Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A genetic reduction in antioxidant function causes elevated aggression in mice

Male–male aggression can have a large influence on access to mates, particularly in highly territorial animals such as mice. It has been suggested that males with impaired antioxidant defence and a consequential increased susceptibility to oxidative stress may have a reduced ability to invest in aggressive behaviours, which could limit their mating opportunities and reproductive success. Oxidative stress occurs as a result of an uncontrolled over-production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in relation to defence mechanisms (such as antioxidants), and can cause damage to a variety of different cellular components. Impairments in specific aspects of antioxidant defence, leading to oxidative stress, can limit investment in some reproductive traits in males, such as sperm quality and the production of sexual signals to attract mates. However, a direct effect of impaired antioxidant defence on aggressive behaviour has not, to our knowledge, been reported. In this study, we demonstrate that mice with experimentally elevated sensitivity to oxidative stress (through inhibition of copper–zinc superoxide dismutase, Sod1) actually show the opposite response to previous predictions. Males completely deficient in SOD1 are more aggressive than both wild-type males and males that express 50% of this antioxidant enzyme. They are also faster to attack another male. The cause of this increased aggression is unknown, but this result highlights that aggressive behaviour in mice is not highly constrained by inhibited Sod1 expression, in contrast to other reproductive traits known to be impaired in this mouse model.
In-Season High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Conditioning In High School Soccer Players

Soccer is characterized by high aerobic demands interspersed with frequent bursts of anaerobic activity. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is considered a viable alternative to traditional endurance conditioning and offers the additional time-saving benefits of anaerobic training. We hypothesized that HIIT will compare favorably to traditional (aerobic-based) soccer conditioning over the course of a high school soccer season. Junior varsity soccer players were split into control (CON, n=16) and experimental (HIIT, n=16) groups for the 10-week study. The HIIT group performed 4–6 “all-out” sprints lasting 30s each, with 4.5 minute recovery, 3 times a week. The CON group performed endurance running for the same duration. The groups did not differ in any other aspect of their training. Participants completed the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (IR1), a 40-yard dash, vertical jump, Illinois agility test, and a sit-and-reach test, in two different testing sessions (pre/post season). Both HIIT and CON groups exhibited significant increase in IR1 test performance with time (741.6±307.6m vs. 1067.6±356.8m, p<.001 and 733.2±318.8m vs. 1165.2±252.8m, p<0.001 respectively), with no difference between groups. The CON group demonstrated a significant difference in the 40-yard dash over time (5.48±0.36s vs. 5.21±0.16s, p<0.004). While there was a difference in vertical jump between the pre and post tests for the HIIT group (42.20±7.04cm vs. 47.87±750cm respectively, p<0.019), no such effect was observed in the CON group. In contrast, there were differences in the agility test only for the CON group over time (16.67±0.76s vs. 16.15±0.49s, p<0.001). There were no differences in the flexibility test between groups. Our results indicate that HIIT offers similar endurance improvements to more traditional soccer training.
Outcomes of Social Work Education

This article describes the development and testing of the Social Work Self-Efficacy Scale, which assesses social workers’ confidence regarding a broad range of social work tasks. Pre-post data from two cohorts of social work students are presented showing significant positive change in MSW students’ self-efficacy, suggesting a new approach to outcomes assessment in social work education.
Myeloid IκBα Deficiency Promotes Atherogenesis by Enhancing Leukocyte Recruitment to the Plaques

Activation of the transcription factor NF-κB appears to be involved in different stages of atherogenesis. In this paper we investigate the role of NF-κB inhibitor IκBα in atherosclerosis. Myeloid-specific deletion of IκBα results in larger and more advanced lesions in LDL-R-deficient mice without affecting the compositional phenotype of the plaques or systemic inflammatory markers in the plasma. We show that IκBα-deleted macrophages display enhanced adhesion to an in vitro endothelial cell layer, coinciding with an increased expression of the chemokine CCL5. Also, in vivo we found that IκBαdel mice had more leukocytes adhering to the luminal side of the endothelial cell layers that cover the atherosclerotic plaques. Moreover, we introduce ER-MP58 in this paper as a new immunohistochemical tool for quantifying newly recruited myeloid cells in the atherosclerotic lesion. This staining confirms that in IκBαdel mice more leukocytes are attracted to the plaques. In conclusion, we show that IκBα deletion in myeloid cells promotes atherogenesis, probably through an induced leukocyte recruitment to plaques.
Held to ransom: Parents of self-harming adults describe their lived experience of professional care and caregivers

The aim of the study was to discover and describe lived experiences of professional care and caregivers among parents of adults who self-harm. Narrative interviews were conducted with six parents of daughters with self-harming behaviours and analysed using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach. The meanings of the parents’ narratives of their lived experiences of professional care and caregivers were interpreted as their being involved in ‘limit situations’ comparable to hostage dramas. Several meaningful themes contributed to this interpretation: being trapped in a situation with no escape; being in the prisoner's dock; groping in the dark; and finding glimmers of hope. Parents of daughters who were in care because of self-harming often felt obliged to pay an emotional ransom, which included feelings of being accused, being ‘broken’, being confused, and feeling lost. Moments of peace occurred as welcome breaks offering a short time of rest for the parents. Situations that were understood by the parents and solved in a peaceful way were experienced as a respite and inspired parents with hope for their daughters’ recovery.
A Current Assessment of the Role of Porcine Parvovirus as a Cause of Fetal Porcine Death

One hundred one litters containing 1 or more dead porcine fetuses were collected at an Iowa abattoir during a 2-month interval and examined for evidence of viral infection. Each of 1,137 fetuses (302 dead, 835 alive) of these litters was tested for porcine parvovirus (PPV) antigens by direct immunofluorescence microscopy (FA) of fetal lung. Antigens of PPV were detected in the lungs of most of the fetuses of 11 of the litters. The 11 FA-positive litters contained 105 dead (100 FA-positive) and 14 live (12 FA-positive) fetuses. Infectious PPV was isolated from 10 of the 11 FA-positive litters and from 3 of the 90 FA-negative litters. No cytopathogenic agents other than PPV were isolated from any of the litters. Eleven of 101 (11%) litters examined and 100 of 302 (33%) dead fetuses examined were FA positive for viral antigen, indicating that PPV remains as a major cause of porcine fetal death.
Causes and pattern of mortality in HIV-infected, hospitalized patients in a tertiary care hospital: a fourteen year study.

BACKGROUND The introduction of highly active antiRetroviral therapy (HAART) in several centers in India has raised the expectation that many human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals will live longer. However, as most infected individuals remain undiagnosed till the late stage of infection; several continue to succumb to this infection even in the era of HAART. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective study was conducted over a 14 year period on 2,050 HIV-infected, hospitalized patients to evaluate the pattern of mortality and to determine proportion, risk factors and causes of death. RESULTS A total of 145 deaths among HIV-infected patients were documented during hospitalization, with an overall mortality rate of 8.15%: 2.94% in the pre HAART era (1992-1996), 7.29% in the early HAART era (1997-2000) and 9.73% in the present HAART era (2001-2005). 11.7% (17/145) of deceased patients were aware of their HIV-infected status before getting admitted. Only five patients were on any antiretroviral treatment prior to admission. Ninety (62.07%) deaths were HIV-related (AIDS-defining conditions) and 55 (37.93%) were non HIV-related. DISCUSSION Our study stresses the importance of early diagnosis of HIV infection to curb adult mortality, which will continue to rise unless effective treatment interventions are introduced.
Joint reposition sense in subjects with unilateral osteoarthritis of the knee

Objective: To identify the sensory deficit of partial weight-bearing joint repositioning sense in subjects with unilateral osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. The methodology was developed to incorporate measures made easily in a clinical setting. In OA, local degenerative changes can affect the function of sensory receptors and mechanoreceptors. As a result, appreciation of limb position as well as function may be compromised. Because proprioceptive sense plays an important role in reflex muscle contraction and stabilization of the joint, functional stability and joint integrity may be at risk if proprioception is impaired. Design: Twenty subjects with unilateral OA of the knee were age-matched with 20 controls for the purpose of this study. The difference in degrees between a target angle of knee flexion and a reposition angle was measured during a partial weight-bearing test. A Dualer™ (electronic dual inclinometer) was used to measure the joint reposition sense (JRS) of the knee. Both sides were tested with six repetitions on each side. A mixed-model ANOVA was applied to the data for analysis. Results: Comparison of the JRS between groups revealed a significant difference, with OA subjects having higher JRS error (JRSE) (p<0.001) than controls. There was no significant difference in JRSE for either side, regardless of group. Conclusions: Subjects with unilateral OA of the knee demonstrated poorer performance on both legs in a partial weight-bearing reposition test than did control subjects.
Convergence of TCR and cytokine signaling leads to FOXO3a phosphorylation and drives the survival of CD4+ central memory T cells

The molecular events involved in the establishment and maintenance of CD4+ central memory and effector memory T cells (TCM and TEM, respectively) are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that ex vivo isolated TCM are more resistant to both spontaneous and Fas-induced apoptosis than TEM and have an increased capacity to proliferate and persist in vitro. Using global gene expression profiling, single cell proteomics, and functional assays, we show that the survival of CD4+ TCM depends, at least in part, on the activation and phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5a (STAT5a) and forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a). TCM showed a significant increase in the levels of phosphorylation of STAT5a compared with TEM in response to both IL-2 (P < 0.04) and IL-7 (P < 0.002); the latter is well known for its capacity to enhance T cell survival. Moreover, ex vivo TCM express higher levels of the transcriptionally inactive phosphorylated forms of FOXO3a and concomitantly lower levels of the proapoptotic FOXO3a target, Bim. Experiments aimed at blocking FOXO3a phosphorylation confirmed the role of this phosphoprotein in protecting TCM from apoptosis. Our results provide, for the first time in humans, an insight into molecular mechanisms that could be responsible for the longevity and persistence of CD4+ TCM.
Associations with autoimmune disorders and HLA class I and II antigens in inclusion body myositis

Whether autoimmune mechanisms play a role in the pathogenesis of inclusion body myositis (IBM) is unknown. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) analysis in 52 patients, including 17 with autoimmune disorders (AIDs), showed that patients were more likely to have antigens from the autoimmune-prone HLA-B8-DR3 ancestral haplotype than healthy control subjects, irrespective of the presence of AIDs. Patients lacked the apparently protective HLA-DR53 antigen. The results provide further support for an autoimmune basis in IBM.
Delayed administration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium significantly improves outcome after retinal ischemia in rats.

PURPOSE Delayed treatment after ischemia is often unsatisfactory. We hypothesized that injection of bone marrow stem cell (BMSC) conditioned medium after ischemia could rescue ischemic retina, and in this study we characterized the functional and histological outcomes and mechanisms of this neuroprotection. METHODS Retinal ischemia was produced in adult Wistar rats by increasing intraocular pressure for 55 minutes. Conditioned medium (CM) from rat BMSCs or unconditioned medium (uCM) was injected into the vitreous 24 hours after the end of ischemia. Recovery was assessed 7 days after ischemia using electroretinography, at which time we euthanized the animals and then prepared 4-μm-thick paraffin-embedded retinal sections. TUNEL and Western blot were used to identify apoptotic cells and apoptosis-related gene expression 24 hours after injections; that is, 48 hours after ischemia. Protein content in CM versus uCM was studied using tandem mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics methods were used to model protein interactions. RESULTS Intravitreal injection of CM 24 hours after ischemia significantly improved retinal function and attenuated cell loss in the retinal ganglion cell layer. CM attenuated postischemic apoptosis and apoptosis-related gene expression. By spectral counting, 19 proteins that met stringent identification criteria were increased in the CM compared to uCM; the majority were extracellular matrix proteins that mapped into an interactional network together with other proteins involved in cell growth and adhesion. CONCLUSIONS By restoring retinal function, attenuating apoptosis, and preventing retinal cell loss after ischemia, CM is a robust means of delayed postischemic intervention. We identified some potential candidate proteins for this effect.
Long-Term, Open-Label, Safety Study of Edivoxetine 12 to 18 mg Once Daily as Adjunctive Treatment for Patients With Major Depressive Disorder Who Are Partial Responders to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Treatment

Abstract Long-term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of adjunctive edivoxetine hydrochloride (hereafter edivoxetine), a highly selective and potent norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, was assessed in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) experiencing partial response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment. Data are from a multicenter, 54-week, open-label trial of adjunctive edivoxetine 12 to 18 mg once daily in patients with MDD who had experienced partial response by history to 6 or more weeks of current selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor therapy and who had a 17-item GRID Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression total score 16 or higher at study entry. Safety measures included discontinuation rate, treatment-emergent adverse events, serious adverse events, and vital signs. Efficacy measures included the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale. Of 608 patients, 328 (54%) completed the open-label adjunctive treatment. Study discontinuation due to adverse events occurred in 17.0%, and there were 13 serious adverse events (1 death). Treatment-emergent adverse events 5% or higher were nausea, hyperhidrosis, constipation, headache, dry mouth, dizziness, vomiting, insomnia, and upper respiratory tract infection. Mean increases were observed in systolic blood pressure (range, 0.0–2.3 mm Hg), diastolic blood pressure (range, 1.9–3.3 mm Hg), and pulse (range, 5.9–8.4 beats per minute). Mean improvements on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (−17.0) were observed from baseline to week 54. The safety profile from this study provides an overview of outcomes associated with edivoxetine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition as an adjunctive treatment in patients with MDD who were treated up to 1 year.
Solitary Fibrous Tumors of Chest: Another Look with the Oncologic Perspective

Solitary ﬁbrous tumors are mesenchymal lesions that arise at a variety of sites, most commonly the pleura. Most patients are asymptomatic at diagnosis, with lesions being detected incidentally. Nevertheless, some patients present due to symptoms from local tumor compression (eg. of the airways and pulmonary parenchyma). Furthermore, radiological methods are not always conclusive in making a diagnosis, and thus, pathological analysis is often required. In the past three decades, immunohistochemical techniques have provided a gold standard in solitary ﬁbrous tumor diagnosis. The signature marker of solitary ﬁbrous tumor is the presence of the NAB2-STAT6 fusion that can be reliably detected with a STAT6 antibody. While solitary ﬁbrous tumors are most often benign, they can be malignant in 10-20% of the cases. Unfortunately, histological parameters are not always predictive of benign vs malignant solitary ﬁbrous tumors. As solitary ﬁbrous tumors are generally regarded as relatively chemoresistant tumors; treatment is often limited to localized treatment modalities. The optimal treatment of solitary ﬁbrous tumors appears to be complete surgical resection for both primary and local recurrent disease. However, in cases of suboptimal resection, large disease burden, or advanced recurrence, a multidisciplinary approach may be preferable. Specifically, radiotherapy for inoperable local disease can provide palliation/shrinkage. Given their sometimes -unpredictable and often- protracted clinical course, long-term follow-up post-resection is recommended.
Diffractive corneal inlay for presbyopia

A conceptually new type of corneal inlays for a customized treatment of presbyopia is presented. The diffractive inlay consists on a small aperture disc having an array of micro‐holes distributed inside the open zones of a Fresnel zone plate. In this way, the central hole of the disc lets pass the zero order diffraction and produces an extension of the depth of far focus of the eye, while the diffracted light through the holes in the periphery produce the near focus. Additionally, the micro‐holes in the inlay surface fulfill the essential requirement of allowing the flow of nutrients through it to the cells of the corneal stroma. Theoretical and optical‐bench experimental results for the polychromatic axial Point Spread Function (PSF) were obtained, showing an improved performance compared to the small aperture corneal inlay currently in the market (Kamra). Images of a test object, obtained at several vergences in the surroundings of the far and near foci, are also shown. Picture: Simulation of the appearance of the Diffractive corneal inlay on a real eye.
Emotional Intelligence, Cognitive Intelligence, and Job Performance

This paper examines how emotional intelligence and cognitive intelligence are associated with job performance. We develop and test a compensatory model that posits that the association between emotional intelligence and job performance becomes more positive as cognitive intelligence decreases. We report the results of a study in which employees completed tests of emotional intelligence and cognitive intelligence, and their task performance and organizational citizenship behavior were assessed by their supervisors. Hypotheses from the model were supported for task performance and organizational citizenship behavior directed at the organization, but not for organizational citizenship behavior directed at individuals. We discuss the theoretical implications and managerial ramifications of our model and findings.
Clinical significance of sarcopenia in the treatment of patients with primary hepatic malignancies, a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background The impact of sarcopenia on outcomes following treatment for primary liver tumors remains contentious. Therefore, we performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to evaluate the clinical significance of sarcopenia in the treatment of patients with primary liver tumors. Data sources A systematic literature search was performed in English through February 1, 2017 in databases. Results There were significant differences between patients with and without sarcopenia in overall 1- and 3-year survival (1 year: OR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.27-0.68; P=0.0004; 3 year: OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.47-0.96; P=0.03). However, overall 5-year survival showed no significant difference between the groups (OR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.35-1.07; P=0.08). Patients with sarcopenia showed a significant 53% reduction in disease-free survival within 5 years (OR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.28-0.79; P=0.005). Also, sarcopenia had a significantly negative impact on recurrence in patients with primary liver tumors (RR: 2.71; 95% CI: 1.46-5.05; P=0.002). Regarding complications rate, we concluded that there was a statistically significant difference between two groups in overall complications rate (RR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.50-4.22; P=0.0005). However, the major complications rate showed no significant difference between the groups (RR: 1.19; 95% CI: 0.65-2.20; P=0.57). Conclusions Sarcopenia seemed to have a negative effect on overall survival in patients with primary liver tumors in the early phase post-treatment, but further research is needed to investigate the prognostic impact on overall survival over the longer term. Moreover, sarcopenia could significantly increase the incidence rates of post-treatment recurrence and overall complications in patients with primary liver tumors.
A Capstone Course with a Comprehensive and Integrated Review of the Pharmacy Curriculum and Student Assessment as a Preparation for Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences

Objective. To create a capstone course that provides a comprehensive and integrated review of the pharmacy curriculum with a broad range of assessment tools to evaluate student knowledge and skills as a final preparation prior to beginning fourth-year advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs). Design. The capstone course was a 4 credit-hour, case-based course. Eight comprehensive cases were assigned to students over the course of the term. The cases were designed to mimic complex clinical scenarios that students were likely to encounter during an APPE. Students were required to prepare a written and oral presentation for each case and were assessed on material covered during the cases. Faculty members presented weekly reviews on selected topics such as calculations, pharmacokinetics, and pharmaceutical compounding. At the end of the course, students took an observed structured clinical examination (OSCE), which simulated the Georgia Board of Pharmacy Practical Examination, and a comprehensive examination designed to mimic the NAPLEX (North American Pharmacy Licensure Examination). Assessment. Evaluation of student outcomes was based on written and verbal presentations of the cases, multiple-choice examinations, a short-answer calculations examination, an “Errors and Omissions” examination, a standardized patient encounter, and pharmaceutical compounding examinations. Ninety-five percent of students successfully passed the course on their first attempt. Student feedback indicated satisfaction with the depth, breadth, and organization of material covered and felt that the course helped prepare them for APPEs. Conclusion. The culminating experience of the capstone course gave students a thorough review of practical, clinical, and communication skills and provided faculty members with feedback regarding the curriculum through robust assessment.