Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Areas of High 18F-FDG Uptake on Preradiotherapy PET/CT Identify Preferential Sites of Local Relapse After Chemoradiotherapy for Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

The high rates of failure in the radiotherapy target volume suggest that patients with stage II or III non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) should receive an increased total dose of radiotherapy. Areas of high 18F-FDG uptake on preradiotherapy 18F-FDG PET/CT have been reported to identify intratumor subvolumes at high risk of relapse after radiotherapy. We wanted to confirm these observations on a cohort of patients included in 3 sequential prospective studies. Our aim was to assess an appropriate threshold (percentage of maximum standardized uptake value [SUVmax]) to delineate subvolumes on staging 18F-FDG PET/CT scans assuming that a smaller target volume would facilitate isotoxic radiotherapy dose escalation. Methods: Thirty-nine patients with inoperable stage II or III NSCLC, treated with chemoradiation or with radiotherapy alone, were extracted from 3 prospective studies (ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers NCT01261585, NCT01261598, and RECF0645). All patients underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT at initial staging, before radiotherapy, during radiotherapy, and during systematic follow-up in a single institution. All 18F-FDG PET/CT acquisitions were coregistered on the initial scan. Various subvolumes in the initial acquisition (30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, and 90% SUVmax thresholds) and in the 3 subsequent acquisitions (40% and 90% SUVmax thresholds) were pasted on the initial scan and compared. Results: Seventeen patients had a local relapse. The SUVmax measured during radiotherapy was significantly higher in locally relapsed tumors than in locally controlled tumors (mean, 6.8 vs. 4.6; P = 0.02). The subvolumes delineated on initial PET/CT scans with 70%–90% SUVmax thresholds were in good agreement with the recurrent volume at a 40% SUVmax threshold (common volume/baseline volume, 0.60–0.80). The subvolumes delineated on initial PET/CT scans with 30%–60% SUVmax thresholds were in good to excellent agreement with the core volume of the relapse (90% SUVmax threshold) (common volume/recurrent volume and overlap fraction indices, 0.60–0.93). The agreement was moderate (>0.51) when a 70% SUVmax threshold was used to delineate on initial PET/CT scans. Conclusion: High 18F-FDG uptake areas on pretreatment PET/CT scans identify tumor subvolumes at greater risk of relapse in patients with NSCLC treated by concomitant chemoradiation. We propose a 70% SUVmax threshold to delineate areas of high 18F-FDG uptake on initial PET/CT scans as the target volumes for potential radiotherapy dose escalation.
The Stability and Expression Level of Bok Are Governed by Binding to Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors*

Bok is a member of the Bcl-2 protein family that governs the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, although the role that Bok plays in this pathway is unclear. We have shown previously in cultured cell lines that Bok interacts strongly with inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs), suggesting that it may contribute to the structural integrity or stability of IP3R tetramers. Here we report that Bok is similarly IP3R-assocated in mouse tissues, that essentially all cellular Bok is IP3R bound, that it is the helical nature of the Bok BH4 domain, rather than specific amino acids, that mediates binding to IP3Rs, that Bok is dramatically stabilized by binding to IP3Rs, that unbound Bok is ubiquitinated and degraded by the proteasome, and that binding to IP3Rs limits the pro-apoptotic effect of overexpressed Bok. Agents that stimulate IP3R activity, apoptosis, phosphorylation, and endoplasmic reticulum stress did not trigger the dissociation of mature Bok from IP3Rs or Bok degradation, indicating that the role of proteasome-mediated Bok degradation is to destroy newly synthesized Bok that is not IP3R associated. The existence of this unexpected proteolytic mechanism that is geared toward restricting Bok to that which is bound to IP3Rs, implies that unbound Bok is deleterious to cell viability and helps explain the current uncertainty regarding the cellular role of Bok.
Influence of Peritoneal Transport Rate, Inflammation, and Fluid Removal on Nutritional Status and Clinical Outcome in Prevalent Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Objective To evaluate the possible associations between peritoneal transport rate (PTR), fluid removal, inflammation, and nutritional status in patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) for more than 6 months, and the impact of these factors on subsequent patient survival. Design and Patients A prospective study of 82 PD patients (48 males) that had been treated with PD more than 6 months. Based on the dialysate-to-plasma creatinine ratio at 4 hours of dwell (D/PCr; mean ± 1 SD), the patients were classified as having a high (H), high-average (HA), low-average (LA), or low (L) PTR. Setting Single PD unit in a university hospital. Main Outcome Measures The PTR, evaluation of adequacy of dialysis and nutritional status, and biochemical analyses were assessed at 10.8 ± 2.8 months after the start of PD. Results Compared to L and LA (L/LA) transporters, H and HA (H/HA) transporters had increased dialysate protein loss, glucose absorption from dialysate, and peritoneal creatinine clearance (CCr), and decreased night ultrafiltration volume and total Kt/V urea. However, nutritional variables, 24-hour total fluid removal (TFR), total CCr, and residual renal function were not significantly different between the two groups. The 24-hour TFR correlated significantly with D/PCr (rho = –0.25), mean arterial pressure (rho = –0.23), serum albumin (rho = 0.25), normalized protein equivalent of total nitrogen appearance (rho = 0.34), lean body mass (LBM) calculated from creatinine kinetics (rho = 0.41), total Kt/V urea (rho = 0.42), and total CCr (rho = 0.30). The group with serum C-reactive protein (sCRP) ⊕ 10 mg/L had a higher proportion of patients with reduced (< 1000 mL) TFR compared to the group with sCRP < 10 mg/(38% vs 16%, p = 0.04). Two-year patient survival rates from the time of the assessment were not different between the different transport groups (78% vs 73% for H/HA and L/LA, p = 0.99). Upon Cox proportional hazards multivariate analysis, age and high sCRP were independent predictors of mortality. Conclusions This study shows that, in a selected group of prevalent PD patients assessed after more than 6 months of PD therapy, (1) inflammation was an independent predictor for mortality; (2) reduced TFR was associated with impaired nutritional status, decreased small solute clearance, and inflammation; and (3) peritoneal transport status was not significantly associated with nutritional status and was not associated with subsequent patient survival. These results indicate that a high peritoneal solute transport rate, as such, should not be regarded as a relative contraindication for PD. Instead, the results suggest that more attention should be given to inflammation and inadequate fluid removal as predictors of mortality in PD patients.
Apology, justice, and trauma recovery.

Sexual abuse by some clergy has caused great suffering and spir-itual harm to the victims. Sexual abuse within the church isa profound contradiction of the teaching and witness of JesusChrist. The synod fathers wish to apologize unreservedly tothe victims for the pain and disillusionment caused to them.
Comparative Study of Intravenous Dexmedetomidine versus Paracetamol for Postoperative Pain Relief in Laparoscopic Surgery

Background: Acute pain in the perioperative setting is detrimental to post operative outcome and adequate analgesia leads to better outcome. Methods: Sixty ASA I/II patients between 1865 years undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and appendicectomy were included and randomly divided into 2 groups. ASA III/IV patients, previous opioid and alpha 2 agonist treatment and patients requiring extensive surgical dissection were excluded. Group D received IV Dexmedetomidine 1μg/kg over 10 min followed by 0.2-0.7 μg /kg/hr and Group P received IV Paracetamol 15 mg/kg prior to extubation. Patients were monitored for hemodynamics and VAS score was assessed after extubation till 24 hours. Rescue analgesia (IV tramadol 1 mg/kg) was given and the time interval till the requirement of first dose of rescue analgesia was recorded. Results: In group D, 12 patients required rescue analgesia as compared to 4 Patients in group P (40% vs13.3%; P=0.02). VAS scores were similar in both groups with group P showing trend towards low score. Median time at which the first dose of rescue analgesia was administered in group P was longer (134.42 + 12.67 vs 82.76 + 9.38 min; P=0.001). Incidence of bradycardia and hypotension was higher in group D (20% vs 3.3%; P=0.04). Conclusion: Paracetamol is a superior to Dexmedetomidine for analgesia in short surgical procedures and should form a part of multimodal analgesia.
ESR Spectroscopy of Nitroxides: Kinetics and Dynamics of Exchange Reactins

Stable nitroxide radicals have proved to be helpful in solving many problems in chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, material science etc. as model compounds. To understand in detail the great variety of different chemical reactions, a good knowledge of the underlying “simple” exchange reactions related to nitroxide radicals is necessary. This chapter focuses on electron-self and spin exchange reactions of various nitroxide radicals in different solvents. The corresponding rate constants, the activation parameters, like activation enthalpies and volumes are obtained from temperatureand pressure dependent ESR-line broadening effects. A short introduction to dynamic ESR-spectroscopy is given.
Arms Races and Escalation: A Closer Look

The relationship between arms races and war is a critical consideration in both peace research and strategic planning. This study reconsiders the work of Michael Wallace which has postulated that arms races significantly increase the probability of a serious dispute escalating to war. A critique of Wallace's coding procedures and arms race index precedes an attempt to replicate his findings. In the replication, serious disputes, taken from the Correlates of War Project, among major powers during the years 1816-1970 serve as the population to be tested. Adjustments in coding and index construction from the Wallace work are made. It was discovered that only 25% of those disputes preceded by a mutual military buildup escalated to war, while almost 77% of the wars in this population were preceded by periods lacking armaments competition. Controls for inter-century differences and unilateral military buildups failed to alter this apparent lack of a relationship between arms races and dispute escalation. Differences with Wallace's study are analyzed and the implications for peace research discussed.
Web-based tailored nutrition education: results of a randomized controlled trial.

There is ample evidence that printed, computer-tailored nutrition education is a more effective tool for motivating people to change to healthier diets than general nutrition education. New technology is now providing more advanced ways of delivering tailored messages, e.g. via the World Wide Web (WWW). Before disseminating a tailored intervention via the web, it is important to investigate the potential of web-based tailored nutrition education. The present study investigated the immediate impact of web-based computer-tailored nutrition education on personal awareness and intentions related to intake of fat, fruit and vegetables. A randomized controlled trial, with a pre-test-post-test control group design was conducted. Significant differences in awareness and intention to change were found between the intervention and control group at post-test. The tailored intervention was appreciated better, was rated as more personally relevant, and had more subjective impact on opinion and intentions to change than the general nutrition information. Computer literacy had no effect on these ratings. The results indicate that interactive, web-based computer-tailored nutrition education can lead to changes in determinants of behavior. Future research should be aimed at longer-term (behavioral) effects and the practicability of distributing tailored interventions via the WWW.
Activation of the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt Pathway Protects against Interleukin-3 Starvation but Not DNA Damage-induced Apoptosis*

Baf-3 cells are dependent on interleukin-3 (IL-3) for their survival and proliferation in culture. To identify anti-apoptotic pathways, we performed a retroviral-insertion mutagenesis on Baf-3 cells and selected mutants that have acquired a long term survival capacity. The phenotype of one mutant, which does not overexpress bcl-x and proliferates in the absence of IL-3, is described. We show that, in this mutant, Akt is constitutively activated leading to FKHRL1 phosphorylation and constitutive glycolytic activity. This pathway is necessary for the mutant to survive following IL-3 starvation but is not sufficient or necessary to protect cells from DNA damage-induced cell death. Indeed, inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway in Baf-3 cells does not prevent the ability of IL-3 to protect cells against γ-irradiation-induced DNA damage. This protective effect of IL-3 rather correlates with the expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-x protein. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the PI3K/Akt pathway is sufficient to protect cells from growth factor starvation-induced apoptosis but is not required for IL-3 inhibition of DNA damage-induced cell death.
Causes of mortality among wild swans in Britain

Post mortem data from 366 dead swans recovered from the wild between 1951 and 1989 were examined. The main causes of death were flying accidents (accounting for 22% of adult deaths and 23% of juveniles), lead poisoning (in 21% of adults and 10% of juveniles), trauma (in 8.4% of adults, 8.7% of juveniles and 30% of Mute Swan downies), tuberculosis (6.0% of adults and 1.0% of juveniles) and aspergillosis (3.8% of adults and 7.7% of juveniles).
Opportunities for the treatment of inflammation in cardiovascular disease

Atherosclerosis, and the clinical presentation of atherosclerosis, both have their basic pathogenesis in inflammatory mechanisms. The use of mouse models of atherosclerosis has emphasised the importance of inflammation in atherogenesis, and the use of serum markers of inflammation in epidemiological studies has shown the importance of inflammatory status in determining the presentation of atherosclerotic disease. Therapeutic opportunities will arise from the manipulation of these inflammatory mechanisms. Proof of this principle has been shown with the use of aspirin and statin drugs as well as the emerging roles for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists. It is likely that both refinement of existing anti-inflammatory agents and the identification of new inflammatory mechanisms will afford real opportunities for the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Hospitalisation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and risk of suicide: a population-based case–control study

Objectives To examine risk of suicide among individuals with hospitalised chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to profile differences according to sex, age, psychiatric history, and recency and frequency of COPD hospitalisations. Design Nested case–control study. Setting Data were retrieved from Danish national registries. Participants All suicide cases aged 40–95 years deceased between 1981 and 2006 in Denmark (n=19 869) and up to 20 live population controls per case matched on sex and date of birth (n=321 867 controls). Main outcome measures The relative risk of suicide associated with COPD was computed using conditional logistic regression and adjusted for effects of psychiatric history and important sociodemographic factors. Results In our study population, 3% of suicide cases had been hospitalised for COPD compared with 1% of matched population controls. Thus, a hospitalised COPD was associated with a significantly increased risk for suicide (OR 2.6; 95% CI 2.3 to 2.8). The increased risk remained significant after adjustment for psychiatric history and sociodemographic variables (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.8 to 2.2), and increased progressively with frequency and recency of COPD hospitalisation. At the same time, suicide risk associated with COPD differed significantly by sex, age and psychiatric status. The relative risk was more pronounced in women, in individuals older than 60 years and in persons with no history of psychiatric illness. Conclusions COPD confers an important risk factor for suicide completion. Risk assessment and prevention efforts should take patients’ sex, age and psychiatric history into consideration.
Comparative Analysis of Marketing Strategies for Manufacturers' and Retailers' Brands

Manufacturers and retailers have chosen varied brand portfolio structures for business performance. This study surveys consumer attitudes toward manufacturers’ brands and retailers’ store brands chosen from Taiwan retailing outlets. Research findings indicate that manufacturers’ brands intensify high quality and high price strategies, pursue appropriate promotion activities, and develop brand equity helpfully to the purchase intention of consumers. Without a careful evaluation process, a brand endorsing strategy is disadvantageous to manufacturers. Another aspect, low prices, promotion activities, brand endorsed strategies, and increasing store images positively support to the brand equity and consumer purchase intentions of retailer store brands.
Surveillance of Antimicrobial Prophylaxis for Surgical Procedures

Abstract Objective: To assess the practice of antimicrobial prophylaxis for surgical procedures in eight surgical departments in a 550-bed teaching hospital. Methods: A list of all major procedures performed in our hospital, with recommendations for prophylaxis based upon the literature, has been distributed since 1993 and is updated periodically. The practice of surgical prophylaxis between January 1 and March 31,1996, was examined by assessing four variables: (1) Did the particular procedure justify prophylaxis, and was it provided? (2) Was timing optimal, ie, within 1 hour prior to surgery? (3) Was the appropriate antimicrobial selected? (4) Was duration optimal, ie, ≤24 hours? Results: During the study period, 2,117 operations were performed, of which 1,631 (77%) were reviewed. Sixty-six percent were clean surgery, 28% clean-contaminated, and 6% contaminated; 72% of procedures were elective, 28% emergencies. Of 1,631 operations requiring prophylaxis, 1,142 (70%) received it, 489 (30%) did not. Of 1,631 patients, 1,392 (85%) received appropriate care: 929 (67%) appropriately received prophylaxis, and 463 (33%) appropriately did not receive prophylaxis. Of 955 patients who received prophylaxis, 26 (3%) did so inappropriately. Of 1,142 patients who should have received prophylaxis, 213 (19%) did not receive it. Female gender, clean surgery, elective operations, and infrequently performed procedures were all significant indicators of inappropriately withheld prophylaxis (P<.001). In addition, the rate of appropriately provided prophylaxis varied between departments from 71% to 97% (P<.001). Assessment of the 929 procedures for which prophylaxis was justified and given revealed that 100% of patients received it on time, the choice of antimicrobial was appropriate in 95% of cases, and duration was ≤24 hours in 91%. Conclusions: Audits of surgical prophylaxis are expected to detect different errors in different institutions. Conducting audits of surgical prophylaxis probably should be part of the routine activity of infection control teams. Feeding the information back to surgeons could improve adherence to recommended guidelines and might contribute to reduced wound infection rates.
Aligning the dissimilar: A probabilistic method for feature-based point set registration

3D-point set registration is an active area of research in computer vision. In recent years, probabilistic registration approaches have demonstrated superior performance for many challenging applications. Generally, these probabilistic approaches rely on the spatial distribution of the 3D-points, and only recently color information has been integrated into such a framework, significantly improving registration accuracy. Other than local color information, high-dimensional 3D shape features have been successfully employed in many applications such as action recognition and 3D object recognition. In this paper, we propose a probabilistic framework to integrate high-dimensional 3D shape features with color information for point set registration. The 3D shape features are distinctive and provide complementary information beneficial for robust registration. We validate our proposed framework by performing comprehensive experiments on the challenging Stanford Lounge dataset, acquired by a RGB-D sensor, and an outdoor dataset captured by a Lidar sensor. The results clearly demonstrate that our approach provides superior results both in terms of robustness and accuracy compared to state-of-the-art probabilistic methods.
Experiential learning in rodents: past experience enables rapid learning and localized encoding in hippocampus

Humans routinely use past experience with complexity to deal with novel, challenging circumstances. This fundamental aspect of real-world behavior has received surprisingly little attention in animal studies, and the underlying brain mechanisms are unknown. The present experiments tested for transfer from past experience in rats and then used quantitative imaging to localize synaptic modifications in hippocampus. Six daily exposures to an enriched environment (EE) caused a marked enhancement of short- and long-term memory encoded during a 30-min session in a different and complex environment relative to rats given extensive handling or access to running wheels. Relatedly, the EE animals investigated the novel environment in a different manner than the other groups, suggesting transfer of exploration strategies acquired in earlier interactions with complexity. This effect was not associated with changes in the number or size of excitatory synapses in hippocampus. Maps of synapses expressing a marker for long-term potentiation indicated that encoding in the EE group, relative to control animals, was concentrated in hippocampal field CA1. Importantly, <1% of the total population of synapses was involved in production of the regional map. These results constitute the first evidence that the transfer of experience profoundly affects the manner in which hippocampus encodes complex information.