Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of venlafaxine alone versus venlafaxine plus bright light therapy combination for severe major depressive disorder.

OBJECTIVE Phototherapy, ie, bright light therapy, is an effective and safe treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). It exerts rapid mood-elevating activity, similar to antidepressant medications, most likely mediated through both monoaminergic and circadian system melatonergic mechanisms. We assessed the efficiency of bright light therapy as an adjuvant treatment to antidepressant pharmacotherapy in patients with severe MDD randomized by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score to either (1) 150 mg venlafaxine hydrochloride daily at 7:00 AM or (2) 150 mg venlafaxine plus 60-minute light of 7000 lux the initial week of clinical management (venlafaxine + bright light therapy) daily at 7:00 AM. METHOD 50 inpatients with severe MDD at the Psychiatry Clinic of Yüzüncü Yıl University Training and Education Hospital participated. The study, which was conducted from January 2013 through June 2014, entailed patients diagnosed with severe MDD based on DSM-IV-TR for the first time. Mood states were assessed by the HDRS, Profile of Mood States (POMS), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) before treatment and at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks of treatment. RESULTS On the basis of the HDRS score as the primary outcome variable, both strategies significantly improved depression and negative mood states already at the first treatment week (P < .001). Differences in therapeutic effects by treatment strategy were remarkable at the second and fourth weeks of clinical management (P = .018 and P = .011, respectively), with beneficial effects continuing until trial conclusion. Those treated with venlafaxine + bright light therapy evidenced significantly lower HDRS depression scores (P < .05) as well as BDI scores (P < .05) and POMS negative mood states scores (depression-dejection, tension-anxiety, anger-hostility, fatigue-inertia, and confusion-bewilderment subscales; all P < .05) after the second week. At week 4 of the trial, 19 (76%) of the 25 venlafaxine + bright light therapy patients versus just 11 (44%) of the 25 venlafaxine patients (P < .05) attained the target goal of treatment, a HDRS score ≤ 13, indicative of mild depression, and, although not statistically significant in our small sample study (P = .36), at week 8, 76% of venlafaxine + bright light therapy patients (n = 19) versus just 64% of the venlafaxine patients (n = 16) experienced complete remission of depression (HDRS score ≤ 7). CONCLUSIONS Both venlafaxine and venlafaxine + bright light therapy treatment strategies significantly reversed the depressive mood of patients with severe MDD; however, the latter induced significantly stronger and more rapid beneficial effects. Future longer-term studies with large sample sizes, nonetheless, are required to confirm and generalize these results to patients of diverse ethnicities and cultures with both severe and mild MDD. TRIAL REGISTRATION ANZCTR.org. au registration number: ACTRN12614001061628.
Erythrocyte entry by malarial parasites. A moving junction between erythrocyte and parasite

Invasion of erythrocytes by merozoites of the monkey malaria, Plasmodium knowlesi, was investigated by electron microscopy. The apical end of the merozoite makes initial contact with the erythrocyte, creating a small depression in the erythrocyte membrane. The area of the erythrocyte membrane to which the merozoite is attached becomes thickened and forms a junction with the plasma membrane of the merozoite. As the merozoite enters the invagination in the erythrocyte surface, the junction, which is in the form of a circumferential zone of attachment between the erythrocyte and merozoite, moves along the confronted membranes to maintain its position at the orifice of the invagination. When entry is completed, the orifice closes behind the parasite in the fashion of an iris diaphragm, and the junction becomes a part of the parasitophorous vacuole. The movement of the junction during invasion is an important component of the mechanism by which the merozoite enters the erythrocyte. The extracellular merozoite is covered with a prominent surface coat. During invasion, this coat appears to be absent from the portion of the merozoite within the erythrocyte invagination, but the density of the surface coat outside the invagination (beyond the junction) is unaltered.
The fractal queerness of non-heteronormative migrants working in the UK sex industry

Contemporary debates on migration and the sex industry have been characterized by a marked emphasis on the extent of trafficking and exploitation of migrant women in heterosexist contexts and relationships. Migrant sex workers’ complex understandings of exploitation and advantage have been reductively manipulated into a heteronormative dichotomy between free (male) migrants and (female) coerced victims. In the process, non-heteronormative migrant sex workers’ experiences of advantage and exploitation were neglected. This article draws on original research material and findings about the specific life and work trajectories of non-heteronormative people working in the UK sex industry. It focuses on the way they understand the opportunities and predicaments posed by the homonormative and heteronormative worlds they ambivalently reproduce and challenge by migrating and working in the global sex industry.
Pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine nucleosides as inhibitors of human cytomegalovirus

Seven arabinosyl, 2'-deoxyribosyl, and ribosyl pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines were evaluated in vitro for activity against human cytomegalovirus and for cytotoxicity in primary and established cell lines of human origin. The parent ribosyl analogs exhibited little antiviral selectivity owing to high cytotoxicity. In contrast, ara-tubercidin, ara-toyocamycin, ara-sangivamycin, and deoxysangivamycin exhibited selectivity between antiviral effect (measured by plaque or titer reduction or both) and cytotoxicity (measured microscopically and by incorporation of radioactive precursors into DNA, RNA, and protein). The selectivity (in vitro therapeutic indexes) for these four compounds ranged from 2 to 40. The two sangivamycin analogs were the most potent and selective. Ara-sangivamycin, for example, inhibited virus replication 10(5)-fold at a concentration (10 microM) which produced only partial inhibition of cell growth and labeled precursor incorporation. The four arabinosyl and deoxyribosyl nucleosides appeared to act by inhibition of viral DNA synthesis as quantitated by DNA-DNA dot blot hybridization. These four analogs also were tested for activity against two strains of type 1 herpes simplex virus by a plaque reduction assay. Unexpectedly, all compounds inhibited herpes simplex virus to a lesser extent than human cytomegalovirus.
Don't Distract Me When I'm Media Multitasking: Toward a Theory for Raising Advertising Recall and Recognition

Media multitasking, such as using handheld devices like smartphones and tablets while watching TV, has become prevalent, but its effect on the recall and recognition of advertising has been the subject of limited academic research. We contend that the context in which multitasking takes place affects consumer memory for advertising delivered via the primary activity (e.g., watching television). Specifically, we identify the importance of the degree of (a) congruence between the primary and second screen activity and (b) social accountability of second-screen activities. We test our typology empirically by examining the determinants of next-day recall and recognition for billboard advertisers (perimeter board advertisements) of a televised soccer match. In line with our theory, in most cases media multitasking leads to worse recall and recognition. However, in situations where there is congruence between primary- and second-screen activities, and secondary activities have a higher level of social accountability attached to them, advertising recall and recognition improves.
Effect of a new combined therapy with nano-carbonate apatite and CO2 laser on dentin hypersensitivity in an in situ model.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the occluding effects of a combination of dentifrice containing nano-carbonate apatite (n-CAP) and CO2 laser on dentinal tubules, and to evaluate the acid resistance of this combination after 4 days of treatment, by using an in situ model. BACKGROUND DATA The synergic effect of this combination was demonstrated in an in vitro study. METHODS This was a two period crossover, single-blind, randomized, four-treatment, split-mouth study. Ten healthy participants wore lower intraoral appliances during the treatment period. Specimens were divided into the following four groups: no treatment (control group), tooth-brushing using 20% n-CAP dentifrice (n-CAP group), CO2 laser irradiation (laser group), and laser irradiation after n-CAP application (combined group). Occluding effects were evaluated on 2 days (days 1 and 2), and then acid challenge was performed using grape juice on 2 days (days 3 and 4). All of the specimen surfaces were evaluated by a scanning electron microscope. RESULTS The combined group showed a better occluding effect than control group compared with other treatment groups, and this effect was 20% higher than that in the n-CAP group. Also, the combined group had the smallest open dentinal tubular area among all of the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS The combined therapy is a promising method for ensuring a long-lasting effect of dentin hypersensitivity treatment in clinical practice.
LATITUDE AND SEVERITY OF SENTENCING OPTIONS, RACE OF THE VICTIM AND DECISIONS OF SIMULATED JURORS: SOME ISSUES ARISING FROM THE "ALGIERS MOTEL" TRIAL

On the fourth day of the Detroit riots (1967), newspapers reported that three Negroes had been killed in a sniper battle at the Algiers Motel. The night before-Tuesday, July 25 -rumors of sniping were widespread. Responding to a telephone report of shots fired in the vicinity, a number of Detroit police officers, State Troopers and National Guardsmen rushed into the annex of the Algiers Motel. Inside, they found ten black men and two white girls. No guns were found. The police began questioning them. One hour later, when the police left, three of the men lay dead [Carl Cooper, Fred Temple, and Auburey Pollard], shot at close range. The others, including the two girls, had been severely beaten (Hersey, 1968; insert ours).
Differentiating Autistic Children with Quantitative Encephalography: A 3-Month Longitudinal Study

The present study used a single-channel quantitative electroencephalographic (EEG) assessment to differentiate autistic children from normal control subjects. One hundred five normal and 17 autistic children participated in the study. In addition to amplitude measures of the frequency bands of delta, theta, alpha, sensorimotor rhythm, and beta and the theta to beta ratio, intra- (6 minutes) and intersessional (3 months) consistencies were also examined. The results indicated that autistic children showed significantly higher quantitative EEG amplitudes in many of the frequency bands than normal children; furthermore, their quantitative EEG activities were found to be relatively unstable within a 6-minute session compared with normal children. Discriminant function analyses revealed that absolute sensorimotor rhythm and beta amplitudes were the best predictors that correctly differentiated autistic children from normal children in the present sample, with a high accuracy rate of 95.2%. In addition, quantitative EEG measurements of normal and autistic children were found to be generally consistent across the 3-month period. (J Child Neurol2006;21:391—399; DOI 10.2310/7010.2006.00094).
Histological effects of Eugenia jambolana seed extract on liver of adult albino rats.

BACKGROUND The therapeutic value of Eugenia jambolana, commonly known as 'Jamun' in Hindi, has been recognized in different system of traditional medicine for the treatment of various conditions. Its seeds are used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and hyperlipedemia by reducing the lipid levels in the body; this action is presumed to be due to blocking the action of enzyme 3-hydroxyl methyl glutaryl (HMG-CoA reductase in the liver. Herbal drugs are getting into use with the notion that these are relatively harmless; the practice has shown that many of them also have toxic effects. Since hardly any work is available on the toxic aspect of Eugenia Jamblana, the present study was planed to see the effect-of ethanolic extract of Eugenia Jamblana on liver using albino rats as an experimental model. METHODS The animals were divided into three groups A, B and C. Group A served as a control and received only distilled water comparable to the experimental animals calculated according to their body weight, where as B and C served as experimental groups. 100 and 200 mg of ethanolic extract of Eugenia Jamblana was dissolved in one ml of distilled water each and was given orally for 30 days/kg body weight. RESULTS liver enzyme ALT and gamma GT were significantly raised when compared to the control group, p-value being < 0.05. Histological studies showed ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes, focal areas of hepatocytes necrosis with lymphocytic infiltration, providing supportive evidence for biochemical findings indicative of functional derangement. The effect of the extract was not dose dependent. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and chi-square showed statistically significant difference when the values from experimental animals were compared with those from the control, indicating that the ethanolic extract of Eugenia Jamblana seed possesses hepatotoxic effect. CONCLUSION The ethanolic extract of Eugenia jambolana seed extract is toxic to liver as evident by derangement in liver enzyme levels and disturbed liver histology.
Applicability of personality disorder criteria to hospitalized adolescents: evaluation of internal consistency and criterion overlap.

OBJECTIVE The authors examined the applicability of personality disorder criteria to adolescent inpatients by evaluating internal consistency and criterion overlap. METHOD Thirty-eight adolescents and 28 adults were assessed with the Personality Disorder Examination. Within-category cohesiveness (internal consistency) of the criteria was evaluated by examining intercriterion correlations as well as coefficient alpha. In addition, between-category criterion overlap was evaluated by examining "intercategory" intercriterion correlations between all pairs of disorders. Separate analyses were conducted for adolescents and adults, and the groups were compared. RESULTS Internal consistency appeared to be lower in adolescents, as measured by intercriterion correlation and coefficient alpha, with the largest differences being identified for most cluster B disorders. Intercategory analysis indicated that criterion overlap may be greater among adolescents. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this psychometric analysis suggests that there may be limitations to the DSMs approach to categorizing personality disorders. For both adolescents and adults, modest degrees of within-category cohesiveness (internal consistency) and between-category criterion overlap were observed. Comparatively, personality disorder criteria in adolescents tended to have lower internal consistency and less discriminant validity. The data raise questions about the construct validity of these disorders--or the applicability of these criteria--within this age group.
Increased Glutathione Biosynthesis Plays a Role in Nickel Tolerance in Thlaspi Nickel Hyperaccumulators

Worldwide more than 400 plant species are now known that hyperaccumulate various trace metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn), metalloids (As) and nonmetals (Se) in their shoots. Of these, almost one-quarter are Brassicaceae family members, including numerous Thlaspi species that hyperaccumulate Ni up to 3% of there shoot dry weight. We observed that concentrations of glutathione, Cys, and O-acetyl-l-serine (OAS), in shoot tissue, are strongly correlated with the ability to hyperaccumulate Ni in various Thlaspi hyperaccumulators collected from serpentine soils, including Thlaspi goesingense, T. oxyceras, and T. rosulare, and nonaccumulator relatives, including T. perfoliatum, T. arvense, and Arabidopsis thaliana. Further analysis of the Austrian Ni hyperaccumulator T. goesingense revealed that the high concentrations of OAS, Cys, and GSH observed in this hyperaccumulator coincide with constitutively high activity of both serine acetyltransferase (SAT) and glutathione reductase. SAT catalyzes the acetylation of l-Ser to produce OAS, which acts as both a key positive regulator of sulfur assimilation and forms the carbon skeleton for Cys biosynthesis. These changes in Cys and GSH metabolism also coincide with the ability of T. goesingense to both hyperaccumulate Ni and resist its damaging oxidative effects. Overproduction of T. goesingense SAT in the nonaccumulator Brassicaceae family member Arabidopsis was found to cause accumulation of OAS, Cys, and glutathione, mimicking the biochemical changes observed in the Ni hyperaccumulators. In these transgenic Arabidopsis, glutathione concentrations strongly correlate with increased resistance to both the growth inhibitory and oxidative stress induced effects of Ni. Taken together, such evidence supports our conclusion that elevated GSH concentrations, driven by constitutively elevated SAT activity, are involved in conferring tolerance to Ni-induced oxidative stress in Thlaspi Ni hyperaccumulators.
Impact of obesity on ventilatory function.

OBJECTIVE Although obesity was found to be associated with severe impairment of ventilation, most of the study population has been morbidly obese adults. We aimed to explore the effects of mild obesity on ventilatory function in the pediatric age group. METHODS In a cross-sectional controlled study, 80 patients (M/F: 35/45), who were evaluated in our outpatient clinic with the complaint of excess body weight, with no history of asthma or other atopic diseases were studied and compared to a control group of 50 normal weight children controlled for age and sex. The mean age of patients was 9.7+/-2.5 years (7 to 15 years). Anthropometric measurements and spirometry were performed in all subjects. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were used as measures of ventilatory function. RESULTS There were no significant differences in FEV1%, FVC% and FEV1%/FVC% by study group (p > 0.05). Only three patients had obstructive abnormalities documented on their pulmonary function tests (two had moderately severe and one had mild obstructive abnormalities). No correlation was observed between pulmonary function parameters and anthropometric measurements. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate that pulmonary function test parameters of the mildly obese children were similar to those of the normal weight children. Anthropometric measurements had no significant effect on spirometric measurements in children as they did on adults.
Mental health outcomes of widowed and married mothers after war

Summary We assessed prevalence rates of mental disorders in 206 mothers who had experienced the Kosovo war 10 years previously: 100 lone mothers widowed by the war, 71 non-bereaved married mothers, and 35 married mothers bereaved since the war (loss of family other than husband). A total of 96% of widowed lone mothers reported a major depressive episode, an anxiety disorder or a substance use disorder as compared with 54.9% and 60% in the married groups. Furthermore, 45% of widowed lone mothers reported current suicide risk as compared with 16.9% and 22.9% in the married samples. War-related widowhood combined with lone motherhood constitutes a significant factor for elevated psychopathology.
Interleukin-1 gene cluster polymorphisms predict risk of ESRD.

BACKGROUND Patients with chronic kidney disease manifest an inflammatory state relative to healthy individuals. Inflammation is regulated in part by genes of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) gene cluster. We hypothesized that polymorphisms in this gene cluster may be associated with risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). METHODS Polymorphisms in the IL-1 gene cluster were examined in a cohort of 239 racially diverse hemodialysis (HD) patients and 252 controls. These individuals were genotyped for 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL-1alpha and beta genes, and a variable-number-of-tandem-repeats polymorphism in the IL-1 receptor antagonist gene (IL-1RN). Polymorphisms were analyzed by logistic regression for their independent associations with ESRD, and the effect of allele dose of IL-1RN on risk for ESRD was examined. The interaction between race and genotype was also investigated. RESULTS A logistic regression model demonstrated that homozygosity for allele 2 of the IL-1RN variable-number-of-tandem-repeats (VNTR) polymorphism was associated with ESRD independent of race (P < 0.0005). The IL-1alpha-889 promoter SNP was associated with ESRD independent of race and of the IL-1RN polymorphism (P= 0.04). The IL-1beta-511 promoter SNP is associated with ESRD, but this is accounted for by race (P= 0.04). CONCLUSION Two polymorphisms within the IL-1 gene cluster are associated with ESRD independent of race. This finding is one of the strongest associations between genotype and ESRD reported, and suggests that polymorphisms in the IL-1 gene cluster affect the risk of development of ESRD.
Some observations from releasing student projects to the public

Software engineering educators often struggle to strike a balance between making the project “real” so that students can learn in a realistic context and using an “imaginary” project tweaked to optimize learning goals of the module. This paper describes our observations when we tried to make an established software engineering project module more realistic by introducing to it a public release of the software built by students. For various aspects of the module, we describe risks we had anticipated, measures we had applied to mitigate those risks, unanticipated challenges that emerged during the module, possible measures that we think can counter those additional challenges, and other positive and negative points of interest that we observed during the module. We hope that this paper will help other educators who plan to incorporate a public release to their project modules.
Intermediates in the constitutive and regulated secretory pathways released in vitro from semi-intact cells

Regulated secretory cells have two pathways that transport secreted proteins from the Golgi complex to the cell surface. To identify carrier vesicles involved in regulated and constitutive secretion, PC12 pheochromocytoma cells were labeled with [35S]sulfate to identify markers for the two secretory pathways, then mechanically permeabilized and incubated in vitro. Small constitutive secretory vesicles, containing mostly sulfated proteoglycans, accumulated during an in vitro incubation with ATP. In the presence of GTP gamma S, the constitutive vesicles became significantly more dense, suggesting that a coated intermediate was stabilized. Larger immature regulated secretory granules, enriched in sulfated secretogranin II, also escaped from the permeabilized cells in vitro. During granule maturation, their density increased and the amount of cofractionating proteoglycans diminished. The data suggest that sorting continues during secretory granule maturation.