Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does patient education work in breast cancer? Final results from the global CARIATIDE study.

AIM To determine the impact of educational materials (EMs) on the treatment compliance of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) early-stage breast cancer. PATIENTS & METHODS Patients (n = 2757) were randomized to standard aromatase inhibitors (AI) alone (group A) or with EMs (group B) in a global, real-world setting. RESULTS The 2-year results (n = 2242) showed EMs had no impact on compliance (82 vs. 82%, group A vs. B), compliance with initial AI (82 vs. 81%) or persistence (90 vs. 88%), confirming the 1-year interim analysis (n = 2567). Of the 2082 patients considered compliant at 1 year, 77% remained compliant at 2 years. Discontinuations (9%) were mainly attributed to AI-related side effects (68% of discontinuations). Exploratory analyses suggest a relationship between patient characteristics and compliance behaviors. CONCLUSION EMs do not improve compliance in this patient population. Compliance and persistence are complex end points influenced by multiple variables. Side effects were the main reasons for discontinuations.
15-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acid Is a Preferential Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor β/δ Agonist

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARs) modulate target gene expression in response to unsaturated fatty acid ligands, such as arachidonic acid (AA). Here, we report that the AA metabolite 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) activates the ligand-dependent activation domain (AF2) of PPARβ/δ in vivo, competes with synthetic agonists in a PPARβ/δ ligand binding assay in vitro, and triggers the interaction of PPARβ/δ with coactivator peptides. These agonistic effects were also seen with PPARα and PPARγ, but to a significantly weaker extent. We further show that 15-HETE strongly induces the expression of the bona fide PPAR target gene Angptl4 in a PPARβ/δ-dependent manner and, conversely, that inhibition of 15-HETE synthesis reduces PPARβ/δ transcriptional activity. Consistent with its function as an agonistic ligand, 15-HETE triggers profound changes in chromatin-associated PPARβ/δ complexes in vivo, including the recruitment of the coactivator cAMP response element-binding protein binding protein. Both 15R-HETE and 15S-HETE are similarly potent at inducing PPARβ/δ coactivator binding and transcriptional activation, indicating that 15-HETE enantiomers generated by different pathways function as PPARβ/δ agonists.
Effects of rodent community diversity and composition on prevalence of an endemic bacterial pathogen - Bartonella

Abstract By studying Bartonella prevalence in rodent communities from 23 geographic sites in the western United States and one site in northern Mexico, the present study focused on the effects of rodent community diversity (measured by richness and Shannon index) and composition on prevalence of Bartonella infections. The analysis showed negative correlations of Bartonella prevalence with rodent richness and Shannon index. Further, Bartonella prevalence varied among rodent genera/species. Three models were applied to explain the observations. (1) Within-species/genus transmission: Bartonella strains usually are host-specific and adding non-host species would decrease Bartonella prevalence in its principal host through reduction of host contact (encounter reduction); (2) Frequency-dependence: Adding hosts would decrease the proportion of all infected individuals in the community, resulting in a reduction in the number of contacts between susceptible and infected individuals that usually leads to transmission (transmission reduction); and (3) Dominant species effect: Dominant species, if not susceptible to Bartonellae, can constrain the abundance of susceptible hosts (susceptible host regulation). These mechanisms work in concert; and the level of Bartonella prevalence is an outcome of regulation of all of these mechanisms on the entire system.
Teaching thematic analysis: Overcoming challenges and developing strategies for effective learning

With qualitative research methods an integral part of the psychology curriculum, questions arise of what approaches to teach, and how to teach them. We think thematic analysis (TA) offers a useful – and a relatively easy to teach and learn – basic introduction to qualitative analysis (see Braun & Clarke, 2006; 2012, 2013; Clarke & Braun, 2013); yet even teaching a fairly accessible approach like TA presents challenges in the classroom. Drawing on our experiences, and 38 responses from psychology students to a short qualitative survey on students’ experiences of qualitative and TA teaching, we explore some of the challenges of teaching TA to students new to qualitative research, and suggest strategies for overcoming these. Many of these are not specific to TA; they apply to teaching qualitative research more broadly, but we focus our discussion on TA.
The use of detrital mineral cooling ages to evaluate steady state assumptions in active orogens: An example from the central Nepalese Himalaya

The distribution of detrital mineral cooling ages in modern sediments has been proposed as a proxy for long‐term, catchment‐averaged erosion rates in developing orogens. However, the applicability of this potentially valuable tool hinges on restrictive assumptions regarding a catchment's steady state thermal and topographic evolution. In this paper, we outline a method by which these assumptions can be tested through statistical comparisons of cooling age distributions for detrital minerals and the hypsometric curves for their source regions using cumulative synoptic probability density functions. Our approach is illustrated with new detrital muscovite 40Ar/39Ar dates from the Marsyandi River valley, in the central Nepalese Himalaya. One of three studied catchments (Nyadi Khola) showed the strong correlation of hypsometry and cooling ages expected for steady state conditions over the 11 to 2.5 Ma time frame. The pattern of mismatch between hypsometry and cooling age distribution in the other catchments suggests that spatially nonuniform and transient erosional processes may be responsible for departure from steady state. Cooling age distribution comparisons for samples collected from nearby localities, samples collected in different years, and different grain size fractions from the same sample were used to evaluate sampling fidelity over a range of spatial scales (200 to 2590 km2). We found that approximately 50 analyses from a single sediment sample adequately characterize the cooling age signal for tributary catchments with simple erosional histories. However, because of temporally and spatially transient erosion, a specific detrital sample is unlikely to adequately characterize the complex signal in trunk stream sediments that integrate information from several large tributaries.
The role of human papillomavirus in head and neck cancer and the impact on radiotherapy outcome

Abstract Conclusion: HPV + HNSCC patients have improved Overall Survival (OS), Disease Specific Survival (DSS), Disease Free Survival (DFS), and Progression Free Survival (PFS). The radiotherapy treatment can’t improve the Survival of the HPV-negative HNSCC patients. Objective: To investigate the role of Human papillomavirus in head and neck cancer and the impact on radiotherapy outcome. Methods: A search in PubMed and Chinese CNKI (2000–2015) was performed. This meta-analysis was done using RevMan 5.1 software. Outcomes included OS, DSS, DFS, PFS, and Treatment responses rates (RR). Results: A total of 2620 patients in 10 studies were included. The Positive detective rates of HPV and P16 are 32.5% (425/1309) and 42.5% (526/1239). OS and PFS were improved in HPV + patients compared to HPV − patients (HR = 0.48; 95% CI = 0.37–0.62, p < 0.0001) and (HR = 0.49; 95% CI = 0.31–0.78, p < 0.0001). The survival benefit was similar in HPV-16 + patients (adjusted HR = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.21–0.60, p < 0.0001). The DFS of P16 + patients improved (HR = 0.70; 95% CI = 0.55–0.89, p < 0.0001). The treatment response of p16 + patients didn’t significantly improve compared with p16− patients (HR = 1.44; 95% CI = 1.01–2.05, p = 0.05).
In vitro three‐dimensional (3D) models in cancer research: An update

Tissues are three‐dimensional (3D) entities as is the tumor that arises within them. Though disaggregated cancerous tissues have produced numerous cell lines for basic and applied research, it is generally agreed that these lines are poor models of in vivo phenomena. In this review we focus on in vitro 3D models used in cancer research, particularly their contribution to molecular studies of the early stages of metastasis, angiogenesis, the tumor microenvironment, and cancer stem cells. We present a summary of the various formats used in the field of tissue bioengineering as they apply to mechanistic modeling of cancer stages or processes. In addition we list studies that model specific types of malignancies, highlight drastic differences in results between 3D in vitro models and classical monolayer culturing techniques, and establish the need for standardization of 3D models for meaningful preclinical and therapeutic testing. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy as a Treatment for Intraocular Retinoblastoma: Alternatives to Direct Ophthalmic Artery Catheterization

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intra-arterial chemotherapy is a very effective treatment option for intraocular retinoblastoma. However, direct catheterization of the OA is not always possible. The purpose of this work was to report our initial results with intra-arterial chemotherapy for intraocular retinoblastoma when delivery of the drug was not via direct catheterization of the OA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 110 eyes (89 patients) undergoing a total of 351 intra-arterial treatments at our institution between 2006 and 2010 identified 18 eyes (14 patients) that received at least 1 infusion via a vascular route other than direct OA catheterization. Alternatives included catheterization of the orbital branch of the MMA and temporary balloon occlusion of the ICA. RESULTS: Tumor control was observed in 17 of 18 eyes at a mean follow-up of 18.9 months (median, 17.5 months; range, 8–36 months). The mean number of intra-arterial infusions was 3.7 per eye (median, 3; range, 2–9). Treatment routes included the following: MMA only, 3 eyes; MMA + OA, 4 eyes; MMA + balloon, 2 eyes; balloon only, 1 eye; balloon + OA, 7 eyes; balloon + OA + MMA, 1 eye. Intra-arterial chemotherapies included melphalan, topotecan, and carboplatin. Complications were all transient. ERG readings were the following: stable, 10 eyes; improved, 3 eyes; reduced, 5 eyes. One patient died from a second malignancy (pinealoblastoma). CONCLUSIONS: This initial experience shows that when direct OA catheterization is not possible, using alternative routes of intra-arterial chemotherapy saves eyes and preserves vision with acceptable side effects.
Presence of tropical spastic paraparesis/human T‐cell lymphotropic virus type 1‐associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM)‐like among HIV‐1‐infected patients

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) and human T‐cell lymphotropic virus types 1 and 2 (HTLV‐1 and ‐2) are retroviruses that share similar routes of transmission and some individuals may have a dual infection. These co‐infected subjects may be at increased risk for tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV‐1‐associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM)‐like. To study the prevalence of tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV‐1‐associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM) among co‐infected HIV‐1/HTLV‐1 subjects. Since July 1997, our group has been following a cohort to study the interaction of HTLV with HIV and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV), as well as HTLV‐1‐only infected asymptomatic carriers or those already presenting with TSP/HAM. During these 9 years, 296 HTLV‐1‐infected individuals were identified from a total of 538 patients who were referred to our clinic at the Institute of Infectious Diseases “Emílio Ribas,” in São Paulo, Brazil. All subjects were evaluated by two neurologists, blinded to the HTLV status. TSP/HAM diagnosis was based on Kagoshima diagnostic criteria. Results: A total of 38 HIV‐1/HTLV‐1 co‐infected subjects were identified in this cohort: Twenty‐six had already been diagnosed with AIDS and 12 remained asymptomatic. Six of 38 co‐infected subjects (18%) were diagnosed as having TSP/HAM and also AIDS, and for 5 of them TSP/HAM was their first illness. One additional incident case was diagnosed after 2 years of follow‐up. No modifications on HIV‐1 viral load was seen. In contrast, the co‐infected with TSP/HAM‐like group showed higher HTLV‐1 proviral load (505 ± 380 vs. 97 ± 149 copies/104 PBMC, P = 0.012) than asymptomatic co‐infected subjects, respectively. The incidence of myelopathy among HIV‐1/HTLV‐1 co‐infected subjects is probably higher than among patients infected only with HTLV‐1, and related to a higher HTLV‐1 proviral load. Thus, HTLV‐1/2 screening should be done for all HIV‐1‐infected patients in areas where HTLV‐1 infection is endemic. J. Med. Virol. 80:392–398, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Topically applied lipid- and surfactant-based nanoparticles in the treatment of skin disorders

ABSTRACT Introduction: In the treatment of dermatological disorders, topical drug administration is a mainstay. However, nanoparticle-based carrier systems could improve and expand the current therapeutic range via localized delivery of active ingredients. Areas covered: This review gives a detailed description of lipid- and surfactant-based drug delivery systems which have been explored for topical drug administration. To guide researchers in their choice of delivery system, an informative decision tree is included. Moreover, this review provides a complete overview of the topical or transdermal drug products, currently on the market or under clinical investigation, delivered via the discussed carriers, in the treatment of skin disorders. Expert opinion: Conventional liposomes are still popular in the domain of topical or transdermal drug delivery and dominate the market landscape. However, several other carriers, such as exosomes and niosomes, are being explored which offer distinct advantages over liposomes and should therefore not be disregarded when selecting a proper drug delivery system.
Thyroglobulin antibody is associated with increased cancer risk in thyroid nodules.

BACKGROUND The association between autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) and thyroid cancer is still not clear despite many previous reports. This study investigated whether serologic thyroid antibodies are predictive of thyroid cancer in patients with thyroid nodules. METHOD We retrospectively reviewed records of patients with thyroid nodules evaluated by ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology at our institution between January 2006 and December 2008. Thyroid autoimmunity was assessed by measuring thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb). The final outcome deciding a benign or malignant status involved a combination of cytology and histology. RESULTS Of the 1638 patients, malignant nodules had a higher rate of positive TgAb (30.8% vs. 19.6%; p < 0.001) and elevated thyrotropin (TSH) levels (2.5 +/- 2.8 mIU/L vs. 2.1 +/- 2.0 mIU/L; p = 0.021) than benign nodules. The rate of positive TPOAb was not higher in malignant nodules, although both TPOAb and TgAb were well correlated with TSH levels and histological AIT. In the multivariate analysis, a positive TgAb was significantly associated with thyroid cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-2.33) with upper tertile of normal range of TSH levels (OR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.12-2.63) and above normal range of TSH levels (OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.06-3.70). CONCLUSION We report for the first time that a positive serum TgAb test was an independent predictor for thyroid malignancy in thyroid nodules along with serum TSH levels regardless of the presence of AIT. Our results suggest that TgAb measurement could give additional information for predicting malignancy in cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules in conjunction with clinical risk factors and TSH levels.
for a New Track for Intervention Emotion Regulation and the Cultivation of Political Tolerance : Searching

The goal of the current project is to integrate psychological research on emotion regulation with the study of democratic practices in general and political intolerance in particular. We hypothesized that the use of a well-established emotion regulation strategy, cognitive reappraisal, would be associated with lower levels of group-based negative emotions toward one’s least-liked group and lower levels of political intolerance toward that group. Preliminary data based on nationwide survey conducted among Jews in Israel show that the tendency to reappraise negative emotions during war is associated with more tolerant attitudes. In studies 1 and 2, we experimentally manipulated reappraisal, and this led to reduced levels of political intolerance toward Palestinian Citizens of Israel (study 1) and toward one’s least-liked group (study 2). These effects were transmitted via a decrease in negative emotions in both studies, as well as by an increase in support for general democratic values in Study 2. 1 Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya, Israel 2 Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel 3 Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA * Both authors have contributed to this article equally Corresponding Author: Eran Halperin, School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya, Kanfei Nesharim 167, Herzliya 46150, Israel. Email: eran.halperin@idc.ac. il Journal of Conflict Resolution 2014, Vol. 58(6) 1110-1138 a The Author(s) 2013 Reprints and permission: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0022002713492636 jcr.sagepub.com at Interdisciplinary Center for on August 20, 2014 jcr.sagepub.com Downloaded from
A new hybrid recommendation algorithm with privacy

Providing accurate and dependable recommendations efficiently while preserving privacy is essential for e‐commerce sites to recruit new customers and keep the existing ones. Such sites might be able to increase their sales and profits while customers can obtain precise and trustworthy predictions if they use appropriate collaborative filtering (CF) algorithms without deeply jeopardizing users' privacy. We propose a new recommendation algorithm, which is a hybrid‐memory and model‐based algorithm to generate truthful referrals efficiently. Moreover, we use randomization techniques to preserve users' privacy while still offering CF services with decent accuracy. We perform real data‐based trials and analyse our proposed schemes in terms of privacy, accuracy, and performance.
A mode-of-operation based switching technique for SIDO Buck-boost converter

This article presents a switching technique for the Single Inductor Double Output (SIDO) buck-boost converter. The proposed switching technique improves the overall efficiency of the SIDO DC-DC converter by (i) automatically differentiating between buck and boost dominated modes of operation and (ii) providing a need-based charging phase to the system only in the boost-dominated load conditions. In addition, using the proposed technique, the outputs are regulated efficiently across the input/line variations. The generation of switching phases is entirely by error processing and simplified. System level simulation of the SIDO buck-boost converter is performed and the relevant results are provided.
Prevalence of hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis D virus and hepatitis E virus as causes of acute viral hepatitis in North India: a hospital based study.

CONTEXT Acute viral hepatitis (AVH) is a major public health problem and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. AIM The aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis D virus (HDV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) as causes of AVH in a tertiary care hospital of North India. SETTINGS AND DESIGN Blood samples and clinical information was collected from cases of AVH referred to the Grade I viral diagnostic laboratory over a 1-year period. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-HCV total antibodies, anti-HAV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and anti-HEV IgM by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. PCR for nucleic acid detection of HBV and HCV was also carried out. Those positive for HBV infection were tested for anti-HDV antibodies. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED Fisher's exact test was used and a P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS Of the 267 viral hepatitis cases, 62 (23.22%) patients presented as acute hepatic failure. HAV (26.96%) was identified as the most common cause of acute hepatitis followed by HEV (17.97%), HBV (16.10%) and HCV (11.98%). Co-infections with more than one virus were present in 34 cases; HAV-HEV co-infection being the most common. HEV was the most important cause of acute hepatic failure followed by co-infection with HAV and HEV. An indication towards epidemiological shift of HAV infection from children to adults with a rise in HAV prevalence was seen. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report indicating epidemiological shift of HAV in Uttar Pradesh.
Serum Osteoprotegerin as a Screening Tool for Coronary Artery Calcification Score in Diabetic Pre-Dialysis Patients

Although cardiovascular disease is a principal cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), it is often asymptomatic in diabetic patients. The coronary artery calcification score (CACS) measured by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is useful for screening ischemic heart disease in the general population. We investigated which clinical parameters predict high CACS in predialysis diabetic nephropathy (DN). Participants were 85 patients with DN. Nobody had any history of coronary angioplasty or coronary bypass surgery. We measured blood counts, blood chemistry, bone alkaline phosphatase, intact-PTH, interleukin-6, osteoprotegerin (OPG), hemoglobin A1c, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and fetuin-A. CACS and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured by a single 16-slice MDCT and DEXA, respectively. The median value of CACS equaled 256 Agatston units (range 0–4494 units). Stepwise increase in CACS with CKD stage progression was observed (p<0.01 for trend). Simple regression analyses showed that Log (CACS+1) was positively correlated with age, systolic blood pressure, phosphorus and OPG. In addition, it was negatively correlated with nutritional parameters, such as body mass index, albumin, total-cholesterol and 25(OH)D. Fetuin-A and BMD had no impact on CACS. Multiple regression analyses showed that low albumin and high OPG were associated with high CACS. The sensitivity of OPG for detecting CACS>200 was 80%, when the cut-off value was 1.2 ng/mL. In conclusion, CACS increased with CKD stage progression in predialysis DN patients. Serum OPG was positively associated with high CACS and can be a useful screening tool for severe coronary calcification, whereas no association between fetuin-A and CACS was found.