Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impairment of spatial performance by continuous intensive noise: a behavioral view

A wide range of animal and human investigations have tested the neurobiological and immunological aspects of noise. Few studies, however, have explored the behavioral characteristics of noise on neuromotor movements. To examine this correlation, we tested the effects of continuous intensive noise on retention and contextual transfer in a spatial memory task in adult male rats. The natural noise was recorded in a football stadium and set at high (HI), moderate (MI), and low (LI) intensities, levels corresponding to 86-90, 64-68, and 52-54 A-weighted decibels (dbA), respectively. Rats were trained in a Morris water maze for 3 consecutive days. On day 4, visible and probe tests were conducted under the same intensities. Retention was evaluated on day 7 with high-intensity noise exposure. The contextual transfer test was held on day 8 after exposure to 30-min high-intensity noise. The escape latency and distance traveled were recorded and used for subsequent analyses. Our results showed significant increases in latency and distance traveled, attributable to increasing the noise intensity during the acquisition period. Additionally, performance in the LI group was significantly impaired in the retention test at the high intensity. In the contextual transfer test, results showed no significant increase except in the LI group, whereas a higher latency and distance traveled were found in the HI group. High-intensity noise appeared to damage the learning process. However, because the most robust results were found in the MI group, training with moderate-intensity noise can promote better performance under continuous high-intensity noise.
The Effects of Impaired Trace Element Status on Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Activation in the Development of Vascular Complications in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract Impaired trace element metabolism may be involved in some of the metabolic dysfunctions, and contribute to the development of vascular complications in diabetic patients. In order to investigate the relationships among diabetes mellitus, trace element status, leukocyte activation and vascular complications, 55 type 2 diabetic patients (34 with vascular complications and 21 without vascular complications) and 50 non-diabetic control subjects were studied. The mean leukocyte count (p<0.001), polymorphonuclear elastase (p<0.001), erythrocyte malondialdehyde (p<0.001), and glycated haemoglobin (p<0.001) levels, and copper/zinc ratio (p<0.001) were found to be higher in diabetic patients than in the control group, but serum zinc levels (p<0.001) and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activities (p<0.001) were lower, and serum copper levels showed no differences. In patients with vascular complications, the mean leukocyte count (p<0.05), zinc (p<0.05), polymorphonuclear elastase (p<0.05), erythrocyte malondialdehyde (p<0.001) and glycated haemoglobin (p<0.05) levels, and copper/zinc ratio (p<0.001) were significantly different from those patients without complications. Closer correlations between the copper/zinc ratio and polymorphonuclear elastase (r=0.82, p<0.01), erythrocyte malondialdehyde (r=0.46, p<0.05) or erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (r= −0.85, p<0.01) were found in patients with vascular complications compared to those without, and all of those showed significant relationships with poor glycaemic metabolic control. We conclude that zinc deficiency may provoke polymorphonuclear leukocyte activation, and contributes to the development of vascular complications in type 2 diabetic patients. Furthermore, copper/zinc ratio and polymorphonuclear elastase may be used as important markers to evaluate the presence of vascular complications.
Modeling Bivariate Change in Individual Differences: Prospective Associations Between Personality and Life Satisfaction

A number of structural equation models have been developed to examine change in 1 variable or the longitudinal association between 2 variables. The most common of these are the latent growth model, the autoregressive cross-lagged model, the autoregressive latent trajectory model, and the latent change score model. The authors first overview each of these models through evaluating their different assumptions surrounding the nature of change and how these assumptions may result in different data interpretations. They then, to elucidate these issues in an empirical example, examine the longitudinal association between personality traits and life satisfaction. In a representative Dutch sample (N = 8,320), with participants providing data on both personality and life satisfaction measures every 2 years over an 8-year period, the authors reproduce findings from previous research. However, some of the structural equation models overviewed have not previously been applied to the personality-life satisfaction relation. The extended empirical examination suggests intraindividual changes in life satisfaction predict subsequent intraindividual changes in personality traits. The availability of data sets with 3 or more assessment waves allows the application of more advanced structural equation models such as the autoregressive latent trajectory or the extended latent change score model, which accounts for the complex dynamic nature of change processes and allows stronger inferences on the nature of the association between variables. However, the choice of model should be determined by theories of change processes in the variables being studied.
Scientific Opinion on risk based control of biogenic amine formation in fermented foods 1

liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based methods enable simultaneous and high sensitivity quantification of all BA in foods, hence are best suited for monitoring and control purposes. Monitoring of BA concentrations in fermented foods during the production process and along the food chain would be beneficial for controls and further knowledge. Further research on BA in fermented foods is needed; particularly on toxicity and associated concentrations, production process-based control measures, further process hygiene and/or food safety criteria development, and validation of analysis methods.
Metastatic patterns of invasive lobular versus invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast.

BACKGROUND Many studies have analyzed the metastatic patterns of breast carcinoma. However, very few studies have analyzed the differences in metastatic patterns of lobular versus ductal carcinoma. METHODS By use of our tumor registry, the metastatic sites of all invasive lobular and invasive ductal breast carcinoma cases during an 18-year period (January 1973 to December 1990) were analyzed. RESULTS There were 2605 cases of invasive lobular and invasive ductal breast carcinoma. Lobular carcinoma accounted for 359 (14%) and ductal carcinoma for 2246 (86%) of the cases. The percentage of patients with regional lymph node metastasis at diagnosis was not significantly different between the two groups. The rates of metastasis to all lymph nodes, liver, and central nervous system were not significantly different. However, the rates of metastasis to the gastrointestinal system (4.5% vs 0.2%), gynecologic organs (4.5% vs 0.8%), peritoneum-retroperitoneum (3.1% vs 0.6%), adrenal glands (0.6% vs 0%), bone-marrow (21.2% vs 14.4%), and lung-pleura (2.5% vs 10.2%) were significantly different (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The metastatic patterns of lobular and ductal carcinoma of the breast are different, with gastrointestinal system, gynecologic organ, and peritoneum-retroperitoneum metastases markedly more prevalent in lobular carcinoma. Physicians should be aware of these different metastatic patterns of lobular and ductal carcinoma of the breast.
High prevalence of MRSA in household contacts

In a 6-y period, 114 household contacts connected to newly diagnosed MRSA patients screened for MRSA in the southern part of Sweden. In 22 of 51 (43%) families, 1 to 4 household contact(s) connected to a MRSA patient were positive for MRSA. In the 22 families, 42 of 60 (70%) household contacts were positive for MRSA and transmission of MRSA occurred between adult couples, parents and children, grandparent and children and between siblings. Within a family, MRSA-positive family members had in all but 1 instance identical MRSA strain genotypes (spa types) making intrafamilial spread of MRSA highly probable. MRSA transmission among household contacts may contribute to the prevalence of MRSA in the community and failure to identify MRSA in household contacts may maintain MRSA colonization in an already known MRSA patient. MRSA screening of family members living in the same household as a known MRSA patient should therefore be considered.
The tritocerebrum of Euarthropoda: a “non‐drosophilocentric” perspective

One of the compelling requirements for any contribution within the field of evo-devo that considers phylogenetic aspects is to integrate data from as many different organisms as possible (Hughes and Kaufman 2000). In recent years, many studies in this area have illustrated that focusing our view on model organisms alone can often lead to incomplete or even wrong evolutionary scenarios. In his contribution in Evolution & Development (6:1, pp. 25–31), Page (2004) discusses aspects of arthropod brain evolution or, more specifically, the origin of the tritocerebrum. He does so by presenting data on commissure formation in the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster, a member of the Diptera that is known to be a highly derived taxon within the winged insects (Pterygota). Because a large amount of data also exist on brain development in more ancestral representatives of the Pterygota (Orthoptera; e.g., Graf et al. 2000; Ludwig et al. 2001; Boyan et al. 2003) as well as various Crustacea (reviews in Harzsch 2002a, 2003; Harzsch et al. in press), Chelicerata (Mittmann and Scholtz 2003), and Tardigrada (Dewel et al. 1999), it appears compulsory to include these data in an integrative view on the evolution of ‘‘the arthropod brain,’’ and this is what the present commentary sets out to provide.
Outcome of a structured surveillance programme in women with a familial predisposition for breast cancer

We aimed to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of a multi-modal surveillance programme for the early detection of familial breast cancer. Ultrasound, mammography and breast magnetic resonance imaging were evaluated in 413 women who participated in a prospective study with a median follow-up of 2.2 years (range 1–6.75 years). Of these, 49 women carried a BRCA mutation, 203 were at high and 161 at moderate risk. Breast carcinomas diagnosed within the programme were compared with 297 carcinomas previously observed in the risk group and 7894 carcinomas documented in the regional cancer registry within the same time period. Overall, 41 breast carcinomas and no interval carcinoma were detected. The detection rates averaged 107.2/1000 for mutation carriers with highest rates between 20 and 39 years of age, 45.8/1000 for high-risk women with highest rates between 40 and 49 years of age and 23.9/1000 for moderate-risk women with highest rates between 50 and 74 years of age. Overall, 82.8% of the breast carcinomas were node negative and 85.4% pre-invasive or smaller than 2 cm. In comparison, of breast carcinomas detected outside the programme only 47.8% were node negative (P=0.0005) and 43.8% pre-invasive or smaller than 2 cm (P<0.000 01). Of those gathered in the local cancer registry 55.7% were node negative (P=0.004) and 47.6% pre-invasive or smaller than 2 cm (P<0.000 01). Our data indicate that (1) there is a strong correlation between breast cancer detection rates, risk status and age at disease onset and (2) a multi-modal surveillance programme can detect early-stage hereditary breast carcinomas.
Clear conscience grounded in relations: Expressions of Persian-speaking nurses in Sweden

Background: Conscience is an important concept in ethics, having various meanings in different cultures. Because a growing number of healthcare professionals are of immigrant background, particularly within the care of older people, demanding multiple ethical positions, it is important to explore the meaning of conscience among care providers within different cultural contexts. Research objective: The study aimed to illuminate the meaning of conscience by enrolled nurses with an Iranian background working in residential care for Persian-speaking people with dementia. Research design: A phenomenological hermeneutical method guided the study. Participants and research context: A total of 10 enrolled nurses with Iranian background, aged 33–46 years, participated in the study. All worked full time in residential care settings for Persian-speaking people with dementia in a large city, in Sweden. Ethical considerations: The study was approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board for ethical vetting of research involving humans. Participants were given verbal and written study information and assured that their participation was voluntary and confidential. Findings: Three themes were constructed including perception of conscience, clear conscience grounded in relations and striving to keep a clear conscience. The conscience was perceived as an inner guide grounded in feelings, which is dynamic and subject to changes throughout life. Having a clear conscience meant being able to form a bond with others, to respect them and to get their confirmation that one does well. To have a clear conscience demanded listening to the voice of the conscience. The enrolled nurses strived to keep their conscience clear by being generous in helping others, accomplishing daily tasks well and behaving nicely in the hope of being treated the same way one day. Conclusion: Cultural frameworks and the context of practice needed to be considered in interpreting the meaning of conscience and clear conscience.
Initial chemoimmunotherapy in inflammatory carcinoma of the breast

Fifteen patients with clinical primary inflammatory carcinoma of the breast were treated with initial chemoimmunotherapy between September 1974 and May 1977. The protocol was a combination of Adriamycin, vincristine, 5‐fluorouracil, and methotrexate given by I.V. push, and melphalan per os. Thermographic cooling was taken as the criterion of operability. Initial chemotherapy was resumed after surgery up to a total of ten courses and followed by maintenance chemotherapy for a minimum of one year. Immunotherapy using I‐BCG‐F. Pasteur was routinely associated with the antimitotic agents. The median survival for our 15 patients has not been reached and exceeds 56 months. These results correspond to an obvious therapeutic benefit compared with recent attempts in which similar chemoimmunotherapy protocols were used; this benefit seems to be the consequence of the adaptation of the length of initial chemotherapy to the data given by plate‐thermography.
Informing patients about cancer in Nepal: what do people prefer?

Introduction: Traditionally, doctors in Nepal do not discuss a diagnosis of malignancy with their patient. Instead, discussion is more likely to take place with family members, who then filter the information that the patient receives. This study aims to quantify the amount of actual disclosure of a cancer diagnosis that takes place, through a survey of patients admitted for hospice care, and to compare this with preferences regarding cancer disclosure from a survey of the general population. Objectives: (a) To determine what proportion of patients, referred for hospice care with advanced cancer, who were aware of their disease and prognosis. (b) To determine the attitude among the public toward disclosure of information of a diagnosis of malignancy, if they or a close relative were to develop the disease. (c) To observe if educational attainment impacts on issues related to disclosure of a cancer diagnosis. Method: (a) Prospective survey of patients with cancer admitted to ‘Hospice Nepal’ over a one-year period, recording details of how much patients knew of their diagnosis. (b) Survey of the general population in and around the Kathmandu valley, with a questionnaire asking the following two questions: If you were diagnosed with cancer would you like to be informed of your cancer? If a close relative was diagnosed with cancer would you like them to be informed of their cancer? Results: A survey of the 96 patients admitted to ‘Hospice Nepal’ over the one-year study period showed that 19 (20%) of the patients had knowledge of both their disease and the stage of the disease; 16 (17%) knew that they had cancer but did not know about their disease progression or prognosis; 61 (63%) were unaware of the nature, seriousness or prognosis of their disease. A survey of the general population in Kathmandu showed 204 (80%) of the 256 respondents wanted to be informed if they were diagnosed with cancer, even if it was incurable; 44 (17%) wanted to be informed of such a diagnosis only if it was curable; and 8 (3%) did not want to be informed of such a diagnosis at all. Conclusion: In Nepal, there is a clear disparity between what patients would like to be told should they develop cancer, and what patients with cancer know about their disease. In the Asian context, it is not unusual to be advised that western practices of disclosure are inappropriate, yet this study, conducted in a very non-western culture, shows that the patient’s wish to know about their illness is a desire which can transcend cultural and ethnic differences.
Cross-National Study on Factors That Influence Parents' Knowledge about Their Children's Alcohol Use

Previous research has shown that parents underestimate their children's substance use. The aim of the present work was to analyze parental estimation of their children's use of alcohol in five countries from northern, central, and southern Europe, and to explore the variables that influenced this perceptual bias. The sample comprised 1181 parent-children dyads living in Sweden, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Portugal. In accordance with the findings of previous studies, we found high parental underestimation of substance use, which was greater for more frequent alcohol use or the use of illegal drugs. This underestimation appears to be subject to some degree of sociocultural influence, and is also influenced by the severity of the children's use.
Simple and Efficient Targeting of Multiple Genes Through CRISPR-Cas 9 in Physcomitrella patens

Powerful genome editing technologies are needed for efficient gene function analysis. The CRISPR-Cas9 system has been adapted as an efficient gene-knock-out technology in a variety of species. However, in a number of situations, knocking out or modifying a single gene is not sufficient; this is particularly true for genes belonging to a common family, or for genes showing redundant functions. Like many plants, the model organism Physcomitrella patens has experienced multiple events of polyploidization during evolution that has resulted in a number of families of duplicated genes. Here, we report a robust CRISPR-Cas9 system, based on the codelivery of a CAS9 expressing cassette, multiple sgRNA vectors, and a cassette for transient transformation selection, for gene knock-out in multiple gene families. We demonstrate that CRISPR-Cas9-mediated targeting of five different genes allows the selection of a quintuple mutant, and all possible subcombinations of mutants, in one experiment, with no mutations detected in potential off-target sequences. Furthermore, we confirmed the observation that the presence of repeats in the vicinity of the cutting region favors deletion due to the alternative end joining pathway, for which induced frameshift mutations can be potentially predicted. Because the number of multiple gene families in Physcomitrella is substantial, this tool opens new perspectives to study the role of expanded gene families in the colonization of land by plants.
Ibuprofen versus paracetamol in pediatric fever: objective and subjective findings from a randomized, blinded study

ABSTRACT Objective: The main objective of this study was to compare the single-dose efficacy of 15 mg/kg paracetamol (acetaminophen) versus 10 mg/kg ibuprofen in a general practice setting. Methods: Children from the age of 3 months to 12 years with a fever of non-serious origin were randomized to receive either ibuprofen or paracetamol. The first dose was given double-blind, using a double-dummy technique. Tympanic temperature was measured at baseline and over the following 8 hours. The second and subsequent doses were administered open-label for up to 3 days by parents at home. At the end of the double-blind and the open-label periods, parents were asked to subjectively rate the efficacy of the product and state whether they would treat their child with the product again. The primary endpoint of the study was the area under the temperature reduction curve expressed as an absolute difference from baseline, from 0 to 6 hours (AUC0–6). Secondary efficacy endpoints included a variety of objective and subjective measures. Results: No statistically significant differences in the primary endpoint or any of the objective secondary endpoints were observed. Both agents were equally well tolerated. Compared with parents in the paracetamol group, significantly more parents in the ibuprofen group rated the drug as very efficacious, and reported that they would use the drug again in both the double-blind and open-label phases of the study. Conclusions: Ibuprofen at a dose of 10 mg/kg and paracetamol at a dose of 15 mg/kg have equivalent efficacy and tolerability; parental opinion in favor of ibuprofen could be explained by additional benefits of ibuprofen that were not measured in this trial and helped allay their anxiety over the treatment of their child.
Waste, Leaks, and Failures in the Biomarker Pipeline.

BACKGROUND The large, expanding literature on biomarkers is characterized by almost ubiquitous significant results, with claims about the potential importance, but few of these discovered biomarkers are used in routine clinical care. CONTENT The pipeline of biomarker development includes several specific stages: discovery, validation, clinical translation, evaluation, implementation (and, in the case of nonutility, deimplementation). Each of these stages can be plagued by problems that cause failures of the overall pipeline. Some problems are nonspecific challenges for all biomedical investigation, while others are specific to the peculiarities of biomarker research. Discovery suffers from poor methods and incomplete and selective reporting. External independent validation is limited. Selection for clinical translation is often shaped by nonrational choices. Evaluation is sparse and the clinical utility of many biomarkers remains unknown. The regulatory environment for biomarkers remains weak and guidelines can reach biased or divergent recommendations. Removing inefficient or even harmful biomarkers that have been entrenched in clinical care can meet with major resistance. SUMMARY The current biomarker pipeline is too prone to failures. Consideration of clinical needs should become a starting point for the development of biomarkers. Improvements can include the use of more stringent methodology, better reporting, larger collaborative studies, careful external independent validation, preregistration, rigorous systematic reviews and umbrella reviews, pivotal randomized trials, and implementation and deimplementation studies. Incentives should be aligned toward delivering useful biomarkers.