Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ROLE OF EUS IN THE EARLY DETECTION OF SMALL PANCREATIC CANCER

The prognosis of pancreatic cancer is extremely poor as a result of the difficulty in early detection of small pancreatic cancer and the intractable nature of appropriate anti‐cancer therapies. Computed tomography (CT) is generally used for initial screening, but imaging sensitivities are generally insufficient to detect small masses. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), in contrast, exhibits higher sensitivity than other imaging modalities for the detection of pancreatic cancers, because of the high resolution of images.
Prevalence of Internet Addiction and Comparison of Internet Addicts and Non-Addicts in Iranian High Schools

In this study, 1968 high-school students were selected randomly through clustering, who responded to the Persian version of four measures: the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), UCLA Loneliness Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Matson Evaluation of Social Skills. Of the sample, 977 students were Internet users, who were classified into 37 Internet addicts, 304 possible Internet addicts, and 636 moderate users. Since possible addicts, moderate users, and nonusers can all be considered nonaddicts, to make a comprehensive and controlled comparison between addicts and nonaddicts, 37 possible addicts, 37 moderate users and 37 nonusers were matched with the Internet addicts. Results suggest that Internet addicts are lonelier and have lower self-esteem and poorer social skills than moderate users, but not necessarily than possible addicts or nonusers.
The Role of Sustainability Performance and Accounting Assurors in Sustainability Assurance Engagements

Research on sustainability assurance is still in its beginnings. One of the key questions in this field that also is of the highest practical relevance is concerned with the quality of the assurance process. However, a common understanding of assurance quality and how it should be measured is still missing. We try to close this gap by building on the financial audit literature. We introduce a definition of assurance quality that comprises two key aspects: the depth of the assurance process and the breadth of the assurance statement. Based on prior research, we hypothesize that a firm’s sustainability performance is related to the depth of the assurance process, while the type of the assurance provider, more precisely the affiliation to the accounting profession, is related to the breadth of the assurance statement. Results for a sample of 122 European firms reveal a negative relationship between sustainability performance and assurance process depth as well as between the affiliation to the accounting profession and assurance statement breadth. Thus, we find evidence that poor sustainability performers ask for in-depth assurance services, most likely as a means to enhance their internal sustainability-related processes and systems. Assurance providers that do not belong to the accounting profession in turn are associated with broader assurance statements.
Randomized trial of neoadjuvant cisplatin and fluorouracil versus carboplatin and fluorouracil in patients with stage IV-M0 head and neck cancer.

PURPOSE A randomized trial was designed to compare cisplatin (CDDP) and fluorouracil (FU) versus carboplatin (CBDCA) and FU as neoadjuvant treatment in stage IV-M0 head and neck cancer to assess whether CBDCA-FU is better than CDDP-FU with regard to response and toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients were randomized to receive CDDP 100 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1 and FU 5,000 mg/m2 over a 120-hour continuous infusion, or CBDCA 400 mg/m2 over a 24-hour continuous infusion on day 1 and FU with the same schedule. Both regimens were repeated every 21 days. The patients received three courses of chemotherapy, excluding those who failed to achieve a partial response (PR) after the second course. Complete responders were treated with radiotherapy. The remaining patients underwent surgery if the tumor was resectable. RESULTS Interim analysis was performed when 95 patients were included. The trial was stopped due to significantly better results in the control arm. Differences in response (P = .04) were favorable to CDDP-FU. Hematologic toxicity predominated in the CBDCA-FU arm (P < .001). Mucositis and vomiting predominated in the CDDP-FU arm (P = .03, P < .001, respectively). Favorable outcomes (complete response [CR] plus any grade of toxicity and PR plus grade 0 to 3 toxicity) predominated in the CDDP-FU arm (P = .02). Only the treatment assigned was associated with response (P = .02) and favorable outcomes (P = .009) in the logistic regression analysis. In the CDDP-FU arm, disease-free and overall survival were significantly better. Cox regression analysis showed that only treatment association with disease-free survival remains significant. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that CDDP-FU is more effective than CBDCA-FU as neoadjuvant treatment in stage IV-M0 head and neck cancer.
Effect of Uncertainties in Parameters of Load Model on Dynamic Stability Based on Probabilistic Collocation Method

Among the main electric components in power systems, load models have great effect on power system time- domain dynamic simulations. However, owing to the characteristics such as time-variation, randomness and so on, it is difficult to construct load model. In addition, in order to analyze the uncertainties, Monte-Carlo method is often used to estimate the probability density function of the desired output, which requires many sample data obtained from repeated simulations, therefore the uncertainty studies on power system stability are few. This paper studies the effect of the uncertainties of dynamic load proportion on power system dynamic stability based on Probabilistic Collocation Method (PCM). It could be concluded that using the proposed method the desired output is directly described as a polynomial in the uncertain parameter of the system. Consequently, high calculation accuracy could be reached by low-dimensionality polynomial functions and fewer time-domain simulations. Cases study verifies the validity of the proposed method.
RORγt and RORα signature genes in human Th17 cells

RORγt and RORα are transcription factors of the RAR-related orphan nuclear receptor (ROR) family. They are expressed in Th17 cells and have been suggested to play a role in Th17 differentiation. Although RORγt signature genes have been characterized in mouse Th17 cells, detailed information on its transcriptional control in human Th17 cells is limited and even less is known about RORα signature genes which have not been reported in either human or mouse T cells. In this study, global gene expression of human CD4 T cells activated under Th17 skewing conditions was profiled by RNA sequencing. RORγt and RORα signature genes were identified in these Th17 cells treated with specific siRNAs to knock down RORγt or RORα expression. We have generated selective small molecule RORγt modulators and they were also utilized as pharmacological tools in RORγt signature gene identification. Our results showed that RORγt controlled the expression of a very selective number of genes in Th17 cells and most of them were regulated by RORα as well albeit a weaker influence. Key Th17 genes including IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-23R, CCL20 and CCR6 were shown to be regulated by both RORγt and RORα. Our results demonstrated an overlapping role of RORγt and RORα in human Th17 cell differentiation through regulation of a defined common set of Th17 genes. RORγt as a drug target for treatment of Th17 mediated autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis has been demonstrated recently in clinical trials. Our results suggest that RORα could be involved in same disease mechanisms and gene signatures identified in this report could be valuable biomarkers for tracking the pharmacodynamic effects of compounds that modulate RORγt or RORα activities in patients.
Toxic and essential elements in conventional and home-produced eggs by ICP-MS analysis

Concentrations of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Mn, Pb, Se, Sr, V, Cu, Fe, Mg, Zn and Mo were determined in conventional and home-produced eggs as sold in Brazil. Thirty-four conventional and 21 home-produced samples were obtained in different Brazilian cities. Elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Concentrations of Ba, Cd, Co, Pb, Se, Fe, Zn and Mo in conventional and home-produced eggs differed (statistically significant). Correlations were found among the other elements in both production systems. The estimated daily intake for toxic elements based on Brazilian egg consumption did not exceed the toxicological reference values. The results clearly demonstrated that eggs are an important source of essential elements such as Mo, Fe, Se and Zn.
Feeding habits of marmosets: A case study of bark anatomy and chemical composition of Anadenanthera peregrina gum

Primates of the genus Callithrix often obtain exudates from plants of the family Fabaceae. This study characterizes the chemical composition of exudates, and the anatomy and hystochemistry of the secretory ducts in the bark of Anadenanthera peregrina (L.) Speg. var. peregrina (Fabaceae). Exudates from this tree species represent an important component of the diet of hybrid marmosets, Callithrix spp. (Primates: Cebidae). A. peregrina was selected as the focal study tree because it is the only gum tree species exploited by Callithrix groups present within five urban forest fragments in the municipality of Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Gum samples were obtained directly from gouges made by the marmosets, while bark samples were obtained from A. peregrina plants, whether or not they were damaged by the marmosets. Constitutive secretory ducts were present in the bark of ungouged A. peregrina, whereas, marmoset damage caused induced secretory duct formation and an increase in the size of these ducts. The gum produced in the gouges made by the marmosets and in ungouged plants reacted positively to tests for polysaccharides, pectin, mucilage, and proteins. The gum from the gouges exhibited high water (41.0%), carbohydrate (38.2%), protein (19.0%), and mineral (Ca 0.4% and K 0.3%) content. We argue that the relatively high calcium content of A. peregrina gum plays an important nutritional role in, balancing a diet that is otherwise rich in phosphorous and poor in calcium.
Description of Colletotrichum lupini comb. nov. in modern terms

Gloeosporium lupini Bondar is transferred to Colletotrichum. The fungus is characterized morphologically and illustrated. The two varieties, Colletotrichum lupini (Bondar) Nirenberg, Feiler & Hagedorn, comb. nov. var. lupini and Colletotrichum lupini var. setosum Nirenberg, Feiler & Hagedorn var. nov. are described. They are compared with additional Colletotrichum species reported from lupins and other hosts by morphological and physiological methods as well as by RAPD-PCR and DNA-sequencing.
The impact of cyclosporine dose reduction with or without the addition of rapamycin on functional, molecular, and histological markers of chronic allograft nephropathy

Background. Overexposure to cyclosporine is a risk factor for chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) and dose reduction has been advocated. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of adding the non-nephrotoxic immunosuppressant, rapamycin, after cyclosporine dose reduction in renal-allograft recipients with CAN. Methods. Thirty-one patients with biopsy-confirmed CAN were prospectively randomized to receive a 40% cyclosporine dose reduction with (rapamycin, n=16) or without (control, n=15) the addition of rapamycin 2 mg/day. Renal function and side-effect parameters were assessed. Patients had renal allograft biopsies taken at recruitment and after 6 months. Glomeruli were isolated from these and underwent total mRNA extraction followed by RT-PCR-ELISA to assess transforming growth factor-&bgr;1, collagen III, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression. Samples were also stained with Sirius red and the percentage interstitial volume fraction quantified by computerized histomorphometric analysis. Data are presented as mean (±SD). Results. Patient characteristics and cyclosporine trough levels after dose reduction (rapamycin 68 [±21] vs. control 56 [±19] ng/mL, P =NS) were similar in both groups. Rapamycin patients had a significant fall in Cr-51 radioisotope glomerular filtration rate (31.6 [±8.9] to 27.3 [±8.6] mL/min, P <0.01) that was not significant in controls (29.5 [±10.4] to 27.0 [±8.0] mL/min, P =NS). Transforming growth factor-&bgr;1 expression fell over time in control but remained constant in rapamycin patients. Conversely collagen III expression increased over the 6-month follow-up in rapamycin patients but not in controls. Both had comparable increases in TIMP-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 but only rapamycin patients developed a significant increase in TIMP-2. Sirius red-stained interstitial volume fraction fell over the study in controls (15.3–11.2%, P =0.06) but not in rapamycin patients (16.2–16.3%, P =NS). Conclusion. Rapamycin (2 mg/day) did not improve functional, molecular, or histological outcome in patients with CAN after cyclosporine dose reduction. Further studies involving larger numbers of patients are necessary to confirm these findings.
The cost‐effectiveness of immunotherapy for respiratory allergy: a review

This article reviews the international literature on the cost‐effectiveness of immunotherapy for respiratory allergy. Included studies conducted an economic evaluation of immunotherapy for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma or allergic rhinitis in combination with asthma. Although there were few economic evaluations and these suffered from methodological shortcomings, the evidence appears to support the cost‐effectiveness of immunotherapy as compared with pharmacotherapy for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, subcutaneous immunotherapy as compared with pharmacotherapy for allergic rhinitis and immunotherapy as compared with pharmacotherapy for allergic rhinitis and asthma. One economic evaluation suggested that immunotherapy as compared with pharmacotherapy is unlikely to be cost‐effective for asthma. The questions of the cost‐effectiveness of sublingual vs subcutaneous immunotherapy and of the cost‐effectiveness of immunotherapy for allergic conjunctivitis have not been resolved to date. The cost‐effectiveness of immunotherapy depends on the duration of the clinical benefit of immunotherapy following treatment cessation, and on the break‐even point of cumulative costs between immunotherapy and pharmacotherapy. There is a need for economic evaluations based on high‐quality prospective and long‐term clinical studies comparing immunotherapy with pharmacotherapy in real‐life practice and comparing sublingual with subcutaneous immunotherapy.
Factors predicting long‐term survival in low‐risk diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma

The International Prognostic Index (IPI) is widely used for risk stratification of patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, even among patients with low‐risk disease, according to the IPI a substantial proportion of patients ultimately succumb to their disease. Using mature population‐based data from the Danish Lymphoma Group, we analyzed if prognostic clinical pretreatment factors could be identified in patients with low‐risk DLBCL. One hundred seventy‐seven patients, all with a prognostic profile as favorable as possible according to the IPI and treated with anthracycline‐based combination chemotherapy (92%) or loco‐regional radiotherapy/surgery (8%) with curative intent were included. The median age was 50 years and 170 achieved complete remission. The median follow‐up time was 11 years. Twenty‐six patients relapsed, with a median time to relapse of 12.1 months. Overall survival at 5 years and 10 years was 85% and 75%, respectively. Stage II was associated with poor response to treatment (P = 0.044). In a multivariate analysis, Stage II (P = 0.001) and age >50 years (P = 0.043) were independently associated with poor outcome. Patients without these adverse factors had an excellent prognosis, with a survival at 5 and 15 years of 90% and 80%, respectively. In contrast, patients with both adverse factors had poor outcome, with survival at 5 and 15 years of 70% and 29%, respectively (P < 0.001). The present data suggest that risk stratification of DLBCL patients with a favorable IPI score can be improved by the simple use of two clinical pretreatment factors. Am. J. Hematol. 74:94–98, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Universal pathway for posttransfer editing reactions: Insights from the crystal structure of TtPheRS with puromycin

Significance At the amino acid binding and recognition step, some aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) face the challenge of discrimination between cognate and closely similar noncognate amino acids. To ensure a high fidelity of protein biosynthesis, aaRSs developed an additional editing activity associated with a specific site, where misacylated tRNAs are hydrolyzed. The structure of heterodimeric Thermus thermophilus phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (TtPheRS) with the aminonucleoside antibiotic puromycin reveals the detailed architecture of the complex with ligand mimicking the A76 of tRNA misacylated with noncognate Tyr. Based on the crystal structure and using quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics approach, we present a universal hydrolytic mechanism utilizing cyclic 2′,3′-intermediates for TtPheRS, and potentially for other class I and class II aaRSs. At the amino acid binding and recognition step, phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (PheRS) faces the challenge of discrimination between cognate phenylalanine and closely similar noncognate tyrosine. Resampling of Tyr-tRNAPhe to PheRS increasing the number of correctly charged tRNA molecules has recently been revealed. Thus, the very same editing site of PheRS promotes hydrolysis of misacylated tRNA species, associated both with cis- and trans-editing pathways. Here we report the crystal structure of Thermus thermophilus PheRS (TtPheRS) at 2.6 Å resolution, in complex with phenylalanine and antibiotic puromycin mimicking the A76 of tRNA acylated with tyrosine. Starting from the complex structure and using a hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics approach, we investigate the pathways of editing reaction catalyzed by TtPheRS. We show that both 2′ and 3′ isomeric esters undergo mutual transformation via the cyclic intermediate orthoester, and the editing site can readily accommodate a model of Tyr-tRNAPhe where deacylation occurs from either the 2′- or 3′-OH. The suggested pathway of the hydrolytic reaction at the editing site of PheRS is of sufficient generality to warrant comparison with other class I and class II aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.
Juvenile toxicity assessment of anidulafungin in rats: an example of navigating case-by-case study design through scientific and regulatory challenges.

BACKGROUND Anidulafungin, an echinocandin antifungal marketed for adult use, is being considered for use in pediatric populations, including neonates. The evolution of the nonclinical pediatric safety strategy for anidulafungin serves as an example of case-by-case negotiation through the European Medicines Agency pediatric investigation plan process, resulting in an acceptable juvenile rat toxicity study. METHODS Study design challenges included animal selection, route, dose, age, and duration of dosing in relation to brain maturity, and appropriate study endpoints. The definitive study consisted of subcutaneous dosing at 0, 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg/day from postnatal day 4 to 62 (preterm infant to adulthood) with a 5-week recovery period. Study endpoints evaluated the potential for increased juvenile sensitivity to liver toxicity (seen in adults) and for novel toxicities in the central nervous system. RESULTS Anidulafungin-related effects included slightly reduced body weight, increased liver weight, and a mild decrease in red blood cell mass with increased reticulocyte count. There was no liver pathology and in the posttreatment phase there were no effects on neurological function. Following recovery, effects on body weight, hematology, and liver weight were reversing or reversed. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, the juvenile rat no-adverse-effect-level was 30 mg/kg/day. Exposures at this dose are similar to those achieved at the adult rat no-adverse-effect-level, suggesting that the juvenile rat is no more sensitive to anidulafungin than the adult rat. In conclusion, dialog and negotiation between the sponsor and the European Medicines Agency allowed for successful execution of a nonclinical safety strategy that enabled further clinical investigation of anidulafungin in pediatric populations.
Structural chromosomal abnormalities in couples with recurrent abortion in Egypt.

BACKGROUND/AIM To evaluate the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in couples who experience recurrent abortion and identify additional factors that may be predictive of abortion, such as parental age and unfavorable obstetric or abnormal semen analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study examined 125 couples who had experienced recurrent abortion. All subjects provided a detailed personal medical history and ancestral history and underwent a physical examination. Women in the study group underwent biochemical testing and pelvic ultrasound examinations, and men underwent a semen analysis. RESULTS Among the 125 couples tested, 8 c6uples (6.4%) displayed a balanced translocation, among which 7 (5.6%) showed a reciprocal translocation and 1 (0.8%) showed a Robertsonian translocation. All carriers of these translocations were aged <35 years. A significant proportion of carriers reported a poor obstetric history and a past fetal malformation. All male carriers had a normal semen analysis. CONCLUSION Couples who experience ≥2 pregnancy losses of unknown origin should undergo a cytogenetic analysis, and findings showing a chromosomal abnormality in either parent must be followed by genetic counseling.
Experimental investigation of the abnormal vibration of the electric locomotive

This paper presents the results of a detailed experimental investigation of the abnormal vibration of the electric locomotive. A locomotive suffered from serious vibration problem was chosen for the test and its normal operations kept unchanged during the test. The wheel out-of-roundness (OOR) and vibrations of key components including the axle box, the bogie frame and the car body were measured before and after wheel re-profiling. The measured OOR results indicate that the wheels exhibit the OOR with orders 12 to 22 before re-profiling, i.e. with the center wavelengths of 200–315 mm in 1/3 octave bands. The wheel polygonal wear cannot be absolutely removed by the wheel re-profiling. The 16th–19th order OOR becomes to be dominant after re-profiling. The vibration test results show that the axle box, the bogie frame and the car body vibrate with the same dominant frequency before re-profiling. The dominant frequency of the vibration is approximately equal to the passing frequency of a polygonal wheel. The vibrations are significantly reduced after re-profiling. The wheel polygonal wear is the root cause of the abnormal vibration.