Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mindfulness-based interventions for the treatment of smoking: a systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVES Smoking is a chronic process in which craving and negative affect are considered the main barriers to maintaining abstinence in patients who have gone through treatment. Mindfulness-based interventions have presented encouraging preliminary results in follow-up lasting up to 6 months. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic literature review on the effects of mindfulness-based interventions for the treatment of smoking. METHODS Of 198 articles on mindfulness and smoking, 13 controlled empirical studies were selected for the analysis. The search included papers published through April 14, 2014. The databases used were Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus. RESULTS Scientific interest on mindfulness-based interventions for the treatment of smoking has increased over the past decade. All articles reported promising results, especially for smoking cessation, relapse prevention, number of cigarettes smoked, the moderation of mindfulness on the strength of relationship between craving and smoking, and the development of coping strategies to deal with triggers to smoke. Most of the articles corresponded to pilot or feasibility randomized controlled trials with low risk of bias regarding random sequence generation, attrition, and reporting. However, few articles reported sufficient data on selection, performance, and detection bias. CONCLUSIONS Mindfulness appears to induce positive effects on mental health, which might contribute to the maintenance of tobacco abstinence. Despite the promising results regarding the responses of tobacco smokers to mindfulness-based interventions, additional well-designed clinical studies are needed.
A likelihood framework to analyse phyletic patterns

Probabilistic evolutionary models revolutionized our capability to extract biological insights from sequence data. While these models accurately describe the stochastic processes of site-specific substitutions, single-base substitutions represent only a fraction of all the events that shape genomes. Specifically, in microbes, events in which entire genes are gained (e.g. via horizontal gene transfer) and lost play a pivotal evolutionary role. In this research, we present a novel likelihood-based evolutionary model for gene gains and losses, and use it to analyse genome-wide patterns of the presence and absence of gene families. The model assumes a Markovian stochastic process, where gains and losses are represented by the transition between presence and absence, respectively, given an underlying phylogenetic tree. To account for differences in the rates of gain and loss of different gene families, we assume among-gene family rate variability, thus allowing for more accurate description of the data. Using the Bayesian approach, we estimated an evolutionary rate for each gene family. Simulation studies demonstrated that our methodology accurately infers these rates. Our methodology was applied to analyse a large corpus of data, consisting of 4873 gene families spanning 63 species and revealed novel insights regarding the evolutionary nature of genome-wide gain and loss dynamics.
Association of Interferon-gamma Induced Protein 10 Promoter Polymorphisms with the Disease Progression of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Chinese Han Population

Background and Aims Interferon-gamma induced protein 10 (IP-10) was suggested to be involved in liver injury in viral hepatitis. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) G-201A (rs1439490) in IP-10 gene on disease progression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Methods The -201 SNP in IP-10 promoter was genotyped from 577 patients with different illness categories and 275 health controls; In vitro IP-10 promoter activity was compared between haplotype GG and AA homozygotes using luciferase reporter system in HepG2 cells. In vivo expression of IP-10 was compared between patients with -201 AA genotype and GG genotype. Results The detected frequency of G-201A SNP was 17.8%, 25.3%, 26.6%, and 13.8% for patients with acute hepatitis B (AHB), patients with mild chronic hepatitis B (CHB-M), patients with severe chronic hepatitis B (CHB-S), and health controls, respectively. In vitro IP-10 promoter-driven luciferase activity in pGL3-Enhancer-201A transfected HepG2 cells was 1.43-fold higher than that in pGL3-Enhancer-201G transfected HepG2 cells (P<0.01). In vivo IP-10 transcriptional expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was 1.38-fold higher in patients with -201 AA genotype than in patients with -201 GG genotype (P<0.01). Conclusion G-201A in promoter region of IP-10 gene was associated with liver disease progression in patients with HBV infection through up-regulating IP-10 expression.
Molecular Evidence of Lateral Gene Transfer in rpoB Gene of Mycobacterium yongonense Strains via Multilocus Sequence Analysis

Recently, a novel species, Mycobacterium yongonense (DSM 45126T), was introduced and while it is phylogenetically related to Mycobacterium intracellulare, it has a distinct RNA polymerase β-subunit gene (rpoB) sequence that is identical to that of Mycobacterium parascrofulaceum, which is a distantly related scotochromogen, which suggests the acquisition of the rpoB gene via a potential lateral gene transfer (LGT) event. The aims of this study are to prove the presence of the LGT event in the rpoB gene of the M. yongonense strains via multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA). In order to determine the potential of an LGT event in the rpoB gene of the M. yongonense, the MLSA based on full rpoB sequences (3447 or 3450 bp) and on partial sequences of five other targets [16S rRNA (1383 or 1395 bp), hsp65 (603 bp), dnaJ (192 bp), recA (1053 bp), and sodA (501 bp)] were conducted. Incongruences between the phylogenetic analysis of the full rpoB and the five other genes in a total of three M. yongonense strains [two clinical strains (MOTT-12 and MOTT-27) and one type strain (DSM 45126T)] were observed, suggesting that rpoB gene of three M. yongonense strains may have been acquired very recently via an LGT event from M. parascrofulaceum, which is a distantly related scotochromogen.
Role of Antibiotic Cement Coated Nailing in Infected Nonunion of Tibia

Introduction Infected nonunion of long bones is a chronic and debilitating disorder. It is more difficult to deal with when the implant used for internal fixation itself becomes a potential media for infection because of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. Traditionally, it is managed by two-stage procedure for controlling the infection first and then treating the nonunion. This study has been undertaken to explore antibiotic cement coated nailing as single stage treatment modality for treating infection and achieving stability at the same time. Materials and Methods Twenty patients (above 18 years of age) with infected nonunion of tibia with bone gap less than 2 cm were managed using antibiotic cement coated K-nail. Antibiotic cement nail was prepared using endotracheal tube method. Antibiotics used were a combination of vancomycin and teicoplanin. Results Infection was controlled in 95% of the patients. Bony union was achieved in 12 of 20 (60%) patients with antibiotic cement nailing as the only procedure with average time of union of 32 weeks. Remaining 8 patients required additional procedures like bone grafting or exchange nailing and these were done in six patients, with union of fracture. Two patients refused to undergo further procedures. Complications encountered were difficult nail removal in three cases, broken nail in two cases, and bent nail in one case. Recurrence of infection was observed in two patients. Average period of follow-up was 13 months. Conclusion Antibiotic cement impregnated nailing is a simple, economical and effective single stage procedure for the management of infected nonunion of tibia. It is advantageous over external fixators, as it eliminates the complications of external fixators and has good patient compliance. The method utilizes existing easily available instrumentation and materials and is technically less demanding, and therefore can be performed at any general orthopaedic center.
A basal level of DNA damage and telomere deprotection increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to G-quadruplex interactive compounds

Here, with the aim of obtaining insight into the intriguing selectivity of G-quadruplex (G4) ligands toward cancer compared to normal cells, a genetically controlled system of progressive transformation in human BJ fibroblasts was analyzed. Among the different comparative evaluations, we found a progressive increase of DNA damage response (DDR) markers throughout the genome from normal toward immortalized and transformed cells. More interestingly, sensitivity to G4 ligands strongly correlated with the presence of a basal level of DNA damage, including at the telomeres, where the chromosome ends were exposed to the DDR without concurrent induction of DNA repair activity, as revealed by the lack of 53BP1 recruitment and telomere aberrations. The link between telomere uncapping and the response to G4 stabilization was directly assessed by showing that a partial TRF2 depletion, causing a basal level of telomere localized DDR, rendered telomerized fibroblasts prone to G4-induced telomere damage and anti-proliferative defects. Taken together these data strongly indicate that the presence of a basal level of telomere-associated DDR is a determinant of susceptibility to G4 stabilization.
Cardiovascular Effects of Physiological and Standard Sex Steroid Replacement Regimens in Premature Ovarian Failure

Current hormone replacement therapy may not optimize cardiovascular health in women with premature ovarian failure. We compared the effects of physiological and standard sex steroid replacement regimens on cardiovascular health in these women. In an open-label, randomized, controlled crossover trial, 34 women with premature ovarian failure were randomly assigned to 4-week cycles of physiological (transdermal estradiol and vaginal progesterone) and standard (oral ethinylestradiol and norethisterone) therapy for 12 months. Cardiovascular health was assessed by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and renal and humoral factors. Eighteen women (19 to 39 years of age) completed the 28-month protocol. Both regimens caused similar suppression of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone and provided symptom relief. In comparison with the standard regimen, physiological sex steroid replacement caused lower mean 24-hour systolic and diastolic blood pressures throughout the 12-month treatment period (ANOVA; P≤0.0001 for both): systolic blood pressure was 7.3 mm Hg (95% CI: 2.5 to 12.0 mm Hg) and diastolic was 7.4 mm Hg (95% CI: 3.9 to 11.0 mm Hg) lower at 12 months. Although there were no differences in arterial stiffness, physiological sex steroid replacement reduced plasma angiotensin II (ANOVA; P=0.007) and serum creatinine (ANOVA; P=0.015) concentrations without altering plasma aldosterone concentrations. In comparison with a standard regimen, physiological sex steroid replacement in women with premature ovarian failure results in lower blood pressure, better renal function, and less activation of the renin-angiotensin system. These findings have major implications for the future cardiovascular health of young women who require long-term sex steroid replacement therapy.
The neural tube/notochord complex is necessary for vertebral but not limb and body wall striated muscle differentiation.

The aim of this work was to investigate the role played by the axial organs, neural tube and notochord, on the differentiation of muscle cells from the somites in the avian embryo. Two of us have previously shown that neuralectomy and notochordectomy is followed by necrosis of the somites and consecutive absence of vertebrae and of most muscle cells derived from the myotomes while the limbs develop normally with muscles. Here we have focused our attention on muscle cell differentiation by using the 13F4 mAb that recognizes a cytoplasmic antigen specific of all types of muscle cells. We show that differentiation of muscle cells of myotomes can occur in the absence of notochord and neural tube provided that the somites from which they are derived have been in contact with the axial organs for a defined period of time, about 10 hours for the first somites formed at the cervical level, a duration that progressively reduces caudalward (i.e. for thoracic and lumbar somites). Either one or the other of the two axial organs, the neural tube or the notochord can prevent somitic cell death and fulfill the requirements for myotomal muscle cell differentiation. Separation of the neural tube/notochord complex from the somites by a surgical slit on one side of the embryo gave the same results as extirpation of these organs and provided a perfect control on the non-operated side. A striking finding was that limb and body wall muscles, although derived from the somites, differentiated in the absence of the axial organs. However, limb muscles that develop after excision of the neural tube started to degenerate from E10 onward due to lack of innervation. In vitro explantation of somites from different axial levels confirmed and defined precisely the chronology of muscle cell commitment in the myotomes as revealed by the in vivo experiments.
Trade-off of gradation and cost requirements in aggregate blending

Existing aggregate blending methods can be used to provide the optimum proportions based on either gradation or cost requirements. The purpose of this paper is to present an analytical method that allows a trade-off between gradation and cost requirements in determining the optimum proportions. Only three aggregates are considered, but the method can be extended to any number of aggregates. The method provides the entire feasible region of proportions that satisfies the gradation specification limits along with the mean deviation and cost of every point in that region. The mean deviation can be based on mid-point specifications or the maximum density gradation curve. The optimum proportions for the minimum mean deviation, minimum cost, or a trade-off between the two are determined. The method was applied to two examples of aggregate blending. The first example illustrates the trade-off analysis of gradation and cost requirements, and the second example illustrates a special advantage of the method. In addition to considering both gradation and cost requirements, the method has other advantages. Unlike existing methods, this method automatically eliminates negative solutions and can handle any type of the cost function of aggregates.
System and Patient Barriers to Care among People Living with HIV/AIDS in Houston/Harris County, Texas

In the United States, a considerable number of people diagnosed with HIV are not receiving HIV medical care due to some barriers. Using data from the Medical Monitoring Project survey of HIV medical care providers in Houston/Harris County, Texas, we assessed the HIV medical care providers’ perspectives of the system and patient barriers to HIV care experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The study findings indicate that of the 14 HIV care barriers identified, only 1 system barrier and 7 patient barriers were considered of significant (P ≤ .05) importance, with the proportion of HIV medical care providers’ agreement to these barriers ranging from 73.9% (cost of health care) to 100% (lack of social support systems and drug abuse problems). Providers’ perception of important system and patient barriers varied significantly (P ≤ .05) by profession, race/ethnicity, and years of experience in HIV care. To improve access to and for consistent engagement in HIV care, effective intervention programs are needed to address the barriers identified especially in the context of the new health care delivery system.
Continued use of the Standard Days Method®

Objective To examine the long-term effectiveness and continuation of the Standard Days Method (SDM)®, a fertility awareness-based method of family planning that identifies Days 8–19 (inclusive) of the cycle as the fertile window. On these days users avoid unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy. The method works best for women with cycles that are usually in the range of 26–32 days, which is an important reason for method discontinuation in the first year of use. The authors determine if this continues to be an issue in the second and third years of method use. Methods Participants in an earlier efficacy study (478 women in three countries) and method introduction studies (1181 women in four countries) were followed for 2 years beyond the original 1-year study period, to determine their continued use of the method, intended and unintended pregnancies, and reasons for discontinuation. Life-tables were used to approximate typical use pregnancy rates. Results The method continues to be effective in the second and third years of use, and compares favourably to other user-directed family planning methods. Women with no more than two cycles outside the 26–32-day range within a year are likely to continue having cycles within this range. Conclusions Women who complete the first year of SDM use are likely to continue to be able to use the method successfully and effectively. The method presents a viable longer-term option for women who prefer this approach to family planning.
Prevalence of latent TB infection and TB disease among adolescents in high TB burden countries in Africa: a systematic review protocol

Introduction Almost a third of the world population has latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI), ∼10 million of whom develop TB disease annually, despite existence of effective, but lengthy, preventive and curative drug regimens. Although adolescents appear to have a very high force of LTBI, their reported incidence of TB disease is less than that of their corresponding general population. The few available studies on adolescent TB infection and disease prevalence are not sufficient to address the apparent discordance between rates of infection and disease in high TB burden countries in Africa. Therefore, we aim to perform a systematic review to examine the relationship between adolescent LTBI and TB disease, benchmarked against national TB disease burden data. Methods and analysis A comprehensive literature search will be performed for cross-sectional studies and screening data in cohort studies to determine the prevalence of LTBI and TB disease among adolescents in high TB burden countries in Africa in the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane library, Web of Science, Africa Wide, CINAHL and the Africa Index Medicus. This will be supplemented by a search of reference lists of selected articles for potentially relevant articles. We will restrict our search to articles published in the English language between 1990 and 2016 among adolescents in order to obtain estimates reflective of the mature HIV epidemic in most high TB burden countries in Africa that occurred over this critical period. Primary end points are: prevalence of LTBI and TB disease. We will use the random-effects or fixed-effects modelling for our meta-analysis based on heterogeneity estimates. Ethics and dissemination No ethics approval is required given that this is a systematic review. Findings will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Trial registration number CRD42015023495.
A population‐based audit for diagnosing colorectal cancer

Background: Knowledge of the diagnostic work‐up of colorectal cancer is a prerequisite to improve its quality. Family history is one of few known risk factors of the disease and it is therefore important to investigate to what extent this factor is used in routine management. Methods: Copies of records from all health‐care suppliers visited during diagnostic work‐up were requested for 227/235 (97%) patients with recently diagnosed colorectal cancer in the county of Västmanland during 1998–99. A first consultation was identified and records and all diagnostic measures related to the initial consultation were scrutinized. A family history of colorectal cancer was known for 179 patients. Results: Most of the patients, 107 (66%) colon and 57 (86%) rectal cancer patients, had consulted with a general practitioner. The median diagnostic work‐up time was 42 days (IQ 12–110) for colon and 23 days (IQ 0–49) for rectal cancer. A double‐contrast barium enema was the most commonly used diagnostic method for colon cancer. Family history was documented at the first consultation in 2/179 (1%) cases. In patients with right‐sided cancer, median diagnostic work‐up time was 53 days in patients with a positive result of faecal occult blood test (FOBT) as compared with 448 in patients with a negative result (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Primary care is the key actor in diagnosing rectal cancer. The restricted capacity for X‐ray is one of the main obstacles in detection of colon cancer. Family history is rarely documented during diagnostic work‐up of colorectal cancer. The benefit of using FOBT in symptomatic patients is questioned.
Psychology Research and Behavior Management Dovepress Potential of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy in the Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) continues to attract both empirical and clinical interest due to its complex symptom profile and the underlying processes involved. Recently, research attention has been focused on the types of memory processes involved in PTSD and hypothesized neurobiological processes. Complicating this exploration, and the treatment of PTSD, are underlying comorbid disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Treatment of PTSD has undergone further reviews with the introduction of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR has been empirically demonstrated to be as efficacious as other specific PTSD treatments, such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. There is emerging evidence that there are different processes underlying these two types of trauma treatment and some evidence that EMDR might have an efficiency advantage. Current research and understanding regarding the processes of EMDR and the future direction of EMDR is presented.
Resource Utilization and Toxicities After Carboplatin/Etoposide/Melphalan and Busulfan/Melphalan for Autologous Stem Cell Rescue in High‐Risk Neuroblastoma Using a National Administrative Database

High‐dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue (ASCR) is a key component of high‐risk neuroblastoma therapy. Resources required to support patients treated with ASCR conditioning regimens [carboplatin/etoposide/melphalan (CEM) and busulfan/melphalan (BuMel)] have not been directly compared.