Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Survival among women with triple receptor-negative breast cancer and brain metastases.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of and survival following brain metastases among women with triple receptor-negative breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 679 patients with nonmetastatic triple receptor-negative breast cancer diagnosed from 1980 to 2006 were identified. Cumulative incidence of brain metastases was computed. Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to explore factors that predict for development of brain metastases. Survival was computed using the Kaplan-Meier product limit method. RESULTS Median follow-up was 26.9 months. In all, 42 (6.2%) patients developed brain metastases with a cumulative incidence at 2 and 5 years of 5.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.8% to 7.9%] and 9.6% (95% CI 6.8% to 13%), respectively. A total of 24 (3.5%) patients developed brain metastases as the first site of recurrence with cumulative incidence at 2 and 5 years of 2.0% (95% CI 2.6% to 6.0%) and 4.9% (95% CI 3.2% to 7.0%), respectively. In the multivariable model, no specific factor was observed to be significantly associated with time to brain metastases. Median survival for all patients who developed brain metastases and those who developed brain metastases as the first site of recurrence was 2.9 months (95% CI 2.0-7.6 months) and 5.8 months (95% CI 1.7-11.0 months), respectively. CONCLUSION In this single-institutional study, patients with nonmetastatic triple receptor-negative breast tumors have a high early incidence of brain metastases associated with poor survival and maybe an ideal cohort to target brain metastases preventive strategies.
Understanding barriers to medication adherence in the hypertensive population by evaluating responses to a telephone survey

Background: Although hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, adherence to hypertensive medications is low. Previous research identifying factors influencing adherence has focused primarily on broad, population-based approaches. Identifying specific barriers for an individual is more useful in designing meaningful targeted interventions. Using customized telephonic outreach, we examined specific patient-reported barriers influencing hypertensive patients’ nonadherence to medication in order to identify targeted interventions. Methods: A telephone survey of 8692 nonadherent hypertensive patients was conducted. The patient sample comprised health plan members with at least two prescriptions for antihypertensive medications in 2008. The telephone script was based on the “target” drug associated with greatest nonadherence (medication possession ratio [MPR] <80%) during the four-month period preceding the survey. Results: The response rate was 28.2% of the total sample, representing 63.8% of commercial members and 37.2% of Medicare members. Mean age was 63.4 years. Mean MPR was 61.0% for the target drug. Only 58.2% of Medicare respondents and 60.4% of commercial respondents reported “missing a dose of medication”. The primary reason given was “forgetfulness” (61.8% Medicare, 60.8% commercial), followed by “being too busy” (2.7% Medicare, 18.5% commercial) and “other reasons” (21.9% Medicare, 8.1% commercial) including travel, hospitalization/sickness, disruption of daily events, and inability to get to the pharmacy. Prescription copay was a barrier for less than 5% of surveyed patients. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that events interfering with daily routine had a significant impact on adherence. Medication adherence appears to be a patterned behavior established through the creation of a routine and a reminder system for taking the medication. Providers should assess patients’ daily schedules and medication-taking competency to develop and promote a medication routine.
Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf. on Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus mutans and Candida spp.

Medicinal plants with fungicide action, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects are under investigation. The main purpose of this work was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf. on strains of Staphylococcus spp. , Streptococcus mutans and Candida spp. with planktonic and biofilm growth. To study the micro-organisms in planktonic cells, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined by using 9 clinical strains for each species and 1 ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) from C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, S. aureus, S. epidermidis and S. mutans. In order to evaluate the effects of the essential oils on biofilms, strains of S. aureus (ATCC 6538), S. mutans (ATCC 35688) and C. albicans (ATCC 18804) were used. The biofilm was formed on acrylic resin discs with isolated micro-organisms or in associations. The number of colony-forming-units (CFU) obtained in each biofilm (CFU/ml) was submitted to Student's t statistical test. The results demonstrated that the essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus showed microbiostatic and microbicidal activity against all tested strains. The average CFU/ml for the biofilm of S. aureus, S. mutans and C. albicans, whether isolated or in association, was lower in the group treated with essential oil than in the control group.
Probable Tiger-to-Tiger Transmission of Avian Influenza H5N1

During the second outbreak of avian influenza H5N1 in Thailand, probable horizontal transmission among tigers was demonstrated in the tiger zoo. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of those viruses showed no differences from the first isolate obtained in January 2004. This finding has implications for influenza virus epidemiology and pathogenicity in mammals.
The Nuclear Factor-κB and p53 Pathways Function Independently in Primary Cells and Transformed Fibroblasts Responding to Genotoxic Damage

With nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and p53 functions generally having disparate outcomes for cell survival and cell division, understanding how these pathways are coordinated following a common activation signal such as DNA damage has important implications for cancer therapy. Conflicting reports concerning NF-κB and p53 interplay in different cell line models prompted a reexamination of this issue using mouse primary thymocytes and embryonic fibroblasts, plus fibroblasts transformed by E1A12S. Here, we report that following the treatment of these cells with a range of stress stimuli, p53 and NF-κB were found to regulate cell cycling and survival independently. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(7):1193–203)
The Influence of Gonadal Hormones on Periodicity of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Objective This paper reviews the evidence linking gonadal hormones and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. Method Four case reports of the relationship between obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms and exogenous sex hormone changes are presented. These cases are reviewed within the context of other case reports and the literature on the relationship between serotonin, gonadal hormones and OCD. Results The authors suggest that there is a relationship between onset or exacerbation of OCD and changes in gonadal hormones. Conclusion Clinicians should carefully evaluate patients for exogenous and endogenous changes in gonadal hormones when evaluating onset or exacerbation of OCD.
Sweet spot supersymmetry

We find that there is no supersymmetric flavor/CP problem, {mu}-problem, cosmological moduli/gravitino problem or dimension four/five proton decay problem in a class of supersymmetric theories with O(1) GeV gravitino mass. The cosmic abundance of the nonthermally produced gravitinos naturally explains the dark matter component of the universe. A mild hierarchy between the mass scale of supersymmetric particles and electroweak scale is predicted, consistent with the null result of a search for the Higgs boson at the LEP-II experiments. A relation to the strong CP problem is addressed. We propose a parametrization of the model for the purpose of collider studies. The scalar tau lepton is the next to lightest supersymmetric particle in a theoretically favored region of the parameter space. The lifetime of the scalar tau is of O(1000) seconds with which it is regarded as a charged stable particle in collider experiments. We discuss characteristic signatures and a strategy for confirmation of this class of theories at the LHC experiments.
Mejora de la predicción de la resistencia y rigidez de la madera estructural con el método de ultrasonidos combinado con parámetros de clasificación visual

The present study explores the possibility of using longitudinal ultrasound transmission to evaluate the bending strength and modulus of elasticity in structural timber made from the two species most commonly found in Spanish construction and rehabilitation works: Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) and Laricio pine ( Pinus nigra Arn.). An analysis of 1305 Scots pine and 852 Laricio pine beams shows that ultrasound transmission velocity alone can predict neither the bending strength nor the modulus of elasticity and that other predictive variables are required. A series of models are proposed based on ultrasound transmission velocity measurements, the relative size of the largest face and edge knots, length and density. After running models for each species individually and for the two jointly, a single model is found to be suitable for both. The models proposed explain from 63 to 73 per cent of bending strength and modulus of elasticity variability.
Mitochondria regulate inactivation of L‐type Ca2+ channels in rat heart

1 L‐type Ca2+ channels play an important role in vital cell functions such as muscle contraction and hormone secretion. Both a voltage‐dependent and a Ca2+‐dependent process inactivate these channels. Here we present evidence that inhibition of the mitochondrial Ca2+ import mechanism in rat (Sprague‐Dawley) ventricular myocytes by ruthenium red (RR), by Ru360 or by carbonyl cyanide m‐chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) decreases the magnitude of electrically evoked transient elevations of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c). These agents were most effective at stimulus rates greater than 1 Hz. 2 RR and CCCP also caused a significant delay in the recovery from inactivation of L‐type Ca2+ currents (ICa). This suggests that sequestration of cytosolic Ca2+, probably near the mouth of L‐type Ca2+ channels, into mitochondria during cardiac contractile cycles, helps to remove the Ca2+‐dependent inactivation of L‐type Ca2+ channels. 3 We conclude that impairment of mitochondrial Ca2+ transport has no impact on either L‐type Ca2+ currents or SR Ca2+ release at low stimulation frequencies (e.g. 0.1 Hz); however, it causes a depression of cytosolic Ca2+ transients attributable to an impaired recovery of L‐type Ca2+ currents from inactivation at high stimulation frequencies (e.g. 3 Hz). The impairment of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and subsequent effects on Ca2+ transients at high frequencies at room temperature could be physiologically relevant since the normal heart rate of rat is around 5 Hz at body temperature. The role of mitochondria in clearing Ca2+ in the micro‐domain near L‐type Ca2+ channels could be impaired during high frequencies of heart beats such as in ventricular tachycardia, explaining, at least in part, the reduction of muscle contractility.
Handball load and shoulder injury rate: a 31-week cohort study of 679 elite youth handball players

Background Knowledge of injury patterns, an essential step towards injury prevention, is lacking in youth handball. Aim To investigate if an increase in handball load is associated with increased shoulder injury rates compared with a minor increase or decrease, and if an association is influenced by scapular control, isometric shoulder strength or glenohumeral range of motion (ROM). Methods 679 players (14–18 years) provided weekly reports on shoulder injury and handball load (training and competition hours) over 31 weeks using the SMS, phone and medical examination system. Handball load in a given week was categorised into (1) <20% increase or decrease (reference), (2) increase between 20% and 60% and (3) increase >60% relative to the weekly average amount of handball load the preceding 4 weeks. Assessment of shoulder isometric rotational and abduction strength, ROM and scapular control was performed at baseline and midseason. Results An increase in handball load by >60% was associated with greater shoulder injury rate (HR 1.91; 95% CI 1.00 to 3.70, p=0.05) compared with the reference group. The effect of an increase in handball load between 20% and 60% was exacerbated among players with reduced external rotational strength (HR 4.0; 95% CI 1.1 to 15.2, p=0.04) or scapular dyskinesis (HR 4.8; 95% CI 1.3 to 18.3, p=0.02). Reduced external rotational strength exacerbated the effect of an increase above 60% (HR 4.2; 95% CI 1.4 to 12.8, p=0.01). Conclusions A large increase in weekly handball load increases the shoulder injury rate in elite youth handball players; particularly, in the presence of reduced external rotational strength or scapular dyskinesis.
Antibacterial activities of bacteriocins: application in foods and pharmaceuticals

Bacteriocins are a kind of ribosomal synthesized antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria, which can kill or inhibit bacterial strains closely-related or non-related to produced bacteria, but will not harm the bacteria themselves by specific immunity proteins. Bacteriocins become one of the weapons against microorganisms due to the specific characteristics of large diversity of structure and function, natural resource, and being stable to heat. Many recent studies have purified and identified bacteriocins for application in food technology, which aims to extend food preservation time, treat pathogen disease and cancer therapy, and maintain human health. Therefore, bacteriocins may become a potential drug candidate for replacing antibiotics in order to treat multiple drugs resistance pathogens in the future. This review article summarizes different types of bacteriocins from bacteria. The latter half of this review focuses on the potential applications in food science and pharmaceutical industry.
The Impact of Curative Intent Surgery on the Survival of Pancreatic Cancer Patients: A U.S. Population-Based Study

OBJECTIVES:Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Curative intent surgery (CIS) is presumed to be the only curative option in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The determinants and the outcomes of surgical resection are not clear at the population level.METHODS:Using data from nine registries of the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program, we examined the predictors of receiving CIS as well as the survival of patients receiving CIS between 1987 and 2001. The definition of CIS in SEER is accurate and has been previously validated and found to be highly accurate. Cox proportional hazard model was used to examine the effect of potential determinants on survival.RESULTS:We identified 32,348 cases of pancreatic cancer. Of those, 3,545 (10.9%) received CIS. The proportion of patients receiving CIS decreased significantly with age (P < 0.0001), was similar across all racial groups (10.8% in whites, 11.4% in blacks, 11.5% in Asians, and 11.2 % in Hispanics, P = 0.5), was slightly higher in men (11.3% vs 10.5%, P = 0.02), decreased with advanced disease stage (P < 0.0001), progressively increased over time (7.5% in 1987–89, 9.1% in 1990–92, 10.4% in 1993–95, 12.4% in 1996–98, and 13.4% in 1999–2001, P < 0.0001), and differed significantly across different SEER registries (9.7% in San Francisco, 11.8% in Connecticut, 12.5% in Detroit, 11.7% in Hawaii, 9.3% in Iowa, 10.05% in New Mexico, 9.5% in Seattle, 13.2% in Utah, 11.4% in Atlanta, P < 0.0001). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, more recent time periods, younger age, early disease stage, and geographic location, but not race or gender, were independent predictors of receiving CIS. In the Cox survival analysis, younger age, early disease stage, more recent time period, geographic location, and receipt of CIS were independent predictors of improved survival and black race was an independent predictor of shorter survival.CONCLUSIONS:Early stage disease, female gender, younger age, geographic location, and more recent time periods are predictors of receiving CIS. Early disease stage and receipt of CIS are the strongest predictors of improved survival among patients with pancreatic cancer. Black race is an independent predictor of shorter survival.
Modified magnetic resonance imaging score compared with orthopaedic and radiological scores for the evaluation of haemophilic arthropathy

Twenty‐four joints (10 knees and 14 ankles), with at least one manifestation of bleeding (proven by sonographic assessment), of 15 patients with haemophilia were investigated prospectively. For magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation, the MRI scale of Nuss et al. was modified to a MRI score (max. 13 points/joint) to allow a comparison with the physical examination score (max. 12 points) and the radiological score (Pettersson score; max. 13 points). The number of joint bleeds correlated well with the degree of arthropathy P < 0.01). In all 16 joints with a maximum of two bleeds, no alterations were found by physical examination, or radiological and MRI assessment. Joints with three bleeds had physical examination scores between 0 and 2, Pettersson scores from 0 to 3 and MRI scores of 2. Joints with four or more bleeds had physical examination scores ranging between 3 and 7, radiological scores between 7 and 12 and MRI scores between 3 and 8. The MRI score describes initial joint alterations more precisely and earlier than other assessments, allowing a discerning estimation of the degree of arthropathy, as well as a follow‐up of haemophilic arthropathy and an improvement after change of treatment. In addition, the modified MRI score seems to differentiate better between early and advanced signs of arthropathy than the MRI scale of Nuss et al.
New types of human papillomaviruses and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies: a classification of inclusion warts according to clinical features, histology and associated HPV types

Summary Two new types of intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies (ICBs) associated with distinct clinical features, and the presence of DNA of distinct types of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are reported. One hundred and seven cutaneous warts containing ICBs were grouped into three categories according to distinct clinicopathological features: 67 were wart lesions with well‐known granular (Gr)‐ICB. 1 3 were punctate keratotic lesions with filamentous (Fl)‐ICB and 31 were pigmented warts with homogeneous (Hg)‐ICB. Molecular biological studies were performed in order to assess a specific association of each group of warts with distinct types of HPV.
Multiscale CAFE Modelling of Dynamic Recrystallization

The paper is focused on application of multi-scale 2D CAFE method. CAFE approach consists of Cellular Automata (CA) model of microstructure development and the thermal-mechanical finite element (FE) code. Dynamic recrystallization phenomenon is taken into account in 2D CA model which takes advantage of explicit representation of microstructure, including individual grains and grain boundaries. Flow stress is the main material parameter in mechanical part of FE and is calculated on the basis of average dislocation density obtained from CA model. The results attained from the CAFE model were validated with the experimental data for austenitic steel X3CrNi18-9. The samples were subjected to axisymmetrical hot compression test. Compression forces were recorded during the tests and flow stresses were determined using inverse method. Light microscopy and EBSD analyses were performed for the initial and final microstructures of the samples.
Antiphospholipid antibodies in pre‐eclamptic women: Relation to growth retardation and neonatal outcome

The significance of antiphospholipid antibodies in pre‐eclamptic women has not been thoroughly elucidated. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of pre‐eclamptic women who were antiphospholipid antibody positive, and to elucidate the significance of these antibodies regarding growth retardation and neonatal outcome. Positive levels of anticephalin antibodies, which are antiphospholipid antibodies, were detected in 7 (19%) out of 37 pre‐eclamptic women, as compared with none of 40 in a control group of normotensive women at similar stage of pregnancy (p = 0.004). The birthweight percentiles of the neonates of anticephalin antibody positive women were significantly lower than those of the neonates of anticephalin antibody negative women (p = 0.018). Four of 7 infants of anticephalin antibody positive women were growth retarded (<2.5th percentile). This was a significantly larger proportion than that for anticephalin antibody negative women (3/30) (p = 0.004). The 95% confidence interval for the difference between the two proportions was 0.10 to 0.85. Two of the 7 neonates of anticephalin antibody positive women died during the neonatal period, compared with none of the 30 neonates of anticephalin antibody negative women (p = 0.003). Thus, our study suggests that positive levels of anticephalin antibodies in pre‐eclamptic women increase the risk for growth retardation and neonatal death.
Nutritive Value of Sunflower Silages Ensiled with Corn or Alfalfa at Different Rate

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) having shorter growing season, better cold tolerant and more drought resistant is important alternative silage plant in highlands. But it has poor silage quality. To improve the quality of sunflower silage can be mixed an appropriate amount of corn (Zea mays L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). This research was carried out to evaluate quality characteristics of nine silage types: Sunflower, corn and alfalfa silages; plus their some mixtures silages (75% sunflower + 25% corn, 50% sunflower + 50% corn, 25% sunflower + 75% corn, 75% sunflower + 25% alfalfa, 50% sunflower + 50% alfalfa and 25% sunflower + 75% alfalfa); at two harvest stages: Beginning of flowering for sunflower and alfalfa and milk-dough stage for corn (early stage), and end of flowering stage for sunflower and alfalfa, and dough stage for corn (late stage). The experimental design was in a factorial arrangement of randomized complete block with replicated four times. Dry matter content (DM), crude protein content (CP), neutral detergent fiber content (NDF), acid detergent fiber content (ADF), silage pH and physical characteristics (PC) of silages were determined in this study. Mixing of alfalfa in NDF, ADF and CP and corn in DM, pH and PC had positively effect in sunflower silages. Late stage had positively affected DM, PC and pH for silage. Consequently, sunflower silages mixed with corn, with the condition of not being less than 50% at late stage, are recommended for farmers. Keywords: Sunflower; Corn; Alfalfa; Mixtures; Silage