Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Women's awareness of ovarian cancer risks and symptoms.

BACKGROUND The vast majority of cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed at stage III or IV, and five-year survival rates after diagnosis at these stages are 71% and 31%, respectively. Although a consensus among researchers on the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer has evolved over time, whether women themselves know them isn't clear. OBJECTIVE To assess how well informed women ages 40 and older are of ovarian cancer symptoms and risk factors. METHODS In 2006 the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition developed an online survey with a private research firm that asked respondents about their familiarity with ovarian cancer symptoms and risk factors. Women were also asked whether they thought the Papanicolaou test diagnosed ovarian cancer (a common misconception) and whether they had discussed ovarian cancer with a physician. If they had discussed the issue, they were asked who had initiated the conversation. Data from a convenience sample of 1,235 responses to the online survey were analyzed, using descriptive and comparative statistics. Respondents were categorized by age, education level, race or ethnicity, and whether or not they knew someone with ovarian cancer. Comparisons were made to determine whether demographic factors were associated with women's knowledge of specific symptoms and risk factors associated with ovarian cancer. RESULTS Only 15% of respondents were familiar with ovarian cancer symptoms, and more than two-thirds incorrectly believed that the Papanicolaou test diagnoses the disease. Four out of five had never had a conversation with a physician about symptoms and risk factors; among these, more than half assumed that because their physician had not initiated such a discussion, ovarian cancer was "not an issue. " Of the 19% of women who'd had such discussions, two-thirds had initiated them themselves. Respondents were more knowledgeable about risk factors; 59% correctly identified personal or family history of breast, ovarian, or colon cancer, and half of respondents correctly identified genetic predisposition, as risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms and risk factors among women in the general population is low. Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at late stages, when cure is difficult; consequently, heightening women's awareness of risk factors and symptoms might help to reduce delays in diagnosis. Nurses should provide women with specific information on symptoms and risk factors in educating them on ovarian cancer.
The correlation analysis of RET gene polymorphism with papillary thyroid carcinoma

Objective: Thyroid cancer is a common malignant tumor occurred in head and neck. Studies also shown that the occurrence and development of thyroid cancer is related with some genes and gene polymorphisms. In this study, we used case control to test the polymorphisms of rs1799939 in RET gene exon 11. Methods: A total of 350 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) were collected, 320 healthy control were recruited from subject received routine medical examination. Their PCR product from blood sample and gene sequencing were performed to confirm their polymorphism distribution of rs1799939 in RET gene. Results: There is no difference in age and gender distribution between the 2 groups. correlation analysis showed the three genotypes frequency distribution (G/G, G/A and A/A) have no significant difference between PTC group and control group. There is statistical difference between PTC patients with different gender in gene frequency of rs1799939 site distributions (G/G, G/A and A/A) but not healthy control. In addition, the allele frequency distribution of G/A also have statistical difference (in gender frequency). “A” allele in rs1799939 did not increase the risk of PTC occurrence in female group. Conclusions: The polymorphism of rsl799939 locus is associated with the occurrence and development of PTC in the Han population in southern China.
Permeability of Injured and Intact Peripheral Nerves and Dorsal Root Ganglia

Background:Nerve injury that produces behavioral changes of allodynia and hyperalgesia in animals is associated with electrophysiologic changes in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells. The introduction of drugs into the DRG or the peripheral nerve that alter calcium, sodium, or potassium channel activity may be of therapeutic benefit after nerve injury. For this reason, the authors sought to determine whether drugs that do not ordinarily cross the blood–nerve barrier will enter the DRG after intravenous or regional injection and to determine whether nerve injury alters drug access to DRGs or peripheral nerves Methods:Both intact and spinal nerve–ligated rats were injected with sodium fluorescein by intravenous, intrathecal, peri-DRG, perisciatic, and epidural routes. DRG, sciatic nerve, and spinal cord tissues were harvested and frozen, and histologic sections were analyzed quantitatively for tissue fluorescence. Results:In both intact and nerve-injured animals, fluorescein accumulated in DRGs after intravenous, peri-DRG, and epidural injection. There was accumulation in the proximal portion of the ganglion after intrathecal injection. Minimal amounts of fluorescein were found in the sciatic nerve in intact animals after intravenous or perineural injection, but substantial amounts were found in some nerve fascicles in nerve-injured animals after both intravenous and perineural injection. There was almost no fluorescein found in the spinal cord except after intrathecal administration. Conclusions:In both intact and nerve-injured animals, fluorescein accumulates freely in the DRG after intravenous, epidural, or paravertebral injection. The sciatic nerve is relatively impermeable to fluorescein, but access by either systemic or regional injection is enhanced after nerve injury.
First-Line Therapy for Ovarian Carcinoma: What's Next?

Based on results from large, randomized trials conducted over the last 25 years, the current standard of care for newly diagnosed advanced (FIGO stage III–IV) ovarian carcinoma is surgical bulk reduction followed by six cycles of paclitaxel plus carboplatin. This approach has resulted in an enhanced response rate and clinical complete response rate, an improved progression-free survival, an increase in survival, and more long-term survivors. Despite these results, the overall frequency of relapse and hence need for second-line therapy is 62%. Ongoing and future studies focus or will focus on four major themes: dose intensity through the use of intraperitoneal chemotherapy in selected patients, addition of a third cytotoxic agent to front line therapy, addition of a targeted or biologic agent to front-line therapy, and the development of effective maintenance or consolidation therapy. The current standard of care for patients who present with limited (FIGO stage I–II) ovarian carcinoma is the use of prognostic factors to classify the patient as at low risk or high risk for recurrence. High risk features include: grade 2 or 3 disease, disease on the surface of the ovary, disease outside the ovary, positive peritoneal cytology, or the presence of ascites. Any one high risk feature makes the patient high risk for recurrence. Patients at low risk require surgical resection only, whereas those at high risk for recurrence require adjuvant therapy. Ongoing studies evaluate the duration of therapy and the potential value of anti-angiogenic agents in those patients at high risk for recurrence. Future directions point to the evaluation of targeted or biologic agents in high risk patients. At present, there is no evidence that any approach constitutes an effective screening test. Studies of serum markers, transvaginal sonography, and serum proteomic profiles have failed to establish any of these techniques as an effective tool for early diagnosis. An overview of current management and its basis will be followed by a discussion of the rationale for both current and potential future trials.
Exposure of Mouse Preimplantation Embryos to 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) Alters the Methylation Status of Imprinted Genes H19 and Igf21

Abstract 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is an extremely toxic, persistent environmental contaminant that disrupts normal development in laboratory animals. In our earlier study, we found that exposure of preimplantation embryos to TCDD markedly induced cytochrome P4501A1 mRNA at the blastocyst stage. In the present study, to determine whether exposure of preimplantation embryos to TCDD affects fetal growth, we exposed preimplantation embryos to TCDD from the 1-cell stage to the blastocyst stage and then transferred them to unexposed recipient mice. On Embryonic Day 14, the fetuses exposed to TCDD during the preimplantation stage weighed less than the fetuses in the unexposed control group. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that exposure of preimplantation embryos to TCDD tended to decrease the expression levels of the imprinted genes H19 and Igf2 (insulin-like growth factor 2 gene). Use of bisulfite genomic sequencing demonstrated that the methylation level of the 430- base pair H19/Igf2 imprint control region was higher in TCDD- exposed embryos and fetuses than in the controls, and methyltransferase activity was also higher in the TCDD-exposed embryos than in the controls. To our knowledge, the present study is the first to provide evidence that TCDD exposure at the preimplantation stage alters the genomic DNA methylation status of imprinted genes, influences the expression level of imprinted genes, and affects fetal development.
Separation time on bounded confidence opinion models

In this paper, we propose a new concept named separation time of the bounded confidence opinion models, the Hegselmann-Krause (HK) model and Deffuant-Weisbuch (DW) model. Different from others who care about the limit states of the opinion dynamics, we try to study the phenomenon among the opinion evolution process. The separation time describes the initial time of the formation of the stable opinion divided groups. We explain why the theoretical limit opinion differences of the agents in the HK dynamics are less than the values in simulations, and give a result better than previous convergence analysis result through the definition of separation time. Then we give one upper bound of the expectation of the separation time of the DW dynamics by stochastic analysis. Finally, we show interesting phenomena through simulations about separation time with agent.
Pharmacology of flibanserin.

Flibanserin has preferential affinity for serotonin 5-HT(1A), dopamine D(4k), and serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptors. In vitro and in microiontophoresis, flibanserin behaves as a 5-HT(1A) agonist, a very weak partial agonist on dopamine D(4) receptors, and a 5-HT(2A) antagonist. In vivo flibanserin binds equally to 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2A) receptors. However, under higher levels of brain 5-HT (i.e., under stress), flibanserin may occupy 5-HT(2A) receptors in higher proportion than 5-HT(1A) receptors. The effects of flibanserin on adenylyl cyclase are different from those of buspirone and 8-OH-DPAT, two other purported 5-HT(1A) receptor agonists. Flibanserin reduces neuronal firing rate in cells of the dorsal raphe, hippocampus, and cortex with the CA1 region being the most sensitive in the brain. Flibanserin-induced reduction in firing rate in the cortex seems to be mediated through stimulation of postsynaptic 5-HT(1A) receptors, whereas the reduction of the number of active cells seems to be mediated through dopamine D(4) receptor stimulation. Flibanserin quickly desensitizes somatic 5-HT autoreceptors in the dorsal raphe and enhances tonic activation of postsynaptic 5-HT(1A) receptors in the CA3 region. Flibanserin preferentially reduces synthesis and extracellular levels of 5-HT in the cortex, where it enhances extracellular levels of NE and DA. Flibanserin displays antidepressant-like activity in most animal models sensitive to antidepressants. Such activity, however, seems qualitatively different from that exerted by other antidepressants. Flibanserin seems to act via direct or indirect stimulation of 5-HT(1A), DA, and opioid receptors in those animal models. Flibanserin does not display consistent effects in animal models of anxiety and seems to exert potential antipsychotic effects. Flibanserin may induce some sedation but does not induce observable toxic effects at pharmacologically relevant doses.
Asynchronous Distributed Variational Gaussian Process for Regression

Gaussian processes (GPs) are powerful non-parametric function estimators. However, their applications are largely limited by the expensive computational cost of the inference procedures. Existing stochastic or distributed synchronous variational inferences, although have alleviated this issue by scaling up GPs to millions of samples, are still far from satisfactory for real-world large applications, where the data sizes are often orders of magnitudes larger, say, billions. To solve this problem, we propose ADVGP, the first Asynchronous Distributed Variational Gaussian Process inference for regression, on the recent large-scale machine learning platform, PARAMETERSERVER. ADVGP uses a novel, flexible variational framework based on a weight space augmentation, and implements the highly efficient, asynchronous proximal gradient optimization. While maintaining comparable or better predictive performance, ADVGP greatly improves upon the efficiency of the existing variational methods. With ADVGP, we effortlessly scale up GP regression to a real-world application with billions of samples and demonstrate an excellent, superior prediction accuracy to the popular linear models.
Epstein-Barr Virus Genotypes and Strains in Central Nervous System Demyelinating Disease and Epstein-Barr Virus-Related Illnesses in Australia

Objectives: To identify Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genotypes and strains in samples from individuals with and without a first diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating disease (a possible precursor to multiple sclerosis) and patients with EBV-associated diseases in Australia. Methods: Samples from 55 EBV DNA and serology positive subjects including individuals with (n = 17) and without (n = 21) a first clinical diagnosis of CNS demyelination and patients with EBV-related diseases (n = 17) were examined. EBV genotype and strain were identified by sequence mutations within the Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-2 region (EBNA-2) using DNA sequence analysis. Results: Both EBV genotypes, A and B, were detected (genotype A, 54/55, 98.2%; genotype B, 1/55, 1.8%). Within genotype A, GD1 was the most commonly detected strain (42/54, 77.7%), followed by B95-8 (9/54, 16.7%) and M-ABA (3/54, 5.6%). Genotype B, strain AG876, was found in one individual with CNS demyelinating disease. Conclusions: EBV genotype A and the GD1 strain were the common EBV genotypes isolated from individuals with and without CNS demyelinating disease, and in subjects with various EBV-related diseases. Although disease-specific genotypes or strains were not identified, this study provides useful insights into the molecular epidemiology of EBV infection in Australia.
[The long term stability after orthognathic surgery in prognathic patients with mandibular asymmetry].

OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to evaluate the skeletal stability after mandibular osteotomy, the effect of the two-fixation method used (unilateral plate versus bilateral plates), the influence of condylar bony change, and the relationship between the magnitude of setback and the relapse. METHODS Twenty-three patients who have mandibular prognathism with asymmetry were selected from a pool of orthodontic patients at the Department of Orthodontics, Niigata University Dental Hospital. To evaluate the stability after surgery, the lateral and frontal cephalograms taken just before surgery (T1), just after surgery (T2), and retention time (long term postoperatively, >6 months) (T3) were used. RESULTS In general, the long-term post-operative stability term was satisfied. TMJ symptom was relieved after surgery. The The long-term relapse tendency was larger in those patients who had pre-operative condylar bony change. From our data, there was no significant difference about the long-term change due to post-operative skeletal relapse between bilateral SSRO cases and USSRO+IVRO cases. There was no correlation between the magnitude of setback and the long-term post-operative relapse. CONCLUSION It was suggested that even if condylar bony change existed before surgery, the patient could receive mandibular osteotomy and enjoy a good post-operative stability. Condylar bony change might be one of the risk factors for the stability after mandibular osteotomy in prognathic patients with mandibular asymmetry. The type of mandibular osteotomy, the fixation of mandibular and the amount of setback might have no relationship with the postoperative relapse in prognathism with mandibular deviation.
Interest Rate Uncertainty , Hedging , and Real Activity ∗

Uncertainty about the future path of interest rates is associated with a significant slowing of future economic activity both at the aggregate and firm level. Using a large data set on firms’ interest rate swap usage, we find that 1) interest rate risk management helps firms attenuate the adverse effects of interest rate uncertainty on investment and 2) there are significant crosssectional differences in swap usage according to asset and financing risk. To interpret these findings, we develop a dynamic model of corporate interest rate risk management in the presence of investment and financing frictions.
Mechanical traction for neck pain with or without radiculopathy.

BACKGROUND Neck pain is a frequently reported complaint of the musculoskeletal system which can be disabling and costly to society. Mechanical traction is often used as an adjunct therapy in outpatient rehabilitation. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of mechanical traction for neck disorders. SEARCH STRATEGY A research librarian searched computerized bibliographic databases without language restrictions up to March 2008 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the medical, chiropractic, and allied health literature. SELECTION CRITERIA The RCTs we selected examined adults with neck disorders who received mechanical traction alone or in combination with other treatments compared to a placebo or another treatment. Our outcomes of interest were pain, function, disability, global perceived effect, patient satisfaction, and quality of life measures. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors with different backgrounds in medicine, physiotherapy, massage therapy and chiropractics independently conducted study selection, risk of bias assessment and data abstraction using pre-piloted forms. We resolved disagreement through consensus. MAIN RESULTS Of the seven selected RCTs (total participants = 958), only one (N = 100) had a low risk of bias. It found no statistically significant difference (SMD -0.16: 95%CI: -0.59 to 0.27) between continuous traction and placebo traction in reducing pain or improving function for chronic neck disorders with radicular symptoms. Our review found no evidence from RCTs with a low potential for bias that clearly supports or refutes the use of either continuous or intermittent traction for neck disorders. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The current literature does not support or refute the efficacy or effectiveness of continuous or intermittent traction for pain reduction, improved function or global perceived effect when compared to placebo traction, tablet or heat or other conservative treatments in patients with chronic neck disorders. Large, well conducted RCTs are needed to first determine the efficacy of traction, then the effectiveness, for individuals with neck disorders with radicular symptoms.
Urinary Trypsinogen Activation Peptides (TAP) Are Not Increased in Mild ERCP‐Induced Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) occurs in 3–18% of patients undergoing either diagnostic or therapeutic ERCP. We prospectively measured urinary trypsinogen activation peptides (TAP) by an automated anti-TAP enzyme-linked immunoassay among 107 patients 4 h after ERCP to determine whether this measurement helps in the early diagnosis of ERCP-induced pancreatitis. Pan creatitis was documented in 10 of 107 patients (9.3%). All episodes were graded as mild. Urinary TAP was not significantly increased. We conclude that measurement of urinary TAP 4 h after ERCP is not helpful in documenting mild ERCP-induced acute pancreatitis.
Outcomes after radical nephroureterectomy and segmental ureterectomy in urothelial cancer of ureter : a meta-analysis

To compare the prognostic effects of segmental ureterectomy (SU) and radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for urothelial cancer of the ureter (UUC). Databases including Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane online library were selected for systematic review of retrospective trials that comparing outcomes of SU and RNU in the patients with UUC. Interested data including hazard radio (HR) for overall survival (OS), cancer specific survival (CSS), intravesical recurrence free survival (IRFS), recurrence free survival (RFS) and metastasis free survival (MFS) were extracted by two reviewers independently from selected trials. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Eight eligible trials evaluating SU vs RNU for UUC were identified including 895 SU cases and 2149 RNU cases. The results showed no significant difference between the two kinds of surgical methods in HR for OS (P=0.86), CSS (P=0.23), IRFS (P=0.95), RFS (P=0.17) and MFS (P=0.23). Our analysis showed that SU had equivalent prognostic effect for UUC compared with RNU, which was considered the standard method. Because of the inherent limitations of the included studies, further large sample, multi-centric studies and randomized control trials should be undertaken to confirm our findings.
A comparison of cup‐to‐disc ratio evaluation in normal subjects using stereo biomicroscopy and digital imaging of the optic nerve head

The cup‐to‐disc (CD) ratio evaluated using stereoscopic biomicroscopy was compared with that evaluated by viewing a non‐stereo digital image of the optic nerve head. Twenty normal subjects (mean age 26 ± 4 years) were evaluated by two observers. The average CD ratio was 0.29 with a range of 0–0.80. The intra‐class correlations between the observers ranged from 0.82 to 0.96, when comparing horizontal and vertical CD ratios for both evaluation techniques. The mean CD ratio was significantly smaller when viewing the digital image (0.25 ± 0.01) compared with stereoscopic observation (0.33 ± 0.03, p < 0.0001). Although the mean differences between the two techniques were small, the percentage of CD ratios that differed by ≥0.2 were between 5 and 25% of evaluations. Caution should be exercised when using stereoscopic and non‐stereo digital evaluations of CD ratio interchangeably to assess longitudinal progression in a multi‐clinician setting.