Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predicting Intention Perform Breast Self-Examination: Application of the Theory of Reasoned Action

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the applicability of the theory of reasoned action to explain intention to perform breast self-examination (BSE). Methods: A questionnaire was constructed to collect data. The hypothesis was tested in two steps. First, to assess the strength of the correlation among the constructs of theory of reasoned action (TRA), Pearson’s product moment correlations were applied. Second, multivariate relationships among the constructs were examined by performing hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis. Result: The findings supported the TRA model, explaining 45.8% of the variance in the students’ BSE intention, which was significantly correlated with attitude (r = 0.609, p = 0.000) and subjective norms (r = 0.420, p =0 .000). Conclusion: TRA could be a suitable model to predict BSE intentions. Participants who believed that doing BSE regularly is beneficial for early diagnosis of breast cancer and also believed that their significant referents think that doing BSE would significantly detect breast cancer earlier, were more likely to intend to perform BSE regularly. Therefore, the research findings supported the conclusion that promoting the importance of BSE at the community/social level would enhance individuals to perform BSE routinely.
Sleep Stage Characteristics of Long and Short Sleepers

The possibility of different sleep stage characteristics being associated with different sleep lengths was explored by comparing two groups of high school seniors, who characteristically slept 6� hours or less or who slept 8� hours or more, with an age-matched control group not selected on the basis of sleep length. All-night electroencephalography was used to examine the sleep stage characteristics of these groups. Compared with the unselected age-matched group, the short sleepers showed no significant diminution in their stage 4 (deep) or rapid eye movement (dream) sleep. The long sleepers were observed to obtain significantly more rapid eye movement sleep than did the other groups.
Pharmaceutical applications of the Calu-3 lung epithelia cell line

Introduction: The Calu-3 lung cell line has been shown to be a promising in vitro model of airway epithelia due to its similarity to in vivo physiology. Hence, over the past decade, it has found increasing applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Areas covered: This review focuses on the pharmaceutical applications of the Calu-3 cell line in areas such as mechanisms of drug transport, studying aerosol deposition, controlled release studies and identification of possible drug–drug interactions. The main findings of various studies, as well as the predictive potential of this model, are presented and discussed in this review. Expert opinion: There is still a lack of mechanistic knowledge regarding transport of inhaled therapeutics across the lungs. Cell culture models such as Calu-3 provide a simple and reproducible system to study the underlying mechanisms by which inhaled therapeutics interact with the lungs. However, more complex systems that integrate particle deposition onto different cell culture systems may be useful in addressing some fundamental questions to generate a better understanding of determinants that influences pulmonary drug dissolution, absorption, metabolism and efficacy. Ultimately the use of the Calu-3 cell line provides a basic research tool that enables the development of safer and more effective inhaled therapeutics.
A Quantitative Risk Assessment Approach for the Dynamic Environmental Impact of Fire

This paper proposes a quantitative risk assessment approach to assess the frequency of an accident and its measurable consequences (for human, property and environment). The illustration of the proposed methodology is made on a refinery gasoline storage system with a high potential of fire risk, where the major initiating event is the overfilling of the gasoline tank. The objective of the study is to estimate the frequency of the tank overfilling as well as those relating to the likely consequences regarding the response of the different safety barriers in order to be compared to a threshold value (tolerable frequency). The consequences are quantified by taking into account the toxicity of gases (atmospheric dispersion) and liquid (effect on the soil), the thermal radiation (heat) and the overpressure (explosion blast force). To improve the storage system safety and thus reduce the associated risk level, several measures have been proposed.
External threats and political survival: Can dispute involvement deter coup attempts?

Diversionary war theory holds that insecure leaders are more likely to pursue aggressive foreign policies than their more secure counterparts. This hypothesis rests on the premise that interstate dispute involvement helps leaders deter potential challenges against their rule. We offer strong support for this premise by looking at coup attempts. Cross-national time-series evidence from interstate dispute participation over the period 1960–2000 indicates that a country in a militarized confrontation with another state is about 60% less likely to experience a coup attempt in the subsequent year. Consistent with our hypothesis, we establish that it is mainly militarized involvement in disputes, rather than non-militarized involvement, that is associated with lower coup likelihood. The results are robust to controlling for a wide set of potential correlates of coups and remain qualitatively intact when we focus entirely on within-country variations in coup attempts and interstate disputes.
Suppressing weed growth after wheat harvest with underseeded red clover in organic farming

Abstract Organic producers are seeking alternative tactics for weed control so that they can reduce their need for tillage. In this study, we examined cover crop strategies for suppressing weed growth after harvest of wheat. Three cover crop treatments, red clover (mammoth type), a mixture of oat and dry pea, and a control were compared. Treatments were established in both winter and spring wheat, resulting in six treatments arranged in a randomized complete block design. Red clover was underseeded in wheat by drilling in the spring, and the oat/pea mixture was planted in August. Oat was planted uniformly across all treatments in the following growing season. The red clover treatment effectively suppressed weeds, reducing post-harvest weed biomass, density of volunteer winter wheat, and seed production of downy brome by more than 99% compared with the control. Oat/pea was not effective for weed management, likely because of less fall growth and competition compared with red clover. Underseeding red clover did not affect winter wheat yield, but reduced spring wheat yield by 17%. Oat yield, however, was reduced by volunteer crop plants and downy brome infestations in all treatments. Underseeding clovers in winter wheat may effectively manage weeds and, if they winterkill, can replace the need for tillage to control weeds after wheat harvest.
Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Multiple Sclerosis-Related Symptom Checklist.

Introduction Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that causes different symptoms in each attack and has an individual-specific course. Detailed questioning and recording of MS symptoms is important for developing a management plan for individual-specific symptoms. The present study was planned to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of "Multiple Sclerosis-Related Symptom Checklist" (MS-RS), which has been developed for patients to personally follow-up the symptoms they experience. Methods The study was conducted in the outpatient MS clinic of the Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine between January and October 2013 and included a sample group of 148 patients who were aged >18 years, could easily communicate, had a definite diagnosis of MS, and had no other medical problems besides MS. The data were collected using patient information forms, including sociodemographic and MS-RS forms. To assess the linguistic validity, the Likert-type scale with 26 items was first applied to a group of 30 patients. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the construct validity. Furthermore, the correlation of the scale with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Mini-Mental Status Evaluation (MMSE) scale, and Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Scale-54 (MSQL-54) was evaluated. Results The scale comprised five factors with factor loading values between 0.39 and 0.86. The item-total correlation coefficients revealed values of 0.27-0.88. The Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient for the whole scale was determined to be 0.89 and for the subscales to be 0.60-0.85. The test-retest analysis revealed no difference between the scale and its subscales in terms of invariance with time (p>0.05). Moreover, MS-RS was significantly correlated with EDSS, HADS, MMSE, and MSQL-54. Conclusion The Turkish version of MS-RS is a valid and reliable scale that can be used in the Turkish population.
The unusual roAp star KIC 8677585

KIC 8677585 is a roAp star in the Kepler field which is unique in that there are four lowfrequency variations of unknown origin in addition to more than twenty high-frequency roAp modes. We analysed all available spectroscopy and conclude that the star has a constant radial velocity and most likely not a binary. We estimate its effective temperature to be Teff = 7300±200 K from high-dispersion spectra. We present an analysis of 829 d of Kepler short-cadence data which shows clear frequency and amplitude variations with a timescale of months. The dominant low-frequency peak at 3.142 d 1 has the same frequency and amplitude variation as one of the roAp modes. We therefore conclude that the low frequencies are oscillations in the roAp star itself, but the driving mechan ism is unknown. We find several frequency spacings among the roAp modes equal to the dominant low frequency, suggestive of nonlinear interactions. There is also a clear spacing of 37. 2µHz which we interpret as the large separation and deduce that logg = 3.90 ± 0.03. Models with these parameters which take into account the effect of the magnetic field on the oscil lations are able to reproduce the observed range of roAp frequencies, but not the observed large separation. It is found that the properties of the oscillations are sensitive to the assumed stellar parameters and that a more detailed analysis is required. The fact that low frequencie s are closely coupled to the roAp frequencies calls into question our current understanding of pulsation in these stars.
Characterization of integrin chains in normal and neoplastic human pancreas

Integrins are a complex family of non‐covalently linked heterodimeric glycoproteins which function as cell adhesion molecules, interacting with extracellular matrix molecules such as laminin, fibronectin, vitronectin, and collagen, and also having a role in intercellular adhesion. Each integrin subfamily is characterized by a common β chain associated with variable α chains. We have examined, using immunohistological methods, the expression of the VLA (very late activation) family comprising β1 in association with α1–6, and also α6 in association with β4, the LFA β chain β2, and the vitronectin receptor, in association with β1 or β5 and as the complex αvβ3. Cryostat sections of normal pancreas, pancreatic adenocarcinomas, and ampullary tumours were studied together with six pancreatic carcinoma cell lines. Normal pancreas showed expression of β1 in all parenchyma. α2 and α6 had a similar distribution whereas α3 expression was confined to ducts, including the very smallest radicles. Staining along the basement membrances of ducts was seen with β4 and the anti‐vitronection αv chain receptor antibody 13C2. Islet cells failed to stain with any antibody. No staining of epithelial components was seen with antibodies to α1, α4, α5, or to the αvβ3 form of the vitronectin receptor (β3 and αvβ3 using the antibody 23C6). Pancreatic adenocarcinomas and ampullary tumours showed expression of α2, α3, α6, β1, β4, and the vitronectin receptor (αv associated with β1 or β5). Well differentiated cell lines (BXPC‐3 and Capan‐2) showed an identical phenotype, but less well differentiated lines showed varible loss of one or more integrin chains. The functional role of integrins was quantitated by adhesion assays in which we could assess the ability of pancreatic carcinoma cells to stick to the extracellular matrix substrates fibronectin collagen, and laminin but not to fibrinogen or BSA. Binding of well differentiated cell lines to fibronectin and collagen was, in part, inhibited by exogenous RGD peptide. The distribution of integrins in normal and neoplastic cells and their functional properties were also shown to correlate well with the spatial distribution of laminin, fibronectin, and type IV collagen as shown by immunohistology in normal and neoplastic pancreas.
Asymmetric Instability Conditions for Peak and Valley Current Programmed Converters at Light Loading

Three types of bifurcations (instabilities) in the DC-DC converter under valley current mode control (VCMC) are analyzed, which is an extension of a recent paper on the peak current mode control (PCMC). The three bifurcations are border-collision, period-doubling, and saddle-node bifurcations. The corresponding critical (instability) conditions are derived. The derived conditions divide the parameter space into different operating modes. Contrary to the general belief that the critical conditions for VCMC and PCMC are symmetric with respect to the duty cycle D=1/2, most critical conditions are actually asymmetric. The dynamics symmetry is converter, bifurcation, loading, and parameter dependent, verified by bifurcation diagrams and time-domain simulations. The VCMC boost converter has rich dynamics and it is extensively analyzed.
Genome-Wide and Gene-Specific Epigenomic Platforms for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Biomarker Development Trials

The majority of the epigenomic reports in hepatocellular carcinoma have focused on identifying novel differentially methylated drivers or passengers of the oncogenic process. Few reports have considered the technologies in place for clinical translation of newly identified biomarkers. The aim of this study was to identify epigenomic technologies that need only a small number of samples to discriminate HCC from non-HCC tissue, a basic requirement for biomarker development trials. To assess that potential, we used quantitative Methylation Specific PCR, oligonucleotide tiling arrays, and Methylation BeadChip assays. Concurrent global DNA hypomethylation, gene-specific hypermethylation, and chromatin alterations were observed as a hallmark of HCC. A global loss of promoter methylation was observed in HCC with the Illumina BeadChip assays and the Nimblegen oligonucleotide arrays. HCC samples had lower median methylation peak scores and a reduced number of significant promoter-wide methylated probes. Promoter hypermethylation of RASSF1A, SSBP2, and B4GALT1 quantified by qMSP had a sensitivity ranging from 38% to 52%, a specificity of 100%, and an AUC from 0.58 to 0.75. A panel combining these genes with HCC risk factors had a sensitivity of 87%, a specificity of 100%, and an AUC of 0.91.
Cognitive and emotional functioning in binge-eating disorder: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE Binge-eating disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating and is associated with eating disorder and general psychopathology and overweight/obesity. Deficits in cognitive and emotional functioning for eating disorders or obesity have been reported. However, a systematic review on cognitive and emotional functioning for individuals with BED is lacking. METHOD A systematic literature search was conducted across three databases (Medline, PubMed, and PsycINFO). Overall, n = 57 studies were included in the present review. RESULTS Regarding cognitive functioning (CoF), individuals with BED consistently demonstrated higher information processing biases compared to obese and normal-weight controls in the context of disorder-related stimuli (i.e., food and body cues), whereas CoF in the context of neutral stimuli appeared to be less affected. Thus, results suggest disorder-related rather than general difficulties in CoF in BED. With respect to emotional functioning (EmF), individuals with BED reported difficulties similar to individuals with other eating disorders, with a tendency to show less severe difficulties in some domains. In addition, individuals with BED reported greater emotional deficits when compared to obese and normal-weight controls. Findings suggest general difficulties in EmF in BED. Thus far, however, investigations of EmF in disorder-relevant situations are lacking. DISCUSSION Overall, the cross-sectional findings indicate BED to be associated with difficulties in CoF and EmF. Future research should determine the nature of these difficulties, in regards to general and disorder-related stimuli, and consider interactions of both domains to foster the development and improvement of appropriate interventions in BED.
The role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (eus-fna) for the diagnosis of intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy of unknown origin.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The diagnosis of intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy of is difficult, especially when no primary lesion has been identified. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA cytology in patients with enlarged intra-abdominal lymph nodes of unknown etiology. PATIENT AND METHODS 147 patients with abdominal lymphadenopathy on imaging in whom EUS-FNA was performed with a 22-gauge needle. Performance characteristics of EUS-FNA including the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS AThe location of the enlarged lymph nodes was the celiac axis (8.2%), peri-gastric (34%), peri-pancreatic (25.2%), peri-portal (27.9%), and other intra-abdominal locations (4.8%). The median number of EUS-FNA passes was 5. The final diagnosis were lymphoma in (n=27), metastatic adenocarcinoma (n=44) patients, other miscellaneous malignancies (n=22) and benign disease (n=54). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS-FNA were 89.7, 98.3, and 93.5% respectively. A false positive FNA result was present in only 1 case (0.7%); false negative FNA results were present in eight cases (5.8%). Lymph node morphologic features of roundness, echogenicity, and homogeneity on EUS were not a predictor of lymph node malignancy. CONCLUSION In a retrospective cohort trial, EUS-FNA was found to be highly accurate and safe in diagnosing patients with intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy of unknown etiology.
The SUMOylation Pathway Restricts Gene Transduction by Adeno-Associated Viruses

Adeno-associated viruses are members of the genus dependoviruses of the parvoviridae family. AAV vectors are considered promising vectors for gene therapy and genetic vaccination as they can be easily produced, are highly stable and non-pathogenic. Nevertheless, transduction of cells in vitro and in vivo by AAV in the absence of a helper virus is comparatively inefficient requiring high multiplicity of infection. Several bottlenecks for AAV transduction have previously been described, including release from endosomes, nuclear transport and conversion of the single stranded DNA into a double stranded molecule. We hypothesized that the bottlenecks in AAV transduction are, in part, due to the presence of host cell restriction factors acting directly or indirectly on the AAV-mediated gene transduction. In order to identify such factors we performed a whole genome siRNA screen which identified a number of putative genes interfering with AAV gene transduction. A number of factors, yielding the highest scores, were identified as members of the SUMOylation pathway. We identified Ubc9, the E2 conjugating enzyme as well as Sae1 and Sae2, enzymes responsible for activating E1, as factors involved in restricting AAV. The restriction effect, mediated by these factors, was validated and reproduced independently. Our data indicate that SUMOylation targets entry of AAV capsids and not downstream processes of uncoating, including DNA single strand conversion or DNA damage signaling. We suggest that transiently targeting SUMOylation will enhance application of AAV in vitro and in vivo.
Electrical impedance myography as a biomarker to assess ALS progression

Abstract Electrical impedance myography (EIM), a non-invasive, electrophysiological technique, has preliminarily shown value as an ALS biomarker. Here we perform a multicenter study to further assess EIM’s potential for tracking ALS. ALS patients were enrolled across eight sites. Each subject underwent EIM, handheld dynamometry (HHD), and the ALS Functional Rating Scale-revised (ALSFRS-R) regularly. Techniques were compared by assessing the coefficient of variation (CoV) in the rate of decline and each technique’s correlation to survival. Results showed that in the 60 patients followed for one year, EIM phase measured from the most rapidly progressing muscle in each patient had a CoV in the rate of decline of 0.62, compared to HHD (0.82) and the ALSFRS-R (0.74). Restricting the measurements to the first six months gave a CoV of 0.55 for EIM, 0.93 for HHD, and 0.84 for ALSFRS-R. For both time-periods, all three measures correlated with survival. Based on these data, a six-month clinical trial designed to detect a 20% treatment effect with 80% power using EIM would require only 95 patients/arm compared to the ALSFRS-R, which would require 220 subjects/arm. In conclusion, EIM can serve as a useful ALS biomarker that offers the prospect of greatly accelerating phase 2 clinical trials.
Allergy to cow’s milk proteins: what contribution does hypersensitivity in skin tests have to this diagnosis?

To cite this article: Costa AJF, Sarinho ESC, Motta MEFA, Gomes PN, de Oliveira de Melo SM, da Silva GAP. Allergy to cow’s milk proteins: what contribution does hypersensitivity in skin tests have to this diagnosis? Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22: e133–e138.
Combined therapy in the treatment of hypertension

The majority of patients with hypertension need at least two antihypertensive agents to achieve blood pressure (BP) objectives. As current European guidelines for the treatment of arterial hypertension recommend, combined therapy is required when monotherapy fails and as a first‐line treatment in certain situations, such as subjects at high or very high cardiovascular risk, markedly elevated BP values, or when lower targets are required (<130/80 mmHg). The advantages of combined therapy are well known and include an earlier and higher antihypertensive efficacy because of complementary mechanisms of action, and a lower incidence of side effects due to the possible compensatory responses and, in many cases, the lower doses used. In the present study, available evidence about the efficacy and tolerability of combined therapy for the treatment of hypertension is updated.