Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changing patterns in the frequency of Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes and Epstein–Barr virus association in Taiwan

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection is a risk factor for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). To test whether the frequency of HL subtypes and their association with EBV has shifted with rising socioeconomic status in Taiwan, we compared the pathological features and EBV status, detected by in situ hybridization, of HL diagnosed between 1996 and 2007 (99 cases) and 1982 and 1995 (74 cases). The male‐to‐female ratio was 121:52 (2.3:1) and the mean age at presentation was 41.5 years. The overall EBV positivity rate was 50% (86/173 cases). Comparing the distribution of HL cases diagnosed at two different time periods, we found an increased frequency of the nodular sclerosis (NS) subtype (53 vs 68%, P = 0.045), a decreased frequency of the mixed cellularity subtype (35 vs 13%, P < 0.001), a reduced male‐to‐female ratio (2.9:1 compared to 1.4:1) and mean age (42.4 vs 36.6 years) in the NS subtype, and a significant decrease in EBV positivity rates among the NS and lymphocyte‐depletion subtypes (61 vs 39%, P = 0.03). These data indicate shifts in the frequency of histological subtype and EBV association for HL in Taiwan over the last decade, with a trend closer to that seen in Western countries and Japan. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 345–349)
Comparison of intrathecal magnesium, fentanyl, or placebo combined with bupivacaine 0.5% for parturients undergoing elective cesarean delivery

Background: Intrathecal (i.t.) administration of magnesium has been reported to potentiate opioid antinociception in rats and humans. In this prospective, randomized, double‐blind, study, we investigated the sensory, motor, and analgesic block characteristics of i.t. magnesium 50 mg compared with fentanyl 25 μg and saline when added to 0.5% bupivacaine (10 mg).
Ser negro no Brasil: alcances e limites

O ARTIGO aborda a mesticagem, a condicao de afro-descendencia e a classificacao racial oficial do Brasil (IBGE), alem de tecer breves consideracoes sobre os conceitos de raca e de etnia; identidade racial/etnica; e politicas de acao afirmativa segundo sexo/genero e raca/etnia. Conforme convencao do IBGE, no Brasil, negro e quem se autodeclara preto ou pardo, pois populacao negra e o somatorio de pretos e pardos. Para fins politicos, negra e a pessoa de ancestralidade africana, desde que assim se identifique.
Lyme meningitis, the major cause of childhood meningitis in an endemic area: a population based study

Objective To evaluate the epidemiology of infectious meningitis in children in a Lyme borreliosis (LB) endemic area, and to study how clinical and laboratory characteristics may distinguish between different types of childhood meningitis. Design Retrospective, population based study. Setting A paediatric department serving all children (62 000) in a costal LB endemic region of southwestern Norway. Patients All children with cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis aged 3 months to 14 years. Main outcome measures Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory characteristics of different types of childhood meningitis. Results Infectious meningitis was diagnosed in 211 children (annual incidence 38/100 000). Lyme meningitis (LM) was identified in 142 children (67%), non-Lyme aseptic meningitis in 46 children (22%) and bacterial meningitis in 23 children (11%). Age, month of admission and clinical and laboratory characteristics differed between the groups. An aetiological agent was found in 89% of children. The positive predictive value for having LM if the child had facial nerve palsy or head and/or neck stiffness (meningism) as the only symptom was 97% for both variables. Symptoms of cerebral involvement or signs of systemic inflammation were rare in children with LM compared to children non-Lyme aseptic meningitis. Conclusion LM was diagnosed in two-thirds of children with infectious meningitis in this LB endemic area. Distinct clinical characteristics distinguished the majority of children with LM from children with non-Lyme aseptic meningitis and bacterial meningitis.
SYMPTOMATIC ATRIAL ARRHYTHMIAS IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Background/Aims: Cardiac arrhythmias are frequent in hemodialysis patients and can interrupt treatment. However, the frequency and risk factors have remained unclear because previous reports of arrhythmias in dialysis patients have usually been continuous-monitoring studies that looked at all cardiac ectopy regardless of its seriousness. Methods: We reviewed retrospectively only symptomatic atrial arrhythmias in a population of 106 maintenance hemodialysis patients over three years, in order to estimate their actual frequency and any risk factors. Results: Ten patients, seven men and three women, required treatment for atrial arrhythmias (9.4%): four for supraventricular tachycardia, three for atrial flutter, and three for atrial fibrillation. Their mean age was 53.7 ± 6.1 years; five of them were ≤40 years. Seven arrhythmias were new, three were recurrences. All but one occurred between 3 and 4 hours of hemodialysis, and dialysis had to be stopped in nine instances. There was no pattern of hypotensive episodes preceding the arrhythmias. Mean serum K+ drawn at the time of the arrhythmias was 3.8 ± 0.2 mEq/L. Mean plasma intact parathormone was 1128 ± 417 pg/mL, compared to 454 ± 58 pg/mL for our entire hemodialysis population (p = .0036). Subsequent echocardiograms showed abnormalities in 9/10 patients: five had left ventricular hypertrophy, six had left atrial enlargement, five had valvular lesions (four mitral regurgitation; one aortic incompetence), and three had ejection fractions <50%. There were four deaths in these patients over the next 14 months, but probably only one was cardiac. Conclusions: Serious atrial arrhythmias are common in a hemodialysis population. Risk factors for symptomatic atrial arrhythmias in hemodialysis patients may include hyperparathyroidism and echocardiographic findings of chamber enlargement, valvular lesions, or ventricular dysfunction.
Modeling of icing and ice shedding on overhead power lines based on statistical analysis of meteorological data

Statistical analysis of meteorological data for icing and ice shedding on overhead power-line conductors was performed. The data studied were recorded during the 57 icing events (1659 h), which occurred in the period between February 1998 and January 2000 at the Mont Be/spl acute/lair icing test site in Quebec, Canada. The analysis aims at establishing shape and statistical parameters of the transfer functions representing the correlations between hourly icing rate and the variations of the following meteorological variables: ambient temperature, hourly number of ice-rate meter signals, wind speed and direction, and freezing precipitation rate. Two different regimes of the ice formation process, in-cloud icing, and freezing precipitation icing, are considered for characterizing ice events. The set of fitting regression curves obtained is the statistical base for creating an empirical probabilistic icing, and ice shedding model for studying and forecasting atmospheric-icing loads on overhead power-line conductors.
Comparing Localization of Conventional Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Magnetoencephalography

The technique of functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) allows the measurement of functional cerebral blood flow changes occurring with specific tasks. However, the spatial relationship between neuronal activity and functional cerebral blood flow changes is not kno'wn yet. This study compares the centre of neuronal activation (measured by magnetoencephalography) with that of the blood flow response (measured by FMRI) to unilateral motor stimulation in eight subjects. The results show a mean localization difference of 1.6 cm and demand application of methodological improvements as recently suggested.
Recovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from Sputum Treated with Cetyl Pyridinium Chloride

Transportation of sputum samples from remote areas to laboratories for culture of mycobacteria may take several days, which can lead to overgrowth of commensal flora and possible loss of viable mycobacteria ([1][1], [3][2], [5][3], [8][4]). To overcome this problem, cetyl pyridinum chloride (CPC) is
Observations of Precipitation Size and Fall Speed Characteristics within Coexisting Rain and Wet Snow

Abstract Ground-based measurements of particle size and fall speed distributions using a Particle Size and Velocity (PARSIVEL) disdrometer are compared among samples obtained in mixed precipitation (rain and wet snow) and rain in the Oregon Cascade Mountains and in dry snow in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Coexisting rain and snow particles are distinguished using a classification method based on their size and fall speed properties. The bimodal distribution of the particles’ joint fall speed–size characteristics at air temperatures from 0.5° to 0°C suggests that wet-snow particles quickly make a transition to rain once melting has progressed sufficiently. As air temperatures increase to 1.5°C, the reduction in the number of very large aggregates with a diameter > 10 mm coincides with the appearance of rain particles larger than 6 mm. In this setting, very large raindrops appear to be the result of aggregrates melting with minimal breakup rather than formation by coalescence. In contrast to dry snow an.
Evaluation of the Intervertebral Disk Angle for the Assessment of Anterior Cervical Diskoligamentous Injury

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The anterior diskoligamentous complex is important for cervical spinal stability. Subjective widening of the disk space after trauma has been used to gauge disruption of the anterior diskoligamentous complex on CT scanning, but no quantitative CT measurements exist to evaluate injury. The purpose of our study was to evaluate if an increased intervertebral disk angle could serve as a more sensitive, reproducible indicator of disruption of the anterior diskoligamentous complex compared with subjective assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The intervertebral disk angle was retrospectively measured on CT scanning for 122 disk levels with disruption of the anterior diskoligamentous complex by MR imaging and 1095 disk levels with an intact anterior diskoligamentous complex by MR imaging. The intervertebral disk angle was measured between the anterior superior endplate and anterior inferior endplate, with angle apex at the midposterior disk. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for subjective disk widening and specific angle values were obtained. Intervertebral disk angle reproducibility was also evaluated. RESULTS: Intervertebral disk angle measurements were “substantially reproducible. ” No disk with an intact anterior diskoligamentous complex had an intervertebral disk angle greater than 18° or 2 standard deviations from the average intervertebral disk angle of the remaining disks. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for a criterion of subjective disk widening was 0.58. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for objective criteria, an intervertebral disk angle greater than 13 or above 1 standard deviation from normal values, was 0.85. The maximal area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was achieved if an intervertebral disk angle greater than 2 SD from the average angle of the other disks was used (0.86). CONCLUSIONS: Subjective disk widening does not accurately detect disruption of the anterior diskoligamentous complex on CT scanning; an elevated intervertebral disk angle provides a more sensitive and objective measurement to help direct further imaging in trauma patients.
Cytotoxic drugs for patients with breast cancer in the era of targeted treatment: back to the future?

BACKGROUND Despite current trend of targeted therapy development, cytotoxic agents are a mainstay of treatment of patients with breast cancer. We reviewed recent advances in cytotoxic therapy for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Medline searches were conducted for English language studies using the term 'MBC' and 'cytotoxic drugs'. The data search was restricted to the period 2000-2011. RESULTS Several novel cytotoxic compounds, all microtubule inhibitors, have been approved for clinical use in MBC: (i) nab-paclitaxel, reported to improve tumour response and decrease hypersensitivity reactions in comparison with other taxanes; (ii) ixabepilone, shown to have clinical benefit in taxane- and anthracycline-resistant disease and (iii) eribulin, shown to improve overall survival in heavily pre-treated patients, when compared with best available standard treatment. Agents, such as larotaxel, vinflunine, trabectidin and formulations, including cationic liposomal paclitaxel or paclitaxel poliglumex, are currently under evaluation in phase II/III trials. CONCLUSION Toxicity and chemotherapy resistance are still major limitations in the treatment of patients with MBC. Further research into new cytotoxic compounds is needed in order to maximise benefit, whilst minimising toxicity.
Characterization of Resting Holes and Their Use by the Antillean Manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) in the Drowned Cayes, Belize

In the Drowned Cayes area of Belize, manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) are commonly observed resting in depressions in the substrate, locally referred to as manatee resting holes. To understand why manatees prefer locations with resting holes, the physical and environmental attributes of the depressions were characterized and diurnal and nocturnal use by manatees at four resting hole sites were documented over two summers. Twelve resting hole sites were compared with 20 non-resting hole sites in the Drowned Cayes, using water depth, substrate type, vegetation, water velocity, salinity, and water temperature. Four resting holes were chosen for repeated diurnal and nocturnal observations, during which sea and weather conditions were recorded in addition to the presence/absence of manatees. Resting holes were significantly deeper and had slower surface water velocity than areas without resting holes. A total of 168 point scans were conducted over 55 d, resulting in 39 manatee sightings over two summers. There was a significant difference in the number of sightings between research years and between day and night scans. Given the large number of resting holes in the Drowned Cayes, many of which are in sheltered areas with slow currents, it is possible that manatees select these spots based on the tranquility of the water and environment. The combination of slow currents, protection from waves, low numbers of boats, and nearby seagrass beds would make these ideal resting areas. These findings have implications for the conservation of important manatee habitat.
Selection During Maize Domestication Targeted a Gene Network Controlling Plant and Inflorescence Architecture

Selection during evolution, whether natural or artificial, is evidenced through the phenotype. For complex phenotypes like plant and inflorescence. Selection during evolution, whether natural or artificial, acts through the phenotype. For multifaceted phenotypes such as plant and inflorescence architecture, the underlying genetic architecture is comprised of a complex network of interacting genes rather than single genes that act independently to determine the trait. As such, selection acts on entire gene networks. Here, we begin to define the genetic regulatory network to which the maize domestication gene, teosinte branched1 (tb1), belongs. Using a combination of molecular methods to uncover either direct or indirect regulatory interactions, we identified a set of genes that lie downstream of tb1 in a gene network regulating both plant and inflorescence architecture. Additional genes, known from the literature, also act in this network. We observed that tb1 regulates both core cell cycle genes and another maize domestication gene, teosinte glume architecture1 (tga1). We show that several members of the MADS-box gene family are either directly or indirectly regulated by tb1 and/or tga1, and that tb1 sits atop a cascade of transcriptional regulators controlling both plant and inflorescence architecture. Multiple members of the tb1 network appear to have been the targets of selection during maize domestication. Knowledge of the regulatory hierarchies controlling traits is central to understanding how new morphologies evolve.
Sex inequalities in cataract blindness burden and surgical services in south India

Aim: To determine sex inequalities in cataract blindness and surgical services in south India Methods: Details of lens status and cataract surgery were recorded for subjects aged 50 years and older identified through cluster sampling as part of population based cross sectional assessments of cataract blindness and surgical outcomes in three districts of south India. Results: Females were less likely to be operated on for cataract (adjusted OR 0.71, 95% CI: 0.57 to 0.87) although the cataract blindness burden was higher for females (p<0.001). Literacy of the subject was a major predictor for being operated on for cataract. Achieving equal surgical coverage between sexes will have resulted in an additional 25.3% reduction of cataract blindness. Conclusions: Eye care programmes in this population need to be sensitised to the substantial reduction in blindness possible by achieving equal surgical coverage between sexes.
Dedicated breast CT: initial clinical experience.

PURPOSE To prospectively and intraindividually compare dedicated breast computed tomographic (CT) images with screen-film mammograms. MATERIALS AND METHODS All patient studies were performed according to protocols approved by the institutional review board and Radiation Use Committee; informed consent was obtained. A breast CT scanner prototype was used to individually scan uncompressed breasts in 10 healthy volunteers (mean age, 52.1 years) and 69 women with Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System category 4 and 5 lesions (mean age, 54.4 years). In women with lesions, breast CT images were compared with screen-film mammograms by an experienced mammographer and ranked with a continuous scale of 1-10 (score 1, excellent lesion visualization with CT and poor visualization with mammography; score 5.5, equal visualization with both modalities; and score 10, poor visualization with CT and excellent visualization with mammography). A Wilcoxon signed rank procedure was used to test the null hypothesis that ratings were symmetric at about a score of 5.5 for the entire group and for distinguishing microcalcifications versus masses and other findings and benign versus malignant lesions and for effect of breast density on lesion visualization. Women were asked to compare their comfort during CT with that during mammography on a continuous scale of 1-10. With a Wilcoxon signed rank procedure, the null hypothesis that comfort ratings were symmetric about a score of 5.5 (equal comfort with CT and mammography) was tested. RESULTS Overall, CT was equal to mammography for visualization of breast lesions. Breast CT was significantly better than mammography for visualization of masses (P = .002); mammography outperformed CT for visualization of microcalcifications (P = .006). No significant differences between CT and mammography were seen among benign versus malignant lesions or for effect of breast density on lesion visualization. Subjects found CT significantly more comfortable than mammography (P < .001). CONCLUSION Some technical challenges remain, but breast CT is promising and may have potential clinical applications.
What characteristics of the gamers' profile should be taken into account in player-centred game design?

In this paper, we introduce the theory of trait Emotional Intelligence ('trait EI') as a personality theory that could assist in exemplifying the gamers' profile and contribute to the design of player-center game experiences. Data from two studies (a game-specific and a game-general one) led to a number of player-centered playability principles that could inform the design of adaptable games and games targeting specific gaming audiences. The gamers' emotional characteristics were found to be of prominent importance to the design of good games.
Central precocious puberty in children living in Spain: incidence, prevalence, and influence of adoption and immigration.

CONTEXT No epidemiological data are available on central precocious puberty (CPP) in the general population or in adopted or immigrant children in Spain. OBJECTIVE We aimed to study the incidence and prevalence of CPP, assess the risk of developing this disorder among adopted and immigrant children, and analyze the predictive variables of CPP associated with intracranial pathology. DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PATIENTS An observational study of children diagnosed with CPP in Spain was carried out between January 2008 and January 2010. A computer program was designed to process clinical and biological data and information on 250 patients treated in 34 pediatric endocrinology units throughout the country. RESULTS Of the patients registered, 226 were girls and 24 were boys. The global incidence rate of CPP was 5.66 cases per million person-years at risk, with an annual incidence ranging between 0.02 and 1.07 new cases per 100,000. The relative risk of CPP in domestic and internationally adopted children compared with those born in Spain was 27.82 (19.99-38.77), whereas the relative risk among immigrants was 1.55 (0.97-2.38). A logistic regression model developed for the study showed that the combined effect of four variables had a significant influence over the presence of organic disease: being male, having been adopted, age at diagnosis, and estimation of adult height. CONCLUSIONS CPP is a rare disease whose risk markedly increases with both national and international adoption but is not influenced by immigration. These results suggest a psychological influence on CPP.
60 GHz millimeter-wave source using two-mode injection-locking of a Fabry-Perot slave laser

We demonstrate 60 GHz carrier generation and transmission using a two-mode injection-locked Fabry-Perot (F-P) slave laser. The relationship between the power of the generated carriers and the frequency of the reference signal for the injection-locking is also investigated. The RF power-penalty caused by fiber dispersion was within 2.0 dB when the locked modes were transmitted at a distance of 0.5-48 km. Accordingly, the two-mode locked F-P laser can be used in fiber-based millimeter-wave systems.
The Risk Reduction Role of Advertising

This study shows theoretically and empirically that exposure to advertising increases consumers’ tendency to purchase the promoted product because the informative content of advertising resolves some of the uncertainty that the risk averse consumers face and thus reduces the risk associated with the product. We call this effect the “risk-reduction” role of advertising. The risk-reduction model implies that advertising effectiveness depends on (a) the risk preference parameter, (b) the precision of the advertising message, (c) the familiarity of the consumer with the product, (d) the consumer’s sensitivity to products’ attributes (and thus, her involvement level with the product), and (e) the diversity of products offered by multiproduct firms. These findings suggest that ads spending should be higher (a) for new and relatively unknown products, (b) for high-involvement products, (c) when ads can be quite precise, and (d) when the firm offers a diverse product-line. It also implies that ads should target consumers (a) who are more sensitive to risk, (b) who are more involved, and (c) those who are not familiar with the promoted product.The model allows ads to affect choices also through a direct effect on the utility (i.e., the standard approach to formulate the effect of advertising). In our empirical example (where the products are television shows) the risk-reduction effect is significant and strong and the direct effect is negligible behaviorally. We discuss the welfare implications of these findings, and illustrate the quantitative differences in managerial implications between our model and the traditional one.