Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Designing cigarettes for women: new findings from the tobacco industry documents.

AIMS To examine internal tobacco industry research on female smoking patterns and product preferences, and how this research has informed the design of female-targeted cigarettes and impacted smoking behavior among this target population. DESIGN Research was conducted through a systematic web-based search of previously secret industry documents made publicly available through the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement. FINDINGS This study provides evidence that the tobacco industry has conducted extensive research on female smoking patterns, needs and product preferences, and has intentionally modified product design for promotion of cigarette smoking among women. Cigarette manufacturers responded to changing female trends by focusing on social and health concerns as well as promoting dual-sex brands that also featured traditional female style characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Product features responsive to female-identified needs and preferences may contribute to differences in female smoking patterns. Assessment of female-targeted product differences should inform smoking cessation and prevention programs tailored to women. Overall, these findings underscore the need for further investigation of effects of targeting on smoking behavior, health outcomes and regulation of tobacco products by public health agencies.
Drawings as a window into developmental changes in object representations

How do children’s representations of object categories change as they grow older? As they learn about the world around them, they also express what they know in the drawings they make. Here, we examine drawings as a window into how children represent familiar object categories, and how this changes across childhood. We asked children (age 3-10 years) to draw familiar object categories on an iPad. First, we analyzed their semantic content, finding large and consistent gains in how well children could produce drawings that are recognizable to adults. Second, we quantified their perceptual similarity to adult drawings using a pre-trained deep convolutional neural network, allowing us to visualize the representational layout of object categories across age groups using a common feature basis. We found that the organization of object categories in older children’s drawings were more similar to that of adults than younger children’s drawings. This correspondence was especially strong for higher layers of the neural network, showing that older children’s drawings tend to capture high-level perceptual features critical for adult recognition. We hypothesize that this improvement reflects increasing convergence between children’s representations of object categories and that of adults; future work will examines how these age-related changes relate to children’s developing perceptual and motor capacities. Broadly, these findings point to drawing as a rich source of insight into how children represent object concepts.
Analyses of the College Students＇ Ideological Education and Management Based on the Major in China

Students’ ideological education and management is one of the important responsibilities of university student supervisors in China. This work should be based on the students’ major. Finding students’ interests, strengthening the communication with students from different channels, carrying out various forms of campus culture activities, and using face-to-face learning platform to give students professional guidance etc. are the effective ways to do students work.
A Content Analysis of Web Sites Promoting Smoking Culture and Lifestyle

The present study examined smoking culture and lifestyle Web sites listed on Yahoo! , a popular Internet search catalog, to determine whether the sites were easily accessible to youth, featured age or health warnings, and mentioned specific tobacco brands. A content analysis of photographs on these sites assessed the demographics of individuals depicted and the amount of smoking and nudity in the photographs. The sample included 30 Web sites, all of which were accessible to youth and did not require age verification services to enter them. Cigarette brand names were mentioned in writing on 35% of the sites, and brand images were present on 24% of the sites. Nearly all of the photographs (95%) depicted smoking, 92% featured women, and 7% contained partial or full nudity. These results underscore the need for greater research and monitoring of smoking-related Internet content by health educators and tobacco control advocates.
Functional nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expression in stem and progenitor cells of the early embryonic mouse cerebral cortex.

The adult cerebral cortex contains nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors vital to cortical function. However, little is known about the assembly of embryonic nicotinic receptor subunits into functional receptors or whether they play an active role in cortical development. We now report evidence of functional nicotinic acetylcholine receptor channels in fetal mouse cerebral cortex as early as embryonic day 10 (E10), when the cortex consists of dividing stem and progenitor cells. Patch-clamp electrophysiological measurements indicate that nicotine and ACh evoke sizable inward currents characteristic of nicotinic receptors, that are strongly rectifying with a reversal potential near 0 mV. Three different nicotinic agonists, ACh, nicotine, and dimethylphenylpiperazinium, evoked cytosolic Ca(2+) signals. Agonist-evoked Ca(2+) signals and electrophysiological responses were found in greater than 70% of all E10-E11 cells tested and were blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists. The Ca(2+) response to nicotinic agonists was markedly prolonged in cells from early embryonic stages relative to later stages of development. alpha3, alpha4, and alpha7 receptor subunit proteins were detected immunocytochemically in cortical cells from E10 to birth. The incidence of each subunit declined with embryonic age, suggesting a role in early development. We discuss the possible function of nicotinic receptors in early cortical development and their role as a target for nicotine in the developmental pathologies associated with the fetal tobacco syndrome.
The anti‐inflammatory effects of PGE2 on human lung macrophages are mediated by the EP4 receptor

PGE2 inhibits cytokine generation from human lung macrophages. However, the EP receptor that mediates this beneficial anti‐inflammatory effect of PGE2 has not been defined. The aim of this study was to identify the EP receptor by which PGE2 inhibits cytokine generation from human lung macrophages. This was determined by using recently developed EP receptor ligands.
Acute childhood leukaemia and residence next to petrol stations and automotive repair garages: the ESCALE study (SFCE)

Background: The association between acute childhood leukaemia and residing next to petrol stations and automotive repair garages was analysed in a national registry-based case–control study carried out in France in 2003–2004. Methods: Population controls were frequency matched with cases on age and gender. Data were collected by standardised telephone interview with the mothers. The latter were asked to report the proximity of their homes to petrol stations, automotive repair garages and other businesses from the conception of the index child to the diagnosis (for cases) or interview (for controls). Odds ratios were estimated using unconditional regression models adjusted for age, gender, number of children under 15 years of age in the household, degree of urbanisation and type of housing. Results: 765 cases of acute leukaemia and 1681 controls were included. Acute leukaemia was significantly associated with residence next to petrol stations or automotive repair garages (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.2) and next to a petrol station (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.0). The OR showed no tendency to increase with duration of exposure. The results were not modified by adjustment for potential confounding factors including urban/rural status and type of housing. Conclusions: The results support the findings of our previous study and suggest that living next to a petrol station may be associated with acute childhood leukaemia. The results also suggest that the role of low-level exposure to benzene in acute childhood leukaemia deserves further evaluation.
Short‐term effect of inhaled nitric oxide and prone positioning on gas exchange in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome

Objective: To compare the short‐term effects of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) and prone positioning in improving oxygenation in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods: Charts of consecutive ARDS patients (lung injury score >2) during a 2‐yr period, tested for both inhaled NO and prone positioning efficacy were retrospectively reviewed. Variations in the PaO2/FIO2 ratio induced by inhaled NO and prone positioning were evaluated. Measurements and Main Results: Twenty‐seven patients (age, 42 ± 17 yrs) were included. Simplified Acute Physiology Score II was 45 ± 14. Mortality rate in the intensive care unit was 63%. The causes of ARDS were pneumonia (n = 14), extra‐lung infection (n = 5), and noninfectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome (n = 8). Lung injury score was 2.7 ± 0.3. At baseline, before the initiation of inhaled NO, the PaO2/FIO2 ratio was 97 ± 46 torr and before prone positioning, 92 ± 26 torr. Variations in the PaO2/FIO2 ratio were lower at start of NO therapy (11 ± 4 ppm) than that observed at prone positioning initiation (23 ± 31 vs. 62 ± 78 torr, p < .05). An increase in variations in the PaO2/FIO2 ratio of > 15 torr was associated with prone positioning in 16 patients (59%) and with NO inhalation in 13 patients (48%) (not significant). An increase in variations in the PaO2/FIO2 ratio of > 15 torr was associated with both techniques in only six patients (22%). There was no correlation between the response to prone positioning and the response to inhaled NO (r2 = .005; p = .73). Conclusions: Prone positioning improves hypoxemia significantly better than does inhaled NO. The response to one technique is not predictive of the response to the other technique.
[Re-Examining the Contributions of Money and Banking Shocks to the U.S. Great Depression]: Comment

quick deflation. Real interest rates swung wildly, with the (annualized) ex post short-term real interest rate fluctuating from roughly -20% in the first half of 1920 to 45-50% in the second half of that year. In such circumstances, the usual difficulties of disentangling the effects of shifts in inflation expectations on nominal rates from the effects of changing real rates and risk premia are greatly exacerbated.
Alleles of the alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotype in patients with aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE To examine the possible significance of homo- or heterozygous alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency in the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysms (AA). DESIGN Prospective investigation. SETTING University hospital. PATIENTS 300 controls representing the general population in our region of Southern Germany and 126 patients with aneurysmectomy and graft insertion. METHODS The alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotype was determined by employing isoelectric focusing. Each patient was also evaluated for hypertension, lipometabolic dysfunction, smoking, hyperuricemia, and diabetes mellitus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The frequency and distribution of alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotypes and risk factors. RESULTS 115 of 126 patients presented with one or several of the conventional risk factors: hypertension (61.5%), lipometabolic dysfunction (36.9%), smoking (58.4%), hyperuricemia (13.8%), or diabetes mellitus (6.9%). The following frequencies of alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotypes were determined: PiMM (82.5%), PiMV (4.7%), PiML (1.5%), PiMS (7.1%), PiSS (0.7%), PiMZ (3.0%). Indeed, when compared to the general population (control group) the percentage of the normal PiMM phenotypes was lower in the group of patients with AA (p<0.001). However, in our study this significant difference was not primarily due to the presence of patients homozygous or heterozygous for deficiency alleles PiMS, PiSS and PiMZ (p=0.0523) as has been previously reported, but rather to the high prevalence of the variants PiMV (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that not only Pi-deficiency alleles, previously identified as being associated with AA, but also that Pi variants may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of AA.
Comparison of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and indirect immunofluorescence assay in the diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis.

BACKGROUND An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) were evaluated for serological diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis. METHODS Serum specimens obtained from 46 individuals infected with Strongyloides stercoralis, 37 healthy persons and 381 persons with other parasitic infections were tested using an IgG-ELISA that used crude antigen of S. stercoralis filariform larvae and an IFA. Test sera were pre-incubated with antigens from Ascaris, Toxocara and hydatid protoscolices to remove non-specific antibodies. RESULTS The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for ELISA were 93.5%, 96.1%, 72.9% and 99.2%, respectively, and those for IFA were 87%, 90.1%, 49.4% and 98.4%, respectively. Both assays showed false positivity in hydatidosis, ascariasis and toxocariasis; however, this was less common with ELISA. CONCLUSION ELISA method using filariform larval antigen may be a sensitive and specific test for human strongyloidiasis, and may be preferable to IFA.
Decomposing changes in phylogenetic and functional diversity over space and time

The α‐, β‐, γ‐diversity decomposition methodology is commonly used to investigate changes in diversity over space or time but rarely conjointly. However, with the ever‐increasing availability of large‐scale biodiversity monitoring data, there is a need for a sound methodology capable of simultaneously accounting for spatial and temporal changes in diversity. Using the properties of Chao's index, we adapted Rao's framework of diversity decomposition between orthogonal dimensions to a multiplicative α‐, β‐, γ‐decomposition of functional or phylogenetic diversity over space and time, thereby combining their respective properties. We also developed guidelines for interpreting both temporal and spatial β‐diversities and their interaction. We characterized the range of β‐diversity estimates and their relationship to the nested decomposition of diversity. Using simulations, we empirically demonstrated that temporal and spatial β‐diversities are independent from each other and from α‐ and γ‐diversities when the study design is balanced, but not otherwise. Furthermore, we showed that the interaction term between the temporal and the spatial β‐diversities lacked such properties. We illustrated our methodology with a case study of the spatio‐temporal dynamics of functional diversity in bird assemblages in four regions of France. Based on these data, our method makes it possible to discriminate between regions experiencing different diversity changes in time. Our methodology may therefore be valuable for comparing diversity changes over space and time using large‐scale data sets of repeated surveys.
A Community Breast Center Report Card Determined by Participation in the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers Program

Abstract: Measurement of quality indicators and peer comparison has been demonstrated to improve quality of care. The goal of this study was to determine whether a community breast center, in collaboration with the National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC), could voluntarily audit the quality of breast cancer care, confidentially transmit quality information to the NCBC, and receive peer performance comparisons. Quality indicator metrics from consecutive breast cancer patients undergoing care at a community interdisciplinary breast center were entered into a prospective database of quality measures that were defined by the NCBC. Retrospective review of patients from 2004 to 2006 was performed and subsequent quality indicator data was submitted electronically to the NCBC National Quality Measures for Breast Centers (NQMBCTM) program.
Structural characterization of myelin‐associated glycoprotein gene core promoter

Myelin‐associated glycoprotein (MAG) is emerging as an important molecule involved in the plasticity and regeneration of the central nervous system. In this study, the structure of MAG gene promoter was characterized in cultured rat oligodendrocyte lineage cells. Heterogeneous transcription initiation with five major and eight minor start sites scattered within 72 bp was shown by primer extension analysis. This TATA‐less core promoter contains no prominent initiator (Inr) elements associated with the transcription initiation sites, and hence, appears to utilize novel positioning mechanisms. Genomic footprinting analysis revealed several putative protein‐binding regions overlapping the initiation sites and containing a multitude of CG‐rich sequences. However, no conspicuous alterations in the protein‐binding pattern were evident between O2A progenitors in which the gene is inactive, and mature oligodendrocytes with fully upregulated gene. The core promoter DNA features a differentiation‐dependent demethylation as shown by genomic sequencing analysis. Three of eight cytosines are totally demethylated in oligodendrocyte chromosomes, indicating that these unmodified bases may be critical for full activation of the promoter. The core promoter is located within an internucleosomal linker, and the upstream regulatory region appears to be organized into an array of nucleosomes with hypersensitive linkers. J. Neurosci. Res. 50:928–936, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
MAPK Pathway Inhibitors Sensitize BRAF-Mutant Melanoma to an Antibody-Drug Conjugate Targeting GPNMB

Purpose: To determine if BRAF and/or MEK inhibitor–induced GPNMB expression renders melanomas sensitive to CDX-011, an antibody-drug conjugate targeting GPNMB. Experimental Design: The Cancer Genome Atlas melanoma dataset was interrogated for a panel of MITF-regulated melanosomal differentiation antigens, including GPNMB. BRAF-mutant melanoma cell lines treated with BRAF or MEK inhibitors were assessed for GPNMB expression by RT-qPCR, immunoblot, and FACS analyses. Transient siRNA-mediated knockdown approaches were used to determine if MITF is requirement for treatment-induced GPNMB upregulation. GPNMB expression was analyzed in serial biopsies and serum samples from patients with melanoma taken before, during, and after disease progression on MAPK inhibitor treatment. Subcutaneous injections were performed to test the efficacy of MAPK inhibitors alone, CDX-011 alone, or their combination in suppressing melanoma growth. Results: A MITF-dependent melanosomal differentiation signature is associated with poor prognosis in patients with this disease. MITF is increased following BRAF and MEK inhibitor treatment and induces the expression of melanosomal differentiation genes, including GPNMB. GPNMB is expressed at the cell surface in MAPK inhibitor–treated melanoma cells and is also elevated in on-treatment versus pretreatment biopsies from melanoma patients receiving MAPK pathway inhibitors. Combining BRAF and/or MEK inhibitors with CDX-011, an antibody-drug conjugate targeting GPNMB, is effective in causing melanoma regression in preclinical animal models and delays the recurrent melanoma growth observed with MEK or BRAF/MEK inhibitor treatment alone. Conclusions: The combination of MAPK pathway inhibitors with an antibody-drug conjugate targeting GPNMB is an effective therapeutic option for patients with melanoma. Clin Cancer Res; 22(24); 6088–98. ©2016 AACR.
Pulmonary hypertension alters soluble guanylate cyclase activity and expression in pulmonary arteries isolated from fetal lambs

The nitric oxide (NO)‐guanosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathway plays an important role in the pulmonary vascular transition at birth. We studied pulmonary arteries and veins isolated from normal late‐gestation fetal lambs and from fetal lambs with persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) following prenatal ligation of the ductus arteriosus. We additionally used double immunolabeling and immunoblot analysis to determine relative vascular contents of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS‐III) and soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC).
Standardized Uptake Value and Resection Margin Involvement Predict Outcomes in pN0 Head and Neck Cancer

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic factors of patients with pathologically negative lymph node (pN0) head and neck cancer. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting College medical center. Subjects and Methods The medical records of 120 patients were reviewed. Primary tumor sites included 46 larynx, 45 oral cavity, 17 oropharynx, and 12 hypopharynx. Results The recurrence rate was 14% (17/120) over a mean observation period of 33 months. Median 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)–positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax; using 8.5 as a cutoff; P = .001), positive surgical margins (P = .005), and pathologic T stage (P = .012) were found to be associated with recurrence. The 5-year disease-specific survival rate (DSSR) in our cohort was 86%. Patients with an SUVmax value higher than 8.5 and positive surgical margins had significantly decreased 5-year DSSR based on Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed the significant association between median SUVmax (using 8.5 as a cutoff; hazard ratio [HR], 6.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.79-20.93; P = .004) and margin involvement (HR, 4.98; 95% CI, 1.42-17.47; P = .012). Conclusion A median 18F-FDG PET/CT SUVmax cutoff values of 8.5 or greater and positive surgical margins were associated with adverse outcomes in patients with pN0 head and neck cancer.
Extending Research on the Victim–Offender Overlap

Criminologists have long noted that offenders are more likely to be the victims of crime as compared to nonoffenders. What has not been established, however, is why there is a significant degree of victim–offender overlap. While numerous explanations have been advanced and a significant number of studies have been conducted, there remains much to be learned about the etiology of the victim–offender overlap. The current study pushes this line of research forward by offering and testing a unique hypothesis: that victimization and offending share a genetic etiology that leads to victim–offender overlap. Findings culled from a sample of sibling pairs drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health indicated that genetic factors explained between 51% and 98% of the covariance between victims and offenders. Nonshared environmental factors explained the remaining covariance, while shared environmental factors explained none of the covariance. Implications and interpretations of these findings are considered.