Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conscientiousness and Task Performance: Test of Cognitive Process Model

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the effect of the Big Five factor of conscientiousness on task performance was mediated by performance expectancy, performance valence, and goal choice. There were 117 business students who completed 6 subscales of the Personality Research Form (D. N. Jackson, 1987), responded to several self-report measures, and performed a simple arithmetic task. A cognitive process model was tested and supported through LISREL analyses. The effect of conscientiousness on task performance was mediated by performance expectancy and goal choice. Robust effects for performance valence were not observed in this situation. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.
Resin-modified Glass-ionomer Setting Reaction Competition

Resin-modified glass ionomers (RMGI) set by at least 2 mechanisms dependent upon reactant diffusion prior to gelation. Each reaction’s kinetics and setting mechanism may rely on and/or compete with the other. In this study, we investigated RMGI setting reaction interactions using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) by varying light-cure initiation times. A RMGI was analyzed with isothermal and dynamic temperature scan DSC with light-curing occurring immediately, or at 5 or 10 minutes after mixing as well as without light-activation. Results show that as time allowed for the acid-base reaction increased, the light-activation polymerization exotherm decreased. Conversely, analysis of DSC data suggests that earlier light-activation may limit the acid-base reaction and result in a different structured material. During early RMGI development, acid-base and light-polymerization reactions compete with and inhibit one another.
Ultrasonographic assessment of osteophytes in 127 patients with hand osteoarthritis: exploring reliability and associations with MRI, radiographs and clinical joint findings

Objective To investigate the reliability of ultrasonographic assessment of osteophytes and explore the concordance of osteophytes detected by ultrasound, MRI, conventional radiography (CR) and clinical joint examination in patients with hand osteoarthritis (HOA). Methods The study included 127 HOA patients (116 women, mean age 68.6 years (SD 5.8)) with ultrasound, CR and clinical examination of both hands and MRI of dominant hand. Osteophytes were assessed by all imaging modalities on 0–3 scales, whereas clinical bony enlargement was assessed as absent/present. An ultrasound atlas of ostephytes was developed, and the intra and inter-reader reliability of scoring ultrasound osteophytes on still images using the atlas as reference was examined. The reliability for ultrasound readings was examined with κ and percentage exact agreement (PEA) and percentage close agreement (PCA), and the sensitivity, specificity and PEA/PCA of ultrasound was calculated in comparison with MRI, CR and clinical examination. Results Ultrasound had high sensitivity (0.83) and specificity (0.75) in detecting osteophytes compared with MRI, with excellent PCA (96.1%). Moderate/large osteophytes (grade 2–3) were demonstrated more often by ultrasound (n=401) than by MRI (n=288) in 851 interphalangeal joints. Ultrasound detected more osteophytes (53.2%) than CR (30.0%) and clinical examination (36.9%). Intra and inter-reader reliability of ultrasound was excellent (PEA >88%, PCA 100% and weighted kappa >0.91). Conclusion Ultrasound can reliably assess osteophytes in patients with HOA. Good agreement was found between osteophytes detected by ultrasound and MRI, while ultrasound was more sensitive than CR and clinical examination, which could be due to a multiplanar joint demonstration by ultrasound.
Total Parenteral Nutrition Attenuates Cerulein-Induced Pancreatitis in Rats

Objectives: Our aim was to determine if total parenteral nutrition (TPN)-induced pancreatic atrophy and Hsp70 expression attenuates cerulein-induced pancreatitis in rats. Methods: Rats were randomized to a 7-day course of saline infusion plus a semipurified diet or TPN, with or without an intravenous cerulein injection or vehicle on day 7, and killed 1 or 6 hours after the injection. Based on a pilot study, 1 hour was the primary time point. Pancreatic atrophy was determined by mass, protein, and DNA contents. Pancreatic heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) expression was measured by Western analysis. Histological examination of the pancreas assessed for edema, inflammation, vacuolization, and apoptosis. Serum amylase activity was measured using the Phadebas assay. Pancreatic trypsinogen activation was measured using a fluorometric substrate assay. Results: The saline-infused rats fed orally gained significantly more weight than TPN rats. The TPN decreased the pancreatic mass and protein content and the protein-DNA ratio and increased the pancreatic DNA content compared with the saline. The TPN increased the pancreatic Hsp70 expression by 91% compared with the saline. The TPN reduced the cerulein-induced pancreatic histological edema, the vacuolization, and the inflammation compared with the saline. The increase in the serum amylase level after cerulein injection was significantly attenuated, and trypsinogen activation was reduced in TPN animals compared with the saline group. Conclusions: Lack of luminal nutrients with a 7-day course of TPN provides moderate protection against cerulein-induced pancreatitis in rats.
In Vivo Cross-linking Reveals Principally Oligomeric Forms of α-Synuclein and β-Synuclein in Neurons and Non-neural Cells*

Background: αSyn is central to Parkinsonism, but its native state is unsettled. Results: A new, facile method for cross-linking αSyn in living cells, including neurons, reveals a major 60-kDa form consistent with a tetramer. Cell lysis destabilizes it, yielding mostly monomers. Conclusion: αSyn exists principally as a metastable tetramer in vivo. Significance: Models of native αSyn as an unfolded monomer should be reconsidered. Aggregation of α-synuclein (αSyn) in neurons produces the hallmark cytopathology of Parkinson disease and related synucleinopathies. Since its discovery, αSyn has been thought to exist normally in cells as an unfolded monomer. We recently reported that αSyn can instead exist in cells as a helically folded tetramer that resists aggregation and binds lipid vesicles more avidly than unfolded recombinant monomers (Bartels, T., Choi, J. G., and Selkoe, D. J. (2011) Nature 477, 107–110). However, a subsequent study again concluded that cellular αSyn is an unfolded monomer (Fauvet, B., Mbefo, M. K., Fares, M. B., Desobry, C., Michael, S., Ardah, M. T., Tsika, E., Coune, P., Prudent, M., Lion, N., Eliezer, D., Moore, D. J., Schneider, B., Aebischer, P., El-Agnaf, O. M., Masliah, E., and Lashuel, H. A. (2012) J. Biol. Chem. 287, 15345–15364). Here we describe a simple in vivo cross-linking method that reveals a major ∼60-kDa form of endogenous αSyn (monomer, 14.5 kDa) in intact cells and smaller amounts of ∼80- and ∼100-kDa forms with the same isoelectric point as the 60-kDa species. Controls indicate that the apparent 60-kDa tetramer exists normally and does not arise from pathological aggregation. The pattern of a major 60-kDa and minor 80- and 100-kDa species plus variable amounts of free monomers occurs endogenously in primary neurons and erythroid cells as well as neuroblastoma cells overexpressing αSyn. A similar pattern occurs for the homologue, β-synuclein, which does not undergo pathogenic aggregation. Cell lysis destabilizes the apparent 60-kDa tetramer, leaving mostly free monomers and some 80-kDa oligomer. However, lysis at high protein concentrations allows partial recovery of the 60-kDa tetramer. Together with our prior findings, these data suggest that endogenous αSyn exists principally as a 60-kDa tetramer in living cells but is lysis-sensitive, making the study of natural αSyn challenging outside of intact cells.
Sudden Death, Febrile Seizures, and Hippocampal and Temporal Lobe Maldevelopment in Toddlers: A New Entity

Recently, we reported hippocampal and temporal lobe abnormalities in 5 toddlers with sudden unexplained death in childhood (SUDC). The association of these anomalies with a high incidence (40%) of individual/family histories of simple febrile seizures in the cases raised concern that febrile seizures can be associated with death. In a series of 64 toddlers with sudden death, we tested the hypothesis that an SUDC subset is characterized by hippocampal and temporal lobe maldevelopment and an individual and/or family history of simple familial seizures. Cases of sudden and unexplained death in children aged 1.0 to 5.9 years (median 1.7 years) were divided into groups based upon a history of febrile or nonfebrile seizures, familial febrile seizures, and autopsy classification of cause of death. Forty-nine of the 64 cases (77%) were classified as SUDC, of which 40% had an individual/family history of febrile seizures. Of the 26 SUDC cases with available hippocampal sections, 62% (16/26) had hippocampal and temporal lobe anomalies, including 82% (9/11) of cases with an individual/family history of febrile seizures. Cases with these anomalies were all found dead during a sleep period, typically in the prone (87%) position. We conclude that a potential new entity may account for the majority of SUDC in toddlers, defined by sleep-related death in the prone position, individual/family history of febrile seizures, and hippocampal and temporal lobe anomalies. The mechanism of death appears analogous to sudden death in (temporal lobe) epilepsy, with a putative unwitnessed seizure during sleep leading to airway occlusion and death. This study mandates further research into the potential link between simple febrile seizures and death.
Interleukin-4 induces programmed cell death (apoptosis) in cases of high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

We investigated the effects of interleukin-4 (IL-4) on the survival of leukemic and normal B-cell progenitors cultured on bone marrow stroma. IL-4 (at 100 U/mL) was cytotoxic in 16 of 21 cases of B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia, causing reductions in CD19+ cell numbers that ranged from 50% to greater than 99% (median 83.5%) of those in parallel cultures not exposed to the cytokine. All nine cases with the t(9;22)(q34;q11) or the t(4;11)(q21;q23), chromosomal features that are often associated with multidrug resistance and a fatal outcome, were susceptible to IL-4 toxicity. IL-4 cytotoxicity resulted from induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis); there was no evidence of cell killing mediated by T, natural killer, or stromal cells. IL-4 cytotoxicity extended to a proportion of normal B-cell progenitors. After 7 days of culture with IL-4 at 100 U/mL, fewer CD19+, CD34+ normal lymphoblasts (the most immature subset) survived: in five experiments the mean (+/- SEM) reduction in cell recoveries caused by IL-4 was 60.0% +/- 6.0%. By contrast, reductions in recovery of more differentiated bone marrow B cells (CD19+, CD34-, surface Ig+) were low (6.6% +/- 2.2%; P < .001 by t-test). Our findings indicate that IL-4 is cytotoxic for human B-cell precursors and support clinical testing of IL-4 in cases of high-risk lymphoblastic leukemia resistant to conventional therapy.
Segmental kidney volumes measured by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and their association with CKD in older people.

BACKGROUND Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is a potentially powerful tool for analysis of kidney structure and function. The ability to measure functional and hypofunctional tissues could provide important information in groups at risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD), such as the elderly. STUDY DESIGN Observational study with a cross-sectional design. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS 493 volunteers (aged 72-94 years; 278 women; mean estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], 67±15mL/min/1.73m(2); 40% with CKD) in the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility (AGES)-Reykjavik Study. PREDICTOR DCE-MRI kidney segmentation data. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS eGFR, urine albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR), and risk factors for and complications of CKD. RESULTS After adjustment for age, sex, and height, eGFR was related to kidney volume (ΔR²=0.19; P<0.001), cortex volume (ΔR²=0.14; P<0.001), medulla volume (ΔR²=0.18; P<0.001), and volume percentages of fibrosis (ΔR²=0.03; P<0.001) and fat (ΔR²=0.01; P=0.03). In similarly adjusted models, log(ACR) was related to kidney volume (ΔR²=0.02; P<0.001) and fibrosis volume percentage (ΔR²=0.03; P<0.001). Using multivariable regression models adjusted for eGFR, ACR, age, sex, and height, kidney volume was related positively to body mass index (B=29.9±2.1[SE]mL; P<0.001), smoking (B=19.7±7.7mL; P=0.01), and diabetes mellitus (B=14.8±7.1mL; P=0.04) and negatively to hematocrit (B=-4.4±2.1mL; P=0.04 [model R²=0.72; P<0.001]); relations were per 1-SD greater value of the variable. Fibrosis volume percentage was associated positively with body mass index (B=0.28±0.03; P<0.001), cardiac output (B=0.15±0.03; P<0.001), and heart rate (B=0.08±0.03; P=0.01) and negatively with hematocrit (B=-0.07±0.3; P=0.02) and augmentation index (B=-0.06±0.03; P=0.04 [model R²=0.49; P<0.001]); again, relations are per 1-SD greater value of the variable. LIMITATIONS Automatic segmentations were not validated by histology. The limited age range prevented meaningful interpretation of age effects on measured data or the automatic segmentation procedure. CONCLUSIONS Kidney volume, cortex volume, and hypofunctional volume fraction assessed by DCE-MRI may provide information about CKD risk and prognosis beyond that provided by eGFR and urine ACR.
Fast simulation of Grover's quantum search on classical computer

The research community has been actively working on the realization of quantum computer. But the large scale commercial quantum computers are not a reality yet quantum computing field has become richer by day with the advent of algorithms and the avenue of its application in multiple domains. Availability of efficient quantum simulators will enable the researchers to quickly verify their results and concepts in order to establish a working proof of correctness. One important algorithm that has become one of the basic ingredients to build other algorithms and models is the Grover's search Algorithm which is known to be the most compute intensive. Our approach highlights the design principles for the fast simulation of Grover's search which can be implemented on a general purpose personal computer. The performance obtained are encouraging when compared to the existing simulators.
Expression of glycodelin in human breast and breast cancer

Glycodelin is a 28 kDa glycoprotein with structural homology to β‐lactoglobulins, particularly expressed in steroid‐responsive tissues of the female reproductive tract. We previously found that transfection of glycodelin cDNA into MCF‐7 breast cancer cells induces differentiation into organized acinar epithelium and up‐regulation of epithelial markers. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry, Northern blotting and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analyses to study glycodelin expression in normal and in malignant breast tissues. The results were compared with the expression of estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) and p53 tumor suppressor protein. Glycodelin was found in ductal and lobular epithelium of 6/6 normal breast tissues, 27/29 morphologically normal breast tissues from breast cancer patients, 6/6 benign lactating adenomas, 21/35 ductal carcinomas, 9/9 tubular carcinomas, 9/9 mucinous carcinomas, 3/3 mixed ductal/tubular carcinomas and 7/11 lobular carcinomas. In the latter, of particular interest was the presence of glycodelin in paranucleolar vacuoles of carcinoma cells. Northern blot analysis of fresh frozen tissues revealed the normal full length 0.9 kb mRNA of glycodelin in ductal breast carcinoma. Using RT‐PCR analysis, glycodelin messenger ribonucleic acid was found in 13/13 ductal and in 3/3 tubular tumor tissues. We also detected a splicing variant lacking exon 4, which includes the nucleotide sequence encoding the potential N‐glycosylation site at Asn‐85. Our results demonstrate the synthesis of glycodelin in normal breast and breast cancer. In addition, we show that the paranuclear vacuole, characteristically present in lobular breast cancer cells, contains abundant amounts of glycodelin. Int. J. Cancer 83:738–742, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
What do Spaniards read about the prudent use of anti-microbial agents and what do they really do?

Objectives: The prudent use of antibiotics (PUA) is promoted not only by public information campaigns, but also in the printed media and on websites. This study assesses the correspondence between PUA information in the Spanish printed media and on websites and the messages put out by national campaigns. Spaniards’ use of antibiotics following the campaigns was also analysed. Methods: A two-phase descriptive study was carried out. First, antibiotics-related news in the Spanish printed media (January 2007–May 2009) and institutional and news media websites (March–May 2009) were systematically reviewed using a data collection tool. In addition, a telephone survey on antibiotics-related knowledge and behaviours was carried out with a random sample of 1526 people living in Spain who had recently received medical care. Results: In total, 29 news items containing nine different messages were identified. All the messages were similar to those promoted by the campaigns. The survey showed that even after the campaigns, relevant gaps in knowledge about the PUA persist, particularly among men (p = .005), those living in rural areas (p = .02) and the elderly (p < .001). Keeping left-over antibiotics was associated with ignorance about the association between antibiotic use and resistance (OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.3–4.2). Also, patients who ask their doctor about drug interactions are less likely to self-medicate (p = .04). Conclusions: The information reaching the Spanish public via the media seems to be similar to the messages transmitted by public information campaigns. Nevertheless, there appears to be considerable room for improvement. Promoting an active role in patients might reduce self-medication.
Validation of Montgomery-Åsberg Rating Scale and Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia in Brazilian elderly patients

ABSTRACT Background: There are few studies on validation of depression scales in the elderly in Latin America. This study aimed to assess the validity of Montgomery-Åsberg. Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD) in Brazilian elderly outpatients. Methods: A convenience sample of 95 outpatients was diagnosed for dementia and depression according to DSM-IV-TR, ICD-10, and PDC-dAD criteria. Receiver Operating Curves (ROC) were used to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) and to assess MADRS and CSDD cut-offs for each diagnostic criterion. Results: Dementia was diagnosed in 71 of 95 patients. Depression was diagnosed in 35, 30, and 51 patients by ICD-10, DSM-IV, and PDC-dAD, respectively. MADRS cut-off score of 10 correctly diagnosed 67.4% and 66.3% patients as depressed according to DSM-IV and ICD-10. A cut-off of 9 correctly identified 74.7% by PDC-dAD criteria; a CSDD cut-off score of 13 best recognized depression according to DSM-IV and ICD-10. A score of 11 diagnosed depression according to PDC-dAD, while MADRS = 9 recognized depression in dementia. CSDD was more efficient in showing depression in mild than in moderate/severe dementia according to DSM-IV/ICD-10. PDC-dAD behaved nicely for any severity stage. Conclusion: MADRS and CSDD cut-offs of 10 and 13 were the optimal ones to diagnose depression in elderly, respectively. CSDD cut-offs are higher than those found in other countries. Other Latin American studies are needed to compare results with our study.
Protein Oxidative Stress and Dyslipidemia in Dialysis Patients

Our aim was to investigate and determine the associations between oxidative stress (OS), dyslipidemia and inflammation in patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and hemodialysis (HD) using observational cross‐sectional study. Twenty patients in CAPD and 48 in HD for at least 8 weeks and aged ≥18 years were included in the study. Individuals with malignant or acute inflammatory disease were excluded. A control group of 17 healthy individuals was also recruited. The biochemical parameter evaluations were analyzed using colorimetric kits for albumin, serum glucose, total cholesterol (TC) and lipid fractions. To determine the inflammatory status, CRP, IL‐6 and TNF‐α were analyzed by automated chemiluminescence kits. Plasma advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) were determined by spectrophotometry. Mean AOPP levels were significantly higher for the HD group compared to the control, and there was no difference in AOPP concentrations between the control and CAPD groups. Dialysis patients had levels of inflammatory parameters higher than controls, and showed a high prevalence of patients with dyslipidemia, especially in CAPD. In the HD group, AOPP was positively correlated with triglycerides (TG) and inversely associated with HDL. Also the HD group was observed to have negative associations between TNF‐α and HDL, LDL and TC. In the CAPD group, CRP was inversely correlated with HDL. Hemodialysis patients had increased protein OS and associations of inflammation and dyslipidemia were also observed in these dialysis groups. A more detailed characterization of the relations between oxidative stress and other more traditional risk factors has therapeutic importance, since cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death among dialysis patients.
Combining Drug and Psychological Treatments for Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder: What is the Evidence, When and for Whom.

BACKGROUND Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy (CBT) are first-line treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Since response is often inadequate, in recent years researchers investigated whether combining CBT and SRIs, either ab initio or sequentially, results in a greater reduction of obsessivecompulsive symptoms. OBJECTIVE The aims of the present paper are to assess if combination treatment seems adding benefits as compared to either monotherapy alone and if sequential strategies may be effective in converting partial or non responders to a first-line treatment into responders. METHOD We reviewed available literature on pharmacological and CBT combination and sequential treatments for adult and pediatric OCD patients and then we conducted a separate analysis for studies concerning these two promising strategies. Search results included openlabel trials and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RESULTS We identified ten controlled studies assessing the efficacy of combination treatments ab initio versus CBT alone and six evaluating combination strategies ab initio versus medications alone. Eleven studies, only two of which were RCTs, have been published on sequential treatments. The combination ab initio of CBT and SRIs has not been found to be clearly superior to either monotherapy alone in most studies conducted on this topic, except for patients with severe depression who might benefit more from the combination versus only CBT. A sequential administration of CBT after medications has been found useful in promoting remission in patients who partially responded to drugs and in promoting response in resistant patients. CONCLUSION OCD patients with comorbid major depression should receive medication firstly, eventually associated with CBT; for all remaining patients there is clear evidence from the literature of no additive benefits of combining ab initio CBT and medication. Therefore, the routine use of a combination approach in all adult patients affected by OCD is not supported by the literature. The available evidence supports the effectiveness of the sequential addition of CBT to SRIs.