Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) as a Standalone Intervention for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder after Mixed Traumatic Events: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study

Objectives: There is promising evidence that mindfulness-based interventions are effective in reducing the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, until now, studies have often lacked a full clinical PTSD assessment, and interventions are often administered in addition to other interventions. This study examined the feasibility of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) as a standalone intervention in patients with PTSD who have experienced mixed traumatic events. Method: Fourteen patients participated in 8 weeks of MBSR. The patients were assessed prior to treatment, post-treatment and at a 1-month follow-up through self-ratings (e.g., the Davidson Trauma Scale) and the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale to determine the effects of the intervention. Furthermore, after the intervention, the patients participated in qualitative interviews regarding their experiences with MBSR and their ideas for future improvements. Results: Nine patients finished the program, and these patients considered the exercises to be applicable and helpful. In the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, we found large effects regarding the reduction of PTSD symptoms among completers (Cohen's d = 1.2). In the Davidson Trauma Scale, the effect sizes were somewhat lower (Cohen's d = 0.6) but nevertheless confirmed the efficacy of MBSR in reducing PTSD symptoms. In the qualitative interviews, the patients reported an augmentation of wellbeing and improvement regarding the handling of difficult situations and more distance from the traumatic event. Conclusion: Despite the large effects, the high dropout rates and the results of the post-treatment interviews suggest that the intervention should be better adapted to the needs of PTSD patients, e.g., by giving more information regarding the exercises and by including shorter exercises to manage acute distress.
On the influence of crystal size and wavelength on native SAD phasing.

Native SAD is an emerging phasing technique that uses the anomalous signal of native heavy atoms to obtain crystallographic phases. The method does not require specific sample preparation to add anomalous scatterers, as the light atoms contained in the native sample are used as marker atoms. The most abundant anomalous scatterer used for native SAD, which is present in almost all proteins, is sulfur. However, the absorption edge of sulfur is at low energy (2.472 keV = 5.016 Å), which makes it challenging to carry out native SAD phasing experiments as most synchrotron beamlines are optimized for shorter wavelength ranges where the anomalous signal of sulfur is weak; for longer wavelengths, which produce larger anomalous differences, the absorption of X-rays by the sample, solvent, loop and surrounding medium (e.g. air) increases tremendously. Therefore, a compromise has to be found between measuring strong anomalous signal and minimizing absorption. It was thus hypothesized that shorter wavelengths should be used for large crystals and longer wavelengths for small crystals, but no thorough experimental analyses have been reported to date. To study the influence of crystal size and wavelength, native SAD experiments were carried out at different wavelengths (1.9 and 2.7 Å with a helium cone; 3.0 and 3.3 Å with a helium chamber) using lysozyme and ferredoxin reductase crystals of various sizes. For the tested crystals, the results suggest that larger sample sizes do not have a detrimental effect on native SAD data and that long wavelengths give a clear advantage with small samples compared with short wavelengths. The resolution dependency of substructure determination was analyzed and showed that high-symmetry crystals with small unit cells require higher resolution for the successful placement of heavy atoms.
The magnetron and the microwave oven: A unique and lasting relationship

The advent of the microwave oven allowed the magnetron to avoid obsolescence and become the one well-known source of microwave power. Noteworthy were the cost and weight reductions by ∼100 and achievement of ∼70% efficiency at 1 kW power. Operation of the cooker magnetron is complex due to varying parameters such as microwave load, anode current (rectified) and the cold-start process. These phenomena include several types of moding, damaging voltage transients, axial electron discharges, end-space oscillations and arcing phenomena including a fireball at the magnetron antenna. Prominent are spurious space-charge oscillations similar to those in the M-type backward-wave oscillator, which are affected by filter-box impedance. Alternative but discarded designs include a GE 600 Volt magnetron for its 915 MHz range, the Kumpfer magnetron made by Samsung, ∼1980, and a 400 Volt magnetron made by Panasonic. Failed attempts to replace the cooker magnetron include the multiple-beam klystron and solid-state. The future of the cooker magnetron is assured. Its performance reveals unexplained phenomena, the study of which is key for a complete understanding of the magnetron
Evaluating Information Systems Offshore Project Success: Can Success and Failure Coexist?

ABSTRACT This article addresses how the evaluation of information systems offshore projects can result in situations where success and failure may coexist. Based on multiple dyadic case studies across eight information systems offshore projects and taking into account both client and vendor stakeholder perspectives, we argue that both relational and outcome criteria should be considered in the evaluation of information systems offshore projects. We suggest that information systems offshore projects can be evaluated as a successful failure (relational success + outcome failure), or as a failed success (relational failure + outcome success), in addition to pure successes and failures. We discuss implications and also point to future research directions.
Empirical antibacterial therapy in febrile, granulocytopenic bone marrow transplant patients

Fifty febrile, granulocytopenic allogeneic bone marrow transplant patients receiving prophylactic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole were randomized to one of two empirical antibiotic regimens to determine whether a shortened course of empirical therapy was beneficial. Of the 50 patients, 25 received empirical tobramycin and ticarcillin for only 3 days, and 25 were maintained on empirical tobramycin and ticarcillin until they were afebrile and no longer granulocytopenic. Although the incidence of bacterial infections in the two groups was not statistically significantly different, almost twice as many bacterial infections were observed in the group that received the short course of empirical therapy. Furthermore, because of the high incidence of bacterial infection and clinical concerns about occult bacterial sepsis, within 2 weeks of the randomization the overall use of parenteral antibacterial agents was similar in both groups. The incidence of invasive fungal disease and the use of amphotericin B therapy were similar in both groups. The results of this study suggest that little clinical benefit is likely to be seen in bone marrow transplant patients treated with short-course empirical tobramycin and ticarcillin, despite the administration of prophylactic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and emphasize the need for new strategies to prevent infections with gram-positive and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-resistant gram-negative bacteria in these patients.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)--the hepatic component of metabolic syndrome.

AIMS To study the prevalence of NAFLD in those patients attending the routine health checkup and to establish a relationship between NAFLD and metabolic syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS All patients attending the health check-up had their blood pressure, height and weight, waist circumference measurements, blood sugars, lipid levels and ultrasound abdomen done. The prevalence of NAFLD among these subjects was determined and the presence of risk factors for metabolic disease in each individual was analysed. A relationship between NAFLD and metabolic syndrome was then established. RESULTS Of the 1003 people 225 (22.6%) had NAFLD with higher prevalence among males 164/565 (29%) than among females 61/438 (13.9%). In the NAFLD group normal body mass index (BMI) was present in only 49/225 (20%) of the subjects while 119/225 (52.8%) were overweight and 56/225 (24.8%) were obese. Though liver enzymes were normal the mean AST among cases was 37.41 +/- 14.50 and 33.93 +/- 14.15 among controls and the mean ALT was 38.74 +/- 17.96 among cases and 31.62 +/- 13.49 among controls. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 106/225 (47%) among cases and 179/778 (23%) among controls. CONCLUSION A diagnosis of fatty liver on ultrasound in an asymptomatic person should alert us of metabolic syndrome and its progression to cardiovascular disease. NAFLD may be considered as the hepatic component of metabolic syndrome.
Interactions between HIV Rev and nuclear import and export factors: the Rev nuclear localisation signal mediates specific binding to human importin-beta.

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Rev protein binds to unspliced HIV-1 pre-mRNA and exports it from the nucleus. Rev itself can "shuttle" between the nucleus and cytoplasm. This bi-directional transport is mediated by two specific Rev sequences: a nuclear localisation signal (NLS), which overlaps the RNA-binding domain, and a distinct nuclear export signal (NES). In this study we characterised new monoclonal antibodies that bind different epitopes of Rev, including the import and export sequences. In RNA bandshift assays, we observed that formation of a multimeric complex between Rev and its target RNA completely masks the Rev NLS, whereas the NES remains readily accessible. We then tested for signal-mediated interactions between Rev and different nuclear transport receptors, using mutations in the Rev NES or NLS to control for specificity. Extensive biochemical analyses did not reveal any direct NES-dependent interaction between Rev (free or RNA-bound) and the previously proposed export co-factors, human RIP/Rab and eIF-5A. By contrast, similar tests showed that Rev binds directly via its arginine-rich NLS to the human nuclear import receptor, importin-beta. This interaction was highly specific and was abolished by mutation in the Rev NLS. Importin-beta did not bind to the RNA-bound form of Rev, providing a mechanism to ensure that Rev is imported only following release of its RNA cargo. Unlike many NLS-containing proteins that bind stably to an importin-alpha/beta heterodimer, the binding of Rev to importin-beta was actually blocked by importin-alpha receptor. Our findings suggest that Rev and importin-alpha bind (via an arginine-rich sequence) to a similar region on importin-beta. In addition, we show that the complex between Rev and importin-beta can be dissociated by the nuclear Ran GTPase, but only when Ran is in the GTP-bound form. The series of interactions we describe provide a novel pathway for the import of Rev across the nuclear pore complex, and a mechanism for its release into the nucleoplasm.
Predicting the short term direct medical costs incurred by patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE With increasing interest in revising the mechanisms of health care funding, the ability to anticipate patients' medical expenditures as well as to identify potentially modifiable predictors would be informative for health care providers, payers, and policy makers. METHODS Eight hundred fifty-eight patients with rheumatoid arthritis from 2 Canadian centers reported semi-annually on their health services utilization and health status for up to 12 years. Annual direct costs were calculated using 1994 Canadian prices. Regression models for the variation in total direct costs and the individual resource components (i.e., physicians, tests, medications, acute and non-acute hospital care) were estimated using previous values of age, sex, disease duration, education, methotrexate availability, employment status, global well being, pain, duration of morning stiffness, and functional disability as predictor variables. The models were developed using all available data except the last 2 observations (i.e., data collected on the last 2 self-report questionnaires) from each patient, which were reserved for model validation. The predictive abilities of the models were assessed by comparing the most recent costs with those predicted by the model using values of the predictor variables from the previous time period. Further, to assess whether the models conferred any advantage over cost estimates based only on previous costs, most recent observed costs were also compared with costs observed in the preceding time period. RESULTS Self-reported indices of either global well being, pain, or functional disability predicted total direct costs as well as the costs of the 5 individual resource components. Being younger, female, disabled from the work force, having shorter disease duration, and receiving more formal education also predicted higher costs in at least on health resource category. However, being older predicted higher acute and non-acute care hospital costs. Regression models incorporating longitudinal data did not perform better than average costs in the preceding time period in predicting future short term costs. CONCLUSION Global well being, pain, functional disability, and previous costs are the most important predictors of short term direct medical costs. Although we have demonstrated that regression models do not perform better than previous costs in predicting future short term costs, previous costs are a much less informative predictor than health status variables. Variables such as functional disability and pain identify potentially modifiable disease features and suggest interventions that may improve patient well being and reduce costs.
Composite membranes of poly(lactic acid) with zinc-added bioactive glass as a guiding matrix for osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

This study aims to produce a degradable and bone-bioactive membrane for guiding bone regeneration by combining a degradable polymer, poly(lactic acid) (PLA), with a bioactive inorganic zinc-containing bioactive glass (ZnBG). The in vitro osteogenic development of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) upon different membrane substrates (pure PLA control, PLA–BG, and PLA–ZnBG) was investigated in terms of bone cell phenotype syntheses and mineralization. Results showed significantly stimulated production of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin at days 14 and 21 in the membranes containing BG and ZnBG, with more in the samples containing ZnBG. The addition of ZnBG in PLA allowed the rBMSCs to express a high level of bone sialoprotein as confirmed by immunostaining. Cellular mineralization of the secreted extracellular matrix showed a significantly higher Ca level on the BG- and ZnBG-added membrane than on the PLA, and the more so in the ZnBG-added one. Based on the in vitro assessments using rBMSCs, the ZnBG-added PLA is considered to be of potential use in guiding active bone regeneration within the periodontal pocket.
Modelling the changes in the proportions of the egg components during a laying cycle

1. As hens age, egg weight increases but the eggs contain proportionally more yolk and less albumen and shell. However, at a given age, larger eggs contain proportionally more albumen. When modelling the nutrient requirements of the hen over a production cycle, based on the daily outputs of each nutrient, egg weight needs to be predicted as the sum of the three components, since each has a unique chemical composition, and these proportional changes will therefore influence the nutrient requirements of the hen. 2. Yolk weight is related to hen age and may be calculated using a logistic or Gompertz function. Allometric functions are used to predict albumen weight from yolk weight and shell weight from the weight of the egg contents. 3. A mechanistic, stochastic population model for layers may be used to verify that these functions correctly reflect the proportional changes in the egg components with advancing hen age and at a given age, over a range of egg weights. 4. The various parameters used in the equations need to be defined for the available genotypes.
Soluble ST2 is associated with disease severity in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

Abstract Purpose: Diagnostic and prognostic evaluation remains challenging in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). We measured plasma concentration of soluble ST2 (sST2) and assessed its association with right ventricular (RV) function and ventricular arrhythmias in patients with ARVC. Methods: We included patients with ARVC and genotype positive relatives. Soluble ST2 was determined by ELISA. We assessed myocardial function by echocardiography including strain by speckle tracking technique. Results: We included 44 subjects (age 41 ± 15 years, 21 (48%) female). Soluble ST2 was associated with RV global strain (r = 0.44; p = 0.008), as well as with left ventricular (LV) function. Plasma levels of sST2 were higher in patients with ventricular arrhythmias than in patients without ventricular arrhythmias (35 ± 13 ng/mL vs. 26 ± 7 ng/mL, p = 0.009). The association between sST2 and ventricular arrhythmias remained significant even after adjusting for RV function (Wald = 5.2; p = 0.02). Conclusions: Soluble ST2 is associated with RV and LV function in patients with ARVC. Soluble ST2 may aid in the determination of disease severity in ARVC.
Inhaled budesonide in addition to oral corticosteroids to prevent asthma relapse following discharge from the emergency department: a randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT Relapses of acute asthma following emergency department (ED) discharge can be reduced with systemic corticosteroid treatment. However, whether inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) provide additional benefit is not known. Objective To determine whether the addition of ICSs to oral corticosteroid treatment would reduce relapses in patients with acute asthma discharged from the ED. DESIGN AND SETTING Placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial conducted in a community teaching hospital ED in Canada between November 1995 and September 1997, with a 21-day follow-up. PARTICIPANTS A total of 1006 consecutive patients aged 16 to 60 years presented to the ED with acute asthma; after excluding those using oral and/or inhaled corticosteroids as well as those meeting other exclusion criteria, 188 were included in the study. INTERVENTIONS Patients were discharged with a nontapering course of oral prednisone (50 mg/d) for 7 days. In a double-blind fashion, patients were randomly assigned to 1600 microg/d of inhaled budesonide (n = 94) or identical placebo (n = 94) for 21 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Incidence of relapse, defined as an unscheduled visit for worsening asthma symptoms, in budesonide vs placebo groups. Secondary outcomes included response to the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire, beta2-agonist use, symptom score, global asthma improvement assessment, and pulmonary function. RESULTS Five patients in the budesonide group and 3 in the placebo group either dropped out or were lost to follow-up but were included in primary analyses. After 21 days, 12 (12.8%) of 94 patients in the budesonide group experienced a relapse compared with 23 (24.5%) of 94 in the placebo group, a 48% relapse reduction (P=.049). Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire scores were higher (better quality) in the budesonide group (P=.001), as well as for all domain scores (P=.001 to .01). Fewer beta2-agonist activations were used at the end of the trial by patients receiving budesonide (2.4/d vs 4.2/d; P=.01). Symptom scores (P=.001 to .004) and self-assessed asthma improvement scores (based on a 7-point Likert scale) (6.2 vs 5.2; P<.001) were higher (indicating fewer symptoms) for budesonide vs placebo. There were no differences in pulmonary function between the groups (peak expiratory flow rate: budesonide, 437 vs placebo, 453 L/min; P= .39) at 21 days. Using this approach, as few as 9 patients would require budesonide to prevent 1 relapse. CONCLUSIONS Patients discharged from the ED following treatment for acute asthma benefit from added treatment with high-dose inhaled budesonide for 21 days compared with oral corticosteroids alone.
Venous “Supercharging” Augments Survival of the Delayed Rat TRAM Flap

Adequate delay of a pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap might not necessarily require interruption of the venous system. The retained ipsilateral deep vein of the dominant pedicle could then be used as a secondary outflow source for potential salvage of a congested flap. A venous “supercharged” rat TRAM flap model has been designed to evaluate the efficacy of this maneuver. Seventy-two female Sprague-Dawley rats (CD) were equally divided into two major groups, differing only in whether a delay by division of the dominant cranial epigastric artery had first been performed. An inferior-based TRAM flap (nondominant) was raised for each rat, with three subsets of 12 rats in each group, ie, with the cranial epigastric vein subsequently divided (group control), retained (supercharged), or retained but the inferior pedicle divided (venous flap). Both supercharged subsets had significantly augmented flap survival when compared with flaps in their group raised without the cranial epigastric vein, whether a delay maneuver had (96 ± 6% vs 89 ± 7%; P = 0.012) or not (80 ± 8% vs 65 ± 21%; P = 0.034) been performed. Flaps with only a cranial epigastric vein pedicle totally necrosed, implying that the observed enhancement in flap viability was not the result of transformation into a venous flap, but perhaps as a crossover flap where an adjacent venosome was captured. Venous supercharging can be accomplished by inclusion of the ipsilateral dominant deep vein, and should be a consideration in the clinical planning of delay maneuvers and for treatment of the compromised TRAM flap.
Association between tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) promoter −308 G/A and response to TNF-α blockers in rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis

ObjectivesTumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α promoter −308G/A polymorphism has been shown to be associated with high TNF-α production and poor response to anti-TNF-α treatment. However, not all patients show a good response to TNF-α antagonists, so this association remains controversial. This study was designed to investigate whether TNF-α promoter −308 G/A polymorphism is associated with responsiveness to anti-TNF therapy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The 28-joint count Disease Activity Score (DAS) 28 or the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) improvement criteria 20 were used to measure patient response.MethodsA meta-analysis was performed. Pooled ORs and 95 % CIs were calculated by both dominant and recessive genetic models.ResultsFifteen studies with a total of 2127 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that patients with the G allele responded better to the treatment (OR = 1.87, 95 % CI 1.26–2.79). A subanalysis showed similar results.ConclusionsBased on the results of this meta-analysis, RA patients with the TNF-α promoter −308 G allele respond better to TNF-α antagonist treatment, suggesting that this allele plays a major role in anti-TNF-alpha treatment response.