pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Similar outcome of allogeneic stem cell transplantation after myeloablative and sequential conditioning regimen in patients with refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia: A study from the Societe Francophone de Greffe de Moelle et de Therapie Cellulaire.

Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in relapse or refractory to induction therapy have a dismal prognosis. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only curative option. In these patients, we aimed to compare the results of a myeloablative transplant versus a sequential approach consisting in a cytoreductive chemotherapy followed by a reduced intensity conditioning regimen and prophylactic donor lymphocytes infusions. We retrospectively analyzed 99 patients aged 18-50 years, transplanted for a refractory (52%) or a relapsed AML not in remission (48%). Fifty-eight patients received a sequential approach and 41 patients a myeloablative conditioning regimen. Only 6 patients received prophylactic donor lymphocytes infusions. With a median follow-up of 48 months, 2-year overall survival was 39%, 95% confidence interval (CI) (24-53) in the myeloablative group versus 33%, 95% CI (21-45) in the sequential groups (P = .39), and 2-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) was 57% versus 50% respectively (P = .99). Nonrelapse mortality was not higher in the myeloablative group (17% versus 15%, P = .44). In multivariate analysis, overall survival, CIR and nonrelapse mortality remained similar between the two groups. However, in multivariate analysis, sequential conditioning led to fewer acute grade II-IV graft versus host disease (GVHD) (HR for sequential approach = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.21-0.65; P < .001) without a significant impact on chronic GVHD (all grades and extensive). In young patients with refractory or relapsed AML, myeloablative transplant and sequential approach offer similar outcomes except for a lower incidence of acute GvHD after a sequential transplant.Peer reviewe
Detection of monosomy 7 in interphase cells of patients with myeloid disorders

Six patients, five with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and one with a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), were found to have monosomy 7 by conventional cytogenetics at diagnosis. Repetitive DNA sequences from the heterochromatic region of human chromosomes 1 and 7 were used as probes for in situ hybridization experiments on interphase cells of these patients. A double hybridization protocol was used to reveal the particular chromosomes as distinct spots or clusters of signals within interphase nuclei. The chromosome 1 sequence served as an internal control. Simultaneous detection of the sequences showed the presence of two normal number 1 chromosomes and a missing 7 chromosome from individual cells. While cytogenetic preparations showed only -7 metaphases in 3 AML and 1 MDS patients, in situ hybridization of interphase cells showed many normal cells as well as the presence of -7 in fully mature granulocytes. One AML patient studied in remission showed only normal metaphases yet had 9% interphase cells with a missing 7 and relapsed within 3 months. We conclude that examination of interphase cells by in situ hybridization provides clinically useful data since every cell including mature granulocytes can be examined, the lineage of a cell can be determined, and efficacy of differentiation therapy can be evaluated.
Anti-leukemic potential of methyl-cobalamin inactivation by nitrous oxide

Myelo‐cytotoxicity of extended nitrous oxide (N2O) inhalation was described almost forty years ago and then incidentally applied already with temporary success for suppressing leukemia. In 1948 the accompanying megaloblastic maturation arrest was explained by inactivation of the methylcobalamin coenzyme and subsequent folate deficiency. We studied the anti‐leukemic effect of N2O on a transplantable acute leukemia in B(rown) N(orway) rats. Progression of this B,N,M(yelocytic)L(eukemia) was measured as spleen and liver weights, and leukemic blood cell counts. The deoxyuridine (dU)‐suppression test provided in vitro indication of the functional folate activity of leukemic cells. Breathing of N2O‐oxygen considerably reduced but did not eradicate, BNML‐proliferation. Addition of anti‐metabolites, interfering with some enzyme in the folate metabolism beyond the methylcobalamin co‐enzyme dependent methionine synthase step, acted at least synergistically. The anti‐leukemic effect of cycloleucine, which reduces S‐adenosyl‐methionine synthesis by inactivation of methionine adenosyltransferase, was moderate but became much stronger with N2O inhalation. Methotrexate, a potent anti‐leukemic agent by inhibiting tetrahydrofolate (THF) generation through inactivation of di‐HF reductase, became highly anti‐BNML, even in low dosage when combined with or preceded by N2O. 5‐Fluorouracil, which inhibits methylene‐THF dependent thymidilate synthase, itself was surprisingly anti‐BNML, but also became much more potent with previous or concomittant N2O exposure. Preliminary dU‐suppression test results with human acute leukemia cells, exposed to N2O and/or folate antagonists in vitro, correlated well with the in vivo BNML‐experiments. Combining the anticobalamin activity of N2O with an anti‐folate therefore seems to be a promising chemotherapeutic approach. Copyrigh
Validity and normative data for thirty-second chair stand test in elderly community-dwelling Hong Kong Chinese

It is important to establish valid field measures of lower body strength in the elderly, and to provide representative normative values that are culturally specific in order to help health professionals in the risk assessment of this group. A sample of 1,038 elderly Hong Kong Chinese undertook a 30-sec chair stand test (30CST), with a subsample of 143 completing isometric measures of maximal hip flexion and knee extension, plus a habitual physical activity questionnaire. The 30CST was significantly, yet only weakly, correlated with the isometric strength measures (r ∼ 0.3-0.4), but accurately discriminated between levels of habitual physical activity and across ages in decades. The normative values generated provide useful data for health screening in this elderly Hong Kong population, but do not compare well with their healthier US counterparts. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.postprin
Age at menarche and the evidence for a positive secular trend in urban South Africa

This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: JONES, L.L. ... et al, 2009. Age at menarche and the evidence for a positive secular trend in urban South Africa. American Journal of Human Biology, 21 (1), pp.130-132, which has been published in final form at: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/37873/homeMenarcheal age was estimated for 287 (188 Black; 99 White) urban South African\ud
girls born in Soweto-Johannesburg in 1990. The median menarcheal age for Blacks\ud
was 12.4 years (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.2, 12.6) and 12.5 years (95% CI\ud
11.7, 13.3) for Whites. Data from six studies of menarcheal age, including the\ud
current study, were analyzed to examine the evidence for a secular trend between\ud
1956 and 2004 in urban South African girls. There was evidence of a statistically\ud
significant secular trend for Blacks, but not Whites. Average menarcheal age for\ud
Blacks decreased from 14.9 years (95% CI 14.8, 15.0) in 1956 to 12.4 years (95% CI\ud
12.2, 12.6) in the current study, an average decline of 0.50 years per decade. Fewer\ud
data were available for Whites, but average menarcheal age decreased from 13.1\ud
years (95% CI 13.0, 13.2) in 1977 to 12.5 years (95% CI 11.7, 13.3) in the current\ud
study, an average decline of 0.22 years per decade. The diminishing age at\ud
menarche and the current lack of difference between Blacks and Whites is probably\ud
reflective of the continuing nutritional and socio-economic transition occurring within\ud
South Africa
Is puberty starting earlier in urban South Africa?

This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: JONES, L.L. ... et al, 2009. Is puberty starting earlier in urban South Africa? American Journal of Human Biology, 21 (3), pp.395-397, which has been published in final form at: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/37873/homeAge at the initation of pubertal development was estimated for 401 Black (212 boys) and 206 White (100 boys) urban South African adolescents born in Soweto-Johannesburg in 1990. Average age at the initation of puberty, assessed by age at the transition from Tanner stage 1 to Tanner stage 2 for breast/genitalia or pubic hair development ranged between 9.8 and 10.5 years. There were no statistically significant differences in age at initiation between genders or ethnic groups. Age at the initation of pubertal development has remained stable over the last 10 to 15 years, with the exception of pubic hair in boys which has declined on average 1.3 years over a decade. There is evidence to suggest that the tempo of pubertal maturation is increasing in girls born in the Soweto-Johannesburg area, however, the evidence is less clear for boys
Validation of a new multiplex assay against individual immunoassays for the quantification of reproductive, stress, and energetic metabolism biomarkers in urine specimens

Abstract:   Measuring multiple hormones simultaneously in a single assay saves sample volume, labor, time, reagents, money, and consumables. Thus, multiplex arrays represent a faster, more economically and ecologically sound alternative to singleton assays.    Objectives:   To validate a new, commercially available multiplex female array produced by Quansys Biosciences against individual immunoassays for the quantification of six hormones in urine samples from women in different reproductive stages.    Methods:   Urine samples were analyzed using the new Quansys multiplex female hormone array and compared with well‐established individual immunoassays for adiponectin, free cortisol, c‐peptide, estrone‐3‐glucuronide (E 1 G), follicle stimulating hormone beta‐subunit (FSH‐beta), and human chorionic gonadotropin beta‐subunit (hCG‐beta). Correlations between assays were assessed using Pearson correlation, linear regression and Bland–Altman analysis. The temporal profiles of free cortisol, E1G, FSH‐beta, and hCG‐beta were also compared.    Results:   The multiplex array was highly correlated with the individual immunoassays for five of the tested hormones (Pearson's correlation coefficient ≥0.75), and yielded temporal patterns of hormone profiles consistent with the individual immunoassays for free cortisol, E1G, FSH‐beta, and hCG‐beta.    Conclusions:    The Quansys multiplex female hormone array is a valid alternative method to individual immunoassays for the quantification of stress, reproductive and energetic hormones and metabolites in human urine samples and can be used to examine the dynamic interactions between these hormones. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Associations between sedentary behavior and motor coordination in children

Objectives:
This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between objectively measured sedentary behavior (SB) and motor coordination (MC) in Portuguese children, accounting for physical activity (PA), accelerometer wear time, waist-to-height ratio, and mother’s education level.
Methods:
A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted on 213 children (110 girls and 103 boys) aged 9–10 in the north of Portugal during the spring of 2010. Accelerometers were used to obtain detailed objective information about daily PA and SB over five consecutive days. MC was measured with a body coordination test (Korperkoordination
Test für Kinder). Waist and height were measured by standardized protocols and the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was calculated. A questionnaire was used to assess mothers’ educational levels. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) and logistic regressions were used.
Results:
ROC analysis showed that sedentary time significantly discriminated between children with low MC and high MC, with a best trade off between sensitivity and specificity being achieved at 77.29% and 76.48% for girls and boys, respectively (P < 0.05 for both). In both genders, the low sedentary group had significantly higher odds of having
good MC than the higher sedentary group, independent of PA, accelerometer wear time, WHtR, and mother’s education level (P < 0.05 for both).
Conclusions:
Our findings suggested that PA levels per se may not overcome the deleterious influence of high levels of SB on MC. Our data stress the importance of discouragin
Associations between sedentary behavior and motor coordination in children

DOI 10.1002/ajhb.22310Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between objectively measured sedentary behavior (SB) and motor coordination (MC) in Portuguese children, accounting for physical activity (PA), accelerometer wear time, waist-to-height ratio, and mother’s education level.
Methods: A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted on 213 children (110 girls and 103 boys) aged 9–10 in the north of Portugal during the spring of 2010. Accelerometers were used to obtain detailed objective information about daily PA and SB over five consecutive days. MC was measured with a body coordination test (Ko¨rperkoordination Test fu¨ r Kinder). Waist and height were measured by standardized protocols and the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was calculated. A questionnaire was used to assess mothers’ educational levels. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) and logistic regressions were used.
Results: ROC analysis showed that sedentary time significantly discriminated between children with low MC and high MC, with a best trade off between sensitivity and specificity being achieved at  77.29% and  76.48% for girls and boys, respectively (P < 0.05 for both). In both genders, the low sedentary group had significantly higher odds of having
good MC than the higher sedentary group, independent of PA, accelerometer wear time, WHtR, and mother’s education level (P < 0.05 for both).
Conclusions: Our findings suggested that PA levels per se may not overcome the deleterious influence of high levels of SB on MC. Our data stress the importance of discouraging SB among children to improve MC. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 24:746–752, 2012.CIEC – Research Centre on Child studies, UM (FCT R&D 317).The Portuguese FCT-MCTES; Contract grant
number: BD/43808/2008
Life course effects on age at menopause among Bangladeshi sedentees and migrants to the UK.\ud

Objectives:\ud
To assess how different variables experienced across the life course, but particularly during early life, might affect age at menopause among 174 Bangladeshi migrants to London by comparing them to 157 nonmigrant sedentees and 154 women of European descent in London.\ud
\ud
Methods:\ud
Participants were aged 35–59 years, with no exogenous hormone use in the past three months, not pregnant or lactating, with no history of hysterectomy or oophorectomy. Face-to-face interviews and anthropometric measures were carried out. In addition to mean recalled age at natural menopause, median age was computed by probit analysis. Ages at menopause were examined by bivariate and Cox regression analyses in relation to demographic, reproductive, and lifestyle variables, and in relation to potential exposure to cyclones in early childhood.\ud
\ud
Results:\ud
Ages at menopause were significantly earlier among Bangladeshi sedentees and immigrants compared to Londoners of European origin. Ages at menopause were earlier among sedentees compared to immigrants. Urban birthplace, more infectious diseases during childhood, and lower levels of education increased the risk of an earlier menopause.\ud
\ud
Conclusions:\ud
Changes in environmental conditions during adulthood appeared to modify age at menopause among Bangladeshi immigrants in London compared to women living in Bangladesh; however, Bangladeshi immigrants still experienced an earlier age at menopause compared with their London neighbors of European descent. \u
Father absence and age at first birth in a western sample.

Objectives:\ud
Although a large literature has shown links between “father absence” during early childhood, and earlier puberty and sexual behavior in girls in Western populations, there are only a few studies which have looked at timing of reproduction, and only one of these fully incorporated childless respondents to investigate whether father absence is associated with increased hazard of becoming a parent at one time point (early) more than another. Here we sought to clarify exactly when, if at all, father absence increased the likelihood of first birth in a Western sample.\ud
\ud
Methods:\ud
An online sample of 954 women reported on their childhood living circumstances, their age of menarche, first coitus, first pregnancy, and first birth.\ud
\ud
Results:\ud
Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier plots showed an increased risk of becoming a parent for father absent women in their 20s, but no overall greater likelihood of parenthood.\ud
\ud
Conclusion:\ud
These data support the suggestion that father absence is associated with an acceleration of reproductive behavior in Western samples, rather than a simple increase in likelihood of reproduction
Socio-Demographic and Behavioral Risk Factors Associated with the High Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in Portuguese Children

Objectives: Childhood obesity is a public health concern in Portugal. Socio-demographic and behavioral
factors are highly associated with obesity but are not clearly understood. This article aims to update the prevalence
of overweight and obesity in Portuguese children and to explore the influence and risks of socio-demographic
factors and behavioral factors.factors and behavioral factors.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of Portuguese children aged 3–10 years from all 18 mainland districts took place
between March 2009 and January 2010. The sample was composed by 17,136 children, 3–10 years of age (8,455 boys;
8,681 girls). Height, weight, and other anthropometric measurements were obtained by trained technicians. Body mass
index (BMI) was calculated along with other anthropometric variables. Data analyses took place between April and
September 2012. The overweight/obesity classification was established by age-and sex-specific BMI cut-off points as
defined by the International obesity task force (IOTF). Parents completed questionnaires about socio-demographic and
behavioral characteristics of the family.
Results: Almost 28% of the Portuguese children were overweight or obese (19.7% overweight; 8.2% obese). Prevalence
was greater in girls than in boys. Logistic regression models found that the odds of childhood obesity were significantly
affected by biological, socio-demographic, and behavioral factors.
Conclusions: The protective factors against childhood overweight/obesity in this sample of Portuguese children are:
(i) being male; (ii) having been breastfeed; (iii) having been born from mothers who did not smoke during pregnancy;
(iv) engaging in little sedentary behaviors (TV, PC, and playing electronic games); (iv) performing at least 1 h of moderate
physical activity every day; and (v) having parents with higher educational levels who also have their BMI within
the healthy ranges.Contract grant sponsor: Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia; Contract
grant number: FCOMP-01–0124-FEDER-007483
Oxytocin and Epstein-Barr virus : stress biomarkers in the postpartum period among first-time mothers from São Paulo, Brazil.

Objectives:\ud
The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between self-reported stress levels among new mothers in São Paulo, Brazil and two biomarkers of stressful experience, oxytocin (OT) and Epstein-Barr Virus antibody level (EBV-ab), with planned pregnancy hypothesized as a moderator of biological response to stressful conditions.\ud
\ud
Methods:\ud
Sixty-three first-time mothers between the ages of 15 and 45 were recruited from neighborhoods in São Paulo, Brazil. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected longitudinally, bi-weekly between two and 12 weeks postpartum. OT level was assessed from breast milk samples and EBV-ab from blood spot samples. An Interpersonal Satisfaction scale was developed, validated, and administered, along with the Cohen perceived stress scale (PSS).\ud
\ud
Results:\ud
In-depth interview data revealed unplanned pregnancy to be a significant stressor in the lives of first-time mothers. In linear regression, OT level was negatively associated with interpersonal satisfaction score (P = 0.022) and positively associated with PSS score (P = 0.007). When splitting the sample by planned status of the pregnancy, women with an unplanned pregnancy showed a strengthened positive association between OT level and PSS (P = 0.001; Adj R2 = 0.44) and negative association with interpersonal satisfaction (P = 0.017; Adj R2 = 0.15), while no associations existed for women with a planned pregnancy. EBV-ab level was not correlated or associated with stress/satisfaction measures.\ud
\ud
Conclusion:\ud
OT is an effective biomarker in the measurement of stress in the body, and additionally reflects differential experiences with difficult interpersonal circumstances, such as unplanned pregnancy. By contrast, EBV-ab failed to reflect differences in self-reported stress levels between mother
Differences in post-exercise inflammatory and glucose regulatory response between sedentary indigenous australian and caucasian men completing a single bout of cycling

Objectives: This study compared the acute inflammatory and glucose responses following aerobic exercise in sedentary Indigenous Australian and Caucasian men, matched for fitness and body composition. Methods: Sedentary Indigenous (n510) and Caucasian (n59) Australian men who were free from chronic disease volunteered to participate. Following baseline testing, participants completed a 40 min cycling bout at 80% maximal heart rate. Fasting venous blood was collected pre, 0, 30, 60, and 240 min post-exercise for analysis of glucose, insulin, cortisol, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6, IL-1 receptor agonist (ra), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Results: Resting TNF-a and glucose concentrations were significantly higher in the Indigenous group (P<0.05). IL- 6 and IL-1ra were elevated for longer in Caucasian (P<0.05), compared with the Indigenous group (P>0.05). The post-exercise (0 min) increase in cortisol and glucose for the Caucasians was higher (P<0.05) than the attenuated responses within the Indigenous group (P>0.05). Conclusions: Despite being matched for fitness and body composition the Indigenous men had elevated resting TNF-a and glucose compared with the Caucasian men, which may have contributed to the suppressed post-exercise anti-inflammatory response of the Indigenous men; however, glucose normalized between groups post-exercise. As such, it is recommended for acute moderate-intensity exercise to be completed daily for long-term improvements in glucose regulation, irrespective of ancestry. Of note, results suggest it to be even more pertinent for exercise to be encouraged for Indigenous Australian men due to their elevated resting glucose levels at a younger age, when compared to the respective Caucasian group