Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lung cancer risk and radiation dose among women treated for breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Evidence shows ionizing radiation can cause lung cancer, but few studies have quantified risk in relation to radiation dose. PURPOSE This study evaluated the long-term risk of lung cancer among women treated with radiation for breast cancer. METHODS In this case-referent study, the Connecticut Tumor Registry was used to identify women diagnosed with histologically confirmed invasive breast cancer between 1935 and 1971 who survived for at least 10 years (8976) and to ascertain lung cancers occurring in this group between 1945 and 1981. Seventy-six cases of lung cancer were identified; however, 15 cases did not meet the criteria for inclusion. For the 61 remaining lung cancer case patients and 120 reference subjects (selected from the same registry and matched according to race, age at breast cancer diagnosis, year of breast cancer diagnosis, and survival without a second primary tumor), hospital charts were reviewed to collect medical history and radiotherapy information. A medical physicist estimated radiation dose to different segments of the lungs on the basis of radiotherapy reports and experimental simulations of treatments. RESULTS For these 10-year survivors of breast cancer, the overall relative risk (RR) of lung cancer associated with initial radiotherapy for breast cancer was 1.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.8-3.8), and the RR increased with time following treatment. The RR for periods of 15 years or more after radiotherapy was 2.8 (95% CI = 1.0-8.2). Mean dose was 15.2 Gy to the ipsilateral lung, 4.6 Gy to the contralateral lung, and 9.8 Gy for both lungs combined. The excess RR was 0.08 per Gy, based on average dose to both lungs, and 0.20 per Gy to the affected (cancerous) lung. CONCLUSIONS Breast cancer radiotherapy regimens in use before the 1970s were associated with an elevated lung cancer risk many years following treatment. The estimated risk coefficients are lower than those reported for atomic bomb survivors. The lower than expected risk might be attributable to high-dose cell killing or the fractionated nature of the exposure. IMPLICATIONS Approximately nine cases of radiotherapy-induced lung cancer per year would be expected to occur among 10,000 women who received an average lung dose of 10 Gy and survived for at least 10 years. Current radiotherapy for breast cancer results in less extensive exposure of the lungs in comparison to treatments of years past, and the risk of secondary lung cancer need not play a major role in clinical decisions regarding treatment for breast cancer. Nonetheless, efforts to reduce unnecessary exposure of the lungs and heart should continue to further reduce possible adverse radiation effects.
Smoke-Free Homes and Home Exposure to Secondhand Smoke in Shanghai, China

Few studies have examined home exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) in China. This study aimed to document: (1) the prevalence and correlates of exposure to SHS in homes (in adult non-smokers) in Shanghai, and (2) enforcement of rules, harm reduction behaviors, and self-efficacy for maintaining smoke-free homes in Shanghai. A total of 500 participants were recruited using a multistage proportional random sampling design in an urban and suburban district to complete a survey. Among the total 355 nonsmokers, 127 (35.8%) participants reported being exposed to SHS in the past 7 days. Participants living with smokers in the home, with no smoking restriction at home, and having children younger than 18 were more likely to be exposed to SHS at home. Higher self-efficacy in maintaining a smoke-free home was negatively associated with home SHS exposure. Having visitors who smoke was the greatest policy enforcement challenge. Ineffective measures such as opening windows were more commonly used in homes with partial bans. Educational initiatives to protect against SHS exposure in the home should promote smoke-free homes, address challenges to implementing such policies, and address misconceptions regarding the effectiveness of supposed harm reduction behaviors.
Towards a Classification Approach using Meta-Biclustering: Impact of Discretization in the Analysis of Expression Time Series

Summary Biclustering has been recognized as a remarkably effective method for discovering local temporal expression patterns and unraveling potential regulatory mechanisms, essential to understanding complex biomedical processes, such as disease progression and drug response. In this work, we propose a classification approach based on meta-biclusters (a set of similar biclusters) applied to prognostic prediction. We use real clinical expression time series to predict the response of patients with multiple sclerosis to treatment with Interferon-β. As compared to previous approaches, the main advantages of this strategy are the interpretability of the results and the reduction of data dimensionality, due to biclustering. This would allow the identification of the genes and time points which are most promising for explaining different types of response profiles, according to clinical knowledge. We assess the impact of different unsupervised and supervised discretization techniques on the classification accuracy. The experimental results show that, in many cases, the use of these discretization methods improves the classification accuracy, as compared to the use of the original features.
Evidence for the Involvement of annexin 6 in the trafficking between the endocytic compartment and lysosomes.

Annexins are a family of calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding proteins, which have been implicated in a variety of biological processes including membrane trafficking. The annexin 6/lgp120 prelysosomal compartment of NRK cells was loaded with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and then its transport from this endocytic compartment and its degradation in lysosomes were studied. NRK cells were microinjected with the mutated annexin 6 (anx6(1-175)), to assess the possible involvement of annexin 6 in the transport of LDL from the prelysosomal compartment. The results indicated that microinjection of mutated annexin 6, in NRK cells, showed the accumulation of LDL in larger endocytic structures, denoting retention of LDL in the prelysosomal compartment. To confirm the involvement of annexin 6 in the trafficking and the degradation of LDL we used CHO cells transfected with mutated annexin 6(1-175). Thus, in agreement with NRK cells the results obtained in CHO cells demonstrated a significant inhibition of LDL degradation in CHO cells expressing the mutated form of annexin 6 compared to controls overexpressing wild-type annexin 6. Therefore, we conclude that annexin 6 is involved in the trafficking events leading to LDL degradation.
Perceptions and Expressions of Social Presence During Conversations on Twitter

Perceptions and Expressions of Social Presence During Conversations on Twitter. (December 2011) Kelly Marie Pritchett, B.S., Texas A&M University Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr.Traci L. Naile Dr.Theresa Pesl Murphrey Computer-mediated environments such as social media create new social climates that impact communication interactions in un-mediated environments. This study examined social variables during conversations on Twitter through a qualitative document analysis that coded messages into affective, interactive or cohesive categories. Perceived social presence, participant satisfaction, and relationships between social presence and satisfaction among Twitter users during streaming conversations were examined through an online questionnaire that was created using qualtrics.com and made available to respondents over a one-week period. The researcher concluded that most social variables in the Twitter conversations of this study fall into the interactive social presence category. In addition, each category of responses functions in a different way to foster social presence. Two groups of survey respondents agreed with 10 out of 21 and 13 out of 21 statements about social presence and 10 out of 13 and 12 out of 13 statements about satisfaction. Findings indicated that positive and negative relationships exist between social presence and satisfaction.
Causes of chemotherapy infusion delays: Results of a time study in an academic cancer clinic in the community.

251 Background: Chemotherapy administration is a complex process involving several steps and checkpoints. Any of these can improve or delay efficiency in patients receiving timely care. We conducted a time study auditing delays to the start of chemo infusion to determine the main causes of treatment delays and identify areas for improvement. METHODS Within the Duke Oncology Network (DON), an outreach network assisting rural cancer clinics with clinical operations, we identified one site for the study. A DON nurse practitioner and chemotherapy nurse analyzed records from 157 patients who received intravenous (IV) chemotherapy from January to March of 2011. We collected data on timepoints from administrative schedules, nurses' infusion records and faxes to and from the lab and pharmacy, and median times and ranges were calculated. RESULTS Causes of chemotherapy infusion delays can be investigated through usual patient and operational documentation. Clear and accurate data could be obtained regarding patient arrival times, time seated in infusion chair, time IV access was obtained, times labs were sent/resulted, times chemotherapy drugs were requested/received and times infusions were started. The longest delays generally involved the earlier steps, including from arrival to treatment start (see Table). Surprisingly, a thorough search did not find any literature-based benchmarks for comparison. CONCLUSIONS It is logistically feasible and clinically helpful to conduct a time study of chemotherapy infusion delays by compiling data from timepoints available in infusion records, admin notations and faxed reports. Interestingly, in our study lab and pharmacy turnaround times were not the main cause of delays as initially expected, nor were MD visits. We identified concrete areas for improvement and will use this data to design a plan for administrators, nurses and clinicians to reduce delays to infusion start by 50%. [Table: see text].
Risk for recurrence of preeclampsia and outcome of subsequent pregnancy in women with preeclampsia in their first pregnancy

Objective: To assess subsequent pregnancy outcome and to identify risk factors for recurrence of preeclampsia (PET) in women with PET in their first pregnancy. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of all nulliparous women diagnosed with PET during the years 1996–2008 (PET group, N = 600). Outcome of subsequent pregnancy was compared with a control group of nulliparous women without PET matched by maternal age in a 3:1 ratio (N = 1800). Results: Subsequent pregnancies in the PET group were characterized by a higher rate of preterm delivery at less than 37 and 34 weeks (15.2% vs. 5.7%, p < 0.001 and 3.8% vs. 0.8%, p < 0.001, respectively), placental abruption (1.7% vs. 0.2%, p = 0.004), IUGR (2.8% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.016), and PET (5.9% vs. 0.8%, p < 0.001). Risk factors for PET and adverse outcome in the subsequent pregnancy included: PET complicated by placental abruption in the index pregnancy (OR = 10.8, 95%-CI = 1.8–34.6), PET requiring delivery prior to 34 weeks in the index pregnancy (OR = 6.5, 95%-CI = 1.6–22.5), chronic hypertension (OR = 5.3, 95%-CI = 1.9–12.7), and maternal age > 35 (OR = 4.3, 95%-CI = 1.2–20.5). Conclusion: PET in the first pregnancy is independently associated with an increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcome and recurrence of PET in the subsequent pregnancy in a manner that is related to the severity of PET in the first pregnancy.
School backpack. How much load do Saudi school boys carry on their shoulders?

OBJECTIVE To investigate the percentage of body weight represented by school backpacks, to determine the dimensions of school packs, and to identify the methods of carrying book bags by elementary school boys. METHODS A cross-sectional study, using a multistage random sampling technique, was conducted during the Spring of 2005. Six elementary schools from Riyadh were included involving 702 Saudi boys in grade 1-6. Measures included body mass, height, biacromial and bi-iliac breadths, triceps and subscapular skinfolds, calculated fat percentage, school bag weight and dimensions. Students were also asked to respond to questions related to how they travel to and from school, how they carry the bag, and if they have pain due to bag carriage. RESULTS Body fat percentage increased from 14.2% in the first graders to 24.6% in the sixth graders. The increase in body dimensions, however, was less than the increase in the fat percentage. School bag averaged 3.2 kg in absolute weight and 10.7% relative to student's body mass. Nearly 50% of the sample carried backpacks weighing more than 10% of their weight. Bag surface area averaged 1.05 m2 while the ratio of bag surface area to student's trunk area ranged from 129% in the first graders to 81% in the sixth graders. Approximately 29% of the students walk to and from school. More than 65% of the sample carried their bags over one or 2 shoulders, 20% used single strap bags carried by one hand and 14.5% had bags with wheels. Over one third of the students reported experiencing bodily pain due to bag carriage. CONCLUSION A considerable proportion of Saudi school boys carried an overloaded and oversized backpacks. Moreover, one third of the sample experienced bodily pain related to school bags. It is recommended that school bags be limited to no more than 5-10% of student's body weight.
Tetraploid induction approach induced by colchicine of Prunella vulgaris for . albiflora Nakai

This study was conducted to find out the effective induction method of tetraploid plants to obtain potential data for cultivating superior varieties by colchicine treatment. The seed germination was decreased by the higher concentration of colchicine treatment and longer soaking time. A total of 907 individuals were germinated in 16 treated plots except control (untreated plot) and 28 tetraploids were induced which was about 3.1% of the number of seed germinated. The plant regeneration rate by colchicine treatment on explant of Prunella vulgaris for. albiflora Nakai under in vitro culture was decreased with the higher concentration of colchicine. While a total of 312 individuals were regenerated in all treatments, the explant was soaked in more than 0.05% for over 1 hour, tetraploid could be obtained. In particular, for the soaking treatment in 0.05% for 6 hours and 12 hours, 37 tetraploids were induced, which was about 57.8% of the number of plant regenerated. In accordance with the observation on doubling of DNA contents in leaf in order to identify polyploid, the peak DNA content of G1 phase was 101.3 for diploid and 197.2 for tetraploid. The result confirmed the doubling of DNA content. Furthermore, the number of chloroplasts per guard cell depending on polyploid was around 10 in diploid and 19.3 in tetraploid, which was around 1.9 times as much as diploid.
[The epidemiological characteristics of brucellosis in the primary health care district of Sierra de Cádiz].

OBJECTIVES To find the incidence of brucellosis, and analyse its epidemiological characteristics and the evolution of the cases recorded in the Sierra de Cádiz Primary Care (PC) Area during 1992. DESIGN A prospective longitudinal incidence analysis, with a nested study of cases and controls. SETTING Sierra de Cádiz PC Area. PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS CASES members of the cohort who developed the disease. CONTROLS sample of members of the cohort free of Brucellosis paired for age, gender and town of origin. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Incidence was 52.39 per 100,000, 66.27 and 38.20 per 100,000 in men and women, respectively. Highest incidence was at between 15 and 49 years of age (67.70 per 100,000). CASES in the Spring predominated (chi 2 = 16.77, gl = 3, p < 0.05). The most affected professional group was farmers/herders (RR = 4.59, CI 95%, 2.05-10.26). CONCLUSIONS The Sierra de Cádiz is an area with endemic brucellosis, especially in the districts of Olvera and Ubrique. Its work-related character is clear, in spite of the digestive tract being the main transmission path.
SMYD3 tandem repeats polymorphism is not associated with the occurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma in a Chinese population.

UNLABELLED A variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism in regulatory region of SMYD3 coding for histone methyltransferase has been shown to be associated with colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and breast cancer in Japanese population. Aim of the study is to investigate the potential association between the functional SMYD3 tandem repeats polymorphism and HCC in Chinese population. MATERIAL AND METHODS The case-control study included 200 HCC patients and 261 healthy controls. The VNTR polymorphism in the promoter of SMDY3 was genotyped by PCR and direct-sequencing analysis. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used to estimate the association between the polymorphisms and risk of HCC. RESULTS The allele frequencies for SMYD3 2 and 3 repeats were 15.71% and 84.29% among controls; and 12.75%, and 87.25% among cases (P = 0.22). The odds ratio for 3/3 versus 2/2 and 2/3 genotypes was 1.30 (P = 0.18). The frequencies of 3 alleles were not increased with HCC stage increased (trend test, P = 0.45). CONCLUSION SMYD3 polymorphism is not associated with the occurrence and metastasis of HCC in Chinese population.
Role of HSP101 in the stimulation of nodal root development from the coleoptilar node by light and temperature in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings

Nodal roots (NRs) constitute the prevalent root system of adult maize plants. NRs emerge from stem nodes located below or above ground, and little is known about their inducing factors. Here, it is shown that precocious development of NRs at the coleoptilar node (NRCNs) occurred in maize seedlings when: (i) dark grown and stimulated by the concurrent action of a single light shock of low intensity white light (2 μmol m−2 s−1) and a single heat shock; (ii) grown under a photoperiod of low intensity light (0.1 μmol m−2 s−1); or (iii) grown in the dark under a thermoperiod (28 °C/34 °C). The light shock effects were synergistic with heat shock and with the photoperiod, whereas the thermoperiodical and photoperiodical effects were additive. Dissection of the primary root or the root cap, to mimic the fatal consequences of severe heat shock, caused negligible effects on NRCN formation, indicating that the shoot is directly involved in perception of the heat shock-inducible signal that triggered NRCN formation. A comparison between hsp101-m5::Mu1/hsp101-m5::Mu1 and Hsp101/Hsp101 seedlings indicated that the heat shock protein 101 (HSP101) chaperone inhibited NRCN formation in the light and in the dark. Stimulation of precocious NRCN formation by light and heat shocks was affected by genetic background and by the stage of seedling development. HSP101 protein levels increased in the coleoptilar node of induced wild-type plants, particularly in the procambial region, where NRCN formation originated. The adaptive relevance of development of NRCNs in response to these environmental cues and hypothetical mechanisms of regulation by HSP101 are discussed.
The process of establishing interrater reliability for the circumplex model's Clinical Rating Scale;

The purpose of this study was to describe the process of establishing interrater reliability for the Clinical Rating Scale (CRS). The CRS is an observational scale used by nurses and other mental health professionals to assess and plan systematic treatment interventions for families. The CRS is an operational measure of the Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Functioning. The model assesses three dimensions of family functioning: (a) cohesion, (b) adaptability, and (c) communication. To date, there have been four studies published using the CRS, and only one of these reported on the validity and reliability of the CRS. None of these studies has described the process by which raters came to agree upon the behaviors being observed in the families. In this study, using the CRS, six raters observed and videotaped interactions of families with preschool children preparing and eating supper. Through this process it became evident that the anchor-point definitions provided for the CRS needed more clarification when evaluating families with preschool children. Following observation and rating of the videotapes of young families, raters formulated anchor-point definitions and achieved interrater reliability at a level defined as acceptable. Reliability coefficients used in this study included exact percentage agreement, agreement within plus or minus one category on an 8-point scale, and kappa.
Red blood cell fatty acid compositions in a patient with autistic spectrum disorder: a characteristic abnormality in neurodevelopmental disorders?

The fatty acid compositions of red blood cell (RBC) phospholipids from a patient with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) had reduced percentages of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) compared to control samples. The percentage of HUFA in the RBC from the autistic patient was dramatically reduced (up to 70%) when the sample was stored for 6 weeks at -20 degrees C. However, only minor HUFA reductions were recorded in control samples stored similarly, or when the autistic sample was stored at -80 degrees C. A similar instability in RBC HUFA compositions upon storage at -20 degrees C has been recorded in schizophrenic patients. In a number of other neurodevelopmental conditions, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia, reduced concentrations of RBC HUFA have been recorded. The extent and nature of these aberrations require further assessment to determine a possible common biochemical origin of neurodevelopmental disorders in general. To facilitate this, a large scale assessment of RBC fatty acid compositions in patients with ASD, and related disorders, should be performed as a matter of urgency. Supplementing cells in culture with the tryptophan metabolite indole acrylic acid (IAA) affected the levels of cellular HUFA and prostaglandin production. Indole acroyl glycine (IAG), a metabolite of IAA excreted in urine, is found in high concentrations in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders including ASD, ADHD, dyslexia, Asperger's syndrome and obsessive compulsive disorder.
The Value of Network Information

The business model of companies such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, relies on monetizing the information on the interactions and influences of their users. How valuable is such information, and is its use beneficial or detrimental for consumer welfare? We study these questions in a model where a monopoly sells a network good and may price discriminate using network information: information on consumers influences and/or on consumers susceptibilities to influence. Our framework incorporates a rich set of market products, including goods characterized by global and local network effects. We derive results on the value of network information and determine under which conditions, relative to uniform price, consumer surplus increases. We demonstrate the applicability of our framework using survey data on various types of relationships.