Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The synchronization of chemotherapy to circadian rhythms and irradiation in pre-operative chemoradiation therapy with hyperthermia for local advanced rectal cancer. Abbreviations: 5-FU 5-fluorouracil LV Leucovorin APR abdomino-perineal resection

Purpose: The therapeutic and adverse effects of pre-operative chrono-chemoradiation with local hyperthermia for patients with rectal adenocarcinoma were evaluated. Materials and methods: Pre-operative radiation therapy of a total dose of 40 Gy (n = 10) or 50 Gy (n = 19) on the whole pelvis and hyperthermia once a week during the radiation therapy for 1 h were performed for patients with T2–T4 rectal adenocarcinoma. Chemotherapy consisted of 5-FU (250 mg m−2 per day) and LV (25 mg m−2 per day) administered by continuous infusion in the night for 5 days a week in the second and fourth weeks of radiation. Results: Grade 3+ toxicities were seen only in two patients (6.9%). A significant down staging was seen in 41.4% of all cases and 52.6% of cases with a radiation dose of 50 Gy. Of the patients who had received surgical resection of a tumour, three (11.1%) had no residue pathologically in the specimen and eight (29.6%) had microscopic lesions. Conclusions: These results yielded a high response rate with minimal toxicities for advanced low-rectal adenocarcinoma. The administration of 5-FU during the sleeping time before irradiation might have an advantage not only as a chronotherapy but also as a radiation sensitizer.
Risk for Speech and Language Impairments in Preschool Age HIV-exposed Uninfected Children With In Utero Combination Antiretroviral Exposure

Background: Perinatally HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) children have elevated risk of late language emergence at 1 year of age, with possible links to in utero antiretroviral (ARV) exposure. We investigated possible risks for speech impairments (SIs) and language impairments (LI) in preschool monolingual HEU children in the United States. Methods: Speech and language assessments were conducted as part of the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study Surveillance Monitoring of ART Toxicities study at ages 3 (N = 208) and 5 (N = 429) years. Domains of speech, overall language, vocabulary and grammar were assessed. SI and LI were defined by standardized scores <15th percentile and categorized as primary (normal nonverbal IQ ≥ 85 without hearing loss) and concomitant (low nonverbal IQ and/or presence of hearing loss). Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds of SI and LI for different ARV exposures, adjusted for confounding variables. Results: The risk for language impairments in HEU children was higher than population norms; risk for SIs was not elevated. Risk factors for impairments included male sex, black race and other socioeconomic measures, although these varied by age, primary (P) versus concomitant (C) impairment and by speech or language measure. Adjusted logistic regression models revealed lower and increased risk for specific ARVs. Tenofovir exposure was associated with increased risk for SI at 3 years of age but was associated with decreased risk for concomitant language impairment at 5 years of age. Conclusions: Further investigation of combination ARV exposure and speech/language impairment among preschool children is needed to confirm associations.
Development of a 5-Item Parent Questionnaire to Screen Preschool Children for Reading Problems

Objective. To develop a brief tool for screening of emergent literacy skills in preschool children (3-5 years old) in pediatric clinics. Methods. Parents were given an 8-item questionnaire, and the children were tested with the Get Ready to Read–Revised (GRTR-R) screener. With the GRTR-R score as gold standard, the parent questionnaire was optimized using various combinations of questions and response weights in one half of the sample. The resulting 5-item questionnaire was then validated using the other half of the sample. Results. A total of 203 patients were enrolled. In the validation sample, the 5-item questionnaire had sensitivity and specificity vis-à-vis the GRTR-R of 100% and 78.6% in 5-year-olds (cutoff score of 8) and 78.6% and 68.2% in 4-year-olds (cutoff of 6). The questionnaire did not perform well in 3-year-olds. Conclusion. A very brief parent questionnaire may be useful as a first-line screener for early reading problems.
Causes of death in preweaned northern elephant seal pups (Mirounga angustirostris, Gill, 1866), Año Nuevo State Reserve, California, 2012

During an ongoing physiological ecology study on pups and adult female northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris, Gill, 1866) on the mainland rookery at Año Nuevo State Reserve (California), an opportunity was afforded to collect fresh dead pups for parasitology and necropsy. The investigation was undertaken to delineate the causes of death of northern elephant seals recovered from Año Nuevo State Reserve. Prior to this study, there was no evidence of increased mortality or health problems on this rookery. Necropsies, histology, and ancillary diagnostic studies were conducted on 21 fresh dead preweaned pups. Ages ranged from 1 stillbirth to pups approximately 2 weeks of age. Gross lesions included varying degrees of bruising, hemorrhage, lacerations, and fractures attributed to blunt force trauma to the head, chest, and/or abdomen in 16 pups; starvation in 6 pups; bite wounds in 2 pups; generalized icterus in 2 pups; presumptive drowning in 2 pups; and 1 stillbirth. Most pups had multiple gross lesions. Following light microscopic examination, pups could be assigned into 4 general diagnostic categories: 1) trauma, 2) nutritional status, 3) infectious conditions, and 4) congenital anomalies. This investigation of preweaned pup mortality of northern elephant seals in California further refines diagnostic categories for perinatal pup mortality.
QUANTITATIVE ASPECTS OF CO2 FIXATION IN MAMMALIAN BRAIN IN VIVO *

Abstract : The data presented in this paper support the conclusion that CO2 fixation in the mammalian brain is a process which responds to the change in the metabolic environment. The rate of CO2 fixation is increased when the tissue is exposed to a metabolic stress, such as an elevated ammonia concentration, which results in an increased synthesis of glutamine. The data show that CO2 fixation is of considerable significance in brain metabolism and not negligible. It plays an essential role in maintaining the concentration of dicarboxylic acids in the citric acid cycle. The continuous removal of oxoglutarate without replenishment would lead to a breakdown of the citric acid cycle and consequently to a deficiency in the production of ATP. Although the data suggest that CO2 fixation may well replenish the intermediates of the citric acid cycle in case of increased ammonia concentration in brain tissue, these acute experiments give no answer as to the chronic effects of ammonia on the citric acid cycle.
Physician-identified factors affecting patient participation in reaching treatment decisions.

PURPOSE Cancer physicians report high comfort with shared decision making but a lower frequency of using this approach in practice. Information regarding physicians' perceptions of what helps and what hinders patient involvement in decision making may facilitate understanding of this discrepancy. METHODS We surveyed 604 Australian cancer physicians treating breast, colorectal, gynecologic, hematologic, or urologic cancer to investigate barriers and facilitators to reaching treatment decisions with their patients and their support of strategies to encourage patient involvement and reflection on treatment options. Factor analysis and regression analyses were used to investigate relationships between variables and identify predictors of greater reporting of barriers to sharing treatment decisions with patients. RESULTS Insufficient information at the first consultation (28.9%) and insufficient time (28.4%) were the most frequently reported barriers to reaching treatment decisions with patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that less experienced physicians more commonly reported system barriers (P = .00). Patients trusting their physician and being accompanied at the consultation were most helpful to reaching a treatment decision. Providing written information about treatment options, making a further appointment to reach a decision, encouraging the patient to speak with their family physician and treatment team, and the presence of a third person during the consultation were felt to encourage involvement and reflection on treatment decisions. CONCLUSION Cancer physicians experience difficulties when reaching treatment decisions with their patients. Interventions and strategies that physicians support are required to enhance patient involvement in reaching a treatment decision.
THE THICK DISK IN THE GALAXY NGC 4244 FROM S4G IMAGING

If thick disks are ubiquitous and a natural product of disk galaxy formation and/or evolution processes, all undisturbed galaxies that have evolved during a significant fraction of a Hubble time should have a thick disk. The late-type spiral galaxy NGC 4244 has been reported as the only nearby edge-on galaxy without a confirmed thick disk. Using data from the Spitzer Survey of Stellar Structure in Galaxies (S4G) we have identified signs of two disk components in this galaxy. The asymmetries between the light profiles on both sides of the mid-plane of NGC 4244 can be explained by a combination of the galaxy not being perfectly edge-on and a certain degree of opacity of the thin disk. We argue that the subtlety of the thick disk is a consequence of either a limited secular evolution in NGC 4244, a small fraction of stellar material in the fragments which built the galaxy, or a high amount of gaseous accretion after the formation of the galaxy.
Heart Rate Adaptive Optimization of Spatial and Temporal Resolution for Electrocardiogram-Gated Multislice Spiral CT of the Heart

Purpose We introduce a reconstruction method for electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated multislice spiral computed tomography (CT) examinations of the heart [adaptive cardio volume (ACV) reconstruction]. It is evaluated for a four-slice CT system (Siemens Somatom VolumeZoom). Method State-of-the-art reconstruction techniques for ECG-gated multislice spiral CT use scan data from N consecutive heart cycles for image reconstruction. With increased N, the temporal resolution improves up to t rot /(2 N) (t rot is the 360° rotation time of the scanner) but at the expense of insufficient volume coverage or loss of longitudinal resolution, especially at low heart rates. With the ACV technique, the number N of consecutive heart cycles used for image reconstruction is automatically adapted to the momentary heart rate of the patient, ranging from N = 1 at very low heart rates up to N = 3 at high heart rates, to maintain both high z resolution (reconstructed slice width close to the collimated slice width) and adequate temporal resolution. We evaluated slice sensitivity profiles and investigated 10 patients with different heart rates ranging from 55 to 110 beats/min for CT angiography (CTA) studies of the coronary arteries and compared the results with those from a reconstruction with fixed N (N = 1 and N = 2). Axial images as well as multiplanar reformations were used for an evaluation of image quality. Results With the ACV approach, the complete heart may be scanned at 1 mm slice width within 25–35 s. A narrow slice sensitivity profile (full width at half-maximum of approximately 1.3 mm) is maintained for all heart rates. Diagnostic results can be obtained for heart rates up to about 95 beats/min by individual patient optimization of the ECG gating parameters. Improved temporal resolution at the expense of reduced longitudinal resolution may degrade the image quality of CTA studies at low heart rates by blurring plaques and stenoses. Conclusion The results indicate the potential of the ACV reconstruction technique for high-resolution coronary CTA in a wide range of heart rates.
“A Woman out of Control”: Deconstructing Sexism and Racism in the University

Equity measures and attempts at inclusivity in the university, such as harassment policies and prejudice reduction workshops, tend to treat sexism, racism, and other forms of marginalization and exclusion as attitudinal and individualistic properties. Through dis- cussion of a critical incident in which I was involved, I argue that sexism and racism are systemic; they are power relations that have become normalized courses of action within the university. To make the university more inclusive in fact, and not merely in policy, therefore, I propose an anti-sexist/racist approach explicitly taking into account the inequalities members of the university embody in their gender, racial, and other historical- ly and ideologically constructed differences. Les mesures d’equite et les autres initiatives d’inclusion telles les politiques contre le harcelement sexuel et les ateliers visant a reduire les prejuges ont tendance a considerer le sexisme, le racisme et les autres formes de marginalisation et d’exclusion comme des questions d’attitudes personnelles. A travers l’analyse d’un incident decisif dans laquelle elle a ete impliquee, l’auteure soutient que le sexisme et le racisme sont systemiques; il s’agit de relations de pouvoir qui sont devenues la norme au sein de l’universite. Pour favoriser l’inclusion a l’universite et ce, dans la pratique plutot que dans les seules politi- ques, l’auteure propose une approche anti-sexiste et anti-raciste qui tient compte explicite- ment des inegalites entre les membres de la communaute universitaire dans leurs differen- ces de sexe, de race ou de toute autre difference qui est le fruit de l’histoire ou d’une ideologie.
Resveratrol Modulates Drug- and Carcinogen-Metabolizing Enzymes in a Healthy Volunteer Study

Resveratrol has been shown to exhibit cancer-preventive activities in preclinical studies. We conducted a clinical study to determine the effect of pharmacologic doses of resveratrol on drug- and carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes. Forty-two healthy volunteers underwent baseline assessment of cytochrome P450 (CYP) and phase II detoxification enzymes. CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 enzyme activities were measured by the metabolism of caffeine, dextromethorphan, losartan, and buspirone, respectively. Blood lymphocyte glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity and GST-π level and serum total and direct bilirubin, a surrogate for UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) 1A1 activity, were measured to assess phase II enzymes. After the baseline evaluation, study participants took 1 g of resveratrol once daily for 4 weeks. Enzyme assessment was repeated upon intervention completion. Resveratrol intervention was found to inhibit the phenotypic indices of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, and CYP2C9 and to induce the phenotypic index of 1A2. Overall, GST and UGT1A1 activities were minimally affected by the intervention, although an induction of GST-π level and UGT1A1 activity was observed in individuals with low baseline enzyme level/activity. We conclude that resveratrol can modulate enzyme systems involved in carcinogen activation and detoxification, which may be one mechanism by which resveratrol inhibits carcinogenesis. However, pharmacologic doses of resveratrol could potentially lead to increased adverse drug reactions or altered drug efficacy due to inhibition or induction of certain CYPs. Further clinical development of resveratrol for cancer prevention should consider evaluation of lower doses of resveratrol to minimize adverse metabolic drug interactions. Cancer Prev Res; 3(9); 1168–75. ©2010 AACR.
Carboxyhemoglobin and Its Correlation to Disease Severity in Cirrhotics

Goal To assess the correlation of serum carboxyhemoglobin (CO-Hb) to severity of liver disease as compared with Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, Child Pugh score, and clinical parameters. Background There are 2 sources of carbon monoxide (CO) in humans, exogenous sources include those such as tobacco smoke and inhaled motor vehicle exhaust. The endogenous source is via the heme-oxygenase pathway, in which a heme molecule is broken down into biliverdin with release of an iron (Fe) and CO molecule. Normal serum CO-Hb levels in nonsmokers is 0% to 1.5% and 4% to 9% in smokers. Activity of the heme-oxygenase pathway may be increased in the cirrhotic patient, as measured indirectly by exhaled CO and serum CO-Hb. This may be due to alterations in vascular tone in the splanchnic circulation in cirrhotics that may lead to elevated CO production. One published study also showed that those with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis had higher levels of both CO and CO-Hb. The MELD score uses prothrombin time (INR), creatinine, and bilirubin in the prediction of short-term mortality in decompensated cirrhotics while awaiting liver transplant. Measurement of endogenous CO-Hb may correlate to severity of liver disease. Study Retrospective analysis was done of 113 adult patients who were evaluated for liver transplantation between September 1996 and July 2003 and had pulmonary function testing with CO-Hb as part of their evaluation. We excluded any patients with a history of smoking. Clinical parameters used for comparison included grade of esophageal varices (n=75), spleen size (n=51) measured on abdominal ultrasound or computed tomography scan, aminotransferases, and disease duration. Serum CO-Hb levels were measured from whole blood, sent refrigerated to ARUP laboratories (Salt Lake City, UT) and analyzed via spectrophotometry. Bivariate analysis was performed by means of the Pearson product moment correlation. Results The mean CO-Hb level was 2.1%, which is higher than the expected normal population controls. No correlation was found, however, with MELD score, Child Turcotte Pugh score, or other biochemical or clinical measurements of disease severity. Conclusions Although CO and CO-Hb production may be increased in the cirrhotic patient, in this study no correlation was found to disease severity as measured by the MELD score. Further studies are needed to assess the role of CO in other complications of cirrhosis including infection and circulatory dysfunction.
A Web Services based Architecture for NGN Services Delivery

— The notion of Next Generation Network (NGN) is based on the Network Convergence concept which refers to integration of services (such as IT and communication services) over IP layer. As the most popular implementation of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), Web Services technology is known to be the base for service integration. In this paper, we present a platform to deliver communication services as web services. We also implement a sample service to show the simplicity of making composite web and communication services using this platform. A Service Logic Execution Environment (SLEE) is used to implement the communication services. The proposed architecture is in agreement with Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and also can be integrated to an Enterprise Service Bus to make a base for NGN Service Delivery Platform (SDP).
Ryanodine receptors of pancreatic β‐cells mediate a distinct context‐dependent signal for insulin secretion

The ryanodine (RY) receptors in β‐cells amplify signals by Ca2+‐induced Ca2+ release (CICR). The role of CICR in insulin secretion remains unclear in spite of the fact that caffeine is known to stimulate secretion. This effect of caffeine is attributed solely to the inhibition of cAMP‐phosphodiesterases (cAMP‐PDEs). We demonstrate that stimulation of insulin secretion by caffeine is due to a sensitization of the RY receptors. The dose‐response relationship of caffeine‐induced inhibition of cAMP‐PDEs was not correlated with the stimulation of insulin secretion. Sensitization of the RY receptors stimulated insulin secretion in a context‐dependent manner, that is, only in the presence of a high concentration of glucose. This effect of caffeine depended on an increase in [Ca2+]i. Confocal images of β‐cells demonstrated an increase in [Ca2+]i induced by caffeine but not by forskolin. 9‐Methyl‐7‐bromoeudistomin D (MBED), which sensitizes RY receptors, did not inhibit cAMP‐PDEs, but it stimulated secretion in a glucose‐dependent manner. The stimulation of secretion by caffeine and MBED involved both the first and the second phases of secretion. We conclude that the RY receptors of β‐cells mediate a distinct glucose‐dependent signal for insulin secretion and may be a target for developing drugs that will stimulate insulin secretion only in a glucose‐dependent manner.
Spectroscopy and timing with Multi-Pixel Photon Counters (MPPC) and LYSO scintillators

We have studied the performance of Hamamatsu multi-pixel photon counter (MPPC) devices for scintillation light readout. Two types of MPPC devices, both with a sensitive area of 1 mm times 1 mm and 400 and 1600 pixels, respectively, have been tested with LYSO scintillators matched to the active area of the MPPC. The measurements covered an energy spectrometry under illumination with Cs-137 and Na-22 radiation and timing resolution for 511-keV annihilation quanta. We measured an energy resolution of 19% FWHM and 24% FWHM for the 511-keV photopeak in the 400-pixel and 1600-pixel MPPC, respectively. In both MPPCs we obtained timing resolution of 0.9 ns plusmn 0.1 ns FWHM measured with the reference detector of BaF2 crystal coupled to a photomultiplier tube. In separate measurements the MPPC single photoelectron distributions have been recorded and static reverse current-voltage characteristics were measured. The results are very promising for the application of MPPC in scintillator-based high resolution positron emission tomography.
Facial canal anatomy in patients with microtia: evaluation of the temporal bones with thin-section CT.

PURPOSE To ascertain the location of the facial nerve in patients with microtia by using thin-section computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS Thin-section CT was performed in 66 ears of patients with microtia (unilateral, n = 12; bilateral, n = 34) and mandibulofacial dysostosis (MFD, n = 20). Findings were compared with those in 22 ears with normal auricles (control group) by using the Dunnett two-sided t test. RESULTS The facial nerve at the mastoid portion in patients with MFD was 2 mm more lateral and 3 mm more anterior than that in control subjects (P <.01). The same portion in patients with microtia was 3 mm more anterior than that in the control subjects (P <.01). The distance between the facial nerve and the most lateral point of the temporal bone in patients with MFD was 10 mm shorter and that in patients with bilateral microtia was 3 mm shorter than that in the control subjects (P <.01). CONCLUSION The facial nerve in patients with microtia was not more lateral from the Bill bar (vertical crest) than that in control subjects. The facial nerve in patients with MFD was different from that in patients with microtia who had no other head anomalies.