Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Meta-analysis of concomitant versus sequential radiochemotherapy in locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE The previous individual patient data meta-analyses of chemotherapy in locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) showed that adding sequential or concomitant chemotherapy to radiotherapy improved survival. The NSCLC Collaborative Group performed a meta-analysis of randomized trials directly comparing concomitant versus sequential radiochemotherapy. METHODS Systematic searches for trials were undertaken, followed by central collection, checking, and reanalysis of updated individual patient data. Results from trials were combined using the stratified log-rank test to calculate pooled hazard ratios (HRs). The primary outcome was overall survival; secondary outcomes were progression-free survival, cumulative incidences of locoregional and distant progression, and acute toxicity. RESULTS Of seven eligible trials, data from six trials were received (1,205 patients, 92% of all randomly assigned patients). Median follow-up was 6 years. There was a significant benefit of concomitant radiochemotherapy on overall survival (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.95; P = .004), with an absolute benefit of 5.7% (from 18.1% to 23.8%) at 3 years and 4.5% at 5 years. For progression-free survival, the HR was 0.90 (95% CI, 0.79 to 1.01; P = .07). Concomitant treatment decreased locoregional progression (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.95; P = .01); its effect was not different from that of sequential treatment on distant progression (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.86 to 1.25; P = .69). Concomitant radiochemotherapy increased acute esophageal toxicity (grade 3-4) from 4% to 18% with a relative risk of 4.9 (95% CI, 3.1 to 7.8; P < .001). There was no significant difference regarding acute pulmonary toxicity. CONCLUSION Concomitant radiochemotherapy, as compared with sequential radiochemotherapy, improved survival of patients with locally advanced NSCLC, primarily because of a better locoregional control, but at the cost of manageable increased acute esophageal toxicity.
The Efficiency of Motion-Compensating Prediction for Hybrid Coding of Video Sequences

Performance bounds for generalized hybrid coding of video sequences with motion-compensating prediction are derived based on rate-distortion theory. It is shown that the spatial power spectrum of the motion-compensated prediction error can be calculated from the signal power spectrum and the displacement estimation error p.d. f. A spatial Wiener filter can improve the efficiency of motion-compensating prediction. Memoryless encoding of the motion-compensated prediction error and intraframe encoding of the motion-compensated prediction error are compared. An evaluation of the rate-distortion functions for a typical videoconference sampling format shows that for integer pel accuracy of the displacement estimate the additional gain by motion-compensating prediction over pure intraframe coding is limited to ∼ 0.8 bits/sample in moving areas. Required accuracies of the displacement estimate for a gain of motion-compensating interframe coding over intraframe coding are given.
Overview of the epidemiology of exercise immunology

The application of epidemiological methods to exercise immunology is reviewed briefly, with particular reference to the possible influences of physical activity, exercise and training on susceptibility to upper respiratory infections. Available reports are arbitrarily rated in terms of limiting factors: the quality of the assessment of physical activity, the precision of diagnosis of upper respiratory infection and overall methodology. The pattern of physical activity has often been clearly established but, in part because of the problems associated with the competitive environment, assessments of infection and overall methodology have often been less than optimal. Although there is some evidence that susceptibility to infection is increased by either a single bout of very heavy activity or a period of heavy training, reports are far from unanimous, and in certain respects fail to meet the classical epidemiological criteria of a causal relationship. The issue is important to both the health and the success of the international competitor, and merits definitive investigation, using optimal methods to assess both activity patterns and infection.
Mobility modeling and analytical solution for spatial traffic distribution in wireless multimedia networks

In this paper, we propose a general mobility model suitable for wireless multimedia networks. Our model is based on splitting a region into subregions. Furthermore, we make an analogy between subregions as well as their inter-connections with a multi-class Jackson queueing network comprising of infinite-server nodes. The main attribute of such a network is due to its product-form stationary distribution. Using this model, we are able to obtain a closed analytical form for the spatial traffic distribution corresponding to a specific number of network-connected users with different classes of service and mobility in a typical region. Also, we show the flexibility obtained by the proposed mobility model in representing some general distributions such as sum-of-hyper-exponentials (SOHYP), hyper-Erlang and Cox which were previously suggested to model mobility-related statistical parameters, e.g., cell dwell time and channel holding time. Finally, we apply the proposed model to a few mobility scenarios and obtain the resultant active user's location density.
Inter-Observer Agreement Among Medical Professionals in Critical Care of Neonates and Children

Inter-observer agreement is essential to medical staff members and has a major effect on communication. The goal of the study was to examine the way medical professionals evaluate the potential severity of Almost Adverse Events (AAEs) that were observed in two intensive care units (ICUs). One hundred and fourteen AAEs were observed and recorded in both units by engineering students. Each AAE was rated independently by five senior medical staff members from each ICU, chosen by the unit manager, on a three- point severity level scale. Statistical analysis (K statistic and Cohen's Kappa) yielded relatively low levels of agreement among raters in both ICUs (< 0.3), but significantly greater agreement was found among nurses than among physicians in both ICUs. Low levels of agreement are attributed to the nature of work and characteristics of each ICU. Recommendations for improving agreements including forming shared mental models are specified.
Teamwork behaviours and errors during neonatal resuscitation

Objective To describe relationships between teamwork behaviours and errors during neonatal resuscitation. Methods Trained observers viewed video recordings of neonatal resuscitations (n = 12) for the occurrence of teamwork behaviours and errors. Teamwork state behaviours (such as vigilance and workload management, which extend for some duration) were assessed as the percentage of each resuscitation that the behaviour was observed and correlated with the percentage of observed errors. Teamwork event behaviours (such as information sharing, inquiry and assertion, which occur at specific times) were counted in 20-s intervals before and after resuscitation steps, and a generalised linear mixed model was calculated to evaluate relationships between these behaviours and errors. Results Resuscitation teams who were more vigilant committed fewer errors (Spearman's ρ for vigilance and errors = −0.62, 95% CI −0.07 to −0.87, p = 0.031). Assertions were more likely to occur before errors than correct steps (OR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.89, p = 0.008) and teaching/advising occurred less frequently after errors (OR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.94, p = 0.028). Though not statistically significant, there was less information sharing before errors (OR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.05, p = 0.172). Conclusions Vigilance is an important behaviour for error management. Assertion may have caused errors, or perhaps was an indicator for some other factor that caused errors. Teams may have preferred to resolve errors directly, rather than using errors as opportunities to teach their teammates. These observations raise important questions about the appropriate use of some teamwork behaviours and how to include them in team training programmes.
Antitumor activity of hu14.18-IL2 in patients with relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma: a Children's Oncology Group (COG) phase II study.

PURPOSE The hu14.18-IL2 fusion protein consists of interleukin-2 molecularly linked to a humanized monoclonal antibody that recognizes the GD2 disialoganglioside expressed on neuroblastoma cells. This phase II study assessed the antitumor activity of hu14.18-IL2 in two strata of patients with recurrent or refractory neuroblastoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Hu14.18-IL2 was given intravenously (12 mg/m(2)/daily) for 3 days every 4 weeks for patients with disease measurable by standard radiographic criteria (stratum 1) and for patients with disease evaluable only by [(123)I]metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy and/or bone marrow (BM) histology (stratum 2). Response was established by independent radiology review as well as BM histology and immunocytology, and durability was assessed by repeat evaluation after more than 3 weeks. RESULTS Thirty-nine patients were enrolled (36 evaluable). No responses were seen in stratum 1 (n = 13). Of 23 evaluable patients in stratum 2, five patients (21.7%) responded; all had a complete response (CR) of 9, 13, 20, 30, and 35+ months duration. Grade 3 and 4 nonhematologic toxicities included capillary leak, hypoxia, pain, rash, allergic reaction, elevated transaminases, and hyperbilirubinemia. Two patients required dopamine for hypotension, and one patient required ventilatory support for hypoxia. Most toxicities were reversible within a few days of completing a treatment course and were expected based on phase I results. CONCLUSION Patients with disease evaluable only by MIBG and/or BM histology had a 21.7% CR rate to hu14.8-IL2, whereas patients with bulky disease did not respond. Hu14.18-IL2 warrants further testing in children with nonbulky high-risk neuroblastoma.
Neratinib, an irreversible pan-ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor: results of a phase II trial in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have had a significant impact on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) outcomes, particularly for patients with EGFR mutations. Resistance emerges after 9 to 12 months, primarily mediated by the T790M resistance mutation. We studied neratinib, an irreversible pan-ErbB TKI that may overcome T790M. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with advanced NSCLC underwent EGFR sequencing of available tumor tissue at enrollment. Those with > or = 12 weeks of prior TKI therapy were placed in arm A if they were EGFR mutation positive or arm B if they were wild-type. Arm C included TKI-naïve patients with adenocarcinoma and light smoking histories (< or = 20 pack-years). All patients received daily oral neratinib, initially at 320 mg but subsequently reduced to 240 mg because of excessive diarrhea. The primary end point was objective response rate (RR). RESULTS One-hundred sixty-seven patients were treated: 91 in arm A, 48 in arm B, and 28 in arm C. Diarrhea was the most common toxicity; grade 3 incidence was 50% at 320 mg but improved to 25% after dose reduction. The RR was 3% in arm A and zero in arms B and C. No patients with known T790M responded. Notably, three of four patients with an exon 18 G719X EGFR mutation had a partial response and the fourth had stable disease lasting 40 weeks. CONCLUSION Neratinib had low activity in patients with prior benefit from TKIs and in TKI-naïve patients, potentially because of insufficient bioavailability from diarrhea-imposed dose limitation. Responses were seen in patients with the rare G719X EGFR mutation, highlighting the importance of obtaining comprehensive genetic information on trials of targeted agents.
Bilateral radicular dens in dente in mandibular premolars

Dens invaginatus (DI) is a rare developmental anomaly that results from an invagination of the enamel organ into the dental papilla during odontogenesis. The invagination ranges from a slight pitting (coronal type) to an anomaly occupying most of the crown and root (radicular type). Radicular DI is an unusual dental anomaly. Although a clinical examination may reveal a deep fissure or pit on tooth surface, but radiographic examination is the most realistic way to diagnose the invagination. The objective of this case presentation is to report a rare case of radicular dens invaginatus bilaterally in mandibular premolars.
Trichomonas vaginalis among multiethnic female UK students

In their study of HIV outpatient clinic attenders, Gatski and colleagues found a high rate of bacterial vaginosis (67%, 163/244) in HIV positive, mainly African American women infected with Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). 1 We recently conducted a pilot study to test for TV in 183 stored self-taken vaginal samples from multiethnic female London students who took part in the prevention of pelvic infection chlamydia screening …
Guest Editorial Cooperative Networking - Challenges and Applications (Part II)

COOPERATIVE networking has received significant attention recently as an emerging network design strategy for future wireless networks. In cooperative networking, individual network nodes can cooperate to achieve desired network performance in a coordinated way, and the cooperation can take place in a cross-layer fashion. Successful cooperative networking can prompt the development of advanced wireless networks to cost-effectively provide multimedia services and applications such as telecommuting, video conferencing, interactive media, real-time Internet games, etc., anytime, anywhere. However, the impact and challenges of cooperative networking on the cross-layer design beyond cooperative transmissions are still not well-understood. Some fundamental aspects requiring immediate studies include: theoretical tools to guide the design of cooperative networking systems, effective incentive mechanisms for cooperation, new protocol design for cooperative networking, and compatible deployment of cooperative networking over the existing infrastructure. The goal of this JSAC special issue is to report on cuttingedge research achievements from all aspects of cooperative networks that can significantly improve the overall network performance. In response to the call for papers, we have received a total of 154 high-quality submissions, and 56 papers have been selected for publication after a rigorous review process. These 56 accepted papers are divided into two parts according to the subjects interested, and each part is with 28 papers. Part I has been published in February, 2012, and Part II is included in the current issue. Part II covers three categories. The first category, consisting of 9 papers, deals with the cooperative transmission in the physical layer. The first paper “Transmitting Important Bits and Sailing High Radio Waves: a Decentralized CrossLayer Approach to Cooperative Video Transmission” by Mastronarde et al. investigates the impact of cooperative relaying on uplink multi-user wireless video transmissions. The second
Locomotor behaviour and anxiety in the open field and light/dark box in CD1 mice treated with aspirin, cataflam and ethanolic extract of Cannabis sativa.

Aims: To study the effects of cataflam, aspirin and the ethanolic extract of Cannabis sativa on nociception in CD1 albino mice of both sexes. Methods: Twenty (20) albino mice were divided into four (4) groups of five (5) each. The control group (group 1) received normal saline orally. Meanwhile groups 2-4 received p.o. cataflam (1.5 mg/kg), aspirin (13.5mg/kg) and Cannabis sativa (10 mg/kg) respectively. All four (4) groups were given access to normal mice chow and water ad libitum. The Open field apparatus and the light/dark box were used to measure locomotor/exploratory behaviour and anxiety. Results: There was a significant (p=0.05) reduction in the frequencies of rearing, walling and line crossing in the Open field test and a reduction in frequency of transition, rearing and line crossing in the light/dark box. There was no significant difference in the chamber durations in the light/dark box test. Conclusion: Cataflam, Aspirin and the ethanolic extract of Cannabis sativa all have anxiogenic Original Research Article Nku et al.; BJMMR, 6(6): 563-572, 2015; Article no.BJMMR. 2015.234 564 effect and reduced locomotor behaviour. The ethanolic extract of Cannabis sativa seems to have the greatest anxiogenic effect, followed closely by Cataflam and Aspirin.
Prospective analysis of hepatitis B virus reactivation in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after rituximab combination chemotherapy.

PURPOSE Recently, there have been reports of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation after rituximab combination chemotherapy in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) -negative patients with B-cell lymphoma. In this prospective study, the frequency of and risk factors for HBV reactivation in patients who were receiving rituximab chemotherapy were examined. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 314 HBsAg-negative patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma were treated with rituximab chemotherapy. Antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) tests were performed in all patients. In patients who were positive for anti-HBs and/or anti-HBc, serum HBV-DNA was measured. RESULTS Of the 314 patients, 51 (16.2%) were HBV carriers. HBV reactivation occurred during or after rituximab chemotherapy in six patients (12%). All six patients who developed HBV reactivation were anti-HBc positive, and three of them were also anti-HBs positive. In these six patients, the pretreatment anti-HBs titer was low. Entecavir administration was started when serum HBV DNA became positive, and serum HBV-DNA became negative within 1 to 3 weeks. Rituximab chemotherapy was then continued. Risk factors for HBV reactivation were being male and having a low anti-HBs titer. CONCLUSION HBV reactivation occurred in some patients who had been anti-HBs negative or had a low anti-HBs level. In addition, HBV reactivation occurred at an early stage of rituximab chemotherapy, but rituximab chemotherapy could be continued after entecavir administration reduced the serum HBV-DNA level. Entecavir (BMS 200495) prophylaxis was not performed when rituximab chemotherapy was started, and it was thought that entecavir could be started when serum HBV-DNA increased.
Parenchymal versus nonparenchymal target lesion response in clinical trials for metastatic medullary thyroid cancer.

TO THE EDITOR: In their clinical trial of systemic targeted therapy in metastatic medullary thyroid cancer, Lam et al did not find an association between objective index target lesion response based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria and serum biomarker (calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen) response. Similar results have been reported for another clinical trial of systemic targeted therapy for metastastic medullary thyroid cancer. Among the 21 medullary thyroid cancer patients in the trial by Lam et al, 20 patients (95%) had undergone prior surgery, the nature and extent of which was not specified. Nonparenchymal metastases to lymph nodes were noted in 19 patients (90%), whereas parenchymal metastases to lung, liver, and bone were seen in seven (33%), 13 (62%), and 13 (62%) patients, respectively, among the 21 study participants. It remains unclear if any of the 19 patients with overt lymph node metastases underwent lymph node dissections and why no attempt was made to surgically remove those lymph node metastases from the neck that were sufficiently large to fulfill RECIST criteria. Conceivably, parenchymal target lesions are perfused better than nonparenchymal target lesions. As a matter of fact, pretherapeutic calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen serum levels correlate more closely with largest tumor diameter in the thyroid parenchyma (r 0.83 to 0.84; explaining 69% to 71% of the variance in primary tumor size) than with lymph node metastases (r 0.47 to 0.59; explaining no more than 44% of the variance in the number of lymph node metastases). This observation raises the possibility of a differential target lesion response in parenchymal (lung, liver, or bone) compared with nonparenchymal (lymph nodes) organs in patients with medullary thyroid cancer. Such a differential response was recently described for differentiated thyroid cancer where the most noticeable organ-specific response was observed in the lung (median change of 22%) compared with in lymph nodes (median change, 0%; P .02). If the assumption of a better tissue-specific response of parenchymal relative to nonparenchymal target lesions to systemic targeted therapy was also confirmed for metastatic medullary thyroid cancer, this certainly would have major ramifications for the design and conduct of future clinical trials, prompting performance of compartment-oriented surgery to clear the neck of gross lymph node metastases followed by systemic targeted therapy for distant metastases, for which these therapies may be more effective. In experienced hands, the surgical morbidity attendant on compartment-oriented lymph node dissection compares favorably with the toxicity associated with systemic targeted therapy.
Unprotected fellatio between female sex workers and their clients in Sydney, Australia

Objectives To assess the frequency and predictors of inconsistent condom use for fellatio at work by female sex workers (FSW) in Sydney and the prevalence of pharyngeal gonorrhoea and other sexually transmitted infections in these women. Methods Cross-sectional study including all FSW attending the Sydney Sexual Health Centre for sexually transmitted infection screening between May 2009 and January 2011 and reporting fellatio at work. Univariate and multivariate regression was used to identify predictors of inconsistent condom use for fellatio. Results Of 1540 FSW who offered fellatio at work, 372 (25%) reported inconsistent condom use for this fellatio. In multivariate analysis, speaking Mandarin or Cantonese rather than English (adjusted OR (AOR) 2.03, 95% CI 1.44 to 2.86), reporting inconsistent condom use for vaginal sex at work (AOR 10.82, 95% CI 6.13 to 19.09), reporting no vaginal sex at work (AOR 7.48, 95% CI 2.42 to 23.12) and being a new client to the clinic (AOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.83) were associated with inconsistent condom use for fellatio. Thai-speaking women were less likely to report unprotected fellatio (AOR 0.36, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.57). 17 women were diagnosed with pharyngeal gonorrhoea (AOR 1.1%, 95% CI 0.6% to 1.7%). Conclusions Condom use for fellatio by Sydney FSW varies by work location and language spoken. Health promotion targeting these at-risk women is warranted. Women working in brothels masquerading as massage parlours were particularly likely to report inconsistent condom use for fellatio. Local government reluctance to approve brothels may be contributing to this problem.