Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of candidate genes carrying polymorphisms associated with the risk of colorectal cancer by analyzing the colorectal mutome and microRNAome

The presence of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the 3′‐untranslated regions of genes could affect the binding between a microRNA (miRNA) and its target, with consequences on gene expression regulation. Considering the important role of miRNAs in carcinogenesis, it is hypothesized here that these SNPs could also affect the individual risk of colorectal cancer (CRC).
National Screening Program for the Transitional Ages in Korea

A screening program promotes the level of public health by reducing the mortality and/or incidence rate of target diseases. In 1988, Korea launched the National Screening Program which targeted chronic disorders such as hypertension and diabetes. However, the national screening program that has been carried out for the past 20years has been evaluated and interpreted as not so successful. To promote the program, the Department of Health and Welfare of Korea decided to carry out a new national screening program called,‘Screening Program for Transitional Ages’for two target groups of age 40 and age 66. What is innovative about the Program is that it provides a systematic follow-up of high risk groups and disease groups who were detected by the Program. The new program provides an estimated risk of major diseases(HRA) for each participant. The Doctors involved in the program is expected to provide health education for life-style change to the participants through an evaluation on smoking, drinking, nutrition, exercise. The Program screens the mental health of the participants which has not been included previously as well as featuring a tailored examination for the groups of age 66. Follow-up for the positives and the high risk group detected by the New National Screening Program is one of the main issue of the program and this was discussed more in detail. With such renovations, the ‘Screening Program for Transitional Ages’is now making a revolutionary contribution and promote the national screening program to the more advanced level. The new program is expected to improve the level of satisfaction of the participants, thereby increasing the overall screening rate. Launching the new program can be interpreted as an epoch-making decision in the history of Korean national screening programs.
Gender differences in remembering and inferring spatial distances

The abilities of males and females to make spatial inferences were compared. Spatial inference is concerned with the ability to work out new spatial information from memory. In two experiments, participants had to study line drawings depicting shapes linked either by straight or meandering lines. Afterwards, they had to remember the straight-line distances or to infer the straight-line distances. Several spatial abilities were also assessed: perceptual discrimination, mental rotation, and visuo-spatial working memory span. The results showed that males outperformed females in spatial inference and mental rotation. Experiment 2 extended the study to old people. The results replicated and clarified those obtained in Experiment 1. Spatial inference and mental rotation showed age-related and gender-related differences; in addition, age reduced the visuo-spatial memory span. Overall, the findings suggest that gender differences favouring males are maximised with tasks requiring active processing and strategic control of metric information.
Superficial Dermal Injection of Hyaluronic Acid Soft Tissue Fillers: Comparative Ultrasound Study

BACKGROUND Superficial dermal injection of hyaluronic acids (HAs) has not been well studied. OBJECTIVES To study HAs injected into the superficial dermis using ultrasound examination and measurements, to evaluate induration and pain, and to examine histology. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three commercial HAs were injected into the superficial dermis (0.2 mL). The HAs used were a biphasic gel, a monophasic monodensified gel, and a monophasic polydensified gel. Ultrasound measurements and images were obtained, pain assessed, and biopsies performed at 7 days. RESULTS Participants experienced pain from the HAs that did not contain lidocaine. After 8 days, the biphasic HA papules appeared erythematous, with two‐thirds reporting the biphasic HA papules as tender. Ultrasound demonstrated superficial placement of HA gels in the upper dermis. The gels each exhibited unique characteristic patterns on ultrasound. Skin biopsies of the superficial dermal placement confirmed earlier patterns. Superficial placement of the biphasic product is associated with tenderness and an eosinophilic inflammatory infiltrate. CONCLUSION Superficial placement of HAs is possible, as demonstrated by ultrasonography. Gels that do not have lidocaine within them are more painful. Injection of biphasic HA gels superficially in the dermis is associated with clinical erythema and tenderness and histology showing an eosinophilic infiltrate.
Minorities remember more: The effect of social identity salience on group-referent memory

Research on the group-reference effect has confirmed that social identities can affect memory, but few studies have explored the role of identity salience in this effect. Two experiments were designed to fill the gap. In Experiment 1 Tibetan students at one predominantly Han Chinese university showed high ethnic identity salience and better memory for trait adjectives encoded in reference to Tibetans than in reference to Han Chinese. In Experiment 2 Tibetan students at one Tibetan-majority university demonstrated low ethnic identity salience and no differences were found between memory performance under Tibetan-referential processing and Han-referential processing conditions. In comparison, Han participants did not show high ethnic awareness or an ingroup-reference effect in either experiment, due to membership of an ethnic majority (Experiment1) and lack of inter-ethnic contact (Experiment 2). These findings suggest that high salience is a prerequisite for social identities to facilitate memory.
A prospective model of care for breast cancer rehabilitation: Postoperative and postreconstructive issues

Appropriate and timely rehabilitation is vital in the recovery from breast cancer surgeries, including breast conserving surgery, mastectomy, axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), and breast reconstruction. This article describes the incidence, prevalence, risk factors and time course for early postoperative effects and the role of prospective surveillance as a rehabilitation strategy to prevent and mitigate them. The most common early postoperative effects include wound issues such as cellulitis, flap necrosis, abscess, dehiscence, hematoma, and seroma. Appropriate treatment is necessary to avoid delay in wound healing that may increase the risk of long‐term morbidity, unduly postpone systemic and radiation therapy, and delay rehabilitation. The presence of upper quarter dysfunction (UQD), defined as restricted upper quarter mobility, pain, lymphedema, and impaired sensation and strength, has been reported in over half of survivors after treatment for breast cancer. Moreover, evidence suggests that survivors who undergo breast reconstruction may be at higher risk of UQD. Ensuring the survivor's optimum functioning in the early postoperative time period is critical in the overall recovery from breast cancer. The formal collection of objective measures along with patient‐reported outcome measures is recommended for the early detection of postoperative morbidity. Prospective surveillance, including preoperative assessment and structured surveillance, allows for early identification and timely rehabilitation. Early evidence supports a prospective approach to address and minimize postoperative effects. Cancer 2012;118(8 suppl):. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Count out your intrusions: Effects of verbal encoding on intrusive memories

Peri-traumatic information processing is thought to affect the development of intrusive trauma memories. This study aimed to replicate and improve the study by Holmes, Brewin, and Hennessy (2004, Exp. 3) on the role of peri-traumatic verbal processing in analogue traumatic intrusion development. Participants viewed an aversive film under one of three conditions: counting backwards in 3s (“verbal interference”), verbalising emotions and thoughts (“verbal enhancement”), or without an extra task. A dual-process account of PTSD would predict that verbal interference would increase intrusion frequency compared to no task, whereas verbal enhancement would lead to a decrease. In contrast, mainstream memory theory predicts a decrease in intrusion frequency from any concurrent task that diverts attention away from the trauma film. The main finding was that the verbal interference task led to a decrease in intrusive memories of the film compared to the other two conditions. This finding does not support a dual-process account of PTSD, but is in line with general theories of memory and attention.
SenseCam as a rehabilitation tool in a child with anterograde amnesia

We present the case of a 13-year-old boy, CJ, with profound episodic memory difficulties following the diagnosis of a metastatic intracranial germ cell tumour and subsequent treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. At the core of this study is the first application of SenseCam to a child with severe memory impairment. CJ was taken for a walk while he was wearing SenseCam. This included visiting four different locations. We manipulated the number of locations he could review on SenseCam “films” and then tested recognition memory (forced choice) for both reviewed and non-reviewed locations. We also collected his justifications for the choices he made. Our results indicate that repeated viewings of SenseCam images support the formation of personal semantic memories. Overall our results suggest that the use of SenseCam in memory rehabilitation extends beyond supporting episodic memory and recollection, and supports the feasibility of its use with children who have marked memory difficulties.
Alternaria and Paecilomyces Keratitis Associated With Soft Contact Lens Wear

Purpose: To report a series of 5 patients with soft contact lens (SCL) related fungal keratitis caused by unusual organisms diagnosed at the Wills Eye Institute, Cornea Service in 2008. Methods: Chart review of patients with SCL related Alternaria and Paecilomyces keratitis diagnosed in 2008 was performed. Causes of these fungal infections were compared to previous years. Results: During a period from 1999 to 2007, among 64 patients with fungal keratitis, Alternaria was isolated from one case after corneal foreign body removal in 2004, and Paecilomyces was not isolated in any of these patients. In 2008, however, 5 patients with SCL-related atypical fungal keratitis were diagnosed. Alternaria was isolated from 2 cases and Paecilomyces from 3 cases. All patients wore Acuvue SCL (Johnson & Johnson Vision Care): Acuvue Oasys, Acuvue Advance, and Acuvue 2 (1 case each) and Acuvue unspecified (2 cases). A total of 2 patients with Alternaria and 1 patient with Paecilomyces used ReNu or a generic-brand solution manufactured by Bausch & Lomb; 2 with Paecilomyces keratitis used Opti-free Replenish solution. A total of 3 patients wore lenses for daily wear and 2 wore them occasionally for overnight wear. The patients were treated with either voriconazole drops alone or combined with voriconazole 200 mg pills or Natamycin 5% drops. Three patients responded well to treatment. One patient with Paecilomyces keratitis developed a corneal perforation managed with tissue adhesive. One Paecilomyces keratitis patient required an emergency penetrating keratoplasty because of a perforated corneal ulcer present at the initial examination. Conclusions: We report 2 cases of Alternaria and 3 cases of Paecilomyces keratitis in patients wearing frequent replacement lenses and using multipurpose solutions diagnosed during 2008. We want to raise awareness of fungal keratitis caused by unusual organisms associated with SCL wear.
Inhibiting early activation of tissue nuclear factor-κB and nuclear factor interleukin 6 with (1→3)-β-D -glucan increases long-term survival in polymicrobial sepsis

Abstract Background: Recent data implicate the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and nuclear factor interleukin 6 (NF-IL6) as important steps in the pathophysiologic mechanisms of adult respiratory distress syndrome and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Methods: This study evaluated the effect of immunomodulating polysaccharides on transcription factor activation, cytokine expression, and mortality in a murine cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model. ICR/HSD mice were treated with glucan (50 mg/kg) 1 hour before or 15 minutes after CLP. Liver and lung tissue were harvested at 3 hours and mortality trends were observed for 20 days. Results: CLP increased liver and lung NF-κB and NF-IL6 nuclear binding activity as well as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin 6 messenger RNA levels at 3 hours. Pretreatment or posttreatment with glucans inhibited tissue NF-κB and NF-IL6 nuclear binding activity and tissue cytokine messenger RNA levels. Prophylaxis with glucan phosphate or scleroglucan increased ( P P Conclusions: Pretreatment or posttreatment with biologic response modifiers decreased tissue transcription factor nuclear binding activity and cytokine message in liver and lung of septic mice. Inhibiting early transcription factor activation and cytokine message expression correlates with improved outcome in polymicrobial sepsis as denoted by increased long-term survival. (Surgery 1999;126:54-65.)
The impact of body weight on patient utilities with or without type 2 diabetes: a review of the medical literature.

BACKGROUND Weight gain is a common side effect of many therapies for type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Selecting utility values for incorporation into cost-utility analyses (CUAs) of T2DM therapies is difficult because of variations in methodologies to elicit utilities and other study limitations. METHODS A review of the medical literature was conducted to identify studies assessing the impact of body weight on patient utility. RESULTS Eighteen articles presented either: 1) utility values by body-mass index (BMI) or body weight, or 2) the change in utility scores or quality-adjusted life-years based on unit changes in BMI or body weight. Regardless of the study population or methodology used to elicit utility scores, all studies reviewed found that as body weight increased, patient utility decreased. Utility scores obtained using standard gamble were generally higher than those using time trade-off(TTO) or the EQ-5D. Most studies reported utility scores stratified by BMI and used regression analyses to attribute the difference in utility scores to differences in weight while controlling for other factors. Studies generally assumed a constant change in utility occurs with a one unit change in BMI. Recent studies, however, demonstrate the magnitude of changes in utility may vary depending on 1) valuing weight loss versus weight gain; 2) valuing a small or large change in body weight; and 3) baseline BMI. CONCLUSIONS Various utility values associated with body weight using different methodologies have been published. Careful consideration should be given to determine the most appropriate utility values to use in CUAs of T2DM therapies.
Ocular Graft-Versus-Host Disease After Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and manifestations of ocular graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Methods: Prospective study of 101 consecutive patients who received allo-SCT from 2004 to 2007. All patients received ophthalmologic examination for 3 months after allo-SCT, and those with ocular complaints were evaluated at 12 and 24 months thereafter. We registered ophthalmologic and hematological data, including the indication for allo-SCT, occurrence of systemic and ocular GvHDs, ocular manifestations, and various ocular treatments. Results: Over time, ocular GvHD developed in 54% of patients and consisted mainly of dry eyes and conjunctivitis, which increased in severity during follow-up; blepharitis and uveitis were less often encountered. Acute systemic GvHD, especially the involvement of mouth and skin, was strongly associated with ocular GvHD at 3 months (P = 0.000). Chronic GvHD was associated with the occurrence of ocular GvHD (P = 0.000), especially with the development of the dry eye. Although eye symptoms affecting activities of daily living were reported in 24 of 54 patients (44%) and 16 of 54 patients (30%) experienced temporary loss of visual acuity of more than 2 Snellen lines, only 1 developed permanent unilateral loss (counting fingers) because of ischemic vasculopathy. Cataract development was not encountered, and only 1 eye developed intraocular infection. Conclusion: Ocular GvHD develops in a substantial part of patients after allo-SCT and decreases the activities of daily living.
Receptor‐interacting protein (RIP) and Sirtuin‐3 (SIRT3) are on opposite sides of anoikis and tumorigenesis

Regulating cross‐talk between anoikis and survival signaling pathways is crucial to regulating tissue processes and mitigating diseases like cancer. Previously, the authors demonstrated that anoikis activates a signaling pathway involving the CD95/Fas‐mediated signaling pathway that is regulated by receptor‐interacting protein (RIP), a kinase that shuttles between Fas‐mediated cell death and integrin/focal adhesion kinase (FAK)‐mediated survival pathways. Because it is known that sirtuin‐3 (SIRT3), a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide‐dependent deacetylase, regulates cell survival, metabolism, and tumorigenesis, the authors hypothesized that SIRT3 may engage in cross‐talk with Fas/RIP/integrin/FAK survival‐death pathways in cancer cell systems.
A longitudinal study of processes predicting the specificity of autobiographical memory in the adolescent offspring of depressed parents

Deficits in specific autobiographical memory retrieval are closely associated with depression. The ability to retrieve specific autobiographical memories develops throughout childhood and adolescence and is associated with adolescent depression within and across time. Studying young samples before they first experience depression provides an approach for testing processes that underlie reduced autobiographical memory specificity. This study is the first to examine the longitudinal association of rumination and executive function with autobiographical memory specificity in a sample of adolescents at elevated risk for future depression. A total of 259 adolescents (aged between 10 and 18 years) completed the Autobiographical Memory Test at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Measures of rumination, executive function, and depressive symptoms were obtained at baseline. The interaction between rumination and executive function predicted autobiographical memory specificity over time. Whereas rumination in the context of low executive function predicted reduced specificity, this was not the case in the context of high executive function. The interaction between rumination and executive function was independent of the effects of age, gender, IQ, baseline levels of memory specificity, and depressive symptoms.
Development and validation of the "Treatment Satisfaction with Medicines Questionnaire" (SATMED-Q).

OBJECTIVE To develop and validate a multidimensional generic questionnaire measuring satisfaction with treatment with medicines. The questionnaire was designed to be used in chronic patients undergoing pharmacological treatment for any disease. METHODS After a literature review and cognitive debriefing process with an expert panel of six members and 21 chronic patients in four focus groups, a preliminary instrument with 36 items grouped into six dimensions was developed. Three samples of patients were enrolled during the whole process: 1) 12 patients to assess feasibility and pertinence of items; 2) 150 patients for item reduction; and 3) 455 patients for psychometric properties assessment of the instrument. The latter two were stratified by gender, age, and main disease (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, benign prostate hyperplasia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma, depression, and migraine). Additional measures were gathered for concept validity: clinical and treatment information, patient and clinician assessment of treatment tolerability and effectiveness, treatment satisfaction (Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication [TSQM]), and therapeutic compliance (Morisky-Green). Feasibility, reliability, and validity (content, discriminant, construct, and concurrent) were assessed. RESULTS Factor analysis item reduction resulted in a 17-item questionnaire with six dimensions: treatment effectiveness, convenience of use, impact on daily activities, medical care, global satisfaction, and undesirable side effects. Unidimensional scales (Cronbach's alpha ranging 0.813-0.912) were correlated, and allowed computation of a summary composite score (alpha = 0.890). SATMED-Q dimensions showed moderate but significant correlations with TSQM dimensions (0.577-0.680). Differences between tolerability and effectiveness groups were found, depending on dimension and whether the clinician or the patient were informing. Therapeutic compliance groups showed differences in some treatment satisfaction dimensions. CONCLUSIONS The SATMED-Q is a reliable and valid measure of treatment satisfaction, structured in six dimensions, and a summary composite score. Additional work is needed to assess sensitivity to change.
Incorporating information regarding preimplantation genetic diagnosis into discussions concerning testing and risk management for BRCA1/2 mutations

Studies have shown that BRCA1/2 mutation carriers are interested in learning about reproductive options such as preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to prevent passing their risk onto their children. However, attitudes vary widely, and the procedure raises complex ethical and psychosocial issues. This complexity, plus the highly technical nature of PGD, makes it difficult to integrate PGD information into genetic counseling sessions that already cover probabilistic, emotionally charged risk information.
Clinical Features of the Microform Cleft Lip and the Ultrastructural Characteristics of the Orbicularis Oris Muscle

Objective To clarify the clinical features of the microform cleft lip and to establish the ultrastructural characteristics of the orbicularis muscle. Design Clinical observations of the characteristic deformities and associated anomalies were made. Muscle biopsies were harvested for histologic and ultrastructural analyses. Patients Seventy-one consecutive patients with microform cleft lip were included in the study. Muscle biopsies were investigated in 11 patients among them. Results Nasal deformity, a ridge or a groove from the vermilion to the nostril sill, and interruption of the “white roll” were present in all patients. Lack of a philtral column and a free border notch was observed in over 97% of patients. The orbicularis muscle demonstrated hypoplastic myofibers with nonneurogenic atrophy and focal accumulation of subsarcolemmal mitochondria. Conclusion The typical gross morphology of the microform cleft lip is a surface manifestation of muscular defect, and the disruption of the muscle further extends down to the ultrastructural level. The clinical features, taken together with the ultrastructural defects of the musculature, might help with a more precise delineation of the microform cleft lip, and provide better understanding of cleft lip in general.