Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Disease-free survival advantage of weekly epirubicin plus tamoxifen versus tamoxifen alone as adjuvant treatment of operable, node-positive, elderly breast cancer patients: 6-year follow-up results of the French adjuvant study group 08 trial.

PURPOSE To assess whether an epirubicin (EPI) -based chemotherapy plus hormonal regimen improves disease-free (DFS) in women older than 65 years, with node-positive, operable breast cancer (BC), relative to tamoxifen (TAM) alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 338 patients were randomly assigned after surgery to receive TAM 30 mg/d for 3 years (TAM, n = 164), or EPI 30 mg on days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days for six cycles plus TAM 30 mg/d for 3 years (EPI-TAM, n = 174). In both arms, patients received radiotherapy, delivered after chemotherapy (CT) in the EPI-TAM group. RESULTS The 6-year DFS rates were 69.3% with TAM and 72.6% with EPI-TAM (P = .14). The multivariate analysis shows a relative risk of relapse of 1.93 (95% CI, 1.70 to 2.17) with TAM compared with EPI-TAM (P = .005). The 6-year OS, related to disease progression, was 79.1% and 79.8%, respectively (P = .41). Compliance with CT was good: 96.9% of patients received six cycles. The acute toxicity per patient was mild: grade 2 neutropenia in 5.9%, grade 2 anemia in 2.0%, grade 3 nausea or vomiting in 4.6%, and grade 3 alopecia in 7.2%. Five cases (in five patients) of decreased left ventricular ejection fraction occurred after CT: three after adjuvant CT, and two after anthracycline-based CT for relapse. One patient died as a result of dysrhythmia related to carcinomatous lymphangitis. No secondary leukemia occurred. CONCLUSION This study conducted in node-positive elderly patients demonstrates a significant contribution of a weekly EPI regimen in terms of DFS. Moreover, this regimen is safe for hematologic, nonhematologic, and cardiac toxicities.
Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus/human herpesvirus 8‐associated polyclonal body cavity effusions that mimic primary effusion lymphomas

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Amedeo Avogadro University of Eastern Piedmont, NovaraDear Sir,Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus/human herpesvirus8 (KSHV/HHV-8) is involved in the pathogenesis of Kaposi’ssarcoma (KS) and 2 lymphoproliferative diseases, primaryeffusion lymphoma (PEL) and the plasmablastic variant ofmulticentric Castleman’s disease (MCD). PEL is deﬁned as aliquid-phase lymphoma harboring monoclonal rearrangementsof immunoglobulin (Ig) variable genes or, more rarely, of T-cell receptor (TCR) genes. As a rule, these elements are usedfor PEL diagnosis together with the demonstration of HHV-8infection of the tumor clone. However, as pointed out by Bou-langer and colleagues in the 1 July 2005 issue of the Interna-tional Journal of Cancer,
In vitro Rumen Fermentation and Gas Production: Influence of Different by-product Feedstuffs

Aims: To determine the chemical composition and estimation of nutritive value of different by-product feedstuffs (BPF) using in vitro gas production technique. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Animal Science, between February 2013 and June 2013. Methodology: In an anaerobic batch culture system, 50 ml of buffered rumen fluid was dispensed into a 125-ml serum bottle containing 0.2 g dry matter (DM) of the experimental treatments. Experimental treatments included five by-products (pomegranate peel and seed, apple pomace, walnut hull, almond hull). All bottles were purged with anaerobic CO2, sealed and placed in a shaking water bath for 96 h at 38.6oC. Gas production of each bottle was recorded at 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96h of the incubation and then gas released. The batch cultures were repeated in three incubation runs. The biomass residues were centrifuged and the pellet was dried at 65oC for the determination of the residual DM and in vitro DM disappearance (IVDMD). Results: The total tannins and phenol content were higher (P<0.01) in almond hull and pomegranate peel than in the other BPF. The total tannins content ranged from 0.34% in apple pomace to 9.78% in almond hull. The total phenol of pomegranate peel, pomegranate seed, apple pomace, walnut hull and almond hull were 10.9, 1.20, 0.76, 3.80, Original Research Article Annual Research &Review in Biology, 4(7): 1121-1128, 2014 1122 and 10.6%, respectively. The rate (c) and cumulative gas volume (b) was significantly higher (P<0.01) for apple pomace than the other feedstuffs. There were significant differences (P<0.01) among feedstuffs about lag time. Apple pomace showed higher (P<0.01) organic matter digestibility (OMD), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), metabolizable energy (ME), short chain fatty acid (SCFA) and lower (P<0.01) pH than the other feedstuffs. Conclusion: The higher values obtained for the potential gas production in apple pomace will indicate a better nutrient availability for rumen microorganisms (P<0.01).
Update on bevacizumab and other angiogenesis inhibitors for brain cancer

Introduction: Primary and metastatic brain tumors remain a major challenge. The most common primary adult malignant brain tumor, glioblastoma (GBM), confers a dismal prognosis as does the development of CNS metastases for most systemic malignancies. Anti-angiogenic therapy has been a major clinical research focus in neuro-oncology over the past 5 years. Areas covered: Culmination of this work includes US FDA accelerated approval of bevacizumab for recurrent GBM and the completion of two placebo-controlled Phase III studies of bevacizumab for newly diagnosed GBM. A multitude of anti-angiogenics are in evaluation for neuro-oncology patients but none has thus far surpassed the therapeutic benefit of bevacizumab. Expert opinion: These agents demonstrate adequate safety and the majority of GBM patients derive benefit. Furthermore, their anti-permeability effect can substantially decrease tumor-associated edema leading to stable or improved neurologic function and quality of life. In particular, anti-angiogenics significantly prolong progression-free survival – a noteworthy achievement in the context of infiltrative and destructive brain tumors like GBM; however, in a manner analogous to other cancers, their impact on overall survival for GBM patients is modest at best. Despite substantial clinical research efforts, many fundamental questions regarding anti-angiogenic agents in brain tumor patients remain unanswered.
CHARITÉ Versus ProDisc: A Comparative Study of a Minimum 3-Year Follow-up

Study Design. A retrospective study. Objectives. To evaluate and compare clinical and radiologic outcomes of the CHARITÉ and ProDisc. Summary of Background Data. There is no clinical report comparing CHARITÉ and ProDisc. Methods. Among a total of 61 patients who underwent total disc replacement, 57 patients followed more than 3 years were enrolled. The CHARITÉ was used in 33 patients and ProDisc in 24. MRI follow-up was possible in 52 patients. Clinical and radiologic data including range of motion (ROM) and facet degeneration of the replaced segment, and degeneration of the disc at the adjacent level were evaluated. Results. Mean percentage improvement of Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score was 78.9% in the CHARITÉ group and 75.8% in ProDisc group. The mean improvement of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score was 72% in the CHARITÉ and 74.2% in ProDisc. There was no statistical difference between 2 groups in improvement rates either of the ODI scores and VAS scores. Degradation of the facets was seen in 36.4% of the CHARITÉ and 32% of the ProDisc. Degradation of disc degeneration at the adjacent level above the index level was seen in 19.4% in the CHARITÉ and 28.6% in the ProDisc. The degradation rates of facet joints and disc at adjacent segment between the 2 groups were not significantly different. Segmental ROM of the replaced segments was well preserved, but ROM of L5–S1 of the ProDisc was significantly less than that of the CHARITÉ. Conclusions. While clinical outcomes of both CHARITÉ and ProDisc groups were fairly good, the facet joint of the index level and the disc at the adjacent level showed an aggravation of the degenerative process in a significant number of patients, regardless of the device used, raising concerns of possible late consequences of total disc replacement, especially regarding facet arthrosis and adjacent segment disease.
Decompressive Hemicraniectomy: Predictors and Functional Outcome In Patients With Ischemic Stroke

Patients presenting with large ischemic strokes may develop uncontrollable, progressive brain edema that risks compression of brain parenchyma and cerebral herniation. 1 Edema that does not respond to medical treatment necessitates decompressive hemicraniectomy (DH) as a life-saving procedure. The functional outcome of patients is uncertain and the patient’s family is presented with the difficult decision of intervention with DH. While the functional outcome of patients is not worsened by DH, 2 neurological deficit is likely as a result of initial large-territory ischemia. The correlation of specific clinical variables preceding DH to patient outcome helps inform clinicians and families about prognosis. 3 This study identifies an array of clinical variables in patients who underwent DH for ischemic stroke in order to investigate potential predictors of functional outcome
Computer Navigated Versus Conventional Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract In total knee arthroplasty (TKA), reconstruction of a neutral mechanical axis is of great importance. The main goal of this study was to compare the accuracy of alignment after conventional versus computer-assisted TKA. Additionally, the effect of computer-assisted surgery (CAS) on functional outcome was analyzed. Out of a consecutive series, 50 conventional TKA were compared with 50 computer-assisted TKA. Except for the use of CAS, all perioperative and postoperative interventions were comparable. Radiological outcome was analyzed on standardized standing long-leg radiographs. Functional outcome was assessed using the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and the Knee Society Score (KSS). No significant difference in mean mechanical axis alignment between the two groups was found. The number of outliers deviating more than 3 degrees from the mechanical axis was significantly reduced by using CAS, with 50% outliers in the conventional group and 26% outliers in the CAS group (p = 0.023). At mid-term follow-up, the OKS and KSS knee and function scores did not show statistical difference between the two groups. The present study showed a reduction of the number of outliers exceeding 3 degrees from the tibiofemoral mechanical axis using CAS-TKA. This improvement in accuracy did not result in improvement of the functional outcome at mid-term follow-up.
Host System Smart SSD Load Lists Execute List Intersection Load Lists Execute List Intersection Metadata Results

Recently, there has been a renewed interest of in-storage computing in the context of solid state drives (SSDs), called “Smart SSDs. ” Smart SSDs allow application-specific code to execute inside SSDs. This allows applications to take advantage of the high internal bandwidth that Smart SSDs provide. This work studies the offloading of list intersection into Smart SSDs, because intersection is prominent in both search engines and analytics queries. Furthermore, intersection is interesting because the algorithms are more complex than plain scans; they are affected by multiple parameters, as we show, and provide lessons that can be used in other operations also. We are interested to know whether Smart SSDs can accelerate the processing of list intersection and reduce the consumed energy. Intuitively, the answer is yes. However, the performance tradeoffs on real devices are complex. We implement list intersection into a real Samsung Smart SSD research prototype. We also provide an analytical model to understand the key factors to the overall performance, and when list intersection can benefit from Smart SSDs. Finally, we conduct experiments on the Samsung Smart SSD. Based on the results (both analytical and experimental), we provide many suggestions for both SSD vendors on how to manufacture powerful Smart SSDs and for applications on how to make full use of the functionalities that Smart SSDs provide.
Scoring atopic dermatitis in infants and young children: distinctive features of the SCORAD index

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) affects infants, children, and adults with a wide degree of severity; several scoring systems have been used in trials and clinical practice. Infants and young children have a typical distribution of the lesions, but a correlation among skin surface involvement, intensity and subjective symptoms has not been reported in age groups.
Concurrent Training in Elite Male Runners: The Influence of Strength Versus Muscular Endurance Training on Performance Outcomes

Abstract Sedano, S, Marín, PJ, Cuadrado, G, and Redondo, JC. Concurrent training in elite male runners: The influence of strength versus muscular endurance training on performance outcomes. J Strength Cond Res 27(9): 2433–2443, 2013—Much recent attention has been given to the compatibility of combined aerobic and anaerobic training modalities. However, few of these studies have reported data related to well-trained runners, which is a potential limitation. Therefore, because of the limited evidence available for this population, the main aim was to determine which mode of concurrent strength-endurance training might be the most effective at improving running performance in highly trained runners. Eighteen well-trained male runners (age 23.7± 1.2 years) with a maximal oxygen consumption (V[Combining Dot Above]O2max) more than 65 ml·kg−1·min−1 were randomly assigned into 1 of the 3 groups: Endurance-only Group (n = 6), who continued their usual training, which included general strength training with Thera-band latex-free exercise bands and endurance training; Strength Group (SG; n = 6) who performed combined resistance and plyometric exercises and endurance training; Endurance-SG (ESG; n = 6) who performed endurance-strength training with loads of 40% and endurance training. The study comprised 12 weeks of training in which runners trained 8 times a week (6 endurance and 2 strength sessions) and 5 weeks of detraining. The subjects were tested on 3 different occasions (countermovement jump height, hopping test average height, 1 repetition maximum, running economy (RE), V[Combining Dot Above]O2max, maximal heart rate [HRmax], peak velocity (PV), rating of perceived exertion, and 3-km time trial were measured). Findings revealed significant time × group interaction effects for almost all tests (p < 0.05). We can conclude that concurrent training for both SG and ESG groups led to improved maximal strength, RE, and PV with no significant effects on the V[Combining Dot Above]O2 kinetics pattern. The SG group also seems to show improvements in 3-km time trial tests.
Fusion Peptides Derived from the HIV Type 1 Glycoprotein 41 Associate within Phospholipid Membranes and Inhibit Cell-Cell Fusion

The fusion domain of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein (gp120-gp41) is a conserved hydrophobic region located at the N terminus of the transmembrane glycoprotein (gp41). A V2E mutant has been shown to dominantly interfere with wild-type envelope-mediated syncytium formation and virus infectivity. To understand this phenomenon, a 33-residue peptide (wild type, WT) identical to the N-terminal segment of gp41 and its V2E mutant were synthesized, fluorescently labeled, and characterized. Both peptides inhibited HIV-1 envelope-mediated cell-cell fusion and had similar α-helical content in membrane mimetic environments. Studies with fluorescently labeled peptide analogues revealed that both peptides have high affinity for phospholipid membranes, are susceptible to digestion by proteinase-K in their membrane-bound state, and tend to self- and coassemble in the membranes. In SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis the WT peptide formed dimers as well as higher order oligomers, whereas the V2E mutant only formed dimers. The WT, but not the V2E mutant, induced liposome aggregation, destabilization, and fusion. Moreover, the V2E mutant inhibited vesicle fusion induced by the WT peptide, probably by forming inactive heteroaggregates. These data form the basis for an explanation of the mechanism by which the gp41 V2E mutant inhibits HIV-1 infectivity in cells when co-expressed with WT gp41.
Serum cholesterol and mortality: the Yugoslavia Cardiovascular Disease Study.

The relationship of level of baseline serum cholesterol to the seven-year incidence of death from all causes and from specific causes was examined in a cohort of 11,121 Yugoslav males aged 35--62 years at the time of their initial examination (1964--1965). Serum cholesterol was negatively related to mortality, i.e., those with a lower cholesterol experienced a higher mortality than those with a higher cholesterol. The negative relationship was significant (as assessed by logistic regression) and remained significant after adjusting for obesity, systolic blood pressure, cigarette smoking, age, history of intestinal parasitism, and socioeconomic status (as measured by years of education). The negative association of serum cholesterol and subsequent mortality appeared to be due to the relationship of cholesterol to deaths due to cancer and to deaths due to respiratory disease (tuberculosis and cor pulmonale). The cancer death-serum cholesterol relationship was not statistically significant but the respiratory disease death-serum cholesterol relationship was. Serum cholesterol, as expected, was positively related to the incidence of coronary heart disease death.
Trading Volume and Information Revelation in Stock Market

I consider a market microstructure model in which the rates of public and private information arrival are probabilistic. The latter depends on the availability of private information that is stochastically changing over time. In equilibrium, traders estimate the availability of private information using past priods' trading volume and use this information to adjust their strategies. The time-series properties include contemporaneous correlation between price variability and volume and autocorrelation in price variability (similar to GARCH). The model explains why trading volume contains useful information for predicting volatility and provides predictions on the limit and market order placement strategies of traders.
Some Observations on Spontaneous Sister Chromatid Exchange Frequencies and Cell Cycle Progression in Stimulated Lymphocytes of Patients With Different Malignancies

Abstract Total 23 patients with different malignancies viz. Ca. Lung (5), Ca. Uterine & Cervix (5), Ca. Head & Neck (5), Sarcomas (5) and Malignant Melanoma (3); were studied for spontaneous sister chromatid exchange frequencies (SCE) as well as cell cycle progression. All blood samples were collected prior to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy to exclude the influence of these therapies, if any, on SCEs. Totally 15 healthy, age and sex matched individuals and belonging to the same socio-economic status, but no direct relatives of the patients were studied simultaneously as controls. The SCE rates, when compared to controls (4.00 ± 0.39) were found to be significantly high for patients with Ca. lung (9.42 ± 1.20), malignant melanoma (8.14 ± 0.21), Ca. head & neck (6.85 ± 0.89) as well as sarcomas (6.29 ± 0.79). However, no detectable difference was observed in the SCE rate for patients with Ca. uterine & cervix (5.02 ± 0.88). Cell cycle proliferation and thereby replicative index was significantly elevated in patients with carcinoma of head & neck as well as malignant melanoma. On the other hand, rest of the patients showed no much variation in cell cycle progression when compared to controls.
Interrelation of resting state functional connectivity, striatal GABA levels, and cognitive control processes

Important issues for cognitive control are response selection processes, known to depend on fronto‐striatal networks with recent evidence suggesting that striatal gamma‐amino butyric acid (GABA) levels play an important role. Regional GABA concentrations have also been shown to modulate intrinsic connectivity, e.g. of the default mode network. However, the interrelation between striatal GABA levels, basal ganglia network (BGN) connectivity, and performance in cognitive control is elusive. In the current study, we measure striatal GABA levels using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and resting state parameters using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Resting state parameters include activity within the BGN, as determined by the low frequency power (LFP) within the network, and the functional connectivity between the BGN and somatomotor network (SMN). Specifically, we examine the interrelation between GABA, resting state parameters, and performance (i.e., accuracy) in conflict monitoring using a Simon task. Response control was affected by striatal GABA+ levels and activity within the BGN, especially when response selection was complicated by altered stimulus‐response mappings. The data suggest that there are two mechanisms supporting response selection accuracy. One is related to resting state activity within the BGN and modulated by striatal GABA+ levels. The other is related to decreased cortico‐striatal network connectivity, unrelated to the GABAergic system. The inclusion of all three factors (i.e., striatal GABA+ levels, activity within the BGN, and BGN‐SMN network connectivity) explained a considerable amount of variance in task accuracy. Striatal neurobiochemical (GABA+) and parameters of the resting state BGN represent important modulators of response control. Hum Brain Mapp 36:4383–4393, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Demographics of self-selected participants in mathematical tracks in Swedish Upper Secondary School

This study investigates the three demographic factors gender, geographical origin and parents educational level among self-selected students in mathematical tracks in Swedish Upper Secondary School (n=147). Comparisons are made, through statistical tests of significance, with corresponding student distributions on the closely related Natural Science program (n = 1528). Data is obtained from Statistics Sweden. Results confirm that females are under-represented in mathematical tracks (p<0,01) and that parents of students in mathematical tracks have higher educational level than parents of students in the comparison group (p<0,05). Results do not show that students with foreign background are under- represented in mathematical tracks, but raise questions about under-representation of Swedish students. Possible implications of these findings for these and similar programs are discussed.