Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brain metastases in breast cancer

Despite therapeutic advances, the development of breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM) is still the harbinger of a dismal prognosis. Patient outcomes vary depending on factors, including tumor phenotype, extent of disease within and outside the brain, as well as patient performance status. Treatment includes surgery, radiation therapy and systemic therapy determined by patient and tumor characteristics. Despite these approaches, novel treatments are needed and there is growing interest in systemic therapies. However, the efficacy of pharmacologic agents is hampered by poor penetration of drugs across the blood–brain barrier. Therefore, there is a pressing need for a greater understanding of the natural history of BCBM to guide the development of further therapies. This review analyzes prognosis and treatment of BCBM by tumor phenotype and discusses ongoing research into new therapies.
Examining the Influence of Celebrity Endorsement on Purchase Intention: A Descriptive Study in North India with reference to Mobile Handset Advertisements

The concept of celebrity endorsement has become a rage in India with every company trying to rope in a brand ambassador for their brands by spending millions of dollars. Among many other marketing tools, celebrity endorsements have become one of the most powerful and widely used means of communication between marketer and consumer. The present study is descriptive in nature and focused on assessing the influence of celebrity endorsements on purchase intentions of consumers with reference to mobile handset advertisements in select states/UT of north India. For making study more comprehensive this influence has been studied in association with demographic and socioeconomic variables i.e. gender, area, age, education and occupation. Further, this study also attempts to find out the most preferred celebrity in mobile handset advertisements as per the liking of consumers. Mann Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis test have been used to check the variance. The results of the study indicate that there is significant association of gender, area and occupation with the influence of celebrity endorsement on the purchase intention. Age and education has shown no significant association with influence of celebrity endorsement on the purchasing intention.
Managing International News-Agency Relations under the Guomindang: China’s Central News Agency, Zhao Minheng, and Reuters, 1931–1945

During the Nationalist Era, China dealt with its relatively weaker position in the global geopolitics of news communication by forging and managing strategic collaborations with the world’s leading news agencies. This study analyzes the case of the bilateral contractual relationship between Reuters and the Guomindang (GMD) government’s official news agency, the Central News Agency (CNA). By doing so, the article reveals that in the course of developing useful cooperation with the leading international news agencies to open up inter-institutional and interpersonal channels and networks for disseminating the GMD government’s official news and viewpoints abroad, the GMD government and CNA were also confronted with a growing necessity to manage and control protracted contentions, disputes, and even conflicts arising from the party-state’s persistent attempts to assert news communication sovereignty. The study also highlights the vital role of Zhao Minheng (1904–61)—a US-educated Chinese journalist in the employment of Reuters—as middleman in the CNA-Reuters relationship. Zhao’s career provides us with an important means to analyze CNA’s international news-agency relations from transnational and transcultural perspectives.
Nutritional Supplementation, Performance, and Oxidative Stress in College Soccer Players

Arent, SM, Pellegrino, JK, Williams, CA, DiFabio, DA, and Greenwood, JC. Nutritional supplementation, performance, and oxidative stress in college soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 24(4): 1117-1124, 2010-The purpose of this study was to examine changes in performance and metabolic parameters in collegiate soccer players during preseason preparation and to determine the impact of a nutraceutical blend proposed to reduce oxidative stress. Male Division I college soccer players (n = 22) performed a progressive maximal treadmill test at the beginning and end of preseason to assess changes in &OV0312;o2max, velocity at lactate threshold (VLT), time-to-exhaustion, lipid hydroperoxide (LPO), 8-isoprostane, and creatine kinase (CK) response. After baseline testing, athletes were randomly assigned to receive the nutraceutical blend (EXP; n = 12) or an isocaloric equivalent (CON; n = 10) for 20 days of preseason training. Δ&OV0312;o2max (2.1 ± 3.3 ml·kg−1·min−1, p = 0.007), ΔVLT (0.8 ± 1.4 km·h−1, p = 0.045), and Δtime-to-exhaustion (39.4 ± 77.4 seconds, p = 0.033) were improved across groups, but a significant effect of supplementation on performance was not seen. Changes in resting levels of CK from the beginning to end of preseason were significantly lower (p = 0.044) in EXP (64.8 ± 188.4 U·L−1) than in CON (292.8 ± 304.8 U·L−1). Additionally, EXP demonstrated a significant decrease in the magnitude of the 8-isoprostane response at Trial 2 compared with Trial 1 (effect size [ES] = −0.74), whereas CON had an increased response (ES = 0.20). A similar pattern was seen for LPO (p = 0.067). Preseason training in male college soccer players resulted in significant improvements in &OV0312;o2max, VLT, and time-to-exhaustion. Supplementing with a proprietary antioxidant and nutraceutical blend may enhance some of these effects as indicated by magnitude of the responses. However, it appears that the most notable effects of supplementation were seen for reduced CK and oxidative stress, at least with short-term supplementation.
Religious participation of Korean immigrants in the United States.

The specific aims of this research were: (1) to review past studies on the Korean ethnic church in the U.S., (2) to analyze the religious participation patterns of Korean immigrants in light of various theories on the immigrant church, and (3) to explore theoretical and practical implications of the findings from historical, comparative, and structural perspectives. The empirical data for this study derived from interviews with 622 Korean immigrants (20 years and older) residing in the Chicago area. In general, regardless of length of residence, sex, age, education, economic status, or sociocultural assimilation, church participation was found to be a way of life among Korean immigrants in the U.S. Data analyses generally confirmed the meaning, belonging, comfort, and mental-health theories but lent no support to the assimilation/mobility theory. In addition, historical and structural factors accounting for the Korean immigrants' pervasive participation in their ethnic church were explored, such as the Christian legacy of Korean immigration, the urban middle-class background of recent Korean immigrants, and their adaptation as a racial/ethnic minority in the United States.
Sequence Analysis of the Direct Repeat Region inMycobacterium bovis

ABSTRACT Spoligotyping is a major tool for molecular typing ofMycobacterium bovis. This technique is based on the polymorphism of spacers that separate direct repeats (DRs) in theM. tuberculosis complex DR region. Numerous M. bovis strains show a lack of several spacers which appears as a gap in the spoligotyping pattern. To determine whether these gaps contain alternative spacers not included in the spoligotyping membrane, PCRs using primers that hybridize to the spacers adjacent to the gaps were performed. Comparing the sizes of products obtained by PCR with those deduced from spoligotyping patterns, fragments were selected and sequenced to look for alternative spacers. Upon analysis of the sequences, five alternative spacers were detected, although deletions of spacers are mainly responsible for the observed gaps. The alternative spacers, which are more frequent in M. bovisthan in M. tuberculosis, may contribute to increasedM. bovis differentiation.
Estimates of effective dose for CT scans of the lower extremities.

PURPOSE To determine the dose-length product (DLP)-effective dose (ED) (DLP/ED) conversion coefficient (k) tables for the lower extremities that can be used for calculating ED. MATERIALS AND METHODS Dose calculations were performed on standard phantoms using a validated Monte Carlo calculation tool. Calculations were performed to obtain ED values for tube voltages from 80 kV to 140 kV in steps of 20 kV for the following examinations: hip (femur), knee, ankle, and computed tomographic (CT) angiography of the lower extremities. Values of the DLP were calculated by multiplying measured CT dose index values by the scan length; k values resulted as the quotients of the ED and DLP values. DLP/ED coefficients averaged over the range of voltage values and their standard deviations were determined for the given lower-extremity CT examinations for all age groups and for both sexes. RESULTS Coefficients depend strongly on the phantom age and size, but little on the kilovolt value. In the case of the newborn, for example, k values were 0.0612, 0.0046, 0.0014, and 0.047 for hip, knee, ankle, and CT angiography, respectively, while in the case of the adult, these respective values were 0.0110, 0.0004, 0.0002, and 0.0062. A substantial difference up to 20% between coefficients in male and female phantoms was observed for CT angiographic examination. CONCLUSION DLP/ED conversion coefficients are provided for lower extremities and allow estimation of ED for commonly used clinical musculoskeletal CT and CT angiographic protocols.
Match Propagation for Image-Based Modeling and Rendering

This paper presents a quasi-dense matching algorithm between images based on the match propagation principle. The algorithm starts from a set of sparse seed matches, then propagates to the neighboring pixels by the best-first strategy, and produces a quasi-dense disparity map. The quasi-dense matching aims at broad modeling and visualization applications which rely heavily on matching information. Our algorithm is robust to initial sparse match outliers due to the best-first strategy. It is efficient in time and space as it is only output sensitive. It handles half-occluded areas because of the simultaneous enforcement of newly introduced discrete 2D gradient disparity limit and the uniqueness constraint. The properties of the algorithm are discussed and empirically demonstrated. The quality of quasi-dense matching are validated through intensive real examples.
Left atrial volume calculated by multi-detector computed tomography may predict successful pulmonary vein isolation in catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

AIMS Catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) might be a definitive curative therapy for selected groups of patients (pts). However, current ablation protocols are not standardized and predictors of CA success and sinus rhythm maintenance are not clearly defined. To evaluate whether left atrium (LA) volume quantification provided by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) might predict the success of pulmonary vein (PV) isolation procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS We evaluated 99 pts, 66 male, mean age 54.4 +/- 10.1 years, referred for CA because of drug resistant AF. All pts were submitted to 64-slice MDCT scan for electroanatomic mapping integration, pulmonary veins anatomy delineation, LA thrombi exclusion, and LA volume estimation. Complete isolation of all the PVs was always performed with eventual cavo-tricuspid isthmus ablation. For a mean follow-up period (Fup) of 16.7 +/- 6.6 months, clinical success was assessed after a 3-month blanking period. Anti-arrhythmic drug therapy was discontinued or modified at the clinician's criteria. At the end of the Fup, 29 pts suspended anti-arrhythmic drug therapy and 26% were of oral anticoagulation. Univariate analysis showed that the probability of AF relapse after CA was higher in pts with non-paroxysmal forms of AF. The probability of relapse was significantly higher in pts with LA volumes greater than 100 mL when assessed by MDCT. We found that the LA volume of 145 mL was a good cut-off value for AF recurrence prediction. Patients with LA volumes greater than 145 mL had significantly higher recurrence rates of arrhythmia, even when adjusted for the effect of age, gender, body mass index, hypertension, and type of AF. CONCLUSION Left atrium volume estimated by MDCT may be useful to identify pts in whom successful AF ablation can be achieved with simpler ablation procedures, restricted to PV isolation.
Cost-effectiveness of Novel System of Mosquito Surveillance and Control, Brazil

Of all countries in the Western Hemisphere, Brazil has the highest economic losses caused by dengue fever. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of a novel system of vector surveillance and control, Monitoramento Inteligente da Dengue (Intelligent Dengue Monitoring System [MID]), which was implemented in 21 cities in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Traps for adult female mosquitoes were spaced at 300-m intervals throughout each city. In cities that used MID, vector control was conducted specifically at high-risk sites (indicated through daily updates by MID). In control cities, vector control proceeded according to guidelines of the Brazilian government. We estimated that MID prevented 27,191 cases of dengue fever and saved an average of $227 (median $58) per case prevented, which saved approximately $364,517 in direct costs (health care and vector control) and $7,138,940 in lost wages (societal effect) annually. MID was more effective in cities with stronger economies and more cost-effective in cities with higher levels of mosquito infestation.
Clustering of obesity and dental caries with lifestyle factors among Danish adolescents.

PURPOSE To assess any clustering between obesity, dental health, and lifestyle factors (dietary patterns, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption) among adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cluster sample of 15-year-old Danish adolescents (DA) from eight municipalities was selected. Self-reported questionnaires for adolescents and their mothers to assess body-mass index (BMI), socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, and clinical examinations to examine adolescents' dental status (DMFT) were used. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and factor analysis were applied. RESULTS The mean DMFT was 2.03 and mean BMI was 21.30 among DA.Of the whole sample, 62% experienced caries (DMFT > 0) and 16% were classified as obese. No association appeared between obesity and DMFT (p > 0.05). Most adolescents were likely to have breakfast every day (76%), but their daily consumption of fruit was lower (38%). More than half of adolescents reported having physical exercise (66%) and no alcohol consumption (57%). Smokers were more likely to consume alcohol (80%) but less likely to exercise (44%) than nonsmokers (alcohol consumption, 55%; exercise, 68%), (P < 0.05). Principal component analysis revealed that DMFT and obesity were interrelated in DA. CONCLUSION In line with earlier studies, obesity and dental caries share common lifestyle factors among adolescents, regardless of nationality and different health-care systems. Thus, it seems that dental health is a global health concern. There is a need for collaboration between dental and general health-care providers to manage both obesity and dental caries in adolescents by using a holistic approach.
Women Managers in Croatia: Leadership Styles Analysis

The literature argues that women tend to employ a more democratic, participative style and have a tendency to focus on negotiating, mediating, facilitating (Powell, 2010), so that this "feminine" style reduces hierarchy, satisfies subordinates and achieves results.For women, a leadership styles, in fact, an individual and practical method in everyday work. In addition, we can often read how personal qualities and traits make someone a great leader and, according to some authors (Appelbaum et al., 2003 ; Powell, 2010, etc.), women could be considered natural leaders since they always tend to be more relationship oriented ; hence women can become great leaders. However, as women progressively enter leadership roles and management positions in big companies and organisations hat traditionally used o be held by men, many pose questions about leadership styles and gender. Differences between the genders and their attitude toward leadership remain a key focus for many researchers and the present paper attempts making a contribution toward answering the leadership gender diversity question. This is a longitudinal research supported by literature and some empirical findings in Croatia.The 2013 research builds on the research done in 2003, and it includes key comparisons.The field research was carried out in March 2013 through a web based questionnaire. The purpose of the research was to test whether the women leadership style in Croatia has changed over the past ten years. The goal of the research was to identify traits (characteristics) of the leadership style of women managers in the Republic of Croatia. This ongoing research study is an attempt to follow the changing attitudes and understanding of women leadership styles in Croatia. Our findings are focused on the characteristics of women managers, attitudes and traits that influence leadership styles. The authors also seek answers to the question: What are the limits for successful women managers? How do they compete in a traditionally male dominated world. Clearly, there is a long way to go to equalise men and women managers in Croatia.
Mencken: A Life

When H.L. Mencken died in 1956, he left behind well-ordered diaries, letters and personal papers that are collected here in this text. The work quotes from Mencken's writings on every subject, from Americans ("the most timorous, snivelling, poltroonish, ignominious mob of serfs and goosesteppers ever gathered under one flag") to the English ("England gave us Puritanism, Germany gave us Pilsner"), from his thoughts on Jews (both "the most unpleasant race ever heard of" and "the chief dreamers of the human race, and beyond all comparison its greatest poets") to Puritanism ("that haunting fear that someone, somewhere may be happy"). Along with Mencken's literary slashings at the "boobsoisie" - with his trademark political "incorrectitude" - Hobson's access to many pages of personal manuscripts allows a broad look at the demons and affections of the personal life of the Sage of Baltimore.
Lack of effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on the elimination of single dormant tumor cells in bone marrow of high-risk breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE There is an urgent need for markers that can predict the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with solid tumors. This study was designed to evaluate whether monitoring of micrometastases in bone marrow can predict the response to systemic chemotherapy in breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Bone marrow aspirates of 59 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with either inflammatory (n = 23) or advanced (> four nodes involved) disease (n = 36) were examined immunocytochemically with the monoclonal anticytokeratin (CK) antibody A45-B/B3 (murine immunoglobulin G(1); Micromet, Munich, Germany) before and after chemotherapy with taxanes and anthracyclines. RESULTS Of 59 patients, 29 (49.2%) and 26 (44.1%) presented with CK-positive tumor cells in bone marrow before and after chemotherapy, respectively. After chemotherapy, less than half of the previously CK-positive patients (14 of 29 patients; 48.3%) had a CK-negative bone marrow finding, and 11 (36. 7%) of 30 previously CK-negative patients were CK-positive. At a median follow-up of 19 months (range, 6 to 39 months), Kaplan-Meier analysis of 55 assessable patients revealed a significantly reduced overall survival (P =.011; log-rank test) if CK-positive cells were detected after chemotherapy. In multivariate analysis, the presence of CK-positive tumor cells in bone marrow after chemotherapy was an independent predictor for reduced overall survival (relative risk = 5.0; P =.016). CONCLUSION The cytotoxic agents currently used for chemotherapy in high-risk breast cancer patients do not completely eliminate CK-positive tumor cells in bone marrow. The presence of these tumor cells after chemotherapy is associated with poor prognosis. Thus, bone marrow monitoring might help predict the response to systemic chemotherapy.
Distinct and different effects of the oncogenes v-myc and v-src on avian sympathetic neurons: retroviral transfer of v-myc stimulates neuronal proliferation whereas v-src transfer enhances neuronal differentiation

Immature avian sympathetic neurons are able to proliferate in culture for a limited number of divisions albeit expressing several neuron- specific properties. The effect of avian retroviral transfer of oncogenes on proliferation and differentiation of sympathetic neurons was investigated. Primary cultures of 6-d-old quail sympathetic ganglia, consisting of 90% neuronal cells, were infected by Myelocytomatosis virus (MC29), which contains the oncogene v-myc, and by the v-src-containing Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). RSV infection, in contrast to findings in other cellular systems, resulted in a reduction of neuronal proliferation as determined by 3H-thymidine incorporation (50% of control 4 d after infection) and in increased morphological differentiation. This is reflected by increased neurite production, cell size, and expression of neurofilament protein. In addition, RSV- infected neurons, unlike uninfected cells, are able to survive in culture for time periods up to 14 d in the absence of added neurotrophic factors. In contrast, retroviral transfer of v-myc stimulated the proliferation of immature sympathetic neurons preserving many properties of uninfected cells. The neuron-specific cell surface antigen Q211 and the adrenergic marker enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase were maintained in MC29-infected cells and in the presence of chick embryo extract the cells could be propagated over several weeks and five passages. Within 7 d after infection, the number of Q211-positive neurons increased approximately 100-fold. These data demonstrate distinct and different effects of v-src and v-myc-containing retroviruses on proliferation and differentiation of sympathetic neurons: v-src transfer results in increased differentiation, whereas v- myc transfer maintains an immature status reflected by proliferation, immature morphology, and complex growth requirements. The possibility of expanding immature neuronal populations by transfer of v-myc will be of considerable importance for the molecular analysis of neuronal proliferation and differentiation.