Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cisplatin, gemcitabine, and vinorelbine combination therapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase II randomized study of the Southern Italy Cooperative Oncology Group.

PURPOSE In a previous phase I study cisplatin (CDDP), gemcitabine (GEM), and vinorelbine (VNR) combination therapy was safe and very active in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study was aimed at better defining the activity and toxicity of this regimen. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred eleven chemotherapy-naive patients, age < or = 70 years, with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC and a performance status of 0 or 1 (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scale) were randomized to two treatment arms. Patients on arm A received CDDP 50 mg/m2, GEM 1,000 mg/m2, and VNR 25 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 of an every-3-weeks cycle (57 patients). Patients on arm B received CDDP 80 mg/m2, epirubicin 80 mg/m2, and vindesine 3 mg/m2, all delivered on day 1 every 4 weeks, plus lonidamine orally 150 mg three times daily (54 patients). In December 1996, randomization was stopped early, and an additional 30 patients were treated with the experimental regimen to obtain a more accurate estimation of its activity rate. RESULTS Among 87 patients who received the CDDP-GEM-VNR combination, four complete responses (CRs) and 46 partial responses (PRs) were observed, for an overall response rate of 57% (95% confidence interval [CI], 46% to 68%). Two CRs and 18 PRs were recorded among 54 patients on arm B, giving a 37% activity rate (95% CI , 24% to 51%). After a median follow-up duration of 19 months, the median progression-free and overall survival durations were 32 and 50 weeks in arm A, and 18 and 33 weeks in arm B, respectively. World Health Organization grade 3 to 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 46% and 14% of patients in arm A and in 22% and 11% of those in arm B, respectively. Severe nonhematologic toxicity was uncommon in both arms. CONCLUSION The CDDP-GEM-VNR combination is a highly effective treatment for patients with advanced NSCLC and has a manageable toxicity. A phase III trial comparing this new combination with both CDDP-VNR and CDDP-GEM regimens is underway.
Nonfamilial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Prevalence, Natural History, and Clinical Implications.

BACKGROUND Yield of causative variants in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is increased in some probands, suggesting different clinical subgroups of disease occur. We hypothesized that a negative family history and no sarcomere mutations represent a nonfamilial subgroup of HCM. We sought to determine the prevalence, natural history, and potential clinical implications of this nonfamilial subgroup of HCM. METHODS AND RESULTS Four hundred and thirteen unrelated probands with HCM seen in a specialized HCM center between 2002 and 2015 and genetic testing performed were included in this retrospective cohort study. There were 251 (61%) probands with no reported family history of HCM, including 166 (40% of total) probands with no sarcomere mutation, that is, nonfamilial HCM. Quantified family pedigree data revealed no difference in mean number of first-degree relatives screened between nonfamilial and sarcomere-positive groups. Adjusted predictors of nonfamilial status were older age (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.06; P=0.0001), male sex (odds ratio, 1.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-3.45; P=0.02), hypertension (odds ratio, 2.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.57-5.00; P=0.0005), and nonasymmetric septal morphology (odds ratio, 3.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.64-7.08; P=0.001). They had a less severe clinical course with greater event-free survival from major cardiac events (P=0.04) compared with sarcomere-positive HCM probands. Genotype prediction scores showed good performance in identifying genotype-positive patients (area under the curve, 0.71-0.75) and, in combination with pedigree characteristics, were further improved. CONCLUSIONS Approximately 40% of HCM probands have a nonfamilial subtype, with later onset and less severe clinical course. We propose a revised clinical pathway for management, highlighting the role of genetic testing, a detailed pedigree, and refined clinical surveillance recommendations for family members.
Serum levels of BAFF for assessing the disease activity of Takayasu arteritis.

OBJECTIVES Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic vasculitis that affects large elastic arteries. Monitoring of disease activity is crucial because the disease may progress despite treatment with glucocorticoids. Elevated levels of B cell activating factor belonging to TNF family (BAFF) have been observed in patients with autoimmune diseases. In this study, we investigated whether dysregulation of BAFF occurs in TA. METHODS Serum levels of BAFF were measured in sera from 9 patients with TA including 6 patients with follow up after induction therapy. RESULTS Circulating BAFF levels in TA patients were higher than in those in healthy subjects. The high levels of BAFF in active TA patients were decreased when the patients entered remission. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study to show elevated levels of BAFF in active TA patients. These findings suggest that this cytokine contributes to vasculitis in TA and raise the possibility that monitoring of serum BAFF might aid clinicians in making adequate treatment adjustments in TA patients.
Endocytic Recycling is Required for the Presentation of an Exogenous Peptide via MHC Class II Molecules

Exogenous antigenic peptides captured and presented in the context of major histocompatibility (MHC) class II molecules on APC, have been employed as potent vaccine reagents capable of activating cellular immune responses. Binding and presentation of select peptide via surface class II molecules has been reported. Here, a role for endocytosis and early endosomes in the presentation of exogenous peptides via MHC class II molecules is described. T cell recognition of a 14 amino acid human serum albumin‐derived peptide in the context of HLA‐DR4 was observed only with metabolically active APC. The delayed kinetics and temperature dependence of functional peptide presentation via APC, were consistent with a requirement for peptide internalization to early endosomal compartments prior to T cell recognition. Ablating endocytosis by exposing cells to inhibitors of ATP production completely blocked the display of functional peptide:class II complexes on the surface of the APC. Presentation of the peptide was also found to be sensitive to primaquine, a drug that perturbs the recycling of transport vesicles containing endocytic receptors and mature class II complexes. Functional presentation of the endocytosed peptide was dependent upon these mature class II complexes, as inhibitor studies ruled out a requirement for newly synthesized class II molecules. N‐terminal processing of the endocytosed peptide was observed upon trafficking through endosomal compartments and linked to the formation of functional peptide:class II complexes. These findings establish a novel mechanism for regulating class II‐restricted peptide presentation via the endocytic pathway.
Automatic ultrarapid activation and inhibition of cortical motor systems in spoken word comprehension

Significance The mechanisms through which our brain generates complex cognitive percepts from simple sensory and motor events remain unknown. An important question is whether the basic brain structures controlling movements and perceptions directly participate in higher-order cognitive processes such as language comprehension. Using neurophysiology, we found ultrarapid (starting at ∼80 ms) activations in the human motor cortex in response to unattended action-related verbs and nouns, with words related to different body parts activating corresponding body representations. Accompanying this category-specific activity was activation suppression by words with area-incompatible meaning, demonstrating operation of the neurophysiological principles of lateral/surround inhibition in language processing. These instant activations and deactivations emerging for words of different types in the absence of attention advocate automatic involvement of neural sensorimotor circuits in language comprehension. To address the hotly debated question of motor system involvement in language comprehension, we recorded neuromagnetic responses elicited in the human brain by unattended action-related spoken verbs and nouns and scrutinized their timecourse and neuroanatomical substrates. We found that already very early on, from ∼80 ms after disambiguation point when the words could be identified from the available acoustic information, both verbs and nouns produced characteristic somatotopic activations in the motor strip, with words related to different body parts activating the corresponding body representations. Strikingly, along with this category-specific activation, we observed suppression of motor-cortex activation by competitor words with incompatible semantics, documenting operation of the neurophysiological principles of lateral/surround inhibition in neural word processing. The extremely early onset of these activations and deactivations, their emergence in the absence of attention, and their similar presence for words of different lexical classes strongly suggest automatic involvement of motor-specific circuits in the perception of action-related language.
The Effect of Different Surface Preparation Techniques on the Survival Probabilities of Orthodontic Brackets Bonded to Nanofill Composite Resin

Objective To analyze the survival probabilities of different surface preparation techniques for bonding brackets to nanofill composite resin. Design In vitro, laboratory study. Setting Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. Materials and methods Thirty‐five nanofill composite resin specimens/group were subjected to four surface preparation techniques as follows: (1) sandblast using aluminium oxide powder of 90 μm; (2) abrasion using diamond bur; (3) hydrofluoric acid etching for 2 min; and (4) 37% orthophosphoric acid etching for 30 s. Plastic conditioner was applied then brackets were bonded. Shear bond strength tests were carried out on a universal testing machine. Main outcome measures Shear bond strength (MPa) and debonding force (N) were analyzed using Weibull analysis Results The maximum stress and debonding force levels with a 95% probability of survival ranking from highest to lowest were: (1) sandblast group (4·2 MPa, 45·5 N); (2) diamond bur group (2·2 MPa, 25·3 N); (3) orthophosphoric group (1·9 MPa, 19·8 N); and (4) hydrofluoric group (0·8 MPa, 10·9 N). There was a significant difference in the adhesive remnant index scores between the surface preparation techniques (chi squared P<0·001). Conclusion Bonding orthodontic brackets to nanofill composite resin materials may result in lower bond strengths and special surface preparation techniques might be required to avoid increased numbers of bond failures. Surface treatment with sandblasting followed by plastic conditioner could increase the survival probability. The use of a diamond bur, orthophosphoric etching or hydrofluoric etching cannot be recommended.
Heat, safety or solitude? Using habitat selection experiments to identify a lizard's priorities

Laboratory experiments with a rock-dwelling nocturnal gecko, Oedura lesueurii, showed that retreat-site selection (and other behaviours) are affected by the interplay between thermal benefits, social advantages and avoidance of predators. Velvet geckos were highly selective in habitat choice: they preferred artificial retreat-sites that mimic the thermal properties of natural rocks in full sun rather than those that mimic rocks in full shade; mature male geckos rarely shared retreat-sites with other adult males; and these lizards strongly avoided retreat-sites covered with the scent of a natural predator (the broadheaded snake, Hoplocephalus bungaroides). After documenting these preferences, we carried out additional trials in which two or more of these factors co-occurred, as is often the case in nature. Social dominance interacted with thermal benefits in determining retreat-site selection, with smaller (subordinate) males forced to use cooler retreat-sites when larger (dominant) males were present. Avoidance of predators was a higher priority than thermoregulation: the lizards would forego a warmer retreat-site with predator scent in favour of a cooler, unscented one. There was also an interplay between social dominance and predator scent: smaller males were forced to use either predator-scented retreat-sites or no retreat-site when larger males were present. General activity levels, and the frequencies of specific behavioural acts, also shifted in response to social and predator-scent cues. Our study emphasizes the complexity of habitat-selection behaviour in these lizards, and clarifies the criteria used in retreat-site selection when (as is commonly the case) the animal must choose between conflicting priorities. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
The Effect of Codes of Ethics and Personal Denial of Responsibility on Computer Abuse Judgments and Intentions

This research asks whether codes of ethics affect computer abuse judgments and intentions of information systems (IS) employees. Codes of ethics examined include both company codes of ethics and those written specifically to deal with IS issues. In addition, since the intent of codes of ethics is to clarify responsibility and deter unethical behavior, both the psychological trait of responsibility denial and its moderating effect on codes was studied. While company codes did not affect the computer abuse judgments and intentions of all IS personnel, they did affect those IS personnel who tend to deny responsibility, thus suggesting that company codes may clarify responsibility and reduce rationalizations for some people. Unlike company codes, IS-specific codes of ethics had a direct effect on computer sabotage judgments and intentions, but had no differential effect on those high in responsibility denial. Finally, responsibility denial was directly related to all computer abuse judgments and intentions studied. Overall, codes had little effect on computer abuse judgments and intentions relative to the psychological trait of responsibility denial.
Development and characterization of a multidistance and multiwavelength diffuse correlation spectroscopy system

Abstract. This paper presents a multidistance and multiwavelength diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) approach and its implementation to simultaneously measure the optical proprieties of deep tissue as well as the blood flow. The system consists of three long coherence length lasers at different wavelengths in the near-infrared, eight single-photon detectors, and a correlator board. With this approach, we collect both light intensity and DCS data at multiple distances and multiple wavelengths, which provide unique information to fit for all the parameters of interest: scattering, blood flow, and hemoglobin concentration. We present the characterization of the system and its validation with phantom measurements.
A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Evaluation of Multistem for the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke

Background There is growing interest in neurorestorative and reparative therapies after acute stroke. MultiStem® is an allogeneic cell therapy treatment comprising a population of multipotent adherent bone marrow cells that has shown safety in clinical trials of myocardial infarction and graft vs. host disease, as well as preclinical evidence of activity in stroke and other neurological damage models. MultiStem is now being evaluated in a clinical trial in patients that have suffered an ischemic stroke, in which the product is administered intravenously 24–36 h after the ischemic event. Methods The Phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter dose-escalation trial will consist of three treatment cohorts, including a placebo group, and two treatment groups involving dose tiers of either 400 million or 1200 million cells per patient. Patients will be treated at 24–36 h after stroke. The two primary objectives are to determine the highest well-tolerated and safe single dose of MultiStem up to a maximum of 1200 million total cells in subjects with ischemic stroke and to determine the efficacy of MultiStem on functional outcome in subjects with stroke as measured by the modified Rankin Scale at 90 days. Patients will also be evaluated using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and Barthel Index. The study will explore other aspects including, uniquely, the measurement of spleen size after stroke by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography imaging. Conclusions and future direction If MultiStem is safe and there is a signal of efficacy, a late stage phase IIb-III trial is planned.
Incidence of selected congenital malformations in Iowa.

Ray S (Dental Health Center 14th Ave. and Lake St. San Francisco Calif. 94118). Incidence of selected congenital malformations in Iowa. Amer J Epidem 94:572-584 1971. -- Congenital malformations diagnosed among 57909 live births and 777 late fetal deaths occurring in Iowa in 1963 were ascertained from hospital records certificates of live birth death and fetal death and records of the State Crippled Childrens Service. Anencephaly spina bifida hydrocephaly cleft lip cleft palate congenital heart disease Downs syndrome hypospadias congenital hip-dislocation reduction of deformities talipes equinovarus and polydactyly were selected for special analysis. Except for central nervous system (CNS) anomalies and talipes the incidence of these malformations tended to be high compared with other studies in which ascertainment was believed to be fairly complete. Sex ratios conformed to patterns previously reported. The incidence of some malformations was higher in births to women over 35 years of age than in births to younger women whereas the opposite was observed for other malformations. For the majority of malformations under consideration more than one-third of the cases were associated with other anomalies. First year survival rates were lowest for those infants with CNS anomalies or cardiac defects and highest for those with polydactyly hypospadias and congenital hip dislocation. (authors)
Leveraging the Benefits of Fan Page: From Like to Love

The popularity of Facebook has attracted attention from the small scale business in India and inspired a wide range of marketing activities aimed at utilizing this new platform i.e. brand fan page of Facebook. While using Facebook individuals like number of brands appearing on their news feed. The motivation for liking brands may be diverse for distinctive individuals. But whether liking a brand on fan page truly represents some emotional connection with the brand or not is still unexplored. This study aims to fill this gap by determining whether liking a brand on Facebook results into brand love or is it just a fad. Further, the paper attempts to find whether there exists a relationship between brand "liked" on the fan page and purchase intention, and if this in turn leads to positive word of mouth. A survey of Facebook users who engage with the brand of small scale companies by "liking" it was undertaken as part of the study. The five small scale companies were selected on the basis of their popularity on Facebook. Structural equation modeling was applied using the data collected from 311 survey respondents to arrive at relevant outcomes.
Levodopa improves physical fatigue in Parkinson's disease: A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover study

We quantitatively investigated the effect of carbidopa/levodopa (25/100) on physical fatigue during finger tapping and force generation in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled crossover study. Parkinson's disease (PD) subjects were randomly assigned to carbidopa/levodopa or placebo for Visit 1 or 2 and participated in the following two studies: (1) Finger tapping. Twenty‐five PD patients used their index fingers to strike two keys 20 cm apart on a musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) keyboard. The slopes of the regression line of dwell time and movement time were used to assess the rate of fatigue development. (2) Force generation. Twelve PD patients contracted the wrist extensors maximally to obtain a baseline maximum voluntary contraction (BMVC) force. Then they repetitively contracted the wrist extensors at 50% of the BMVC for 7 seconds and rested for 3 seconds. An interval maximum voluntary contraction (IMVC) was measured every three repetitions. Fatigue was defined as an IMVC of less than 60% of the BMVC. The slope of the regression line of IMVC was used to assess the rate of force decline. These two studies were repeated 1 hour after carbidopa/levodopa (25/100) or placebo. Subjects filled out the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) at the beginning of the first visit. Results showed that the slope of dwell time decreased with levodopa but not with placebo (P = 0.004). The rate of force decline also decreased with levodopa but not with placebo (P = 0.01). The subscores in the dimension of physical fatigue in the MFI did not correlate with the rate changes in dwell time or the rate changes in force decline. We concluded that (1) levodopa improves physical fatigue in finger tapping and force generation, (2) physical fatigue in Parkinson's disease is at least partially related to dopamine deficiency, and (3) the MFI measures different aspects of physical fatigue compared with those measured by finger tapping and force generation. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society
Empowerment, self and engagement in day center occupations: A longitudinal study among people with long-term mental illness

Abstract Background: Day centers are a common form of mental health service internationally. They are aimed at enhancing occupational engagement and social relations, but there is a need to clarify the outcomes of day center programs, including the impact on important aspects of recovery such as empowerment. Aims: The aim of this study was to explore whether perceived empowerment changed over time among Swedish day center users and whether self-esteem, quality of life, socio-demographic data and self-reported diagnosis, type of program and level of engagement in day center occupations could predict future empowerment. Method: The study involved a re-analysis of longitudinal data from 14 day centers, where measures of perceived empowerment and other individual factors were collected over a 15-month period. Non-parametric statistics were used, including Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test and logistic regression analysis. Results: There were no significant changes in day center attendee empowerment scores. Self-esteem and level of engagement in day center occupations were found to be predictors of empowerment, together explaining 34% of the variation. Conclusions: Developing empowerment in the day center context involves a complex interaction of individual, social and material factors. Potential barriers to empowerment are discussed along with considerations related to measuring empowerment as an outcome of day center programs.