Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combined therapy of locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma with capecitabine and concurrent radiotherapy.

3720 Background: Concomitant chemoradiotherapy with capecitabine could improve outcome in: patients with locoregionally advanced undisseminated rectal cancer. METHODS Since X/2001 to V/2003 capecitabine and concurrent radiotherapy was applied in locally advanced rectal cancer (cT3-4, and/or N+, M0). 43 patients, 31 men, 12 women, median age 59. Capecitabine 825 mg/m2 twice a daily was given concomitantly with pelvic radiotherapy 1,8 Gy daily up to 45 Gy followed by a boost up to 50,4 Gy. RESULTS Pathological complete response in 9(21%) pts, minimal microscopic residuum in 7(16%) pts and together 37% pts. with a substantial remission were diagnosed. Thymidylate synthase (TS), thymidine phosphorylase (TP), dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) and TNFα mRNA/GAPDH mRNA relative levels from tumor and adjacent tissue has been measured by means of Real Time PCR. Before treatment TS mRNA median was higher in tumors (1.7x) than in adjacent mucosa. Changes in mRNA levels in the course of therapy were different in tumor and adjacent non affected mucosa. TS mRNA median level in tumors increased 1,3x in the course of therapy, but median in adjacent mucosa increased 2,3x. Tumor TS mRNA median in the course of therapy was 1.5x higher in responders (pT0,N0 or pR1,N0) than in non responders. Tumor TP mRNA median levels increased 3.09x in all pts, but only 2.63x in patients with remission. There was an 2.56x increase of mucosal TP mRNA in total, but negligible (1.004x) in patients with remissions in the course of therapy. Median tumor DPD mRNA level of non responders is 3.9x higher than in responders before therapy or 3.5x higher in the course of therapy respectively. Tumor TNFα mRNA median level is increased 2.8x in responders but 4.32x in non responders. CONCLUSIONS The concurrent chemoradiotherapy proved to be effective for treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer. The analysis shows the increased level of TS mRNA in tumor tissue and elevation of TP mRNA in tumor during radiotherapy in all pts. But the evaluated markes of fluoropyrimidine metabolism don't correlate with therapeutic response. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Evaluation of parental awareness regarding their child's oral hygiene

OBJECTIVES To determine parental awareness about their child's oral hygiene and its associated factors. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 396 parents and their 3- to 6-year-old children were selected by randomized cluster sampling from Shiraz kindergartens in 2013. Parents completed a questionnaire on their perception of their child's oral hygiene. The children received a dental examination, and their dental cleaning status was determined using Simplified Debris Index. Parental awareness was determined by comparing parents' perception of their child's oral hygiene with the results of the dental examination. Associations between demographic factors and parental awareness were evaluated. RESULTS Sixty per cent of the parents were aware of their child's teeth cleaning status. Higher percentage of parents with university degree (P < 0.001) and parents whose child did not have a previous dental visit (P < 0.001) were aware. Also, more aware mothers were employed compared with homemakers (P = 0.002). Children of aware parents had lower dmft (P < 0.001) and better oral hygiene (P = 0.001) than those of unaware parents. Parents who perceived overall oral health status of their child as good (P < 0.001) as well as those who believed that their child did not have any cavities (P < 0.001) were more likely to be aware of their child's teeth cleaning than those who perceived otherwise. CONCLUSION Many parents were not aware of their child's oral hygiene. Educational interventions should be provided to young families to increase parental knowledge and skills that help them recognize their child's dental needs. The interventions are more necessary for low socioeconomic parents and for the parents of children with poor oral hygiene.
Association of HLA Alleles with Autoimmune Thyroid Disease in Korean Children

Backgrounds: Data regarding genetics of Hashimoto’s disease (HD) and Graves’ disease (GD) in Korean children are lacking. Methods: 73 patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD; HD 32, GD 41) were recruited. We analyzed human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and HLA-DRB1 by PCR-SSP, and compared them with those of 159 controls. Results: In AITD, the allele frequencies of HLA-A*02, -B*46, -Cw*01 and -DRB1*08 were higher and those of HLA-A*30, -B*07, -Cw*07 and -DRB1*01 were lower than in controls. In HD, those of HLA-B*46 and -Cw*01 were higher and those of HLA-DRB1*01 and -Cw*07 were lower than in controls. In GD, those of HLA-A*02, -B*46, -Cw*01 and -DRB1*08 were higher and those of HLA-DRB1*07 and -Cw*07 were lower than in controls. Between HD and GD, there were no significant differences in allele frequencies. The risk of AITD in the presence of both HLA-B*46 and -Cw*01 is higher than in the presence of either allele alone. Conclusion: The susceptible and protectable alleles in HD are similar to those in GD. Coexistence of HLA-B*46 and -Cw*01 may be a genetic gene marker for early-onset AITD in Koreans.
Plates Removal in Orthognathic Surgery and Facial Fractures: When and Why

Background:There is agreement that symptomatic plates should be removed, but there is no consensus among maxillofacial surgeons on the need for routine removal of asymptomatic plates. Only by evaluating long follow-up studies conducted with large-volume data that guidelines about when to remove and why remove plates used for internal rigid fixation can be traced. Materials and Methods:This study was conducted as a retrospective study. Clinical findings of all the patients presented at the department of maxillofacial surgery of 2 Italian hospitals, in whom miniplates were inserted between January 2004 and December 2007, were included: a follow-up of these patients was conducted until August 2009. Results:The region most involved with plates' insertion was the upper maxilla (49.8%), followed by mandibular body (38.1%), angle (7.9%), condyle (2.4%), and symphysis (1.8%). The region most involved in plates' removal was the maxilla in 9%, followed by mandibular body in the 7.5%. All plates inserted in angle regions were removed. Plates placed in the condylar area did not need any plate removal. Conclusions:From this study, there is no evidence to support the advice for routine removal of titanium miniplates from the maxillofacial skeleton, although when using plates in the mandibular angle region, it would be necessary to inform the patient about the very high probability of a second operation necessary for the plates' removal.
Halocynthiibacter arcticus sp. nov., isolated from Arctic marine sediment.

A Gram-staining-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, non-motile, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium producing white colonies, PAMC 20958T, was isolated from a marine sediment of the Arctic. PAMC 20958T grew at 10-27 °C (optimally at 21 °C), at pH 5.5-9.5 (optimally at pH 7.0-7.5) and in the presence of 0.5-7.5 % (w/v) (optimally at 2.0 %) NaCl. PAMC 20958T showed 97.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Halocynthiibacter namhaensis KCTC 32362T and formed a robust phylogenetic clade with this species. The average nucleotide identity value between strain PAMC 20958T and H. namhaensis KCTC 32362T was 79.7 % and the genome-to-genome distance was 13.0 % on average. The genomic DNA G+C content calculated from the genome sequence was 53.2 mol%. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c. The major respiratory isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) and major polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified lipids. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis and genotypic and phenotypic data obtained in this study, it is concluded that strain PAMC 20958T ( = KCTC 42129T = JCM 30530T) represents the type strain of a novel species of the genus Halocynthiibacter, for which the name Halocynthiibacter arcticus sp. nov. is proposed.
Preseason Variations in Aerobic Fitness and Performance in Elite-Standard Soccer Players: A Team Study

Abstract Castagna, C, Impellizzeri, FM, Chaouachi, A, and Manzi, V. Preseason variations in aerobic fitness and performance in elite-standard soccer players: A team study. J Strength Cond Res 27(11): 2959–2965, 2013—The aim of this study was to examine the effects of individual training loads considered as permanent in selected heart-rate (HR) zones on aerobic fitness and performance in elite professional soccer players. Eighteen professional soccer players were observed during the prechampionship training period (8 weeks). Speeds and HR at 2 and 4 mmol·L−1 blood-lactate concentrations (S2, S4, respectively), V[Combining Dot Above]O2max, and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 performance (Yo-Yo IR1) were assessed pretraining and posttraining. Training intensities were categorized using 3 HR zones: low intensity (HR 4 mmol·L−1). Training-session HRs (n = 900) showed a polarized distribution with 73.6 ± 3.7 (2,945 ± 148 minutes), 19.1 ± 3.5 (763 ± 141 minutes), and 7.3 ± 2.9% (292 ± 116 minutes) of the total training time spent at low, moderate, and high intensities, respectively (p < 0.001). The S2 and S4 significantly improved posttraining (+10 and 7%, respectively, p < 0.001). The V[Combining Dot Above]O2max and Yo-Yo IR1 values were 6 and 19.5% higher posttraining, respectively (p < 0.01). Training performed at high intensity was significantly related to relative improvement in S2 (r = 0.78, p = 0.002), S4 (r = 0.60, p = 0.03), V[Combining Dot Above]O2max (r = 0.65, p = 0.02), and Yo-Yo IR1 (r = 0.66, p = 0.01). The results of this study provided further evidence for HR longitudinal validity and effectiveness of the high-intensity training (i.e., >90% HRmax) in men’s professional soccer. In this regard, the time spent at high intensity should be in the range of 7–8% of the total training time during preseason.
Preventing repetition of attempted suicide—I. Feasibility (acceptability, adherence, and effectiveness) of a Baerum-model like aftercare

Repetition after attempted suicide is high with only limited research been put into effect studies. The Baerum-model from Norway offers a practical and affordable intervention. Our aim was to study the acceptability and effectiveness of a Baerum-model like intervention after attempted suicide using a quasi-experimental design. During a period in 2004, attempted suicide patients were offered follow-up care by a rapid-response outreach programme, an intervention lasting 6 months; a control group was established prospectively from a similar period in 2002. The design was an intent-to-treat analysis. The outcome was measured by: 1) participation by acceptance and adherence, 2) repetition of suicide attempt and suicide, and 3) including the number of repetitive acts in 1 year after the attempted suicide episode. Follow-up period was 1 year. Participation was 70%. There was a significant lower repetition rate in the intervention group, where the proportion of repetitive patients fell from 34% to 14%. There were also fewer suicidal acts, in total 37 acts in 58 patients in the control group and 22 acts in 93 patients for the intervention group. We have concluded that the outreach programme has a good feasibility because of high acceptability and adherence, and has an acceptable effectiveness in the follow up period of 1 year. We have therefore initiated a similar study using a randomization design in order to study efficacy.
ATP release from human airway epithelial cells studied using a capillary cell culture system

Epithelial release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an important autocrine and paracrine signalling molecule, is acutely mechanosensitive and therefore difficult to study. We describe here a novel preparation that minimizes mechanical and metabolic perturbations, and use it to examine ATP secretion by epithelial cells. The Calu‐3 cell line derived from human airway sub‐mucosal glands was cultured in a hollow fibre bioreactor on porous capillaries that were perfused by a re‐circulating medium pump. Cells became polarized and cultures were stable for > 5 months, as evidenced by microscopy and lactate production (≈250 μg (108 cells)−1 day−1). Elevating apical flow rate 5‐fold increased ATP secretion from ≈200 to 6618 fmol min−1. Reducing apical osmolarity by 25–43 % also increased ATP secretion, which then declined spontaneously to a plateau rate that persisted as long as hypotonic perfusion was maintained. Release deactivated rapidly after shear and osmotic stresses were terminated, and was not associated with detectable cell lysis. Lowering apical [Ca2+] to increase connexin hemichannel permeability also stimulated ATP release and increased secretion during both hyposmotic and shear stress; however, the connexin 43 blocker flufenamic acid inhibited shear‐induced ATP release only in low‐Ca2+ solution, and therefore another secretory pathway may operate with physiological (i.e. mm) calcium. Regardless of the mechanism, the present results quantify ATP responses to mechanical and osmotic stimuli and demonstrate the usefulness of capillary cultures for studying epithelial secretion.
Cost of hospitalization for respiratory syncytial virus chest infection and implications for passive immunization strategies in a developing nation

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) chest infection is a common cause of hospitalization in the very young child. The aim of this study was to determine the direct cost of resource utilization in the treatment of children hospitalized with RSV chest infection and the potential cost‐savings with passive immunization for high‐risk infants. An audit of the hospital resource consumption and its costs was performed for 216 children aged <24 mo admitted with RSV chest infection between 1995 and 1997. The cost‐saving potential of passive immunization using monoclonal RSV antibodies during the RSV season was determined by assuming an 0.55 efficacy in hospitalization reduction when administered to “high‐risk” infants according to the guidelines outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The hospital treatment cost of 1064 bed‐days amounted to USD 64 277.70. Each child occupied a median of 4.0 bed‐days at a median cost of USD 169.99 (IQ1 128.08, IQ3 248.47). Children, who were ex‐premature or with an underlying illness were more likely to have a longer hospital stay, higher treatment costs and need for intensive care. Ten (42%) of 24 ex‐premature infants fulfilled the recommended criteria for passive immunization. Its use resulted in an incremental cost of USD 31.39 to a potential cost saving of USD 0.91 per infant for each hospital day saved.
Neurocognitive and psychiatric dimensions of hot, but not cool, impulsivity predict HIV sexual risk behaviors among drug users in protracted abstinence

ABSTRACT Background: Impulsivity is an important risk factor for HIV risky drug and sexual behaviors. Research identifies hot (i.e. affectively-mediated, reward-based) and cool (motoric, attentional, independent of context) neurocognitive and psychiatric dimensions of impulsivity, though the impact of specific drugs of abuse on these varieties of impulsivity remains an open question. Objectives: The present study examined the associations of neurocognitive and psychiatric varieties of hot and cool impulsivity with measures of lifetime and recent sexual risk behaviors among users of different classes of drugs. Methods: The study sample was comprised of drug users in protracted (> 1 year) abstinence: heroin mono-dependent (n = 61), amphetamine mono-dependent (n = 44), and polysubstance dependent (n = 73). Hot impulsivity was operationalized via neurocognitive tasks of reward-based decision-making and symptoms of psychopathy. Cool impulsivity was operationalized via neurocognitive tasks of response inhibition and symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Results: Hot impulsivity was associated with sexual risk behaviors among heroin and amphetamine users in protracted abstinence, whereas cool impulsivity was not associated with sexual risk behaviors among any drug-using group. Neurocognitive hot impulsivity was associated with recent (past 30-day) sexual risk behaviors, whereas psychopathy was associated with sexual risk behaviors during more remote time-periods (past 6 month and lifetime) and mediated the association between heroin dependence and past 6-month sexual risk behaviors. Conclusion: Assessments and interventions aimed at reducing sexual risk behaviors among drug users should focus on hot neurocognitive and psychiatric dimensions of impulsivity, such as decision-making and psychopathy. Cool dimensions of impulsivity such as response inhibition and ADHD were not related to sexual risk behaviors among drug users in protracted abstinence.
Cochlear Implant Performance in Senior Citizens

Cochlear implants are indicated for elderly patients with severe-to-profound hearing loss (sensorineural hearing loss ≥ 70 dB). Their use has been limited, possibly by the misconception that elderly patients will perform poorly. To document the performance of older adults (≥65 years old), we undertook a retrospective analysis of our postlingually deafened adult patients who underwent implantation with the CLARION Multi-Strategy Cochlear Implant and underwent formal audiologic analysis (sentence recognition [Central Institute for the Deaf, CID] and monosyllabic word recognition [consonant-noun-consonant, CNC]). Both younger (n = 20; mean age = 46.9 years) and older (n = 16; mean age = 71.5 years) adults showed statistically significant increases in CID and CNC scores after cochlear implantation. No statistically significant difference could be detected in operative time, anesthesia time, length of hospitalization, or CID or CNC scores between the two age groups. We conclude that age should not be a criterion for deciding who should receive cochlear implants. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000;123:419-24.)
Statins and male sexual health: a retrospective cohort analysis.

INTRODUCTION Conflicting reports exist regarding the role of statins in male gonadal and sexual function. Some studies report a beneficial effect, particularly for erectile dysfunction (ED), through statins' anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular protective properties. Others suggest that statins might be associated with sexual dysfunction through negative effects on hormone levels. AIM This study aims to compare the risk of gonadal or sexual dysfunction in statin users vs. nonusers in a single-payer healthcare system. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of all male patients (30-85 years) enrolled in the Tricare San Antonio market. Using 79 baseline characteristics, we created a propensity score-matched cohort of statin users and nonusers. The study duration was divided into a baseline period (October 1, 2003 to September 30, 2005) to describe patient baseline characteristics, and a follow-up period (October 1, 2005 to March 1, 2012) to determine patient outcomes. Statin users were defined as those prescribed a statin for ≥3 months between October 1, 2004 and September 30, 2005. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Outcomes were identified as the occurrence of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), ED, infertility, testicular dysfunction, or psychosexual dysfunction during the follow-up period as identified by inpatient or outpatient International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Logistic regression was used to determine the association of statin use with patient outcomes. RESULTS Of 20,731 patients who met study criteria, we propensity score-matched 3,302 statin users with 3,302 nonusers. Statin use in men was not significantly associated with an increased or decreased risk of BPH (odds ratio [OR] 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97-1.19), ED (OR 1.01; 95% CI 0.90-1.13), infertility (OR 1.22; 95% CI 0.66-2.29), testicular dysfunction (OR 0.91; 95% CI 0.73-1.14), or psychosexual dysfunction (OR 1.03; 95% CI 0.94-1.14). CONCLUSIONS Statin use was not associated with increased risk of being diagnosed with gonadal or sexual dysfunction in men. Further studies using a larger sample may be needed.
Conformational latitude – activity relationship of KPPR tetrapeptide analogues toward their ability to inhibit binding of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 to neuropilin‐1

Neuropilin‐1 (NRP‐1) has been found to be overexpressed in several kinds of malignant tumors, and it is postulated that in pathological angiogenesis, its interaction with the vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF165) leads to progression of tumor vascularization and growth. Herein, we present synthesis and in vitro evaluation of tetrapeptides with the general sequence KxxR, where xx represents two canonical amino acid residues or a single amino acid possessing hydrocarbon backbone. All synthesized compounds were found to be inhibitors of VEGF165/NRP‐1 interactions. The rationale behind their design was to elucidate the relationship between the xx flexibility and their inhibitory activity. Detailed molecular dynamics simulations for all synthesized compounds have been performed. A clear and quantitative relationship was found in the peptide analogues: the more flexible is the xx, the less active the analogue is. But surprisingly, highly flexible peptidomimetics with non‐natural amino acids (NH2‐(CH2)n‐COOH; n = 4,5) residues used possessed higher inhibitory activity than it was expected. Our molecular dynamics study of inhibitor/NRP‐1 complexes provides convincing explanations of divergence in the observed inhibitory activity; thus, it might give indication for design of the next generation NRP‐1 inhibitors. Copyright © 2017 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antidotal effect of dihydroxyacetone against cyanide toxicity in vivo.

Potassium cyanide (CN) intoxication in mice was found to be effectively antagonized by dihydroxyacetone (DHA), particularly if administered in combination with another CN antidote, sodium thiosulfate. Cyanide-induced convulsions were also prevented by DHA treatment, either alone or in combination with thiosulfate. Injection (i.p.) of DHA (2 g/kg) 2 min after or 10 min before CN (s.c.) increased LD50 values of CN(8.7 mg/kg) by factors of 2.1 and 3.0, respectively. Treatment with a combination of DHA and thiosulfate after CN increased the LD50 by a factor of 2.4. Pretreatment with a combination of DHA and thiosulfate (1 g/kg) increased the LD50 of CN to 83 mg/kg. Administration of alpha-ketoglutarate (2.0 g/kg), but not pyruvate, 2 min after CN increased the LD50 of CN by a factor of 1.6. Brain, heart and liver cytochrome oxidase activities were also measured following in vivo CN treatment with and without DHA. Pretreatment with DHA prevented the inhibition of cytochrome oxidase activity by CN and treatment with DHA after CN accelerated the recovery of cytochrome oxidase activity, especially in brain and heart homogenates. DHA is a physiological agent and, therefore, could prove to be a safe and effective antidote for CN, particularly in cases of fire smoke inhalation in which a combination of CN and carbon monoxide is present. In these cases the normally used antidote, sodium nitrite, to induce methemoglobin so as to trap the CN, is contraindicated because some of the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood will have already been diminished by carbon monoxide.