Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Examination of Smoking-Related Behaviours and Self-Perceptions, and the Role of School Connectedness in Predicting Cigarette Use Among Students at an Ontario University

Background. Post-secondary institutions account for more smokers than any other occupational setting in Canada (Hammond, 2005). Unfortunately, little is known about tobacco use among this distinct population of students. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of smoking and patterns of cigarette use among undergraduates at the University of Waterloo. The current study also sought to investigate the role of school connectedness in predicting students’ smoking behaviours, and to explore the relation of student smoking status as determined by a behavoural measure and self-reported smoking status. Methods. A secondary analysis of data collected using the University of Waterloo Tobacco Use Survey (2004) was employed for this research. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, means, and percentages), non-parametric statistics (chi-square and Cohen’s kappa), principle components factor analysis and logistic regression in order to serve the exploratory purposes of the study. Results. Overall, 17.55% of the respondents reported current cigarette use (3.37% daily; 14.18% non-daily). Although most (85.5%) students’ self-perceptions remained as ‘nonsmokers who never smoke’ from university entrance to the study date, a greater proportion of students made a negative change in their self-perceived smoking status over this time period than a positive change (10.13% vs. 4.38%, respectively). Among students who perceived themselves as ‘nonsmokers who never smoke’ or ‘ex-smokers’ at university entrance, being more academically engaged predicted making a negative change in ones’ self-perceived smoking status (OR= 1.924, CI95= 1.064-3.480). Finally, the proportion of non-daily smokers differed between the two measures of smoking status. Many students classified as ‘occasional smokers’ using the behavioural measure actually perceived themselves as ‘nonsmokers who smoke sometimes’. Discussion. The results of this study provide valuable new insights into smoking among Canadian university students. Students who are more academically engaged may be at risk of initiating smoking, perhaps as a means of stress reduction. Furthermore, the adult measure of occasional smoking typically used in tobacco research may be insufficient to inform tobacco control efforts for this population as it results in different proportions of non-daily smokers when compared against students’ self-perceived smoking status. The findings of this exploratory research await replication with larger samples and different measures. Implications of the results for practice and further research are discussed. Conclusions. This strategy of assessing connectedness to school shows promise in predicting post-secondary students’ cigarette smoking behaviours. The results also provide support for continued investigation into the best ways to measure and assess current cigarette use in this unique population.
Preventable causes of death and factors associated with newborn survival at a university hospital in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

Introduction: The analysis of deaths occurred in the neonatal period and the association of these data to necropsy data are crucial to reduce infant mortality rate worldwide. Objective: To analyze the preventable causes of death and the factors associated with a higher risk of early newborn death. Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed with data about newborns that died during the neonatal period at a university hospital located in Curitiba; 314 cases of pediatric necropsies were selected, and preventable causes of death, survival time, sex, weight, gestational age, first- and fifth-minute Apgar score, cyanosis, acidosis, meconium aspiration, the need for oxygen resuscitation, cause of death and baseline disease were analyzed. Results: When considering only the cause of death, 300 cases (95.54%) would have preventable causes, but when analyzing the underlying disease, the number of cases decreased to 209 (66.56%). The most frequent cause of death was hypoxia (85%), and the main baseline disease was diffuse alveolar damage (52.9%). There was a positive association between these variables with survival time: cyanosis (p = 0.02), gestational age (p = 0.012), cause of death (p < 0.001), Apgar score < 6 (p < 0.001) and pH value (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The incidence of preventable causes of death is probably lower when analyzed concurrently with the underlying disease. Cyanosis, gestational age, cause of death, Apgar < 6 and arterial blood pH are associated with survival time of newborns.
Single Strand Break Repair

The DNA single-strand break repair (SSBR) protein XRCC1 is required for genetic stability and for embryonic viability. XRCC1 possesses two BRCA1 carboxyl-terminal (BRCT) protein interaction domains, denoted BRCT I and II. BRCT II is required for SSBR during G1 but is dispensable for this process during S/G2 and consequently for cell survival following DNA alkylation. Little is known about BRCT I, but this domain has attracted considerable interest because it is the site of a genetic polymorphism that epidemiological studies have associated with altered cancer risk. We report that the BRCT I domain comprises the evolutionarily conserved core of XRCC1 and that this domain is required for efficient SSBR during both G1 and S/G2 cell cycle phases and for cell survival following treatment with methyl methanesulfonate. However, the naturally occurring human polymorphism in BRCT I supported XRCC1-dependent SSBR and cell survival after DNA alkylation equally well. We conclude that while the BRCT I domain is critical for XRCC1 to maintain genetic integrity and cell survival, the polymorphism does not impact significantly on this function and therefore is unlikely to impact significantly on susceptibility to cancer.
Poor Mobilization of CD34+ Stem Cells Predicts Inferior Relapse and Survival Outcomes After Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma

Abstract 3000 Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) remains the standard upfront therapy of younger patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Identifying a prognostic threshold amount of mobilized CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (SC) may become an important modifiable parameter in the era of novel stem cell mobilization strategies. While poor mobilization of CD34+ cells has been shown to cause delays in hematopoietic recovery, the data on long-term clinical outcomes of patients with inferior CD34+ SC collection (‘under mobilizers’) are limited. We analyzed prospectively collected data on 239 adult patients with MM who underwent ASCT at our institution from 01/1996 to 12/2009. Fifty-one patients (21.3%) who collected less than 4 × 106/kg CD34+ SC were classified as ‘under mobilizers’ and were compared to the rest of the study population (n=188) who collected ≥ 4 × 106/kg CD34+ SC. Even though under mobilizers were slightly older (median 59 vs. 54 years, p =0.01), had longer time from diagnosis to ASCT (11 vs. 8 months, p =0.05), and required more days of leukapheresis (5 vs. 3 days, p 0.2). Median time-to-recovery for both neutrophils (11 vs. 10 days, p Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
THU0525 Counting Synovial Fluid Monosodium Urate Crystals May Be Useful in The Management of Patients with Gout

Background Gout is the most common form of arthritis, and its prevalence is increasing. The mainstay of its diagnosis is the identification of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the synovial fluid (SF) (1,2). In a recent study we tested a feasible and reliable technique for counting MSU crystals in the SF (3). This method could provide useful information for the management of patients with gout. Objectives To investigate correlations between MSU crystals count in SF and clinical characteristics of gout patients. Methods Forty-four consecutive patients (6 women) affected by gout diagnosed according to the ACR preliminary criteria were studied. Their SFs were examined: for crystal count, 20 ml of fresh SF were placed on a microscope slide and examined by compensated polarized microscopy (400x). The slide was divided into 4 equal parts drawing a cross with a pencil. Crystal count was obtained by continued viewing and in each quadrant the crystals were counted up to a maximum of 400 (maximum number of crystals/patient was 1600). Clinical information included: acute inflammation at the time of SF aspiration, disease duration, number of attacks, number of affected joints, presence of radiographic erosions, presence of tophi, chronic renal failure, type of antiinflammatory and urate lowering treatment (ULT), ESR, CRP, creatinine and serum uric acid (SUA). In five patients, crystal count was repeated after ULT. Results Mean age was 65.5±11.7 yrs and median disease duration was 6 years (range 0.1–35 years). Aspirated joints were the knee (40 SFs), elbow (1 SF), 1st metatarsophalangeal joint (2 SFs), and ankle (1 SF). Median crystal count was 273 (range 3–1600). Joints with recent (<1 week) inflammation tended to have a higher SF crystal count than the asymptomatic ones (491 [range 3–1600] vs. 100 [range 4–1600]; p=0.1). The number of crystals in the SF correlated with SUA (p=0.04), but not with ESR and CRP. No correlations were found with clinical features. In the 5 patients on ULT, mean MSU crystals count decreased from 871 to 473 (p=0.05). Conclusions SF MSU crystals count is not associated with the clinical features of gout, correlates with SUA, and decreases with ULT. References Doherty M. Rheumatology 2009; 48:ii2-ii8. Pascual E et al. Current Opinion in Rheumatology 2011; 23:161–69. Montagna P et al. Reumatismo 2015; 67(1):29–32 Disclosure of Interest None declared
Comparative study of analgesic effect of breastfeeding and oral sucrose in full-term newborns

Objective: To study the effects of breastfeeding (BF) and oral sucrose solution on pain due to intramuscular injection in newborns. Design: A prospective, interventional, randomized control study. Setting: Tertiary care hospital. Participants: Randomly selected 150 full-term vaginally delivered healthy newborns. Intervention: A total of 150 newborn infants were randomly divided into three groups. Out of 150 neonates, 50 were included in Group I as control group; 50 were included in Group II as intervention, in which 1 ml of 25% oral sucrose solution was given 2 min before the vaccination; 50 neonates were included in Group III as intervention group, in which BF started 2 min before vaccination and continued until the end of injection. Outcome Measure: The primary outcome of the study was to assess pain by premature infant pain profile (PIPP) score. Secondary outcome measured was changed in heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and crying time. Results: Mean PIPP scores were lower in the BF group (8.36) than in the sucrose solution group (11.06), and difference was significant (p 0.05). Conclusion: BF and oral sucrose both are equally efficacious in reducing crying time and physiological parameters (HR, SpO2) after intramuscular injection in neonatal period but desaturation was more observed in oral sucrose solution. Further, PIPP score is less in BF group. Thus, BF provides superior analgesia to oral sucrose in term newborns.
A randomized phase II study of a novel antigen-presenting cell-targeted hCG-{beta} vaccine (the CDX-1307 regimen) in muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

TPS228 Background: hCG-β is frequently expressed and correlates with poor prognosis in a number of common epithelial cancers (Iles 2007). Patients (pts) with invasive bladder cancer and elevated hCG-β levels are much more likely to develop metastasis and die earlier (Iles 1996). We have developed a dendritic cell-targeted vaccine, CDX-1307, by genetically coupling hCG-β to a human monoclonal antibody targeting mannose receptors. CDX-1307 efficiently stimulates both MHC-I and II hCG-β-specific T-cell responses in vitro (Ramakrishna 2004/2007). CDX-1307 has completed a phase I study to define an immunogenic regimen and safety profile for phase II studies. The study design included administration in combination with GM-CSF (GM), the TLR3 agonist Poly-ICLC (PIC), and/or the TLR7/8 agonist resiquimod (R), in pts with advanced cancers known to frequently express hCG-β (Morse, iSBTc 2009). Treatment was well tolerated with no DLT. Significant hCG-β–specific cellular and humoral immune responses were detected in .
Anesthesia, cytokines and cancer recurrence

Cytokines are essential mediators for the regulation of both innate and acquired immunity and hematopoiesis. They modulate immune cell signaling, activation, adhesion and functioning. They regulate the individual response to several insults such as infection, inflammation, trauma, and pain. Moreover, the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines is critical for the evolution of surgical complications and tumor progression. Several drugs, including anesthetic agents, influence cytokines secretion. Opioids, inhalational agents, intravenous and local anesthetics have shown different effects on immune system and cytokine expression. Therefore, anesthesia may play an important role in postoperative recovery and outcome of cancer patients. The aim of the present article is to review the main role of some important cytokines and the effect of anesthesia techniques and drugs on their secretion. Furthermore, current clinical evidence regarding the effects of anesthesia on cancer recurrence will be discussed.
Predisposing and Precipitating Factors Associated With Postoperative Delirium in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center: A Pilot Retrospective Analysis.

OBJECTIVE Patients treated at Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers are in poorer health, experience more medical and psychiatric conditions, and make greater use of medical resources than do patients in the general population. In the present pilot study, the authors examined their recent experience at a VA medical center to determine the incidence and risk factors associated with the development of postoperative delirium in VA patients after cardiac surgery and hypothesized that the risk factors for postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery are different between VA and non-VA patients. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center. PARTICIPANTS The study comprised 250 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery from July 2014 to March 2016. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Demographics, coexisting diseases, and medications were obtained from the VA electronic medical record. The European System for Cardiac Operative Evaluation II mortality risk index was calculated for each patient. The type and duration of the procedure and the duration of bypass were recorded. Intraoperative crystalloid, colloid, cell saver, and blood product volumes were compiled. Progress notes and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes were searched for documentation of postoperative delirium. Thirty-eight patients (15.2%) developed postoperative delirium. Stepwise logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the European System for Cardiac Operative Evaluation II mortality risk index (odds ratio [OR] 1.036, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.003-1.070]; p = 0.0344), congestive heart failure (OR 2.223 [95% CI 1.046-4.722]; p = 0.0377), pre-existing cognitive impairment (OR 5.147 [95% CI 1.994-13.28]; p = 0.0007), and the presence of a neuropsychiatric disorder (OR 2.015 [95% CI 1.004-4.043]; p = 0.0487) were predisposing factors associated with higher odds of postoperative delirium. The duration of surgery; transfusion of blood products (including packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets); the durations of mechanical ventilation and conscious sedation (using either propofol or dexmedetomidine); and the length of intensive care unit stay were precipitating factors associated with higher odds of postoperative delirium. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate that congestive heart failure, pre-existing cognitive impairment, and the presence of a neuropsychiatric disorder are predisposing risk factors for postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery in VA patients, whereas the duration of surgery, transfusion of blood products, durations of mechanical ventilation and conscious sedation, and length of intensive care unit stay are precipitating factors for postoperative delirium. These findings in VA patients generally are similar to those observed in the civilian population despite the differences between these cohorts.
Prospective assessment of loss to follow‐up: incidence and associated factors in a cohort of HIV‐positive adults in rural Tanzania

Lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) improves health outcomes for HIV‐positive individuals, but is jeopardized by irregular clinic attendance and hence poor adherence. Loss to follow‐up (LTFU) is typically defined retrospectively but this may lead to biased inferences. We assessed incidence of and factors associated with LTFU, prospectively and accounting for recurrent LTFU episodes, in the Kilombero and Ulanga Antiretroviral Cohort (KIULARCO) of HIV‐positive persons in rural Tanzania.
Lesões cervicais granulomatosas não estão associadas a brucelose bovina no Sul do Estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil

This study was conducted in Anchieta in the south of the state of Espírito Santo and aimed to investigate the presence of brucellosis in cattle slaughtered in a slaughterhouse inspected by the State Inspection Service (S.I.E) and the association between the lesions found in the cervical mucous membrane and the disease. Were collected 1081 blood samples in the period from February to August 2013, of these, 38 (3.5 %) specimens showed granulomatous lesions in the cervical mucous membrane type, cervical ligament and possibly the adjacent musculature. Of these, only 2 (5.26 %) samples were positive for brucellosis in rose Bengal test (AAT), however of the 1034 (95.6%) samples without injury 9 (0.86%) also showed positive in the AAT. To find out whether there was a association between the lesions found and the presence of brucellosis (P>0.05). These data do not explain the association of brucellosis with granulomatous lesions found along the cervical ligament in post-mortem inspection, which suggests the presence of an agent other than Brucella abortus.
Legacy and Current‐Use Contaminants in Sediments Alter Macroinvertebrate Communities in Southeastern US Streams

Sediment contamination of freshwater streams in urban areas is a recognized and growing concern. As a part of a comprehensive regional stream‐quality assessment, stream‐bed sediment was sampled from streams spanning a gradient of urban intensity in the Piedmont ecoregion of the southeastern United States. We evaluated relations between a broad suite of sediment contaminants (metals, current‐use pesticides, organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, brominated diphenyl ethers, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), ambient sediment toxicity, and macroinvertebrate communities from 76 sites. Sediment toxicity was evaluated by conducting whole‐sediment laboratory toxicity testing with the amphipod Hyalella azteca (for 28 d) and the midge Chironomus dilutus (for 10 d). Approximately one‐third of the sediment samples were identified as toxic for at least one test species endpoint, although concentrations of contaminants infrequently exceeded toxicity benchmarks. Ratios of contaminant concentrations relative to their benchmarks, both individually and as summed benchmark quotients, were explored on a carbon‐normalized and a dry‐weight basis. Invertebrate taxa measures from ecological surveys tended to decline with increasing urbanization and with sediment contamination. Toxicity test endpoints were more strongly related to sediment contamination than invertebrate community measures were. Sediment chemistry and sediment toxicity provided moderate and weak, respectively, explanatory power for the similarity/dissimilarity of invertebrate communities. The results indicate that current single‐chemical sediment benchmarks may underestimate the effects from mixtures of sediment contaminants experienced by lotic invertebrates. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1219–1232. Published 2020. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Polimorfizm genów poszczególnych składowych układu renina-angiotensyna-aldosteron a progresja przewlekłej choroby nerek Gene polymorphisms of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system components and the progression of chronic kidney diseases

Uklad renina-angiotensyna-aldosteron (RAA) uczestniczy w patogenezie nadciśnienia tetniczego oraz chorob sercowo-naczyniowych i chorob nerek. W ostatnich kilkunastu latach odkryto liczną grupe polimorfizmow genow kodujących poszczegolne skladowe ukladu RAA. Do najcześciej badanych nalezą polimorfizm typu insercja/delecja (I/D) genu enzymu konwertującego angiotensyne (ACE), polimorfizm M235T genu kodującego angiotensynogen oraz polimorfizm A1166C genu kodującego bialko receptorowe angiotensyny II.
The Relationships Between Recreational Drug Abuse and School Records Among Korean Adolescents

ABSTRACT Background: Recreational drug abuse control has long been a major goal of global health and social welfare organizations. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the possible associations between recreational drug abuse and Korean adolescents’ school records. Methods: In 2012, 74,186 seventh- through twelfth-grade students participated in the Eighth Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. Associations between recreational drug abuse and school records were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjusting for the covariates of age, body mass index, frequency of smoking, frequency of alcohol consumption, frequency of breakfast consumption, parents’ educational levels, family economic status, mental stress, physical activity frequency, and participation in muscular strength exercises. Results: The odds ratios (with 95% confidence intervals) for males who had used or were using recreational drugs and who had achieved average or higher than average school achievement according to their records, compared to males who had never used recreational drugs, were as follows: “almost never,” 1.026 (0.777–1.354; p = 0.858); “past use but no current use,” 0.990 (0.568–1.727; p = 0.972); and “currently using,” 0.732 (0.424–1.263; p = 0.262). The odds ratios (with 95% confidence intervals) for females were as follows: “almost never,” 0.804 (0.560–1.153; p = 0.235); “past use but no current use,” 0.771 (0.448–1.326; p = 0.347); and “currently using,” 0.932 (0.276–3.148; p = 0.910). Conclusions: Recreational drug abuse was associated neither positively nor negatively with Korean adolescents’ school records.