Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Randomized Trial Comparing Telephone Versus In-Person Weight Loss Counseling on Body Composition and Circulating Biomarkers in Women Treated for Breast Cancer: The Lifestyle, Exercise, and Nutrition (LEAN) Study.

PURPOSE Obesity is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer mortality. The gold standard approach to weight loss is in-person counseling, but telephone counseling may be more feasible. We examined the effect of in-person versus telephone weight loss counseling versus usual care on 6-month changes in body composition, physical activity, diet, and serum biomarkers. METHODS One hundred breast cancer survivors with a body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m(2) were randomly assigned to in-person counseling (n = 33), telephone counseling (n = 34), or usual care (UC) (n = 33). In-person and telephone counseling included 11 30-minute counseling sessions over 6 months. These focused on reducing caloric intake, increasing physical activity, and behavioral therapy. Body composition, physical activity, diet, and serum biomarkers were measured at baseline and 6 months. RESULTS The mean age of participants was 59 ± 7.5 years old, with a mean BMI of 33.1 ± 6.6 kg/m(2), and the mean time from diagnosis was 2.9 ± 2.1 years. Fifty-one percent of the participants had stage I breast cancer. Average 6-month weight loss was 6.4%, 5.4%, and 2.0% for in-person, telephone, and UC groups, respectively (P = .004, P = .009, and P = .46 comparing in-person with UC, telephone with UC, and in-person with telephone, respectively). A significant 30% decrease in C-reactive protein levels was observed among women randomly assigned to the combined weight loss intervention groups compared with a 1% decrease among women randomly assigned to UC (P = .05). CONCLUSION Both in-person and telephone counseling were effective weight loss strategies, with favorable effects on C-reactive protein levels. Our findings may help guide the incorporation of weight loss counseling into breast cancer treatment and care.
Traveling-wave ion mobility mass spectrometry of protein complexes: accurate calibrated collision cross-sections of human insulin oligomers.

RATIONALE The collision cross-section (Ω) of a protein or protein complex ion can be measured using traveling-wave (T-wave) ion mobility (IM) mass spectrometry (MS) via calibration with compounds of known Ω. The T-wave Ω-values depend strongly on instrument parameters and calibrant selection. Optimization of instrument parameters and calibration standards are crucial for obtaining accurate T-wave Ω-values. METHODS Human insulin and the fast-acting insulin aspart under native-like conditions (ammonium acetate, physiological pH) were analyzed on Waters SYNAPT G1 and G2 HDMS instruments. The calibrated T-wave Ω-values of insulin monomer, dimer, and hexamer ions were measured using many different combinations of denatured and native-like calibrants (masses between 2.85 and 256 kDa) and T-wave conditions. Drift-tube Ω-values were obtained on a modified SYNAPT G1. RESULTS Insulin T-wave Ω-values were measured at 26 combinations of T-wave velocity and amplitude. Optimal sets of calibrants were identified that yield Ω-values with minimal dependence on T-wave conditions and calibration plots with high R(2)-values. The T-wave Ω-values determined under conditions satisfying these criteria had absolute errors <2%. Structural differences between human insulin and fast-acting insulin aspart were probed with IM-MS. Insulin aspart monomers have increased flexibility, while hexamers are more compact than human insulin. CONCLUSIONS Accurate T-wave Ω-values that are indistinguishable from drift-tube values are obtained when using (1) native-like calibrants with masses that closely bracket that of the analyte, (2) T-wave velocities that maximize the R(2) of the calibration plot for those calibrants, and (3) at least three replicates at T-wave velocities that yield calibration plots with high R(2).
Gender and Health Lifestyle

Objective. Evaluate similarities and differences in the self-care domain of health lifestyle among older, rural-dwelling women and men. Method. Qualitative analysis of in-depth interview data from 62 community-dwelling older (M = 74.3 years) African and European American women and men. Results. Both older women and men rely heavily on over-the-counter medications and home remedies for self-care; professional health care is typically sought when self-care is not effective. However, relative to men, women were more knowledgeable about different approaches to self-care, especially home remedies; they used a wider range of self-care activities; and they placed greater priority on self-care over professional health care. Discussion. The structure of older women’s and men’s self-care domain of health lifestyle is similar. However, there are subtle differences in health lifestyle that are likely embedded in gendered role behavior and may contribute to women’s greater health complaints.
The Mental Health Consequences of Disaster-Related Loss: Findings from Primary Care One Year After the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

This study examines the long-term psychiatric consequences, pain interference in daily activities, work loss, and functional impairment associated with 9/11-related loss among low-income, minority primary care patients in New York City. A systematic sample of 929 adult patients completed a survey that included a sociodemographic questionnaire, the PTSD Checklist, the PRIME-MD Patient Health Questionnaire, and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-12 (SF-12). Approximately one-quarter of the sample reported knowing someone who was killed in the attacks of 9/11, and these patients were sociodemographically similar to the rest of the sample. Compared to patients who had not experienced 9/11-related loss, patients who experienced loss were roughly twice as likely (OR = 1.97, 95%; CI = 1.40, 2.77) to screen positive for at least one mental disorder, including major depressive disorder (MDD; 29.2%), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; 19.4%), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; 17.1%). After controlling for pre-9/11 trauma, 9/11-related loss was significantly related to extreme pain interference, work loss, and functional impairment. The results suggest that disaster-related mental health care in this clinical population should emphasize evidence-based treatments for mood and anxiety disorders.
Ultrasound-Biomicroscopic Evaluation of Filtering Blebs after Laser Suture Lysis Trabeculectomy

Sometimes in glaucomatous patients treated with trabeculectomy there is no correlation between bleb shape and intra-ocular pressure (IOP). In this study we evaluated the ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) features of filtering blebs after laser suture lysis (LSL) trabeculectomy in order to analyse whether its ultrasound-biomicroscopic image can predict the function (IOP). Methods: The Humphrey ultrasound biomicroscope, using a high-frequency (50-Mhz) probe, provides high-resolution images of filtering blebs. A total of 103 filtering blebs after LSL trabeculectomy were analysed by UBM. Taking into account the characteristics of internal reflectivity and scleral flap, we classified the blebs into three groups (good, fair, poor) that indicate the bleb function and correlated this UBM pattern with the IOP control (good, borderline, failure). Results: There was a statistically significant corelation between the UBM classification of function and the IOP control level. Both well-functioning and failed trabeculectomies could be identified by UBM. The UBM images of eyes with good IOP control are characterized by better visibility of the route under the scleral flap and a low reflectivity inside the bleb. Conclusions: In accordance with previous studies, we believe that UBM can be a useful method to study and explain the mechanisms of filtering structures and, together with IOP control, to evaluate the bleb function.
Results of peri-articular steroid injection in the treatment of chronic extra-articular pain after total knee arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE The authors conducted study to analyze results of peri-articular steroid injection in the treatment of chronic pain from soft tissue inflammation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). MATERIAL AND METHOD The authors retrieved data from all patients underwent TKA whom suffered with chronic extra-articular pain and received local peri-articular steroid injection by 2 senior authors during January 1, 2008 to June 30, 2010. Clinical evaluation such as pain score, knee score and functional score were recorded pre-injection and three months after injection. RESULTS 554 TKA cases were operated during January 1, 2008 and June 30, 2010. 29 knees from 28 female patients were injected with steroid injection and included in the present study. Mean age of 64.7 year and mean BMI of 27.7. Three patients in this group were diagnoses as Diabetes. The most common site of injection was in Tibia, with either Anserinus bursa or around Gerdy's tubercle. Mean time to injection after operation was 5 months. Mean VAS was reduced from 56.5 +/- 20.32 to 20.57 +/- 16.1. Mean knee score and functional score were improved from 74.62 +/- 14.24 to 85.71 +/- 11.85 and from 53.4 +/- 22.57 to 67.04 +/- 21.17 consecutively. All clinical difference has statistically significant with p-value < 0.05. There was no incident of superficial or deep infection at mean follow-up time of 2 years and 5 months. CONCLUSION Local steroid injection is a safe and effective choice for treatment of pain from chronic soft tissue inflammation after TKA.
Hypersexuality Addiction and Withdrawal: Phenomenology, Neurogenetics and Epigenetics

Hypersexuality has been defined as abnormally increased sexual activity. Epidemiological and clinical studies have shown that this non-paraphilic condition consists of "excessive" sexual behaviors and disorders accompanied by personal distress and social and medical morbidity. It is a very controversial and political topic in terms of how best to categorize it as similar or not similar to addictive behaviors including substance abuse. Hypersexual disorder is conceptualized as a non-paraphilic sexual desire disorder with impulsivity. Pathophysiological perspectives include dysregulation of sexual arousal and desire, sexual impulsivity, and sexual compulsivity. The nucleus accumbens, situated within the ventral striatum, mediates the reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse, such as cocaine, alcohol, nicotine, and food as well as music. Indeed, it is believed that this structure mandates behaviors elicited by incentive stimuli. These behaviors include natural rewards like feeding, drinking, sexual behavior, and exploratory locomotion. An essential rule of positive reinforcement is that motor responses will increase in magnitude and vigor if followed by a rewarding event. Here, we are hypothesizing that there is a common mechanism of action (MOA) for the powerful effects drugs, music, food, and sex have on human motivation. The human drive for the three necessary motivational behaviors "hunger, thirst, and sex" may all have common molecular genetic antecedents that, if impaired, lead to aberrant behaviors. We hypothesize that based on a plethora of scientific support hypersexual activity is indeed like drugs, food, and music that activate brain mesolimbic reward circuitry. Moreover, dopaminergic gene and possibly other candidate neurotransmitter-related gene polymorphisms affect both hedonic and anhedonic behavioral outcomes. There is little known about both the genetics and epigenetics of hypersexuality in the current literature. However, we anticipate that future studies based on assessments with clinical instruments combined with genotyping of sex addicts will provide evidence for specific clustering of sexual typologies with polymorphic associations. There have been some studies using electrophysiological techniques that do not support the view that hypersexuality is indeed similar to substance abuse and other behavioral addictions. The authors are also encouraging both clinical and academic scientists to embark on research using neuroimaging tools to examine natural dopaminergic agonistic agents targeting specific gene polymorphisms to "normalize" hypersexual behavior.
Zirconia phase transformation in retrieved, wear simulated, and artificially aged ceramic femoral heads

Zirconia in Zirconia toughened alumina ceramic hip replacements exists in an unstable state and can transform in response to stress giving the material improved fracture toughness. Phase transformation also occurs under hydrothermal conditions such as exist in vivo. To predict the hydrothermal aging that will occur in vivo accelerated aging procedures have been used, but validation of these models requires the study of retrieved hip joints. Here 26 retrievals are analysed to determine the degree of phase transformation in vivo. These were compared with virgin heads, heads that had undergone the accelerated aging process and heads wear tested to 5 million cycles in a hip simulator. Monoclinic content and surface roughness were measured using Raman spectroscopy and white light interferometry respectively. The monoclinic content for retrieved heads was 28.5% ± 7.8, greater than twice that in virgin, aged, or wear tested heads and did not have a significant correlation with time, contrary to the predictions of the hydrothermal aging model. The surface roughness for retrieved heads in the unworn area was not significantly different to that in virgin, aged, or unworn areas of wear tested heads. However in worn areas of the retrieved heads, the surface roughness was higher than observed in wear simulator testing. These results indicate that current testing methodologies do not fully capture the operational conditions of the material and the real performance of future new materials may not be adequately predicted by current pre‐clinical testing methods. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Orthopaedic Research Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Orthopaedic Research Society 35:2781–2789, 2017.
Pancreatic beta-cell replication and amelioration of surgical diabetes by Reg protein.

We previously isolated from a rat regenerating islet cDNA library a gene named Reg, which is expressed in regenerating islets but is not expressed in normal islets. Here we examined the effect of rat Reg protein on pancreatic beta-cell replication using both 90% depancreatized rats and isolated islets. The depancreatized rats that received i.p. administration of recombinant rat Reg protein (1 mg/kg per day) for 2 months showed amelioration of the surgical diabetes, as evidenced by a significant decrease in blood glucose with an increased beta-cell mass in the residual pancreas. In isolated rat islets, Reg protein (18-180 nM: 0.3-3 micrograms/ml) significantly increased [3H]thymidine incorporation into the nuclei of beta cells. These results indicate that Reg protein is a growth factor for pancreatic beta cells and also suggest that the administration of Reg protein could be used as another therapeutic approach for diabetes mellitus.
Parathyroidectomy in Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Retrospective Study of 167 Patients, Experience in Jules Bordet Institute

Abstract The aim of this study is to compare our surgical results of parathyroidectomies in primary hyperparathyroidism with literature results. From 1985 until 1009, 167 patients were operated for primary hyperparathyroidism by bilateral central neck exploration. The sex ratio (women/men) is 4/1 and the middle age is 57 years old. We record clinical information, laboratory and radiological results of the preoperative period. We count 158 adenomas, 5 parathyroid hyperplasias, two carcinomas and two parathyroid glands reported as normal. The morbidity rate was low (0.6%) and there was no mortality. With a mean follow-up of 6 years, the majority of symptoms and clinical signs improved after surgery, the parathyroid hormone level (PTH) and the calcaemia normalized in all patients except 4/166 (1.41%). Among twenty-four patients who go for a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry test (DEXA), 16/14 (66.67%) demonstrated a lumbar spine bone mass increase and 15/14 (61.5%) a total hip bone mass increase. There was one recurrence of hyperparathyroidism due to a missed second adenoma in the mediastinum. In conclusion, the parathyroidectomy by bilateral neck exploration under general anesthesia in the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism is a surgical technique associated with a high recovery rate and a low complications rate. A systematic study of the bone mass before and after parathyroidectomy should allow identification of the factors that are associated with the bone density increase of these patients.
Biodegradation of plasticizers by Rhodotorula rubra

The degradation of plasticizers by the yeast Rhodotorula rubra J‐96‐1 (American Type Culture Collection 9449) in the presence of glucose was studied. The plasticizers included the commonly used bis‐2‐ethylhexyl adipate (B(EH)A), dioctyl phthalate (DOP), and dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP), and the less commonly used dipropylene glycol dibenzoate (D(PG)DB) and diethylene glycol dibenzoate (D(EG)DB). The proposal had been made that the latter two plasticizers be used as alternatives to the first three, which have been associated with negative environmental impacts. The degradation of D(PG)DB or D(EG)DB led to a significant increase in solution toxicity, which was associated with the production of metabolites resulting from the incomplete breakdown of the plasticizers. The toxic metabolites in the D(PG)DB system were identified as isomers of dipropylene glycol monobenzoate. A pathway for the formation of this metabolite was proposed. The metabolite observed when D(EG)DB was being degraded was tentatively identified as diethylene glycol monobenzoate by analogy to the D(PG)DB system. In contrast, no metabolites were observable and toxicity did not increase in the media during the degradation of B(EH)A, DOP, or DOTP by R. rubra. Collectively, these results do not support the use of D(PG)DB and D(EG)DB as environmentally safe alternatives to B(EH)A, DOP, or DOTP.
Increasing the Flexibility of Combined Heat and Power for Wind Power Integration in China: Modeling and Implications

With the largest installed capacity in the world, wind power in China is experiencing a ~ 20% curtailment during operation. The large portion of the generation capacity from inflexible combined heat and power (CHP) is the major barrier for integrating this variable power source. This paper explores opportunities for increasing the flexibility of CHP units using electrical boilers and heat storage tanks for better integration of wind power. A linear model is proposed for the centralized dispatch for integrated energy systems considering both heat and power, with detailed modeling of the charging processes of the heat storage tanks. The model balances heat and power demands in multiple areas and time periods with various energy sources, including CHP, wind power, electrical boilers, and heat storage. The impact of introducing electrical boilers and heat storage systems is examined using a simple test system with characteristics similar to those of the power systems in Northern China. Our results show that both electrical boilers and heat storage tanks can improve the flexibility of CHP units: introducing electrical boilers is more effective at reducing wind curtailment, whereas heat storage tanks save more energy in the energy system as a whole, which reflect a different heating efficiency of the two solutions.
Automated Percutaneous Lumbar Discectomy Versus Chemonucleolysis in the Treatment of Sciatica: A Randomized Multicenter Trial

A randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare the results of automated percutaneous discectomy with those of chemonucleolysis in 141 patients with sciatica caused by a disk herniation; 69 underwent automated percutaneous discectomy and 72 were subjected to chemonucleolysis. The principle outcome was the overall assessment of the patient 6 months after treatment. Treatment was considered to be successful by 61% of the patients in the chemonucleolysis group compared with 44% in the automated percutaneous discectomy group. At 1-year follow-up, overall success rates were 66% in the chemonucleolysis group and 37% in the automated percutaneous group. Within 6 months of treatment, 7% of the patients in the chemonucleolysis group and 33% in the discectomy group underwent subsequent open surgery. The complication rates of both treatment groups were low, with the exception of a high rate of low-back pain in the chemonucleolysis group (42%). The results of this trial confirm previous controlled studies on chemonucleolysis and suggest that controlled studies should be carried out before automated percutaneous discectomy can be considered a useful intervention.
The Four-Arm Cooperative Study (FACS) for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

7006 Background: Platinum-containing regimens are the standard treatment for patients with advanced NSCLC. The purpose of FACS was to compare 3 platinum-based combination regimens with cisplatin (80mg/m2, day 1) plus irinotecan (60mg/m2, days 1, 8, 15) (IP, q4wks) as the reference arm. METHODS The experimental regimens included carboplatin (AUC 6, day 1) plus paclitaxel (200mg/m2, day 1) (TC, q3wks); cisplatin (80mg/m2, day 1) plus gemcitabine (1000mg/m2, day 1, 8) (GP, q3wks); cisplatin (80mg/m2, day 1) plus vinorelbine (25mg/m2, day 1, 8) (NP, q3wks). Sample size (n=600) was calculated based on non-inferiority study design. The estimated 1-year survival rate of the reference arm was 43% and the lower-side equivalence limit for 1-year survival rate was -10%. Each patient (pt) had to fulfill the following criteria: histologically and/or cytologically documented NSCLC, clinical stage IV or IIIB (malignant pleural effusion and/or metastasis in the same lobe), ECOG PS 0 or 1, age from 20 to 74 years, no prior chemotherapy, measurable lesion, adequate organ functions. RESULTS Between Oct. 2000 and June 2002, 602 pts were registered from 44 hospitals in Japan. Twenty-one pts were not eligible or evaluable and 581 pts were fully assessable (full analysis set; FAS). Pt demographics were well balanced across arms. [Figure: see text] Conclusions: Non-inferiority of the 3 experimental regimens compared with IP was not demonstrated in the analysis of FAS. One-year survival rate of 59.2% in the reference arm was higher than expected. Quality of life and second-line treatment data will be presented at 2004 ASCO. [Table: see text].
Molecular detection and characterization of Brucella species in raw informally marketed milk from Uganda

This study identified and characterized Brucella species in the informal milk chain in Uganda. A total of 324 cattle bulk milk samples were screened for the genus Brucella by real-time PCR with primers targeting the bcsp31 gene and further characterized by the omp25 gene. Of the samples tested, 6.5% were positive for Brucella species. In the omp25 phylogeny, the study sequences were found to form a separate clade within the branch containing B. abortus sequences. The study shows that informally marketed cattle milk in Uganda is a likely risk factor for human brucellosis and confirms that B. abortus is present in the cattle population. This information is important for potential future control measures, such as vaccination of cattle.