Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Prospective Study of the Relationship between Psychological Factors and Breast Cancer

Objective: This cross-sectional prospective study aimed to explore the relationship between psychological factors and breast cancer incidence. Methods: The subjects who scheduled to receive mammography screening were recruited from a medical center′s outpatient department in Taiwan. Psychological factors used for measurement were stress, anxiety, and depression. Results: A total of 1160 questionnaires were completed, which underwent statistical analysis using independent t-test, Chi-square test, Pearson′s correlation, and multiple logistic regression. There were statistically significant differences in the average scores of the two groups with and without breast cancer for psychological factors of anxiety (t = −2.071; P = 0.039), depression (t = −3.035; P = 0.002), and stress (t = −4.087; P < 0.001). The crude odds ratio of the two groups showed that subjects with borderline anxiety were 2.576 times ( P = 0.001) more likely to have breast cancer as compared to subjects with no anxiety. Subjects with depression were 4.078 times (P = 0.03) more likely to have breast cancer as compared to subjects with no depression. Every point added to the average total stress score increased the additional risk of breast cancer by 1.124 times (P < 0.001). Conclusions: After making adjustments on educational factors, the results conclude that psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression can be considered predictors of breast cancer risk. To prevent and control breast cancer in women, the findings suggest that nurses should consider adding emphasis on psychological factors in women′s health education.
Spontaneous resolution of a midtrimester dilated cervix with expectant management guided by quantitative foetal fibronectin results

History A 38-year-old Caucasian woman at 25  1 weeks’ gestation with a history of three previous spontaneous miscarriages at 6, 7 and 12 weeks’ gestation was admitted to the antenatal ward with complaints of mild abdominal tightening. She had no associated vaginal bleeding or discharge. Her pregnancy had otherwise been uneventful. Upon speculum examination, her cervix was observed to be dilated by 3 cm with bulging foetal membranes. A cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) quantitative foetal fibronectin (qfFN) test was performed which was marginally raised (83 ng/mL). Threatened preterm labour was diagnosed. The patient’s symptoms settled overnight and the case was managed expectantly. Cervical cerclage was not performed in view of the gestation. Two doses of dexamethasone were administered. Her urine dipstick analysis was negative. She was admitted to the antenatal ward where she remained asymptomatic. Twelve days after admission her qfFN test was repeated, and qfFN concentration was very low (4 ng/ml). At this time the cervix was closed, measuring 30–33 mm. She was discharged at 27  3 weeks’ gestation with a plan to be assessed weekly at clinic until delivery. Her qfFN concentration remained low during her weekly follow-up visits, although there was funnelling of the cervix noted with application of suprapubic pressure (Figure 1). A plan was introduced to induce labour at 37 weeks’ gestation, following concerns over foetal heart rate decelerations detected after reduced foetal movements. The patient delivered a 6.4-lb boy with assistance of ventouse, with Apgar scores of 9 at 1 min and 10 at 5 min. The umbilical cord had a true knot. The infant was jaundiced and required ultraviolet therapy. Mother and child were discharged three days after delivery and were both well.
GWAS-based pathway analysis differentiates between fluid and crystallized intelligence

Cognitive abilities vary among people. About 40–50% of this variability is due to general intelligence (g), which reflects the positive correlation among individuals' scores on diverse cognitive ability tests. g is positively correlated with many life outcomes, such as education, occupational status and health, motivating the investigation of its underlying biology. In psychometric research, a distinction is made between general fluid intelligence (gF) – the ability to reason in novel situations – and general crystallized intelligence (gC) – the ability to apply acquired knowledge. This distinction is supported by developmental and cognitive neuroscience studies. Classical epidemiological studies and recent genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) have established that these cognitive traits have a large genetic component. However, no robust genetic associations have been published thus far due largely to the known polygenic nature of these traits and insufficient sample sizes. Here, using two GWAS datasets, in which the polygenicity of gF and gC traits was previously confirmed, a gene‐ and pathway‐based approach was undertaken with the aim of characterizing and differentiating their genetic architecture. Pathway analysis, using genes selected on the basis of relaxed criteria, revealed notable differences between these two traits. gF appeared to be characterized by genes affecting the quantity and quality of neurons and therefore neuronal efficiency, whereas long‐term depression (LTD) seemed to underlie gC. Thus, this study supports the gF–gC distinction at the genetic level and identifies functional annotations and pathways worthy of further investigation.
Easy in, Easy out

Alternative certification programs are now commonplace in the credentialing of new teachers. We complement the growing evidence base for these teachers by exploring their turnover patterns in four waves of the nationally representative Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS). We report on descriptive evidence of growing differences in the characteristics of alternatively and traditionally certified teachers and the schools in which they teach. Controlling for factors that predict higher turnover, we find that by the 2007–2008 school year, alternatively certified teachers were still more likely than traditionally certified teachers to leave the profession. We find some evidence that an increase in the number of organizational supports for new teachers may reduce the likelihood of turnover.
HEMATOLOGIC AND BIOCHEMICAL VALUES FOR SPANISH IBEX (CAPRA PYRENAICA) CAPTURED VIA DRIVE-NET AND BOX-TRAP

Between October 2002 and September 2004, 70 free-ranging Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica) were captured in Catalonia, northeastern Spain, using two different physical methods, drive-net (n=26) and box-trap (n=44). Blood samples were taken to determine 20 hematologic and 23 biochemical variables. Values obtained fell within already published reference intervals, with the following exceptions: higher values for red blood cells (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBC), eosinophil count, triglyceride concentration, creatine kinase (CK; in box-trap), chloride, sodium, α-1, α-2, and gamma electrophoretic fractions of serum proteins; and lower values for hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), urea concentration, CK (in drive-net), albumin, and albumin:globulins ratio (A:G). Published values for aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentration are both higher and lower than observed in this study. In our study, monocyte and eosinophil counts, as well as triglyceride and potassium concentrations, were lower in animals captured via box-trap than those captured via drive-net. Conversely, MCHC, neutrophil count, total bilirubin concentration, urea, and AST were higher in animals captured via box-trap. Hematologic and biochemical values obtained from Spanish ibexes show that the drive-net is a newer, less-stressful method of capture than the box-trap.
Accuracy of Immunofluorescence in the Diagnosis of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

Rationale: The standard approach to diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) in the United Kingdom consists of assessing ciliary function by high‐speed microscopy and ultrastructure by election microscopy, but equipment and expertise is not widely available internationally. The identification of biallelic disease‐causing mutations is also diagnostic, but many disease‐causing genes are unknown, and testing is not widely available outside the United States. Fluorescent antibodies to ciliary proteins are used to validate research genetic studies, but diagnostic utility in this disease has not been systematically evaluated. Objectives: To determine utility of a panel of six fluorescent labeled antibodies as a diagnostic tool for PCD. Methods: The study used immunofluorescent labeling of nasal brushings from a discovery cohort of 35 patients diagnosed with PCD by ciliary ultrastructure, and a diagnostic accuracy cohort of 386 patients referred with symptoms suggestive of disease. The results were compared with diagnostic outcome. Measurements and Main Results: Immunofluorescence correctly identified mislocalized or absent staining in 100% of the discovery cohort. In the diagnostic cohort immunofluorescence successfully identified 22 of 25 patients with PCD and normal staining in all 252 in whom PCD was considered highly unlikely. In addition, immunofluorescence provided a result in 55% (39) of cases that were previously inconclusive. Immunofluorescence results were available within 14 days, costing $187 per sample compared with electron microscopy (27 days; cost $1,452). Conclusions: Immunofluorescence is a highly specific diagnostic test for PCD, and it improves the speed and availability of diagnostic testing. However, sensitivity is limited and immunofluorescence is not suitable as a stand‐alone test.
Integration Site and Clonal Expansion in Human Chronic Retroviral Infection and Gene Therapy

Retroviral vectors have been successfully used therapeutically to restore expression of genes in a range of single-gene diseases, including several primary immunodeficiency disorders. Although clinical trials have shown remarkable results, there have also been a number of severe adverse events involving malignant outgrowth of a transformed clonal population. This clonal expansion is influenced by the integration site profile of the viral integrase, the transgene expressed, and the effect of the viral promoters on the neighbouring host genome. Infection with the pathogenic human retrovirus HTLV-1 also causes clonal expansion of cells containing an integrated HTLV-1 provirus. Although the majority of HTLV-1-infected people remain asymptomatic, up to 5% develop an aggressive T cell malignancy. In this review we discuss recent findings on the role of the genomic integration site in determining the clonality and the potential for malignant transformation of cells carrying integrated HTLV-1 or gene therapy vectors, and how these results have contributed to the understanding of HTLV-1 pathogenesis and to improvements in gene therapy vector safety.
Body composition changes induced by chronic ethanol abuse: evaluation by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry

OBJECTIVE:Nutritional disorders in alcoholics remain one of the most relevant medical problems in Western societies. As ethanol can supply >50% of the dietary energy in alcoholics, body composition alterations may easily occur. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of chronic alcohol consumption on body composition in alcoholics compared to healthy social drinkers.METHODS:A total of 34 alcoholics defined according to DSM III R criteria, aged 41.6 ± 9.3 yr and with a body mass index (BMI) 23.8 ± 3.2 kg/m2, were consecutively enrolled in the study. In addition, 43 healthy male social drinkers were used as controls. Body composition was assessed using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and dietary habits were determined by a 3-day food diary.RESULTS:Mean daily alcohol intake was 194 ± 62.4 g/day in alcoholics and 35.7 ± 5.2 in healthy subjects (p < 0.0001). Body weight did not differ between alcoholics and controls (70.1 ± 9.9 vs 71.8 ± 6.4 kg). Alcoholics had a lower percent body fat (PBF) than control subjects (18.7 ± 3.7 vs 23.9 ± 3.9%; p < 0.01), as well as a lower fat mass content (13.4 ± 3.8 vs 17.0 ± 3.7 kg; p < 0.01). BMI was highly correlated with PBF in the patient population studied (R = 0.79; p < 0.0001). Significantly higher waist-to-hip ratios were found in alcoholics than in healthy subjects (p < 0.01). No correlation was found between dose of ethanol or duration of alcohol abuse and any of the variables examined.CONCLUSIONS:Alcoholics showed a reduced fat mass and a good preservation of lean body mass with respect to control subjects, and duration of alcohol use and alcohol dose did not seem to influence body composition. These data suggest that, unlike control subjects, alcoholics cannot store the calories provided by ethanol as fat deposits.
A cluster randomized trial of strategies to increase uptake amongst young women invited for their first cervical screen: The STRATEGIC trial

Objectives To measure the feasibility and effectiveness of interventions to increase cervical screening uptake amongst young women. Methods A two-phase cluster randomized trial conducted in general practices in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. In Phase 1, women in practices randomized to intervention due for their first invitation to cervical screening received a pre-invitation leaflet and, separately, access to online booking. In Phase 2, non-attenders at six months were randomized to one of: vaginal self-sample kits sent unrequested or offered; timed appointments; nurse navigator; or the choice between nurse navigator or self-sample kits. Primary outcome was uplift in intervention vs. control practices, at 3 and 12 months post invitation. Results Phase 1 randomized 20,879 women. Neither pre-invitation leaflet nor online booking increased screening uptake by three months (18.8% pre-invitation leaflet vs. 19.2% control and 17.8% online booking vs. 17.2% control). Uptake was higher amongst human papillomavirus vaccinees at three months (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.69–2.53, p < 0.001). Phase 2 randomized 10,126 non-attenders, with 32–34 clusters for each intervention and 100 clusters as controls. Sending self-sample kits increased uptake at 12 months (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.20–1.91, p = 0.001), as did timed appointments (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.14–1.74, p = 0.001). The offer of a nurse navigator, a self-sample kits on request, and choice between timed appointments and nurse navigator were ineffective. Conclusions Amongst non-attenders, self-sample kits sent and timed appointments achieved an uplift in screening over the short term; longer term impact is less certain. Prior human papillomavirus vaccination was associated with increased screening uptake.
Cryptococcal Phospholipase B1 Is Required for Intracellular Proliferation and Control of Titan Cell Morphology during Macrophage Infection

ABSTRACT Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen and a leading cause of fungal-infection-related fatalities, especially in immunocompromised hosts. Several virulence factors are known to play a major role in the pathogenesis of cryptococcal infections, including the enzyme phospholipase B1 (Plb1). Compared to other well-studied Cryptococcus neoformans virulence factors such as the polysaccharide capsule and melanin production, very little is known about the contribution of Plb1 to cryptococcal virulence. Phospholipase B1 is a phospholipid-modifying enzyme that has been implicated in multiple stages of cryptococcal pathogenesis, including initiation and persistence of pulmonary infection and dissemination to the central nervous system, but the underlying reason for these phenotypes remains unknown. Here we demonstrate that a Δplb1 knockout strain of C. neoformans has a profound defect in intracellular growth within host macrophages. This defect is due to a combination of a 50% decrease in proliferation and a 2-fold increase in cryptococcal killing within the phagosome. In addition, we show for the first time that the Δplb1 strain undergoes a morphological change during in vitro and in vivo intracellular infection, resulting in a subpopulation of very large titan cells, which may arise as a result of the attenuated mutant's inability to cope within the macrophage.
Neuroaetiology of chronic fatigue syndrome: An overview

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is now recognized as a medial disorder. In contrast to recent related reports, the present review focuses primarily on aetiological aspects of CFS. Four major hypotheses are reviewed. (1) Although CFS is often associated with viral infection, the presence of viruses has as yet not consistently been detected. (2) It is not clear whether anomalies of the HPA axis often observed in CFS, are cause or the consequences of the disorder. (3) Immune dysfunction as the cause of CFS is thus far the weakest hypothesis. (4) The psychiatric and psychosocial hypothesis denies the existence of CFS as a disease entity. Accordingly, the fatigue symptoms are assumed to be the consequence of other (somatic) diseases. Other possible causes of CFS are oxidative stress and genetic predisposition. In CFS cognitive behavioural therapy is most commonly used. This therapy, however, appears to be ineffective in many patients. The suggested causes of CFS and the divergent reactions to therapy may be explained by the lack of recognition of subgroups. Identification of subtypes may lead to more effective therapeutic interventions.
Immune Responses in the Central Nervous System Are Anatomically Segregated in a Non-Human Primate Model of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) accesses the central nervous system (CNS) early during infection, leading to HIV-associated cognitive impairment and establishment of a viral reservoir. Here, we describe a dichotomy in inflammatory responses in different CNS regions in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected macaques, a model for HIV infection. We found increased expression of inflammatory genes and perivascular leukocyte infiltration in the midbrain of SIV-infected macaques. Conversely, the frontal lobe showed downregulation of inflammatory genes associated with interferon-γ and interleukin-6 pathways, and absence of perivascular cuffing. These immunologic alterations were not accompanied by differences in SIV transcriptional activity within the tissue. Altered expression of genes associated with neurotoxicity was observed in both midbrain and frontal lobe. The segregation of inflammatory responses to specific regions of the CNS may both account for HIV-associated neurological symptoms and constitute a critical hurdle for HIV eradication by shielding the CNS viral reservoir from antiviral immunity.
PULSED ADMINISTRATION OF CORTICOSTEROIDS IN THE TREATMENT OF ALOPECIA AREATA

Background. Widespread alopecia areata (AA) is difficult to treat and modalities such as topical and systemic steroids, topical sensitizers (e.g., squaric acid dibutylester and diphencyprone), psoralen‐ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy, minoxidil, and immunomodulators have been tried.
Covariate-adjusted measures of discrimination for survival data

Discrimination statistics describe the ability of a survival model to assign higher risks to individuals who experience earlier events: examples are Harrell's C‐index and Royston and Sauerbrei's D, which we call the D‐index. Prognostic covariates whose distributions are controlled by the study design (e.g. age and sex) influence discrimination and can make it difficult to compare model discrimination between studies. Although covariate adjustment is a standard procedure for quantifying disease‐risk factor associations, there are no covariate adjustment methods for discrimination statistics in censored survival data.
Team member’s perceptions on a sex offender reentry court’s failure to launch: a pilot study

ABSTRACT Convicted sex offenders released from prison compared to non-sex offenders face a unique reentry environment that is a challenging undertaking for the criminal justice and community agencies that manage them. In order to coordinate multi-agency sex offender management, some states have turned to the courts to bring together these agencies with disparate missions and responsibilities. But, not all efforts at coordination are successful. This pilot study, using qualitative retrospective interviews with stakeholders, examined a cancelled sex offender reentry court, Title 33, to uncover why this innovation failed. The thematic analysis results showed that Title 33 was unable to successfully implement many best practices, which ultimately contributed to its failure.
Extending modularity by incorporating distance functions in the null model

Modularity is a widely used measure for evaluating community structure in networks. The definition of modularity involves a comparison of the fraction of within-community edges in the observed network and a null model. In the original definition the null model only considers the node degree to rewire edges randomly, failing to be a good representation of many real-world networks. To handle this problem, we incorporate distance functions in the null model to facilitate edges between certain nodes while respecting the degree factor. This enables us to create a framework for generating appropriate modularities adapted to various networks.
Career Indecision in China

This study explored the measurement equivalence of the Career Indecision Profile (CIP) in a Chinese sample with both U.S. and South Korean samples. Past measurement invariance research on the CIP in four international samples (Icelandic young adults, Italian adolescents, French-speaking young adults, and South Korean adolescents) has supported a four-factor structure in the U.S. and in the three Western samples but not in the South Korean sample. Rather, a five-factor structure emerged in South Korea. This study sought to identify whether either the four- or five-factor structure would demonstrate suitable fit for a Chinese adolescent sample. Results indicated that the four-factor structure developed in the United States did not replicate in China, but the five-factor structure found in South Korea showed adequate fit. Additional analysis suggested full metric invariance on all five scales and scalar invariance on four of the five scales. These findings extend the past measurement invariance work with the CIP to suggest two potential ways with which to understand career indecision: a four-factor structure in Western cultures and a five-factor model in Eastern cultures. Future research needs are discussed.