Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Link Between Discrimination and Telomere Length in African American Adults

Objective: Prior work shows that discrimination is associated with a wide array of negative health outcomes. However, the biological mechanisms through which this link occurs require more study. We evaluated the association between discrimination and leukocyte telomere length (LTL; a biological marker of systemic aging). Method: Cross-sectional data were from the Health and Retirement study, a study of people aged 51+ in the United States, and included 595 African American males and females. Multiple regression analyses were used to evaluate whether discrimination was independently associated with LTL. We also considered the role of potential confounders including sociodemographic factors, health factors, depressive symptoms, and stress. Results: High discrimination was associated with shorter LTL after controlling for sociodemographic factors (b = −.034, SE = 0.14, p = .017). This association persisted in analyses that further adjusted for health factors, depressive symptoms, and stress. Conclusion: Results suggest that discrimination experiences accelerate biological aging in older African American males and females, alike. This finding helps advance our understanding of how discrimination generates greater disease vulnerability and premature death in African Americans.
Biological Significance of Apoptosis in Ovarian Cancer: TRAIL Therapeutic Targeting

An apoptotic program is present in almost all cell types. Functional characterization of the apoptotic cascade has revealed how the apoptotic program is activated in response to di‐ verse stresses such as DNA damage, signaling imbalance provoked by oncogene activation, survival factors insufficiency or hypoxia. One of the hallmarks of tumor cells is their ability to resist apoptosis. The concept that apoptosis serves as a barrier to cancer development has been well established (Evan and Littlewood, 1998; Hengartner, 2000; Lowe et al., 2004; Adams and Cory, 2007). This is especially relevant for ovarian cancer (OC) where most pa‐ tients presenting with advanced OC (most commonly high grade serous OC) will respond to the initial chemotherapy treatment suggesting that most tumor cells present are sensitive to chemotherapy. However, only 10-15% of these patients maintain a complete response to the initial therapy implying that a fraction of the tumor cells escaped apoptosis induced by che‐ motherapeutic drugs. Thus, one of the main obstacles to an effective treatment in OC is the failure of the initial chemotherapy to eradicate a sufficient number of tumor cells to prevent disease recurrence. Attenuation of apoptosis in those tumor cells contributes to the resist‐ ance to subsequent therapy and likely plays an important role in OC progression.
Mast cells at the host–pathogen interface: host‐protection versus immune evasion in leishmaniasis

Infection of a susceptible host with Leishmania, a protozoan parasite, causes the disease leishmaniasis, which is characterized by neutrophil, eosinophil, macrophage, lymphocyte and mast cell infiltration into the infected tissue followed by parasite growth. Although the roles played by other cells in leishmaniasis are known, the role of mast cells remains to be ascertained. Here, we demonstrate that Leishmania regulates mast cell infiltration to the site of infection, mast cell production and mast cell function resulting in differential growth of the parasite in resistant (C57BL/6 or CBA/T6T6) and susceptible (BALB/c) macrophages. An interleukin‐3‐dependent augmentation in mast cell committed progenitors is observed in BALB/c but not in C57BL/6 mice during Leishmania infection. The mast cell supernatants inhibit IFN‐γ‐dependent restriction of Leishmania growth in macrophages in BALB/c mice whereas the reverse phenomenon occurs in C57BL/6 mice. Our data reveals a different facet of host–pathogen interaction.
Tympanic membrane perforation in adults

PREVIEW Tympanic membrane perforations have diverse causes and range in scope from simple and self-limited to complex and destructive. Some situations call for urgent referral, while others require only conservative care. Drs Ott and Lundy discuss how to evaluate and treat this common condition to minimize the risk of hearing loss and other complications.
Clinicopathologic features and outcomes of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma patients with monoclonal IgG or IgA paraprotein expression

Abstract Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma secreting IgG or IgA (non-IgM LPL) is rarely seen. Systematic studies of the clinical features and treatment outcomes are lacking in these patients. This study evaluated 17 patients with non-IgM LPL. The paraprotein secreted by these tumors was IgA (n = 8; 47%) and IgG (n = 9; 53%). The median serum level of paraprotein was 2,475 mg/dl (range = 747–5260) for IgA and 2580 mg/dl (range = 1900–7100) for IgG. The IgA-LPL group was more likely to present with B symptoms, a high beta2-microglobulin level and extramedullary involvement. Compared with patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM), patients with non-IgM LPL showed similar clinical and pathologic features, but a higher mortality within the first year after diagnosis (p < 0.001) and worse overall survival (p = 0.024), with no difference in progression-free survival and disease-specific survival. Rituximab alone or rituximab-based therapy was used frequently and was effective as either first-line or salvage therapy.
Pokok-Pokok Materi Statistik 1 : statistik deskriptif

Dalam kehidupan modern, statistik tidak diragukan lagi perannya, baik dalam kehidupan sehari-hari, dalam ilmu pengetahuan dan penilitian ilmiah, ataupun dalam kegiatan bisnis. Buku Pokok-Pokok Materi Statistik Jilid I ini terdiri dari distribusi frekuensi, ukuran nilai pusat, ukuran disperi, angka indeks, data berkala, serta korelasi dan regresi sederhana. Sasaran utama buku ini adalah mahasiswa yang sedang mempelajari Statistik I, karena itu pembahasannnya disesuaikan dengan SAP (Satuan Acara Perkuliahan), ditambah beberapa materi pelengkap yang dianggap perlu. Namun, karena isi dan penyajiannya yang sangat fleksibel, buku ini tetap relevan bagi yang ingin menggunakannnya sebagai bahan perbandingan, materi pelengkap, ataupun pustaka acuan. Dengan penyajian yang cermat dan sistematis, bahasa yang sederhana, dan contoh-contoh yang beragam, maka pembaca akan lebih mudah menggunakannya.
Electrical structure of the Himalaya of central Nepal: High conductivity around the mid‐crustal ramp along the MHT

Twelve broadband magnetotelluric (MT) soundings were performed across the Himalaya of Central Nepal in 1996 in order to determine the electrical structure of the crust and its relation to geological structures and active tectonics. The MT impedance tensors were obtained for frequencies between 0.001 and 500 Hz. The 2‐D section, derived from joint inversion of TE‐ and TM mode after RRI and Groom/Bailey decomposition, shows high conductivity in the foreland basin (∼30 Ω.m) that contrasts with the resistive Indian basement (>300 Ω.m) and Lesser Himalaya (>1000 Ω.m). In addition, our MT sounding reveals a major conductive feature beneath the front of the Higher Himalaya, also characterized by intense microseismic activity, and the position of a mid‐crustal ramp along the major active thrust fault (MHT). This high conductivity zone probably reflects metamorphic fluids, released during underthrusting of the Indian basement and pervading well connected microcracks induced by interseismic stress build‐up, or distributed brittle deformation around the ramp.
Kinematic effects of inertia and friction added by a robotic knee exoskeleton after prolonged walking

The capabilities of robotic gait assistive devices are ever increasing; however, their adoption outside of the lab is still limited. A critical barrier for the functionality of these devices are the still unknown mechanical properties of the human leg during dynamic conditions such as walking. We built a robotic knee exoskeleton to address this problem. Here, we present the effects of our device on the walking pattern of four subjects. We assessed the effects after a short period of acclimation as well as after a 1.5h walking protocol. We found that the knee exoskeleton decreased (towards extension) the peak hip extension and peak knee flexion of the leg with the exoskeleton, while minimally affecting the non-exoskeleton leg. Comparatively smaller changes occurred after prolonged walking. These results suggest that walking patterns attained after a few minutes of acclimation with a knee exoskeleton are stable for at least a couple of hours.
Is age a determinant for nausea and vomiting in disabled patients after dental treatment under sedation?

Background and Aim: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is one of most frequently encountered problems after dental treatment of mentally and/or motor disabled patients under sedation or general anesthesia. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether PONV incidence in disabled patients differs between adults (≥18 years) and children/teenage (<18 years). Also investigating complication rates related with anesthesia protocols were additional objectives of the study. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated anesthesia reports of 664 cases undergone different dental treatment procedures under deep sedation with various anesthetic agents. Two study groups (Group 1 consisted from patients with special needs <18 years, while Group 2 consisted from patients ≥18 years) were created. PONV incidence and other complications recorded. Results: There was no statistical difference between groups in terms of used anesthetic agent except midazolam (P < 0.017), while higher female/male ratio and longer duration of anesthesia was recorded in Group 2 (P = 0.043 and P = 0.046, respectively). We found significantly higher PONV rates in disabled patients under 18 years (P = 0.006). Hypoxia (peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) <90%) and bradycardia (heart rate <50/minute) were observed in only two patients. Conclusion: PONV is more common in disabled patients younger than 18 years and dental treatment procedures under deep sedation can be provided with acceptable complication rates in patients with special needs.
The Facial Paralysis Prognostic Index

The treatment of facial paralysis requires a reliable estimate of prognosis as well as an accurate diagnosis. Although the majority of patients recover, the degree of subsequent facial function varies. An estimation of the risk of nerve degeneration and subsequent disability is needed to guide therapy and to advise patients. Currently, prognosis is obtained by clinical evaluation of initial signs and symptoms, specific nerve excitability and function testing, and response to medical therapy. This study attempts to identify and quantitate factors that predict the outcome of facial paralysis. In 1214 patients with Bell's palsy, we identified factors associated with a severe course or poor outcome. We analyzed the predictive value of each item in an extensive research protocol, estimating the relative contribution to the total risk of unfavorable outcome by means of multiple regression models. With the use of these data, we have developed the facial paralysis prognostic index (FPPI). The FPPI can assist otologists to more accurately estimate outcome based on physical examination and electrical testing.
Studies on an Anophthalmic Strain of Mice. III. Results of Crosses with Other Strains.

YELESSNESS has been found in individuals throughout the verteE brates, and blind species are known in almost all classes. This strain of eyeless mice is more extreme in eye reduction than any blind species. I t provides an opportunity for the study of factors affecting the expression of this character which in turn may help in understanding the phylogeny of blind species. With selection and inbreeding, the hereditary minor factors (modifiers) have become practically homozygous, thus making possible an analysis of the heredity of eyelessness without the confusion of unpredicted modifiers. Two methods of analysis of the mode of inheritance of this eyelessness have been undertaken. The present paper deals with the inheritance when the modifiers are not the same-that is, crosses with different strains of mice. Another method involves a control of the modifiers, made possible by a mutation toward normal eyes in the inbred eyeless strain. This study is in progress a t the present time. The embryology of this anophthalmia has been shohrn to be fundamentally an inhibition of the growth of the optic vesicle a t ten days or earlier, just after the normal formation of the vesicle (CHASE and CHASE 1941). This inhibition may prevent the vesicle from forming a cup; or, more often, a small, irregular cup forms, usually too far from the surface to induce a lens. Whatever is present by 13 days usually grows a t a normal rate with the remainder of the embryo but is too’late to organize into a normal functional eye. The variations result in the adult in (I) complete anophthalmia with no eye remnants but with normal lids, orbits, and conjunctivas and large lacrimal glands (actually Harderian glands) filling the normal eye sockets; (2) a “very small” eye of only a pigment mass or with a little abnormal retinal tissue in addition; (3) a “small” eye with lens and abnormal retina; or (4) a “medium” eye with normal proportions. The medium eye can be seen between the lids; small and very small eyes cannot. Reproduction in this strain is not affected (E. B. CHASE 1941). Lack of eyes and optic nerves are apparently no detriment to normal reproductive behavior in these animals.
Experiences of going to court: Witnesses with intellectual disabilities and their carers speak up.

BACKGROUND People with intellectual disabilities are more vulnerable to sexual abuse and are more disadvantaged in the criminal justice system than the general population. However, little is known about the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities who have allegedly been victims of sexual abuse and also been witnesses in court. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study used semi-structured interviews and a Grounded Theory approach to examine the experiences of four people with intellectual disabilities and four carers/supporters who had all attended trials. RESULTS Findings showed that after the traumatic incident of abuse, a court experience could become a secondary source of trauma. Experience of this trauma was dependent on the quality and quantity of support people received and the understanding of intellectual disabilities amongst the legal participants. CONCLUSION The findings argue for better training for legal participants who are in contact with vulnerable witnesses and better support structures for alleged victims.
Role of Attachment in Response to Pet Loss

This study examined the impact of attachment on grief severity following the death of a pet. Seventy-one participants who had lost a dog or cat within the past year completed a set of measures that included an attachment measure assessing individual differences in attachment anxiety and avoidance, strength of the past attachment to the pet, the continuing bond with the deceased pet, social support, and complicated grief symptoms. Attachment anxiety and strength of the past attachment to the pet were each uniquely predictive of more severe grief. Furthermore, the continuing bond to the deceased pet partially mediated the impact of strength of the past attachment to the pet on grief severity. No significant mediators of the effect of attachment anxiety on grief were found, however. The results highlight the importance of distinguishing strength of attachment from attachment security in examining the effect of attachment on response to pet loss.
Incidence and Etiology of Potentially Preventable ICU Readmissions*

Objectives: The rate of unplanned ICU readmissions is often considered a measure of hospital performance. However, the degree to which these readmissions are preventable and the causes of preventable readmissions are unknown, creating uncertainty about the feasibility and value of reducing ICU readmission rates. To inform this issue, we sought to determine the frequency and underlying causes of potentially preventable ICU readmissions. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Urban, academic medical center in the mid-Atlantic United States. Patients: Adult patients discharged alive from their first ICU admission with an unplanned readmission within 48 hours of discharge. Measurements and Main Results: Each patient’s medical chart was reviewed by two independent investigators who rated each readmission’s preventability according to standardized scale and assessed the etiology of both preventable and nonpreventable readmissions. We assessed concordance between raters using the &kgr; statistic and resolved disagreements through iterative discussion. Of 136 readmissions in the final analysis, 16 (11.8%; 95% CI, 6.9–18.4) were considered preventable and 120 (88.2%; 95% CI, 81.5–93.1) were considered nonpreventable. Of nonpreventable readmissions, 67 were due to a new clinical problem and 53 were due to an existing clinical problem. Among preventable readmissions, six were attributable to system errors, six were attributable to management errors, two were attributable to procedural events, one was attributable to a diagnostic error, and one was attributable to a medication error. Compared to nonpreventable readmissions, preventable readmissions tended to have shorter index ICU lengths of stay (2 vs 3 d; p = 0.05) and a shorter duration of time on the ward prior to readmission (16.6 vs 23.6 hr; p = 0.05). Conclusions: The majority of early ICU readmissions are nonpreventable, raising important concerns about ICU readmission rates as a measure of hospital performance.
Insulin-like growth factor-I expression during early conceptus development in the pig.

Porcine conceptuses (embryo and associated membranes) in utero undergo developmental morphological transformations coincident with structural and biochemical changes in the uterine endometrium during early gestation. To elucidate a possible role for insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in these events, porcine endometrial (Days 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, and 30) and conceptus (Days 12, 14, and 16) tissues were characterized for the presence of IGF-I peptide and mRNAs. The corresponding uterine luminal fluids (ULF) at these stages of pregnancy were also analyzed for immunoreactive IGF-I concentration. ULF IGF-I was lowest on Day 8, highest on Day 12, and declined by Day 14. In contrast, endometrial tissue IGF-I content remained constant during this period. Conceptus tissues contained less IGF-I than endometrial tissues; however, conceptus IGF-I values were maximum on Day 12 coincident with peak values for ULF IGF-I. Dot-blot hybridization analyses revealed temporal variation in steady-state levels of IGF-I mRNAs in endometrium. Highest levels of endometrial IGF-I mRNA were detected on Day 12 and were about 4-fold greater than on Day 30 of pregnancy. IGF-I mRNA expression in conceptus tissues on Days 12, 14, and 16 was the same and was significantly less than that in endometrium on Day 12. These results demonstrate the temporal variation of IGF-I mRNA abundance in uterine endometrium and of immunoreactive IGF-I in ULF and in conceptus tissues, with the developmental processes occurring in the conceptuses at early pregnancy. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Novel approach for the management of sub-massive pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction has been identified as a poor prognostic indicator in sub-massive pulmonary embolism (SPE). We hypothesized that using selective vasodilator agent is beneficial in improving RV function in patients with this condition. METHODS: We used inhaled prostacyclin analogue (Iloprost, Ventavis®) in five patients with SPE. Helical computerized tomography angiogram was confirmatory for pulmonary embolism and echocardiography was used to evaluate the RV status. All patients received inhaled Iloprost, 2.5 to 5 μg every 4 hours for 3 weeks. RESULTS: Patients were prospectively followed for 3 months. They were assessed at baseline before starting Iloprost treatment and at 3 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months after treatment. All patients showed significant improvement in their functional class, Borg dyspnea score, NT pro-BNP level, and echocardiographic parameters. CONCLUSION: In SPE, directing therapy toward decreasing pulmonary vascular resistance improves the associated pulmonary hemodynamic compromise and improves RV function.
Extraction of DNA From Bones in Cases Where Expectations for Success Are Low

AbstractTo resolve cases involving unidentified cadavers, the study of polymorphic DNA markers of old bones is an invaluable but often challenging tool used in forensic genetics. Some of the difficulties encountered involve the limited quantity of endogenous DNA, its subsequent degradation (a result of elapsed time, environmental conditions, and the microorganisms that develop during the postmortem phase), and the coextraction of substances that inhibit amplification reactions. For these reasons, it is necessary to direct research toward the development of new extraction techniques with the goal of obtaining adequate quantities of high-quality DNA.The aim of this study was to improve the collection of extracted DNA compared with the amount of DNA obtained with the NucleoSpin DNA Trace Kit (Macherey Nagel) protocol for the extraction of genomic DNA from human bones. A modified version of the standard protocol is presented.The modified method for the extraction of genomic DNA, followed by amplification reaction, allowed for identification of 4 cadavers and typification of 1 cadaver. The study carried out involved unidentified cadavers, or their remains, discovered after a long period from time of death.
The efficacy and safety of meropenem and tobramycin vs ceftazidime and tobramycin in the treatment of acute pulmonary exacerbations in patients with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by chronic pulmonary infection with acute pulmonary exacerbations (APEs) requiring IV antibiotic treatment. We report on a blinded comparative trial of IV meropenem (40 mg/kg to 2 g q8h) or ceftazidime (5 mg/kg to 2 g q8h), each of which was administered with IV tobramycin (at a serum peak of > or = 8 microg/mL and a trough of < 2 microg/mL), as treatment for CF patients with APEs. METHODS Patients who were > or = 5 years of age who were infected with ceftazidime-susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa were stratified by lung function and randomized to treatment with meropenem/tobramycin or ceftazidime/tobramycin. Patients infected with Burkholderia cepacia complex or ceftazidime-resistant P aeruginosa were assigned to receive open-label meropenem/tobramycin. Clinical response was assessed by spirometry to determine the change in percent predicted FEV1 and by a clinical acute change score (ACS). RESULTS One hundred two patients were randomized to meropenem/tobramycin (n = 50) or ceftazidime/tobramycin (n = 52). Nineteen patients received open-label meropenem/tobramycin. FEV1 was improved at the end of treatment (EOT) with meropenem/tobramycin (mean [+/- SD] increase, 38.8 +/- 52.3%) and with ceftazidime/tobramycin (mean increase, 29.4 +/- 35.1%; p < 0.0001 vs baseline values). The proportion of patients with > or = 15% relative increase from baseline FEV1 (satisfactory response) at day 7 was 62% for the meropenem/tobramycin group and 44% for the ceftazidime/tobramycin group (p = 0.04). The median time to FEV1 response was 4 days for meropenem/tobramycin therapy vs 6 days for ceftazidime/tobramycin therapy. Similarly, FEV1 improved in the open-label group (mean increase, 12.5 +/- 25.7%; p = 0.05). ACS improved in all three groups at EOT (p < 0.0001 vs baseline values). CONCLUSIONS Therapy with both meropenem/tobramycin and ceftazidime/tobramycin improved pulmonary and clinical status and reduced sputum bacterial burden in CF patients with APEs. A larger proportion of patients receiving meropenem/tobramycin therapy demonstrated a satisfactory FEV1 response at day 7. Resistant P aeruginosa emerged infrequently during treatment with both regimens.