Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of neoadjuvant and adjuvant radiotherapy on disease-specific survival in patients with stages II–IV rectal cancer

Objectives The purposes of this study were to determine whether neoadjuvant or adjuvant radiotherapy affected disease-specific survival (DSS) in patients with rectal cancer and whether stratification by tumor stage affected the results. Results 55.5% patients had neoadjuvant-radiotherapy (NRT), and 18.3% patients had adjuvant- radiotherapy (ART). Multivariable models showed that treatment type was independently associated with DSS. Patients with stages III/IV tumors who received ART plus chemotherapy had significantly worse DSS than did those who received NRT plus chemotherapy (NCRT) (P = 0.03). Among patients with stage II tumors, those who received ART plus chemotherapy and those who received NCRT had similar DSS. Further stratification by risk group revealed that patients with stage IIIA tumors who received ART plus chemotherapy had significantly better DSS than did those who received NCRT (P = 0.04). The ART plus chemotherapy and NCRT groups had similar DSS in patients with stage IIA tumors. Among high-risk patients (T3N+/T4), the NCRT group had significantly better DSS than did the ART plus chemotherapy group. Patients who underwent surgery only had the worst DSS of all the treatment groups. Materials and Methods From the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, patients diagnosed with stages II–IV rectal cancer from 2004–2014 were identified. Clinicopathologic features, treatments, and DSS in different treatment groups were compared. Conclusions NCRT or ART plus chemotherapy can reduce deaths from rectal cancer. Patients with stage IIIA tumors will benefit most from ART plus chemotherapy, whereas NCRT should be recommended to patients with stages II, IIIB, or higher tumors.
Cognitive Disabilities

Erickson Eric J. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if self-esteem in 7 th grade regular education students changed over a seventeen week period of time, one hour per week, when they were exposed to interacting with students with severe cognitive disabilities. During the seventeen weeks, these 7 th grade students were exposed to information about disabilities, assisted students with individual projects and interacted in small group supervised settings. Group discussions and activities were involved to help the students facilitate an understanding of disabilities and to form lasting friendships with students with severe cognitive disabilities. Data was gathered through implementation of the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale for pre-and post-tests and an exit interview in which questions summarized the impact of this experience on these students. The information found in this study has limited generalizability to other schools and programs. The data was used to evaluate whether disability awareness training does influence self-esteem in 7 th grade students. It also assisted in providing information ii necessary to determine if this training is appropriate to enhance the self-esteem of future students. iii Acknowledgments
Radiation therapy for the aging patient

cancers, the majority of malignant tumors occur in people of advancing yeas. ' The incidence of at least four cancersâ€”lower respiratory tract,bladder,endometrium, and colonâ€”is greater in people over the age of 65 (Table 1). Yet we have few clues as to why. No intrinsic effects of aging (such as failing immunologic surveillance or age-related hormonal changes) seem to be responsible. In recent years, more has been learned about the effects of aging on a patient's tolerance to radiation therapy and on the types of possible palliative treatment. We are reasonably certain about the physio logic limits, as measured both by total doses and single doses, or fractions of ir radiation. Tolerance to irradiation, however, is an individual matter and, in addition to a particular patient's chronologic and phys iologic age, depends on radiation dose; sites and volumes of organs or body areas requiring irradiation; extent and type of cancer; and life expectancy due to asso ciated diseases. Physiologic Changes of Aging
A study on the influence of electronic word of mouth and the image of gastronomy tourism on the intentions of tourists visiting Macau

Th e purpose of this study focus es on the extent to which electronic word-of- mouth (eWOM) and the image of Macanese gastronomy tourism infl uences tourists' intentions, based on samples of those who use the Internet, to search for information about Macanese gastronomy. Th is study was conducted from April to June 2013. A quantitative research method was adopted and online questionnaires were distributed to those participants who were members of online communities or travel groups. An incentive strategy was also used to increase response rates. Following data collection, the analysis was carried out. Th e fi ndings revealed that the image of gastronomy tourism and eWOM had signifi cantly positive eff ects on tourists' intentions, and electronic word of mouth had a signifi cantly positive relationship with the image of Macanese gastronomy tourism. Th is suggests that both are leading factors in attracting tourists; therefore boosting the travel industry in Macau. Additionally, the image of cuisine held a stronger perception than image of restaurants and food related activities. Th e dimension of sociability held more credibility in comparison to other aspects of eWOM. Th is perhaps suggested that the image of gastronomy tourism had not been delivered suffi ciently to tourists. Th e fi ndings attempted to provide evidence for the Macau Government Tourism Offi ce and website operators to eff ectively promote the image of gastronomy tourism in Macau. Internet use was explored in terms of motivating tourists to travel for reasons of gastronomy in order to create a reasonably valid construct for use in market segmentation purposes.
Co‐enzyme Q10 and idebenone use in Friedreich's ataxia

Friedreich's ataxia is a debilitating progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with cardiomyopathy and other features. The underlying cause is a deficiency of the mitochondrial protein frataxin which causes mitochondrial iron deposition, increased oxidative stress and impaired adenosine triphosphate production. Over the last 15 years, multiple clinical trials have assessed the efficacy of antioxidant agents in this disease. This article reviews trials of the two most important agents, namely co‐enzyme Q10 and idebenone.
Description of Thecavermiculatus andinus n.sp. (Meloidoderidae), a Round Cystoid Nematode from the Andes Mountains of Peru.

Thecavermiculatus andinus n.sp. is described and illustrated from Oxalis tuberosa originally collected in the vicinity of Lake Titicaca high in the Andes mountains of southern Peru. This new species differs markedly front the other two species in the genus, especially in having a much greater female vulval-anal distance and annules with lined punctation on most of the female body with a lacelike pattern restricted to the posterior portion, particularly at the vulva and anus which do not protrude. Females are essentially spherical with protruding neck, white to yellowish in color, and can easily be mistaken for potato cyst nematodes. Among the dozen or more known weed and crop host plants are potato and eggplant. In order to accommodate this new species, the genus Thecavermieulatus is emended. A key to the species of this genus is presented.
Interleukin-6 and the network of several cytokines in multiple myeloma: an overview of clinical and experimental data.

Study of the network of cytokines has helped identify cell growth factors in multiple myeloma. Plasma cells themselves may produce autocrine interleukin 6 (IL-6) while IL-6 production by bone marrow stromal cells may operate a paracrine mechanism. Involvement of IL-6 in multiple myeloma is indicated by its ability to induce the differentiation of myeloma plasmablasts into mature malignant plasma cells. Differential diagnosis between multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance (MGUS) is generally based on clinical and laboratory parameters. Nevertheless, evaluation of the serum level of IL-6, C reactive protein, soluble IL-6 receptor, soluble IL-2 receptor together with the activity exerted by IL-3 and IL-4 on some cellular subsets constitutes an additional element in the differential diagnosis of border-line cases. Serum levels of IL-6, soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and the expression of membrane-bound IL-2 receptors, both on bone marrow plasma cells and on peripheral blood mononuclear cells are correlated with disease activity and disease stage. In addition, IL-6 and sIL-6R serum levels correlate with the duration of survival, as high values at the time of diagnosis correlate with short duration of survival.
Effect of post-growth laser treatment on optical properties of Ga(In)NAs quantum wells

The effects of laser irradiation on the optical properties of GaAsN and GaInNAs quantum wells are studied in detail. Laser treatment is found to affect GaAsN quantum wells similarly to thermal annealing. The most intense photoluminescence is obtained by utilising both thermal and laser treatments. In quaternary GaInNAs, the effects of thermal annealing and laser treatment differ from each other. Thermal annealing of a Ga/sub 0.80/In/sub 0.20/N/sub 0.02/As/sub 0.98/ quantum well at 700/spl deg/C for 10 min shifts the photoluminescence peak by 86 meV towards large photon energies and increases its integrated intensity by a factor of ten. For the same quantum well structure, the luminescence intensity increases by a factor of 2.5 due to laser treatment, whereas the blue shift of the luminescence peak is negligible. The laser treatment effects are observed at laser irradiation intensities encountered in typical photoluminescence measurement conditions. Therefore, the effects of laser irradiation should be taken into account when measuring the optical properties of Ga(In)NAs samples.
Penetrating ureteral trauma.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this series is to report our experience in managing ureteral trauma, focusing on the importance of early diagnosis, correct treatment, and the impact of associated injuries on the management and morbid-mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS From January 1994 to December 2002, 1487 laparotomies for abdominal trauma were performed and 20 patients with ureteral lesions were identified, all of them secondary to penetrating injury. Medical charts were analyzed as well as information about trauma mechanisms, diagnostic routine, treatment and outcome. RESULTS All patients were men. Mean age was 27 years. The mechanisms of injury were gunshot wounds in 18 cases (90%) and stab wounds in two (10%). All penetrating abdominal injuries had primary indication of laparotomy, and neither excretory urography nor computed tomography were used in any case before surgery. The diagnosis of ureteric injury was made intra-operatively in 17 cases (85%). Two ureteral injuries (10%) were initially missed. All patients had associated injuries. The treatment was dictated by the location, extension and time necessary to identify the injury. The overall incidence of complications was 55%. The presence of shock on admission, delayed diagnosis, Abdominal Trauma Index > 25, Injury Severity Score > 25 and colon injuries were associated to a high complication rate, however, there was no statistically significant difference. There were no mortalities in this group. CONCLUSIONS A high index of suspicion is required for diagnosis of ureteral injuries. A thorough exploration of all retroperitoneal hematoma after penetrating trauma should be an accurate method of diagnosis; even though it failed in 10% of our cases.
Organic personality disorder after traumatic brain injury: cognitive, anatomic and psychosocial factors. A 6 month follow-up.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the study is to describe psychosocial adjustment in patients who present Organic Personality Disorder (OPD) after TBI in relation to patients with TBI without OPD. METHOD The group included patients who were admitted as inpatients in the Neurology Service. Exclusion criteria were: previous personality disorders; previous alcohol and drugs addiction, history of head injury and other neurological diseases. For this purpose, a semi-structured interview based on the ICD-10 was applied to the patient or significant other during the 1st or 2nd week after the accident. Selected patients were evaluated with psychological and psychosocial tests and questionnaires 6 months after head injury, among them: WAIS, Benton Test, Rey Osterrieth Test, Wisconsin Cards, Psychosocial Scale and Neurobehavioural Rating Scale (NRS-27). RESULTS No significant differences were observed in relation to demographic characteristics, type of head injury, GCS, or psychometric results. Significant differences were found in the answers to neurobehavioural and psychosocial questionnaires, showing more impairment in patients with OPD. CONCLUSIONS The results show that, in this group, patients with OPD after TBI present more psychosocial adjustment and emotional problems than patients with TBI without OPD diagnosis. The difference found is independent of cognitive impairments.
iRGD-functionalized PEGylated nanoparticles for enhanced colon tumor accumulation and targeted drug delivery.

AIM To enhance the tumor accumulation and targeted drug delivery for colon cancer therapy, iRGD peptide was introduced to the surface of PEGylated camptothecin-loaded nanoparticles (NPs). METHODS Cellular uptake, targeting specificity, biodistribution and antitumor capacity were evaluated. RESULTS The functionalization of iRGD facilitated tumor accumulation and cellular uptake of NPs by Colon-26 cells. Furthermore, the resultant iRGD-PEG-NPs remarkably improved the therapeutic efficacy of camptothecin in vitro and in vivo by inducing a higher degree of tumor cell apoptosis compared with PEG-NPs. CONCLUSION iRGD-PEG-NP is a desired drug delivery system to facilitate the drug accumulation in orthotopic colon tumor tissues and further drug internalization by colon cancer cells.
The export pathway of the pseudorabies virus gB homolog gII involves oligomer formation in the endoplasmic reticulum and protease processing in the Golgi apparatus

The pseudorabies virus gII gene shares significant homology with the gB gene of herpes simplex virus type 1. Unlike gB, however, gII is processed by specific protease cleavage events after the synthesis of its precursor. The processed forms are maintained in an oligomeric complex that includes disulfide linkages. In this report, we demonstrate the kinetics of modification, complex formation, and subsequent protease processing. In particular, we suggest that gII oligomer formation in the endoplasmic reticulum is an integral part of the export pathway and that protease cleavage occurs only after oligomers have formed. Furthermore, through the use of glycoprotein gene fusions between the gIII glycoprotein and the gII glycoprotein genes of pseudorabies virus, we have mapped a functional cleavage domain of gII to an 11-amino-acid segment.
Work activity of longshoremen as related to death from coronary heart disease and stroke.

Abstract In a 16-year follow-up study after multiphasic screening, 291 of 3263 longshoremen died of coronary disease, and 67 of stroke. Men with more sedentary jobs expended 925 fewer calories per work day and sustained coronary death rates one third higher than those among cargo handlers. Rate differences were largest at youngest ages and decreased steadily thereafter. Yet heavier cigarette smoking and higher systolic blood pressure had stronger influences in coronary mortality than sedentary work activity or heavier weight for height. Cargo handlers sustained death rates from stroke similar to those of more sedentary longshoremen. Mortality from stroke, however, was three times higher among men with higher levels of systolic blood pressure than among those with lower levels. Physical activity thus may have a more striking influence on myocardial infarction than on atherosclerosis.
TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta upregulate nitric oxide-dependent ciliary motility in bovine airway epithelium.

Airway epithelial cells can be modulated by cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1 beta that are released from inflammatory cells. Since ciliary motility is an important host defense function of airway epithelium, we hypothesized that cytokines, released from lung macrophages, upregulate ciliary motility. To test this hypothesis, ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was measured by video microscopy in cultured ciliated bovine bronchial epithelial cells (BBECs) incubated for 24 h with bovine alveolar macrophage-conditioned medium (AM-CM). Exposure to AM-CM resulted in a delayed (> or = 2 h) increase in CBF that was maximal after 24 h exposure (13.70 +/- 0.43 for AM-CM vs. 9.44 +/- 0.24 Hz for medium; P < 0.0001) and which was largely blocked by either anti-TNF-alpha or anti-IL-1 beta antibodies. rTNF-alpha or rIL-1 beta similarly increased CBF, which could be blocked by preincubation with either anti-rTNF-alpha or anti-rIL-1 beta antibodies. Preincubation of BBECs with actinomycin D or dexamethasone also blocked rTNF-alpha- and rIL-1 beta-induced cilia stimulation, suggesting that new protein synthesis is required for cytokine-induced upregulation of CBF. Since NO is known to upregulate ciliary motility and cytokines can induce NO synthase (NOS), we hypothesized that TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta increase CBF by inducing NOS in BBECs. The cilia stimulatory effects of TNF-alpha or IL-1 beta were inhibited by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, a competitive NOS inhibitor, and restored by the addition of either L-arginine, an NOS substrate, or sodium nitroprusside, an NO donor. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Proliferation, Migration, and Neuronal Differentiation of the Endogenous Neural Progenitors in Hippocampus after Fimbria Fornix Transection

ABSTRACT Neurogenesis in the hippocampus continues throughout adult life and can be regulated by the local microenvironment. To determine whether denervation stimulates neurogenesis in hippocampus, proliferation, migration, and differentiation of local neural stem cells (NSCs) in dentate gyrus was investigated after fimbria fornix transection. In the denervated hippocampus, NSCs proliferated markedly and migrated along the subgranular layer, and more newborn cells differentiated into neurons or astrocytes. After denervation, more newborn cells in the deafferented hippocampus expressed Brn-4 and differentiated into β-Tubulin III positive neurons. It is concluded that the local NSCs in hippocampus may proliferate and migrate into granule cell layer, in which changes in the deafferented hippocampus provided a suitable microenvironment for hippocampal neurogenesis and the increased Brn-4 in denervated hippocampus may be involved in this process.
The humanized CD40 antibody SGN‐40 demonstrates pre‐clinical activity that is enhanced by lenalidomide in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Antibody‐based therapies, such as rituximab and alemtuzumab, have contributed significantly to the treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The CD40 antigen is expressed predominantly on B‐cells and represents a potential target for immune‐based therapies. SGN‐40 is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody currently in Phase I/II clinical trials for indolent lymphomas, diffuse large B cell lymphomas and Multiple Myeloma. Its biological effect on CLL cells has not been studied. The present study demonstrated that SGN‐40 mediated modest apoptosis in a subset of patients with secondary cross‐linking but did not mediate complement‐dependent cytotoxicity. SGN‐40 also mediated antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) predominantly through natural killer (NK) cells. Previous studies by our group and others have demonstrated that lenalidomide upregulates CD40 expression on primary B CLL cells and activates NK‐cells. We therefore examined for the combinatorial effect of lenalidomide and SGN‐40 and demonstrated that both enhanced direct apoptosis and ADCC against primary CLL B cells. These data together provide justification for clinical trials of SGN‐40 and lenalidomide in combination for CLL therapy.
Plasticity in cultured carotid body chemoreceptors: environmental modulation of GAP-43 and neurofilament.

In this study we use dissociated cell cultures of the rat carotid body to investigate the adaptive capabilities of endogenous oxygen chemoreceptors, following chronic stimulation by various environmental factors. These oxygen chemoreceptors are catecholamine-containing glomus cells, which derive from the neural crest and resemble adrenal medullary chromaffin cells. Using double-label immunofluorescence, we found that chronic exposure of carotid body cultures to hypoxia (2% to 10% oxygen) caused a significant fraction of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive (TH+) glomus cells to acquire detectable immunoreactivity for growth-associated protein GAP-43. The effect was dose-dependent and peaked around an oxygen tension of 6%, where approximately 30% of glomus cells were GAP-43 positive. Treatment with agents that elevate intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) (i.e., dibutyryl cAMP or forskolin) also markedly stimulated GAP-43 expression. Since hypoxia is known to increase cAMP levels in glomus cells, it is possible that the effect of hypoxia on GAP-43 expression was mediated, at least in part, by a cAMP-dependent pathway. Unlike hypoxia, however, cAMP analogs also stimulated neurofilament (NF 68 or NF 160 kD) expression and neurite outgrowth in glomus cells, and these properties were enhanced by retinoic acid. Nerve growth factor, which promotes neuronal differentiation in related crest-derived endocrine cells, and dibutyryl cGMP were ineffective. Thus, it appears that postnatal glomus cells are plastic and can express neuronal traits in vitro. However, since hypoxia stimulated GAP-43 expression, without promoting neurite outgrowth, it appears that the two processes can be uncoupled. We suggest that stimulation of GAP-43 by hypoxia may be important for other physiological processes, e.g., enhancing neurotransmitter release or sensitization of G-protein-coupled receptor transduction.
Collaboration Process Pattern Approach to Improving Teamwork Performance: A Data Mining-Based Methodology

It is well documented in management literature that characteristics of collaboration processes strongly influence team performance in a business environment. However, little work has been done on how specific collaboration process patterns affect teamwork performance, leading to an open issue in collaboration management. To address this research gap, we develop a Collaboration Process Pattern CPP approach that analyzes teamwork performance by mining collaboration system logs from open source software development. Our research is novel in three ways. First, our research is fact-driven, as the result is based on teamwork tracking logs. Second, we develop a pattern mining approach based on sequence mining and graph mining. Third, using time-dependent Cox regression, our approach derives business insights from real-world collaboration data that are directly applicable to managerial actions. Our empirical study identifies collaboration patterns that can lead to more efficient teamwork. It also shows that the effects of collaboration patterns vary depending on the types of tasks. These findings are of significant business value since they suggest that managers should carefully prioritize their limited attention on certain types of tasks for intervention. Data and the online supplement are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2016. 0739 .