Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Response to Antihypertensive Therapy in Older Patients With Sustained and Nonsustained Systolic Hypertension

BackgroundThe goal of the present study was to assess the effect of antihypertensive therapy on clinic (CBP) and ambulatory (ABP) blood pressures, on ECG voltages, and on the incidence of stroke and cardiovascular events in older patients with sustained and nonsustained systolic hypertension. Methods and ResultsPatients who were ≥60 years old, with systolic CBP of 160 to 219 mm Hg and diastolic CBP of <95 mm Hg, were randomized into the double-blind placebo-controlled Systolic Hypertension in Europe (Syst-Eur) Trial. Treatment consisted of nitrendipine, with the possible addition of enalapril, hydrochlorothiazide, or both. Patients enrolled in the Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Side Project were classified according to daytime systolic ABP into 1 of 3 subgroups: nonsustained hypertension (<140 mm Hg), mild sustained hypertension (140 to 159 mm Hg), and moderate sustained hypertension (≥160 mm Hg). At baseline, patients with nonsustained hypertension had smaller ECG voltages (P <0.001) and, during follow-up, a lower incidence of stroke (P <0.05) and of cardiovascular complications (P =0.01) than other groups. Active treatment reduced ABP and CBP in patients with sustained hypertension but only CBP in patients with nonsustained hypertension (P <0.001). The influence of active treatment on ECG voltages (P <0.05) and on the incidence of stroke (P <0.05) and cardiovascular events (P =0.06) was more favorable than that of placebo only in patients with moderate sustained hypertension. ConclusionsPatients with sustained hypertension had higher ECG voltages and rates of cardiovascular complications than did patients with nonsustained hypertension. The favorable effects of active treatment on these outcomes were only statistically significant in patients with moderate sustained hypertension.
Measuring the Suicidal Mind

Suicide is difficult to predict and prevent because people who consider killing themselves often are unwilling or unable to report their intentions. Advances in the measurement of implicit cognition provide an opportunity to test whether automatic associations of self with death can provide a behavioral marker for suicide risk. We measured implicit associations about death/suicide in 157 people seeking treatment at a psychiatric emergency department. Results confirmed that people who have attempted suicide hold a significantly stronger implicit association between death/suicide and self than do psychiatrically distressed individuals who have not attempted suicide. Moreover, the implicit association of death/suicide with self was associated with an approximately 6-fold increase in the odds of making a suicide attempt in the next 6 months, exceeding the predictive validity of known risk factors (e.g., depression, suicide-attempt history) and both patients’ and clinicians’ predictions. These results provide the first evidence of a behavioral marker for suicidal behavior and suggest that measures of implicit cognition may be useful for detecting and predicting sensitive clinical behaviors that are unlikely to be reported.
Abundance, movement and individual identification of leafy seadragons, Phycodurus eques (Pisces: Syngnathidae)

The aim of this study was to estimate, for the first time, abundance and degree of movement of leafy seadragons, Phycodurus eques, at one location in southern Australia. The pattern of wear and damage to the leafy appendages was found to vary among individuals but was not a reliable method of identification of individual fish over long periods. Photographic evidence of individual facial markings was more reliable and full-grown individuals could be recognised by their facial markings for at least 11 months. We made 45 sightings in 47 dives over 14 months. Sightings were made in depths of 3-11 m over brown algae, seagrass, and sand covered with drift macroalgae. Nine individual fish were sighted and all except one were sighted at least twice (mean of five sightings, s.e. 1.2, range 1-12). Capture and recapture calculations (moment estimator algorithm) estimated 9.2 (±0.3) seadragons in the study area (density 57 fish ha -1 ). Resightings were made months apart, suggesting that the fish are remaining within a home range (range of 35-82 m, maximum distance between sightings for fish sighted >5 times). Information about patterns of movement of seadragons is directly relevant to management plans for this species and for marine protected areas designed to aid in their protection.
Gender Differences in the Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity, Associated Behaviors, and Weight-related Perceptions in a National Survey of Primary School Children in China.

OBJECTIVE To in vestigate potential gender differences in the odds of overweight/obese, weight-related perceptions, and behaviors among Chinese school children. METHODS Height, weight, and a survey of weight-related perceptions and behaviors were measured in a nationally representative survey of 12,811 children in primary schools in China. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess gender differences, adjusting for confounders. RESULTS Boys had higher odds of being overweight/obese compared to girls within both urban [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.30, 95% CI 2.00 to 2.65] and rural areas (OR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.55 to 2.20). Girls reported healthier diets (e.g., daily vegetables OR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.85) whereas boys consumed fried food (OR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.38) and sugar-sweetened drinks more often (OR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.34 to 1.65). Gender differences included higher odds of boys perceiving themselves as overweight if they had more highly educated mothers (OR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.68), less educated fathers (OR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.99), and if they frequently consumed carbonated drinks (OR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.05). CONCLUSION Childhood obesity prevention in China should be gender-focused, particularly for boys who reported an unhealthier diet but were less likely to see they were fat, even though more boys were overweight or obese than girls.
Formulation Development and Evaluation of Alginate Microspheres of Ibuprofen

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of different variables on the release profile of ibuprofen microspheres formulated using modified emulsification method. Eight batches of microspheres (F1-F8) were prepared by applying 2 3 factorial design. The amount of sodium alginate, amount of calcium chloride, and amount of magnesium stearate were selected as formulation variables. All the batches were evaluated in terms of percentage yield, percentage encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release characteristics. The batch F7 was found to be optimum batch and was further characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle size analysis. Multiple linear regression was applied to confirm significant effect of each variable on release characteristics. The model developed in the present study can be effectively utilized to achieve the formulation with desired release characteristics.
Unusual effect of temperature on direct fluorination of high temperature vulcanized silicone rubber and properties of the fluorinated surface layers

In order to investigate the effects of fluorination temperature on surface layer characteristics (chemical composition and structure, morphology, and thickness) and surface layer properties, high temperature vulcanized silicone rubber samples were fluorinated in a laboratory vessel using a F2/N2 mixture with 12.5% F2 by volume, at 0.1 MPa and the different temperatures of 25, 55, and 85 °C, for the same time of 30 min. ATR-IR analysis indicates that the substitution of fluorine atoms for hydrogen atoms of methyl groups is dominant for the fluorination at the different temperatures, while a substitution for methyl groups cannot be excluded. SEM cross-section and surface images show the fluorinated layers with nanostructured surfaces. The surface layer fluorinated at 55 °C appears to have the lowest degree of fluorination, but it clearly has the largest thickness and surface nanostructure size among the fluorinated layers. This unusual phenomenon is caused by two competing effects, the thermal activation of the substitution reaction and fluorine diffusion through the surface layer and the steric hindrance by the fluorinated methyl groups to the fluorination and fluorine diffusion. Contact angle measurements reveal that the fluorinated surfaces have high hydrophobicity and oleophobicity and thus an extremely low surface energy. Surface potential decay measurements show a much more rapid decay of potential on the fluorinated samples, compared to the unfluorinated sample. There is no significant difference in surface hydrophobicity or surface conduction between the fluorinated samples, due to the combined effect of compositional and structural changes. The difference in surface oleophobicity between the fluorination at 55 °C and the fluorination at 25 or 85 °C provides further evidence for the difference in their surface chemistry, because surface geometry of the fluorinated samples has little effect on the oleophobicity.
Frontostriatal circuits, resting state functional connectivity and cognitive control in internet gaming disorder

Converging evidence has identified cognitive control deficits in internet gaming disorder (IGD). Recently, mounting evidence had revealed that resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) and structural connectivity of frontostriatal circuits could modulate cognitive control in healthy individuals. Unfortunately, relatively little is known about the thoroughly circuit‐level characterization of the frontostriatal pathways (both the dorsal and ventral striatum) during resting‐state and their association with cognitive control in IGD. In the current study, the differences of striatum volume and RSFC networks were investigated between 43 young IGD individuals and 44 healthy controls. Meanwhile, cognitive control deficits were assessed by Stroop task performances. The neuroimaging findings were then correlated with the Stroop task behaviors. In IGD subjects, we demonstrated an increased volume of right caudate and nucleus accumbens (NAc) as well as reduced RSFC strength of dorsal prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)–caudate and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)–NAc. NAc volumes were positively correlated with internet addiction test scores in IGD. The caudate volume and DLPFC–caudate RSFC was correlated with the impaired cognitive control (more incongruent errors in Stroop task) in IGD. Consistent with substance use disorder (SUD) findings, we detected striatum volume and frontostriatal circuits RSFC differences between IGD and healthy controls, which provided evidence of some degree of the similarity between IGD and SUD. More importantly, the cognitive control deficits in IGD were correlated with the reduced frontostrital RSFC strength. It is hoped that our results could shed insight on the neurobiological mechanisms of IGD and suggest potential novel therapeutic targets for treatment.
Unilateral subfrontal approach to anterior communicating artery aneurysms: A review of 28 patients

Background: The pterional approach is the most common for AComm aneurysms, but we present a unilateral approach to a midline region for addressing the AComm complex. The pure subfrontal approach eliminates the lateral anatomic dissection requirements without sacrificing exposure. The subfrontal approach is not favored in the US compared to Asia and Europe. We describe our experience with the subfrontal approach for AComm aneurysms treated at a single institution.
Geometrical methods for mismatched formation control

Formation shape control for a collection of point agents is concerned with devising decentralized control laws which will move the formation so that certain inter-agent distances reach prescribed desired values. Standard algorithms such as that proposed by [1] perform steepest descent of a smooth error function, ensuring that the formations will always converge to equilibrium points for the gradient flow. The convergence to equilibrium points of these algorithms depends critically on the fact that there is no mismatch in two neighboring agents' understandings of what the desired distance between them is supposed to be. If mismatches occur then the limiting dynamics will typically become periodic, as has been explored in several recent papers such as, e.g., [2]-[5]. The goal then becomes to develop methods to count such relative equilibria and characterize their local stability properties. In this paper we apply basic Lie group methods to analyze the relative equilibria in the presence of mismatches, thus simplifying earlier proofs in the literature.
The differential influence of life stress on individual symptoms of depression

Life stress consistently increases the incidence of major depression. Recent evidence has shown that individual symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) differ in important dimensions such as their genetic and etiological background, but the impact of stress on individual MDD symptoms is not known. Here, we assess whether stress affects depression symptoms differentially.
The Effect of Interferon-a 2 b on an In Vitro Model of Dupuytren ’ s Contracture

The effects of interferon-a2b (IFN-a2b) on Dupuytren’s and control palmar fibroblasts were evaluated using the fibroblast-populated collagen lattice model. Three paired strains of Dupuytren’s and control fibroblasts were exposed to IFN-a2b for 96 hours before incorporation into triplicate collagen lattices. Contraction of the lattices was recorded and Northern blot analysis of cytoskeletal mRNA was performed. Comparisons of Dupuytren’s and control fibroblasts revealed significantly increased contractility of the Dupuytren’s fibroblasts in 2 of the 3 strains. Treatment with IFN-a2b significantly inhibited contraction in both Dupuytren’s and control fibroblasts. In Dupuytren’s fibroblasts, treatment with IFN-a2b significantly downregulated mRNA expression for cytoplasmic b-actin and g-actin. (J Hand Surg 1999;24A:578– 585. Copyright © 1999 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.)
Testing Measurement Invariance of the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale in Hispanic/Latino and Non-Hispanic/Latino College Students

The National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) PhenX Toolkit has recognized the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale as a recommended measure of impulsive dispositions, as this framework for impulsivity-like traits has demonstrated strong psychometric properties across a variety of samples and exhibited measurement and structural invariance across males and females. Impulsivity-like facets, as assessed by this measure, have also demonstrated robust relations to alcohol and substance use. However, racial and ethnic differences in impulsivity have largely been neglected in the literature. Thus, the current study sought to test measurement invariance on the UPPS-P across Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic/Latino college students and determine whether ethnicity moderates the relations between impulsivity-like facets and alcohol and other substance use endorsement. Results indicated that the UPPS-P is invariant between groups in this sample, which suggests that scale scores on this measure can be reliably compared across Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic/Latino individuals. There were no significant differences in impulsivity-like facets across groups; however, non-Hispanic/Latino individuals who were higher in sensation seeking exhibited increased log-odds of endorsing past-month smokeless tobacco use. Finally, impulsivity-like facets were significantly and differentially related to substance use outcomes, which support findings from previous studies. This research highlights the importance of examining impulsivity-like traits and substance use among Hispanic/Latino individuals, and provides evidence that the UPPS-P can be reliably and validly interpreted when testing differences between Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic/Latino groups.
The home foreclosure crisis and rising suicide rates, 2005 to 2010.

OBJECTIVES We examined the association between state-level foreclosure and suicide rates from 2005 to 2010 and considered variation in the effect of foreclosure on suicide by age. METHODS We used hybrid random- and fixed-effects models to examine the relation between state foreclosure rates and total and age-specific suicide rates from 2005 to 2010 (n = 306 state-years). RESULTS Net of other factors, an increase in the within-state total foreclosure rate was associated with a within-state increase in the crude suicide rates (b = 0.04; P < .1), and effects were stronger for the real estate-owned foreclosure rate (b = 0.16; P < .05). Analysis of age-specific suicide rates indicated that the effects were strongest among the middle-aged (46-64 years: total foreclosure rate, b = 0.21; P < .001; real estate-owned foreclosure rate, b = 0.83; P < .001). Rising home foreclosure rates explained 18% of the variance in the middle-aged suicide rate between 2005 and 2010. CONCLUSIONS The foreclosure crisis has likely contributed to increased suicides, independent of other economic factors associated with the recession. Rising foreclosure rates may be partially responsible for the recent uptick in suicide among middle-aged adults.
Macroscopic Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy and Histopathology Do Not Predict Repair Outcomes of Rotator Cuff Tears

Background: Numerous studies have identified factors that may affect the chances of rotator cuff healing after surgery. Intraoperative tendon quality may be used to predict healing and to determine type of repair and/or consideration of augmentation. There are no data that correlate how gross tendon morphology and degree of tendinopathy affect patient outcome or postoperative tendon healing. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purposes of this study were to (1) compare the gross appearance of the tendon edge during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with its histological degree of tendinopathy and (2) determine if gross appearance correlated with postoperative repair integrity. The hypothesis was that gross (macroscopic) tendon with normal thickness, no delamination, and elastic tissue before repair would have a correlation with low Bonar scores, higher postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores, and increased rates of postoperative tendon healing on ultrasound. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 105 patients undergoing repair of medium-size (1-3 cm) full-thickness rotator cuff tears were enrolled in the study. Intraoperatively, the supraspinatus tendon was rated on thickness, fraying, and stiffness. Tendon tissue was recovered for histological analysis based on the Bonar scoring system. Postoperative ASES and ultrasound assessment of healing were obtained 1 year after repair. Correlation between gross appearance of the tendon and rotator cuff histology was determined. Results: Of the 105 patients, 85 were followed the study to completion. The mean age of the patients was 61.6 years; Bonar score, 7.5; preoperative ASES score, 49; and postoperative ASES score, 86. Ninety-one percent of repairs were intact on ultrasound. Gross appearance of torn rotator cuff tendon tissue did not correlate with histological appearance. Neither histological (Bonar) score nor gross appearance correlated with multivariate analysis of ASES score, postoperative repair status, or demographic data. Conclusion: The degree of tendinopathy did not correlate with morphological appearance of the tendon. Neither of these parameters correlated with healing or patient outcome. This study suggests that the degree of tendinopathy, unlike muscle atrophy, may not be predictive of outcomes and that, on appearance, poor quality tendon has adequate healing capacity. Therefore, abnormal gross tendon appearance should not affect the repair effort or technique.
Monitoring sedation status over time in ICU patients: reliability and validity of the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS).

CONTEXT Goal-directed delivery of sedative and analgesic medications is recommended as standard care in intensive care units (ICUs) because of the impact these medications have on ventilator weaning and ICU length of stay, but few of the available sedation scales have been appropriately tested for reliability and validity. OBJECTIVE To test the reliability and validity of the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS). DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Adult medical and coronary ICUs of a university-based medical center. PARTICIPANTS Thirty-eight medical ICU patients enrolled for reliability testing (46% receiving mechanical ventilation) from July 21, 1999, to September 7, 1999, and an independent cohort of 275 patients receiving mechanical ventilation were enrolled for validity testing from February 1, 2000, to May 3, 2001. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Interrater reliability of the RASS, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and Ramsay Scale (RS); validity of the RASS correlated with reference standard ratings, assessments of content of consciousness, GCS scores, doses of sedatives and analgesics, and bispectral electroencephalography. RESULTS In 290-paired observations by nurses, results of both the RASS and RS demonstrated excellent interrater reliability (weighted kappa, 0.91 and 0.94, respectively), which were both superior to the GCS (weighted kappa, 0.64; P<.001 for both comparisons). Criterion validity was tested in 411-paired observations in the first 96 patients of the validation cohort, in whom the RASS showed significant differences between levels of consciousness (P<.001 for all) and correctly identified fluctuations within patients over time (P<.001). In addition, 5 methods were used to test the construct validity of the RASS, including correlation with an attention screening examination (r = 0.78, P<.001), GCS scores (r = 0.91, P<.001), quantity of different psychoactive medication dosages 8 hours prior to assessment (eg, lorazepam: r = - 0.31, P<.001), successful extubation (P =.07), and bispectral electroencephalography (r = 0.63, P<.001). Face validity was demonstrated via a survey of 26 critical care nurses, which the results showed that 92% agreed or strongly agreed with the RASS scoring scheme, and 81% agreed or strongly agreed that the instrument provided a consensus for goal-directed delivery of medications. CONCLUSIONS The RASS demonstrated excellent interrater reliability and criterion, construct, and face validity. This is the first sedation scale to be validated for its ability to detect changes in sedation status over consecutive days of ICU care, against constructs of level of consciousness and delirium, and correlated with the administered dose of sedative and analgesic medications.