Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Awareness of incurable cancer status and health-related quality of life among advanced cancer patients: A prospective cohort study

Background: Many patients near death report an interest in knowing their prognoses. Patients’ awareness of disease status may lead to more appropriate care and maintained or improved quality of life. However, it is not known whether advanced cancer patients’ awareness of disease status is associated with patients’ quality of life. Aim: We aimed to examine the effect of patients’ awareness of disease status on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among advanced cancer patients undergoing palliative chemotherapy. Design: In this prospective cohort study, patients were followed-up at 4–6 weeks and 2–3 months after the initial palliative chemotherapy. Patients’ awareness of disease status, and demographic and clinical characteristics were assessed at baseline, and depression and anxiety using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and HRQOL using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) were assessed three times. Setting / participants: In total, 100 patients with advanced cancer starting palliative chemotherapy were recruited from two tertiary university hospitals and from the Korea National Cancer Center. Results: Patients with advanced cancer undergoing palliative chemotherapy experienced deteriorated HRQOL. Of these, the patients who were aware of their disease status as incurable had significantly higher role (p=0.002), emotional (p=0.025), and social functioning (p=0.002), and lower fatigue (p=0.008), appetite loss (p=0.039), constipation (p=0.032), financial difficulties (p=0.019), and anxiety (p=0.041) compared with patients unaware of disease status. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate the importance of patients’ awareness of disease status to HRQOL.
Change in Physical Activity and Sedentary Time Associated With 2-Year Weight Loss in Obese Adults With Osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND We examined if changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light activity, and sedentary behavior are related to weight change over a 2-year period in obese adults with/elevated risk for knee osteoarthritis. METHODS Weight, physical activity, and sedentary time at baseline and 2 years were obtained from 459 obese participants from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Weight change was categorized as ≥ 10 lbs, 5.0 to 9.9 lbs, 4.9 to -4.9 lbs, -5.0 to -9.9 lbs, and ≤ -10 lbs. We examined the association between 2-year weight change categories and changes in activity/sedentary time from accelerometer monitoring by multiple linear regression adjusted for baseline weight, demographic, and health factors. RESULTS Across the 5 weight categories (loss to gain), average 2-year change ranged from -7.4 to 28.0 sedentary minutes/ day, 4.2 to -23.1 light activity minutes/day, and 3.2 to -4.9 MVPA minutes/day, respectively. Higher weight loss categories were separately associated with increased MVPA (P for trend < 0.001) and less sedentary gain (P for trend = 0.01). Weight loss categories had a strong trend with light activity gain but not statistically significant (P for trend = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS Small increases in MVPA and decreases in sedentary time over 2 years were associated with weight loss among adults with obesity and with or at elevated risk for knee osteoarthritis.
Microaneurysm turnover in the macula is a biomarker for development of clinically significant macular edema in type 2 diabetes

The evolution and progression of diabetic retinopathy varies between individuals and does not necessarily progress to vision loss in every patient. However, it is difficult in clinical practice to predict the clinical course and to identify which eyes will develop vision- threatening complications, ie, clinically significant macular edema or proliferative retinopathy. There is a clear need to identify biomarkers of disease progression. Microaneurysm turnover computed automatically in digital color fundus photography images using the RetmarkerDR is a good biomarker for worsening of retinopathy and development of clinically significant macular edema. For long-term prediction (ten years), a microaneurysm formation rate higher than two per year predicts development of clinically significant macular edema. For short-term prediction (2 years), a microaneurysm turnover rate lower than nine indicates that development of clinically significant macular edema is highly unlikely.
Palliative care for people with non-malignant lung disease: Summary of current evidence and future direction

Background: The physical and psychosocial needs of patients with chronic non-malignant lung disease are comparable to those with lung cancer. This article will focus on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease and cystic fibrosis as examples of life-limiting, non-curable and non-malignant lung diseases. The need for supportive and palliative care: Recent national guidance has demanded that palliative care is inclusive of all patients with life-limiting disease, irrespective of diagnosis, and that specialist palliative care teams are involved in the management of patients on a basis of need rather than prognosis. What is known: Despite medical therapy, most patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease and cystic fibrosis experience pain, fatigue and dyspnoea, with the majority not getting relief from dyspnoea towards the end of life. Furthermore, dyspnoea causes social isolation and difficulty performing activities of daily living and impairs quality of life. There is an increasing evidence base for the assessment of supportive and palliative care needs, symptom interventions, prognostication, models of service delivery and implications of these for clinical practice and research in non-malignant lung diseases. What is unknown: Despite advances, much still remains unknown regarding assessment, management and prognostication in individual chronic non-malignant lung diseases. Although different service models are being used in clinical practice, the optimal model(s) of service delivery remain unknown. Implication for future research, policy and practice: We describe key areas for further research, which include the need for large, high-quality trials of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions and their combinations as well as evaluation of the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of models of care. As access to palliative care is poor for these patients, the barriers to referral need to be understood and reduced, which along with effective working between palliative care teams, with respiratory services backup, should optimise delivery of care in patients with life-limiting non-malignant lung disease.
Effect of Retraining Approach-Avoidance Tendencies on an Exercise Task: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND Promoting regular physical activity (PA) and lessening sedentary behaviors (SB) constitute a public health priority. Recent evidence suggests that PA and SB are not only related to reflective processes (eg, behavioral intentions), but also to impulsive approach-avoidance tendencies (IAAT). This study aims to test the effect of a computerized IAAT intervention on an exercise task. METHODS Participants (N = 115) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 experimental conditions, in which they were either trained to approach PA and avoid SB (ApPA-AvSB condition), to approach SB and avoid PA (ApSB-AvPA condition), or to approach and avoid PA and SB equally often (active control condition). The main outcome variable was the time spent carrying out a moderate intensity exercise task. RESULTS IAAT toward PA decreased in the ApSB-AvPA condition, tended to increase in the ApPA-AvSB condition, and remained stable in the control condition. Most importantly, the ApPA-AvSB manipulation led to more time spent exercising than the ApSB-AvPA condition. Sensitivity analyses excluding individuals who were highly physically active further revealed that participants in the ApPA-AvSB condition spent more time exercising than participants in the control condition. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide preliminary evidence that a single intervention session can successfully change impulsive approach tendencies toward PA and can increase the time devoted to an exercise task, especially among individuals who need to be more physically active. Potential implications for health behavior theories and behavior change interventions are outlined.
A score test for genetic class‐level association with nonlinear biomarker trajectories

Emerging data suggest that the genetic regulation of the biological response to inflammatory stress may be fundamentally different to the genetic underpinning of the homeostatic control (resting state) of the same biological measures. In this paper, we interrogate this hypothesis using a single‐SNP score test and a novel class‐level testing strategy to characterize protein‐coding gene and regulatory element‐level associations with longitudinal biomarker trajectories in response to stimulus. Using the proposed class‐level association score statistic for longitudinal data, which accounts for correlations induced by linkage disequilibrium, the genetic underpinnings of evoked dynamic changes in repeatedly measured biomarkers are investigated. The proposed method is applied to data on two biomarkers arising from the Genetics of Evoked Responses to Niacin and Endotoxemia study, a National Institutes of Health‐sponsored investigation of the genomics of inflammatory and metabolic responses during low‐grade endotoxemia. Our results suggest that the genetic basis of evoked inflammatory response is different than the genetic contributors to resting state, and several potentially novel loci are identified. A simulation study demonstrates appropriate control of type‐1 error rates, relative computational efficiency, and power. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Walking and the Perception of Neighborhood Attributes Among U.S. Adults-2012.

BACKGROUND The association between walking and environmental attributes depends on walking purpose. This study, based on a large survey of U.S. adults, examined the association between perceived neighborhood safety and built environment attributes, and walking for transportation and leisure. METHODS Data were obtained on transportation and leisure-time walking, perceived neighborhood safety and built environment attributes, and demographic characteristics from the summer wave of the 2012 ConsumerStyles survey of 3951 U.S. adults. Associations were examined by demographic characteristics. RESULTS Seventy-five percent of respondents reported walking for either transportation (54%) or leisure (56%) in the past week, 59% reported no safety concern, and 36% reported absence of any built environment attribute of walkability nearby. Respondents with more education, and those who lived in metropolitan areas were more likely to report built environment attributes supportive of walking. All built environment attributes examined, as well as safety concern due to speeding vehicles, were associated with walking after adjustment for demographic characteristics. CONCLUSION Walking, particularly for transportation, is associated with many built environment attributes among U.S. adults. These attributes may be important to consider when designing and modifying the built environment of communities, especially those which are less walkable.
Does Preschool Physical Activity and Electronic Media Use Predict Later Social and Emotional Skills at 6 to 8 Years? A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND Little is known about the associations of preschoolers' health behaviors with their later psychosocial wellbeing. This study investigates the association of 3- to 5-year-old children's physical activity and electronic media use with their later social-emotional skills (6-8 years). METHODS Data were collected in 2008-2009 and 2011-2012 for the Healthy Active Preschool and Primary Years (HAPPY) Study in metropolitan Melbourne. Participants were a random subsample (n = 108) of the 567 children at follow-up. Physical activity was objectively measured using ActiGraph GT1M accelerometers; electronic media use (television viewing, sedentary electronic games and active electronic games) was parent proxy-reported. Social and emotional skills were child-reported using the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory-Youth Version. Regression analyses controlled for sex, clustering by center of recruitment, and accelerometer wear time (for physical activity analyses). RESULTS Sedentary electronic games were positively associated with intrapersonal and stress management skills and total emotional quotient. Computer/internet use was inversely associated with interpersonal, and positively associated with stress management, skills. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that physical activity is not associated with children's psychosocial health while some types of electronic media use are. Future research should investigate the contexts in which preschoolers participate in these behaviors and potential causal mechanisms of associations.
The Essential Oil of Myrtus communis L. Produces a Non-Sedating Anxiolytic Effect in Mice Models of Anxiety

The myrtle shrub (Myrtus communis L., Myrtaceae) is rich in essential oils used in Ethiopian traditional medicine for the treatment of a variety of ailments, including anxiety. Anxiety is a common disorder that attacks many people in society and often accompanied by physiological sensations such as tachycardia, chest pain, shortness of breath, and insensitivity. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anxiolytic effect of the essential oil of M. communi s using different models of anxiety. Swiss Albino mice of either sex were randomly divided into six groups. Tween 80 (5%, v/v) in distilled water was administered to Group I and served as control. Group II was given diazepam (0.5 mg/kg, orally) suspended in Tween 80 and served as standard. Group III-VI were given the essential oil at doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Animals were then subjected to different anxiety tests, including elevated plus maze (EPM), stair case and open field. Parameters, among others, percentage of time spent in each arm and arm entries, number of steps climbed and number of rears, and number of crossings were then measured. Data were presented as mean ± SEM and analyzed by ANOVA followed by Tuckey posthoc test. In EPM studies, the essential oil at both 100 mg/kg (p<0.01) and 200 mg/kg (p<0.05), as well as diazepam (p<0.01) produced a significant increase in percentage of open arm time compared to controls. In the staircase setting, rearing was significantly decreased with 100 mg/kg (p<0.01) and 200 mg/kg (p<0.05) of the oil, and diazepam (p<0.05) relative to controls. However, at doses of 50 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg no detectable changes were noted on the measured parameters in both EPM and stair case models. The total number of entries into open field was comparable in all groups. At a dose of 100 mg/kg, the essential oil of M. communis showed better anxiolytic activity than the standard drug. The possible mechanism by which the oil showed the activity could be through GABA-related mechanisms. The present work, therefore, holds up the traditional use of the plant for the treatment of anxiety. Keywords : Myrtus communis , essential oil, anxiety, elevated plus maze, stair case, open field
Subgroup detection and sample size calculation with proportional hazards regression for survival data

In this paper, we propose a testing procedure for detecting and estimating the subgroup with an enhanced treatment effect in survival data analysis. Here, we consider a new proportional hazard model that includes a nonparametric component for the covariate effect in the control group and a subgroup‐treatment–interaction effect defined by a change plane. We develop a score‐type test for detecting the existence of the subgroup, which is doubly robust against misspecification of the baseline effect model or the propensity score but not both under mild assumptions for censoring. When the null hypothesis of no subgroup is rejected, the change‐plane parameters that define the subgroup can be estimated on the basis of supremum of the normalized score statistic. The asymptotic distributions of the proposed test statistic under the null and local alternative hypotheses are established. On the basis of established asymptotic distributions, we further propose a sample size calculation formula for detecting a given subgroup effect and derive a numerical algorithm for implementing the sample size calculation in clinical trial designs. The performance of the proposed approach is evaluated by simulation studies. An application to an AIDS clinical trial data is also given for illustration.
Biomarkers for the prediction of acute ongoing arterial plaque rupture

Correspondence: Jian-Jun Li Division of Dyslipidemia, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fu Wai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, People’s Republic of China Tel +86 10 883 96077 Fax +86 10 683 31730 Email lijnjn@yahoo.com. cn Abstract: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is the main cause of mortality for coronary artery disease (CAD). Accordingly, earlier detection and diagnosis might be a key point for reducing the mortality in patients with ACS. One promising strategy is biomarker measurement in patients with ACS. Biomarkers are generally considered to be plasma measurements of molecules, proteins, or enzymes that provide independent diagnostic and prognostic values that can reflect underlying disease state and condition, especially repeated measurements. Nowadays, the most widely used biomarkers to identify or predict ACS are high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and high sensitivity troponin T/I (hs-TnT/I). The aim of the present review was principally to summarize recent evidence regarding some new biomarkers by which we could directly predict acute ongoing arterial plaque rupture, which may help to identify at-risk patients earlier than hs -CRP or hs-TnT/I.
Diagnosing Faulty Functional Units in Processors by Using Automatically Generated Test Sets

Microprocessor technology is increasingly used for many applications; the large market volumes call for cost containment in the production phase. Process yield for processor production is, however, far from ideal. To increase it fault diagnosis is an important means, since it can allow both process characterization and product repair by the usage of backup resources. This paper presents a novel methodology to discriminate faulty modules, rather than gates, in a microprocessor based on the automatic construction of diagnostic software-based test sets. The approach exploits a post-production test set, designed for software-based self-test, and an infrastructure IP to perform the diagnosis. An initial diagnostic test set is built, and then iteratively refined resorting to an evolutionary method. Experimental results are reported in the paper showing the feasibility and effectiveness of the approach for an Intel i8051 processor core
An Optimized Simulation-Based Fault Injection and Test Vector Generation Using VHDL to Calculate Fault Coverage

A technique is described for the automatic insertion of fault models into VHDL gate models, using a specific algorithm to calculate fault coverage. This procedure does not require any modification to the structural description of a circuit using these models. Additional optimized algorithms are added to illustrate better calculation of fault coverage of a VHDL based combinational logic circuit.
A service evaluation of an integrated model of palliative care of cystic fibrosis

Background: Patients with advanced cystic fibrosis have severe symptoms with a complex trajectory of exacerbations and recovery. They are often awaiting lung transplantation, and many die without receiving specialist palliative care. Aim: We introduced an integrated model whereby palliative specialists joined the cystic fibrosis team to provide palliative care in parallel with standard care. Design: A service evaluation of this model of care was undertaken in a prospective case series documenting symptoms and outcomes, the views of the cystic fibrosis team and the experience of the palliative specialists. Setting/participants: Over 3 years, 28 (10%) of 282 patients attending the cystic fibrosis centre had specialist palliative care. Results: They had advanced lung disease (mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) = 0.86 L (25% predicted)), and 17 died: 6 were on a transplant waiting list at death; 10 were unsuitable and 1 died post transplantation. All who died over these 3 years had specialist palliative care. Four patients had successful transplants. Assessment showed a high prevalence of breathlessness, cough, pain, vomiting and fatigue, with a significant impact on daily life. The cystic fibrosis team rated this model of care highly, felt that palliative care should be members of the team, and thought that patients had found it helpful. The palliative specialists gained knowledge of cystic fibrosis, found it beneficial to meet patients earlier in the disease, and identified unmet needs in managing bereavement and the effects of deaths on other patients with cystic fibrosis. Conclusion: This model has been successful in overcoming the difficulties in access to specialist palliative care for patients with cystic fibrosis.
Reliability of the 7-Day Physical Activity Recall in a Biracial Group of Inactive and Active Adults.

BACKGROUND Physical activity recall (PAR) reliability was estimated in a three-site sample of African American and white adults. The sample was sedentary at baseline and more varied in physical activity 24 months later. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to estimate the number of PAR assessments necessary to obtain a reliability of 0.70 at both timepoints. METHODS The PAR was administered ≤ 30 d apart at baseline (n = 547) and 24 months (n = 648). Energy expenditure ICC was calculated by race, gender, and age. RESULTS Baseline reliability was low for all groups with 4-16 PARs estimated to attain reliable data. ICCs at 24 months were similar (ICC = 0.54-0.55) for race and age group, with 2-3 PARs estimated to reach acceptable reliability. At 24 months, women were more reliable reporters than men. CONCLUSION Low sample variability in activity reduced reliability, highlighting the importance of evaluating diverse groups. Despite evaluating a sample with greater physical activity variability, an estimated 2-3 PARs were necessary to obtain acceptable reliability.