Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Challenging the dogma: a randomized trial of standard vs. half-dose concomitant nonbismuth quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection

Background Current treatment of Helicobacter pylori consists of three or four drugs for 7–14 days with important associated cost and adverse events. Aims This study compared efficacy and safety of standard dose vs. half-dose concomitant nonbismuth quadruple therapy (NBQT) for 7 days. The standard dose consisted of twice daily rabeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, metronidazole 500 mg, and clarithromycin 500 mg. Methods This was a prospective randomized trial. 14C-urea breath test was performed ≥4 weeks after treatment and ≥2 weeks off acid suppressive therapy. Compliance and adverse events were monitored during treatment. Results A total of 200 consecutive treatment-naïve patients were enrolled. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, with 15.5% of subjects reporting prior macrolide use. Eradication occurred in 78% (95% CI 68.6–85.7%) in both groups on intention-to-treat analysis. Per-protocol rates were 82.1 vs. 83.9% for standard-dose patients vs. half-dose patients, respectively (p = NS). Adverse events (only mild) were reported in 57 vs. 41% of standard-dose patients vs. half-dose patients (p = 0.024), with metallic taste and nausea notably less frequent in the latter (36 vs. 12% and 18 vs. 7%, respectively; p < 0.05 for both). Overall, eradication failed in 38.7% of prior macrolide users vs. 18.9% without such exposure (p = 0.019). On multivariate logistic regression, prior macrolide exposure was the only factor associated with failed eradication (OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.06–6.39; p = 0.038). Treatment was cheaper with the half-dose regimen. Interpretation A 50% reduction in antibiotic dosage does not diminish efficacy of concomitant nonbismuth quadruple therapy but leads to significant reduction in cost and adverse events. Seven-day concomitant NBQT is suboptimal for H. pylori independent of prior macrolide exposure.
Interleukin-2/Anti-Interleukin-2 Immune Complex Expands Regulatory T Cells and Reduces Angiotensin II-Induced Aortic Stiffening

Adaptive immune function is implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular disease. Inhibition of T-lymphocyte function has been shown to reduce hypertension, target-organ damage, and vascular stiffness. To study the role of immune inhibitory cells, CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), on vascular stiffness, we stimulated the proliferation of Treg lymphocytes in vivo using a novel cytokine immune complex of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and anti-IL-2 monoclonal antibody clone JES6-1 (mAbCD25). Three-month-old male C57BL/6J mice were treated with IL-2/mAbCD25 concomitantly with continuous infusion of angiotensin type 1 receptor agonist, [Val5]angiotensin II. Our results indicate that the IL-2/mAbCD25 complex effectively induced Treg phenotype expansion by 5-fold in the spleens with minimal effects on total CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte numbers. The IL-2/mAbCD25 complex inhibited angiotensin II-mediated aortic collagen remodeling and the resulting stiffening, analyzed with in vivo pulse wave velocity and effective Young's modulus. Furthermore, the IL-2/mAbCD25 complex suppressed angiotensin II-mediated Th17 responses in the lymphoid organs and reduced gene expression of IL-17 as well as T cell and macrophage infiltrates in the aortic tissue. This study provides data that support the protective roles of Tregs in vascular stiffening and highlights the use of the IL-2/mAbCD25 complex as a new potential therapy in angiotensin II-related vascular diseases.
Examination of the Relationship between the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Neo Personality Inventory

The study examined the relationship between scores on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and on the NEO Personality Inventory by administering these measures to 161 women and 48 men in introductory psychology. Notable correlations were found for MBTI Introversion and Extraversion with NEO-PI Extraversion (– .58 and .58 for men, – .68 and .68 for women), MBTI Sensation and Intuition with NEO-PI Openness (– .60 and .71 for men, – .70 and .65 for women), MBTI Thinking and Feeling with NEO-PI Agreeableness (– .60 and .52 for men, – .41 and .39 for women), and MBTI Judging and Perceiving with NEO-PI Conscientiousness (.56 and – .62 for men, .49 and – .50 for women). These findings are consistent with McCrae and Costa (1989). Implications for interpretation of the scores are discussed.
VALIDACIÓN DE LA VERSIÓN MEXICANA DEL INVENTARIO DE EXPRESIÓN DE IRA ESTADO-RASGO (STAXI-2)

The aim of the study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Mexican version of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI-2; Miguel-Tobal, Casado, Can-Vindel & Spielberger, 2001). Participants were 865 people, with ages between 12 and 60 years old; 54.9% were men and 45.1%, women. Among them there were students (46.0%), athletes (42.4%) and general population (11.6%). Results showed a similar factorial structure of the state, trait and anger expression / control scales of the Spanish version STAXI-2. However, these were grouped in eight factors rather than the nine subscales that constituted the original instrument. Senior high school students expressed higher levels of anger than college students and athletes expressed more anger than the general population and the students. Internal consistency indexes were acceptable for anger-state, anger-trait and expression-control ( = 0.887,  = 0.860, and  = 0.733, respectively), as well as the percentages for the explained variance (49.51%, 59.31% y 49.44%, respectively). Signifi cant correlations were obtained among the factors, except for the anger-control and anger-expression subscales, that were unrelated to each other. The study concludes that the STAXI-2 inventory is a valid and reliable verbal tool for anger assessment in Mexican population.
Pancreatic enzyme elevation in chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with nilotinib after imatinib failure

An increase in the serum concentration of pancreatic enzymes (amylase and lipase) was reported in a proportion of imatinib-resistant and/or intolerant Philadelphia-positive chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with nilotinib. This report describes chronic myeloid leukemia patients who developed serum lipase/amylase elevation during treatment with nilotinib. An increase in the serum concentration of pancreatic enzymes (amylase and lipase) was reported in a proportion of imatinib-resistant and/or intolerant Philadelphia-positive chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with nilotinib. Acute pancreatitis was very rare, and the relevance of these laboratory alterations remains unknown. We report on 8 chronic myeloid leukemia patients who developed serum lipase/amylase elevation during treatment with nilotinib. After a median follow-up of 26 months, none of these patients developed an acute pancreatitis or clinical signs of pancreatic disease. Pancreatic hyperenzymemia never led to permanent drug discontinuation and required nilotinib temporary interruption in one case only. The median cumulative duration of dose interruptions and response to treatment were comparable in patients with or without pancreatic enzyme elevation. The mechanisms of action of nilotinib on pancreatic enzymes deserves to be investigated: however, in our experience, the relevance of pancreatic hyperenzymemia was clinically very limited.
The Influence of Race and Racial Identity in Psychotherapy: Toward a Racially Inclusive Model

I n this sensinal book the author asserts that “race and racial identity (i.e., an individual’s level of psychological nsaturation associated with his or her racial group membership) are integral aspects ofpersonahity and human devcbopnsent,” and, as such, racial identity has a powerful impact on psychotherapy. Yet the issue of race is surprisingly missing frons chinical literature, especially considering the strong emotional reactions to race Ol)served in this country. The author, psychologist Robert Carter, does an exemisplamy job of helpimsg the reader disemstanglc race frotss the issues of class, culture, amid ethnicity. Iii the section on theoretical frameworks, the author notes that few theorists or researchers have studied behavioral or cognitive issues in the developnsent of racial identity. Further, he affirmsss that the majority of the literature on the inspact of race in thcrapy, which focuses on countertransfercnce and tramssfcrence, has not beets theoretically derived or empirically tested amid is speculative and biased. In three fascinating chapters, Dr. Carter lists various levels of development O)f racial identity for blacks, whites, atid people with biracial identity, with exansples of how stages of racial identity can be issues affecting both the patient and the therapist during the process of psychotherapy. By presenting a process model of race’s influemscc on psychotherapy, the author illustrates that knowing a patient’s level of racial identity gives therapeutic insight into how racial issues may be manifested in intrapsychic or interpersonal relationships. He argues that “if the goal is to fully understand race in therapy, then an
Understanding the relationship between individualism–collectivism and team performance through an integration of social identity theory and the social relations model

In studying the relationship between individualism–collectivism and team performance, empirical research has shown that individualistic team members exert a negative influence on team performance. However, theoretical understanding of why this relationship exists is lacking. Addressing this gap in the literature, this research proposes a theoretical model of the relationship between individualism–collectivism and team performance by integrating two previously distinct theories, social identity theory and the social relations model. Drawing upon these theories, we propose that team identification, meta-perception accuracy, and team identity will mediate the relationship between individualism–collectivism and team performance. Further, we posit that task interdependence will moderate the relationship between individualism–collectivism and team identifi-cation. In developing our work, we formulate testable propositions which are aligned with the specific relationships shown in our model. After presenting our model and propositions, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our work, and suggest areas for future research.
Psychosexual characteristics of sexual offenders and the relationship to sexual reconviction

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine if the Multiphasic Sex Inventory (MSI) could be used to predict sexual reconviction. The MSI was administered to 119 convicted male sex offenders. Reconviction data were analysed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) over 2-, 5- and 10-year follow-up periods. The MSI scales Sexual Obsession and Paraphilia (Atypical Sexual Outlet) obtained good accuracy in predicting sexual reconviction over 2- and 5-year follow-up periods. A confirmatory factor analysis of the MSI scales yielded a four-factor solution: Sexual Deviance, Sexual Desirability, Dysfunctional/Justification, and Normal. The Sexual Deviance factor demonstrated good accuracy in predicting sexual reconviction at 2-year follow-up while the Normal factor was a poor predictor of sexual reconviction. Compared against an actuarial risk assessment measure for sexual offenders, the Sexual Obsession, Sexual/Social Desirability, and Sexual Dysfunction scales, and Sexual Deviance factor made a statistically significant contribution independent of the risk scale in predicting sexual reconviction. It is argued that rather than using the MSI solely as an assessment measure of psychosexual characteristics of sexual offenders in treatment programmes, it can be used to provide additional information as part of an assessment of risk of sexual reconviction.
WHAT SHAPES THE FAR-INFRARED SPECTRAL ENERGY DISTRIBUTIONS OF GALAXIES?

To explore the connection between the global physical properties of galaxies and their far-infrared (FIR) spectral energy distributions (SEDs), we study the variation in the FIR SEDs of a set of 51 hydrodynamically simulated galaxies, both mergers and isolated systems representative of low- and high-redshift galaxies, that are generated by performing dust radiative transfer in post-processing. We study the FIR SEDs using principal component (PC) analysis, and find that 97% of the variance in the sample can be explained by two PCs. The first PC characterizes the wavelength of the peak of the FIR SED, and the second encodes the breadth of the SED. We find that the coefficients of both PCs can be predicted well using a double power law in terms of the IR luminosity and dust mass, which suggests that these two physical properties are the primary determinants of galaxies’ FIR SED shapes. Incorporating galaxy sizes does not significantly improve our ability to predict the FIR SEDs. Our results suggest that the observed redshift evolution in the effective dust temperature at a fixed IR luminosity is not driven by geometry: the SEDs of z ∼ 2 − 3 ? > ultraluminous IR galaxies (ULIRGs) are cooler than those of local ULIRGs, not because the high-redshift galaxies are more extended, but rather because they have higher dust masses at fixed IR luminosity. Finally, based on our simulations, we introduce a two-parameter set of SED templates that depend on both IR luminosity and dust mass.
Young people's work motivation and value orientation

Swedish studies of young people's values and attitudes toward work indicate that internal or postmaterialistic values as well as the intrinsic work goals are important. Intrinsic work goals are ranked higher than economic work goals by groups, especially girls, attending theoretical high school courses. The attitudes to work also express different kinds of internal and external values and seem to reflect different patterns of socialization. The value structure as a whole, however, seems rather unaffected by the economic recession experienced in Sweden. The present paper focuses on the relationship between work attitudes, values and background variables.
Predicting users' domain knowledge in information retrieval using multiple regression analysis of search behaviors

User domain knowledge affects search behaviors and search success. Predicting a user's knowledge level from implicit evidence such as search behaviors could allow an adaptive information retrieval system to better personalize its interaction with users. This study examines whether user domain knowledge can be predicted from search behaviors by applying a regression modeling analysis method. We identify behavioral features that contribute most to a successful prediction model. A user experiment was conducted with 40 participants searching on task topics in the domain of genomics. Participant domain knowledge level was assessed based on the users' familiarity with and expertise in the search topics and their knowledge of MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms in the categories that corresponded to the search topics. Users' search behaviors were captured by logging software, which includes querying behaviors, document selection behaviors, and general task interaction behaviors. Multiple regression analysis was run on the behavioral data using different variable selection methods. Four successful predictive models were identified, each involving a slightly different set of behavioral variables. The models were compared for the best on model fit, significance of the model, and contributions of individual predictors in each model. Each model was validated using the split sampling method. The final model highlights three behavioral variables as domain knowledge level predictors: the number of documents saved, the average query length, and the average ranking position of the documents opened. The results are discussed, study limitations are addressed, and future research directions are suggested.
Identification of HIV-1 Epitopes that Induce the Synthesis of a R5 HIV-1 Suppression Factor by Human CD4+ T Cells Isolated from HIV-1 Immunized Hu-PBL SCID Mice

We have previously reported that immunization of the severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice reconstituted with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) (hu-PBL-SCID mice) with inactivated human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1)-pulsed-autologous dendritic cells (HIV-DC) elicits HIV-1-reactive CD4+ T cells that produce an as yet to be defined novel soluble factor in vitro with anti-viral properties against CCR5 tropic (R5) HIV-1 infection. These findings led us to perform studies designed to identify the lineage of the cell that synthesizes such a factor in vitro and define the epitopes of HIV-1 protein that have specificity for the induction of such anti-viral factor. Results of our studies show that this property is a function of CD4+ but not CD8+ T cells. Human CD4+ T cells were thus recovered from the HIV-DC-immunized hu-PBL-SCID mice and were re-stimulated in vitro by co-culture for 2 days with autologous adherent PBMC as antigen presenting cells, APC previously pulsed with inactivated HIV in IL-2-containing medium to expand HIV-1-reactive CD4+ T cells. Aliquots of these re-stimulated CD4+ T cells were then co-cultured with similar APC's that were previously pulsed with 10 μg/ml of a panel of HIV peptides for an additional 2 days, and their culture supernatants were examined for the production of both the R5 HIV-1 suppression factor and IFN-Υ. The data presented herein show that the HIV-1 primed CD4+ T cells produced the R5 suppression factor in response to a wide variety of HIV-1 gag, env, pol, nef or vif peptides, depending on the donor of the CD4+ T cells. Simultaneous production of human interferon (IFN)-Υ was observed in some cases. These results indicate that human CD4+ T cells in PBMC of HIV-1 naive donors have a wide variety of HIV-1 epitope-specific CD4+ T cell precursors that are capable of producing the R5 HIV-1 suppression factor upon DC-based vaccination with whole inactivated HIV-1.
Racial Attitudes, Educational Level, and a Personality Measure

This study examines the influence of education and a "personality" variable on several racial beliefs and attitudes within a sample of metropolitan Detroit area whites. The possible influence of personality traits on racial beliefs and attitudes has long been an important but unresolved question. For example, The Authoritarian Personality represents a classic attempt to explain prejudice in terms of needs to submit to authority and conventional mores, and the displacement of hostility onto minorities. ' However, relationships between authoritarianism and ethnic attitudes are rendered uncertain in interpretation by problems of response set and reliance on collegiate or other ad hoc samples.2 In addition, some authors suggest that personality variables such as authoritarianism reflect in part low cognitive sophistication or workingclass lifestyles. The entanglement of these measures with education is especially relevant to such alternative explanations.3 It is also important to consider different measures of racial beliefs and -attitudes. Several researchers suggest that "prejudice" is not necessarily unidimensional. The most commonly assumed dimensions
The ED50 and ED95 of Intrathecal Isobaric Bupivacaine with Opioids for Cesarean Delivery

Background:The ideal intrathecal isobaric bupivacaine dose for cesarean delivery anesthesia is uncertain. While small doses (5–9 mg) of bupivacaine may reduce side effects such as hypotension, they potentially increase spinal anesthetic failures. This study determined the ED50 and ED95 of intrathecal isobaric bupivacaine (with adjuvant opioids) for cesarean delivery. Methods:After institutional review board approval and written informed consent were obtained, 48 parturients undergoing elective cesarean delivery under combined spinal–epidural anesthesia were enrolled in this double-blind, randomized, dose-ranging study. Patients received a 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, 11-, or 12-mg intrathecal isobaric bupivacaine dose with 10 &mgr;g fentanyl and 200 &mgr;g morphine. Overall anesthetic success was recorded when no intraoperative epidural supplement was required during the cesarean delivery. ED50 and ED95 values for overall anesthetic success were determined using a logistic regression model. Results:ED50 and ED95 values for overall anesthetic success were 7.25 and 13.0 mg, respectively. No advantages for low doses could be demonstrated with regard to hypotension, nausea, vomiting, pruritus, or maternal satisfaction, although this study was underpowered to detect significant differences in secondary outcome variables. Conclusions:The ED50 and ED95 values (7.25 and 13.0 mg, respectively) for intrathecal isobaric bupivacaine in this circumstance are similar to values the authors determined recently for hyperbaric bupivacaine using similar methodology. These ED50 and ED95 values are significantly higher than those advocated in previous reports in which success was claimed using lower intrathecal bupivacaine doses. The current study used stricter criteria to define “successful” anesthesia and support the use of larger bupivacaine doses to ensure adequate patient comfort.
Are your friends who they say they are?

How sure are you that your friends are who they say they are? In real life, unless you are the target of some form of espionage, you can usually be fairly certain that you know whom your friends are because you have a history of shared interests and experiences. Likewise, most people can tell, just by using common sense, if someone is trying to sell them on a product, idea, or candidate. When we interact with people face-to-face, we reevaluate continuously whether something just seems off based on body language and other social and cultural cues.
Bindarit retards renal disease and prolongs survival in murine lupus autoimmune disease.

As an alternative to classical immunosuppressants in experimental lupus nephritis, we looked at bindarit, 2-methyl-2-[[1-phenylmethyl)-1H-indazol-3-y1]methoxy]propanoic acid, a novel molecule devoid of immunosuppressive effects, which selectively reduces chronic inflammation in rat adjuvant arthritis. Two groups of NZB/W mice (N = 55 for each group) were given bindarit, (50 mg/kg/day p.o.) or vehicle starting at 2 months of age. Mice were sacrificed at 2, 6, 8 and 10 months or used for survival studies. Bindarit delayed the onset of proteinuria (% proteinuric mice, bindarit vs. vehicle, 6 months: 0 vs. 33% and 8 months: 7% vs. 60%, P < 0.005; 10 months: 53% vs. 80%) and significantly (P < 0.05) protected from renal function impairment (serum BUN, bindarit vs. vehicle: 8 months, 30 +/- 3 vs. 127 +/- 42; 10 months, 53 +/-5 vs. 140 +/- 37 mg/dl). Appearance of anti-DNA antibodies was retarded and survival significantly (P < 0.0001) prolonged by bindarit (% survival, bindarit vs. vehicle: 8 months, 100% vs. 80%; 10 months, 87% vs. 40%; 12 months, 27% vs. 20%). Bindarit significantly limited glomerular hypercellularity, interstitial inflammation and tubular damage. Renal expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) mRNA (Northern blot) markedly increased (7 - 12-fold in 8- 10-month-old mice vs. 2-month-old) during the progression of nephritis in association with mononuclear cell infiltration. Bindarit completely prevented MCP-1 up-regulation. In another series of experiments, bindarit (0.25% and 0.5% medicated diet, N = 16 for each group) when started at 4.5 months of age in NZB/W mice improved survival in respect to untreated mice (N = 17) in a dose-dependent manner (% survival: 8 months, 94% and 100%, respectively, vs. 47%; 10 months, 75% and 100% vs. 35%; 12 months, 31% and 75% vs. 12%). Survival was even more prolonged when bindarit (0.5% medicated diet) was combined with a low dose of methylprednisolone (1.5 mg/kg i.p.), which that only partially modifies proteinuria and survival of lupus mice, in an additional group of animals (N = 16). Thus, at 14.5 months when all mice given bindarit alone died, 50% of mice on combined therapy were still alive (P < 0.023). Studies are needed to establish whether bindarit may function as a steroid sparing drug in human lupus.