Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Systematic reviews as a “lens of evidence”: Determinants of participation in breast cancer screening

Objective To assess the determinants of the participation rate in breast cancer screening programs by conducting a systematic review of reviews. Methods We conducted a systematic search in PubMed via Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane identifying the literature up to April 2019. Out of 2258 revealed unique abstracts, we included 31 reviews, from which 25 were considered as systematic. We applied the Walsh & McPhee Systems Model of Clinical Preventive Care to systematize the determinants of screening participation. Results The reviews, mainly in high-income settings, reported a wide range for breast cancer screening participation rate: 16–90%. The determinants of breast cancer screening participation were simple low-cost interventions such as invitation letters, basic information on screening, multiple reminders, fixed appointments, prompts from healthcare professionals, and healthcare organizational factors (e.g. close proximity to screening facility). More complex interventions (such as face-to-face counselling or home visits), mass media or improved access to transport should not be encouraged by policy makers unless other information appears. The repeated participation in mammography screening was consistently high, above 62%. Previous positive experience with screening influenced the repeated participation in screening programs. The reviews were inconsistent in the use of terminology related to breast cancer screening participation, which may have contributed to the heterogeneity in the reported outcomes. Conclusions This study shows that consistent findings of systematic reviews bring more certainty into the conclusions on the effects of simple invitation techniques, fixed appointments and prompts, as well as healthcare organizational factors on promoting participation rate in screening mammography.
Myc as a Regulator of Ribosome Biogenesis and Cell Competition: A Link to Cancer

The biogenesis of ribosomes is a finely regulated multistep process linked to cell proliferation and growth—processes which require a high rate of protein synthesis. One of the master regulators of ribosome biogenesis is Myc, a well-known proto-oncogene that has an important role in ribosomal function and in the regulation of protein synthesis. The relationship between Myc and the ribosomes was first highlighted in Drosophila, where Myc’s role in controlling Pol-I, II and III was evidenced by both microarrays data, and by the ability of Myc to control growth (mass), and cellular and animal size. Moreover, Myc can induce cell competition, a physiological mechanism through which cells with greater fitness grow better and thereby prevail over less competitive cells, which are actively eliminated by apoptosis. Myc-induced cell competition was shown to regulate both vertebrate development and tumor promotion; however, how these functions are linked to Myc’s control of ribosome biogenesis, protein synthesis and growth is not clear yet. In this review, we will discuss the major pathways that link Myc to ribosomal biogenesis, also in light of its function in cell competition, and how these mechanisms may reflect its role in favoring tumor promotion.
Elimination of flowering and most cytological changes after selective long-day exposure of the shoot tip of Sinapis alba

Entire plants of Sinapis. alba exposed to a single long day were induced to flower. However, if only the shoot tip was exposed to the long, day, no flowering ensued. In the apical meristem of plants with only the shoot tip exposed to the long day, none of the ultra structural changes normally observed in the meristem of induced plants were detected, except for a marked increase in the number of mitochondria per cell. We conclude that the great majority of ultra structural changes normally occurring in the shoot meristem during floral transition are not direct effects of day length on the tip but are caused by signal(s) generated in induced leaves.
Provision of palliative care in National Cancer Grid treatment centres in India: a cross-sectional gap analysis survey

Objectives This study aimed to identify gaps in palliative care (PC) provision across the National Cancer Grid (NCG) centres in India. Methods We performed a cross-sectional validated web-based survey on 102 NCG cancer centres (Nov ’17 to April ’18). The survey questionnaire had seven sections collecting data relating to the capacity to provide cancer care and PC, drug availability for pain and symptom control, education, advocacy, and quality assurance activities for PC. Results Eighty-nine NCG centres responded for this study—72.5% of centres had doctors with generalist PC training, whereas 34.1% of centres had full-time PC physicians; 53.8% had nurses with 6 weeks of PC training; 68.1% of the centres have an outpatient PC and 66.3% have the facility to provide inpatient PC; 38.5% of centres offer home-based PC services; 44% of the centres make a hospice referral and 68.1% of the centres offer concurrent cancer therapy alongside PC. Among the centres, 84.3% have a licence to procure, store and dispense opioids, but only 77.5% have an uninterrupted supply of oral morphine for patients; 61.5% centres have no dedicated funds for PC, 23.1% centres have no support from hospital administration, staff shortage—69.2% have no social workers, 60.4% have no counsellors and 76.9% have no volunteers. Although end-of-life care is recognised, there is a lack of institutional policy. Very few centres take part in quality control measures. Conclusions The majority of the NCG centres have the facilities to provide PC but suffer from poor implementation of existing policies, funding and human resources.
A Spray-Dried, Co-Processed Rice Starch as a Multifunctional Excipient for Direct Compression

A new co-processed, rice starch-based excipient (CS) was developed via a spray-drying technique. Native rice starch (RS) was suspended in aqueous solutions of 10%–15% cross-linked carboxymethyl rice starch (CCMS) and 0.5%–6.75% silicon dioxide (in the form of sodium silicate), before spray drying. The resulting CSs were obtained as spherical agglomerates, with improved flowability. The compressibility study revealed an improved plastic deformation profile of RS, leading to better compaction and tensile strength. The presence of CCMS also ensured a rapid disintegration of the compressed tablets. CS-CCMS:SiO2 (10:2.7), prepared with 10% CCMS, 2.7% silicon dioxide, and 40% solid content, was found to exhibit the best characteristics. Compared to the two commercial DC excipients, Prosolv® and Tablettose®, the flow property of CS-CCMS:SiO2 (10:2.7) was not significantly different, while the tensile strength was 23%: lower than that of Prosolv® but 4 times higher than that of Tablettose® at 196 MPa compression force. The disintegration time of CS-CCMS:SiO2 (10:2.7) tablet (28 s) was practically identical to that of Tablettose® tablet (26 s) and far superior to that of Prosolv® tablet (>30 min). These results show that CSs could potentially be employed as a multifunctional excipient for the manufacturing of commercial tablets by DC.
Soil properties and barley yield under a twenty-years experiment of tillage, straw management and nitrogen application rate in the sub-arctic area of Alaska

Abstract A tillage and straw management study was started near Delta Junction Alaska (64°49′N, 147°52′W) USA in 1983 to determine the impact of tillage, straw management, and nitrogen fertilizer application rate on soil properties and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grain yield. In October 2003, soil samples were collected from the 0–5, 5–10, 10–25 cm depths in the treatments: no tillage (NT); disked once each spring (DO); disked twice (each for spring and fall, respectively) (DT); straw and stubble retention (SS); straw and stubble removal (NSS); and 11 and 131 kg N ha−1 nitrogen fertilizer application rates, to determine soil total nitrogen and carbon concentration, cation exchange capacity, mineral N, Mehlich-3 extractable phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, pH, electrical conductivity and bulk density. From 1983 to 2003 grain yield was measured from each treatment except in those years in which yield was lost due to birds, weeds, or chemical fallow. The no-tillage treatment tended to increase soil total organic C and N concentrations at 0–5 cm depths. Soil bulk density (0–5 cm) was lower with NT (p<0.05) than with DT. Retaining straw (SS) on the soil surface increased soil organic C concentration at 5–10 cm depth (p=0.06). Mineral N concentration in soil was higher with NT at 0–5 cm depth (p=0.05). Barley grain yield of NT was better than that of DT but varied with time. Rate of N application increased grain yield up to 91 kg N ha−1. Overall, the no-tillage and straw management had impact on some surface soil properties in sub-arctic Alaska, and no-tillage and minimum tillage increased barley crop yield.
GABAA Receptor/STEP61 Signaling Pathway May Be Involved in Emulsified Isoflurane Anesthesia in Rats

(1) Background: Emulsified isoflurane (EISO) is a type of intravenous anesthetic. How emulsified isoflurane works in the brain is still unclear. The aim of this study was to explore whether epigenetic mechanisms affect anesthesia and to evaluate the anesthetic effects of emulsified isoflurane in rats. (2) Methods: Rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8/group): The tail vein was injected with normal saline 0.1 mL·kg−1·min−1 for the control (Con) group, with intralipid for the fat emulsion (FE) group, with EISO at 60 mg·kg−1·min−1 for the high-concentration (HD) group, and 45 mg·kg−1·min−1 for the low-concentration (LD) group. The consciousness state, motor function of limbs, and response to nociceptive stimulus were observed after drug administration. (3) Results: Using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to assess the promoter methylation of ion channel proteins in the cerebral cortex of rats anesthetized by EISO, we demonstrated that the change in the promoters’ methylation of the coding genes for gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor α1 subunit (GABAAα1), N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 1 (NMDAR1), and mu opioid receptor 1 (OPRM1) was accompanied by the change in messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression by these genes. (4) Conclusion: These data suggest that the epigenetic factors’ modulation might offer a novel approach to explore the anesthetic mechanism of EISO.
Time for a rethink on the ban on swill feeding?

Correspondence from Richard Penny and colleagues last year advocated a rethink on the ban on swill feeding ( VR , August 23, 2008, vol 163, p 254). Kevin Taylor replied and was generally against such an idea although he suggested some preconditions ( VR , August 30, 2008, vol 163, p 284). This is an
The evolution of the pelagic alciopid and phyllodocid polychaetes.

SUMMARY The morphological adaptations of the alciopid and lopadorhynchine polychaetes for a pelagic mode of life are compared, with particular reference to the organs concerned with feeding and reproduction. Both groups are predatory, but feed in different ways; Lopadorhynchus has poorly-developed eyes but long cirri, anterior segments modified for grasping, and large pharyn-geal glands; alciopids have large eyes and the most advanced have long eversible proboscides. Many alciopids have evolved a copulatory mechanism whereby the sperm are transfered to the female which stores them in receptacula until required. The phylogenetic relationships of the different genera are briefly described.
Targeting of Intracellular TMEM16 Proteins to the Plasma Membrane and Activation by Purinergic Signaling

Anoctamins such as TMEM16A and TMEM16B are Ca2+-dependent Cl− channels activated through purinergic receptor signaling. TMEM16A (ANO1), TMEM16B (ANO2) and TMEM16F (ANO6) are predominantly expressed at the plasma membrane and are therefore well accessible for functional studies. While TMEM16A and TMEM16B form halide-selective ion channels, TMEM16F and probably TMEM16E operate as phospholipid scramblases and nonselective ion channels. Other TMEM16 paralogs are expressed mainly in intracellular compartments and are therefore difficult to study at the functional level. Here, we report that TMEM16E (ANO5), -H (ANO8), -J (ANO9) and K (ANO10) are targeted to the plasma membrane when fused to a C-terminal CAAX (cysteine, two aliphatic amino acids plus methionin, serine, alanin, cystein or glutamin) motif. These paralogs produce Ca2+-dependent ion channels. Surprisingly, expression of the TMEM16 paralogs in the plasma membrane did not produce additional scramblase activity. In contrast, endogenous scrambling induced by stimulation of purinergic P2X7 receptors was attenuated, in parallel with reduced plasma membrane blebbing. This could suggest that intracellular TMEM16 paralogs operate differently when compared to plasma membrane-localized TMEM16F, and may even stabilize intracellular membranes. Alternatively, CAAX tagging, which leads to expression in non-raft compartments of the plasma membrane, may antagonize phosphatidylserine exposure by endogenous raft-located TMEM16F. CAAX-containing constructs may be useful to further investigate the molecular properties of intracellular TMEM16 proteins.
Record of Ophiocordyceps unilateralis sensu lato, the zombie-ant fungus, parasitizing Camponotus in an urban fragment of Atlantic Rainforest in southeastern Brazil

Ophiocordyceps is a fungal pathogen of ants of the tribe Camponotini. It is called zombie fungus, since it changes the host behavior, causing them to die in an exposed position, typically clinging onto and biting into the adaxial surface of shrub leaves. This study aimed to describe the occurrence of parasitic associations between Ophiocordyceps and ants of the genus Camponotus in an urban fragment of Atlantic Rainforest in southeastern Brazil and to measure the rate of hyperparasitism in Ophiocordyceps by other fungi in the same location. We found 57 individuals of four species of ants and three species of fungus. The age categories of fungi were equally distributed, and rate of hyperparasitism was 17.5% (n = 10). The sampled area was recognized as an important site of Ophiocordyceps occurrence.
p21-activated Kinase 1 Activates the Nuclear Factor κB (NF-κB)-inducing Kinase-IκB Kinases NF-κB Pathway and Proinflammatory Cytokines in Helicobacter pyloriInfection*

Helicobacter pylori, the causative agent of several human gastric diseases, induces activation of the immediate early response transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), which subsequently triggers release of proinflammatory cytokines in colonized epithelial cells. Here we report that inH. pylori infection p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) activates NF-κB. Activated PAK1 associates with NF-κB-inducing kinase, which upon activation directs the activity of IκB kinases to IκBα. Our results indicate that in epithelial cells PAK1 participates in a unique pathway that links H. pylori-dependent effector molecules to the activation of NF-κB and the induction of the innate immune response.
Homoeologous exchanges occur through intragenic recombination generating novel transcripts and proteins in wheat and other polyploids

Significance The mechanism that controls recombination between homoeologous chromosomes in allopolyploids, also known as homoeologous exchange (HE), is not well understood. We found that HE has similar hallmarks as homologous recombination, occurring in subtelomeric regions and at recombination hotspot motifs. However, it differs by a significant aspect: HE is mostly restricted to gene bodies. This feature was shown through sequence analysis of a synthetic wheat allotetraploid and was also detected in other plant allopolyploids. An outcome of this intragenic recombination is the formation of novel transcripts and protein fusion variants. HE thus provides a mechanism for neo- and subfunctionalization of genes. Recombination between homeologous chromosomes, also known as homeologous exchange (HE), plays a significant role in shaping genome structure and gene expression in interspecific hybrids and allopolyploids of several plant species. However, the molecular mechanisms that govern HEs are not well understood. Here, we studied HE events in the progeny of a nascent allotetraploid (genome AADD) derived from two diploid progenitors of hexaploid bread wheat using cytological and whole-genome sequence analyses. In total, 37 HEs were identified and HE junctions were mapped precisely. HEs exhibit typical patterns of homologous recombination hotspots, being biased toward low-copy, subtelomeric regions of chromosome arms and showing association with known recombination hotspot motifs. But, strikingly, while homologous recombination preferentially takes place upstream and downstream of coding regions, HEs are highly enriched within gene bodies, giving rise to novel recombinant transcripts, which in turn are predicted to generate new protein fusion variants. To test whether this is a widespread phenomenon, a dataset of high-resolution HE junctions was analyzed for allopolyploid Brassica, rice, Arabidopsis suecica, banana, and peanut. Intragenic recombination and formation of chimeric genes was detected in HEs of all species and was prominent in most of them. HE thus provides a mechanism for evolutionary novelty in transcript and protein sequences in nascent allopolyploids.
Long-Term Outcomes in Patients with Stroke after in-Hospital Treatment—Study Protocol of the Prospective Stroke Cohort Augsburg (SCHANA Study)

Introduction: In Germany, stroke is the third leading cause of death, with more than 60,000 fatalities out of approximately 260,000 cases (first-ever and recurrent strokes) each year. So far, there are only a few long-term studies investigating determinants of the natural course of the disease, especially in the era of mechanical thrombectomy. Materials and Methods: The prospective single-center stroke cohort Augsburg (SCHANA) study will include about 1000 patients treated for stroke in the University Hospital of Augsburg. Patients aged 18 years or older with a confirmed diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke are included in the study. Information on demographic characteristics, onset of symptoms, etiologic factors, comorbidities, quality of life, invasive and non-invasive treatment, complications, and laboratory parameters are collected during a personal interview conducted during the patients’ hospital stay and via a medical chart review. About 30 mL of blood is collected from each patient, and after processing and aliquoting, all blood specimens are frozen at −80° C. The study participants will be followed-up via postal questionnaires at three and 12 months after discharge from the hospital. Furthermore, mortality follow-ups will be conducted. Cox-regression analysis will be used to estimate relative risks. Conclusion: The SCHANA study will generate comprehensive data on the long-term course of the disease. In addition to the main outcomes, recurrent events and survival, patient-oriented outcomes such as health-related quality of life and depression are the focus of the study.
Assessment and Management of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotype Errors in Genetic Association

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) may be used in case-control designs to test for association between a marker (the SNP) and a disease. However, such designs usually assume that the genotype data are reported without error. We propose a method, the reduced penetrance model method (RPM) that allows for errors in a case-control design, as compared to the full penetrance model method (FPM), that assumes data are errorless. Pearson's chi 2 applied to a 2 x 2 contingency table is the test statistic considered. Additionally, we provide a likelihood method to estimate error rates using SNP genotype data in CEPH pedigrees. We test our method (RPM) against the standard method (FPM) using simulated data. All SNP loci are assumed to have two alleles, coded 1 and 2. We consider three pairs of error rates, two different sample sizes, and two sets of allele frequencies for the SNP locus. SNP genotype data in two populations are simulated under a null hypothesis (allele frequencies equal in both populations) and under an alternative hypothesis (allele frequencies differ between two populations). The total number of simulations is 24; 12 simulations under the null hypothesis, and 12 simulations under the alternative. The significance level threshold is 5%. For the null case, 9/12 (75%) of the simulations show no increase in type I error under RPM, while 3/12 (25%) show a slight increase (rejecting the null for at most 7% of the replicates). There is no increase in the type I error rate for FPM method, which can also be shown analytically. For the alternative case (power), there is a consistent increase in power for the RPM method as compared to FPM method, and average increase of 0.02 for the simulations considered. When sample sizes are large there is virtually no difference in power between RPM and FPM methods. Also, the RPM method provides consistently more accurate allele frequency estimates for the various populations. Our likelihood method to estimate error rates with CEPH pedigrees provides good estimates on average. The largest difference between a true error rate and our average estimated error rate is 0.006. However, there is a fair amount of variability in the estimates, suggesting the need for multiple experiments or larger numbers of CEPH pedigrees. Researchers may use the methods presented in this paper to (1) estimate error rates for their automated genotyping process, and (2) allow for such errors in association analyses, thereby increasing power to detect differences between allele frequencies in case and control populations when errors are present.
Production of Cerebroside from Beet Molasses by the Yeast Saccharomyces kluyveri

Twenty-two strains classified as Saccharomyces kluyveri were grown on beet molasses as the principal carbon source to select a strain for the production of a glycosphingolipid cerebroside. Six strains accumulated relatively high amounts of cerebroside (> 0.40 mg [g dry weight]−1) and grew well in an Erlenmeyer flask. Thirty strains were isolated from single spores of strain CBS 4800 after sporulation and further tested for cerebroside contents. Strain SP-25 accumulated greater amounts than the parental strain (0.59 mg [g dry weight]−1) and was finally selected and cultured in a 5 L jar fermentor. In a comparison with a conventional baking strain of S. cerevisiae, the selected strain SP-25 propagated more rapidly in conjunction with depressed synthesis of ethanol. The amount of cerebroside produced from 1 kg of sugar in molasses was estimated to be 0.15 g. The constituents of cerebroside accumulated in the yeast cells were principally 2-hydroxystearic acid as a fatty acid, 9-methyl-trans-4, trans-8-sphingadienine as a sphingoid base, and glucose as a hexose.