Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bayesian adaptive randomization designs for targeted agent development

Background With better understanding of the disease’s etiology and mechanism, many targeted agents are being developed to tackle the root cause of problems, hoping to offer more effective and less toxic therapies. Targeted agents, however, do not work for everyone. Hence, the development of target agents requires the evaluation of prognostic and predictive markers. In addition, upon the identification of each patient’s marker profile, it is desirable to treat patients with best available treatments in the clinical trial accordingly. Methods Many designs have recently been proposed for the development of targeted agents. These include the simple randomization design, marker stratified design, marker strategy design, efficient targeted design, etc. In contrast to the frequentist designs with equal randomization, we propose novel Bayesian adaptive randomization designs that allow evaluating treatments and markers simultaneously, while providing more patients with effective treatments according to the patients’ marker profiles. Early stopping rules can be implemented to increase the efficiency of the designs. Results Through simulations, the operating characteristics of different designs are compared and contrasted. By carefully choosing the design parameters, types I and II errors can be controlled for Bayesian designs. By incorporating adaptive randomization and early stopping rules, the proposed designs incorporate rational learning from the interim data to make informed decisions. Bayesian design also provides a formal way to incorporate relevant prior information. Compared with previously published designs, the proposed design can be more efficient, more ethical, and is also more flexible in the study conduct. Limitations Response adaptive randomization requires the response to be assessed in a relatively short time period. The infrastructure must be set up to allow timely and more frequent monitoring of interim results. Conclusion Bayesian adaptive randomization designs are distinctively suitable for the development of multiple targeted agents with multiple biomarkers. Clinical Trials 2010; 7: 584—596. http://ctj.sagepub. com
catena-Poly[[diaqua(1,2,3-benzothiadiazole-7-carboxylato-κO)copper(II)]-μ-1,2,3-benzothiadiazole-7-carboxylato-κ2 N 2:O]

In the polymeric title complex, [Cu(C7H3N2O2S)2(H2O)2]n, the CuII centre is surrounded by three 1,2,3-benzothiadiazole-7-carboxylate and two water molecules. A 1,2,3-benzothiadiazole-7-carboxylate ligand bridges two CuII centres, with a Cu⋯Cu distance of 9.006 (2) Å. The four O atoms in the equatorial planes around each CuII centre form a distorted square-planar arrangement, while the distorted square-pyramidal coordination is completed by the symmetry-related N atoms of the bridging 1,2,3-benzothiadiazole-7-carboxylate ligands. In the crystal structure, intermolecular O—H⋯O and O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds link the molecules into a three-dimensional supramolecular network.
Change in Organic and Inorganic Components of Hepatopancreas, Muscles and Haemolymph of Procambarus clarkii during the Molting Cycle

Aims: To gives information's about internal changes associated with molting process of crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, from the Egyptian freshwaters. Internal changes in crayfish P. clarkii were studied from hatchlings to adult stage associated with molting cycle included (a) Changes in inorganic components (biominerals) especially Ca, P & Mg and (b) Organic components especially total protein & total cholesterol. Methodology: The specimens of the red swamp crayfish, P. clarkii, were collected alive from the River Nile tributaries at Al-Kanater AlKhairiya, Qalyoubia Governorate during the period from May 2013 to September 2014 for investigate the internal changes during molting cycle. All specimens were kept for acclimatization under the laboratory conditions in the glass aquaria aerated with air pumps at room ambient temperature (2123 oC) and at pH ranged between 7.37. 5. Water was exchanged weekly with aerated water under the same conditions. Results: Data revealed that, internal changes in adult crayfish, P. clarkii, involved physiological changes as; the molting stages were also characterized by internal changes, represented by sharp fluctuations in the levels of biominerals and organic components in hepatopancreas, muscle and haemolymph which play an important role in molting cycle. The present study declared that, the increasing of biominerals in haemolymph in narrow range indicating the fact that haemolymph is not storage organ but is the carrier one. Also, data showed that, hepatopancreas plays an important role during the molting process and considers a main storage site for the most important inorganic and organic components. Statistical analysis indicated that, there are differences ranges in organic and inorganic components between the different molting stages.
Increase in Endogenous and Exogenous Cyclic AMP Levels Inhibits Sclerotial Development in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

ABSTRACT Growth and development of a wild-type Sclerotinia sclerotiorum isolate were examined in the presence of various pharmacological compounds to investigate signal transduction pathways that influence the development of sclerotia. Compounds known to increase endogenous cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels in other organisms by inhibiting phosphodiesterase activity (caffeine and 3-isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine) or by activating adenylate cyclase (NaF) reduced or eliminated sclerotial development in S. sclerotiorum. Growth in the presence of 5 mM caffeine correlated with increased levels of endogenous cAMP in mycelia. In addition, incorporation of cAMP into the growth medium decreased or eliminated the production of sclerotia in a concentration-dependent manner and increased the accumulation of oxalic acid. Inhibition of sclerotial development was cAMP specific, as exogenous cyclic GMP, AMP, and ATP did not influence sclerotial development. Transfer of developing cultures to cAMP-containing medium at successive time points demonstrated that cAMP inhibits development prior to or during sclerotial initiation. Together, these results indicate that cAMP plays a role in the early transition between mycelial growth and sclerotial development.
Effects of Fixation on Cell Volume of Marine Planktonic Protozoa

The effects of fixation on the cell volume of marine heterotrophic nanoflagellates and planktonic ciliates were investigated. Decreases in cell volume depended on the combination of the protozoan taxa and the particular fixative. For a particular fixative and protozoan species, degree of shrinkage was independent of physiological state. The volume of fixed cells was found to be approximately 20 to 55% lower than the cell volume of live organisms. For the heterotrophic microflagellates, the fixatives ranked, in order of decreasing effect on cell volume, as glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, acid Lugol's solution, and modified van der Veer solution. With oligotrichous ciliates and a tintinnid ciliate, formaldehyde caused less shrinkage than glutaraldehyde or acid Lugol's solution. With the aldehyde fixatives, the microflagellates were found to shrink more than the ciliates. Differential effects of fixation on cell volumes may result in an underestimation of the biomass of certain protozoan taxa in natural samples.
Misconceptions about traumatic brain injuries among South African university students

Objective. To investigate the incidence and type of misconceptions about traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) harboured by university students. Method. A convenience sample of 705 university students were recruited and data were collected using an electronic survey. The link to the survey was sent via e-mail to all registered students at Stellenbosch University. The participants had to complete the Common Misconceptions about Traumatic Brain Injury (CM-TBI) questionnaire. Results. The findings of this study suggest that the students subscribe to misconceptions from each of the 7 categories of misconceptions about TBIs. The mean percentages of misconceptions about TBIs were calculated and the amnesia (mean 49.7%) and unconsciousness (mean 46.1%) categories were identified as the categories about which the respondents had the most misconceptions, while the mean percentages of misconceptions were lower for the categories of recovery (mean 27.6%), rehabilitation (mean 26.56%), prevention (mean 20.8%), brain injury sequelae (mean 18.7%) and brain damage (mean 8.4%). Conclusion. Generally, these findings appear to be in keeping with previous literature, which suggests that misconceptions about TBIs are common among the general population. This study’s identification of these misconceptions could help create awareness, provide a focus for information provision, and contribute to the development of educational intervention programmes tailored for the South African context.
Modeling Dengue Cluster Size as a Function of Aedes aegypti Population and Climate in Singapore

In Singapore, a dengue cluster is defined as at least two cases located within 200 metres of each other, and whose dates of the onset of symptoms are within three weeks of each other. In 2000-2001, there were a total of 102 clusters with cluster size ranging from 2 to 29 cases. A nonlinear regression model of cluster size during this two-year period was developed using various entomological and climatic independent variables. The resultant model (R 2 = 0.66882) was a combination of quadratic functions of the detected number of habitats positive for Ae. aegypti, the number of detected habitats positive for Ae. albopictus, and the average amount of rainfall one week before the cluster period. The model may be useful for assessing the risk of a large-sized cluster occurring in an area.
Comparison of peer and citation assessment of the influence of scientific journals

A survey was undertaken to ascertain the extent of agreement between scientists' subjective assessment of the average influence per article for articles in 58 different scientific journals, when compared with corresponding citation influence ratings for articles in the same journals. The scientists' assessments were derived from questionnaires sent to faculty at 97 American universities covering journals in ten different research fields. A strong positive relationship was found to exist between the scientists' assessment of journal influence and the citation influence ratings, with product‐moment and Spearman rank correlations in the 0.7–0.9 range for seven of the ten fields.
The membrane molecule RCAS 1 induces immune cell apoptosis via the RCAS 1-RCAS 1 R pathway

Tumor-associated antigen receptor-binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells (RCAS1) has been identified as an estrogen-responsive gene and reportedly acts as a ligand for a putative receptor present in a variety of human cell lines and peripheral lymphocytes, thus leading them to apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the biological function of RCAS1 in vitro in inducing the apoptosis of immune cells. We detected the expression of the RCAS1 receptor (RCAS1R) in the cell lines, and investigated the mechanisms behind the apoptosis induced by RCAS1. HeLa cells were transfected with recombinant adenovirus Ad-RCAS1. RCAS1 induced the apoptosis of activated T cells, K562 cells and phytohemagglutinin (PHA)activated Jurkat cells via the RCAS1-RCAS1R pathway. The expression of RCAS1R was induced. The intracellular overexpression of RCAS1 inhibited the growth of Jurkat and K562 cells. The expression of RCAS1 negatively correlated with the expression of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), but positively correlated with the expression of phosphorylated GSK3β (phGSK3β). RCAS1 expression was identified as a brown staining pattern in the breast cancer specimens. These findings may provide insight into the mechanisms through which tumor cells escape from immune surveillance.
Effects of a Model on Food Neophobia in Humans

In study 1, subjects who were high and low in trait food neophobia made a series of choices between novel or familiar foods in the presence of no model, a neophilic model who chose mostly novel foods, or a neophobic model who chose mostly familiar foods and made another series of choices in private from foods which were not modeled. Subjects who were low (but not high) in trait neophobia behaved in accordance with the behavior of the neophilic (but not neophobic) model in the model's presence (but not absence). Study 2 clarified the results of study 1, revealing that the phenomenon was modeling and not conformity, that even highly neophobic subjects can be influenced by a stronger modeling manipulation, that food neophobia can be both increased and decreased, and that the reduced neophobia induced by exposure to a neophilic model does not generalize to non-modeled foods.
Contralateral hamstring (biceps femoris) coactivation patterns and anterior cruciate ligament dysfunction.

It has been postulated that coactivation of antagonist hamstring musculature during active knee extension aids the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in maintaining joint stability by exerting an opposing torque to anterior tibial displacement induced by the quadriceps. It was the purpose of this study to compare contralateral patterns of hamstring coactivation in subjects who have suffered ACL dysfunction with subjects who have normal knees. Five subjects who had suffered ACL dysfunction (INJ) and five uninjured (UNI) subjects performed maximal flexions and extensions of the knee on a modified isokinetic dynamometer at 100 degrees and 300 degrees.s-1. Simultaneous recordings of torque, angular displacement, and electromyographic (EMG) activity from the hamstring musculature were computer processed. No significant differences (P < 0.05) in torque were found between ACL/normal and right/left limbs for the INJ and UNI groups, respectively. For the INJ subjects, mean coactivation of the normal limb hamstrings during extension averaged twice that of the ACL limb. In contrast, no significant difference was found for the same comparison between right and left limbs in the UNI group. The results of this study suggest that asymmetry in hamstring coactivation during knee extension may result from ACL dysfunction.
Quality of life and treatment outcomes

Of the estimated 317,000 men in the United States diagnosed with prostate carcinoma in 1996, 57% will have localized disease, and their 5‐year relative survival rate will be 98%. Limited information exists on patient‐reported quality of life (QOL) and the incidence and severity of treatment‐related side effects. The purpose of this study was to identify and compare patients' self‐reported QOL and treatment side effects 1‐5 years after radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy.
Implementation of an optical diagnosis strategy saves costs and does not impair clinical outcomes of a fecal immunochemical test-based colorectal cancer screening program

Abstract Background and study aims In an optical diagnosis strategy, diminutive polyps that are endoscopically characterized with high confidence are removed without histopathological analysis and distal hyperplastic polyps are left in situ. We evaluated the effectiveness and costs of optical diagnosis. Methods Using the Adenoma and Serrated pathway to Colorectal CAncer (ASCCA) model, we simulated biennial fecal immunochemical test (FIT) screening in individuals aged 55 – 75 years. In this program, we compared an optical diagnosis strategy with current histopathology assessment of all diminutive polyps. Base-case assumptions included 76 % high-confidence predictions and sensitivities of 88 %, 91 %, and 88 % for endoscopically characterizing adenomas, sessile serrated polyps, and hyperplastic polyps, respectively. Outcomes were colorectal cancer burden, number of colonoscopies, life-years, and costs. Results Both the histopathology strategy and the optical diagnosis strategy resulted in 21 life-days gained per simulated individual compared with no screening. For optical diagnosis, €6 per individual was saved compared with the current histopathology strategy. These cost savings were related to a 31 % reduction in colonoscopies in which histopathology was needed for diminutive polyps. Projecting these results onto the Netherlands (17 million inhabitants), assuming a fully implemented FIT-based screening program, resulted in an annual undiscounted cost saving of € 1.7 – 2.2 million for optical diagnosis. Conclusion Implementation of optical diagnosis in a FIT-based screening program saves costs without decreasing program effectiveness when compared with current histopathology analysis of all diminutive polyps. Further work is required to evaluate how endoscopists participating in a screening program should be trained, audited, and monitored to achieve adequate competence in optical diagnosis.
Disgust in contamination-based obsessive–compulsive disorder: a review and model

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by the presence of unwanted, intrusive thoughts coupled with ritualized behaviors intended to reduce subjective anxiety. Although once considered a homogeneous disorder, recent findings support a view of OCD as consisting of symptom subtypes. Additionally, there has been increased interest in the contribution of disgust to various forms of psychopathology. The present article summarizes the available literature on contamination-based OCD with an emphasis on the role of disgust as it pertains to the etiology and maintenance of this form of OCD. We propose an updated model of contamination-based OCD that accounts for the elevated disgust response observed in individuals with this form of OCD. Treatment implications of a disgust-based model of the disorder are discussed in the context of cognitive–behavioral therapy.
Methods to evaluate renal function in elderly patients: a systematic literature review.

CONTEXT multiple studies of elderly patients show that the prevalence of chronic renal failure in people aged 65 years and older is dependent on the method used to calculate the glomerular filtration rate. We performed a systematic literature search with research question: What is the best method that could be applicable in clinical practice for evaluating renal function in the elderly? Studies using inulin, Cr-51-EDTA, Tc-DTPA or iohexol assays as the gold standard were included. METHODS we searched the PubMed and EMBASE databases. Articles found were screened first by title and abstract and then by five criteria. Retained articles were scored using an adapted version of QUADAS. RESULTS twelve articles had an identified population or subpopulation aged 65 years and older. The studies were heterogeneous with regard to the population investigated and the statistical procedures used to compare the methods and equations with the gold standard. The Cockcroft-Gault (CG) and MDRD equations and the serum cystatin C concentration produced the highest correlations with the gold standard. CONCLUSIONS no accurate method to evaluate renal function in the elderly was found. Serum cystatin C concentration and the CG and MDRD formula might be valuable parameters, although there is insufficient evidence.
Ultrasound‐Guided Serratus Plane Block for Treatment of Postmastectomy Pain Syndromes in Breast Cancer Patients: A Case Series

Postmastectomy pain syndrome is common after surgical treatment for breast cancer and may be challenging to manage. Currently, there are a wide variety of approaches to treat this type of pain, including medications, physical therapy, and interventional procedures. However, because of the complexity of innervation of the breast, the serratus plane block may better target the web of nerves innervating the anterior chest wall including the breast. We present a case series of 8 patients who were successfully treated with serratus plane block for pain after treatment for breast cancer. We feel that this particular application for the serratus plane block deserves further investigation, as it is relatively easy to perform and has good clinical utility for this type of pain.
Stable Detection of Movement Intent From Peripheral Nerves: Chronic Study in Dogs

Peripheral nerves provide access to highly processed and segregated neural command signals from the brain that control skeletal muscles. Detecting these signals could provide lifelike, intuitive control of high-degree-of-freedom prosthetic limbs. However, detection of individual fascicle neural activity within a nerve has not yet been accomplished without compromising the nerve. The purpose of this study was to detect fascicular-level neural activity in freely moving animals with nonpenetrating nerve cuff electrodes. Three dogs were implanted with 16-contact flat interface nerve electrodes (FINEs) on the sciatic nerve with total duration of the implant ranging from four to nine months with functional recordings lasting 2.2-7.5 months. The recorded neural activity during normal treadmill walking was used to localize fascicular sources within the nerve and their recovered activity was compared with the ankle movements using binary classification against gait phase. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the neural signals obtained from the FINE was between 3.65 and 7.59 dB. Postmortem analysis showed that the focal points of the recovered fascicular activity were located within 0.75 + 0.38 mm from the nearest major fascicles. The two movement intents recovered from each fascicle matched the actual observed ankle movements with overall accuracy of 70%-80% and false crosstalk rate of <; 10%. The significant outcome of this study is detecting multiple voluntary fascicular activities with consistent accuracy over time from freely moving animals. It demonstrates the potential of using the FINE in the designs of intuitively controlled advanced prostheses and ultimately improving patient's quality of life.
Technology centres in Germany: economic justification, effectiveness and impact on high-tech regions

This paper seeks to analyse the relationship between technology centres and high-tech regions in Germany. Although Germany's national economy still enjoys a very high level of technological competitiveness, despite a slight downward trend, little is known about the existence of high-tech regions and the causes of their coming into being. This paper will demonstrate that the Munich region clearly represents one such high-tech region. Despite the existence of technology centres in this and many other German regions, only in a very few exceptional cases have these institutions generated statistically significant economic effects at the regional level, and never to the emergence of a high-tech region. Realistically, however, this cannot be the goal of German-style technology centres, as they differ considerably from, for example, the British or US style of science or research parks.
Electronic structure of the semimetals Bi and Sb.

We have developed a third-neighbor tight-binding model, with spin-orbit coupling included, to treat the electronic properties of Bi and Sb. This model successfully reproduces the features near the Fermi surface that will be most important in semimetal-semiconductor device structures, including (a) the small overlap of valence and conduction bands, (b) the electron and hole effective masses, and (c) the shapes of the electron and hole Fermi surfaces. The present tight-binding model treats these semimetallic properties quantitatively, and it should, therefore, be useful for calculations of the electronic properties of proposed semimetal-semiconductor systems, including superlattices and resonant-tunneling devices.
Long‐term glycaemic control with metformin–sulphonylurea–pioglitazone triple therapy in PROactive (PROactive 17)

Aims We assessed the long‐term glycaemic effects and the safety profile of triple therapy with the addition of pioglitazone vs. placebo in patients with Type 2 diabetes treated with combined metformin–sulphonylurea therapy in the PROspective pioglitAzone Clinical Trial In macroVascular Events (PROactive).