Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cell-free serum DNA in patients with bladder cancer: results of a prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND/AIM Cell-free DNA may serve as a biomarker for patients with cancer; we designed our study to determine its potential in patients with bladder cancer (BCA). MATERIALS AND METHODS Short β-actin (ACTB)-106 and large ACTB-384 fragments were quantified using real time PCR (RT-PCR); the ratio of ACTB-384/ACTB-106 was defined as DNA integrity. We analyzed the serum from 95 patients with and from 132 without BCA. RESULTS Patients with BCA had increased ACTB-106 levels and lower DNA integrity compared to patients without cancer. However, patients undergoing transurethral bladder resection (TURB) with histological exclusion of BCA had a similar ACTB-106 level and DNA integrity, as patients with BCA. Cell-free DNA was not correlated with smoker status, pT stage, grade or lymph node metastasis, or DNA integrity. There was a weak inverse correlation of age with DNA integrity in patients with BCA. CONCLUSION Analysis of serum cell-free DNA levels and fragmentation patterns are of limited value regarding the identification of patients with BCA.
The foreign policy and diplomatic attributes of a developmental state: South Africa as case study

With South Africa having declared itself a developmental state, this paper posits that if a developmental state is one that drives development, then the foreign policy of such a state should pursue development as one of its most important goals. Similarly the diplomatic corps of such a state should prioritise economic, commercial, para- and public diplomacy as drivers of diplomacy. In answering the question, ‘What should be the foreign policy and diplomatic attributes of a developmental state? ’, the authors, through an exploratory approach, seek to analyse how well the state has fared in achieving this objective. To be a successful developmental state, a strategic capacity should exist and a clear strategic conception of the state's national interest should be formulated. Old paradigms about the role and functions of the diplomatic corps are challenged and a meritocratic diplomatic corps is strongly advocated to support the state's declared developmental goals.
Prospective randomised trial evaluating a paclitaxel-coated balloon in patients treated with endothelial progenitor cell capturing stents for de novo coronary artery disease

Background Percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation is limited by the occurrence of re-stenosis and the risk of stent thromboses. Objective To define the impact of paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty plus endothelial progenitor cell capturing (EPC) stent implantation in de novo coronary artery disease. This combination may reduce neointimal proliferation within the EPC stent and address the risk of stent thrombosis by facilitating rapid endothelialisation. Methods In this prospective single-blind multicentre randomised trial, 120 patients with a de novo lesion in a native coronary artery were randomly assigned to undergo treatment with paclitaxel-coated balloon plus EPC stent or EPC stent alone. Dual antiplatelet therapy was prescribed for 3 months. Angiographic follow-up was scheduled at 6 months. The primary endpoint was in-stent late lumen loss. The secondary clinical endpoint was a composite of death from a cardiac cause, myocardial infarction attributed to the target vessel or target lesion revascularisation. Results There was no difference in patient baseline characteristics or procedural results. The angiographic follow-up rate was 96%. Treatment with paclitaxel-coated balloon plus EPC stent was superior to EPC stent alone, with an in-stent late loss of 0.34±0.45 mm versus 0.88±0.48 mm (p<0.001). The re-stenosis rate was reduced from 23.2% to 5.1% (p=0.006) and the clinical endpoint was reduced from 17.2% to 4.8% (p=0.039). There was no definite or probable stent thrombosis. Conclusions Paclitaxel-coated balloon plus EPC stent implantation is superior to EPC stent implantation alone for treatment of de novo coronary artery disease. Trial registration NCT00732953.
CD44/CD24 and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 in estrogen receptor-positive early breast cancer treated with tamoxifen: CD24 positivity is a poor prognosticator

CD44+/CD24- or aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) has been suggested as a potential marker for breast cancer stem cells. In the cohort of 819 patients with resected ER-positive breast cancer, the ‘5-year relapse group’ within 5 years postsurgery during adjuvant tamoxifen treatment and the ‘non-relapse group’ longer than 9 years postsurgery were defined. Paraffin-embedded tumor tissues were available in 31 patients from 5-year relapse group and 68 from the non-relapse group. CD44/ CD24 and ALDH1 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. Phenotypes of CD44/CD24 were CD44+/CD24- in one patient (1%), CD44+/CD24+in one patient (1%), CD44-/CD24+ in 12 patients (12%), and CD44-/CD24- in 67 patients (68%). Four patients (4%) showed ALDH1-positivity. Due to the rarity of CD44-positivity or ALDH1-positivity, we dichotomized the patients into CD24-positive status (13%, 13/99 patients) and CD24-negative status (87%, 86/99 patients) only based on CD24 status, and only the status of CD24 was further analyzed. CD24-positivity was higher in the 5-year relapse group (32%) than in the non-relapse group (4%). CD24-positivity was associated with negative PR (P=0.026), higher N stage (P=0.029), and higher histologic grade (P=0.034). However, in the multivariate logistic regression adjusted for the known prognostic factors, CD24-positivity was still a significant predictive factor for 5-year relapse (hazard ratio=8.5; P=0.006). Our results indicated that the expression of CD24 was a significant poor prognostic factor in ER-positive early breast cancer treated with adjuvant tamoxifen. CD24 is worth further investigation as a novel biomarker for tamoxifen resistance beyond general aggressiveness of cancer cells.
[The feasibility of Supreme laryngeal mask airway in gynecological laparoscopy surgery].

OBJECTIVE To explore the safety, efficacy and side effect of Supreme laryngeal mask airway (LMA) used in gynecological laparoscopy. METHODS From Oct. 2009 to Apr. 2010 in First Hospital of Peking University, 125 patients undergoing general anesthesia for elective gynecological laparoscopy were reviewed, 69 of which were dealt with Supreme LMA (S) and 56 with endotracheal tube (T). After anesthesia induction, changes of HR and MAP were observed during intubation and extubation. The peak inspiratory airway pressure (P(peak)) and P(ET)CO(2) were monitored. Relevant perioperative side effects were recorded. RESULTS HR and MAP in group T were increased right after intubation and during extubation (P < 0.05), which were significantly decreased in group S (P < 0.01). P(peak) and P(ET)CO(2) were comparable in the two groups at all the time points (P > 0.05). There was no body movement or coughing at the time of intubation. Group S had less incidence of body movement, coughing and sore throat than group T during extubation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Supreme LMA can provide the same safe and effective ventilation as intubation and less stress response and side effects in gynecological laparoscopy.
Detecting pollarded stands in Northern Zagros forests, using artificial neural network classifier on multi-temporal lansat-8(OLI) imageries (case study: Armarde, Baneh)

Local economy, based on animal husbandry in Northern Zagros forest leads to increase employing leaves and branches (pollarding) compared to the other parts of Zagros. Pollarding is a convenient method in forest utilization to supply fodder and it has been always trying to obtain its stable production by proper management skills. One of the most important forest management tools in a given forest is to provide up-to-date spatial maps of pollarded regions. The objective of this study was to investigate the capability of multi-temporal Landsat 8 OLI sensor for mapping pollarding areas of Northern Zagros forests. So that, we employed Landsat 8-OLI single and multi-date images acquired on 2014 and 2015. To assess the accuracy of output maps, a complete ground-truth of the study area was used to calculate the accuracy heuristics for the output maps. Different classification approaches were applied including minimum distance and maximum likelihood classifiers, artificial neural networks and fuzzy method. The classification accuracy was calculated on the basis of overall accuracy and kappa coefficient. The results indicated that artificial neural network and fuzzy classifier present the highest accuracy than the other classifiers. It was also found that utilizing the multi-temporal OLI imageries improves the accuracy over employing a single date. The results indicate that the multi-temporal imagery is moderately capable of mapping pollarded stands and classifying pollarding types, using ANN and Fuzzy classifiers.
Critical care nursing: Workforce issues and potential solutions

Objective:To review the history and development of critical care nurses, the supply and demand issues related to critical care nursing, critical care nursing's contribution to patient outcomes, and recommendations to ensure a steady and strong workforce. Data Source and Selection:Information presented in this article is based on a review of past and current literature including international and U.S. government reports, professional publications, monographs, newspapers, and journal articles identified by MEDLINE and CINAHL databases. The Internet was used to contact international and national professional organizations and specialists. Data Extraction and Synthesis:Original and selected review articles and guideline documents were reviewed for references to critical care nurses and their role on the multiprofessional critical care team. Conclusions:Critical care nurses are an essential and vital aspect of the critical care team. Nurses contribute to improved patient outcomes, reduced morbidity and mortality, reduced complications and errors, and reduced overall costs. More than 400,000 nurses practice in critical care, and additional opportunities exist and will develop. The challenge is to ensure an adequate supply of appropriately trained staff.
Direct Bit Loading With Reduced Complexity and Overhead for Precoded OFDM Systems

This paper considers the bit loading problem for communication systems that utilize orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) in conjunction with precoding (POFDM) or time-domain interleaving (IOFDM). In particular, we propose a new bit loading algorithm for P/I-OFDM that has substantially higher effective throughput and less computational complexity, when compared to bit loading in conventional OFDM systems. The obtained results show that the effective throughput of P/I-OFDM can be more than fourfold the conventional OFDM while the complexity is less than $1.5\%$. Moreover, the results show that the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) properties of the considered systems are preserved under the adaptation process.
Downscaling of Landsat and MODIS Land Surface Temperature Over the Heterogeneous Urban Area of Milan

Remotely sensed images of land surface temperature (LST) with high spatial resolution are required for various environmental applications. For instance, finer resolutions (FRs) are essential to capture thermal details in urban textures. To meet the requirements of sharper and sharper images, this study carries out a downscaling from coarser spatial resolution LST images to FRs using relationships between LST and spectral indexes (SIs) representative of different land cover types over the heterogeneous area of Milan. Different regressive schemes were applied to downscale LST of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Terra MODIS images during four summer passages. The regressions were first evaluated on Landsat images aggregated at 960 m resolution and downscaled to 480, 240, and 120 m. For the four Landsat scenes, the best regression models include both vegetation and built-up/soil SIs: the root mean square (rms) error, around 1 K for 480 m and 2 K for 120 m, is clearly below the LST standard deviation of each reference image, assumed as LST spatial variability. Then, contemporary MODIS data were downscaled from 960 m to the above FRs, and the best models include again both vegetation and built-up/soil SIs. The rms error is higher than the correspondent Landsat one (in some cases exceeds 3 K), but always below the LST spatial variability. A compression of the range of LST values for the MODIS-downscaled images was found with respect to the Landsat disaggregated images: this shortcoming in the LST retrieval affects the MODIS downscaling accuracy.
Failure to correct International Normalized Ratio and mortality among patients with warfarin‐related major bleeding: an analysis of electronic health records

Summary. Background: Delayed correction of blood clotting times as measured by the International Normalized Ratio (INR) is associated with adverse outcomes among certain patients with warfarin‐related major bleeding. However, there are limited data on the association between INR correction and mortality.Objective: To assess factors associated with 30‐day mortality and time to death in patients receiving fresh frozen plasma (FFP) for warfarin‐associated major bleeding.Methods: A retrospective database analysis was undertaken with electronic health record data from a large integrated health system. Patients met the following criteria: major hemorrhage diagnosis; INR ≥ 2 on the day before or day of receipt of FFP; and prescription fill for warfarin within 90 days. INR correction (defined as INR ≤ 1.3) was evaluated at the last available test 1 day following the start of FFP administration. Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to assess mortality.Results: Four hundred and five patients met the selection criteria (mean age of 75 years, 54% male), and 67% remained uncorrected at 1 day following the start of FFP administration. Among all patients, 11% died within 30 days of hospital admission. An uncorrected INR was not associated with a higher risk of 30‐day mortality for patients overall, but was statistically significant for the subgroup with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) (adjusted odds ratio 2.55; 95% confidence interval 1.04–6.28). Conclusions: Among the subgroup of major bleeding patients with warfarin‐associated ICH, those not correcting to either INR ≤ 1.3 or INR ≤ 1.5 with the use of FFP have an increased rate of mortality at 30 days.
The Effect of Social Support on Quality of Life in Older Adults Receiving Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The current study explores the role of social support in changes in quality of life resulting from home-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). One hundred thirty-seven participants, characterized primarily as rural, low-resource, and frail, were randomly assigned to either CBT or a minimal support control condition. Hierarchical regression revealed that positive change in satisfaction with social support was associated with improvement in quality of life beyond the effects of the CBT treatment. In addition, pretreatment satisfaction with social support and change in satisfaction with social support moderated the effect of CBT on quality of life. These results suggest that bolstering social support concomitant to CBT may increase quality of life.
Study on Dynamic Characteristics of Train-bridge Coupling Based on Wireless Sensor Network

It is very important to monitor dynamic responses and health states of the bridge in time and avoid occurrence of bridge collapses accidents. The bridge span is relative large, so detected positions should be scattered, and sensors should be placed on multiple cross sections. In traditional dynamic response tests of bridges, data collection is generally based on the wired type which is deficient in inconvenient installation and wiring. Aiming at those defects, this paper applies WSN (wireless sensor networks) technologies to test dynamic responses of a bridge under train effects. The WSN is a network system formed through a wireless communication type. It could sense, collect and process information of sensed objects in a network coverage region in a collaborative manner, and could send the information to users of the network through wireless transmission. Finally, through comparing with those results of wired sensors, reliability of tested results in the paper and validity of network layout were verified.
Consumer attitudes and preferences on holiday carbon footprint information in the Netherlands

ABSTRACT This study, part of an R&D project with Dutch tour operators, assessed Dutch consumer preferences towards a carbon label for holiday trips. A general survey (n = 504) assessed the perceived importance of a CO2 label to consumers. To determine the preferred design, two focus groups (n = 15) followed by a panel study (n = 1246) were performed. Finally, a pilot study (n = 100) assessed potential effects of the label on attitude and booking intention. The general survey's results indicate that a carbon label could impact on the travel choice of some Dutch travellers, when label information is explicit, understandable and simply designed. The focus groups in combination with the panel study showed that Dutch consumers prefer a recognisable carbon label, similar to the EU energy label. The pilot study revealed that consumers' attitudes increased significantly, but that intention to book was not significantly affected for the group that was shown the carbon label. These findings contribute to understanding consumer attitudes towards tourism eco and carbon labels, and their content and design. Implementation of a carbon label for tour packages still requires a number of barriers to be resolved. Sustainability remains a low priority during holiday decision-making.
Asthma exacerbations in African Americans treated for 1 year with combination fluticasone propionate and salmeterol or fluticasone propionate alone

ABSTRACT Objective: This long-term prospective study was conducted in African Americans with persistent asthma to examine the safety and effectiveness of the combination of the inhaled corticosteroid, fluticasone propionate (FP), and the long-acting beta-agonist, salmeterol, compared with FP alone. Research and design methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel group, multi-center trial in adolescent and adult subjects ≥12 years of age symptomatic on a low dose of an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). The study consisted of a 2-week screening period on low dose ICS; a 4-week open-label FP 250 mcg twice daily (BID) run-in; a 52-week double-blind period (FP/salmeterol [FSC] 100/50 mcg [n = 239] or FP 100 mcg [n = 236] BID), and a 4-week FP 250 mcg BID run-out period. Annualized exacerbation rate was the primary outcome for comparing the two treatments. Other measures of asthma control included peak expiratory flow, asthma symptoms, and albuterol use. Safety was assessed through adverse events. Results: Exacerbation rates were not significantly different in those treated with FSC 100/50 mcg (0.449 per year) compared with FP 100 mcg (0.529 per year, p = 0.169). When the per-protocol analysis was applied, the rates were 0.465 and 0.769 per year for FSC 100/50 mcg and FP 100 mcg, respectively. Treatment with FSC 100/50 mcg provided statistically greater improvements in lung function measures and nighttime awakenings (p ≤ 0.050) and demonstrated numerically lower daily symptoms (p = 0.216) and albuterol use (p = 0.122). Two subjects treated with FSC 100/50 mcg were hospitalized for an asthma exacerbation compared to three treated with FP 100 mcg. The overall incidence of adverse effects during double-blind treatment was similar between the FSC 100/50 mcg and FP 100 mcg treatment groups (61 % and 68 % , respectively). Frequent study visits were required of subjects during this long-term study, and it remains unknown whether this intervention may affect generalizability. Conclusion: In this large, prospective study among African Americans with asthma, the addition of salmeterol to FP resulted in a similar low rate of exacerbations and improved other markers of asthma control. Both FSC 100/50 mcg and FP 100 mcg were well-tolerated, and the overall safety-profiles were similar over 1 year of treatment.
Basal Cells of the Human Adult Airway Surface Epithelium Retain Transit‐Amplifying Cell Properties

In numerous airway diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, the epithelium is severely damaged and must regenerate to restore its defense functions. Although the human airway epithelial stem cells have not been identified yet, we have suggested recently that epithelial stem/progenitor cells exist among both human fetal basal and suprabasal cell subsets in the tracheal epithelium. In this study, we analyzed the capacity of human adult basal cells isolated from human adult airway tissues to restore a well‐differentiated and functional airway epithelium. To this end, we used the human‐specific basal cell markers tetraspanin CD151 and tissue factor (TF) to separate positive basal cells from negative columnar cells with a FACSAria cell sorter. Sorted epithelial cells were seeded into epithelium‐denuded rat tracheae that were grafted subcutaneously in nude mice and on collagen‐coated porous membranes, where they were grown at the air‐liquid interface. Sorted basal and columnar populations were also analyzed for their telomerase activity, a specific transit‐amplifying cell marker, by the telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay. After cell sorting, the pure and viable CD151/TF‐positive basal cell population proliferated on plastic and adhered on epithelium‐denuded rat tracheae, as well as on collagen‐coated porous membranes, where it was able to restore a fully differentiated mucociliary and functional airway epithelium, whereas viable columnar negative cells did not. Telomerase activity was detected in the CD151/TF‐positive basal cell population, but not in CD151/TF‐negative columnar cells. These results demonstrate that human adult basal cells are at least airway surface transit‐amplifying epithelial cells.
Trade in Central and Eastern European Countries Ten Years after Their EU Accession – Is There Convergence?

The paper focuses on the effects of EU’s Eastern Enlargement of 2004 on trade convergence within the EU and among the new member states from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE-8). Using sigma-convergence approach, it finds evidence of convergence of exports and imports per capita as well as of productivity levels associated with the member states’ export baskets. Convergence of territorial and commodity structures of trade has not occurred; conversely, divergence has been observed, leading to the possible conclusion that multinational companies have adjusted their production structure in facilities across the EU to achieve higher economies of scale. Correlation analysis shows that revealed comparative advantages of the old and new member states have come closer to each other. As an example, the paper also offers a brief comparison of trade development in two CEE-8 countries, Latvia and Slovakia, after their entry into the EU.
Structural Changes in Farmer Cooperatives

Since 1990, the farmer cooperative landscape has experienced a significant structural shift. Steep consolidation, elevated competition, and surging commodity prices have elevated the need for co-ops to be mindful of their cost structure and efficiencies. To test for this structural shift, this study estimated technical, allocative, scale, economic, and overall efficiencies for a set of grain marketing and farm supply cooperatives using a unique financial database. Chow test statistics for overall efficiency model show one structural shift in 2002 and 2003. Cooperatives are more likely to reduce costs by focusing on technical efficiency rather than adjusting the scale of operation. Nearly all efficiency trend lines, except for allocative, follows the business cycle patterns of the 1990s and 2000s. Our regression results shows capital constraint was one reason an average cooperative was off the technical frontier.