Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pregnancies before and after HIV diagnosis in a European cohort of HIV-infected women

ObjectivesBecause most HIV-infected women are of reproductive age, we investigated whether their reproduction planning was affected by their HIV diagnosis. DesignThe European women study is a prospective, multicentre cohort of 485 HIV-infected women with a known interval of seroconversion. MethodsThe incidence of pregnancy was measured with person–time methods. Generalized estimating equation analysis was used to determine risk factors for pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. ResultsIn 449 women, the age-adjusted incidence of pregnancies decreased from 8.6 before HIV diagnosis to 8.2 and 6.0 per 100 person-years in 0–4 and over 4 years after HIV diagnosis, respectively (P = 0.14). The proportion of induced abortions increased from 42% before to 53% after HIV diagnosis (P < 0.05). The risk of spontaneous abortion did not increase as a result of HIV infection. Since 1995, the proportion of births increased (P = 0.009), whereas that of induced abortions decreased (P = 0.01) compared with earlier years. An increased risk of pregnancy after HIV diagnosis was found in northern and central European women compared with southern European women; there was a lower risk in single women than in women with a steady partner. Of all pregnant women, single women, women between 15 and 25 years of age, and women with multiple partners were at increased risk for induced abortion both before and after HIV diagnosis. ConclusionThe incidence of pregnancy decreased with HIV disease progression. Pregnancies after HIV diagnosis appear to be related largely to social and cultural attitudes. The number of induced abortions was high before HIV diagnosis and it significantly increases thereafter.
Effects of memantine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, on place preference conditioned with drug and nondrug reinforcers in mice

Antagonists of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor complex have been shown to inhibit the expression of place preferences conditioned with several drugs that are abused by humans, which suggests that this class of compounds may be beneficial in the treatment of substance dependence. Therefore it is important to assess the specificity of this effect, of whether inhibitory effects of NMDA receptor antagonists on conditioned drug stimuli generalize to behaviors produced by nondrug reinforcers. The present study was designed to compare the effects of the NMDA receptor channel blocker, memantine, on the expression of place preferences conditioned with: (1) consumption of regular laboratory food; (2) sexual encounters with females; and (3) injection of morphine (10 mg/kg) in adult male Swiss mice. For all three experiments reported here, unconditioned stimuli (food, receptive female or morphine) were presented before the exposures to the ‘to-be-conditioned’ environments. Significant place preferences developed as a result of explicit pairings of the environmental context and food consumption, sexual encounter and morphine administration. Memantine (7.5 mg/kg, given prior to the post-conditioning test) inhibited the expression of place preferences conditioned with morphine and sexual encounter, but had no effects in food-conditioned mice. These findings suggest that the effects of NMDA receptor blockade may not be limited to drug-reinforced behaviors.
Why is sad music pleasurable? A possible role for prolactin

A hedonic theory of music and sadness is proposed. Some listeners report that nominally sad music genuinely makes them feel sad. It is suggested that, for these listeners, sad affect is evoked through a combination of empathetic responses to sad acoustic features, learned associations, and cognitive rumination. Among those listeners who report sad feelings, some report an accompanying positive affect, whereas others report the experience to be solely negative. Levels of the hormone prolactin increase when sad – producing a consoling psychological effect suggestive of a homeostatic function. It is proposed that variations in prolactin levels might account for the variability in individual hedonic responses. Specifically, it is conjectured that high prolactin concentrations are associated with pleasurable music-induced sadness, whereas low prolactin concentrations are associated with unpleasant music-induced sadness.
The roles of microRNA in cancer and apoptosis

microRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved, non‐protein‐coding RNAs that function to regulate gene expression. In mammals this regulation is primarily carried out by repression of translation. miRNAs play important roles in homeostatic processes such as development, cell proliferation and cell death. Recently the dysregulation of miRNAs has been linked to cancer initiation and progression, indicating that miRNAs may play roles as tumour suppressor genes or oncogenes. The role of miRNAs in apoptosis is not fully understood, however, evidence is mounting that miRNAs are important in this process. The dysregulation of miRNAs involved in apoptosis may provide a mechanism for cancer development and resistance to cancer therapy. This review examines the biosynthesis of miRNA, the mechanisms of miRNA target regulation and the involvement of miRNAs in the initiation and progression of human cancer. It will include miRNAs involved in apoptosis, specifically those miRNAs involved in the regulation of apoptotic pathways and tumour suppressor/oncogene networks. It will also consider emerging evidence supporting a role for miRNAs in modulating sensitivity to anti‐cancer therapy.
What is the role of community at the end of life for people dying in advanced age? A qualitative study with bereaved family carers

Background: New public health approaches to palliative care prioritise the role of community at end of life. However, little is known about community support for the increasing numbers of people dying in advanced age. Aim: To explore the role of community at end of life for people dying in advanced age from the perspective of their bereaved family caregivers. Design: A constructionist framework underpinned a qualitative research design. Data were analysed using critical thematic analysis. Setting/participants: A total of 58 participants (19 Māori and 39 non-Māori) who cared for 52 family members who died at >80 years of age participated in semi-structured interviews. Results: A reduction in the social networks and community engagement of the older person was identified in the end-of-life period. Numerous barriers to community engagement in advanced age were identified, including poor health (notably dementia), moving into an aged care facility and lack of access due to transport difficulties. An active withdrawal from community at end of life was also noted. Carers felt limited support from community currently, but identified that communities could play a particular role in reducing social isolation and loneliness among people of advanced age prior to death. Conclusion: Our study provides strong support for public health approaches to palliative care that advocate building social networks around people who are dying and their family carers. However, it also indicates that strategies to do so must be flexible enough to be responsive to the unique end-of-life circumstances of people in advanced age.
Development of HTS Sextupole Magnet for SuperKEKB Interaction Region

The SuperKEKB project underway at KEK will increase the KEKB luminosity by 40 times using nanobeam-interaction-region focusing optics. To achieve this high luminosity, the chromaticity correction of the collision beams is crucial; thus, special sextupole magnets, which can simultaneously produce normal and skew sextupole fields, are required in the straight sections around the interaction point. As a candidate for the sextupole, a cryocooled high-temperature superconducting magnet was proposed; development has begun. Here, the basic magnet design and the results of a small coil test are presented. The test studied the quench characteristics of the REBCO-impregnated coil.
Chronic Central Infusion of Growth Hormone Secretagogues: Effects on Fos Expression and Peptide Gene Expression in the Rat Arcuate Nucleus

Growth hormone (GH) secretagogues induce GH release, in part, by direct actions upon anterior pituitary somatotropes and, in part, by actions upon the neuroendocrine circuitry that regulates GH secretion. In particular, acute systemic administration of GH secretagogues results in increased neuronal activity and Fos protein expression in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Prolonged administration of GH secretagogues has been reported to have long-lasting effects upon GH release, promoting increased pulsatile secretion. Here, we investigated how chronic central infusion of GH secretagogues affects the response of arcuate nucleus neurons to acute systemic administration of GH secretagogues. In male rats, after central infusion of GH secretagogues for 5 days, there was no sustained expression of Fos in the arcuate nucleus, no significant induction of Fos expression in response to acute GH secretagogue challenge, and a greatly attenuated secretion of GH in response to acute GH secretagogue challenge, all reflecting loss of funtional responsiveness to GH secretagogues. In situ hybridisation revealed that, in the arcuate nucleus of GH secretagogue-infused rats, mRNA levels for GH-releasing hormone, neuropeptide Y and somatostatin were not different than in saline-infused animals. However, somatostatin mRNA levels in the periventricular nuclei of GH secretagogue-infused rats were significantly higher than those of saline-infused rats, indicating that this nucleus may play an important role in mediating the effects of chronic GH secretagogue administration.
Neuromuscular Disorders in Critically Ill Patients: Review and Update

Neuromuscular disorders that are diagnosed in the intensive care unit (ICU) usually cause substantial limb weakness and contribute to ventilatory dysfunction. Although some lead to ICU admission, ICU-acquired disorders, mainly critical illness myopathy (CIM) and critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP), are more frequent and are associated with considerable morbidity. Approximately 25% to 45% of patients admitted to the ICU develop CIM, CIP, or both. Their clinical features often overlap; therefore, nerve conduction studies and electromyography are particularly helpful diagnostically, and more sophisticated electrodiagnostic studies and histopathologic evaluation are required in some circumstances. A number of prospective studies have identified risk factors for CIP and CIM, but their limitations often include the inability to separate CIM from CIP. Animal models reveal evidence of a channelopathy in both CIM and CIP, and human studies also identified axonal degeneration in CIP and myosin loss in CIM. Outcomes are variable. They tend to be better with CIM, and some patients have longstanding disabilities. Future studies of well-characterized patients with CIP and CIM should refine our understanding of risk factors, outcomes, and pathogenic mechanisms, leading to better interventions.
Script-driven processing affords protection from retrieval-induced forgetting in the recall of everyday activities

Using the retrieval-practice paradigm, we examined the effects of script and selective retrieval on the recall of high- and low-typicality actions of everyday activities. The participants studied two activities, Getting up in the morning and Going to a restaurant, each consisting of high-typicality and low-typicality actions. They then practised half of the high- or low-typicality actions of an activity, with recall of the unpractised activity serving as baseline. Script-driven processing prompted the recall of high-typicality actions and produced more high-typicality than low-typicality intrusions. Selective retrieval practice of the high-typicality script actions did not have an adverse effect on the recall of high- or low-typicality actions, while practising low-typicality actions not representative of the scripts produced retrieval-induced forgetting of other low-typicality actions. Scripts provide the cognitive system with flexibility and economy, but side-effects such as high-typicality intrusions and poor memory for detail can also derive from script processing.
Neuropsychological performance in older insomniacs

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to examine daytime performance in older adults fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for DSM-IV Insomnia, using a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests, and to compare these objective findings with measures of self-reported cognitive functioning. A total of 121 participants (69% women) with a mean age of 64.0 were part of a thorough neuropsychological examination at a University-based neuropsychological clinic in Western Norway. Twenty-five percent of the participants fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for insomnia. In sum, the insomnia patients were not different from the good sleepers on any neuropsychological test measure, and none of the results on the performance measures were associated with the sleep-related daytime complaints. However, the insomniacs did rate their subjective memory performance as significantly worse than the good sleepers, and they also reported more depressive symptoms. We conclude that DSM-IV defined insomnia was not associated with any performance based measure; only with self-reported symptoms.
Effect of a stroke protocol on hospital costs of stroke patients

Objective: To determine the impact of a protocol on hospitalization costs for patients admitted with stroke. Design and setting: Nonrandomized control trial in an urban community hospital with 376 beds. Patients: All patients admitted with a diagnosis-related group code of 014 (cerebrovascular disease) were included (N = 390). Patients with subdural hematoma (N = 2) or subarachnoid hemorrhage (N = 2) were excluded. Intervention: A protocol for treatment of acute stroke was developed that included a critical path for nursing care, an algorithm for emergency department care, and suggested admission orders for physicians. Main outcome measures: The hospital information system computer database was searched for hospitalization charges, length of stay, tests performed, and treatments provided. Results: Patients treated with the protocol had lower charges compared with historical (p = 0.026) and concurrent (p = 0.02) control groups. Lower charges were accounted for by a decreased length of stay in the protocol group compared with historical (p = 0.001) and concurrent (p = 0.13) controls. Tests and treatments provided were similar except that carotid Doppler studies and deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis were more frequently done in those treated with the protocol (p = 0.001 for carotid Doppler and p = 0.026 for deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis). There were no differences in outcome measures such as death or discharge disposition. Medical complications were similar in all groups. Conclusions: There were significant savings in hospitalization cost for patients with acute stroke after introduction of a treatment protocol. These savings were almost entirely related to decreased length of stay. The protocol led to modest differences in tests ordered and treatments provided.
Intrajudge and Interjudge Reliability of the Stuttering Severity Instrument-Fourth Edition.

Purpose The Stuttering Severity Instrument (SSI) is a tool used to measure the severity of stuttering. Previous versions of the instrument have known limitations (e.g., Lewis, 1995). The present study examined the intra- and interjudge reliability of the newest version, the Stuttering Severity Instrument-Fourth Edition (SSI-4) (Riley, 2009). Method Twelve judges who were trained on the SSI-4 protocol participated. Judges collected SSI-4 data while viewing 4 videos of adults who stutter at Time 1 and 4 weeks later at Time 2. Data were analyzed for intra- and interjudge reliability of the SSI-4 subscores (for Frequency, Duration, and Physical Concomitants), total score, and final severity rating. Results Intra- and interjudge reliability across the subscores and total score concurred with the manual's reported reliability when reliability was calculated using the methods described in the manual. New calculations of judge agreement produced different values from those in the manual-for the 3 subscores, total score, and final severity rating-and provided data absent from the manual. Conclusions Clinicians and researchers who use the SSI-4 should carefully consider the limitations of the instrument. Investigation into the multitasking demands of the instrument may provide information on whether separating the collection of data for specific variables will improve intra- and interjudge reliability of those variables.
Effects of chronic administration of PPAR-gamma ligand rosiglitazone in Cushing's disease.

OBJECTIVE Rosiglitazone, a thiazolidinedione compound with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma)-binding affinity, is able to suppress adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion in treated mice and in AtT20 pituitary tumor cells. These observations suggested that thiazolidinediones may be effective as therapy for Cushing's disease (CD). PATIENTS AND METHODS Rosiglitazone (8 mg/day) was administered to 14 patients with active CD (13 women, one man, 18-68 years). Plasma ACTH, serum cortisol (F) and urinary free cortisol (UFC) levels were measured before and then monthly during rosiglitazone administration. RESULTS In six patients a reduction of ACTH and F levels and a normalization of UFC were observed 30-60 days after the beginning of rosiglitazone administration: there was a significant difference between basal and post-treatment values for UFC (1238+/-211 vs 154+/-40 nmol/24 h, P<0.03), but not for ACTH (15.9+/-3.7 vs 7.9+/-0.9 pmol/l) and F levels (531+/-73 vs 344+/-58 nmol/l). Two of six cases, followed up for 7 months, showed a mild clinical improvement. Eight patients were nonresponders after 30-60 days of rosiglitazone treatment: their ACTH, F and UFC levels did not differ before and during drug administration. Immunohistochemical analysis of pituitary tumors removed from two responder and two nonresponder patients showed a similar intense immunoreactivity for PPAR-gamma in about 50% of cells. CONCLUSIONS The administration of rosiglitazone seems able to normalize cortisol secretion in some patients with CD, at least for short periods. Whether the activation of PPAR-gamma by rosiglitazone might be effective as chronic pharmacologic treatment of CD needs a more extensive investigation through a randomized and controlled study.
Rising Prevalence of Gastroschisis in Washington State

The aim of this study was to assess gastroschisis prevalence in Washington (WA) State in relation to putative risk factors. Gastroschisis prevalence was calculated from the WA State birth cohort during 1987–2006 using an administrative database with birth certificate data linked with hospital discharge records and the ICD-9 procedure code 54.71, which specifies gastroschisis repair. Poisson regression analysis was used to evaluate time trends while adjusting for risk factors. Birth year was included as a linear term. Maternal age, smoking, race, residence in urban versus rural area, geographic region (eastern versus western Washington), paternal age, and infant gender were included as categorical factors. Prevalence ratios were adjusted for birth year and all of the preceding factors. Two hundred and eighty-two infants with gastroschisis were identified. In the adjusted analysis, the prevalence ratio for gastroschisis was 1.1 per year (95% CI 1.08–1.13), indicating an average 10% increase per birth year. Teen mothers were at a higher risk compared to mothers ≥25 yr old (adjusted rate ratio [aRR] 8.02; 95% CI 5.30–12.13), as were teen fathers (aRR 2.35; 95% CI 1.48–3.74) compared to fathers ≥25 years old. Maternal smoking was associated with a higher risk compared to those who were nonsmokers (aRR 1.58; 95% CI 1.19–2.09). Black mothers had a lower risk compared with white mothers. There was no association with geographic classification of mother's residence. Gastroschisis prevalence has increased in WA, particularly in teen mothers and in smokers. This is not explained by a rise in teenage pregnancies or maternal smoking. Further investigation of factors specific to teenage lifestyle is warranted.
Set Theoretic Real Analysis

Abstract This article is a survey of the recent results that concern real functions (from into ℝ) and whose solutions or statements involve the use of set theory. The choice of the topics follows the author's personal interest in the subject, and there are probably some important results in this area that did not make it to this survey. Most of the results presented here are left without proofs.
Bicultural Stress and Adolescent Risk Behaviors in a Community Sample of Latinos and Non-Latino European Americans

Objectives . The study examined the relation between adolescent risk behaviors and bicultural stress due to discrimination, immigration, and acculturation factors. We hypothesized bicultural stress would be related to increased risk behavior and depressive symptoms independent of socioeconomic status, ethnic self-identification, and acculturation. Design . Middle school student participants (n=519; median age 14) completed a self-report questionnaire on their risk behaviors, psychosocial antecedents, and socio-demographic factors. Latino (304) and non-Latino European American (215) students were surveyed through a large, urban, West Coast US school district. Results . More bicultural stress was significantly related to reports of all risk behaviors (i.e. smoking, drinking, drug use, and violence) and depressive symptoms. Further, bicultural stress was a robust explanatory variable across sub-groups, and appears largely independent from depressive symptoms. Conclusion . The hypotheses were supported. Bicultural stress appears to be an important underlying factor for health disparities among US adolescents. Future research may consider promoting well-being in majority, as well as minority adolescents, through targeting sources of bicultural stressors or examining ways to moderate their effects on adolescent risk behaviors.
Basal chromogranin A and gastrin concentrations in circulation correlate to endocrine cell proliferation in type-A gastritis.

BACKGROUND It is not known whether plasma chromogranin analysis could be a complement to histology for detection and grading of gastric fundic mucosal endocrine cell proliferation in hypergastrinemic (type-A) atrophic gastritis. METHODS Gastric biopsy sections (body and antrum) from 43 patients with type-A gastritis (9 with gastric carcinoid) were examined for density and micronodules of argyrophil endocrine cells. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for chromogranin A and B, gastrin, and somatostatin. RESULTS All patients with carcinoid and 17 of the 34 without carcinoid had micronodules in the gastric fundic mucosa. The median plasma chromogranin A concentration was 5.7 (3.5-40.0) nmol/l in patients with carcinoid, 4.5 (3.0-9.5) nmol/l in patients with micronodules, and 3.7 (0.8-6.0) nmol/l in patients without micronodules. Overall, chromogranin A concentrations correlated to endocrine cell densities in the fundic mucosa (r = 0.64, P < 0.001) and to gastrin concentrations (r = 0.71, P < 0.001). Plasma somatostatin and chromogranin B concentrations did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSION In type-A gastritis, analysis of plasma chromogranin A may be a useful complement to histology in estimating the endocrine cell mass. Moreover, subclinical type-A gastritis may be a source of error when chromogranin A analysis is used in the search for neuroendocrine neoplasia.