Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genome-Wide Methylation Study Identifies an IL-13-induced Epigenetic Signature in Asthmatic Airways.

RATIONALE Epigenetic changes to airway cells have been proposed as important modulators of the effects of environmental exposures on airway diseases, yet no study to date has shown epigenetic responses to exposures in the airway that correlate with disease state. The type 2 cytokine IL-13 is a key mediator of allergic airway diseases, such as asthma, and is up-regulated in response to many asthma-promoting exposures. OBJECTIVES To directly study the epigenetic response of airway epithelial cells (AECs) to IL-13 and test whether IL-13-induced epigenetic changes differ between individuals with and without asthma. METHODS Genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression patterns were studied in 58 IL-13-treated and untreated primary AEC cultures and validated in freshly isolated cells of subjects with and without asthma using the Illumina Human Methylation 450K and HumanHT-12 BeadChips. IL-13-mediated comethylation modules were identified and correlated with clinical phenotypes using weighted gene coexpression network analysis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS IL-13 altered global DNA methylation patterns in cultured AECs and were significantly enriched near genes associated with asthma. Importantly, a significant proportion of this IL-13 epigenetic signature was validated in freshly isolated AECs from subjects with asthma and clustered into two distinct modules, with module 1 correlated with asthma severity and lung function and module 2 with eosinophilia. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that a single exposure of IL-13 may selectively induce long-lasting DNA methylation changes in asthmatic airways that alter specific AEC pathways and contribute to asthma phenotypes.
Predict and Constrain: Modeling Cardinality in Deep Structured Prediction

Many machine learning problems require the prediction of multi-dimensional labels. Such structured prediction models can benefit from modeling dependencies between labels. Recently, several deep learning approaches to structured prediction have been proposed. Here we focus on capturing cardinality constraints in such models. Namely, constraining the number of non-zero labels that the model outputs. Such constraints have proven very useful in previous structured prediction approaches, but it is a challenge to introduce them into a deep learning framework. Here we show how to do this via a novel deep architecture. Our approach outperforms strong baselines, achieving state-of-the-art results on multi-label classification benchmarks.
Vitamin profiles of eggs as indicators of nutritional status in the laying hen: riboflavin study.

Two experiments determined the effect of dietary riboflavin supplementation on egg yolk and albumen riboflavin concentrations, egg production, egg weight, shell thickness, hen weight, hatchability, incidence of clubbed down, and incidence of hemorrhagic embryos. In the first experiment, hens were fed rations containing 1.55, 2.20, 4.40, and 8.80 mg of riboflavin/kg of diet for 27 wk. Significant (P < .05) depressions in both yolk and albumen riboflavin concentrations were noted at the two lower riboflavin levels after 1 wk. Egg production, egg weight, hatchability, and hen weight were all significantly depressed by the two lower riboflavin levels later in the experiment when compared with the two higher levels. Results indicate that egg riboflavin concentrations are related to important production parameters that may be used to predict future dietary riboflavin inadequacies. In the second experiment, hens were fed either an unsupplemented diet or a riboflavin-adequate diet. Measurements of egg albumen riboflavin content, egg production, hatchability, and embryo abnormalities were made twice each week. Results showed depressed albumen riboflavin concentrations and hatchability and increased incidence of hemorrhagic embryos and clubbed down without changes in egg production during the 4- to 7-day period following feeding of the unsupplemented diet. These results show that low albumen riboflavin content immediately affect hatchability and embryonic development. The estimated minimum critical albumen riboflavin concentrations needed to support maximum reproductive function are between 1.9 and 2.9 micrograms of riboflavin/g of egg albumen. These critical values might be used to evaluate riboflavin status of laying and breeding flocks.
Prevalence of Needlestick Injuries Among Healthcare Workers in the Accident and Emergency Department of a Teaching Hospital in Nigeria

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are continually exposed to hazards from contact with blood and body fluids of patients in the healthcare setting. Aim: To determine the prevalence of needlestick injuries (NSIs) and associated factors among HCWs in the Accident and Emergency Department of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20. Univariate, bivariate, and binary logistic regression analyses were done. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of NSIs 12 months preceding the study was 51.0% (50/98). Doctors 8/10 (80.0%) and nurses 28/40 (70.0%) had the highest occurrence. Recapping of needles 19/50 (38.0%) and patient aggression 13/50 (26.0%) were responsible for most injuries. The majority 31/50 (62.0%) of the injuries were not reported. The uptake of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) was low 11/50 (22.0%). The factors that were significantly associated with NSI include age 30 years and above (odds ratio [OR] =0.28, confidence interval [CI] = 0.11–0.70), work duration of three years and above (OR = 0.29, CI = 0.11–0.75), and being a nurse (OR = 3.38, CI = 1.49–9.93) or a paramedic (OR = 0.18, CI = 0.06–0.52). Conclusion: The high prevalence of NSIs among the HCWs, especially in doctors and nurses is an indication that HCWs in UBTH are at great risk of contracting blood-borne infections. Efforts should be made to ensure that injuries are reported and appropriate PEP undertaken following NSIs.
Risk Factor Analysis for Oral Precancer among Slum Dwellers in Delhi, India

Background: An outfall of urbanization in developing countries has been the mushrooming of slums where dwellers live in pitiable environmental conditions representing the lowest rung of social strata. This group is more vulnerable to practicing deleterious social habits, including tobacco and alcohol abuse. Aim: The present study was undertaken to understand the strength of association between risk factors suspected of causing oral precancer among slum dwellers in Delhi. Subjects and Methods: A house-to-house survey was conducted in an urban slum cluster situated in the heart of Delhi city by a single trained investigator who recorded oral mucosal lesions according to WHO criteria. Demographic details and history of suspected risk factors was recorded by personal interview of each subject. The obtained data was coded, cleaned, and analyzed manually. Chi-square test was applied and Odds′ ratios were calculated to analyze the association of risk factors with oral precancer. A statistically significant difference was set at 95% confidence interval. Results: A total of 479 subjects of both sexes were examined and 31 cases clinically diagnosed as having oral precancer, of which majority were leukoplakia. All cases except one reported practicing habits that are known risk factors for oral precancer, i.e., smoking/smokeless tobacco, chewing betel leaf/nut, and combination of these habits with alcohol. Association of oral precancer with smokeless tobacco was higher than that with smoking or chewing betel leaf/nut alone. Conclusion: Practicing combination of habits with alcohol was found to be the most strongly associated risk factor for oral precancer.
α-Emitters for Radiotherapy: From Basic Radiochemistry to Clinical Studies—Part 2

The use of radioactive sources to deliver cytotoxic ionizing radiation to disease sites dates back to the early 20th century, with the discovery of radium and its physiologic effects. α-emitters are of particular interest in the field of clinical oncology for radiotherapy applications. The first part of this review explored the basic radiochemistry, high cell-killing potency, and availability of α-emitting radionuclides, together with hurdles such as radiolabeling methods and daughter redistribution. The second part of this review will give an overview of the most promising and current uses of α-emitters in preclinical and clinical studies.
A “small-data”-driven approach to dialogue systems for natural language human computer interaction

This paper describes a data-driven approach to handling natural language interaction between humans and devices. This approach enables example-based definition and tuning of interaction scenarios. Actions and parameters can be easily configured, requiring no prior knowledge of natural language processing and no previous experience with this type of systems. The platform requires a small amount of language-dependent resources, making this approach ideal for creating multilingual natural language interfaces.
Hubble Space Telescope Detection of Optical Companions of WR 86, WR 146, and WR 147: Wind Collision Model Confirmed

Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 images of the rado-binary Wolf-Rayet stars WR 146 and WR 147, as well as the 0. ″2 visual binary WR 86, resolve each of them into two very close optical components. The colors of these optical pairs are similar, indicating that they are likely to be physically bound WR + OB systems at the same distance. Comparison of the locations of the optical components of WR 146 and WR 147 with high-resolution radio maps strikingly demonstrates that the nonthermal radio components arise between the optical binary components, closer to the OB component than the WR. This is as expected if the nonthermal radio emission results from the collision of the stellar winds of the binary components seen in the HST images. The similar magnitudes and colors determined for the components of WR 86 from our HST images, combined with an analysis of the unresolved, combined WC7 + OB optical spectrum, indicates an absolute magnitude for the WC7 component of about MV ∼ -5.
Investigations of threonine requirements of broiler chicks fed diets based on grain sorghum and soybean meal.

Three trials were conducted to estimate the threonine (Thr) requirement of male broiler chicks. Chicks 7 days of age were fed a grain sorghum-soybean meal diet containing . 59% Thr, supplemented with 0, . 05, . 09, . 15, . 22, . 27, or . 28% L-Thr. Levels of basal and supplemental amino acids were confirmed by ion-exchange chromatography. Diets were fed for 18 or 20 days, depending upon the trial. A corn-soybean meal diet analyzed to contain . 90% Thr was used for comparison. Results of the three trials were pooled for determination of Thr requirements. A significant improvement in gain was observed when the basal grain sorghum-soybean meal diet was supplemented with . 09% supplemental Thr (total .68% Thr). No further improvements in gain were observed at higher levels of Thr supplementation. Body weight gain of chicks fed the Thr-supplemented diets did not differ significantly from that of chicks fed the corn-soybean meal control diet. For maximum feed utilization, the Thr requirement was . 79%, as estimated by regression analysis. This is in agreement with the . 80% requirement suggested by the National Research Council in 1984. Feed utilization of chicks fed the corn-soybean meal diet was significantly better than that of chicks fed any of the grain sorghum-soybean meal diets regardless of the level of Thr supplementation.
CT Findings, Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation, and Imaging Predictors of Survival for Patients With Interstitial Pneumonia With Autoimmune Features.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to determine the CT findings and patterns of interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) and to assess whether imaging can predict survival for patients with IPAF. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 136 subjects who met the criteria for IPAF and had diagnostic-quality chest CT scans obtained from 2006 to 2015; a total of 74 of these subjects had pathologic samples available for review within 1 year of chest CT examination. CT findings and the presence of an usual interstitial pneumonitis (UIP) pattern of disease were assessed, as was the UIP pattern noted on pathologic analysis. Analysis of chest CT findings associated with survival was performed using standard univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards methods as well as the unadjusted log-rank test. Survival data were visually presented using the Kaplan-Meier survival curve estimator. RESULTS Most subjects with IPAF (57.4%; 78/136) had a high-confidence diagnosis of a UIP pattern on CT. Substantially fewer subjects (28.7%; 39/136) had a pattern that was inconsistent with UIP noted on CT. The presence of a UIP pattern on CT was associated with smoking (p < 0.01), male sex (p < 0.01), and older age (p < 0.001). Approximately one-fourth of the subjects had a nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis pattern on CT. Of interest, nearly one-tenth of the subjects had a CT pattern that was most consistent with hypersensitivity pneumonitis rather than the customary CT patterns ascribed to lung disease resulting from connective tissue disease. Most subjects with a possible UIP pattern on CT (83.3%) had UIP diagnosed on the basis of pathologic findings. Focused multivariate analysis showed that honeycombing on CT (hazard ratio, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.05-4.47) and pulmonary artery enlargement on CT (hazard ratio, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.02-4.20) were independent predictors of survival. CONCLUSION IPAF most often presents with a UIP pattern on CT and is associated with worse survival when concomitant honeycombing or pulmonary artery enlargement is present.
Circadian clock gene polymorphisms in alcohol use disorders and alcohol consumption.

AIMS Circadian clock genes are involved in the development of drug-induced behaviors and regulate neurotransmission pathways in addiction. Our aim was to study whether circadian clock gene polymorphisms predispose to alcohol dependence or abuse or other alcohol-related characteristics. METHODS The study sample comprised of 512 individuals having alcohol dependence or alcohol abuse (according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV)) and their 511 age- and sex-matched controls. This population-based sample was drawn from a cohort (n = 7415), representative of the Finnish general population aged 30 and over. Altogether 42 single-nucleotide polymorphisms of 19 genes related to the circadian pacemaker system were genotyped. RESULTS ARNTL rs6486120 T(+) allelic status (P = 0.0007, q = 0.17), ADCYAP1 rs2856966 GG genotype (P = 0.0006, q = 0.17) and VIP CC haplotype (rs3823082-rs688136) (P = 0.0006) were suggestively associated with alcohol consumption in socially drinking controls. ARNTL2 GT haplotype (rs7958822-rs4964057) associated suggestively with alcohol abuse diagnosis (P = 0.0013). Earlier findings on the associations of DRD2 and NPY with alcohol dependence were supported: DRD2/ANKK1 Taq1A(1) increased (P = 0.04) and NPY Pro7 decreased (P = 0.01) the risk of alcohol dependence. CONCLUSIONS ARNTL, ARNTL2, VIP and ADCYAP1 were indicated as having influence on alcohol use or abuse. The role of DRD2 and NPY on alcohol dependence was also supported.
A 500 U/2 mL dilution of abobotulinumtoxinA vs. placebo: randomized study in cervical dystonia

ABSTRACT Purpose/aim: AbobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport®, Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., Basking Ridge, NJ, USA) is an acetylcholine release inhibitor and a neuromuscular blocking agent. The United States prescribing information for abobotulinumtoxinA previously indicated only one dilution for cervical dystonia: 500 U/1 mL. Clinical trial data supporting a larger volume with a 500 U/2 mL dilution would offer clinicians flexibility with injection volume to better meet patient needs. Materials and methods: We conducted a 12-week, phase 3b, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (NCT01753310). Adult subjects with a primary diagnosis of cervical dystonia were randomized (2:1) to receive a single injection of either abobotulinumtoxinA, 500 U/2 mL dilution, or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was changed from baseline in Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale total score at Week 4. Results: A total of 134 subjects (abobotulinumtoxinA, n = 89; placebo, n = 45) were randomized (intent-to-treat population) and 129 (abobotulinumtoxinA, n = 84; placebo, n = 45) completed the Week 4 primary endpoint evaluation (modified intent-to-treat population). In the modified intent-to-treat population, subjects receiving abobotulinumtoxinA experienced significantly greater changes from baseline versus placebo on the primary endpoint (weighted overall treatment difference −8.3, P < 0.001). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were dysphagia, muscle weakness, neck pain and headache. Overall, TEAEs were consistent with those reported in the abobotulinumtoxinA prescribing information (1 mL dilution) for cervical dystonia patients. Conclusions: This trial provides evidence that a 500 U/2 mL dilution is an effective treatment for cervical dystonia and exhibits a safety profile consistent with the known safety profile of abobotulinumtoxinA.
The Effect of Pain on Physical Functioning After Breast Cancer Treatment: Development and Validation of an Assessment Tool

Objectives:Persistent postsurgical pain, musculoskeletal pain, sensory disturbances, and lymphedema are major clinical problems after treatment for breast cancer. However, there is little evidence on how these sequelae affects physical function. The aim this study was to develop and validate a procedure-specific tool for assessing the impact of pain and other sequelae on physical function after breast cancer treatment. Methods:A literature review, patient and expert interviews were used to identify dimensions of physical function and sequelae. A questionnaire was developed and tested using cognitive interviews, and field tested among 389 patients treated for primary breast cancer without recurrence (response rate 81%). Median follow-up was 14 months. Using item response theory we identified 5 cause scales of reduced physical functioning: pain after surgery, musculoskeletal pain, sensory disturbances, lymphedema, and other causes. Convergent validity was assessed using the Quick-Dsability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Scale (Q-DASH). Results:About half of the patients reported decreased physical function. All 5 scales displayed good fit, unidimensionality, monotonicity, local independence, and lack of differential item functioning. Cronbach coefficient &agr; ranged from 0.88 (other causes) to 0.96 (sensory disturbances) for the 5 scales. For the Q-DASH &agr; was 0.91. Each scale revealed different information on causes of reduced function. Discussion:The present scales displayed good psychometric qualities, and may be used to evaluate the impact of specific sequelae after breast cancer treatment on physical functioning, as well as to monitor and target interventions to optimize pain treatment and rehabilitation.
3 Changes in Body Image in Women with Early Stage Breast Cancer

Worldwide, breast cancer is the predominant form of malignancy in women (Hortobagyi et al., 2005). However, when diagnosed in an early stage, women have a good chance to survive for a longer period of time. Therefore, it is important to focus on the impact of breast cancer and its treatment on long-term psychosocial outcomes. In recent years, quality of life (QOL) has become a primary endpoint in oncology (Movsas, 2003, Sprangers, 2002). Body image is an important aspect of QOL, especially in breast cancer patients (Avis et al., 2005), because of the mutilating effect surgical treatment may have. Body image is a component of the self-concept of a woman, which includes feeling attractive and feminine (Fobair et al., 2006). Body image is defined in different ways, but typically conceived as a multidimensional construct, consisting of perceptual, attitudinal, and behavioral aspects. (Jolly et al., , Sarwer and Cash, 2008) Body image evaluation (e.g., satisfaction or dissatisfaction) and body image investment (i.e., the psychological importance of one’s appearance to his or her sense of self or self-worth) are the most central body image dimensions. (Sarwer and Cash, 2008) Patients experience a body image problem when a marked discrepancy exists between the actual or perceived appearance or function of a discrete bodily attribute(s) and an individual’s expressed ideal regarding this bodily attribute(s). (White, 2000) A positive body image is related to patients’ ability to cope with cancer (Pikler and Winterowd, 2003). In this study, the focus will be on the dimension of body image evaluation. Women with breast cancer often experience a decrease in satisfaction with body image after surgery, irrespective of type of surgical treatment (Brandberg et al., 2008, Ganz et al., 1992, Kraus, 1999, Lindop and Cannon, 2001). There is no consensus whether the type of surgery received is related to dissatisfaction with body image after surgery. Some studies found that women receiving MTC report lower scores on body image compared with women receiving BCT (Anagnostopoulos and Myrgianni, 2009, Engel et al., 2004, Ganz et al., 1992, Janni et al., 2001, Janz et al., 2005, Kenny et al., 2000, Schou et al., 2005). However, a number of studies did not find type of surgery to be a relevant factor in satisfaction with body image (Fobair et al., 2006, Goldberg et al., 1992, Schover et al., 1995, Wolberg et al., 1989). Furthermore, previous research was also inconsistent regarding adjuvant therapy. Although most studies
Hospitalization rate and 30-day mortality among patients with status asthmaticus in Denmark: a 16-year nationwide population-based cohort study

Objective Current data on hospitalization and prognosis of acute asthma and status asthmaticus are inconclusive. We aim to analyze the rate of first-time hospitalizations for status asthmaticus among patients of all ages, the proportion admitted to intensive care units (ICU), and the 30-day mortality over a 16-year period. Methods In this population-based cohort study, we used medical registries to identify all first-time status asthmaticus hospitalizations in Denmark from 1996 through 2011. Data on comorbidities were also obtained. We computed yearly hospitalization rates overall and by gender and age groups, and estimated the proportion requiring ICU admission. We estimated 30-day age- and gender-standardized mortality. We examined potential misclassification from acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by excluding patients with preexisting or concurrent COPD. Results Of the 5,001 patients identified with a first-time status asthmaticus hospitalization, 50.5% were male, 40.3% were <15 years old, and 12.4% had comorbidity. The hospitalization rate increased from 48.0 per 1,000,000 person-years (PY) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.1–51.1 PY) during 1996–1999 to 70.1 per 1,000,000 PY (95% CI: 66.7–73.7 PY) during 2008–2011. This may be explained by an increased hospitalization rate of children. The standardized 30-day mortality risk declined from 3.3% (95% CI: 2.5%–4.1%) in 1996–1999 to 1.5% (95% CI: 0.9%–2.1%) in 2008–2011. During 2005–2011, 10.1% of status asthmaticus patients were admitted to the ICU. Hospitalization rates and mortality risk decreased by excluding 939 patients also registered with COPD, but overall temporal changes did not change. Conclusion From 1996 to 2011, status asthmaticus hospitalization rate increased but remained below 100 hospitalizations per 1,000,000 PY. Thirty-day mortality risk was halved to less than 2%.