Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between Genetic Variants in Pre-MicroRNAs and Survival of Early-Stage NSCLC

Introduction: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an abundant class of small non–protein-coding RNAs that function as negative gene regulators. Recent evidence indicates that altered miRNA expression plays an important role in the initiation and progression of lung cancer. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in pre-miRNAs could alter miRNAs processing, or expression, and hence, could influence the prognosis of lung cancer. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the effects of four SNPs in pre-miRNAs (pre-miR-146a rs2910164, pre-miR-149 rs2292832, pre-miR-196a rs11614913, and pre-miR-499 rs3746444) on the survival outcomes of patients with early-stage non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Three hundred sixty-three patients with surgically resected NSCLC were enrolled. The four SNPs were genotyped using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. The genotype associations with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed. Results: Of the four SNPs examined, the pre-miR-149 rs2292832T>C and pre-miR-196a rs11614913C>T were found to be significantly associated with OS and DFS. The rs2292832 TC or CC genotype exhibited a significantly better OS and DFS compared with the rs2292832 TT genotype (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] for OS, 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47–0.92; p = 0.01 and aHR for DFS, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.48–0.87; p = 0.004). For the pre-miR-196a rs11614913C>T, patients with the CT or TT genotype had a significantly better OS and DFS than those with the CC genotype (aHR for OS, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.49–0.99; p = 0.05 and aHR for DFS, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.48–0.90; p = 0.01). When the two SNPs were combined, OS and DFS improved in a dose-dependent manner as the number of good genotypes increased (p = 0.002 and 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions: These results suggest that miR-149 and miR-196a may be involved in the pathogenesis of NSCLC, and that rs2292832 and rs11614913 can be used as prognostic markers for patients with surgically resected early-stage NSCLC.
Synergic prooxidant, apoptotic and TRPV1 channel activator effects of alpha-lipoic acid and cisplatin in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Abstract Background: Resistance to cisplatin (Cisp) in the treatment of breast cancer is a major obstacle. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) has both antioxidant and oxidant properties. ALA has been used on stimulation mechanisms of apoptosis and oxidative stress in the treatment of cancer with a combination of chemotherapeutic agents, although its role on molecular mechanisms in the cancer cells has not been clarified yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate if a combination therapy of ALA with Cisp can alter the effect of this chemotherapy drug in the MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Materials: The MCF-7 cells were divided into four treatment groups as control, Cisp (0.025 mM), ALA (0.05 mM), and Cisp + ALA. Results: Apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid peroxidation, PARP1, caspase 3 and 9 expression levels are increased through activating TRPV1 in the cells by the Cisp and ALA treatments, although cell viability, reduced glutathione and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) values were decreased by the treatments. The Cisp and ALA-induced increase of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration was decreased with the TRPV1 blocker, capsazepine. Conclusions: Apoptosis and oxidant effects of Cisp were increased by activation of TRPV1 channels, but its action on the values was further increased by the ALA treatment. Combination therapy of ALA and Cisp could be used as an effective strategy in the treatment of breast cancer.
Rate of Pneumocystis pneumonia in Iranian HIV+ Patients with Pulmonary Infiltrates

Background: Pneumocystis jirovecii (formerly known as P. carinii) is one of the most opportunistic agents, which frequently leads to hospitalization and death in immunocompromised patients, especially in HIV-infected individuals. Objectives: The current study is the first report on the rate of the infection in Iranian HIV-infected individuals. Patients and Methods: We used two nested PCR and PCR-RFLP assays to amplify mt LSU rRNA and DHPS genes in 126 samples obtained from the respiratory systems of Iranian HIV-patients with CD4 count < 200 cells/μL, who were referred to two Research Centers from August 2010 to March 2011. Results: In the group of studied patients, 112 were male (88.9%). The mean age of the patients was 35.12 ± 9.75 years. Median CD4 T cell count of the patients was 93 cells/μL. Thirty nine patients (31%) were hospitalized, and 24 patients (18.9%) tested positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In spite of receiving Pneumocystis pneumonia prophylaxis and highly active anti-retroviral therapy, P. jirovecii was detected in 15 samples (11.9%). Just one patient (0.8%) was co-infected with Mycobaterium tuberculosis. The mortality rate due to Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) was 26.6%. None of the isolates showed any mutation in codons 55 and 57, which are associated with resistance to sulfa/sulfon drugs. The sequencing results showed that the genetic patterns of Iranian isolates were similar to Indian and Spanish isolates (99% identity). Conclusions: The study indicated that the rate of P. jirovecii infection is similar to those reported from Asian, Indian and African countries. The similarity of the genetic pattern between Iranian and Indian isolates is probably due to their close geographical proximity.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Advanced Nonsquamous Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Receiving Bevacizumab or Bevacizumab-Plus-Pemetrexed Maintenance Therapy in AVAPERL (MO22089)

Introduction: In the phase III AVAPERL trial, patients with advanced nonsquamous non–small-cell lung cancer receiving bevacizumab-plus-pemetrexed maintenance after first-line induction had a significant progression-free survival benefit relative to those treated with single-agent bevacizumab maintenance but with an increase in grade ≥3 adverse events. Here, we compare health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between AVAPERL maintenance arms. Methods: Patient-reported outcomes were collected at designated intervals from preinduction to final visits. HRQOL was assessed using the self-administered European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 and the Quality of Life Lung Cancer–Specific Module 13. Differences in scores of 10 points or more between arms were above the minimum important difference threshold and considered clinically meaningful. Results: During induction, patient-reported coughing symptoms improved slightly, whereas fatigue and appetite loss scores worsened relative to preinduction baseline. During maintenance, changes in mean global health status and the majority of Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 and Quality of Life Lung Cancer–Specific Module 13 subscale scores did not differ between trial arms by the minimum important difference defining clinically meaningful (better or worse) patient-reported outcomes. Exceptions were patient-reported role functional status, fatigue symptoms and appetite loss symptoms (favoring bevacizumab), and pain in arm or shoulder symptoms (favoring bevacizumab-plus-pemetrexed maintenance), which differed by clinically meaningful amounts at more than one maintenance assessment. Conclusions: In AVAPERL, HRQOL remained relatively stable throughout maintenance and was generally similar in both arms. Despite an increase in adverse event rates, the addition of pemetrexed to bevacizumab maintenance resulted in similar stabilization of disease symptoms with improved efficacy outcomes.
Relationship of safety climate perceptions and job satisfaction among employees in the construction industry: the moderating role of age

This study examines the degree to which construction sector employees perceive that safety is important in their organizations/sites and how job satisfaction affects these perceptions when age is introduced as a moderator variable. Two-way analysis of variance demonstrated that job satisfaction has a strong effect on perceived management commitment to work safety and that this relationship was moderated by respondents’ age. Job satisfaction was associated with perceived accident rate and safety inspection frequency, but the proposed role of age in this linkage was not confirmed. Consequently, the findings indicated that by increasing the level of job satisfaction, perceptions of these safety climate aspects proved to be more positive. The conclusion is that these relationships could further lead to a lower percentage of accidents and injuries in the workplace and better health among employees. A significant relationship between job satisfaction, age and perceived co-workers’ commitment to work safety was not found.
Hysteroscopic Visualization of Bubaline Uterus

Hysteroscopic visualization of buffalo uteri (n=20) was performed using a rigid endoscope. The genitals from estrus buffaloes (20.0%) revealed the presence of uterine wall folding and presence of mucus whereas; haemorrhages on the uterine wall could be visualized in 5% of the genitalia. It was concluded that hysteroscopic visualization of bubaline uterus can provide additional information on the internal uterine structures.
Validity and consistency assessment of accident analysis methods in the petroleum industry

Background. Accident analysis is the main aspect of accident investigation. It includes the method of connecting different causes in a procedural way. Therefore, it is important to use valid and reliable methods for the investigation of different causal factors of accidents, especially the noteworthy ones. Objective. This study aimed to prominently assess the accuracy (sensitivity index [SI]) and consistency of the six most commonly used accident analysis methods in the petroleum industry. Methods. In order to evaluate the methods of accident analysis, two real case studies (process safety and personal accident) from the petroleum industry were analyzed by 10 assessors. The accuracy and consistency of these methods were then evaluated. The assessors were trained in the workshop of accident analysis methods. Results. The systematic cause analysis technique and bowtie methods gained the greatest SI scores for both personal and process safety accidents, respectively. The best average results of the consistency in a single method (based on 10 independent assessors) were in the region of 70%. Conclusion. This study confirmed that the application of methods with pre-defined causes and a logic tree could enhance the sensitivity and consistency of accident analysis.
Coefficient of friction, walking speed and cadence on slippery and dry surfaces: shoes with different groove depths

Objective. The present study aimed to determine the coefficient of friction (COF), walking speed (WS) and cadence while walking on slippery and dry surfaces using shoes with different sole groove depths to predict likelihood of fall. Background. Design of shoe sole groove is crucial to prevent slipping during walking. Methods. 22 healthy young men (mean age 24.5, body mass index 22.5) volunteered for this semi-experimental study. Six different conditions of the test (combination of three shoes and two surfaces) were defined and the condition was repeated three times. In total, 396 trials (22 subjects × 3 groove depths × 2 surfaces × 3 times) were obtained for data analysis. COF was recorded by force platform at 1000 Hz and walking parameters recorded using 3D motion analysis with six infrared cameras at 200 Hz. Results. The highest COF was obtained from the deepest groove depth (5.0 mm) on both dry and slippery surfaces. The COF on slippery surfaces was significantly lower in comparison with dry surfaces. WS and cadence were not significantly different on dry and slippery surfaces. Conclusion. The deeper groove is better to prevent slipping because the COF increases by increasing the shoe sole groove depth. WS did not change on dry and slippery surfaces.
A novel approach for energy‐efficient resource allocation in double threshold‐based cognitive radio network

This paper mainly focuses on solving the energy efficiency (EE) maximization problem in double threshold‐based soft decision fusion (SDF) cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS) in the cognitive radio network (CRN). The solution to this objective problem starts with the selection of suitable secondary users (SUs) both for the spectrum sensing and data transmission. Here, energy efficiency is maximized under the constraints of interference to the primary user (PU), an acceptable outage of SUs, the transmission power of the SUs and the probability of false alarm. We propose a novel algorithm called iterative Dinkelbach method (IDM) which jointly optimizes the sensing time and transmission power allocation to the SUs. Further, Lagrangian duality theorem is employed to find the exact power assigned to the SUs. Finally, simulation results are carried out to validate the effectiveness of our proposed scheme by comparing with the other existing schemes. The performance is also analyzed for different system parameters.
A Novel Approach to Determining a Population-Level Threshold in Ecological Risk Assessment: A Case Study of Zinc

ABSTRACT A novel approach to population-level assessment was applied in order to demonstrate its utility in estimating and managing the risk of zinc in a water environment. Much attention has been paid to population-level risk assessment, but there have been no attempts to determine a “safe” population-level concentration as an environmental criterion. Based on the published results of toxicity tests for various species, we first theoretically derived a threshold concentration at which a population size is unchanged due to the adverse effects of zinc exposure. To derive a zinc concentration that will protect populations in natural environments, we adopted the concept of species sensitivity distribution. Assuming the threshold concentrations of a set of species are log-normally distributed, we calculated the 95% protection level of zinc (PHC5 :population-level hazardous concentration of 5% of species), which is 107 μg/L. Meanwhile, the 95% protection criterion (HC5) based on conventional individual-level chronic toxicity, was calculated to be 14.6 μg/L. The environmentally “safe” concentration for a population-level endpoint is about 7 times greater than that for an individual-level endpoint. The proposed method provides guidance for a pragmatic approach to population-level ecological risk assessment and the management of chemicals.
Heavy metal accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa) near electronic waste dumps and related human health risk assessment

ABSTRACT This research was conducted to assess heavy metal contamination in the environment and within Oryza sativa. The translocation factors (TFs) and bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) for heavy metals in O. sativa and estimated daily intake (EDI) and health risk index (HRI) were measured. The samples were analyzed for heavy metals using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Pb and Cr concentrations in water samples within and near the electronic-waste dumping area exceeded water quality standards for surface water sources from the Pollution Control Department in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand (PCD). The Pb concentration in soil samples within the area also exceeded soil quality standards for habitat and agriculture from PCD. Most of the metals were highly concentrated in roots, except for Mn which has the highest concentration in leaves. Pb concentrations in rice grains exceeded the FAO/WHO standard (0.2 mg/kg). The average TF values for heavy metals from the soil to roots, roots to stems, stems to leaves, and stems to grains were Mn > Pb > Ni > Cr, Mn > Cr > Ni > Pb, Ni > Pb > Mn > Cr, and Pb > Ni > Cr > Mn, respectively. The average BAF values in O. sativa were Mn > Ni > Pb > Cr. The EDI for Cr, Pb, Mn, and Ni via O. sativa consumption were 6.19, 6.02, 370.57, and 3.80 µg/kg/day, respectively. The HRI for Cr, Pb, Mn, and Ni via O. sativa consumption were 0.30, 1.50, 2.60, and 0.002, respectively.
Pulmonary Hemorrhage Treated With Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose.

amine drip at 5mcg/kg was initiated. The patient was awake, though confused. He was transferred to the intensive care unit for further monitoring. The complete heart block resolved 2 hours after the procedure. No significant elevation in troponin levels were noted. A repeat echocardiogram did not demonstrate any new changes. Pathologic review of the biopsies revealed squamous cell carcinoma of the lung and the patient was initiated on chemotherapy after discharge.
Ask, Understand, Remember: A Brief Measure of Patient Communication Self-Efficacy Within Clinical Encounters

Patients' ability to effectively communicate with their health care providers is an essential aspect of proper self-care, especially for those with chronic conditions. We wanted to develop and validate a brief, reliable measure of patient communication self-efficacy within clinical encounters. Consecutively recruited patients (n = 330) with diagnosed hypertension from seven primary care clinics in Chicago, Illinois, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Shreveport, Louisiana completed an in-person interview including chronic disease self-efficacy, hypertension knowledge, health literacy assessments, and items modified from the Communication and Attitudinal Self-Efficacy (CASE) – Cancer scale. Six items from the CASE were candidates for a new scale due to their focus on the patient-provider relationship. Using principal components analysis with varimax rotation, four items strongly loaded onto one factor (Eigenvalue = 2.33; proportion of variance explained = 58%) with a Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.75. The measure, referred to as the Ask, Understand, Remember Assesment, (AURA) was moderately correlated with the total score from an existing chronic disease management self-efficacy scale (r = 0.31) and disease knowledge (beta coefficient = 0.2, 95% Confidence Interval 0.04 − 0.3, p = .03). Patients with low health literacy had lower scores on the AURA than those with marginal or adequate health literacy (p < .05). The AURA demonstrated high internal consistency and was correlated with both hypertension knowledge and a chronic disease self-efficacy scale. The AURA is brief, valid, has low reading demands, and is an appropriate tool for use among patients with chronic illness. It may also be useful in identifying and assisting patients who are at risk for errors or non-adherence with self-care behaviors.
Anencephalic Newborns: A Source of Transplantable Organs?

A severe shortage of transplantable organs exists for in fants and children with life-threatening cardiac, renal, and hepatic disease. Newborns with anencephaly, a uni formly fatal neurological lesion, have been successfully used as sources of hearts and kidneys for transplanta tion. Both the number of anencephalic births each year as well as evidence that most of the organs from anence phalics are morphologically and functionally normal suggest that anencephalics could significantly contrib ute to the number of available infant organs. In addition, many parents of anencephalics have actively sought op portunities to donate their newborn's organs to achieve some good from an otherwise tragic pregnancy. In the United States, it is illegal to use anencephalics as organ sources until they are brain dead. One program recently employed intensive life support to sustain anencephal ics after birth until they became brain dead, but the program was terminated when only 2 of the 12 anence phalics enrolled eventually met brain-death criteria. Many believe that anencephalics, unique by virtue of their severe and imminently fatal neurological lesion, ought to be considered potential organ sources without regard for brain-death criteria. Several of these ethical formulations are analyzed and discussed.
Avoiding a Knowledge Gap in a Multiethnic Statewide Social Marketing Campaign: Is Cultural Tailoring Sufficient?

In 2007, the State of Hawaii, Healthy Hawaii Initiative conducted a statewide social-marketing campaign promoting increased physical activity and nutrition. The campaign included substantial formative research to develop messages tailored for Hawaii's multiethnic Asian and Pacific Islander populations. The authors conducted a statewide random digital dialing telephone survey to assess the campaign's comparative reach among individuals with different ethnicities and different levels of education and income. This analysis suggests that the intervention was successful in reaching its target ethnic audiences. However, a knowledge gap related to the campaign appeared among individuals with incomes less than 130% of the poverty level and those with less than a high school education. These results varied significantly by message and the communication channel used. Recall of supermarket-based messages was significantly higher among individuals below 130% of the poverty level and those between 18 and 35 years of age, 2 groups that showed consistently lower recall of messages in other channels. Results suggest that cultural tailoring for ethnic audiences, although important, is insufficient for reaching low-income populations, and that broad-based social marketing campaigns should consider addressing socioeconomic status–related channel preferences in formative research and campaign design.
Thyroid Hormones Protect Type 2 Diabetes Obese Patients Against Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors

Background: Dysfunction of thyroid gland was observed in obese and type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. The serum level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is increased in these conditions and inversely correlated with risk factors that related to cardiovascular events. This study aimed to demonstrate the changes in the serum level of thyroid hormones; triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4) and TSH in obese T2D patients and to demonstrate the gender-based effect of these hormones against the cardio-metabolic risk factors that existed in those patients. Methods: A total number of 150 obese T2D patients (100 women and 50 men) recruited from Martyr LaylaQasm Center for Diabetes Mellitus in Erbil, Iraq during 2013 were enrolled in this study. The cardio-metabolic risk factors are assessed via measuring body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting serum glucose and lipid profile, glycosylated hemoglobin and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Serum total T4, T3 and TSH were measured. Results: The serum levels of T4 and T3 attended higher levels in women compared with men while the TSH level is less in women than in men. The significant positive correlations between the TSH and the cardio-metabolic risk factors (except fasting serum glucose and hsCRP) were observed. An inverse pattern was observed with T4 and T3. The coefficient factors of these correlations were higher in women compared with men. Conclusions: It concludes that the thyroid gland function is disturbed in obese T2D patients, and thyroid hormones were significantly and inversely correlated with cardio-metabolic risk factors which were prominently observed in men. J Endocrinol Metab. 2015;5(1-2):179-183 doi: http://dx.doi. org/10.14740/jem274w