Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Prospective Study of Iodine Status, Thyroid Function, and Prostate Cancer Risk: Follow-up of the First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract: Few studies have investigated the association between iodine status, thyroid disease, and cancer risk despite evidence that thyroid function impacts many organs, including the prostate. We investigated iodine status and prostate cancer risk prospectively using data from the NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study. Participants were stratified into tertiles according to the urinary iodine/creatinine ratio, as a marker of iodine exposure. As iodine is an integral constituent of thyroid hormones, we also examined the relationship between thyroid disease and prostate cancer risk. Relative to the group with low urinary iodine, the age-adjusted hazard ratio was higher (although marginally insignificant) in the moderate group, hazard ratio 1.33 (95% confidence interval 1.00–1.78), and significantly lower in the high group, 0.71 (0.51–0.99). Thyroid disease was associated with an increased prostate cancer risk, 2.34 (1.24–4.43). Similarly, > 10 yr since thyroid disease diagnosis was associated with an elevated risk, 3.38 (1.66–6.87). After adjusting for other confounding factors, only a history of thyroid disease, 2.16 (1.13–4.14), and > 10 yr since diagnosis of thyroid disease, 3.17 (1.54–6.51) remained significant. Although the role of dietary iodine remains speculative, a role for thyroid disease and/or factors contributing to thyroid disease as a risk factor for prostate carcinogenesis warrants additional investigation.
Whole genome SNP arrays using DNA derived from formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded ovarian tumor tissue

Array‐based genotyping platforms, such as the Affymetrix mapping array, have been validated as reliable methods for obtaining high‐resolution copy number and allele status information when using DNA derived from fresh tissue sources. However, the suitability of such systems for the examination of DNA derived from formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tissues has not been tested. Therefore, we analyzed DNA derived from five matching fresh frozen and FFPE ovarian tumors for gene copy number changes and loss of heterozygosity using the Affymetrix GeneChip Human Mapping 10 K Array Xba 131. The data was analyzed using Affymetrix proprietary software, GeneChip DNA Analysis Software, and Chromosome Copy Number Tool. The average SNP call rate (rate of successful genotype identification) of the fresh samples was 89.44% (range 78.72–96.22%, median 92.72%) and was only slightly lower for the matching FFPE samples at 83.48% (range 76.93–93.17%, median 82.60%). The average concordance (rate of agreement between successful genotype calls) between the fresh and matching FFPE samples was 97.06% (range 92.70–99.41%, median 97.52%). Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) profiles of the fresh and FFPE samples were essentially identical across all chromosomes. Copy number data was also comparable, although the quantification of copy number changes appears overstated in the FFPE samples. In conclusion, we have shown that it is possible to achieve high‐performance outcomes using FFPE‐derived DNA in the Affymetrix 10 K mapping array. This advance will open up vast archival tissue resources to high‐resolution genetic analysis and unlock a wealth of biological information. Hum Mutat 26(4), 384–389, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Communication Development in Children Who Receive the Cochlear Implant Younger than 12 Months: Risks versus Benefits

Background: The advent of universal neonatal hearing screening in some countries and the availability of screening programs for at-risk infants in other countries has facilitated earlier referral, diagnosis, and intervention for infants with hearing loss. Improvements in device technology, two decades of pediatric clinical experience, a growing recognition of the efficacy of cochlear implants for young children, and the recent change in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's age criteria to include children as young as 12 mo has led to increasing numbers of young children receiving cochlear implants. Evidence to support provision for infants younger than 12 mo is extrapolated from physiological studies, studies of children using hearing aids, and studies of children older than 12 mo of age with implants. To date, however, there are few published research findings regarding communication development in children between 6 and 12 mo of age who receive implants. The current study hypothesized that earlier implantation would lead to increased rates of language acquisition as the children were still in the critical period for their development. Method: A retrospective review was completed for 19 infants (mean age at implantation, 0.88 yr; range, 0.61–1.07, SD 0.15) and 87 toddlers (mean age at implantation, 1.60 yr; range, 1.13–2.00, SD 0.24) who received the multichannel implant in Melbourne, Australia. Preimplantation audiological assessments for these children included aided and unaided audiograms, auditory brain stem response, auditory steady state response (ASSR), and otoacoustic emission and indicated profound to total bilateral hearing loss in all cases. Communication assessment included completion of the Rossetti Infant-Toddler Language Scale and educational psychologists' cognitive and motor assessment. Computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging, and surgical records for all cases were reviewed. Postimplantation language assessments were reported in terms of the rate of growth over time on the language comprehension and language expression subscales of the Rossetti Infant-Toddler Language Scale. Results: Results demonstrated that cochlear implantation may be performed safely in very young children with excellent language outcomes. The mean rates of receptive (1.12) and expressive (1.01) language growth for children receiving implants before the age of 12 mo were significantly greater than the rates achieved by children receiving implants between 12 and 24 mo, and matched growth rates achieved by normally hearing peers. These preliminary results support the provision of cochlear implants for children younger than 12 mo of age within experienced pediatric implantation centers.
The ARTS study (Arterial Revascularization Therapies Study).

The rising costs of health care have forced policy makers to make choices, and new treatments are increasingly assessed in terms of the balance between additional costs and additional effects. The recent recognition that stenting has a major and long-lasting effect enhancing balloon PTCA procedure has made it imperative to compare in patients with multivessel disease the standard surgical procedure with multiple stenting in a large scale multinational and multicentre approach (19 countries, 68 sites). Selection and inclusion of patients is based on a consensus of the cardiac surgeon and interventional cardiologist on equal 'treatability' of patients by both techniques with analysis of clinical follow-up (event-free survival) on the short (30 day), medium (1 year), and long-term (3 and 5 year) with analysis of cost-effectiveness and quality of life (EuroQol and SF-36). Of the entire trial, the primary null hypothesis which needs to be rejected is that there will be no difference in event-free survival or effectiveness (E), at 1 year and also that the direct and indirect costs (C) per event-free year are not different between surgery or stenting. For this to become significant with a power of 90% one needs 1200 patients. Between April 97 and June 98, 1205 patients have been randomized with a monthly recruitment of 83 patients. Expected costs, effects and cost-effectiveness ratio (CE ratio) are: Stent high costs 2 VDStent high costs 3 VDStent low costs 2 VDStent low costs 3 VDCABG costs (C)$19.297$24.566$16.638$20.456$21.350 effects (E)81%81%81%81%88% CE ratio$23.876$30.397$20.586$25.322$24.348 Clinically, stenting is not expected to be more effective than CABG, but should be cost effective in both the 2- and 3-VD group when using the lower cost estimate and in the 2 VD group when using the higher cost assumptions.
Practical Issues in Building Risk-Predicting Models for Complex Diseases

Recent genome-wide association studies have identified many genetic variants affecting complex human diseases. It is of great interest to build disease risk prediction models based on these data. In this article, we first discuss statistical challenges in using genome-wide association data for risk predictions, and then review the findings from the literature on this topic. We also demonstrate the performance of different methods through both simulation studies and application to real-world data.
Long-term safety and maintenance of clinical improvement following treatment with anakinra (recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: extension phase of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the long-term efficacy of anakinra, a human recombinant interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to assess the long-term safety of anakinra at different daily doses. METHODS The efficacy and safety of anakinra were previously demonstrated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 24-week evaluation in 472 patients with active RA. Of 345 patients who completed the placebo-controlled phase of the study, 309 continued in a 52-week, multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group extension phase of the study. Patients received subcutaneous injections of anakinra (30, 75, or 150 mg) once daily. Efficacy was assessed among the 309 patients for the first 24 weeks of the extension phase (48 weeks total therapy), using the American College of Rheumatology composite score (ACR20), its components, and radiographs of the hands and wrists. Safety was assessed in all 472 patients over the entire 52-week extension phase (76 weeks total exposure). RESULTS A total of 218 patients completed the extension phase. Of the 91 patients who withdrew prematurely, 46 did so following adverse events, and 26 withdrew because of lack of efficacy. Among patients receiving anakinra who entered the extension phase, the level of improvement was maintained for 48 weeks. The ACR20 response was 51% at week 24 and 46% at week 48, and this effect was consistent across all dose groups. The durability of the response to anakinra was further demonstrated in an evaluation of the sustained ACR20 response, which was similar during the first and second 24-week periods (36% and 42%, respectively). At week 48, ACR50 and ACR70 responses were demonstrated in 18% and 3% of patients, respectively, who continued taking anakinra (all dose groups) and in 20% and 1% of patients, respectively, who were originally receiving placebo and then were randomized to all doses of anakinra. Anakinra was well tolerated for 76 weeks. The only side effects that appeared to be treatment-related were skin reactions at the injection site. There was no evidence of decreased tolerance, an increased number of withdrawals, or an increased incidence of clinical complications associated with extended anakinra therapy. CONCLUSION The clinical benefits of treatment with daily self-administered subcutaneous injections of anakinra in a cohort of patients with active RA were maintained for up to 48 weeks. Anakinra was well tolerated over 76 weeks. These observations support the long-term use of anakinra for the treatment of patients with RA.
Prevalence of Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance

ABSTRACT Quinolone resistance encoded by the qnr gene and mediated by plasmid pMG252 was discovered in a clinical strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae that was isolated in 1994 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center. The gene codes for a protein that protects DNA gyrase from quinolone inhibition and that belongs to the pentapeptide repeat family of proteins. The prevalence of the gene has been investigated by using PCR with qnr-specific primers with a sample of more than 350 gram-negative strains that originated in 18 countries and 24 states in the United States and that included many strains with plasmid-mediated AmpC or extended spectrum β-lactamase enzymes. qnr was found in isolates from the University of Alabama at Birmingham only during 6 months in 1994, despite the persistence of the gene for FOX-5 β-lactamase, which is linked to qnr on pMG252. Isolates from other locations were negative for qnr. The prevalence of mcbG in the same sample was also examined. mcbG encodes another member of the pentapeptide repeat family and is involved in immunity to microcin B17, which, like quinolones, targets DNA gyrase. A single clinical isolate contained mcbG on a transmissible R plasmid. This plasmid and one carrying the complete microcin B17 operon slightly decreased sparfloxacin susceptibility but had a much less protective effect than pMG252. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance was thus rare in the sample examined.
Clinical and quality of life outcomes following anatomical lung resection for lung cancer in high-risk patients

Background: Surgery remains the gold standard for patients with resectable nonsmall cell lung cancer. Current guidance identifies patients with poor pulmonary reserve to fall within a high-risk cohort. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and quality of life outcomes of anatomical lung resection in patients deemed high risk based on pulmonary function measurements. Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing anatomical lung resection for nonsmall cell lung cancer between January 2013 and January 2015 was performed. All patients with limited pulmonary reserve defined as predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 s or transfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide of <40% were included in the study. Postoperative complications, admission to the Intensive Care Unit, length of stay, and 30-day in-hospital mortality were recorded. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire lung cancer 13 questionnaire was used to assess quality of life outcomes. Results: Fifty-three patients met the inclusion criteria. There was no in-hospital mortality, and 30-day mortality was 1.8%. No complications were seen in 64% (n = 34), minor complications occurred in 26% (n = 14), while 9% had a major complication (n = 5). Quality of life outcomes were above the reference results for patients with early stage lung cancer. Conclusion: Anatomical lung resection can be performed safely in selected high-risk patients based on pulmonary function without significant increase in morbidity or mortality and with acceptable quality of life outcomes. Given that complications following lung resection are multifactorial, fitness for surgery should be thoroughly assessed in all patients with resectable disease within a multidisciplinary setting. High operative risk by pulmonary function tests alone should not preclude surgical resection.
ΔR2* gadolinium‐diethylenetriaminepentacetic acid relaxivity in venous blood

The accuracy of perfusion measurements using dynamic, susceptibility‐weighted, contrast‐enhanced MRI depends on estimating contrast agent concentration in an artery, i.e., the arterial input function. One of the difficulties associated with obtaining an arterial input function are partial volume effects when both blood and brain parenchyma occupy the same pixel. Previous studies have attempted to correct arterial input functions which suffer from partial volume effects using contrast concentration in venous blood. However, the relationship between relaxation and concentration (C) in venous blood has not been determined in vivo. In this note, a previously employed fitting approach is used to determine venous relaxivity in vivo. In vivo relaxivity is compared with venous relaxivity measured in vitro in bulk blood. The results show that the fitting approach produces relaxivity calibration curves which give excellent agreement with arterial measurements. Magn Reson Med 69:1104–1108, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of acute and delayed ocular lesions induced by sulfur mustard in rabbits

Purpose. To establish an experimental model for sulfur mustard-induced acute and delayed ocular lesions in rabbits. Methods. Rabbit eyes were exposed to sulfur mustard (HD) vapor (370, 420 µg/l) for a period of two minutes. A three months follow-up study was carried out, based on the evaluation of clinical, biochemical and histological parameters. Results. HD exposure initiated typical clinical symptoms within 2–6 hrs, characterized by eye closure, eyelid swelling, conjunctival hyperemia, corneal erosions and inflammation. The clinical signs were significantly dose-dependent and reached a peak at 24–72 hrs post exposure. Biochemical evaluation of the aqueous humor exhibited an inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress at 4 hrs after exposure, subsiding at 28 hrs after exposure. Histological examination of corneas at 48 hrs revealed epithelial denudation and marked stromal edema, accompanied by cellular infiltration. Epithelial regeneration started after 72 hrs, and recovery was almost completed within 1Ð2 weeks, depending on the HD dose. A second phase of pathological processes started as early as two weeks post exposure and was characterized by corneal edema, opacity, recurrent erosions and neovascularization. The delayed injuries were found in 25 and 40% of the eyes respectively, and when appearing, were more severe than the initial ones. Conclusions. The development of HD-induced ocular lesions in rabbits is similar to the lesions described in human casualties. Quantitative analysis of the various clinical parameters emphasizes the contribution of each tissue to the overall toxic picture. Our experimental model is useful for studying the pathological mechanisms of HD-ocular lesions, and may serve for testing potential therapies.
A2A Adenosine Receptor Agonist and PDE4 Inhibition Delays Inflammation but Fails to Reduce Injury in Experimental Obstructive Nephropathy

Background: Renal interstitial inflammation is a consequence of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Following ischemia/reperfusion, adenosine reduces renal inflammation and injury, effects which are potentiated by type 4 phosphodiesterase inhibitors. We therefore studied the effects of A2A adenosine receptor agonist (ATL146e), and PDE4 inhibitor (rolipram) in mice subjected to UUO. Methods: Mice were subjected to UUO or sham operation, and received either vehicle or ATL146e + rolipram by osmotic minipump for 1 or 7 days. At 1, 3, 7, or 14 days after operation, renal macrophage infiltration, apoptosis, proliferation, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis were quantitated, and expressions of IL-6 and TGF-β mRNA were determined. Results: ATL146e + rolipram reduced macrophage infiltration by 40% after 3 days UUO (p < 0.05). Tubular apoptosis, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis were increased by 7 or 14 days UUO, but were unaffected by ATL146e + rolipram. However, cellular proliferation was increased by ATL146e + rolipram in the obstructed kidney. ATL146e + rolipram had no effect on the renal expression of IL-6 and TGF-β mRNA. Conclusions: A2A receptor activation and PDE4 inhibition transiently reduce renal macrophage infiltration, but do not ameliorate the renal response to UUO. We speculate that the persistent stimulus for inflammation triggered by UUO cannot be reversed by agents that suppress inflammatory cell activation alone.
Development of partial thickness articular cartilage injury in an ovine model

The purpose of this study was to create a controlled partial thickness cartilage lesion in a sheep model, and to provide a foundation to study the natural history of the progression of this lesion. Twenty‐eight sheep divided into four groups (1, 12, 24, and 52 weeks, n = 7/group) were used in this study. In one stifle, a mechanical tool was used to create a 200 µm partial thickness lesion (1.5 × 1.5 cm2) on the medial femoral condyle via arthroscopy. Joint fluid was drawn presurgery and after euthanasia for analysis of collage II 3/4 C long (C2C). After euthanasia, the condyle was analyzed by gross appearance, confocal laser microscopy (CLM) for cell viability, scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) for surface roughness, Artscan for cartilage stiffness, and histology for cartilage morphology. The gross appearance of the treated area appeared rough, soft, and swollen compared to untreated control over time. CLM demonstrated that the depth of cell death increased to 590 µm at 52 weeks after surgery. SEM demonstrated that the treated area became more irregular over time. Stiffness of the treated area was significantly less than control by 12 weeks after surgery. Histologic analysis demonstrated that the 12, 24, and 52 week groups had significantly poorer histologic scores than the 1 week group. Joint fluid analysis demonstrated that the treatment group at 1 week had significant higher levels of C2C than the pretreatment baseline data. The results of this study demonstrated that partial thickness injury of cartilage continued to propagate and degenerate over time in this sheep model. Options for the prevention or treatment of this lesion may be tested using this model in the future. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 24:1974–1982, 2006
Knowledge of primary paediatric care providers regarding attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and learning disorder: a study from Pakistan.

INTRODUCTION Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disorder (LD) remain prevalent globally and are also speculated to have a high occurrence in Pakistan. An early diagnosis and intervention in these disabilities is imperative for achieving good clinical and functional outcomes. This can be ensured by an effective screening at the level of primary paediatric care in the developing countries. We aimed to explore the ability of general practitioners (GPs) and paediatricians in Pakistan to screen for ADHD and LD based on their awareness regarding the risk factors and symptomatology of ADHD and LD. METHODS A total of 96 paediatricians and 98 GPs practising in Karachi, Pakistan were included in the study. Data was collected employing a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS Only 13.7 percent of the GPs and 21.6 percent of the paediatricians were shown to have knowledge sufficient to effectively screen for/diagnose ADHD. Alarmingly, not a single GP was adequately familiar with the established risk factors and clinical symptoms of LD. The level of knowledge was not influenced by age, gender, and clinical practice attributes of the physicians. Doctors who regularly read medical journals and attend medical education seminars showed slightly better trends. CONCLUSION We hypothesise that this demonstrated lack of knowledge at the level of primary care in Pakistan prevents an early screening of ADHD and LD. A multipronged strategy targeted at the provision of objective screening tools for primary paediatric care providers, regular continuing medical education seminars and an emphasis on paediatric mental health in undergraduate and postgraduate curricula may ensure an early detection of ADHD and LD in Pakistan.