–2 risk factors had similar outcomes independent of treatment, whereas patients with 3–4 factors had a nonsignificant improvement in median survival with combination chemotherapy. Conclusion: Our results show that PS2 non-small cell lung cancer patients are a heterogeneous group who have significantly different outcomes. Patients treated with first-line combination chemotherapy had a higher response and longer time to progression, whereas overall survival did not appear significantly different. A prognostic model may be helpful in selecting PS 2 patients for either treatment strategy.
A tool for analysing the interdependence of indoor environmental quality and reported symptoms of the hospitals’ personnel

The working environment and the working conditions can influence the well-being of hospital employees and consequently their performance at work. The present questionnaire-based study (737 valid questionnaires) developed and evaluated a quantitative structural equation model (SEM) that examines the interdependence between the indoor environmental quality (IEQ), the working conditions, the atopic constituents and the reported health complains of employees in three Greek hospitals. The results of the SEM reveal that IEQ could partially explain the employees’ symptoms in the hospitals. The working conditions proved to be a key factor in the relationship between IEQ and symptoms. Multi-group analysis has shown that this interdependence is affected by the building characteristics, by the gender, the smoking habits and the specialty of each participant, but not by their age.
Population genetic structure of Gibberella zeae isolated from wheat in Argentina

Gibberella zeae (anamorph Fusarium graminearum) causes Fusarium head blight of wheat. The authors used amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) to characterize the genetic structure of two G. zeae populations from commercial wheat fields. The working hypothesis was that sufficient genetic exchange occurs between local populations to prevent significant partitioning of allelic variation. We analysed 216 AFLP loci for 113 isolates collected during the 2002 harvest season. All strains had AFLP profiles typical of G. zeae lineage 7. Both populations were genotypically diverse but genetically similar and potentially part of a larger, randomly mating population, with significant genetic exchange probably occurring between the two subpopulations. Linkage disequilibrium was low, but higher than reported for many other populations of G. zeae, and about 20% of the alleles detected were specific to one of the two subpopulations—results consistent with limited gene exchange between the two subpopulations. This study extends previous work with populations of G. zeae to include those found in Argentina, one of the world's largest wheat growing countries.
Familial Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis with A665G Perforin Gene Mutation: A Case Report

Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) is a genetically heterogeneous disease. Presentation of the disease such as primarily fever, hepatosplenomegaly, and cytopenia, which are the results of functional degradation in cytotoxic T-lymphocytes and natural killer cells, activation of macrophages and T-lymphocytes, over production of proinflammatory cytokines, and hemophagocytosis. In all, 5 genetic loci have been identified in FHL, and all known affected genes encode critical components of the granule exocytosis pathway, which is essential for the release of cytotoxic granules and proteases that are necessary for targeted cell death. Herein we present an FHL patient with a severe clinical course and a very rare perforin gene mutation. The patient was homozygous for A665G mutation. However, the child died in a short period of time. Prenatal diagnosis was performed in the family and the fetus was found to be heterozygous for the mutation.
PRODUCTION OF AMINO ACIDS FROM ALBUMIN BY SUBCRITICAL WATER HYDROLYSIS

Amino acids find several industrial applications and are especially widely-used in animal husbandry as well as in pharmaceutical and food industry. In this work an attempt was made to determine the best experimental conditions for the recovery of amino acids as protein degradation products by sub-critical water hydrolysis. Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) was used as sample protein. Experiments were performed continuously in pipe reactors of different sizes in order to achieve different residence times varying between 4 and 900 s. Amino acid compositions were analyzed by HPLC. The results were compared with conventional acid hydrolysis in HCl for 24 h. At a residence time of 30 s the highest amount of amino acids was obtained at 583 K and 250 bar. Due to the formation of simple amino acids as alanine and glycine from complex amino acids, in particular the amount of these components increased with increasing temperature up to 583 K (29% and 18% of the values obtained by HCl hydrolysis, respectively) and decreased thereafter due to further degradation of the products. No significant influence of operating pressure (150-270 bar) could be observed at the tested temperature (523 K) and residence time (30 s). The amino acid formation increased with increasing residence time between 8 and 300 s at the tested temperature (523 K) and decreased thereafter. The addition of carbon dioxide led to carbon acid formation and to an increase in amino acid yield due to the acceleration of acid hydrolyzed catalysis steps. This protein treatment may provide a practical and economical solution for the disposal of proteinrich sources like hairs and feathers, which are considered as waste so far.
Research Paper: Patient Experiences and Attitudes about Access to a Patient Electronic Health Care Record and Linked Web Messaging

OBJECTIVE Patient access to their electronic health care record (EHR) and Web-based communication between patients and providers can potentially improve the quality of health care, but little is known about patients' attitudes toward this combined electronic access. The objective of our study was to evaluate patients' values and perceptions regarding Web-based communication with their primary care providers in the context of access to their electronic health care record. METHODS We conducted an online survey of 4,282 members of the Geisinger Health System who are registered users of an application (MyChart) that allows patients to communicate electronically with their providers and view selected portions of their EHR. To supplement the survey, we also conducted focus groups with 25 patients who were using the system and conducted one-on-one interviews with ten primary care clinicians. We collected and analyzed data on user satisfaction, ease of use, communication preferences, and the completeness and accuracy of the patient EHR. RESULTS A total of 4,282 registered patient EHR users were invited to participate in the survey; 1,421 users (33%) completed the survey, 60% of them female. The age distribution of users was as follows: 18 to 30 (5%), 31 to 45 (24%), 46 to 64 (54%), 65 and older (16%). Using a continuous scale from 1 to 100, the majority of users indicated that the system was easy to use (mean scores ranged from 78 to 85) and that their medical record information was complete, accurate, and understandable (mean scores ranged from 65 to 85). Only a minority of users was concerned about the confidentiality of their information or about seeing abnormal test results after receiving only an explanatory electronic message from their provider. Patients preferred e-mail communication for some interactions (e.g., requesting prescription renewals, obtaining general medical information), whereas they preferred in-person communication for others (e.g., getting treatment instructions). Telephone or written communication was never their preferred communication channel. In contrast, physicians were more likely to prefer telephone communication and less likely to prefer e-mail communication. CONCLUSION Patients' attitudes about the use of Web messaging and online access to their EHR were mostly positive. Patients were satisfied that their medical information was complete and accurate. A minority of patients was mildly concerned about the confidentiality and privacy of their information and about learning of abnormal test results electronically. Clinicians were less positive about using electronic communication than their patients. Patients and clinicians differed substantially regarding their preferred means of communication for different types of interactions.
Interaction of herpes simplex virus RNase with VP16 and VP22 is required for the accumulation of the protein but not for accumulation of mRNA

The virion host shutoff (vhs) protein encoded by the UL41 gene of herpes simplex virus 1 is an endoribonuclease. The enzyme is introduced into the cell during unpackaging of the virion upon entry and selectively degrades mRNA for several hours. The RNase activity ceases after the onset of synthesis of late (γ) viral proteins. Here we report that vhs protein does not accumulate in cells transiently transfected with only a plasmid encoding the UL41 gene. However, vhs does accumulate in cells cotransfected with plasmids expressing two other tegument proteins, VP16 and VP22. vhs does not directly interact with VP22 but, instead, binds VP22 only in the presence of VP16. In contrast to these findings, the amounts of vhs mRNA accumulating in the cells transfected solely with vhs are not significantly different from those detected in cells coexpressing vhs, VP16, and VP22. We conclude from these studies that the steady state of vhs mRNA, reflecting synthesis and turnover of mRNA, is not affected by the interaction of vhs protein with VP16 with VP22. A model is proposed in which the vhs protein may function to sequester mRNAs in compartments inaccessible to the cellular translational machinery and that VP16 and VP22 rescue the mRNAs by interacting with the vhs protein.
Assessing the Role of CD103 in Immunity to an Intestinal Helminth Parasite

Background In the intestine, the integrin CD103 is expressed on a subset of T regulatory (Treg) cells and a population of dendritic cells (DCs) that produce retinoic acid and promote immune homeostasis. However, the role of CD103 during intestinal helminth infection has not been tested. Methodology/Principal Findings We demonstrate that CD103 is dispensable for the development of protective immunity to the helminth parasite Trichuris muris. While we observed an increase in the frequency of CD103+ DCs in the lamina propria (LP) following acute high-dose infection with Trichuris, lack of CD103 had no effect on the frequency of CD11c+ DCs in the LP or mesenteric lymph nodes (mLN). CD103-deficient (CD103−/−) mice develop a slightly increased and earlier T cell response but resolve infection with similar kinetics to control mice. Similarly, low-dose chronic infection of CD103−/− mice with Trichuris resulted in no significant difference in immunity or parasite burden. Absence of CD103 also had no effect on the frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells in the mLN or LP. Conclusions/Significance These results suggest that CD103 is dispensable for intestinal immunity during helminth infection. Furthermore, lack of CD103 had no effect on DC or Treg recruitment or retention within the large intestine.
Correlates of Aortic Stiffness Progression in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Importance of Glycemic Control

OBJECTIVE The correlates of serial changes in aortic stiffness in patients with diabetes have never been investigated. We aimed to examine the importance of glycemic control on progression/regression of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) in type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In a prospective study, two cf-PWV measurements were performed with the Complior equipment in 417 patients with type 2 diabetes over a mean follow-up of 4.2 years. Clinical laboratory data were obtained at baseline and throughout follow-up. Multivariable linear/logistic regressions assessed the independent correlates of changes in cf-PWV. RESULTS Median cf-PWV increase was 0.11 m/s per year (1.1% per year). Overall, 212 patients (51%) increased/persisted with high cf-PWV, while 205 (49%) reduced/persisted with low cf-PWV. Multivariate linear regression demonstrated direct associations between cf-PWV changes and mean HbA1c during follow-up (partial correlation 0.14, P = 0.005). On logistic regression, a mean HbA1c ≥7.5% (58 mmol/mol) was associated with twofold higher odds of having increased/persistently high cf-PWV during follow-up. Furthermore, the rate of HbA1c reduction relative to baseline levels was inversely associated with cf-PWV changes (partial correlation −0.11, P = 0.011) and associated with reduced risk of having increased/persistently high aortic stiffness (odds ratio 0.82 [95% CI 0.69–0.96]; P = 0.017). Other independent correlates of progression in aortic stiffness were increases in systolic blood pressure and heart rate between the two cf-PWV measurements, older age, female sex, and presence of dyslipidemia and retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS Better glycemic control, together with reductions in blood pressure and heart rate, was the most important correlate to attenuate/prevent progression of aortic stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Visual topography in primate V2: multiple representation across functional stripes

The second visual cortical area (V2) of the primate is composed of repeating thin, pale, and thick cytochrome oxidase stripes containing primarily color-selective, broad-band oriented, and disparity-selective cells, respectively. We have now examined topography in V2 with respect to these functional subdivisions. Our data suggest that there are multiple, interleaved visual maps in V2, one for each of the color, orientation, and disparity domains. The same region of visual space is re-represented by each stripe within a stripe cycle, resulting in discontinuities or “jumps back” in representation at stripe borders. Adjacent stripe cycles represent adjacent regions of space such that the visual map is continuous from one stripe to the next like stripe. Receptive field size and scatter are significantly larger for thin stripes than for thick stripes. Unexpectedly, our data suggest two types of pale stripes within each stripe cycle, one with scatter similar to thin stripes and another to thick stripes. Some evidence also suggests the presence of multiple maps within individual stripes in V2. Consistent with functional clustering within single stripes (Ts'o et al., 1990b), we have recorded re-representations and topographic discontinuities coincident with functional borders within single stripes. These results suggest that multiple and interleaved mapping may be a common organizational strategy for representing multiple functional domains within a single cortical area.
RELIGIOUS ORTHODOXY AND EMOTIONALITY

The relationship between religious orthodoxy and emotional feeling and expression is examined. Data are from questionnaires administered to a sample of Georgia high school students (N=1092). The principal findings are these: Religious orthodoxy is positively related to self-reported feeling and expression of love and happiness, and also to the importance the person attributes to institutionally based socio-emotional values. On the other hand, religious orthodoxy is negatively related to selfreported feeling and expression of hate, and it is unrelated to self-reported feeling and expression of sadness. Taken as a whole, these findings suggest that persons of high religious ortho? doxy are more likely than those of low religious orthodoxy to be influenced by biblically based norms encouraging the feeling and expression of approval/positive emotions and discouraging the feeling and expression of rejection/negative emotions. Possible approaches to integrating the present findings into a larger theoretical framework are noted. Although sixteenth century Calvinism held emotional experience to be illusory, and discouraged its expression, most forms of ascetic Protestantism were unlike Calvinism in this respect. Indeed, among the early Baptists and Methodists, a "feeling of grace," a highly emotion-laden experiencing of God's forgiveness, was considered to be absolutely essential (Weber, 1958). Today in the United States, orthodox Christianity has roots in both Calvinist and non-Calvinist forms of ascetic Protestantism; however, its main roots are nonCalvinist. In terms of sheer numbers, we find that Baptists and Methodists outnumber Presbyterians and Episcopalians by more than four to one (NORC, 1976). Moreover, it seems likely that, if only the most orthodox individuals were considered, the ratio would be higher still. But does the emotionality of the early churches remain? Or was it merely a peripheral, transient feature? Many attempts to analyze religious experience have acknowledged -or perhaps posited-the importance of the emotional dimension (see, for example, Fukuyama, 1961; Glock and Stark, 1965; Keene, 1967; Dittes, 1969). Religious experience and emotionality often are assumed to go hand in hand. Surprisingly, little, if any, systematic empirical study of the relationship between religious orthodoxy and emotionality has been carried out. While religious orthodoxy
Simulation of climate significant nonlinear tidal phenomena in the Euro Arctic seas

A contribution of nonlinear tidal phenomena to formation and long-term variability of climatically significant fields of the Euro Arctic seas (Norwegian, Greenland, Barents, White and Pechora seas) is estimated in our research. Characteristics of residual tidal phenomena are received by numerical simulations: residual tidal level achieves significant values (up to 16 cm) in several regions of Euro Arctic seas (White Sea, areas around Svalbard, Spitsbergen bank, and along the sea side of the Russian Arctic). Maps of residual tidal currents were built: intensive residual currents are observed in the White Sea, Pechora Sea, regions near Svalbard, Spitsbergen bank, and Bear and Hope islands. A possibility for adjunction of long-period tides by energy of main diurnal and semidiurnal tides is reported; amplitudes of nonlinear long-period tidal waves were evaluated. The impact of nonlinear components of motion and continuity equations on formation of different oceanographic phenomena was determined by means of numerical experiments: it was found that convective nonlinearity noticeably contributes into formation of climatically significant nonlinear tidal phenomena (residual tidal level and currents, and low-frequency tidal waves). An example of the White Sea, it was determined that the tidal phenomena play important role in formation of thermohaline structure of tidal sea waters.
Efficacy and safety of micafungin for treatment of serious Candida infections in patients with or without malignant disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate micafungin efficacy for treatment of invasive candidiasis/candidaemia in patients with cancer. Modified intent‐to‐treat populations were analysed from two trials: one, in adults and children with confirmed Candida infection, compared micafungin (adults 100 mg day−1; children 2 mg kg−1 day−1) with liposomal amphotericin B (L‐AmB 3 mg kg−1 day−1); and the other, in adults only, compared micafungin (100 or 150 mg day−1) with caspofungin (50 mg day−1; 70 mg loading dose). Primary efficacy endpoint in both trials was treatment success, defined as both clinical and mycological response at end of therapy. In the micafungin/L‐AmB trial, 183/489 patients had malignancy (37% neutropenic). In the micafungin/caspofungin trial, 176/572 patients had malignancy (26% neutropenic). Micafungin treatment success rates were generally similar in patients with/without malignancy and to rates observed with L‐AmB and caspofungin. Most patients with malignancy and neutropenia were successfully treated by all three drugs. For all drugs, incidence of discontinuations because of treatment‐related adverse events was similar for patients with malignancy (≤7.7%) vs. no malignancy (≤8.0%). These results suggest that compared with L‐AmB and caspofungin, micafungin was effective and well tolerated in patients with candidiasis/candidaemia with/without malignancy. Further prospective trials are recommended to evaluate comparative outcomes with a primary focus on patients with malignancies and invasive candidiasis.
Vehicle type recognition based on multi-branch and multi-layer features

To improve the accuracy and reduce the computational complexity of neural networks for vehicle type recognition, this paper proposes a novel method based on Multi-branch and Multi-layer features. First of all, each car-face image is divided into multiple sub-images according to texture features' characteristic. Secondly, global and local features are extracted using several convolutional neural networks (CNN) in different layers then connected to a fully-connected layer. Finally, Softmax classifier is used for vehicle type recognition. Experimental results show that valid global and local features in both top and bottom layers are extracted by the proposed method. Furthermore, convergent efficiency and accuracy of recognition are improved.