Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pattern of care and effectiveness of treatment for glioblastoma patients in the real world: Results from a prospective population-based registry. Could survival differ in a high-volume center?

BACKGROUND As yet, no population-based prospective studies have been conducted to investigate the incidence and clinical outcome of glioblastoma (GBM) or the diffusion and impact of the current standard therapeutic approach in newly diagnosed patients younger than aged 70 years. METHODS Data on all new cases of primary brain tumors observed from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2010, in adults residing within the Emilia-Romagna region were recorded in a prospective registry in the Project of Emilia Romagna on Neuro-Oncology (PERNO). Based on the data from this registry, a prospective evaluation was made of the treatment efficacy and outcome in GBM patients. RESULTS Two hundred sixty-seven GBM patients (median age, 64 y; range, 29-84 y) were enrolled. The median overall survival (OS) was 10.7 months (95% CI, 9.2-12.4). The 139 patients ≤aged 70 years who were given standard temozolomide treatment concomitant with and adjuvant to radiotherapy had a median OS of 16.4 months (95% CI, 14.0-18.5). With multivariate analysis, OS correlated significantly with KPS (HR = 0.458; 95% CI, 0.248-0.847; P = .0127), MGMT methylation status (HR = 0.612; 95% CI, 0.388-0.966; P = .0350), and treatment received in a high versus low-volume center (HR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.328-0.986; P = .0446). CONCLUSIONS The median OS following standard temozolomide treatment concurrent with and adjuvant to radiotherapy given to (72.8% of) patients aged ≤70 years is consistent with findings reported from randomized phase III trials. The volume and expertise of the treatment center should be further investigated as a prognostic factor.
Firefighting and risk of testicular cancer: results from a German population-based case-control study.

BACKGROUND There is some evidence of an elevated risk for testicular cancer among firefighters. METHODS We performed a population-based case-control study including 269 testicular cancer cases and 797 controls matching on age and region with a special focus on occupational exposures. Job tasks were coded according to the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO 68). We used conditional logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (OR). RESULTS Three controls (0.4%) and four cases (1.5%) ever worked as firefighters. Firefighters showed an increased odds of testicular cancer in the matched evaluation (OR = 4.3, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.7-30.5). The adjustment for a history of cryptorchidism or family history of testicular cancer did not alter our results. CONCLUSION Although the association between firefighting and testicular cancer risk is based on only small numbers of exposed subjects in our study, the finding is consistent with a recent cohort study from New Zealand. Occupational hazards experienced by firefighters may increase the risk of testicular cancer.
The eocyte hypothesis and the origin of eukaryotic cells

In the June 1984 issue of PNAS, James Lake and colleagues (1) published a provocative article in which they proposed that eukaryotes (animals, fungi, plants, and protists) evolved from a specific group of thermophilic prokaryotes, the “eocyte” archaebacteria (,1). Few questions capture the imagination of biologists like the origin of eukaryotic (nucleus-containing) cells such as our own, and as additional support accumulated (e.g., refs. ,2–,4) Lake's eocyte hypothesis garnered considerable attention. The idea that eukaryotes could have arisen from within an already diversified archaebacterial lineage was eventually overshadowed by Woese's (,5) “three-domains” view of life in which archaebacteria (including eocytes) represent a natural (i.e., monophyletic) group to the exclusion of eukaryotes and eubacteria (,5). In this issue of PNAS, Cox et al. (6) revisit the possibility of an archaebacterial origin for eukaryotes by using expanded molecular sequence datasets and ultra-modern phylogenetic approaches. Their analyses are a model of rigor and rekindle interesting and important ideas about the prokaryotic antecedents of eukaryotic cells.
Unit-length line-1 transcripts in human teratocarcinoma cells

We have characterized the approximately 6.5-kilobase cytoplasmic poly(A)+ Line-1 (L1) RNA present in a human teratocarcinoma cell line, NTera2D1, by primer extension and by analysis of cloned cDNAs. The bulk of the RNA begins (5' end) at the residue previously identified as the 5' terminus of the longest known primate genomic L1 elements, presumed to represent "unit" length. Several of the cDNA clones are close to 6 kilobase pairs, that is, close to full length. The partial sequences of 18 cDNA clones and full sequence of one (5,975 base pairs) indicate that many different genomic L1 elements contribute transcripts to the 6.5-kilobase cytoplasmic poly(A)+ RNA in NTera2D1 cells because no 2 of the 19 cDNAs analyzed had identical sequences. The transcribed elements appear to represent a subset of the total genomic L1s, a subset that has a characteristic consensus sequence in the 3' noncoding region and a high degree of sequence conservation throughout. Two open reading frames (ORFs) of 1,122 (ORF1) and 3,852 (ORF2) bases, flanked by about 800 and 200 bases of sequence at the 5' and 3' ends, respectively, can be identified in the cDNAs. Both ORFs are in the same frame, and they are separated by 33 bases bracketed by two conserved in-frame stop codons. ORF 2 is interrupted by at least one randomly positioned stop codon in the majority of the cDNAs. The data support proposals suggesting that the human L1 family includes one or more functional genes as well as an extraordinarily large number of pseudogenes whose ORFs are broken by stop codons. The cDNA structures suggest that both genes and pseudogenes are transcribed. At least one of the cDNAs (cD11), which was sequenced in its entirety, could, in principle, represent an mRNA for production of the ORF1 polypeptide. The similarity of mammalian L1s to several recently described invertebrate movable elements defines a new widely distributed class of elements which we term class II retrotransposons.
Subjective and quantitative assessment of patient fitness for cadaveric kidney transplantation: the “equity penalty”

Background. Patient fitness at the time of organ allocation has an impact on graft survival equivalent to the effect of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching. The variation between institutions in assessment of fitness is not known, nor is the potential impact on mean graft survival of incorporating patient fitness into local adult cadaveric-kidney transplant-allocation algorithms. Methods. Data from the Collaborative Transplant Study (CTS, 1985–2000) were reviewed. Quantitative criteria (QC) of patient fitness based on national transplant society guidelines were compared with subjective categorization (SC) of each patient on the current local transplant waiting list (n=109) determined by their supervising nephrologist. Results. Five-year cadaveric graft survival was 70%, 61%, and 53% for good-, moderate-, and poor-risk patients in the CTS data set (n=102, 612), equivalent to half lives of 12.7, 9.8, and 8.7 years, respectively, with similar results from the local program. The distribution of local waiting-list patients into fitness categories A (good), B (moderate), C (poor), and D (unacceptable) was 51%:31%:13%:5% by SC and 25%:40%:27%:8% by QC. At one hospital, 61% (n=51) of patients were classified category A by SC, and falling to 16% by QC (P <.0001). Compared with preferential category A recipient allocation, an unrestricted allocation policy was estimated to sacrifice 1.5 years of overall program-mean graft survival. Conclusions. Use of QC may reduce the variation in subjective patient assessment seen between institutions. Any proposed changes in organ allocation methods should address the “equity versus efficiency” balance in an open fashion and predict the impact on the overall graft survival for the program by quantifying the “equity penalty. ”
Exploring knowledge graphs for exploratory search

In order to provide the user with more support in performing exploratory activities, recent research has been focused on identifying the types of tasks users perform, and understanding the nature of these tasks. However, most of the proposed models focus on either traditional document retrieval or the use of linked data for finding relevant information. We believe neither of these two types of information resources can offer sufficient support for complex search tasks on their own. We propose that a hybrid approach that combines the coherent content of text with the organized structure of graphs should be taken to better support information finding and sense making. Currently, there is limited insight into the types of information seeking activities performed when a knowledge graph is combined with document retrieval to support exploratory search. This paper describes a general framework that provides the first step towards examining users' exploratory search behaviour when interacting with knowledge graphs and their corresponding documents. We conducted a user study that suggests searchers perform different information seeking activities for a complex search task compared with a simple search task. These findings provide insights that can be used to inform the design of a new search framework, which enables more effective information finding and analysis.
FCP1, the RAP74-Interacting Subunit of a Human Protein Phosphatase That Dephosphorylates the Carboxyl-terminal Domain of RNA Polymerase IIO*

TFIIF (RAP30/74) is a general initiation factor that also increases the rate of elongation by RNA polymerase II. A two-hybrid screen for RAP74-interacting proteins produced cDNAs encoding FCP1a, a novel, ubiquitously expressed human protein that interacts with the carboxyl-terminal evolutionarily conserved domain of RAP74. Related cDNAs encoding FCP1b lack a carboxyl-terminal RAP74-binding domain of FCP1a. FCP1 is an essential subunit of a RAP74-stimulated phosphatase that processively dephosphorylates the carboxyl-terminal domain of the largest RNA polymerase II subunit. FCP1 is also a stoichiometric component of a human RNA polymerase II holoenzyme complex.
Differential phagocytosis of Leishmania mexicana promastigotes and amastigotes by monocyte‐derived dendritic cells

Leishmania species are dimorphic protozoan parasites that live and replicate in the gut of sand flies as promastigotes or in mammalian hosts as amastigotes. Different immune cells, including DCs, and receptors differ in their involvement in phagocytosis of promastigotes and amastigotes and in recognition of different Leishmania species. In the case of L. mexicana, differences in phagocytosis of promastigotes and amastigotes by DCs and participation of C‐type lectin receptors (CLRs) have not been established. In the present study, flow cytometry and confocal microscopy were used to investigate the phagocytosis by monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (moDCs) of L. mexicana promastigotes and amastigotes in the presence or absence of immune serum during various periods of time. Blocking antibodies against mannose receptors and DC‐SIGN were used to explore the participation of these receptors in the phagocytosis of L. mexicana by moDC. The major differences in interactions of L. mexicana promastigotes and amastigotes with moDC were found to occur within the first 3 hr, during which phagocytosis of promastigotes predominated as compared with opsonization of promastigotes and amastigotes. However, after 6 hr of incubation, opsonized promastigotes were preferentially phagocytosed as compared with unopsonized promastigotes and amastigotes and after 24 hr of incubation there were no differences in the phagocytosis of promastigotes and amastigotes. Finally, after 3 hr incubation, DC‐SIGN was involved in the phagocytosis of promastigotes, but not of amastigotes.
Application of swarm robotics systems to marine environmental monitoring

Automated environmental monitoring in marine environments is currently carried out either by small-scale robotic systems, composed of one or few robots, or static sensor networks. In this paper, we propose the use of swarm robotics systems to carry out marine environmental monitoring missions. In swarm robotics systems, each individual unit is relatively simple and inexpensive. The robots rely on decentralized control and local communication, allowing the swarm to scale to hundreds of units and to cover large areas. We study the application of a swarm of aquatic robots to environmental monitoring tasks. In the first part of the study, we synthesize swarm control for a temperature monitoring mission and validate our results with a real swarm robotics system. Then, we conduct a simulation-based evaluation of the robots' performance over large areas and with large swarm sizes, and demonstrate the swarm's robustness to faults. Our results show that swarm robotics systems are suited for environmental monitoring tasks by efficiently covering a target area, allowing for redundancy in the data collection process, and tolerating individual robot faults.
Medical radiation exposure and breast cancer risk: Findings from the Breast Cancer Family Registry

Moderate to high‐dose radiotherapy is known to increase the risk of breast cancer. Uncertainties remain about the effects of low‐dose chest X‐rays, particularly in individuals at increased genetic risk. We analyzed case‐control data from the Breast Cancer Family Registry. Self‐reported data on therapeutic and diagnostic radiation exposures to the chest were available for 2,254 breast cancer cases and 3,431 controls (1,556 unaffected sisters and 1,875 unrelated population controls). We used unconditional logistic regression analyses to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) associated with radiation exposure, after adjusting for age, study center, country of birth, and education. Increased risks for breast cancer were found for women who had radiotherapy for a previous cancer (OR = 3.55, CI = 1.47–8.54) and diagnostic chest X‐rays for tuberculosis (OR = 2.49, CI = 1.82–3.40) or pneumonia (OR = 2.19, CI = 1.38–3.47). Risks were highest for women with a large number of exposures at a young age or exposed in earlier calendar years. There was no evidence of increased risk associated with other diagnostic chest X‐rays (not including tuberculosis or pneumonia), both in women with and without indicators of increased genetic risk (i.e., diagnosed at age <40 years or family history of breast cancer). Given the widespread and increasing use of medical diagnostic radiation, continued surveillance of breast cancer risk is warranted, particularly in women at specific genetic risk, such as those carrying mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular Cytogenetics and Comparative Mapping in Goats (Capra hircus, 2n = 60)

Few goat genome analysis projects have been developed in the last 10 years. The aim of this review was to compile and update all available cytogenetic mapping data, according to the last goat chromosome nomenclature, as well as human and cattle whole genome sequences. In particular, human regions homologous to most of the FISH-mapped microsatellites were identified in silico. This new goat cytogenetic map made it possible to refine delineation of conserved segments relative to the human and cattle genomic sequence. These improvements did not lead to detection of major new rearrangements within ruminants but confirmed the good conservation of synteny and the numerous intrachromosomal rearrangements observed between goats and humans.
The Efficacy of an Information Group Intervention On Relatives of Schizophrenics

Socio-therapy of schizophrenia cannot fail to consider such an important element as assistance to relatives. This report will review the main treatment methods used today and presents an intervention model which acts on the family of the schizophrenic at different levels. While the schizophrenic patient receives an individual treatment (pharmacological and psychotherapeutic), his/her relatives undergo a two-step group intervention. The first phase concerns an information group. This paper gives an early assessment as to the efficacy of the information groups for relatives. Particularly, it focuses on the actual ability of the group in conveying information to relatives. Such transfer of information is measured by means of a structured interview (Knowledge Interview). Results demonstrate that after an information group family members had a significant statistical increase of their information level (p<0.001). Some areas recorded a considerable increase in the knowledge levels, as far as the legitimacy of the illness and the management of symptoms are concerned.
A Role for the NGFI‐B Family in Adrenal Zonation and Adrenocortical Disease

The three zones of the human adrenal cortex are functionally distinct with the glomerulosa producing aldosterone, the fasciculata producing cortisol, and the reticularis producing DHEA/DHEAS. This functional zonation is largely due to the zone‐specific expression of steroidogenic enzymes. Recent evidence suggests a role for the NGFI‐B family of orphan nuclear receptors (particularly NURR1 and NGFI‐B) in the zone‐specific expression of two key steroidogenic enzymes, aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) and 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD3B2). Herein we discuss the evidence that suggests a role for NURR1 (NR4A2) in the expression of CYP11B2 in the glomerulosa as well as in the dysregulation of CYP11B2 gene expression as is seen in aldosterone‐producing adenoma (APA), a major cause of endocrine hypertension. NURR1 appears to be important for CYP11B2 transcription and is found at higher levels in glomerulosa and in APA. Its expression in adrenal cells is also readily increased by angiotensin II treatment. HSD3B2 is a steroid‐metabolizing enzyme that is essential for adrenal production of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids. Thus, HSD3B2 is expressed at high levels in the glomerulosa and fasciculata where these steroids are produced but at low levels in the adrenal reticularis, which produces mainly DHEA. We recently demonstrated that NGFI‐B (nur77 or NR4A1) plays an important role in the regulation of HSD3B2 transcription and may play an important role in the functional zonation of the adrenal gland. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that, within adult and fetal adrenal gland, NGFI‐B expression paralleled expression of HSD3B2. Transient transfections demonstrated that NGFI‐B family members enhanced HSD3B2 reporter activity but had no effect on a 17α‐hydroxylase (CYP17) promoter construct. Taken together these results suggest that the NGFI‐B family of transcription factors plays a role in establishing the functional zonation of the human adrenal by regulating CYP11B2 and HSD3B2 gene transcription.
Annual incidence of occupational diseases in economic sectors in The Netherlands

Objective To report the annual incidence of occupational diseases (ODs) in economic sectors in The Netherlands. Methods In a 5-year prospective cohort study (2009–2013), occupational physicians were asked to participate in a sentinel surveillance system for OD notification. The inclusion criteria for participation were (1) covering a population of employees, (2) reporting the economic sectors and the size of their employee population and (3) willingness to report all diagnosed ODs. In this study, an OD was defined as a disease with a specific clinical diagnosis that was predominantly caused by work-related factors. The economic sectors (n=21) were defined according the NACE (Nomenclature des Activités Économiques dans la Communauté Européenne) classification. Results In a total working population of 514 590 employees, 1782 ODs were reported over 12 months in 2009. The estimated annual incidence for any OD was 346 (95% CI 330 to 362) per 100 000 worker-years. Of all the ODs, mental diseases were reported most frequently (41%), followed by musculoskeletal (39%), hearing (11%), infectious (4%), skin (3%), neurological (2%) and respiratory (2%) diseases. The four economic sectors with the highest annual incidences per 100 000 workers were construction (1127; 95% CI 1002 to 1253), mining and quarrying (888; 95% CI 110 to 1667), water and waste processing (832; 95% CI 518 to 1146) and transport and storage (608; 95% CI 526 to 690). Conclusion ODs are reported in all economic sectors in The Netherlands. Up to 91% of all ODs are mental, musculoskeletal and hearing diseases. Efforts to increase the effective assessment of ODs and compliance in reporting activities enhance the usability of incidence figures for the government, employers and workers.
The Relationship Between Spirituality and Depressive Symptoms: Testing Psychosocial Mechanisms

Although many studies suggest lower rates of depressive symptoms in those who report greater spirituality, few have investigated the mechanisms by which spirituality might relate to depressive symptoms. The current study aimed to elucidate potential psychosocial mechanisms that link these 2 variables. Data were drawn from a community-dwelling stratified sample of 630 racially diverse adults in rural North Carolina. Spirituality was assessed by 6 items of the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale. Depressive symptoms were measured using 4 subscales from the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression. Hypothesized mediators were optimism, volunteering, and perceived social support. Structural equation modeling was used to test whether proposed mediators explain a link between spirituality and depressive symptoms. The model demonstrated a satisfactory fit. Spirituality was indirectly related to depressive symptoms. More specifically, spirituality was significantly associated with optimism and volunteering but not with social support, and optimism, volunteering and perceived social support were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. The link between spirituality and depressive symptoms is indirect. The relationship is mediated by optimism, volunteering, and social support. Findings present research and practice implications.
The Effect of a Phytosphingosine-like Substance Isolated from Asterina pectinifera on Involucrin Expression in Mite Antigen-Stimulated HaCaT Cells

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of phytosphingosine (PS) on mite antigen-induced terminal differentiation abnormalities in HaCaT cells. For this purpose, a PS-like substance was isolated from Asterina pectinifera (starfish PS) using high-performance liquid chromatography and was partially characterized through 1H NMR analysis. The level of involucrin expression in HaCaT cell was measured by immunoblotting assay. Our results showed that PS treatments remarkably up-regulated the involucrin expression, which is known as a terminal differentiation marker in the epidermal mite antigen-treated HaCaT cells. This indicates that starfish PS could regulate mite antigen-induced terminal differentiation fluctuation in the epidermis. Taken together, the results suggest that starfish PS might be a useful therapeutic agent for atopic dermatitis.