Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Suicide among Eminent Artists

To evaluate suicide risk by profession among eminent artists data from Garzanti's Encyclopaedia, a broad biographical repertory, were used. Six categories in the visual and literary arts were compared: architects, painters, sculptors, writers, poets, and playwrights. Only people whose deaths occurred in the 1800s or 1900s were included since it is likely that underestimation of suicide has been lower in the more recent centuries. A total of 59 suicides were observed in a sample of 3,093 people: this corresponds to a ratio of 1.90%. Suicides were 51 among men (ratio 1.75%) and 8 among women (ratio 4.30%). The comparison by profession indicates that poets and writers exceed the mean suicide ratio of the sample. Painters and architects, conversely, have a clearly lower risk than the mean. Mean age of suicides was 44 yr. (SD = 12), with writers being slightly older (48 yr., SD = 12) than other artists. Artists who died of causes other than suicide reach a mean of 65 yr. (SD = 10). Suicide among artists seems to have a peculiar pattern, clearly different from the pattern of the general population, wherein suicide risk is higher among men and older people. Adverse financial circumstances and the stress attributed to rejection of personal products may contribute to the specific risk of suicide among artists. The link between mental disorders, such as manic-depression, which imply a higher risk of suicide, and creativeness is discussed as a contributing factor.
Impaired interleukin‐2 response of mononuclear cells in Guillain–Barré syndrome

We studied the production of and response to interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) by cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and the soluble IL‐2 receptor levels in 10 patients with GBS (eight men and two women) aged 23–67 years. The first blood sample was obtained within seven days of the onset of neuropathic symptoms, and blood samples were collected serially after treatment with plasma exchange. PBMC from GBS patients were found to produce little IL‐2 and to have a low response to IL‐2 soon after the onset, but marked improvement was seen within one month, concomitantly with improvement of neuropathic symptoms. Serum soluble IL‐2 receptor levels were increased at the onset, but gradually decreased thereafter. Our findings suggest that primary immune response in acute‐stage GBS may be downregulated via a decrease in the function of PBMC that had previously been activated by interacting with the antigen.
Obesity in K–7 Students — Anchorage, Alaska, 2003–04 to 2010–11 School Years

Childhood obesity is a major public health concern in the United States. National data indicate that from 1999 to 2010, obesity stopped increasing among females aged 2-19 years but continued to increase among males. Other reports have suggested that obesity is decreasing in certain geographic areas or among certain groups of children. In the metropolitan area of Anchorage, Alaska, during the 2003-04 school year, an estimated 16.8% of children in the Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna Borough school districts in grades K, 1, 3, 5, and 7 were obese, similar to a 2003-2006 national estimate of 17.0% for youths aged 6-11 years. To determine whether trends in the two Anchorage-area school districts mirror those in the rest of the United States, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services analyzed body mass index (BMI) data for public schoolchildren in grades K, 1, 3, 5, and 7 for the 2003-04 to 2010-11 school years. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which found that, overall, the prevalence of obesity decreased by 3.0% from 2003-04 to 2010-11, and the decline varied widely by subgroup. The decrease was significant among boys (5.5%), white students (15.1%), students in grades K, 1, and 3 (5.4%), and students in schools where ≤50% of students were receiving subsidized lunches (8.2%). Efforts are needed to further reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity in the Anchorage area and to focus on poorer schools and those groups with the highest prevalence of obesity.
Effect of Codon Optimization on Expression Levels of a Functionally Folded Malaria Vaccine Candidate in Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Expression Systems

ABSTRACT We have produced two synthetic genes that code for the F2 domain located within region II of the 175-kDa Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte binding antigen (EBA-175) to determine the effects of codon alteration on protein expression in homologous and heterologous host systems. EBA-175 plays a key role in the process of merozoite invasion into erythrocytes through a specific receptor-ligand interaction. The F2 domain of EBA-175 is the ligand that binds to the glycophorin A receptor on human erythrocytes and is therefore a target of vaccine development efforts. We designed synthetic genes based on P. falciparum, Escherichia coli, and Pichia codon usage and expressed recombinant F2 in E. coli and Pichia pastoris. Compared to the expression of the native F2 sequence, conversion to prokaryote (E. coli)- or eukaryote (Pichia)-based codon usage dramatically improved the levels of recombinant protein expression in both E. coli and P. pastoris. The majority of the protein expressed in E. coli, however, was produced as inclusion bodies. The protein expressed in P. pastoris, on the other hand, was expressed as a secreted, soluble protein. The P. pastoris-produced protein was superior to that produced in E. coli based on its ability to bind to red blood cells. Consistent with these observations, the antibodies generated against the Pichia-produced protein prevented the binding of recombinant EBA to red blood cells. These antibodies recognize EBA-175 present on merozoites as well as in sporozoites by immunofluorescence. Our results suggest that the Pichia-based EBA-F2 vaccine construct has further potential to be developed for clinical use.
Correlation among intratumoral blood flow in breast cancer, clinicopathological findings and Nottingham Prognostic Index.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation among intratumoral blood flow as assessed by color Doppler ultrasonography, clinicopathological findings and the Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI). METHODS Twenty-seven patients with breast cancer were examined. All patients received surgical treatment. Color Doppler ultrasonography was performed prior to surgery to detect arterial blood flow signals within the tumors. The lowest resistance index (RI) was recorded. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded slides were reviewed by senior pathologists to evaluate the size of tumor, histological size, lymph node status and histological grade. Estrogen and progesterone receptor levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The Nottingham Prognostic Index was calculated using the equation NPI = 0.2 x tumor size (cm) + grade (I-III) + lymph node score (1-3). RESULTS The lowest RI correlated well with NPI and histological grade (grade II:III = RI 1.037:0.816, P = 0.0035). Regression analysis revealed a linear relationship between the lowest RI and NPI (correlation coefficient = 0.475; P = 0.0153). CONCLUSIONS Intratumoral blood flow analysis assessed by color Doppler ultrasonography correlates well with histological grade and NPI. Preoperative assessment using color Doppler ultrasonography provides useful information and may contribute to the determination of prognosis.
Dosing targeted and cytotoxic two‐drug combinations: Lessons learned from analysis of 24,326 patients reported 2010 through 2013

Combining agents has the potential to attenuate resistance in metastatic cancer. However, knowledge of appropriate starting doses for novel drug combinations in clinical trials and practice is lacking. Analysis of 372 published studies was used to ascertain safe starting doses for doublets involving a cytotoxic and targeted agent. Phase I–III adult oncology clinical trial publications (January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2013) were identified (PubMed). The dose of drug used in each combination was compared to the single agent recommended dose [FDA‐approved/recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D)/maximum tolerated dose (MTD)]. Dose percentages were calculated as: (safe dose of drug in combination/dose of drug as single agent at FDA/RP2D/MTD) × 100. Additive dose percentages were the sum of the dose percentage for each drug. A total of 24,326 patients (248 drug combinations) were analyzed. In 38% of studies, both drugs could be administered at 100% of their FDA‐approved/RP2D/MTD dose. The lowest safe additive dose percentage was 41% with poly‐ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) or histone deacetylase inhibitors as the targeted agents; 82%, in the absence of these agents; and 97%, with an antibody in the combination. If one drug was administered at 100% of the single agent dose, the lowest safe dose percentage for the second drug was 17% (cytotoxic at 100%) or 36% (targeted at 100%) of the FDA‐approved/RP2D/MTD dose. The current findings can help inform safe starting doses for novel two‐drug combinations (cytotoxic and targeted agents) in the context of clinical trials and practice.
Does Inflation Affect Economic Growth? The case of Pakistan

The major purpose of this study is to re-examine the existence of inflation growth relationship in the economy of Pakistan and to analyze empirically the impact of inflation on GDP growth of the economy. It is, further, to investigate whether it encourages or hurts the economic growth in a uniform way or it behaves differently under different levels. Annual time-series data for the period 1972-73 to 2009-10 have been taken and analysis is made by employing the method of Ordinary Least Squares (OLS). A negative and significant inflation growth relationship has been found to be existed in the economy of Pakistan. The results of the study show that prevailing inflation is harmful to the GDP growth of the economy after a certain threshold level. On the basis of the descriptive and econometric analysis, we may suggest to the policy makers and the State Bank of Pakistan to restrict the inflation below the 7 percent level and to keep it stable. So that it may exert its positive effects on economic growth of the economy.
Rehabilitation for Chronic Ankle Instability With or Without Destabilization Devices: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

CONTEXT Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) have deficits in neuromuscular control and altered movement patterns. Ankle-destabilization devices have been shown to increase lower extremity muscle activity during functional tasks and may be useful tools for improving common deficits and self-reported function. OBJECTIVE To determine whether a 4-week rehabilitation program that includes destabilization devices has greater effects on self-reported function, range of motion (ROM), strength, and balance than rehabilitation without devices in patients with CAI. DESIGN Randomized controlled clinical trial. SETTING Laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS A total of 26 patients with CAI (7 men, 19 women; age = 21.34 ± 3.06 years, height = 168.96 ± 8.77 cm, mass = 70.73 ± 13.86 kg). INTERVENTION(S) Patients completed baseline measures and were randomized into no-device and device groups. Both groups completed 4 weeks of supervised, impairment-based progressive rehabilitation with or without devices and then repeated baseline measures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) We assessed self-reported function using the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure. Ankle ROM was measured with an inclinometer. Ankle strength was assessed using a handheld dynamometer during maximal voluntary isometric contractions. Balance was measured using a composite score of 3 reach directions from the Star Excursion Balance Test and a force plate to calculate center of pressure during eyes-open and eyes-closed single-limb balance. We compared each dependent variable using a 2 × 2 (group × time) analysis of variance and post hoc tests as appropriate and set an a priori α level at . 05. The Hedges g effect sizes and associated 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS We observed no differences between the no-device and device groups for any measure. However, both groups had large improvements in self-reported function and ankle strength. CONCLUSIONS Incorporating destabilization devices into rehabilitation did not improve ankle function more effectively than traditional rehabilitation tools because both interventions resulted in similar improvements. Impairment-based progressive rehabilitation improved clinical outcomes associated with CAI.
THE NuSTAR EXTRAGALACTIC SURVEYS: OVERVIEW AND CATALOG FROM THE COSMOS FIELD

To provide the census of the sources contributing to the X-ray background peak above 10 keV, Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) is performing extragalactic surveys using a three-tier “wedding cake” approach. We present the NuSTAR survey of the COSMOS field, the medium sensitivity, and medium area tier, covering 1.7 deg2 and overlapping with both Chandra and XMM-Newton data. This survey consists of 121 observations for a total exposure of ∼3 Ms. To fully exploit these data, we developed a new detection strategy, carefully tested through extensive simulations. The survey sensitivity at 20% completeness is 5.9, 2.9, and 6.4 × 10−14 erg cm − 2 s − 1 ? > in the 3–24, 3–8, and 8–24 keV bands, respectively. By combining detections in 3 bands, we have a sample of 91 NuSTAR sources with 1042–1045.5 erg s − 1 ? > luminosities and redshift z = 0.04–2.5. Thirty-two sources are detected in the 8–24 keV band with fluxes ∼100 times fainter than sources detected by Swift-BAT. Of the 91 detections, all but 4 are associated with a Chandra and/or XMM-Newton point-like counterpart. One source is associated with an extended lower energy X-ray source. We present the X-ray (hardness ratio and luminosity) and optical-to-X-ray properties. The observed fraction of candidate Compton-thick active galactic nuclei measured from the hardness ratio is between 13%–20%. We discuss the spectral properties of NuSTAR J100259+0220.6 (ID 330) at z = 0.044, with the highest hardness ratio in the entire sample. The measured column density exceeds 1024 cm−2, implying the source is Compton-thick. This source was not previously recognized as such without the >10 keV data.
Secular trends in physical fitness and body size in Lithuanian children and adolescents between 1992 and 2012

Background and methods There is a paucity of data on contemporary secular trends on the different aspects of physical fitness in school-aged children and adolescents. This study presents the largest ever data set on changes in fitness between 1992, 2002 and 2012 for both genders of schoolchildren aged 11–18 years (n=16 199). Eurofit test battery was used to assess the balance, flexibility, muscular strength and power, agility and cardiorespiratory fitness. Anthropometrics were also measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Results The study has shown loss of flexibility, leg muscle power, upper body strength and cardiorespiratory fitness between 1992 and 2012, although there was an improvement in abdominal muscle strength in girls, agility in boys and balance in both genders during the same period. At large, negative trends in aspects of fitness seen between 1992 and 2002 have not slowed down between 2002 and 2012. Positive trends in agility and abdominal muscle strength seen before 2002 have regressed or were reversed between 2002 and 2012, while balance continued to improve at increased pace. While the BMI continued to increase in all groups, analysis of covariance has shown that it was not the main cause of changes in fitness. Conclusions The general decline in physical fitness in Lithuanian schoolchildren observed between 1992 and 2002 continued between 2002 and 2012, although some aspects of fitness showed a positive trend. If this general negative trend continues, it will compromise the well-being of future adults and create a serious economic burden on the society.
The Maudsley Family Study: Premorbid and Current General Intellectual Function Levels in Familial Bipolar I Disorder and Schizophrenia

The distinction of psychosis into schizophrenia and bipolar disorder has been increasingly challenged with some evidence suggesting that the two conditions may have common etiologic and pathogenic mechanisms. We compared the premorbid and current intellectual function of bipolar patients from multiply affected families, and those of their first-degree relatives, with those of a similar series of schizophrenic subjects, as well as their relatives, and normal controls. Only schizophrenic subjects showed lower premorbid IQ, suggesting that they, but not the bipolar patients or either relative group, had suffered neurodevelopmental impairment. However, both groups of patients had comparably poor current general intellectual levels, implying that some common pathogenic process operates once illness has begun. The two groups of relatives showed distinct differences in intellectual function but we cannot exclude the possibility that these were a function of our sampling methods.
A new method to measure plasma levels of activated protein C in complex with protein C inhibitor in patients with acute coronary syndromes

Our newly devised immunofluorometric sandwich assay for measuring plasma concentrations of activated protein C (APC) in complex with protein C inhibitor (PCI) was compared with testing for conventional markers of myocardial damage CKMB (creatine kinase MB), TNI (troponin I) and hypercoagulability (D-dimer, TAT) in 76 patients with suspected myocardial infarction (MI). APC–PCI complex levels in samples drawn on admission did not correlate with CKMB in the simultaneously drawn sample but correlated closely with maximal CKMB, which reflects MI size (r = 0.52). The areas under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves calculated for the APC–PCI complex results obtained upon admission did not differ significantly from the corresponding values for CKMB, TNI or TAT. Our results show that in patients at risk for MI, the APC–PCI concentration is a sensitive and independent marker that can identify a subgroup of MI patients with normal CKMB but an increased APC–PCI level upon admission. It remains to be determined whether these patients would benefit from early intensive anticoagulant treatment.
Adler's psychology (of use) today: personal history of traumatic life events as a self-handicapping strategy.

We investigated the hypothesis that the reporting of a history of traumatic life events may serve as a strategy to control attributions about performance in an evaluative setting (i.e., self-handicapping). Following from Alfred Adler's early theorization in the psychology of use, as well as more recent theory and research on self-handicapping, we predicted that individuals would emphasize the adversity of events and experiences in their background when an uncertain evaluation was expected and when a traumatic background would serve as a suitable excuse for potential failure. Results generally supported the hypothesized self-protective reporting of traumatic life events.
The role of molecular analysis in breast cancer

&NA; Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, encompassing a wide variety of histological types and clinical behaviours. Current histopathological classification systems for breast cancer are based on descriptive entities that are of prognostic significance. Few predictive biomarkers are currently available. High throughput molecular technologies are reshaping our understanding of breast cancer and a molecular taxonomy that has stronger predictive power is slowly emerging. Novel therapeutic targets and prognostic/predictive gene signatures have been identified. This review will address the contribution of molecular methods to our understanding of breast cancer and its precursors, their use in breast cancer translational research and their impact on diagnostic breast cancer histopathology.
Comparison of Allograft Bone and Titanium Cages for Vertebral Body Replacement in the Thoracolumbar Spine: A Biomechanical Study

BACKGROUND When an anterior approach to repair a burst fracture is indicated, several devices can be used to restore spinal stability (eg, bone graft, free-standing titanium cage, and expandable titanium cage). OBJECTIVE We compare the biomechanical stability and prices of each of these systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eight fresh human cadaver T11 through L3 vertebral specimens were harvested and cleaned of soft tissues. T11-T12 and L2-L3 were fixed by screws. The fixed ends were then set in automotive body filler (Bondo). The prepared specimens were tested in the Biaxial Instron tester (8874, Norwood, MA) after a sequence of the following: intact, after the creation of an anterior corpectomy at L1, and after insertion of both of the 2 different titanium cages and the fibular graft. A titanium screw-and-plate anterolateral system was used to secure the construct (VANTAGE, Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis, TN). The conditions of displacement testing were as follows: rotation (± 3.5°), flexion and extension, and left and right bending (± 3.5 mm). For each mode of testing, the stiffness was calculated. RESULTS The stiffness data, when statistically analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of variance (at P = .05 and power > 0.9), indicated no significant differences among these devices. CONCLUSION On the basis of this biomechanical study, the stiffness of the fibular graft was similar to that of the other metallic devices in this cadaver model.
Expression of p53 and prognosis in children with malignant gliomas.

BACKGROUND The prognosis of children with high-grade gliomas is uncertain, even when clinical and histologic findings are considered. We investigated whether mutations in the TP53 gene or the degree of expression of p53 protein in high-grade gliomas is associated with progression-free survival in children with these tumors. METHODS Paraffin-embedded specimens of malignant gliomas from children treated in the Children's Cancer Group study CCG-945 were assessed by mutational analysis of TP53 (121 specimens) and immunohistochemical analysis of p53 (115 specimens). For mutational studies, areas of tissue that contained malignant glioma were isolated by microdissection, and the DNA was subjected to polymerase-chain-reaction-based amplification and sequencing of TP53 exons 5, 6, 7, and 8. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed with the use of a microwave-enhanced antigen retrieval and an antibody that bound both wild-type and mutant p53. RESULTS We found a significant association between overexpression of p53 and outcome; this association was independent of histologic features, age, sex, the extent of resection, and tumor location. The rate ( +/- SE) of progression-free survival at five years was 44 +/- 6 percent in the group of 74 patients whose tumors had low levels of expression of p53 and 17 +/- 6 percent in the group of 41 patients whose tumors had overexpression of p53 (P<0.001). A nonsignificant association was observed between mutations in TP53 and outcome. CONCLUSIONS Overexpression of p53 in malignant gliomas during childhood is strongly associated with an adverse outcome, independently of clinical prognostic factors and histologic findings.