Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sexual Activity and Function in Patients With Gynecological Malignancies After Completed Treatment

Objective Sexual activity (SA) and sexual function (SF) after completion of treatment are central for quality of life (QoL) in women affected by gynecological cancer (GC). The aim of this study was to analyze the sexual outcome and overall QoL of women after treatment for primary GC compared with a healthy control group (CG). Methods In a multicenter cross-sectional study, 77 women aged 28 to 67 years were surveyed at least 12 months after completion of primary therapy for cervical, endometrial, or vulvar cancer [gynecological cancer group (GCG)]. Data were collected through validated questionnaires (Female Sexual Function Index-d, EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30, and Sexual Activity Questionnaire) and compared to a control of 60 healthy women (CG). Results In the GCG, 41.3% were sexually active compared to 78.0% in the CG. Twelve women of the CG and 42 women of the GCG indicated the reasons for their sexual inactivity. The most common reason for sexual inactivity in the GCG was “the-presence-of-a-physical-problem” [18/42 (42.9%) vs 2/12 (16.7%) in the CG], whereas in the CG, “because-I-do-not-have-a-partner” was most common [6/12 (50.0%) vs 11/42 (26.2%) in the GCG]. Sexually active patients in the GCG had an SF comparable to the CG. In multivariate analysis of the total cohort (n = 137), relationship status [solid partnership vs living alone; odds ratio (OR), 33.82; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.83–236.70], smoking (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.06–1.03), and age (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.79–0.94) influenced SA significantly. The probability of SA thereby decreased with increasing age. Quality of life and subjective general health status were not significantly different between the GCG and the CG (EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 score 68.25 vs 69.67). Conclusions A high number of patients with GC remain sexually inactive after treatment, indicating that women experience persistent functional problems. However, women who regain SA after completed treatment have a good overall SF and vice versa.
A Yeast Strain Lacking Lipid Particles Bears a Defect in Ergosterol Formation*

Lipid particles of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are storage compartments for triacylglycerols (TAG) and steryl esters (STE). Four gene products, namely the TAG synthases Dga1p and Lro1p, and the STE synthases Are1p and Are2p contribute to storage lipid synthesis. A yeast strain lacking the four respective genes is devoid of lipid particles thus providing a valuable tool to study the physiological role of storage lipids and lipid particles. Using a dga1lro1are1are2 quadruple mutant transformed with plasmids bearing inducible DGA1, LRO1, or ARE2 we demonstrate that TAG synthesis contributes more efficiently to lipid particle proliferation than synthesis of STE. Moreover, we show that proteins typically located to lipid particles in wild type such as Erg1p, Erg6p, Erg7p, and Ayr1p are refined to microsomal fractions of the dga1lro1are1are2 quadruple mutant. This result confirms the close relationship between lipid particles and endoplasmic reticulum. Most interestingly, the amount of the squalene epoxidase Erg1p, which is dually located in lipid particles and endoplasmic reticulum of wild type, is decreased in the quadruple mutant, whereas amounts of other lipid particle proteins tested were not reduced. This decrease is not caused by down-regulation of ERG1 transcription but by the low stability of Erg1p in the quadruple mutant. Because a similar effect was also observed in are1are2 mutants this finding can be mainly attributed to the lack of STE. The quadruple mutant, however, was more sensitive to terbinafine, an inhibitor of Erg1p, than the are1are2 strain suggesting that the presence of TAG and/or intact lipid particles has an additional protective effect. In a strain lacking the two STE synthases, Are1p and Are2p, incorporation of ergosterol into the plasma membrane was reduced, although the total cellular amount of free ergosterol was higher in the mutant than in wild type. Thus, an esterification/deacylation mechanism appears to contribute to the supply of ergosterol to the plasma membrane.
Health status, preventive behaviour and risk factors among female nurses.

BACKGROUND This study compares the health status, preventive behaviour and risk factors of female nurses with those of other employed postsecondary-educated women. DATA AND METHODS; Cross-sectional data from the 2003 Canadian Community Health Survey were analyzed. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to adjust for potential confounding by demographic and socio-economic characteristics. RESULTS When confounding by demographic and socioeconomic characteristics was taken into account, nurses were more likely than other employed postsecondary-educated women to report back problems, that most work days were "quite a bit" or "extremely" stressful, and having had flu immunizations and cervical cancer screening. They were less likely to report insufficient consumption of vegetables and fruit or heavy alcohol use. INTERPRETATION Canadian nurses' occupation may account for their higher prevalence of back problems and work stress. At the same time, their occupation may motivate flu immunization, cervical cancer screening, and vegetable and fruit consumption. Some problematic aspects of nurses' health profile are similar to those of other educated women.
Intersubtest Discrepancies on the RBANS: Results from the OKLAHOMA Study

The present study provides supplemental data for the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (Randolph, 1998) by reporting base rate data on discrepancies between subtests of this measure. These discrepancies are organized by general level of ability and include both age and education corrections. The data come from the Oklahoma Longitudinal Assessment of Health Outcomes in Mature Adults study and include cognitive performances of 718 community-dwelling older adults. These findings offer the possibility of increased sensitivity at detecting clinically significant differences that might not be identified when relying on base rate data from a greater age range. Similarly, these data highlight the mediating effects of the global level of cognitive functioning on discrepancy scores.
Differentiation of respiratory syncytial virus subgroups with cDNA probes in a nucleic acid hybridization assay

A new approach to respiratory syncytial (RS) virus subgroup determination was developed by using a simple nucleic acid filter hybridization technique. By this method, virus-infected cells are bound and fixed in a single step, and the viral RNA in the fixed-cell preparation is characterized directly by its ability to hybridize to cDNA probes specific for either the A or B subgroups of RS virus. The subgroup-specific probes were constructed from cDNA clones that corresponded to a portion of the extracellular domain of the RS virus G protein of either a subgroup B RS virus (8/60) or a subgroup A RS virus (A2). The cDNA probes were labeled with 32P and used to analyze RS virus isolates collected over a period of three decades. Replicate templates of infected cell preparations were hybridized with either the subgroup A or B probe. The subgroup assignments of 40 viruses tested by nucleic acid hybridization were in agreement with the results of subgroup determinations based on their reactivities with monoclonal antibodies, which previously has been the only method available for determining the subgroup classification of RS virus isolates. The nucleic acid hybridization assay has the advantage of providing broad-based discrimination of the two subgroups on the basis of nucleic acid homology, irrespective of minor antigenic differences that are detected in assays in which monoclonal antibodies are used. The nucleic acid hybridization technique provides a reliable method for RS virus subgroup characterization.
A comparison of the susceptibility of Culicoides imicola and C. bolitinos to oral infection with eight serotypes of epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus

Abstract. The mechanisms involved in introduction, maintenance and perpetuation of epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) in South Africa are not fully understood. This paper reports on the susceptibility of South African livestock associated Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) species to oral infection with eight EHDV serotypes. Virus was recovered from eight of 17 field‐collected Culicoides species 10 days after oral feeding on blood/virus mixtures. Six EHDV serotypes were recovered from C. (Avaritia) imicola Kieffer, and seven serotypes were recovered from C. (A.) bolitinos Meiswinkel. Virus recovery rates in C. imicola ranged from 0.4% for EHDV 2 to 14.4% for EHDV 7, and in C. bolitinos from 0.6% for EHDV 6 to 12.3% for EHDV 2. There was a significant difference in virus recovery rates between serotypes in both species. Other Culicoides species that yielded EHDV after 10 days extrinsic incubation included C. (Meijerehelea) leucostictus Kieffer, C. (Culicoides) magnus Colaço, C. (Beltranmyia) nivosus de Meillon, C. (A.) gulbenkiani Caeiro, C. (Hoffmania) zuluensis de Meillon and C. onderstepoortensis Fiedler. Culicoides midges shown in this study to be susceptible to oral infection with EHDV are widely distributed in South Africa but differ considerably in their abundance, host preference and breeding sites.
Test of Everyday Attention for Children; The Thames Valley Test Company, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, UK

There is an important addition to the range of standardized tests available for evaluation of attentional capacity. The Test of Everyday Attention for Children (TEA-Ch; Manly, Robertson, Anderson, & Nimmo-Smith, 1999) is both a childand examiner-friendly test instrument that deserves the undivided attention of child neuropsychologists and others who assess children with possible attentional disorder. The identi®cation of the neurocognitive concomitants of the behavioral disorder of Attention De®cit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a highly relevant investigative area in child neuropsychology. Many children referred for evaluation are either suspected or diagnosed as having ADHD as a primary disorder, or there is concern about secondary attentional de®cit. Implicit in these referrals, is a request for detail about neurocognitive strengths and weaknesses and any contributory comorbid disorder. As a result, psychology has seen an explosion of behavior-rating scales, self-report inventories, checklists, parent and teacher questionnaires, and computerized continuous performance tests, along with research studies employing sophisticated statistical methods to divine which of the many standardized psychological and neuropsychological instruments are most useful in such an evaluation. This broadening of objective methods to supplement subjective observations is occurring as the behavioral features associated with ADHD are receiving intensive lay as well as professional attention. Unfortunately, no de®nitive speci®c evaluation protocol has been proven most effective or endorsed for ADHD diagnosis. The validity of currently used objective instruments has been questioned, particularly if used singly. In fact, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Statement did not ultimately endorse one speci®c objective technique as con®rmatory of an ADHD diagnosis, ®nding an independent diagnostic test does not exist (`̀ Diagnosis and Treatment of Attention De®cit Hyperactivity Disorder,'' 1998). While the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ± Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) is relied on for diagnosis guidelines, it, speci®es no objective means as diagnostic. More recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics published `̀ Clinical Practice Guideline: Diagnosis and evaluation of the child with attentionde®cit/hyperactivity disorder'' (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2000), a set of guidelines for the diagnosis, evaluation and management of 6±12-year-old children with ADHD intended for primary care clinicians. This statement requires that the diagnosis meets DSM-IV criteria, and that assessment includes evidence obtained directly from parents or caregivers about the core ADHD symptoms in various settings, along with onset age, symptom duration, and degree of functional impairment. A related publication of `̀ Clinical Practice Guideline: Treatment of the schoolaged child with attention-de®cit/hyperactivity disorder'' (American Academy of Pediatrics,
Contrast medium-enhanced radiation damage caused by CT examinations.

PURPOSE To assess the effect of iodinated contrast medium (CM) on the induction and repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in peripheral blood lymphocytes after computed tomographic (CT) examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective study was approved by the institutional ethics committee; written informed patient consent was obtained from 37 patients. Venous blood samples were taken from patients before and at 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2.5 hours, and 5 hours after performing CT with (n = 18) or without (n = 19) intravenous administration of CM (iopromide or iomeprol). DSBs were assessed in lymphocytes by enumerating gammaH2AX foci. DSB levels after CT were compared with those obtained after in vitro irradiation. Cell culture experiments with peripheral lymphocytes and fibroblasts were performed with iopromide, iomeprol, or the control substance mannitol added before or immediately after x- or gamma-ray irradiation. DSBs were assessed at 5 minutes, 30 minutes, 2.5 hours, and 5 hours after irradiation. Data were analyzed by using linear regression and the one-tailed Welch and paired sample t tests. RESULTS The presence of CM during CT increases DSB levels in peripheral lymphocytes by approximately 30%. Cell culture experiments confirmed this effect and further showed that CM administered prior to x-ray irradiation increases the initial DSB yield but has no effect if added after irradiation or when gamma-rays are used instead of x-rays. CONCLUSION The highly sensitive gammaH2AX foci assay shows that CM-enhanced radiation damage incurred in peripheral lymphocytes during CT. However, it is unknown whether long-term bioeffects of low-dose ionizing radiation from CT examinations, such as cancer, are increased by using CM.
Genetically Modified Adenovirus Vector Containing an RGD Peptide in the HI Loop of the Fiber Knob Improves Gene Transfer to Nonhuman Primate Isolated Pancreatic Islets

The ability to transfer immunoregulatory, cytoprotective, or antiapoptotic genes into pancreatic islets (PIs) may allow enhanced post‐transplantation survival. The available gene transfer vectors differ greatly in their ability to infect and express genes in different cell types. One limitation associated with the use of viral vectors is related to the virus reliance on the presence of its primary binding site. Tropism of the viral vectors can be altered using retargeting strategies. Results on phage biopanning proved that the RGD motif has in vivo targeting capabilities. This motif interacts especially with cellular integrins of the αVβ3 and αVβ5 types, highly expressed on pancreatic islets. In this report, we have explored the utility of a retargeted adenovirus vector (Ad) containing an RGD motif in the HI loop of the fiber knob in order to improve the infection efficiency to intact isolated nonhuman primate PIs and reduce toxicity after the genetic modification. Nonhuman primate PIs were isolated by a semi‐automated technique. Steptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice with severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) were used as recipients. A recombinant Ad containing a heterologous RGD peptide and expressing luciferase (AdRGDLuc) or green fluorescent protein (AdRGDGFP) were generated in our laboratory. Similar Ads without the RGD peptide were used as a control (AdLuc and AdGFP). Higher transfection efficiency was demonstrated using AdRGDGFP compared with AdGFP (> 80% of the islet cells were infected at 10 particle‐forming units (pfu)/cell using AdRGDGFP vs. 7% after infection with AdGFP). More than 90% of the infected cells were insulin‐producing cells. Significantly higher transgene expression was demonstrated after infection with AdRGDLuc compared with AdLuc at different titers. Analysis of the glucose‐stimulated insulin response demonstrated better performance of PI transfected with AdRGDLuc at low titers (10 pfu/cell in order to achieve > 80% transfection efficiency) compared with AdLuc at high titers. Finally, long‐term euglycemia (> 250 d) was observed in 89% of the animals that received PI infected with AdRGDLuc compared with none of the animals that received PI infected with AdLuc. The present study provides new information about the possibility of tropism modification of Ad vectors to increase the transfection efficiency and transgene expression to isolated PI. Incorporation of the RGD sequence in the HI loop of the fiber knob allows highly efficient transfection efficiency to nonhuman primate insulin‐producing cells and adequate long‐term function of the β‐cell after transplantation.
Characterization of RACK1 function in Drosophila development

Receptor for Activated C Kinase 1 (RACK1) is a cytoplasmic molecular scaffolding protein. Many diverse protein‐binding partners involved in key signaling pathways are reported to bind to RACK1, suggesting a role for RACK1 in signal integration. However, because loss‐of‐function phenotypes for RACK1 in an intact organism have not yet been reported, our current understanding of RACK1 is limited. Using Drosophila melanogaster, we show that RACK1 is expressed at all developmental stages and in many tissues, with specific enrichment in the ovary. By characterizing an allelic series of RACK1 mutants, we demonstrate that RACK1 is essential at multiple steps of Drosophila development, particularly in oogenesis, where somatic RACK1 is required for proper germ‐line function. Developmental Dynamics 236:2207–2215, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Racial and Socioeconomic Differences Manifest in Process Measure Adherence for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Pathway

BACKGROUND: Adherence to care processes and surgical outcomes varies by population subgroups for the same procedure. Enhanced recovery after surgery pathways are intended to standardize care, but their effect on process adherence and outcomes for population subgroups is unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to demonstrate the association between recovery pathway implementation, process measures, and short-term surgical outcomes by population subgroup. DESIGN: This study is a pre- and post-quality improvement implementation cohort study. SETTING: This study was conducted at a tertiary academic medical center. INTERVENTION: A modified colorectal enhanced recovery after surgery pathway was implemented. PATIENTS: Patients were included who had elective colon and rectal resections before (2013) and following (2014–2016) recovery pathway implementation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Thirty-day outcomes by race and socioeconomic status were analyzed using a difference-in-difference approach with correlation to process adherence. RESULTS: We identified 639 cases (199 preimplementation, 440 postimplementation). In these cases, 75.2% of the patients were white, and 91.7% had a high socioeconomic status. Groups were similar in terms of other preoperative characteristics. Following pathway implementation, median lengths of stay improved in all subgroups (–1.0 days overall, p ⩽ 0.001), but with no statistical difference by race or socioeconomic status (p = 0.89 and p = 0.29). Complication rates in both racial and socioeconomic groups were no different (26.4% vs 28.8%, p = 0.73; 27.3% vs 25.0%, p = 0.86) and remained unchanged with implementation (p = 0.93, p = 0.84). By race, overall adherence was 31.7% in white patients and 26.5% in nonwhite patients (p = 0.32). Although stratification by socioeconomic status demonstrated decreased overall adherence in the low-status group (31.8% vs 17.1%, p = 0.05), white patients were more likely to have regional pain therapy (57.1% vs 44.1%, p = 0.02) with a similar trend seen with socioeconomic status. LIMITATIONS: Data were collected primarily for quality improvement purposes. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in outcomes by race and socioeconomic status did not arise following implementation of an enhanced recovery pathway. Differences in process measures by population subgroups highlight differences in care that require further investigation. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww. com/DCR/A386.
Screening for retinopathy of prematurity employing the retcam 120: sensitivity and specificity.

OBJECTIVES To compare the method of photographic screening using the RetCam 120 to the standard method of screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) by ophthalmologic examination. METHODS A total of 100 RetCam 120 photoscreening examinations of the retina were performed on 32 premature infants. These were stored in a separate file from which all identifying information was removed. At this same examination, a detailed ophthalmological evaluation, employing the indirect ophthalmoscope with scleral depression, was performed by an experienced examiner. Masked examiners performed an evaluation of the fundus photographs to identify presence or absence of ROP, the location and extent of the disease, and the presence or absence of plus disease. These data were then compared with the results of the ophthalmological examination to determine the specificity, sensitivity, and the positive and negative predictive value (PPV and NPV) of the method. RESULTS Retinopathy of prematurity was detected in 68 of 100 subjects by ophthalmologic examinations and in 58 of 100 subjects' photoscreening examinations. No ROP was detected in 32 of 100 subjects. The sensitivity of the method was 56 (82.4%) of 68 and the specificity was 30 (93.8%) of 32. The PPV was 96.6%; NPV, 76.9%. CONCLUSIONS The sensitivity of the method was low. The ROP that was missed was peripheral stage 1 or stage 2 disease in peripheral zone 2 or zone 3. This was largely due to the technical limitations of the speculum-camera interface preventing a better view of the periphery. The ROP cases that were missed by the photographic examination regressed spontaneously on follow-up. No disease more posterior to peripheral zone 2 was overlooked. These results detail the accuracy of the method employing the technique of photoscreening as a potential substitute for detailed ophthalmological examination. At present there are clear technical limitations to such a substitution. The study is part of an ongoing project to determine the feasibility of employing neonatal nurses trained to take digitized images of the premature infant's retina and telemeter the results to be read by an experienced ophthalmologist remote from the site.
Quinolinic acid in children with congenital hyperammonemia

Levels of the excitotoxin quinolinic acid (QUIN) were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid of infants and children with congenital hyperammonemia. Twofold to tenfold elevations of QUIN were found in 4 neonates in hyperammonemic coma (QUIN range, 250–990 nM; control mean, 110 ± 90 nM; p < 0.005). Similar elevations of neopterin were found (range, 24–75 nM; control mean, 9.0 ± 4.9 nM; p < 0.005). In addition, significant elevations of QUIN were found in 14 older children with congenital hyperammonemia (mean, 50 ± 20 vs 17 ± 6 nM; p < 0.05). Neopterin levels were not elevated in these children. The QUIN may originate from an increase in tryptophan transport across the blood‐brain barrier or from induction of indolamine‐2,3‐dioxygenase activity. These findings support a role for QUIN in the neuropathology of congenital hyperammonemia. They also suggest the potential utility of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor–‐blocking agents or inhibitors of QUIN synthesis in the treatment of hyperammonemic coma.