Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combination chemotherapy versus single-agent therapy as first- and second-line treatment in metastatic breast cancer: a prospective randomized trial.

PURPOSE We report results of a randomized prospective study that compared single agents of low toxicity given both as the first-line and second-line chemotherapy with combination chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer with distant metastases. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients in the single-agent arm (n = 153) received weekly epirubicin (E) 20 mg/m2 until progression or until the cumulative dose of 1,000 mg/m2, followed by mitomycin (M) 8 mg/m2 every 4 weeks, and those in the combination chemotherapy arm (n = 150) were first given cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2, E 60 mg/m2, and fluorouracil 500 mg/m2 three times per week (CEF) followed by M 8 mg/m2 plus vinblastine (V) 6 mg/m2 every 4 weeks. Exclusion criteria included age greater than 70 years, World Health Organization (WHO) performance status greater than 2, prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease, and presence of liver metastases in patients younger than 50. RESULTS An objective response (complete [CR] or partial [PR]) was obtained in 55%, 48%, 16%, and 7% of patients treated with CEF, E, M, and MV, respectively. A response to CEF tended to last longer than a response to E (median, 12 v 10.5 months; P = .07). Treatment-related toxicity was less in the single-agent arm and quality-of-life (QOL) analysis favored the single-agent arm. No significant difference in time to progression or survival was found between the two arms. Similarly, no difference in survival was found when the patients who received both the planned first-and second-line treatments were compared or when survival was calculated from the beginning of the second-line therapy. CONCLUSION Patients treated with single-agent E followed by single-agent M had similar survival, but less treatment-related toxicity and better QOL as compared with those treated with CEF followed by MV.
DNA extraction from human urinary sediment

DNA was extracted from urinary sediments and was sufficient for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzymatic analysis, even if DNA from microorganisms coexisted. From urine samples, the yield of DNA ranged from trace levels to 20 μg per 10 mL urine. When urinary sediment was stored in ethanol, DNA remained stable for 2 weeks or more. Individual identification and sex determination could easily be performed using either fresh or ethanol‐fixed urine. In conclusion, urine can be used as a source for PCR‐based investigations and genetic studies. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 12:88–91, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Missing not at random models for masked clinical trials with dropouts

Background Missing data are an unavoidable problem in clinical trials. Most existing missing data approaches assume the missing data are missing at random. However, the missing at random assumption is often questionable when the real causes of missing data are not well known and cannot be tested from observed data. Methods We propose a specific missing not at random assumption, which we call masked missing not at random, which may be more plausible than missing at random for masked clinical trials. We formulate models for categorical and continuous outcomes under this assumption. Simulations are conducted to examine the finite sample performance of our methods and compare them with other methods. R code for the proposed methods is provided in supplementary materials. Results Simulation studies confirm that maximum likelihood methods assuming masked missing not at random outperform complete case analysis and maximum likelihood assuming missing at random when masked missing not at random is true. For the particular missing at random model where both of missing at random and masked missing not at random are satisfied, theory suggests that maximum likelihood assuming missing at random is at least as efficient as maximum likelihood assuming masked missing not at random. However, maximum likelihood assuming masked missing not at random is nearly as efficient as maximum likelihood assuming missing at random in our simulated settings. We also applied our methods to the TRial Of Preventing HYpertension study. The missing at random estimated treatment effect and its 95% confidence interval are robust to deviations from missing at random of the form implied by masked missing not at random. Conclusion Methods based on the masked missing not at random assumption are useful for masked clinical trials, either in their own right or to provide a form of sensitivity analysis for deviations from missing at random. Missing at random analysis might be favored on grounds of efficiency if the estimates based on masked missing not at random and missing at random are similar, but if the estimates are substantially different, the masked missing not at random estimates might be preferred because the mechanism is more plausible.
Multicenter Study of Voriconazole Pharmacokinetics and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

ABSTRACT Voriconazole is a first-line agent in the treatment of many invasive fungal infections and is known to display highly variable pharmacokinetics. Previous studies of voriconazole therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) have suggested concentration monitoring to be clinically useful but have been limited by small patient samples at a single institution. This multicenter retrospective study aimed to investigate relationships between voriconazole concentration and clinical outcomes and adverse events and to assess clinical factors and drug interactions that may affect voriconazole concentration. Medical records were reviewed for patients who received voriconazole and had at least 1 concentration measured at seven hospitals in Australia. The study included 201 patients with 783 voriconazole trough concentrations. Voriconazole concentrations of <1.7 mg/liter were associated with a significantly greater incidence of treatment failure (19/74 patients [26%]) than concentrations of ≥1.7 mg/liter (6/89 patients [7%]) (P < 0.01). Neurotoxic adverse events (visual and auditory hallucinations) occurred more frequently at voriconazole concentrations of >5 mg/liter (10/31 patients [32%]) than at concentrations of ≤5 mg/liter (2/170 patients [1.2%]) (P < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis of voriconazole concentration identified associations between increasing patient weight, oral administration of voriconazole, and coadministration of phenytoin or rifampin and significantly reduced concentrations, and associations between increasing patient age and coadministration of proton pump inhibitors and increased concentrations. Coadministration of glucocorticoids was found to significantly reduce voriconazole concentrations, inferring a previously unreported drug interaction between glucocorticoids and voriconazole.
Spacecraft Recognition in Co-Located Satellites Cluster Through Optical Measures

The optical orbit determination is one of the most important ways for noncooperative object tracking. One of the main problems with noncooperative object tracking is its recognition through different nights. In this study, the conditions that ensure the recognition of a geostationary satellite inside a cluster were assessed through a hard real case study. This study was developed through a three-phase approach. The first phase was the observation campaign for the images acquisition. The second phase was the image's astrometric reduction for the data collection and the third phase was the orbit determination and data analyses. To evaluate the recognition ability, the residuals between the celestial coordinates obtained from the propagated orbit, which was carried out from the fitting between first night data and the environment gravity model through a least squares approach, and the measures collected during the second night were assessed. This approach, which is totally independent from the satellite cooperation actions, can be extended to the space debris recognition during different nights.
Antibacterial activity of Sonoran propolis and some of its constituents against clinically significant Vibrio species.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-Vibrio activity of propolis collected from three different areas of the Sonoran Desert in northwestern, Mexico [Pueblo de Alamos (PAP), Ures (UP), and Caborca (CP)]. The anti-Vibrio spp. activity of Sonoran propolis was determined by the broth microdilution method. UP propolis showed the highest antibacterial activity [minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC(50))<50 μg mL(-1)] against Vibrio spp. (UP>CP>PAP). UP propolis significantly inhibited the growth of Vibrio cholerae O1 serotype Inaba (MIC(50)<50 μg mL(-1)), V. cholerae non-O1 (MIC(50)<50 μg mL(-1)), V. vulnificus (MIC(50)<50 μg mL(-1)), and V. cholerae O1 serotype Ogawa (MIC(50) 100 μg mL(-1)), in a concentration-dependent manner. The UP propolis constituents, galangin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), exhibited a potent growth inhibitory activity (MIC(50) 0.05-0.1 mmol l(-1)) against V. cholerae strains (non-O1 and serotype Ogawa). The strong anti-Vibrio activity of Sonoran propolis and some of its chemical constituents (galangin and CAPE) support further studies on the clinical applications of this natural bee product against different Vibrio spp. , mainly V. cholerae.
CO2 output and energy balance of hereditary obese mice.

The total CO2 outputs of young adult hereditary obese-hyperglycemic mice were measured over 2-day periods by means of the D2O18 method, and were found to be significantly higher than those of litter-mate controls. Since it had previously been postulated that the development of obesity in these animals was related in large part to a decreased total energy output, the energy balance of growing obese and normal mice was then studied. Food consumption, weight gains, and total CO2 outputs were determined at the ages of 6, 9 and 12 weeks. The CO2 outputs, which reflect the energy outputs, were of approximately the same magnitude for the two groups at 6 and 9 weeks of age, but were greater for the obese at 12 weeks. Food consumption remained nearly constant for both groups. An energy balance from these data is contrasted with one previously postulated by another group for similar mice.
[Etiology of aseptic meningitis prevalent in Xuzhou].

BACKGROUND To find the pathogenic agents of aseptic meningitis prevalent in Xuzhou of Jiangsu province in 2001. METHODS The enterovirus (EV) was cultured from CSF of the patients and identified with anti-serum by neutralization test. Neutralization titer of antibody in paired sera from meningitis children was determined. EV RNA was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS Four strains of Coxsackievirus B5, 2 strains of Coxsackievirus B3 and 1 strain of Echovirus 7 were isolated from 22 CSF specimens. The isolation rate of virus was 31.8% (7/22), 21 CSF were tested by RT-PCR, the positive rate of EV RNA was 52.4% (11/21); 57.9% (11/19) of patients paired-sera had over 4 folds antibody rise or became seroconverted. CONCLUSION Enterovirus was the pathogenic agent of aseptic meningitis prevalent in Xuzhou of Jiangsu province, the main serotype of the virus was Coxsackievirus B5.
Rapid production of ulcerative disease of the colon in newly‐weaned guinea‐pigs by degraded carrageenan

In a dose‐response study, degraded carrageenan (Eucheuma spinosum) was supplied in the drinking fluid at 1,2 and 3% concentrations over two weeks to young adult guinea‐pigs. Ulceration of the large bowel was produced in 100% of animals, the severity and extent of damage probably being dose‐related. In a time‐course study, 3% degraded carrageenan solution supplied to newly‐weaned guinea‐pigs produced in 100% of animals ulceration in the caecum by four days and in the ascending colon by seven days. The onset of ulceration occurred as early as the second day. This model is convenient and economic for the screening of drugs of potential therapeutic value in human ulcerative colitis.
When gender matters: new insights into the relationships between social systems and the genetic structure of human populations

Due to its important effects on the ecological dynamics and the genetic structure of species, biologists have long been interested in gender‐biased dispersal, a condition where one gender is more prone to move from the natal site. More recently, this topic has attracted a great attention from human evolutionary geneticists. Considering the close relations between residential rules and social structure, gender‐biased dispersal is, in fact, regarded as an important case study concerning the effects of socio‐cultural factors on human genetic variation. It all started with the seminal paper by Mark Seielstad, Erich Minch and Luigi Luca Cavalli Sforza from Stanford University (Seielstad et al. 1998). They observed a larger differentiation for Y‐chromosome than mitochondrial DNA between extant human populations, purportedly a consequence of the prevalence of long‐term patrilocality in human societies. Subsequent studies, however, have highlighted the need to consider geographically close and culturally homogeneous groups, disentangle signals due to different peopling events and obtain unbiased estimates of genetic diversity. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, not only do Marks et al. (2012) adopt an experimental design which addresses these concerns, but they also take a further and important step forward by integrating the genetic analysis of two distant populations, the Basotho and Spanish, with data regarding migration rates and matrimonial distances. Using both empirical evidence and simulations, the authors show that female‐biased migration due to patrilocality might shape the genetic structure of human populations only at short ranges and under substantial differences in migration rates between genders. Providing a quantitative framework for future studies of the effects of residential rules on the human genome, this study paves the way for further developments in the field. On a wider perspective, Marks et al.'s work demonstrates the power of approaches which integrate biological, cultural and demographic lines of evidence in the study of relations between social and genetic structures of human populations.
Highly Efficient Computation of Generalized Inverse of a Matrix

We propose a hyperpower iteration for numerical computation of the outer generalized inverse of a matrix which achieves the 18th order of convergence by using only seven matrix multiplication per iteration loop. This is the record high efficiency for that computational task. The algorithm has a relatively mild numerical instability, and we stabilize it at the price of adding one extra matrix multiplication per iteration loop. This imlplies an efficiency index that significantly exceeds the known record for numerically stable iterations for this task. Our numerical tests cover a variety of examples such as Drazin case, rectangular case, and preconditioning of linear systems. The test results are in good accordance with our formal study and indicate that our algorithms can be of interest for the user.
Quantifying charge transfer energies at donor–acceptor interfaces in small-molecule solar cells with constrained DFTB and spectroscopic methods

Charge transfer states around the donor–acceptor interface in an organic solar cell determine the device performance in terms of the open circuit voltage. In the present work, we propose a computational scheme based on constrained density functional tight binding theory (c-DFTB) to assess the energy of the lowest charge transfer (CT) state in such systems. A comparison of the c-DFTB scheme with Hartree–Fock based configuration interaction of singles (CIS) and with time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) using the hybrid functional B3LYP reveals that CIS and c-DFTB reproduce the correct Coulomb asymptotics between cationic donor and anionic acceptor configurations, whereas TD-DFT gives a qualitatively wrong excitation energy. Together with an embedding scheme accounting for the polarizable medium, this c-DFTB scheme is applied to several donor–acceptor combinations used in molecular solar cells. The external quantum efficiency of photovoltaic cells based on zinc phthalocyanine–C60 blends reveals a CT band remaining much narrower than the density of states of acceptor HOMO and donor LUMO, an observation which can be interpreted in a natural way in terms of Marcus transfer theory. A detailed comparison with c-DFTB calculations reveals an energy difference of 0.32 eV between calculated and observed absorption from the electronic ground state into the CT state. In a blend of a functionalized thiophene and C60, the photoluminescence spectra differ significantly from neat films, allowing again an assignment to CT states. The proposed computational scheme reproduces the observed trends of the observed open circuit voltages in photovoltaic devices relying on several donor–acceptor blends, finding an offset of 1.16 eV on average. This value is similar as in polymer–fullerene photovoltaic systems where it amounts to about 0.9 eV, indicating that the photophysics of CT states in molecular donor–acceptor blends and in polymer–fullerene blends are governed by the same mechanisms.
Microstructural white-matter abnormalities associated with treatment resistance, severity and duration of illness in major depression

Background Although white-matter abnormalities have been reported in middle-aged patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), few data are available on treatment-resistant MDD and the influence of relevant variables related to clinical burden of illness is far from being well established. Method The present study examined white-matter microstructure in a sample of 52 patients with MDD in different stages (treatment-resistant/chronic MDD, n = 18; remitted-recurrent MDD, n = 15; first-episode MDD, n = 19) and 17 healthy controls, using diffusion tensor imaging with a tract-based spatial statistics approach. Groups were comparable in age and gender distribution, and results were corrected for familywise error (FWE) rate. Results Widespread significant reductions of fractional anisotropy (FA) – including the cingulum, corpus callosum, superior and inferior longitudinal fascicule – were evident in treatment-resistant/chronic MDD compared with first-episode MDD and controls (p < 0.05, FWE-corrected). Decreased FA was observed within the ventromedial prefrontal region in treatment-resistant/chronic MDD even when compared with the remitted-recurrent MDD group (p < 0.05, FWE-corrected). Longer duration of illness (β = –0.49, p = 0.04) and higher depression severity (at a trend level: β = –0.26, p = 0.06) predicted lower FA in linear multiple regression analysis at the whole-brain level. The number of previous episodes and severity of symptoms were significant predictors when focused on the ventromedial prefrontal area (β = −0.28, p = 0.04; and β = −0.29, p = 0.03, respectively). Medication effects were controlled for in the analyses and results remained unaltered. Conclusions Our findings support the notion that disruptions of white-matter microstructure, particularly in fronto-limbic networks, are associated with resistance to treatment and higher current and past burden of depression.
Ubiquitous Learning Grid: self-building knowledge in cross-boundary virtual learning communities

Recent advances in Information and Communication Technologies, especially web technology, mean not only that e-learning is unlimited in location of computers, but also that learners can study in the virtual learning environment. This situation may present some problems, such as social skills, personalisation/individualisation, self-regulated learning skills and communication problem. To resolve these problems, this study provides a cyclic model of self-building knowledge conversion including learning community, learning resource and realistic world. This model provides a Ubiquitous Learning Grid service. With this service, learners will desire to become knowledgeable through sharing, exchanging, communicating and discussing with other members of the community.
A Mechanism of resource control in TOCF(Transport Overlay Control Function) architecture for IPTV service in NGN

SON (Service Overlay Network) is an effective mechanism to support end-to-end QoS guaranteed contents delivery service for IPTV service in NGN. The advantage of the SON architecture is to reduce the complexity of network control and management. So the SON can help to provide end-to-end QoS to users. To provide SON service, the provider has to purchase bandwidth and QoS guarantees from the corresponding network infrastructure owners via SLA (Service Level Agreements). We suggest the enhanced SON mechanism, called DSON (Dynamic Service Overlay Network) to provide dynamic service control and adaptive bandwidth based on the RACF system in NGN.
Silver Nanoaggregates on Chitosan Functionalized Graphene Oxide for High-Performance Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

Herein we describe a self-assembly synthesis of graphene oxide/Ag nanoparticles nano-composites (GO/CS/AgNPs) by non-covalent attachment of AgNPs to chitosan (CS) functionalized graphene oxide (GO) sheets. The negatively charged AgNPs are prone to form aggregates on GO/CS via electrostatic interaction, which is extremely beneficial to the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection of aromatic molecules. Taking advantage of the enrichment of target molecules on GO, the obtained hybrids exhibit strong SERS activity to aromatic molecules (trypan blue and methylene blue). Furthermore, SERS signals of a negatively charged molecule (trypan blue) are stronger than signals of a positively charged molecule (methylene blue) due to the different adsorption capacity of GO/CS/AgNPs for the two opposite charged molecules through electrostatic interaction. Moreover, GO/CS/AgNPs remarkably enhance the main peaks of l-phenylalanine, in comparison with the silver nanoparticles, showing great potential for biomedical applications.
Coprisin exerts antibacterial effects by inducing apoptosis‐like death in Escherichia coli

Apoptosis commonly occurs in eukaryotes to eliminate unwanted cells. In this study, we demonstrated that coprisin‐treated bacteria undergo cell death that is mechanistically and morphologically similar to apoptosis in eukaryotes. Time‐kill kinetic assay against Escherichia coli indicated that coprisin exerted bactericidal activity. The bactericidal mechanism was studied by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling analysis, followed by Western blotting. We confirmed coprisin‐induced DNA fragmentation and activation of the RecA protein as a SOS response. Furthermore, FITC‐VAD‐FMK, FITC‐Annexin V, and bis‐(1,3‐dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethineoxonol [DiBAC4(3)] staining showed that caspase‐like protein(s), such as RecA, were activated, and membrane alterations such as phosphatidylserine externalization and cytoplasmic depolarization were induced. Finally, 3′‐(p‐hydroxyphenyl) fluorescein assay indicated that depolarization of membrane potential leads to hydroxyl radicals (•OH) formation. Based on these results, we conclude that coprisin exerts bactericidal activity against E. coli by causing severe DNA damage, which induces apoptosis‐like death. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 68(1):72–78, 2016
Effect of pulsed electromagnetic energy (Diapulse) on experimental hematomas.

ALTHOUGH the therapeutic value to be de¬ rived from the use of pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic energy in medicine is not gen¬ erally accepted,13 it would appear that it is of possible value in certain circumstances6*8 and that its potential has not been investigated ade¬ quately.4" 5 Experiments were undertaken to discover whether such energy could have any effect upon hematomas as observed under controlled laboratory conditions.