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The increasing availability of individual-level data has led to numerous applications of individualized (or personalized) treatment rules (ITRs). Policy makers often wish to empirically evaluate ITRs and compare their relative performance before implementing them in a target population. We propose a new evaluation metric, the population average prescriptive effect (PAPE). The PAPE compares the performance of ITR with that of non-individualized treatment rule, which randomly treats the same proportion of units. Averaging the PAPE over a range of budget constraints yields our second evaluation metric, the area under the prescriptive effect curve (AUPEC). The AUPEC represents an overall performance measure for evaluation, like the area under the receiver and operating characteristic curve (AUROC) does for classification, and is a generalization of the QINI coefficient used in uplift modeling. We use Neyman's repeated sampling framework to estimate the PAPE and AUPEC and derive their exact finite-sample variances based on random sampling of units and random assignment of treatment. We extend our methodology to a common setting, in which the same experimental data are used to both estimate and evaluate ITRs. In this case, our variance calculation incorporates the additional uncertainty due to random splits of data used for cross-validation. The proposed evaluation metrics can be estimated without requiring modeling assumptions, asymptotic approximation, or resampling methods. As a result, it is applicable to any ITR including those based on complex machine learning algorithms. The open-source software package is available for implementing the proposed methodology. for this article are available online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising popularity of the Chinese language as a subject for study has motivated research on international students' cultural adaptation and language learning during periods of study abroad in China. This inquiry examined the challenges that a group of New Zealand students encountered and the strategic responses they adopted in relation to cultural adaptation in China. In the inquiry, we encouraged 15 participants to write reflective journals and conducted group interviews to explore their experiences. The analysis revealed the variety of challenges that the participants faced, including language-based, lifestyle, and academic challenges as well as sociocultural and psychological ones. In response to these challenges, the participants adopted diverse strategic efforts to achieve cognitive, affective, and skill development in facilitating their communication practices with local Chinese people. These findings suggest that language educators need to revise traditional pedagogical approaches so that new pedagogical activities can be developed to promote study abroad students' communication competence, and counselling services should be provided to support their cultural adaptation and language learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basic reproduction number R 0 in network epidemic dynamics is studied in the case of stochastic regime-switching networks. For generality, the dependence between successive networks is considered to follow a continuous time semi-Markov chain. R 0 is the weighted average of the basic reproduction numbers of deterministic subnetworks. Its position with respect to 1 can determine epidemic persistence or extinction in theories and simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we present a new method based on extreme learning machine (ELM) algorithm for solving nonlinear curve fitting problems. Curve fitting is a computational problem in which we seek an underlying target function with a set of data points given. We proposed that the unknown target function is realized by an ELM with introducing an additional linear neuron to correct the localized behavior caused by Gaussian type neurons. The number of hidden layer neurons of ELM is a crucial factor to achieve a good performance. An evolutionary computation algorithm–particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique is applied to determine the optimal number of hidden nodes. Several numerical experiments with benchmark datasets, simulated spectral data and measured data from high energy physics experiments have been conducted to test the proposed method. Accurate fitting has been accomplished for various tough curve fitting tasks. Comparing with the results of other methods, the proposed method outperforms the traditional numerical-based technique. This work clearly demonstrates that the classical numerical analysis problem-curve fitting can be satisfactorily resolved via the approach of artificial intelligence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim: Role of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), statin and aspirin in reducing cancer risks in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains controversial. We aimed to examine chemo-preventive effects of these drugs in all cancers in IBD in population-based setting. Methods: IBD patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2016 were identified from the Hong Kong IBD Registry and followed from IBD diagnosis until first cancer occurrence. Primary outcome was cancer development ≥6 months after IBD diagnosis. Adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated with Cox proportional hazards model. Additional effects of statin and aspirin on chemoprevention were also assessed. Results: Amongst 2103 IBD patients (857 Crohn's disease, 1246 ulcerative colitis; mean age 40.0 ± 15.6; 60.3% male) with 16,856 person-years follow-up, 48 patients (2.3%) developed cancer. The 5-r, 10-r and 15-year (95% CI) cumulative incidence of cancer were 1% (0.6 − 1.5%), 2.8 (2.0 − 3.9%) and 4.8 (3.4 − 6.5%), respectively. Total 1891 (89.9%) and 222 (10.6%) patients have received one or more prescriptions of 5-ASA and statin respectively. In multivariable analysis adjusted for age, gender, smoking status, IBD type and use of other medications, use of 5-ASA or statin was not associated with a reduced risk of cancer development (5-ASA: aHR 1.22, 95% CI: 0.60–2.48, p =.593; statin: aHR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.14–1.59, p =.227). Adding aspirin was not associated with a lowered cancer risk (aHR 1.18, 95% CI: 0.32–4.35, p =.799). Conclusion: Use of 5-ASA was not associated with a lowered cancer risk in Chinese IBD patients. Addition of statin/aspirin provided no additional benefit. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are associated with increased risk of both intestinal and extra- intestinal cancers. Various medications including 5-aminosalicylate acid (5-ASA), statins and aspirin have been studied for their chemoprevention effects. However, most studies focused on colorectal cancer only and showed conflicting evidence. No studies so far looked at the effects of these medications on all cancer development in IBD. The 5-, 10- and 15-year (95% confidence interval) cumulative incidence of cancer in Chinese IBD patients were 1 (0.6–1.5%), 2.8 (2.0–3.9%) and 4.8 (3.4–6.5%), respectively. Use of 5-ASA was not associated with a lowered cancer risk in Chinese IBD patients. Addition of statin/aspirin provided no additional benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article was to find the main influence factors of sports bra comfort evaluation of different sizes women (small/medium size; large size) of different styles commercial sports bra. Thirty-one women in different bra sizes were chosen to evaluate 11 different styles sports bras. According to different sizes, the main influence factors were extracted by factor analysis and all the product samples were classified by Q-cluster analysis. And the comfort evaluation results of different two sizes were compared to find the differences. The results find that breast stability, wearing comfort and breast shape are the three key factors for sports bra comfort evaluation. By comparison of comfort evaluation results of different two sizes, the conclusions show that the large size is more concern about shoulder strap pressure, breasts gather effect, cup inclusiveness and lower breast stability, while the small and medium size pays more attention to the possibility of wearability factor. A classification-positioning model of sports bra products was established. The results can provide theoretical basis and guidance for the research and comfort evaluation of sports bras for underwear enterprises, and also provide reference value for women customers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The long-term effects of marijuana on cognition, particularly in the context of HIV is not clear, as extant research shows mixed findings. Objective: To determine associations between current and cumulative exposure to marijuana and changes in cognitive processing speed and flexibility in 788 HIV-seropositive (HIV+) and 1,132 HIV-seronegative (HIV−) men followed for up to 17 years in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study. Results: Among HIV+ men only, current daily marijuana use compared to none-use, was significantly associated with a greater annual percentage decline in cognitive processing speed assessed with the Trail Making Test A (TMTA) (β=−0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.88, −0.03, p=0.03)] and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) (β= −0.14, 95% CI: −0.28, −0.01, p=0.04). Further, monthly marijuana use was associated with greater annual percentage decline in cognitive flexibility assessed with the Trail Making Test B (TMTB) (β= −0.70, 95% CI: −1.34, −0.05; p=0.03] and cognitive processing speed (SDMT) (β= −0.21, 95% CI: −0.40, −0.01, p=0.03). Among the HIV− men only, each 5-marijuana use-years (equivalent to 5-years of daily marijuana use) was significantly associated with a 0.17 annual percentage decline in cognitive processing speed only (TMTA) (β= −0.18, 95% CI: −0.36, −0.01; p=0.04). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that marijuana use, particularly current use, may be associated with worse cognitive processing speed, but the magnitude of the estimates was not clinically meaningful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young Latino gay and bisexual men experience discrimination due to heterosexism and racism from within and beyond their communities. Although most research has emphasised overt forms of discrimination, a growing body of research is examining the effects of microaggressions, or indirect forms of discrimination, on racial and sexual minorities. The purpose of this study was to explore the contexts of various types of microaggressions, as well as describe the resilience strategies used by young adult Latino gay and bisexual men living in Los Angeles, California. A sample of 21 young Latino gay and bisexual men aged 18 to 29 years were recruited to complete qualitative, in-depth, semi-structured interviews following a phenomenological approach. Three contextual themes relevant to microaggressions emerged: (1) microassaults, (2) microinsults and (3) microinvalidations. Three themes emerged around the resilience strategies to overcome these experiences: (1) self-discovery, (2) adaptive socialisation and (3) self-advocacy. Family and community-based efforts to reinforce and expand resilience repertoires are needed to help young Latino gay and bisexual men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixty-three percent of the total active tuberculosis cases in Canada were diagnosed among foreign-born individuals, representing 20% of the total population. The majority of these cases occur from the reactivation of tuberculosis infections acquired prior to immigration. A preventive policy consisting of screening and treating new immigrants for latent tuberculosis infection is evaluated on its efficacy for reducing the total number of tuberculosis cases, using tuberculosis incidence data between 1986 and 1995 from the Canadian tuberculosis reporting system. The most effective intervention is to screen for and treat latent tuberculosis infection among arriving immigrants from countries of birth with a tuberculosis incidence rate greater than 15 cases per 100,000. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Extant research on quality of life in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) primarily capture the social milieu and psychosocial outcomes of those living in urban rather than rural settings. Much of this can be attributed to the high demand for services in areas with greater concentrations of sexual minorities. As MSM in rural communities are both underrepresented in research and susceptible to social estrangement from each other, our study assessed the impacts of several aspects of their social milieu—recency of access to community resources for gay/bisexual men and time socializing with other gay/bisexual men—on loneliness, as well as the mediating role of perceived connectedness to the local gay/bisexual community on this association. Using purposive sampling and Internet-based direct marketing, we recruited 225 MSM aged 18 or older in rural and mixed rural areas in south-central Indiana. We performed a path analysis to test our hypothesized model. Recency of access to community resources was positively associated with perceived connectedness to the gay/bisexual community, which in turn was protective against loneliness. Findings indicate that improving accessibility to venues or activities for rural MSM could serve to facilitate community-building and benefit their psychosocial well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Culture, Health & Sexuality is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Rituximab is a monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody that is standard of care for treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The purpose of this study was to quantify the incidence of rituximab (R)-related interstitial pneumonitis (IP) in patients with NHL receiving immunochemotherapy. All patients with NHL who received cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP), cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone (CVP), R-CHOP or R-CVP in Princess Margaret Hospital between June 1998 and August 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. We compared cohorts of patients who did and did not receive R and documented the incidence of IP during and/or post-treatment. In total 560 patients were included in this analysis. The rate of IP in the entire cohort was 2.9% (16/560) with a trend toward a higher rate in the R group (3.95% vs. 1.3% [odds ratio 3.1, 0.84-17.27, p = 0.074]). Baseline pulmonary computed tomography abnormalities in patients with lymphoma are relatively common. The addition of R to chemotherapy does not significantly increase the risk of symptomatic chemotherapy-related IP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to determine whether the experience of bias-motivated bullying was associated with behaviors known to increase the risk of HIV infection among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) aged 18–29, and to assess whether the psychosocial problems moderated this relationship. Using an Internet-based direct marketing approach in sampling, we recruited 545 YMSM residing in the USA to complete an online questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analyses tested three regression models where we controlled for sociodemographics. The first model indicated that bullying during high school was associated with unprotected receptive anal intercourse within the past 12 months, while the second model indicated that bullying after high school was associated with engaging in anal intercourse while under the influence of drugs or alcohol in the past 12 months. In the final regression model, our composite measure of HIV risk behavior was found to be associated with lifetime verbal harassment. None of the psychosocial problems measured in this study – depression, low self-esteem, and internalized homonegativity – moderated any of the associations between bias-motivated bullying victimization and HIV risk behaviors in our regression models. Still, these findings provide novel evidence that bullying prevention programs in schools and communities should be included in comprehensive approaches to HIV prevention among YMSM. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Atmosphere -- Ocean (Taylor & Francis Ltd) is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study aimed to assess the feasibility and long-term outcome of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for middle and lower rectal cancer. Retrospective assessment was performed on 612 patients with middle and low rectal cancer in the surgery department of our hospital. Three-hundred and three patients underwent laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LTME), and 309 patients underwent open TME (OTME). All the data regarding patient details, operative variables and the short- and long-term outcomes were collected and compared. The sphincter-preserving rates of the two groups were similar. The conversion rate in LTME was 2.31% (seven cases). Fourteen cases (6.67%) of protective diverting stoma were fashioned in the LTME group compared with 57 cases (26.64%) in the OTME group. The postoperative morbidity was the same in these two groups, while the postoperative period until bowel movement and hospital discharge was shorter in the LTME group (P < 0.01). The median follow-up period was 34 (6-81) months for the LTME group and 36 (6-81) months for the OTME group. Local recurrence rates, the five-year disease-free survival rate and the five-year overall survival rate showed no difference between the two groups. Laparoscopic surgery is feasible and safe in patients with middle and lower rectal caner and can provide favorable short-term and long-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α-Thalassemia (thal) is common all over the world. Most of the mutations encountered are of the deletional type. We now report two frameshift α-thal mutations: a novel α1-globin gene deletion at codon 62 (GTG→ -TG) found in an African American man, and a second report on an α2-globin gene deletion at codon 22 (GGC→GG -) found in a Hispanic girl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foxp1, Foxp2, and Foxp4 are large multidomain transcriptional regulators belonging to the family of winged-helix DNA binding proteins known as the Fox family. Foxp1 and Foxp2 have been shown to act as transcriptional repressors, while regulatory activity of the recently identified Foxp4 has not been determined. Given the importance of this Fox gene subfamily in neural and lung development, we sought to elucidate the mechanisms by which Foxp1, Foxp2, and Foxp4 repress gene transcription. We show that like Foxp1 and Foxp2, Foxp4 represses transcription. Analysis of the N-terminal repression domain in Foxp1, Foxp2, and Foxp4 shows that this region contains two separate and distinct repression subdomains that are highly homologous termed subdomain 1 and subdomain 2. However, subdomain 2 is not functional in Foxp4. Screening for proteins that interact with subdomains 1 and 2 of Foxp2 using yeast two-hybrid analysis revealed that subdomain 2 binds to C-terminal binding protein 1, which can synergistically repress transcription with Foxp1 and Foxp2, but not Foxp4. Subdomain 1 contains a highly conserved leucine zipper similar to that found in N-myc and confers homo- and heterodimerization to the Foxp1/2/4 family members. These interactions are dependent on the conserved leucine zipper motif. Finally, we show that the integrity of this subdomain is essential for DNA binding, making Foxp1, Foxp2, and Foxp4 the first Fox proteins that require dimerization for DNA binding. These data reveal a complex regulatory mechanism underlying Foxp1, Foxp2, and Foxp4 activity, demonstrating that Foxp1, Foxp2, and Foxp4 are the first Fox proteins reported whose activity is regulated by homo- and heterodimerization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]