Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association Between Hospice Use and Depressive Symptoms in Surviving Spouses.

IMPORTANCE Family caregivers of individuals with serious illness are at risk for depressive symptoms and depression. Hospice includes the provision of support services for family caregivers, yet evidence is limited regarding the effect of hospice use on depressive symptoms among surviving caregivers. OBJECTIVE To determine the association between hospice use and depressive symptoms in surviving spouses. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS We linked data from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative longitudinal survey of community-dwelling US adults 50 years or older, to Medicare claims. Participants included a propensity score-matched sample of 1016 Health and Retirement Study decedents with at least 1 serious illness and their surviving spouses interviewed between August 2002 and May 2011. We compared the spouses of individuals enrolled in hospice with the spouses of individuals who did not use hospice, performing our analysis between January 30, 2014, and January 16, 2015. EXPOSURES Hospice enrollment for at least 3 days in the year before death. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Spousal depressive symptom scores measured 0 to 2 years after death with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, which is scored from 0 (no symptoms) to 8 (severe symptoms). RESULTS Of the 1016 decedents in the matched sample, 305 patients (30.0%) used hospice services for 3 or more days in the year before death. Of the 1016 spouses, 51.9% had more depressive symptoms over time (mean [SD] change, 2.56 [1.65]), with no significant difference related to hospice use. A minority (28.2%) of spouses of hospice users had improved Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale scores compared with 21.7% of spouses of decedents who did not use hospice, although the difference was not statistically significant (P = .06). Among the 662 spouses who were the primary caregivers, 27.3% of spouses of hospice users had improved Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale scores compared with 20.7% of spouses of decedents who did not use hospice; the difference was not statistically significant (P = .10). In multivariate analysis, the odds ratio for the association of hospice enrollment with improved depressive symptoms after the spouse's death was 1.63 (95% CI, 1.00-2.65). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE After bereavement, depression symptoms increased overall for surviving spouses regardless of hospice use. A modest reduction in depressive symptoms was more likely among spouses of hospice users than among spouses of nonhospice users.
Brain magnetic resonance imaging findings in relapsing neuromyelitis optica

Background Some studies showed abnormalities in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of relapsing neuromyelitis optica (R-NMO) from 12 to 46%. These abnormalities are described as compatible/non-compatible with multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective To describe the abnormal brain MRI lesions in R-NMO with imaging studies conducted with more sensitive white matter change techniques. Methods Thirty patients with R-NMO were selected. All MRI brain studies were performed with a 1.5-T Siemens MRI system according to the Standardized MR Imaging Protocol for Multiple Sclerosis from the Consortium of MS Centers Consensus Guidelines. Results Brain MRI images were evaluated in 29 R-NMO cases because in one case the MRI images were not appropriate for the study. Of these 29 brain MRI studies, 19 cases (65.5%) had at least one or more lesions (1–57) and 10 were negative (34.4%). Brain MRI findings in 19 cases were characterized in T2/fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) by the presence of subcortical/deep white matter lesions in 16 (84.2%) cases (1–50), most of them < 3 mm and without juxtacortical localization. Periventricular lesions were observed in 13 (68.4%) cases, but morphologically they were not oval, ovoid or perpendicularly orientated. Infratentorial lesions, all >3 mm, were observed in 4 (21.05%) cases without cerebellar involvement. T1 studies demonstrated absence of hypointense regions. Optic nerve enhancement was observed in 6/19 patients (31.5%). None of the brain MRI abnormalities observed were compatible with Barkhof et al. criteria of MS. Conclusions This study, based on a Cuban patient population, with long duration of disease, good sample size and detailed characterization by MRI, demonstrated the brain MRI pattern of R-NMO patients, which is different from MS. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 186–192. http://msj.sagepub. com
The limits to robust monetary policy in a small open economy with learning agents

We study the impact of adaptive learning for the design of a robust monetary policy using a small open-economy New Keynesian model. We find that slightly departing from rational expectations substantially changes the way the central bank deals with model misspecification. Learning induces an intertemporal trade-off for the central bank, i.e., stabilizing inflation (output gap) today or stabilizing it tomorrow. The central bank should optimally anchoring private agents expectations in the short term in exchange of easier future intratemporal trade-offs. Compared to the rational expectations equilibrium, the possibility to conduct robust monetary policy is limited in a small open economy under learning for any exchange rate pass-through level and any degree of trade openness. The misspecification that can be introduced into all equations of the model is lower in a small open economy, and approaches zero at high speed as the learning gain rises.
DNA Microarray Analysis of Chimpanzee Liver during Acute Resolving Hepatitis C Virus Infection

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) poses a worldwide health problem in that the majority of individuals exposed to HCV become chronically infected and are predisposed for developing significant liver disease. DNA microarray technology provides an opportunity to survey transcription modulation in the context of an infectious disease and is a particularly attractive approach in characterizing HCV-host interactions, since the mechanisms underlying viral persistence and disease progression are not understood and are difficult to study. Here, we describe the changes in liver gene expression during the course of an acute-resolving HCV infection in a chimpanzee. Clearance of viremia in this animal occurred between weeks 6 and 8, while clearance of residual infected hepatocytes did not occur until 14 weeks postinfection. The most notable changes in gene expression occurred in numerous interferon response genes (including all three classical interferon antiviral pathways) that increased dramatically, some as early as day 2 postinfection. The data suggest a biphasic mechanism of viral clearance dependent on both the innate and adaptive immune responses and provide insight into the response of the liver to a hepatotropic viral infection.
Are organizational factors more prevailing than individual factors in mitigating employee fraud?

Purpose This paper aims to examine whether individual factors (religiosity and ethical values) and organizational factors (ethical leadership and whistleblowing practices) contribute to employee fraud mitigation. Design/methodology/approach Guided by Corporate Integrity System Malaysia, this study developed and collected 101-questionnaire survey from Royal Custom officers. Findings The findings revealed that individual factors (religiosity and ethical values) significantly contribute to fraud reduction, and organizational factors (both ethical leadership and whistle blowing practices) do not significantly contribute to employee fraud mitigation. Originality/value This study serves as a useful guide to alert and educate employers, professionals, law enforcement officers and policymakers of the importance of individual and organizational factors in mitigating employee fraud. There is very little empirical research conducted on employee fraud in Malaysia. This research helps bring that to light.
Induction of P53, P21Waf1, orinithine decorboxylase activity, and DNA damage leading to cell‐cycle arrest and apoptosis following topical application of repeated fish fried oil extract to mice

Repeated frying of food produces numerous carcinogens including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Our prior studies have shown that repeated fish fried oil extract (RFFE) induces cytochrome P (CYP)‐450 1A1/2 isozymes thereby causing increased generation of electrophilic reactive metabolites of PAHs and subsequent binding to DNA. In the present study, molecular events associated with DNA damage, apoptosis, and proliferation following topical exposure to RFFE have been investigated in mice. Single topical application of RFFE (500 µg) for 24–48 h caused significant DNA damage with Comet assay in terms of olive tail moment (OTM) (204–246%), tail DNA (253–293%), and tail length (172–195%). Overexpression of p53 and p21WAF1 proteins was observed in skin cells following single topical exposure of RFFE for 24–72 h, which was similar to that of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) exposure (24 h). Though RFFE and BP exposure separately, did not result in G0/G1 arrest, but a significant increase in the proportion of cells in S‐phase was observed. Apoptotic induction was noticed in skin cells, with maximum induction after 48 h of exposure to RFFE. Further, topical treatment of mice with RFFE (500 µg) for 6 h significantly increased orinithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity by 7.5‐fold when compared to control. These results indicate that RFFE exposure caused ODC induction accompanied by increased levels of p53 and p21WAF1 proteins leading of apoptosis and delay of cells in S‐phase thereby indicating the possible carcinogenic potential of RFFE. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of Bradykinin B2 and B1 Receptors in the Local, Remote, and Systemic Inflammatory Responses That Follow Intestinal Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury1

The administration of bradykinin may attenuate ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury by acting on B2Rs. Blockade of B2R has also been shown to ameliorate lesions associated with I/R injury. In an attempt to explain these contradictory results, the objective of the present work was to investigate the role of and interaction between B1 and B2 receptors in a model of intestinal I/R injury in mice. The bradykinin B2R antagonist (HOE 140) inhibited reperfusion-induced inflammatory tissue injury and delayed lethality. After I/R, there was an increase in the expression of B1R mRNA that was prevented by HOE 140. In mice that were deficient in B1Rs (B1R−/− mice), inflammatory tissue injury was abrogated, and lethality was delayed and partially prevented. Pretreatment with HOE 140 reversed the protective anti-inflammatory and antilethality effects provided by the B1R−/− phenotype. Thus, B2Rs are a major driving force for B1R activation and consequent induction of inflammatory injury and lethality. In contrast, activation of B2Rs may prevent exacerbated tissue injury and lethality, an effect unmasked in B1R−/− mice and likely dependent on the vasodilatory actions of B2Rs. Blockade of B1Rs could be a more effective strategy than B2 or B1/B2 receptor blockade for the treatment of the inflammatory injuries that follow I/R.
The Effects of Botulinum Toxin a on Ephaptic Transmission in Idiopathic Hemifacial Spasm

Objective: Lateral spreading and synkinetic responses of blink reflex are a sign of ephaptic transmission in idiopathic hemifacial spasm (HFS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of botulinum toxin A (Btx A) on ephaptic transmission in idiopathic HFS. Methods: Thirty-three patients with idiopathic HFS were investigated. Btx A was injected only into the affected orbicularis oculi (OC) muscle. Electrophysiological studies were performed before and three weeks after the Btx A injection. Results: After Btx A, the latencies of motor response and blink reflexes elicited from the OC muscle were significantly increased. The lateral spreading was not obtained in the OC muscle, while the orbicularis oris muscle response was not changed. There were no significant differences in the synkinetic responses of blink reflex. During needle EMG examination, positive sharp waves and fibrilation potentials were observed due to chemodenervation only in the OC muscle. Conclusion: Btx A affects only the neuromuscular junctions of the injected muscle and has no effect upon ephaptic transmission.
Trends in seedling growth and carbon‐use efficiency vary among broadleaf tree species along a latitudinal transect in eastern North America

Factors constraining the geographic ranges of broadleaf tree species in eastern North America were examined in common gardens along a ~1500 km latitudinal transect travers in grange boundaries of four target species: trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera) to the north vs. eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) to the south. In 2006 and 2007, carbon‐use efficiency (CUE), the proportion of assimilated carbon retained in biomass, was estimated for seedlings of the four species as the quotient of relative growth rate (RGR) and photosynthesis per unit tree mass (Atree). In aspen and birch, CUE and RGR declined significantly with increasing growth temperature, which spanned 9 °C across gardens and years. The 37% (relative) CUE decrease from coolest to warmest garden correlated with increases in leaf nighttime respiration (Rleaf) and the ratio of Rleaf to leaf photosynthesis (R%A). For cottonwood and sweet gum, however, similar increases in Rleaf and R%A accompanied modest CUE declines, implying that processes other than Rleaf were responsible for species differences in CUE's temperature response. Our findings illustrate marked taxonomic variation, at least among young trees, in the thermal sensitivity of CUE, and point to potentially negative consequences of climate warming for the carbon balance, competitive ability, and persistence of two foundation species in northern temperate and boreal forests.
Purinergic stimulation of astroblast proliferation: Guanosine and its nucleotides stimulate cell division in chick astroblasts

A highly active fraction that was mitogenic for astroblasts but which contained no amino acids was identified during the purification of peptides from chick embryo brains. This material was purified by ultracentrifugation, ultrafiltration through Diaflo PM‐30 and YM‐2 membranes and retention on Diaflo YC‐05, followed by ion exchange chroniatography and reversed phasehigh performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a C18 Deltapak column. On thin layer chromatography and HPLC the material co‐chromatographed with authentic commerciallyobtained GMP. Its ultraviolet absorption spectrum was also identical with that of GMP. 1H and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of the isolated material were identical with those of GMP. The close match between the fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectra of the unknown material and authentic GMP indicated that the unknown material was GMP of molecular weight 363 Da. Authentic, commercial GMP stimulated the growth of cultured chick astroblasts in the same dose‐dependent manner as the material from chick embryo brains; maximal stimulation was at 50 μM. Guanosine, GDP, and GTP also stimulated cell proliferation. The nucleotides were equally as effective as guanosine. 5′‐Guanylyl imido‐diphosphate, guanosine 5′‐O‐(2‐thiodiphosphate), and guanosine 5′‐N‐(3‐thiotriphosphate), guanine nucleotides which are relatively resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis, were also mitogenic, indicating that the nucleotides do not need to be degraded to nucleosides to be active and that they probably act extracellularly. Guanine nucleosides and nucleotides prompted astroblast growth when other growth factors were removed from the culture medium. The mitogenic effects of guanosine and its nucleotides were inhibited in a dose‐dependent fashion by micromolar concentrations of theophylline, a characteristic of phenomena mediated by purinergic receptors. Guanosineand its nucleotides are released in micromolar concentrations by hypoxic ordying cells. Under these circumstances these compounds may stimulate division of adjacent cells in vivo.
Rorschach Correlates of Self-Reported Attachment Dimensions: Dynamic Manifestations of Hyperactivating and Deactivating Strategies

We examined associations between self-reported attachment anxiety and avoidance and responses to the Rorschach test. Seventy-two, nonpatient Israeli adults participated in a 2-session study. In the first session, they completed a self-report scale tapping the dimensions of attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance. In the second session, they completed the Rorschach test. The Rorschach was administered and coded according to Exner's (2001) Comprehensive System scoring. We found that self-reports of attachment anxiety were associated with Rorschach scores thought to indicate difficulties in regulating and controlling emotions and self-perceptions of being relatively helpless and unworthy. Self-reports of attachment avoidance were associated with Rorschach scores thought to reflect lack of acknowledgment of need states and maintenance of a grandiose self. We discuss the findings in terms of implicit psychodynamic processes inherent in attachment-system functioning.
Sickness absence with musculoskeletal or mental diagnoses, transition into disability pension and all-cause mortality: A 9-year prospective cohort study

Aims: Increased early mortality indicates poor health. This study assessed mortality among men and women after long-term sickness absence (LTSA) with musculoskeletal or mental diagnoses. A special focus was on possible differences in mortality among women and men who obtained disability pension (DP) as compared to those who did not. Methods: This was a 9-year prospective cohort study in Hordaland County, Norway, including 1417 women and 1075 men aged 16—62 years with a spell of LTSA 48 weeks, and with a musculoskeletal or mental diagnosis. The endpoint was death from all causes. Age-standardised mortality rates for those who obtained DP and those who did not were calculated and compared. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to assess DP status and other possible predictors of premature death. All analyses were stratified for gender. Results: Overall, 36% obtained a DP and 3.2% died. Among the men, 7.2% with mental diagnoses and 4.4% with musculoskeletal sick-leave diagnoses died. Among the women, 1.9% died in both groups. Among the men, 5.6% of the DP recipients died, as compared to 4.6% among those without DP. The respective figures for the women were 2.9% and 1.3%. Male gender, increasing age and low income among men increased the mortality risk significantly. After adjustments for these variables, the hazard ratios associated with DP were 2.9 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2—7.0) for women and 2.3 (95% CI 1.2—4.5) for men. Conclusions: When monitoring those on LTSA, one should be aware of the high mortality among those who obtain DP and male workers with low income, and preventive actions should be considered.
Control of polarisation rotation and fragmentation of vector vortex beams in nonlinear media

Fully-structured light — light with non-uniform intensity, phase and polarisation — lies at the heart of an emerging and extremely promising field of research, with applications in high-resolution imaging, optical trapping and manipulation of nanoparticles, plasmonic lithography, and optical communication. We show that the interplay of polarisation structure and nonlinearity can be used as a means of controlling both the polarisation distribution and the fragmentation of such beams as they propagate in a self-focusing nonlinear medium.
Shifting Styles: Do Auditor Performance Levels Influence the Review Process?

We examine communication behaviors during the audit review process using a survey of audit partners, managers, and in&#8208;charge/senior associates from each Big&#160;4 accounting firm and one international accounting firm. We inquire about reviewers' preferred communication style when discussing review notes with preparers of varying performance levels, their likelihood of taking over the audit work of preparers due to either a lack of a response or an inappropriate response to a review note, and their propensity to self&#8208;correct preparers' documentation along with the reasons for doing so instead of leaving a review note. Consistent with expectations, results indicate that reviewers are more likely to discuss review notes face to face with below&#8208;average&#8208;performing subordinates than with above&#8208;average&#8208;performing subordinates, and instead use alternative forms of communication with above&#8208;average performers. Further, we find that reviewers self&#8208;correct and/or update documentation themselves more frequently for below&#8208;average subordinates than for above&#8208;average subordinates. Supplemental analysis reveals that reviewers are likely to revise the work of subordinates, whether below average or above average, for a variety of reasons, including ease of doing so, efficiency, and pending deadlines.
CD44 Interaction with Na+-H+ Exchanger (NHE1) Creates Acidic Microenvironments Leading to Hyaluronidase-2 and Cathepsin B Activation and Breast Tumor Cell Invasion*

We have explored CD44 (a hyaluronan (HA) receptor) interaction with a Na+-H+ exchanger (NHE1) and hyaluronidase-2 (Hyal-2) during HA-induced cellular signaling in human breast tumor cells (MDA-MB-231 cell line). Immunological analyses demonstrate that CD44s (standard form) and two signaling molecules (NHE1 and Hyal-2) are closely associated in a complex in MDA-MB-231 cells. These three proteins are also significantly enriched in cholesterol and ganglioside-containing lipid rafts, characterized as caveolin and flotillin-rich plasma membrane microdomains. The binding of HA to CD44 activates Na+-H+ exchange activity which, in turn, promotes intracellular acidification and creates an acidic extracellular matrix environment. This leads to Hyal-2-mediated HA catabolism, HA modification, and cysteine proteinase (cathepsin B) activation resulting in breast tumor cell invasion. In addition, we have observed the following: (i) HA/CD44-activated Rho kinase (ROK) mediates NHE1 phosphorylation and activity, and (ii) inhibition of ROK or NHE1 activity (by treating cells with a ROK inhibitor, Y27632, or NHE1 blocker, S-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl) amiloride, respectively) blocks NHE1 phosphorylation/Na+-H+ exchange activity, reduces intracellular acidification, eliminates the acidic environment in the extracellular matrix, and suppresses breast tumor-specific behaviors (e.g. Hyal-2-mediated HA modification, cathepsin B activation, and tumor cell invasion). Finally, down-regulation of CD44 or Hyal-2 expression (by treating cells with CD44 or Hyal-2-specific small interfering RNAs) not only inhibits HA-mediated CD44 signaling (e.g. ROK-mediated Na+-H+ exchanger reaction and cellular pH changes) but also impairs oncogenic events (e.g. Hyal-2 activity, hyaluronan modification, cathepsin B activation, and tumor cell invasion). Taken together, our results suggest that CD44 interaction with a ROK-activated NHE1 (a Na+-H+ exchanger) in cholesterol/ganglioside-containing lipid rafts plays a pivotal role in promoting intracellular/extracellular acidification required for Hyal-2 and cysteine proteinase-mediated matrix degradation and breast cancer progression.