Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parallel Assessment of Circulatory Cell-Free DNA by PCR and Nucleosomes by ELISA in Breast Tumors

Objectives In order to assess the potential biomolecules for breast cancer, we analyzed in parallel the levels of cell-free glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and cell-free nucleosomes in serum samples from patients with benign and malignant breast tumors. The levels of cell-free DNA obtained by quantitative PCR were compared with those obtained by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Methods Twenty-three patients with benign breast tumors, 27 patients with breast cancer, and 32 age-matched healthy women were recruited. The amounts of serum nucleosomes were analyzed by ELISA and the levels of cell-free GAPDH were measured by real-time quantitative PCR. The correlation between nucleosome and cell-free GAPDH levels was examined using the Spearman rank test. Results The levels of cell-free GAPDH were significantly higher in the serum samples of patients with benign and malignant breast tumors than in those of the control group (median 37,966 GE/mL, range 3,802–130,104 versus 11,770 GE/mL, range 2,198–73,522, p=0.035 and median 40,698 GE/mL, range 3,644–192,482 versus 11,770 GE/mL range 2,198–73,522, p=0.001). The concentration of cell-free GAPDH correlated significantly with the quantities of nucleosomes in serum samples (r=0.451, p=0.000). There was, however, no significant difference between healthy individuals and women with benign breast tumors or breast cancer in terms of nucleosomes determined by ELISA. Conclusion Our data suggest that the cell-free serum GAPDH DNA assayed by quantitative PCR is a better biomarker than nucleosomes assayed by ELISA in patients with breast tumors.
No Association between EGF +61 A/G Polymorphism and Increased Risk of Glioma

A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) gene +61 A/G in the 5’-untranslated region has been reported to be associated with susceptibility to glioma. A case-control study (168 glioma patients and 194 normal controls) was conducted to elucidate its possible association with the risk of glioma in the Chinese population. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay was used to analyze the EGF genotypes. The genotyping results were further confirmed by direct sequencing. The EGF +61A and +61G allele frequencies in the glioma group were 32.1% and 67.9%, respectively, while they were 30.4% and 69.6% in the healthy controls. Furthermore, the frequency of the A/A, A/G and G/G genotypes in glioma patients was 8.9%, 46.4%, and 44.7%, respectively, and 8.3%, 44.3%, and 47.4% in controls. There was no significant difference between patients and healthy controls. The EGF +61 A/G and +61 G/G genotypes were not significantly associated with risk of glioma compared with the A/A genotype. In addition, no significant association was observed between EGF polymorphism and different histological grades of glioma. These results indicate that the EGF +61 A/G polymorphism is not associated with susceptibility to glioma in the Chinese population. In addition, a literature review revealed a significantly higher rate of the A/A genotype in Caucasian compared with East Asian subjects. Such differences in genotype distribution between Caucasian and Asian people should be taken into account in future studies. (Int J Biol Markers 2009; 24: 77-82)
A Study of Transposed Canines in a Sample of Orthodontic Patients

Tooth transposition is defined as ‘the positional interchange of two adjacent teeth—particularly of the roots—or the development or eruption of a tooth in a position occupied normally by a non-adjacent tooth’ (Peck et al., 1993). The majority of published reports of tooth transposition describe individual cases. Only four studies are based on sample sizes greater than ten (Joshi and Bhatt, 1971; Shapira, 1980; Peck et al., 1993; Chattopadhyay and Srinivas, 1996). Approximately two-thirds of these examples of transposition were on the left side of the dental arch. Peck and Peck (1995) reviewed 201 previously published cases and found more than 90 per cent of these involved transposition of the canine with either a first premolar or a lateral incisor. Bilateral occurrence has also been reported (Payne, 1969; Shapira, 1978; Gholston and Williams, 1984). The rate of occurrence of some dental anomalies (such as peg-shaped lateral incisors and congenitally absent teeth) is greater in subjects with transposed teeth than in the general population (Peck et al., 1993). These authors concluded that the aetiology of canine transposition was therefore partly genetic. To support this suggestion they reported examples of bilateral occurrence, familial patterns and gender bias. No other significant factors have been identified in the development of canine transposition. Analysis of canine impaction shows similar familial tendencies (Zilberman et al., 1990), gender bias (Dachi and Howell, 1961) and an increased rate of occurrence of dental anomalies (Becker et al., 1981). Crowding can also be involved in the development of palatally impacted canines (Thilander and Jakobsson, 1968). To date, no published studies have assessed the role of tooth and arch size in the development of tooth transposition. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of transposed permanent canine teeth, and to evaluate some of the possible aetiological factors, in a sample of orthodontic patients drawn from the School of Dentistry, University of Otago, and orthodontic practices in the South Island of New Zealand.
Expression and Clinical Significance of Pepsinogen C in Uveal Melanomas

Purpose we investigated by immunohistochemistry the pepsinogen C (pepC) expression in uveal melanomas and analyzed the possible relationship to clinicopathological parameters and prognostic significance. Methods We studied 22 patients who had undergone enucleation of the eyeball or local tumor resection for uveal melanoma. The specimens were immunostained for pepC on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections. Sex, age, tumor location, histological type, local invasion, postoperative treatment and metastasis were evaluated. Results Eleven tumors (50%) were positive for pepsinogen C. The percentage of pepC-positive tumors was significantly higher in uveal melanomas with scleral invasion than in those without scleral invasion (p<0.01). PepC expression was significantly associated with a shortened overall survival (p<0.05). Conclusions Our results show that pepsinogen C may be expressed by uveal melanoma and suggest that this protein could be considered as a new, unfavorable prognostic factor in these tumors.
ADVIA Centaur® Her-2/Neu Shows Value in Monitoring Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Introduction The proteolytic breakdown product corresponding to the extracellular domain (ECD) of the HER-2/neu oncoprotein p185 is found in the circulation of healthy individuals and patients having cancers of epithelial origin. For the current evaluation we sought to determine the analytical performance as well as the clinical utility of the newly developed ADVIA Centaur® HER-2/neu assay (Bayer HealthCare LLC, Diagnostics Division, Tarrytown, NY, USA) in monitoring patients with metastatic breast cancer during the course of disease and treatment and to compare the obtained results with those of CA 15–3. Methods The analytical performance (including precision, normal range, interfering substances, minimum detectable concentration, dilution recovery, spiking recovery and high-dose hook effect) were determined. HER-2/neu and CA 15–3 values were measured in retrospective samples obtained from 59 patients with metastatic breast cancer undergoing treatment over a 6–12 month period. Serial changes in serum HER-2/neu and CA 15–3 were correlated with changes in clinical status on a visit-to-visit basis. For each pair of serial measurements, changes of equal to or greater than, or less than 15% for HER-2/neu and 21% for CA 15–3 were considered to indicate progression or lack of progression, respectively. Results The ADVIA Centaur HER-2/neu assay demonstrated within-run imprecision and total imprecision ranging from 3.0–5.6% and from 3.2–5.7%, respectively. The upper limit of normal was 15.2 ng/mL (90% CI: 14.2–17.0 ng/mL). No significant interference (<5%) was seen with bilirubins, hemoglobin, triglycerides and cholesterol or therapeutic drugs commonly present in the sera of breast cancer patients. The minimum detectable concentration (analytical sensitivity) was found to be 0.5 ng/mL. The patient population in the clinical study included breast cancer patients who responded to therapy (stable, partial or complete response) or had disease progression. HER-2/neu levels showed a concordance of 78.1% (82/105 restaging time points) with the clinical course of disease, whereas CA 15–3 levels showed a concordance of 76.2% (80/105 restaging time points). The concordance with clinical status increased to 85.7% (90/105 restaging time points) when both results were used in combination as a series test. Conclusions The ADVIA Centaur HER-2/neu assay provides excellent analytical performance for serial testing of serum HER-2/neu levels. The clinical data demonstrate the usefulness of serum HER-2/neu in monitoring metastatic breast cancer patients during treatment. Furthermore, the results indicate that serum HER-2/neu and CA 15–3 may be useful in identifying disease progression or therapeutic response in different subgroups of women with metastatic breast cancer.
The Modified Twin Block Appliance in the Treatment of Class II Division 2 Malocclusions

Two case reports illustrate the effective treatment of Class II division 2 malocclusion with modifications to the Twin Block appliance. This approach may reduce the total treatment time and reduce the need for extra-oral anchorage. In each of the cases presented treatment has been carried out on a non-extraction basis with full correction of the malocclusion.
An Exploratory Study of the Cognitive, Academic, and Behavioral Functioning of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Transplant Recipients

Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation shows that in 2002, 359 pediatric heart transplantations were performed. From 1999 to 2002, the 1-year survival rate was almost 90%. For those who survived the first year after transplantation, the survival rate to 4 years was greater than 90%. In contrast, only approximately 60 pediatric lung transplantations were performed each year for the past 4 years. The 1-year survival rate for pediatric lung transplantation is approximately 75%; for those who survive the first year after transplantation, the survival rate to 4 years is approximately 60%. Although many have speculated that pediatric cardiothoracic transplant recipients are at risk for developing cognitive, academic, and behavioral problems due to medical factors such as cerebrovascular injury during transplantation, side effects of transplant medications, situational factors related to chronic illness such as missing significant amounts of school, and psychological factors such as problems coping with stress throughout the transplant process, little research has been conducted in this area. A review of studies investigating the cognitive outcomes in pediatric heart transplantation suggests that most pediatric heart transplant recipients perform within normal limits on measures of cognitive and developmental functioning. However, those recipients who underwent a more complex transplant course caused by infections or rejections were at increased risk for posttransplant cognitive and academic problems, potentially due to longer hospital stays and decreased school attendance. A 2-year followup study of pediatric heart and heart-lung transplant recipients found that children who were younger than 3 1/2 years of age at transplantation showed developmental concerns, whereas children who were older when they received a transplant did not demonstrate cognitive problems. A retrospective review of the first 135 patients to undergo lung transplantation at St. Louis Children’s Hospital showed that 45% of patients had neurological complications. Cyclosporine toxicity and An exploratory study of the cognitive, academic, and behavioral functioning of pediatric cardiothoracic transplant recipients
Institutionalizing early vaccination of newborns delivered at government health facilities: Experiences from India

Newborn Vaccination is identified as a critical par ameter for evaluating the overall performance of im munization programs with guidelines clearly advocating for administration of BCG, OPV zero dose and Hepatitis B b irth dose to newborns. However in spite of sustained improvement in full immunization coverage in India, coverage o f newborn vaccines has remained traditionally low.The USAID supported Maternal and Child Health Integrated Progr am (MCHIP), operational in India from 2009 - 2014 provided tech nical support to the Universal Immunization Program (UIP) at the National level and in the states of Jharkhand and U ttar Pradesh. During the project period, MCHIP unde rtook an assessment in 46 selected health facilities across 5 districts of the two states to study the implemen tation of the newborn vaccination program. Key findings from the assessment included a lack of knowledge among staff about t he benefits of newborn vaccination, absence of written guidelines, unavailability of one vaccine compromising the administration of the remaining two and poor documentation practices. Following the assessment technical support was provided to strengthen implementation at these selected facilities which included providing on-the-job orientations to staff members posted in delivery rooms, establishing a s ound supply chain mechanism to ensure round the clock availability of vaccines in labour rooms, strengthening documentat ion by incorporating separate columns in the delivery regi sters for recording vaccine administration and impr oved Supportive Supervision mechanisms. The intervention produced favorable results with a progressive increase in cov erage of not only BCG and OPV zero dose but also Hepatitis B birth dose which was introduced in the UIP during the cours e of the intervention.
Attitudes about Organ and Tissue Donation among the General Public and Blood Donors in Hong Kong

Progress in Transplantation, Vol 11, No. 2, June 2001 Organ transplantation is the ideal, and, sometimes, the only, treatment for many patients with endstage organ failure. However, the organ donation rate has always lagged behind the actual number of patients on the waiting list for transplantation. Many patients die before they have a chance to receive a transplant. This is especially true for patients who require solid organs like heart, lung, and liver. In Hong Kong, there were 950 patients on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, 100 for liver, 20 for heart and/or lung, and 200 for cornea in 1997 (Hong Kong Hospital Authority Organ Transplant Registry, unpublished data, 1997); however, there were only 24 organ donors. Considering Hong Kong’s population of 6.5 million in 1997, the organ donation rate was only 3.7 per million population (pmp), compared with 10 to 30 pmp in Europe and 10 to 13 pmp in Australia. There is a substantial discrepancy between the cadaveric organ donation rate and the number of patients waiting for the organs. Currently, in Hong Kong, the public is requested and encouraged to sign an organ donor card, which they should always carry. Bearing such a card does not mean automatic donation; doctors and transplant coordinators will still ask consent from close relatives of the potential donors. Also, the public may submit donation consent forms to the Organ Donation Registry (ODR), where the forms are entered into a computerized registry for record. Attitudes about organ and tissue donation among the general public and blood donors in Hong Kong
Knowledge and Practice of Breast Self Examination among Female Students in a Sub Saharan African University

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in many parts of Africa. Facilities for screening and early detection are extremely limited yet early diagnosis improves survival. This study explored the practice of Breast Self Examination among female university students as a means of screening and early detection in a low resources environment. Subjects and Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study at a Sub Saharan university. A call for volunteers to the study was made; a pretested standardised questionnaire was used for data collection. The process was limited to an interview and a physical examination. IRB approval was granted before the study began. Results: A total of 320 participants volunteered, 314 were recruited. The majority were aged between 21 and 25. The range was between 19 to 31 years. There was a high awareness of Breast self Examination (BSE) of 81.5%, 30% had ever performed a BSE, 14% performed it regularly, 8% knew the correct monthly timing, the technique was accurately demonstrated by 1% of participants. 4.8 were found to have breast lumps. Conclusion: There is a likelihood of most young women in the country practicing BSE inadequately. There is a need for widespread BSE campaigns emphasizing the correct technique and a need to evaluate BSE efficacy. The prevalence of breast lumps among young women attending this university was comparable to other community prevalence studies in this age group.
Evaluation of 2′-Deoxy-2′-Flouro-5-Methyl-1-β-d-Arabinofuranosyluracil as a Potential Gene Imaging Agent for HSV-tk Expression In Vivo

2′-Deoxy-2′-flouro-5-methyl-1-β-d-arabinofuranosyluracil (FMAU) has been evaluated in HT-29 cells as a potential positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer for imaging HSV-tk gene expression in vivo. In vitro experiments demonstrate that the accumulation of [14C]-FMAU in HSV-tk-expressing cells is 2.4-fold (p < .02), 4.0-fold (p < .001), and 5.3-fold (p < .001) higher than the wild-type cells at 1, 3, and 5 hr, respectively. In vivo studies revealed that the tumor uptake in HSV-tk-expressing cells was 2.3-fold (p < .001), 3.0-fold (p < .001), and 5.5-fold (p < .001) higher than the control cells at 1, 2, and 5 hr, respectively. FMAU was found to be more sensitive compared to our earlier studies using 9-[(3-18F-fluoro-1-hydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl]-guanine ([18F]-FHPG) and 9-(4-[18F]-fluoro-3-hydroxy-methylbutyl)guanine ([18F]-FHBG) in the same cell lines, although, the specificity was less than FHBG. These results suggest that while FMAU labeled with PET isotopes may be useful for imaging HSV-tk-expressing tumors in vivo, multitracer studies across additional tumor models are necessary in order to identify an optimal PET radiotracer.
Study on the development and assessment of maternal and child health (MCH) handbook in Bangladesh

ABATRACT A pilot study was carried out to develop MCH handbook and to assess its effect on mother’s knowledge, practice and utilization of MCH services from September 2002-October 2003 at the Maternal and Child Health Training Institute (MCHTI), in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In order to develop a MCH handbook for pregnant mothers, a focus group discussion was carried out and subsequent outcome measurement of handbook utilization involved a pre and post intervention survey following the introduction of the handbook. A total of 600 samples who visited MCHTI first time in their current pregnancy were randomly selected, of which 240 were in study group receiving handbook and 360 were in controls group receiving existing cards only. Data was analyzed by using multilevel analysis approach. Findings from the focus groups discussion emphasized the need for including MCH handbook in Maternal and child program in Bangladesh. In addition, quantitative data suggests that mothers in study group had higher knowledge on MCH issues, better practices in MCH care and higher utilization on MCH services than mothers in control groups who used other health cards. As the MCH handbook is developed utilizing problem–oriented approach and involving the recommendations of end users it is believed that it would contribute significantly in ensuring the quality of maternal and child health conditions in Bangladesh.
Transplant Professionals' Attitudes toward Facial Transplantation in the United Kingdom

reconstruction, particularly after facial burns, presents a serious challenge, with current treatment options limited in terms of satisfactory function and cosmesis. Facial transplantation is a potential solution; in fact, a partial facial transplantation was performed in France in November 2005. As with any new procedure, the identification of potential surgical and psychological risk is an important part of the development process. The ethical aspects of this radical reconstructive approach have stimulated a polarized debate. Now that the procedure has been performed, many of the risks about facial transplantation can be quantified, although the long-term outcomes will clearly be important in positioning this procedure as a reconstructive option for severe facial injury. The UK facial transplantation team has taken a pragmatic approach to the ethical aspects of facial transplantation, designing a systematic research strategy that encompasses the areas identified as priorities in the Royal College of Surgeons working party report. The team has expanded this framework to include issues identified by the general public, relevant health professional groups such as transplant coordinators, and potential donor families. Engagement with the general population has produced important information about public attitudes and beliefs about the procedure (eg, how acceptable the donation of facial material might be) and has allowed us to challenge the suggestion that no one would be prepared to donate the face of a loved one. A related issue that worried the general public was the potential for identity transfer. Even in its simplest form—that is, the use of soft tissue resurfacing—the use of a deceased donor face may result not only in an alteration in the recipient’s appearance, but in the acquisition of some superficial facial characteristics of the donor (eg, eyebrows). Clarke and Butler addressed this question by modeling likely identity transfer using laser-scanned images and exchange of their own faces: these suggested the creation of a new or third face, rather than the transfer of recognizable features. Transplant professionals’ attitudes toward facial transplantation in the United Kingdom
How to … Find the Evidence

One of the most important and possibly time-consuming areas of research is literature searching. The availability of electronic databases allows us to search and access the results very quickly, but the quality of our search will be dependent upon a number of factors. In this paper we will provide information on some of these and consider how they impact on search results. We hope that this will be helpful and lead the reader to develop a more systematic approach to literature searching.