Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of self-perceived stress, the history of smoking and drinking on weight status in Chinese adults - evidence from the 2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey

Abstract Being overweight and obese is a serious public health issues in China. However, the effects of substance use and mental factors on weight changes remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association among self-perceived stress, history of smoking and drinking, and weight status by using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey in 2015. A total of 8028 adults were selected from China Health and Nutrition Survey in 2015. The self-reported data primarily included sociodemographic data, self-perceived stress scores, and history of smoking and drinking. Physical measurements including height and weight were logged to calculate body mass index. Multivariate and multinomial regression models were used to estimate effects of substance and perceived stress on weight status. The prevalence of underweight and overweight/obese people were 4.52% and 51.51% in Chinese adults, respectively. Adults with high perceived stress were negatively associated with being overweight and obese (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.66–0.97 in the middle level and OR = 0.69, 95%CI = 0.55–0.88 in the high level). Adults with history of smoking had low risk of being overweight/obese (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.62–0.82). Adults with history of drinking had high risk of overweight/obese (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.06–1.40). In addition, the association between drinking and overweight/obese was affected by different levels of perceived stress (OR = 1.15, 95%CI = 0.83–1.59 in low-stress group and OR = 1.42, 95%CI = 1.04–1.94 in high-stress group). The effects of self-perceived stress and history of smoking as well as drinking on weight status were significant in this study. The government and healthcare policymakers should strengthen early psychological factor and behavioral intervention to decrease the prevalence of abnormal-weight status.
Cancer Cachexia: Definition, Staging, and Emerging Treatments

Abstract Cachexia is a multifactorial disease characterized by weight loss via skeletal muscle and adipose tissue loss, an imbalance in metabolic regulation, and reduced food intake. It is caused by factors of catabolism produced by tumors in the systemic circulation as well as physiological factors such as the imbalanced inflammatory activation, proteolysis, autophagy, and lipolysis that may occur with gastric, pancreatic, esophageal, lung cancer, liver, and bowel cancer. Cancer cachexia not only negatively affects the quality of life of patients with cancer but also reduces the effectiveness of anti-cancer chemotherapy and increases its toxicity, leading to increased cancer-related mortality and expenditure of medical resources. Currently, there are no effective medical interventions to completely reverse cachexia and no approved drugs. Adequate nutritional support is the main method of cachexia treatment, while drugs that target the inhibition of catabolism, cell damage, and excessive activation of inflammation are under study. This article reviews recent advances in the diagnosis, staging, and evaluation of cancer cachexia.
Knockdown of IKKβ Inhibits Tumor Development in a Leptomeningeal Metastasis Mouse Model and Proliferation of Lung Cancer Cells

Objective This study will explore the role of IKKβ in the leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) of lung cancer cells. Methods In vitro studies were conducted in mouse Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells with IKKβ knockdown. Cell proliferation was explored using CCK-8 and tumor colony-forming assays. The expression of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway was detected by Western blot. Tumor cell apoptosis was identified through Western blot detection of Bax and Bcl-2. The migration of tumor cells was identified by a wound healing assay. In vivo studies used an LM mouse model developed by injecting LLC cells with or without IKKβ knockdown into the cisterna magna. Mouse brain and spinal samples were sectioned for hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results In vitro: IKKβ knockdown inhibits tumor cell proliferation, initiates apoptosis, and attenuates cell migration. In vivo: IKKβ knockdown inhibits tumor growth in the LM mouse model. In addition, the in vitro results showed that IKKβ knockdown attenuated the expression of ERK phosphorylation in LLC cells. Conclusion Blocking the NF-κB signaling pathway by IKKβ knockdown in LLC cells inhibited tumor growth in the LM mouse model. IKKβ supports leptomeningeal tumor progression by promoting cancer cell proliferation and migration and inhibiting cancer cell apoptosis, and these actions may be correlated to ERK signaling.
Individual QI projects from single institutions Compassionate Design : Utilizing Design Thinking to Preserve Sanctity , Dignity , and Personhood When Children Die

Introduction: Greater than 70% of children who die in our institution annually die in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting. Family privacy, visitation policies, and an inability to perform religious rituals in the ICU are barriers to provide children with culturally competent, family-centered care when a child dies. The goal of this project was to profoundly understand family and staff experiences surrounding pediatric death in our institution to identify unique opportunities to design improved, novel delivery models of pediatric end of life (EOL) care. Methods: This project utilized a structured process model based on the Vogel and Cagan’s 4-phase integrated new product development process model. The 4 phases are identifying, understanding, conceptualizing, and realizing. We utilized an adaptation of this process model that relies on human-centered and design thinking methodologies in 3 phases: research, ideation, and refinement of a process or product opportunity. Results: There were 2 primary results of this project: 5 process and opportunity areas to improve the EOL experience across the hospital, and a set of criteria and considerations for a dedicated EOL space. Discussion: Sometimes, the best outcome we can provide for a child and their family is a peaceful, dignified death. This project utilized human-centered design to create improved process outcomes and to design a dedicated EOL space for children who die in the hospital. Offering grieving families quiet, private time with their child in a beautiful, dignified, peaceful location enables the beginning of improved bereavement outcomes for the family and staff. (Pediatr Qual Saf 2020;4:e317; doi: 10.1097/pq9.0000000000000317; Published online 8 July, 2020.) From the *Haslinger Family Pediatric Palliative Care Center, Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron, Ohio; †Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute, Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron, Ohio; ‡Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Va. ; §Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, Norfolk, Va. ; ¶Livewell Collaborative, Cincinnati, Ohio; ∥Department of Anesthesia, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; and *University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio Presented at the 2019 Assembly, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Care, Orlando, FL, March 15, 2019. This study was funded by a Design Thinking Research Award from the University of Cincinnati (UC) Centers for Clinical and Translational Science and
Primary Treatment with Molecular‐Targeted Agents for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Propensity Score‐matching Analysis

Sorafenib and lenvatinib, as molecular‐targeted agents, constitute effective primary treatment options for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the choice of optimal primary treatment agent remains controversial. Here, we aimed to assess the respective outcomes between these agents as primary treatment in patients with advanced HCC through use of propensity score–matching analysis (PSMA). We enrolled 670 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with advanced HCC and received sorafenib (n = 524) or lenvatinib (n = 146) as the primary treatment among 18 participating institutions between May 2009 and October 2019. To reduce confounding, we used PSMA regarding seven variables related to advanced HCC prognosis, resulting in the selection of 292 patients (n = 146 for each agent). Following PSMA, no significant difference was observed in the outcome of overall survival time between patients treated with sorafenib or lenvatinib (median survival time 15.3 or 14.9 months, respectively; P = 0.2358). Patients treated with lenvatinib exhibited significantly greater therapeutic effects (response rate: 5% and 31%; disease control rate: 46% and 69% for sorafenib and lenvatinib, respectively; P < 0.0001), but showed significantly lower probability of transition to secondary treatment (sorafenib, 60%; lenvatinib, 45%; P < 0.0269) and higher any adverse events rate (sorafenib, 86%; lenvatinib, 95%; P = 0.0207). Conclusion: As a primary molecular‐targeted agent–based treatment for advanced HCC, our findings suggested that sorafenib is generally appropriate as it offers significantly lower frequency of adverse events and higher probability of transition to secondary treatment, in consideration of the enhanced postprogression survival mediated by sequential treatment. Alternatively, lenvatinib affords a significantly higher therapeutic effect and should be used when immediate tumor reduction is required.
Body Weights and Reproduction Traits of Two Strains and Reciprocal Crosses of Broad Breasted Bronze Turkeys

Abstract THE superiority of specific strain crosses of turkeys, with respect to measures of body weight, is gradually being established (Asmundson, 1942, 1948; Kondra and Shoffner, 1955; Jerome, Friars and Weeden, 1960; McCartney and Chamberlin, 1961a, b; and Clark, 1961). Only occasional crosses between strains of diverse body weight have tended to produce progeny larger than the heavier parental strains. The problem of reproduction in turkeys is apparent in the estimated percent hatchability of all turkey eggs set in the United States and Canada. Unweighted mean estimates for the period (1956 to 1960 inclusive) show that this statistic is in the general range of 55 percent as indicated by the data of Moats (1961) and Pettit (1961). That heritable variation for reproduction traits exists within populations of turkeys is evident in the reports of Wilson and Johnson (1946); Blow, Glazener, Dearstyne and Bostian (1951); Abplanalp and Kosin (1953) and Kondra and Shoffner…
The association between body mass index and the risk of different urinary cancers

Abstract Background: The relationship between cancer with body mass index has been extensively reported. However, association between urinary cancers with these risk factors remains unclear, with existing reports showing conflicting findings. The current review, therefore, sought to clarify the latter association by assessing the methodological and reporting quality of existing systematic reviews on the subject. Methods: We will screen PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases for relevant literature and subjected the resulting articles to meta-analysis. We will adopt the AMSTAR and PRISMA checklists for assessing methodological, and reporting quality, respectively. The association between BMI and different urinary cancers will be estimated by computing the pooled relative risk (RR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI), which will be calculated from the adjusted RR, odds ratio, or hazard ratio, and 95% CI offered in the studies. Heterogeneity between studies will be assessed with the I statistic as a measure of the proportion of total variation in estimates that is due to heterogeneity, where I values of 25%, 50%, and 75% correspond to cut-off points for low, moderate, and high degrees of heterogeneity. The random effects model will be used as the pooling method when significant heterogeneity existed and the fixed effect model will be used when no heterogeneity was observed. Possible publication bias will be tested by Begg and Egger test. Conclusion: Our evidence synthesis will provide a new commentary on the current systematic review evidence for the association between BMI and the risk of different urinary cancers. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019119459.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial of sirolimus for tocilizumab-resistant idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease

Abstract Background: Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder of unknown etiology with systemic symptoms that include fever, night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue. Although tocilizumab (TCZ), which is a recombinant, humanized, anti-human interleukin 6 receptor monoclonal antibody, has been recommended to treat patients with iMCD, 40% of patients with iMCD do not achieve complete remission with TCZ treatment. Methods/Design: In this phase II, investigator-initiated, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group trial, the efficacy and safety of sirolimus will be compared with placebo in patients with TCZ-resistant iMCD. The study will be conducted in 8 centers in Japan. Participants (n = 20) will be randomly assigned to receive 2 mg of oral sirolimus (n = 10) or placebo (n = 10) once daily for 16 weeks. The primary endpoint is a decrease in CHAP score by ≥1 from baseline at 16 weeks. Secondary endpoints include levels of hemoglobin, albumin, and C-reactive protein; change in CHAP score; SF-36 Health Survey Questionnaire; physician global assessment (100 mm visual analog scale); patient global assessment (100 mm visual analog scale) at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks; change in lymphadenopathy at 16 weeks; and pharmacodynamic assessment, including the measurement of whole blood sirolimus level. Discussion: This clinical trial will provide evidence of efficacy and safety of sirolimus as a potential new therapeutic agent for patients with TCZ-resistant iMCD. Trial Registration: This study was registered with the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials as jRCT2071190029 on October 8, 2019.
GINS2 Functions as a Key Gene in Lung Adenocarcinoma by WGCNA Co-Expression Network Analysis

Background Lung adenocarcinoma is one of the malignant tumors in the world. This study aimed to explore the biological mechanism of GINS2 in lung adenocarcinoma. Materials and Methods Raw data were downloaded from GEO. WGCNA co-expression network and PPI network were established to identify the hub gene. The expression profile and clinical features of GINS2 were collected from TCGA-LUAD cohort. Survival analysis in TCGA-LUAD cohort was plotted by R package. GSEA was analyzed via GSEA software. MTS, Transwell and apoptosis assays were used to detect the proliferation, migration and apoptotic abilities of lung adenocarcinoma cells. Results GINS2 was identified as the hub gene via WGCNA co-expression network and PPI network. Higher GINS2 expressions were observed in TCGA-LUAD cohort, GSE32863 and clinical samples dataset. Overexpression of GINS2 had a significantly negative connection with poor survival outcome. GSEA results revealed that GINS2 could be enriched in “HALLMARK_G2M_CHECKPOINT”, “HALLMARK_E2F_TARGETS”, “HALLMARK_DNA_REPAIR” and “HALLMARK_MYC_TARGETS_V2”. Overexpression of GINS2 promoted tumor cell proliferation and migration and suppressed cell apoptosis. Conclusion Our results explored that GINS2 functioned as an oncogene in lung adenocarcinoma, and suggested that GINS2 could act as a promising prognosis biomarker for lung adenocarcinoma.
Comparison of the efficacy between concurrent chemoradiotherapy with or without adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract Background: Although common, the use of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is controversial due to its undefined clinical benefits. We, therefore, conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate whether adjuvant chemotherapy confers survival gains to stage II NPC patients. Methods: In this study, we examined whether combining adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) and/or concurrent chemotherapy with radiotherapy (CCRT) improved survival in patients with stage II NPC. Three hundred thirty-five stage II NPC patients were retrospectively analyzed between June 2003 and June 2016 and received CCRT; some patient groups also received AC every 3 weeks for 2 to 3 cycles. Results: The median follow-up duration was 72 months for all patients (range, 26–151 months) and the estimated 5-year locoregional relapse-free survival (LRRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) rates were 95.1%, 97.8%, 93.5%, and 94.3%. At the last follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences among the CCRT and CCRT+AC groups in 5-year LRRFS (95.2% vs 94.9%, P = .599), DMFS (98.5% vs 92.4%, P = .152), PFS (93.8% vs 90.2%, P = .599), or OS (95.5% vs 93.9%, P = .682) rates. Conclusion: The analyses revealed that a combined regimen was not an independent prognostic factor for any survival outcome. However, patients who received CCRT plus AC experienced more acute adverse events than those who received CCRT alone. Thus, the addition of AC to CCRT did not improve survival outcomes, but was associated with higher incidences of acute treatment-associated toxicities than CCRT alone in patients with stage II NPC.
A Practical Approach for Sexing Zebrafish, Danio rerio

This study aimed at a simple, rapid, reliable, practical, and non-destructive sexing technique for mature zebrafish (0.61 ± 0.011 g each). In the first experiment, 36 fish of each sex were selected on the basis of the presence of a prominent genital papilla on mature females and bred randomly. All the couples laid fertilized eggs with a mean fecundity of 304 eggs per female, for a 100% sexing accuracy. In the second experiment, 140 mature zebrafish were randomly selected and individually sexed like in the first experiment. Each fish was then dissected in order to confirm the reliability of this sexing technique through the observation of either the ovaries or the testes. Upon dissection, an accuracy of 100% was recorded. This study demonstrates that sexing mature zebrafish only on the basis of the presence of a prominent genital papilla on the mature female is a reliable technique.
Analysis of user behavior on the website of a university eye hospital in Germany

Abstract Medical information websites are usually targeted toward patients, physicians, and medical students. Most of the latest studies researched the usability of such websites. However, reports on user numbers and behavior are rare. The goal of our study is to analyze the utility of a website of a large tertiary referral center in ophthalmology in terms of various target audiences (patients, applicants, medical students, referring ophthalmologists). The web access data from our institutional website was assessed with Google Analytics. Data collection started in 2016. From 2016 to 2018, we counted a total of 763,942 page views. The overall number of users dropped from 81,572 to 67,740. This drop's onset correlates with a change in the website structure. All target audience pages received constant traffic from 2016 to 2019, with the patients’ and doctors’ sites attracting the most traffic. The pages for medical students and job applicants, although not viewed often, revealed a long session duration. Our website is used by all our target audiences. The behavior and the user numbers of each target group differ. Changes to a website's structure can influence the number of users and their behavior. It is not possible to make a direct comparison to other institutions’ websites as there are so few similar reports available. By adding more parameters to the analytics profile in a prospective setting, more detailed analyses of user behavior may be possible in the future.
Early autonomous selfing in the hummingbird-pollinated epiphyte Pitcairnia brittoniana (Bromeliaceae)1

Abstract Hummingbirds are important pollinators in Monteverde, Costa Rica, as they are in most neotropical montane cloud forests. In Monteverde, hummingbird-pollinated plants are generally pollen-limited and incapable of autonomous self-pollination. However, many hummingbird-pollinated plants in the Bromeliaceae are capable of autonomous self-pollination. We examined the breeding system and pollination of Pitcairnia brittoniana (Mez), shown previously to be capable of autonomous selfing. We found that fruit and seed set were high in open-, self-, and cross-pollinated treatments, as well as in the autonomous self-pollination treatment. Seed set, but not fruit set was slightly lower among pollinator-excluded flowers from which the anthers or stigma were removed at dawn, the time at which flowers are first receptive to cross-pollination, relative to controls whose anthers and stigmas were unmanipulated. Flowers were visited by two hummingbird species that deposited cumulative cross-pollen loads sufficient for near maximum seed set. Therefore, P. brittoniana has the potential for high levels of either outcrossing or inbreeding in Monteverde. Although the relative competitive abilities of self- and cross-pollen in P. brittoniana are unknown, cross-pollen prepotency is probable. Pitcairnia brittoniana likely maintains a mixed mating system, outcrossing when hummingbirds are active and selfing autonomously when they are scarce.
Redistribution of Phosphorus in Soil Through Cover Crop Roots

The objective of this study was to evaluate if cover crops can absorb P from the upper layers and transport it in their roots to subsoil layers. Samples of an Oxisol were placed in PVC columns. Super phosphate fertilizer was applied to the 0-10 cm soil surface layers. The cover crops tested were: Avena strigosa, Avena sativa, Secale cereale, Pisum sativum subsp arvense, Pisum sativum, Vicia villosa, Vicia sativa, Lupinus angustifoliu, Lupinus albus, and Triticum aestivum. After a growth period of 80 days the cover crop shoots were cut off and the soil was divided into 10cm layers and the roots of each layer were washed out. The roots and shoots were analyzed separated for total P contribution to the soil. Considerable amount of P was present in the roots of cover crops. Vicia sativa contained more than 60% of total plant P in the roots. The contribution of Vicia sativa to soil P bellow the fertilized zone was about 7 kg ha-1. It thus appeared that there existed a possibility of P redistribution into the soil under no tillage by using cover crops in rotation with cash crops. Vicia sativa was the most efficient cover crop species as P carrier into the roots from superficial layer to lower layers.