Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Transdermal Buprenorphine on Patients-reported Outcomes in Cancer Patients: Results From the Cancer Pain Outcome Research (CPOR) Study Group

ObjectivesPain still afflicts most cancer patients, mainly in the metastatic phases, and under-treatment is well documented. Transdermal delivery systems (TDS) containing fentanyl or buprenorphine could potentiality have advantages over oral and parenteral routes, but evidence from comparative trials are scanty. In the framework of a wider initiative, an Outcome Research Study was carried out in Italy in 2006 to evaluate the effects of various analgesic options, particularly buprenorphine TDS. MethodsThis is a multicenter, open-label, prospective, nonrandomized study. Data were collected using a web-based standardized system, with a follow-up up of to 3 months. Pain intensity, the primary outcomes of the study, was measured using 11-point numerical rating scales from the Brief Pain Inventory. ResultsOne-hundred ten centers recruited 1801 cases, most of which (60%) were receiving a strong opioid at the time of inclusion. Of these, 257 had TDS buprenorphine as first choice. Of the remaining 709 patients who at the time of inclusion were not on a strong opioid, 325 changed to a strong opioid and in 43% it was TDS buprenorphine. During the follow-up, physicians had to increase the dosage to control pain (average increase between 16% and 17%). About 34% of patients had an improvement of at least 2 points in worst pain, 15% had a 20% improvement in pain relief, and 40% in satisfaction. Results were in line with those of patients receiving other World Health Organization-level III opioids. ConclusionsDespite the limitations owing to the observational design, these findings may be useful to clinicians to judge the value of the drug under evaluation better and to help researchers design further comparative studies.
Envelope Proteins Derived from Naturally Integrated Hepatitis B Virus DNA Support Assembly and Release of Infectious Hepatitis Delta Virus Particles

ABSTRACT A natural subviral agent of human hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis delta virus (HDV), requires only the envelope proteins from HBV in order to maintain persistent infection. HBV surface antigens (HBsAgs) can be produced either by HBV replication or from integrated HBV DNA regardless of replication. The functional properties of the integrant-generated HBsAgs were examined using two human hepatocellular carcinoma-derived cell lines, Hep3B and PLC/PRF/5, that contain HBV integrants but do not produce HBV virions and have no signs of HBV replication. Both cell lines were able to support HDV replication and assembly/egress of HDV virions. Neither of the cell lines was able to produce substantial amounts of the pre-S1-containing HDV particles. HDV virions assembled in PLC/PRF/5 cells were able to infect primary human hepatocytes, while Hep3B-derived HDV appeared to be noninfectious. These results correlate with the findings that the entire open reading frame (ORF) for the large (L) envelope protein that is essential for infectivity is present on HBV RNAs from PLC/PRF/5 cells, while an L protein ORF that was truncated and fused to inverted precore sequences was found using RNAs from Hep3B cells. This study demonstrates for the first time that at least some of the HBV DNA sequence naturally integrated during infection can produce functional small and large envelope proteins capable of the formation of infectious HDV virions. Our data indicate that in vivo chronic HDV infection can persist in the absence of HBV replication (or when HBV replication is profoundly suppressed) if functional envelope proteins are supplied from HBV integrants. IMPORTANCE The study addresses the unique mechanism of HDV persistence in the absence of ongoing HBV replication, advances our understanding of HDV-HBV interactions, and supports the implementation of treatments directly targeting HDV for HDV/HBV-infected individuals.
Leptomeningeal plaques, a “common” finding

During routine dissection of a 76-year-old female cadaver at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, plaques were found adherent to the external surface of the arachnoid mater after cutting and reflecting the dura mater (Fig. 1). This is not the first description of leptomeningeal plaques; however, on the basis of the high prevalence reported during routine autopsy (Knoblich and Olsen, 1966), we consider it strik-
Relations between Preschool Children's Child-Care Experiences and Concurrent Development: The Cost, Quality, and Outcomes Study.

As part of the Cost, Quality, and Outcomes Study, the quality of center-based child care was related to preschool children's concurrent cognitive and socioemotional development in analyses that adjusted for family selection factors, utilized a mul tisite sample of child-care centers of varying quality, and included children from diverse family backgrounds. The results provide further evidence that there is a positive relation between child-care quality (both observed classroom practices and teacher ratings of teacher-child closeness) and children's cognitive and socioemo tional outcomes. Moderating influences of family characteristics were observed for some outcomes, indicating stronger positive effects of child-care quality for children from more at-risk backgrounds. Further, there was no evidence that children from more advantaged families were buffered from the effects of poor-quality care.
The sequelae of herpes zoster.

BACKGROUND The last 40 years was a period during which the incidence of herpes zoster appears to have increased substantially. OBJECTIVE To determine whether the risk of complications of herpes zoster has changed during the last 40 years. METHODS The automated medical records of a health maintenance organization were screened for diagnosis codes suggesting herpes zoster and potentially complicated cases of zoster. The predictive value of a herpes zoster diagnosis was calculated from sampling full-text records. Records of all patients with codes suggesting complications were reviewed in full. RESULTS Of 859 individuals with herpes zoster who met the eligibility criteria, 101 were identified who experienced at least 1 complication, corresponding to a 60-day risk of 12%. Corrected for the sensitivity of the complication-finding strategy, the risk estimate was 14%. Risk increased markedly with age, with those older than 64 years having more than 6 times the risk of complications of those younger than 25 years (odds ratio, 8.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.5-29.3). Trigeminal distribution of rash and the presence of certain conditions associated with immune compromise appeared to increase risk. CONCLUSIONS The apparent increase in the incidence of herpes zoster was not accompanied by a change in the risk of specific or overall complications in a population-based sample. Advanced age and other conditions associated with waning cellular immunity may confer an increased risk of experiencing a complicated course of herpes zoster.
Diurnal testosterone levels in peripheral plasma of human male subjects.

A diurnal variation of testosterone in the peripheral plasma of adult male subjects has been observed. Significantly greater quantities of the hormone (p<0.01) were found at time 0800 when compared to the levels in the afternoon or in the evening. Also, the plasma concentration of testosterone was higher on 2 consecutive mornings compared to the intervening evening. The magnitude of this diurnal variation was not so great as that reported for plasma Porter-Silber chromogens or for conjugated dehydroepiandrosterone.
Photosynthetic and Respiratory Acclimation to Experimental Warming for Four Species in a Tallgrass Prairie Ecosystem

Global temperature has been increased by 0.6 °C over the past century and is predicted to increase by 1.4–5.8 °C by the end of this century. It is unclear what impacts global warming will have on tallgrass species. In the present study, we examined leaf net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and leaf respiration rate in darkness (Rd) of Aster ericoides (L.) Nesom, Ambrosia psilostachya DC. , Helianthus mollis Lam. , and Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash in response to experimental warming in a tallgrass prairie ecosystem of the Great Plains, USA, in the autumn (fall) of 2000 and through 2001. Warming has been implemented with infrared heaters since 21 November 1999. The Pn increased significantly in spring, decreased in early fall, and did not change in summer and late fall in the four species under warming compared with control. The Rd of the four species increased significantly until mid-summer and then did not change under warming. Measured temperature-response curves of Pn showed that warming increased the optimum temperature of Pn (Topt) by 2.32 and 4.59 °C for H. mollis and S. nutans, respectively, in August, whereas there were no changes in May and September, and A. ericoides and A. psilostachya also showed no changes in any of the 3 months. However, Pn at optimum temperature (Popt) showed downregulation in September and no regulation in May and August for all four species. The temperature-response curves of Rd illustrate that the temperature sensitivity of Rd, Q10, was lower in the warmed plots compared with the control plots, except for A. ericoides in August, whereas there were no changes in May and September for all four species. The results of the present study indicate that photosynthetic and respiratory acclimation varies with species and among seasons, occurring in the mid-growing season and not in the early and late growing seasons.
Vitamin D Status and Its Relationship with Body Composition, Bone Mineral Density and Fracture Risk in Urban Central South Chinese Postmenopausal Women

Aims: This study was designed to assess vitamin D (25(OH)D) status and its relationship with bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk, which was determined using the FRAX algorithm, among postmenopausal central south Chinese women, and to identify the risk factors for vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 578 healthy postmenopausal central south Chinese women. Fat mass and BMD at lumbar spine (L1-L4), femur neck and total hip were measured with dual X-ray absorptiometry. Serum levels of 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone and creatinine were measured. The 10-year probabilities of hip and major osteoporotic fracture were calculated by the FRAX model. Results: Approximately 72.1% women were vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D <50 nmol/l). Serum 25(OH)D levels did not correlate with body mass index (BMI), fat mass and weight. They positively correlated with all BMDs (p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with both 10-year fracture probabilities (p < 0.05). BMI ≤19 and age ≥65 years were risk factors for osteoporosis at all sites. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent among postmenopausal central south Chinese women. Serum 25(OH)D levels were correlated with all BMDs and negatively correlated with both 10-year fracture probabilities.
Age differences in high frequency phasic heart rate variability and performance response to increased executive function load in three executive function tasks

The current study examines similarity or disparity of a frontally mediated physiological response of mental effort among multiple executive functioning tasks between children and adults. Task performance and phasic heart rate variability (HRV) were recorded in children (6 to 10 years old) and adults in an examination of age differences in executive functioning skills during periods of increased demand. Executive load levels were varied by increasing the difficulty levels of three executive functioning tasks: inhibition (IN), working memory (WM), and planning/problem solving (PL). Behavioral performance decreased in all tasks with increased executive demand in both children and adults. Adults’ phasic high frequency HRV was suppressed during the management of increased IN and WM load. Children’s phasic HRV was suppressed during the management of moderate WM load. HRV was not suppressed during either children’s or adults’ increasing load during the PL task. High frequency phasic HRV may be most sensitive to executive function tasks that have a time-response pressure, and simply requiring performance on a self-paced task requiring frontal lobe activation may not be enough to generate HRV responsitivity to increasing demand.
Intervening to Improve the Safety of Delivery Drivers

Summary This monograph reviews seven field studies that evaluated behavior-based interventions designed to increase safe-driving practices of pizza deliverers. Intervention strategies focused primarily on variations of goal-setting and feedback techniques, including: (a) non-numerical goals in an awareness and promise card intervention; (b) non-numerical goals mandated as company policy; (c) participative and assigned group goal setting paired with feedback; (d) group goal setting and feedback with added public individualized feedback; (e) individualized feedback and competition; and (f) private individualized feedback paired with dynamic, static, or dynamic and static goals. An additional intervention evaluated a community program in which pizza deliverers acted as behavior change agents for safety-belt use. Two models of intervention effectiveness were evaluated for their ability to help practitioners design interventions that maximize both short-term and long-term impacts as well as desirable response generalization. The amounts of individual involvement, peer support, response information, and external consequences influenced the beneficial impacts of the interventions. Additionally, maintenance of behavior change after the interventions were withdrawn varied directly with the degree of peer support and involvement in the interventions' designs. Employee involvement increased the amount of desirable response generalization while external consequences seemed to be associated with undesirable spread of effect presumed to be countercontrol.
Specificity and duration of neutralizing antibodies induced in healthy cattle after administration of a modified-live virus vaccine against bovine viral diarrhea.

OBJECTIVE To determine the duration for cross-neutralizing antibodies stimulated by administration of a single dose of a modified-live vaccine against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) to seronegative cattle. ANIMALS 23 Angus cows seronegative to BVDV. PROCEDURE Cows were randomly assigned to control (unvaccinated) or test (vaccinated) groups. Eighteen BVDV-seronegative Angus cattle were vaccinated via IM injection with a modified-live BVDV (NADL strain) vaccine and commingled with 5 unvaccinated seronegative cows. Serum was obtained from the cows before vaccination, on the day of vaccination, and 1.5, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months after vaccination. Serum neutralizing antibody tests were performed on samples obtained at each point after vaccination, using a panel of 12 strains of BVDV that, on the basis of reactivity with monoclonal antibodies, were identified as heterologous. RESULTS Antibodies against all 12 strains of BVDV (which we tested) were detected by use of viral neutralization testing in samples obtained from vaccinated cattle 18 months after vaccination; however, concentration of antibody for some of the strains was low. Nonvaccinated cattle remained seronegative throughout the 18-month study period. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Analysis of these data indicated that modified-live BVDV vaccines could stimulate an antibody response in seronegative cows that was detectable for at least 18 months after vaccination. These antibodies were able to cross neutralize 12 antigenically diverse strains of BVDV.
Personal Influence: The Part Played by People in the Flow of Mass Communications

First published in 1955, "Personal Influence" reports the results of a pioneering study conducted in Decatur, Illinois, validating Paul Lazarsfeld's serendipitous discovery that messages from the media may be further mediated by informal "opinion leaders" who intercept, interpret, and diffuse what they see and hear to the personal networks in which they are embedded. This classic volume set the stage for all subsequent studies of the interaction of mass media and interpersonal influence in the making of everyday decisions in public affairs, fashion, movie-going, and consumer behavior. The contextualizing essay in Part One dwells on the surprising relevance of primary groups to the flow of mass communication. Peter Simonson of the University of Pittsburgh has written that "Personal Influence was perhaps the most influential book in mass communication research of the postwar era, and it remains a signal text with historic significance and ongoing reverberations.more than any other single work, it solidified what came to be known as the dominant paradigm in the field, which later researchers were compelled either to cast off or build upon. " In his introduction to this fiftieth-anniversary edition, Elihu Katz discusses the theory and methodology that underlie the Decatur study and evaluates the legacy of his coauthor and mentor, Paul F. Lazarsfeld.
Relational Listening Goals Influence How People Report Talking About Problems

This study tested the extent that style of listening by message receivers and their subsequent responses affects communicative response styles of initial message senders in supportive contexts. A sample of 415 college students participated in an experiment. Each participant was asked to recall a recently upsetting event, to imagine that they disclosed to a close friend or family member who was attributed with each of four different listening goals, and to indicate how they were likely to respond. Results suggest that listening goals affect situational communicator responses when controlling for trait communicator styles. Relational goals increase the likelihood of interpersonal communicator responses but decrease the prospect of linguistic-styled disclosures. Analytical listener goals do not elicit linguistic or logical responses nor do critical listener goals influence linguistic or logical disclosures. Only relational listener goals influence communicator responses in these data, and only for interpersonal- (increased) and linguistic- (decreased) type responses. Listener effectiveness did not increase with a wider variety of listening skills; relational listening was the only goal that significantly affected response preference. This study moves work on supportive listening toward a model that theorizes the reciprocal nature of supportive encounters: Listening is interactive.
Queuing or Sharing? A Critical Evaluation of the Single-Bottleneck Notion

The model of a single central bottleneck for human information processing is critically examined. Most evidence cited in support of the model has been observed within the overlapping tasks paradigm. It is shown here that most findings obtained within that paradigm and that were used to support the model are also consistent with a simple resource model. The most prominent findings are the millisecond-for-millisecond slope at the left of the RT2-SOA curve, the high RT1-RT2 correlation, the additivity of the effects on RT2 of SOA and of the difficulty of selecting R2, and the washout of the effect of S2 discriminability on RT2 in a dual-task condition. In addition, the asymmetry of the effects of the dual-task requirement on RT1 and RT2 can be accounted for by the resource model provided that it assumes uneven allocation of resources, which is quite reasonable in view of the task asymmetry inherent in the demand characteristics of the paradigm. The same is true for two other findings that appear to support the single-bottleneck model-that in the dual-task condition, the demand of the first task affects equally RT1 and RT2 and that its effect on RT1 is the same as the corresponding effect in the single-task condition. Furthermore, the single-bottleneck model is hard to reconcile with a negative slope at the left of the RT1-SOA curve or a positive slope at the left of the IRI-SOA curve, unless augmented by ancillary assumptions that are yet to be substantiated. Representative data were fit by each of the models using its optimal set of parameters. Both models achieved quite good degrees of fit. It is further argued that since the overlapping tasks paradigm is heavily biased in favor of a speedy reaction to the stimulus that appears first, it is nonoptimal for testing the central bottleneck model. Finally, the bottleneck model is examined in terms of other scientific criteria.
Combined Imaging Markers Dissociate Alzheimer's Disease and Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration – An ALE Meta-Analysis

To compare and dissociate the neural correlates of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), we combine and synthesize here recent comprehensive meta-analyses. Systematic and quantitative meta-analyses were conducted according to the QUOROM statement by calculating anatomical likelihood estimates (ALE). AD (n = 578) and the three subtypes of FTLD, frontotemporal dementia, semantic dementia (SD), and progressive non-fluent aphasia (n = 229), were compared in conjunction analyses, separately for atrophy and reductions in glucose metabolism. Atrophy coincided in the amygdala and hippocampal head in AD and the FTLD subtype SD. The other brain regions did not show any overlap between AD and FTLD subtypes for both atrophy and changes in glucose metabolism. For AD alone (n = 826), another conjunction analysis revealed a regional dissociation between atrophy and hypoperfusion/hypometabolism, whereby hypoperfusion and hypometabolism coincided in the angular/supramarginal gyrus and inferior precuneus/posterior cingulate gyrus. Our data together with other imaging studies suggest a specific dissociation of AD and FTLD if, beside atrophy, additional imaging markers in AD such as abnormally low parietal glucose utilization and perfusion are taken into account. Results support the incorporation of standardized imaging inclusion criteria into future diagnostic systems, which is crucial for early individual diagnosis and treatment in the future.
Porcine Bladder Urothelial, Myofibroblast, and Detrusor Muscle Cells: Characterization and ATP Release

ATP is released from the bladder mucosa in response to stretch, but the cell types responsible are unclear. Our aim was to isolate and characterize individual populations of urothelial, myofibroblast, and detrusor muscle cells in culture, and to examine agonist-stimulated ATP release. Using female pig bladders, urothelial cells were isolated from bladder mucosa following trypsin-digestion of the luminal surface. The underlying myofibroblast layer was dissected, minced, digested, and cultured until confluent (10–14 days). A similar protocol was used for muscle cells. Cultures were used for immunocytochemical staining and/or ATP release investigations. In urothelial cultures, immunoreactivity was present for the cytokeratin marker AE1/AE3 but not the contractile protein α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) or the cytoskeletal filament vimentin. Neither myofibroblast nor muscle cell cultures stained for AE1/AE3. Myofibroblast cultures partially stained for α-SMA, whereas muscle cultures were 100% stained. Both myofibroblast and muscle stained for vimentin, however, they were morphologically distinct. Ultrastructural studies verified that the suburothelial layer of pig bladder contained abundant myofibroblasts, characterized by high densities of rough endoplasmic reticulum. Baseline ATP release was higher in urothelial and myofibroblast cultures, compared with muscle. ATP release was significantly stimulated by stretch in all three cell populations. Only urothelial cells released ATP in response to acid, and only muscle cells were stimulated by capsaicin. Tachykinins had no effect on ATP release. In conclusion, we have established a method for culture of three cell populations from porcine bladder, a well-known human bladder model, and shown that these are distinct morphologically, immunologically, and pharmacologically.