Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-Assessed and Functional Health of Older Women

This study examines the contributions made by functional health, age self-concept, and attitudes, and demographic variables toward explaining health self-assessments in a sample of older women. The participants in the study were a simple random sample of white females (114) over age sixty years and who were residents in five apartment complexes for the aged in a large Midwestern city. Significant correlations to self-assessment of health were found among measures of functional health, self-concept and attitudes, and demographic variables. Multiple regression analysis using five variables (self-assessment of speed, emotional behavior, age self-concept, body care and movement, and occupation) explained almost 40 percent of variance in self-assessment of health data.
Analysis of the (CAG)n repeat causing Huntington's disease in a Mexican population

We investigated the allele distribution of the polymorphic (CAG)n repeat in the IT15 gene in 96 normal subjects from the Mexican population and 83 unrelated patients with Huntington's disease. Our results show that the size distributions of normal and affected alleles do not overlap. Normal alleles range from 13 to 32 triplets, with 18 being the most frequent allele, while HD alleles contain 37 to 76 repeats with 42 being the most frequent. One allele in the range of intermediate alleles was found (32 repeats) in a normal subject. The juvenile onset cases in this study are associated with an expansion greater than 49 repeats. In the available parent‐offspring pairs, paternal alleles show instability with an expansion of 28 repeats in one case.
Prevalence and Psychosocial Correlates of ADHD Symptoms in Young Adulthood: A French Population-Based Study

Objective: The scientific literature suggests that ADHD in adulthood is associated with a considerable psychosocial burden. However, most knowledge in this area relies on studies conducted in the United States or in North European nations, thereby limiting generalization to other countries. Method: We assessed the psychosocial correlates of ADHD symptoms in a French community-based sample. Data came from 1,214 community-based young adults (18-35 years) and their parents (Trajectoires Epidémiologiques en Population and GAZEL studies). ADHD symptoms and socioeconomic and psychosocial correlates were assessed in a telephone interview. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess associations. Results: A total of 7.1% of the sample presented high levels of ADHD symptoms. Parental history of anxiety, dissatisfaction with love life, and consumption of tobacco were associated with the highest odds ratios. Conclusion: This study confirms the high functional impairment associated with adult ADHD symptoms in a French community sample. It extends the existing literature to family risk correlates and individual well-being correlates.
La experiencia catalana de radiotelevisión local. Un importante fenómeno social y comunicativo

Hablar de comunicacion local y comarcal en Cataluna significa referirse a un fenomeno muy extendido por todo el territorio. Se trata de un conjunto de experiencias que, en el transcurso de nuestra historia mas reciente, han intentado conseguir una mayor y mas directa participacion de los ciudadanos en los medios de comunicacion. Por consiguiente, el calificativo local o comarcal no se refiere solamente a un ambito territorial de cobertura -que en estos medios se ve limitado a una poblacion o a una determinada comarca-, sino a todo un ejercicio de apropiacion de estos instrumentos de comunicacion, que da como resultado unos nuevos contenidos, mas cercanos al ciudadano, y una manera de producir mas espontanea y directa. Esta voluntad de apropiacion viene dada por la insatisfaccion que provocan, en algunos colectivos, las informaciones difundidas a traves de los grandes medios de comunicacion social, informaciones que se presentan cada vez mas uniformizadas y que tienen en comun una tendencia a la universalidad. Demasiado a menudo se ignora cuales son los intereses reales y mas cercanos a los lectores, oyentes y telespectadores de cada lugar. Asi pues, el principal objetivo de las experiencias mesocomunicativas catalanas es conseguir una informacion politica y cultural diversificada, que sea capaz de interesar y hacer participar a todos los ciudadanos. Este tipo de iniciativas no son el resultado de una determinada politica de comunicacion planificada desde las instituciones politicas y culturales autonomicas; suelen ser llevadas a cabo por colectivos o ciudadanos individuales, lo que constituye un claro sintoma de la existencia de una sociedad civil catalana madura y con una gran capacidad propositiva.
Effects of 5‐HT and 5‐HT1A receptor agonists and antagonists on dorsal vagal preganglionic neurones in anaesthetized rats: an ionophoretic study

1 Effects of ionophoretic administration of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) and selective 5‐HT1A receptor agonists and antagonists on identified dorsal vagal preganglionic and dorsal raphe neurones were studied in pentobarbitone sodium or chloral hydrate‐anaesthetized rats, respectively. 2 Extracellular recordings were made from 176 preganglionic neurones in the dorsal vagal nucleus (DVN). Application of 5‐HT at low currents (<10nA) increased the activity of these neurones. However, at increased currents (10–60 nA), it had a predominantly depressant effect. Application of selective 5‐HT1A receptor antagonists, (±)‐pindolol or WAY‐100635, attenuated the excitatory responses evoked by 5‐HT. 3 Ionophoresis of the 5‐HT1A receptor agonist, 8‐hydroxy‐2‐(di‐n‐propylamino)tetralin (8‐OH‐DPAT) (5–30 nA) increased the firing rate of 19 and decreased that of 67 of the 104 vagal neurones tested. Other 5‐HT1A receptor agonists, flesinoxan and N, N‐di‐n‐propyl‐5‐carboxamidotryptamine (DP‐5‐CT) also had predominantly depressant effects. 4 (±)‐Pindolol attenuated excitations but not inhibitions evoked by 8‐OH‐DPAT. Surprisingly, WAY‐100635 and 8‐OH‐DPAT produced the same effect on these neurones and when applied together, WAY‐100635 failed to attenuate the 8‐OH‐DPAT responses. 5 Dorsal raphe neurones were identified by their low, regular firing rate and their subsequent histological localization. 8‐OH‐DPAT reversibly reduced the activity in all 7 neurones tested and this was antagonized by WAY‐100635 in all 3 neurones tested. 6 In conclusion, 5‐HT applied to vagal preganglionic neurones evokes excitatory and inhibitory responses. The excitatory, but not the inhibitory responses may be mediated, at least in part, by activation of 5‐HT1A receptors.
Combining employment and family in Europe: the role of family policies in health.

OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were: (i) to analyse the relationship between health status and paid working hours and household composition in the EU-27, and (ii) to examine whether patterns of association differ as a function of family policy typologies and gender. METHODS Cross-sectional study based on data from the 5th European Working Conditions Survey of 2010. The sample included married or cohabiting employees aged 25-64 years from the EU-27 (10,482 men and 8,882 women). The dependent variables were self-perceived health status and psychological well-being. RESULTS Irrespective of differences in family policy typologies between countries, working long hours was more common among men, and part-time work was more common among women. In Continental and Southern European countries, employment and family demands were associated with poor health status in both sexes, but more consistently among women. In Anglo-Saxon countries, the association was mainly limited to men. Finally, in Nordic and Eastern European countries, employment and family demands were largely unassociated with poor health outcomes in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS The combination of employment and family demands is largely unassociated with health status in countries with dual-earner family policy models, but is associated with poorer health outcomes in countries with market-oriented models, mainly among men. This association is more consistent among women in countries with traditional models, where males are the breadwinners and females are responsible for domestic and care work.
Nonmelanoma skin cancer: disease-specific quality-of-life concerns and distress.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To provide a better understanding of the disease-specific quality-of-life (QOL) concerns of patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Skin cancer clinic of Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. SAMPLE 56 patients with basal cell carcinoma and/or squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS Descriptive and inferential statistics applied to quantitative self-report data. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Importance of appearance, psychological distress, and QOL. FINDINGS The most prevalent concerns included worries about tumor recurrence, as well as the potential size and conspicuousness of the scar. Skin cancer-specific QOL concerns significantly predicted distress manifested through anxious and depressive symptomology. In addition, the social concerns related to the disease were the most significant predictor of distress. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study provide healthcare professionals with a broad picture of the most prevalent NMSC-specific concerns, as well as the concerns that are of particular importance for different subgroups of patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Nurses are in a position to provide pivotal psychosocial and informational support to patients, so they need to be aware of the often-overlooked psychosocial effects of NMSC to address these issues and provide optimal care.
ESCRT Proteins and Cell Signalling

Subunits of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) were identified as components of a molecular machinery that sorts ubiquitinated membrane proteins into the intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) of multivesicular endosomes (MVEs) for subsequent delivery to the lumen of lysosomes or related organelles. As many of the membrane proteins that undergo ESCRT‐mediated sorting are signalling receptors that are ubiquitinated in response to ligand binding, ESCRT subunits have been hypothesized to play a crucial role in attenuation of cell signalling by mediating ligand‐induced receptor degradation. Here we discuss this concept based on the examples from loss‐of‐function studies in model organisms and cell lines. The emerging picture is that ESCRTs are indeed involved in downregulation of receptor signalling pathways associated with cell survival, proliferation and polarity. In addition, the recent discovery of a positive role for the ESCRT pathway in Wnt signalling through sequestration of an inhibitory cytosolic component into MVEs illustrates that ESCRTs may also control signalling in ways that are independent of degradative receptor sorting.
Experimental investigation of DC corona on stranded conductors under variable air density

Knowledge on the effects of air density on corona discharge is of great importance for many practical applications, including overhead transmission lines. In the present study the salient characteristics of both positive and negative DC corona on 7-stranded conductors, namely the corona inception voltage, corona current and the associated power losses, are experimentally investigated in the coaxial cylindrical electrode arrangement under variable air density. Theoretical predictions of the corona current and losses are in good agreement with experimental values for an ion mobility decreasing with relative air density according to a power law, the rate of decrease being higher for negative than positive ions. Irregularity factors for the 7-stranded conductors have been obtained based on electric field simulations and Peek's formula for smooth conductors. Logarithmic expressions, describing well the dependence of the irregularity factor on the product of relative air density and conductor radius, allow for a satisfactory estimation of the corona inception field strength of 7-stranded conductors.
Binding of interferon gamma by glycosaminoglycans: a strategy for localization and/or inhibition of its activity.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are a group of negatively charged molecules present in many tissues as components of the extracellular matrix, basement and cellular membranes. This work analysed the ability of this group of substances to interact with human interferon gamma and the effect of those interactions on its biologic activity. A variety of GAGs (heparin, heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid), and a related sulfated polysaccharide (dextran sulfate), were found to interact with IFN-gamma as determined by inhibition of the binding of [125I]IFN-gamma to COLO-205 cells and binding to wells coated with GAGs. These interactions were inhibited by synthetic peptides mimicking the sequences of the basic amino acid cluster located at the C-terminal end of mouse and human IFN-gamma, or by poly-L-lysine, suggesting that ionic interactions between the positively-charged C-terminus and negatively charged groups in GAGs were involved. IFN-gamma molecules bound to plate-immobilized or endothelial cell surface GAGs retained biological activity, since they could induce major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression on COLO-205 cells, suggesting that cell surface GAGs might be able to present IFN-gamma to its receptors. These results suggest important regulatory roles for GAGs on the activity of IFN-gamma in vivo.
Bronchial hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation, and airflow limitation in endurance athletes.

BACKGROUND Whereas a high prevalence of bronchial abnormalities has been reported in endurance athletes, its underlying mechanisms and consequences during exercise are still unclear. STUDY OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to assess the following: (1) bronchial responsiveness to methacholine and to exercise; (2) airway inflammation; and (3) airflow limitation during intense exercise in endurance athletes with respiratory symptoms. DESIGN Cross-sectional observational study. SETTING Lung function and exercise laboratory at a university hospital. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS Thirty-nine endurance athletes and 13 sedentary control subjects were explored for the following: (1) self-reported respiratory symptoms; (2) bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to methacholine and exercise; (3) airflow limitation during intense exercise; and (4) bronchial inflammation using induced sputum and nitric oxide (NO) exhalation. RESULTS Fifteen athletes (38%) showed BHR to methacholine and/or exercise in association with bronchial eosinophilia (mean [+/- SD] eosinophil count, 4.1 +/- 8.5% vs 0.3 +/- 0.9% vs 0%, respectively), higher NO concentrations (19 +/- 10 vs 14 +/- 4 vs 13 +/- 4 parts per billion, respectively), a higher prevalence of atopy, and more exercise-induced symptoms compared with non-hyperresponsive athletes and control subjects (p < 0.05). Furthermore, airflow limitation during intense exercise was observed in eight athletes, among whom five had BHR. Athletes with airflow limitation reported more symptoms and had FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, and forced expiratory flow at midexpiratory phase values of 14%, 9%, and 29%, respectively, lower compared with those of nonlimited athletes (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION BHR in endurance athletes was associated with the criteria of eosinophilic airway inflammation and atopy, whereas airflow limitation during exercise was primarily a consequence of decreased resting spirometric values. Both BHR and bronchial obstruction at rest with subsequent expiratory flow limitation during exercise may promote respiratory symptoms during exercise in athletes.
United States Rotavirus Strain Surveillance From 2005 to 2008: Genotype Prevalence Before and After Vaccine Introduction

Background: A live, attenuated rotavirus vaccine, RotaTeq®, was approved in 2006 for immunization of infants in the United States. To monitor the distribution of rotavirus genotypes before and after vaccine introduction, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted strain surveillance with the National Rotavirus Strain Surveillance System. Methods: Over 3 rotavirus seasons, 2005–2006, 2006–2007, and 2007–2008, National Rotavirus Strain Surveillance System laboratories collected rotavirus-positive stool specimens and submitted them to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rotavirus strains were G- and P-genotyped by multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or nucleotide sequencing. Results: During 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 seasons, G1 was the dominant G-type but in the 2007–2008 season, G3 replaced G1 as the most frequently detected strain. Four genotypes, G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], and G9P[8] were detected in every season. Uncommon strains observed during the study period were G2P[8], G1P[6], G2P[6], G4P[6], G1P[4], G3P[9], G12P [6], and G12P[8]. The mean age of rotavirus cases in the 2007–2008 season increased significantly in patients less than 3 years old compared with the 2 previous seasons. Conclusions: The increased overall prevalence of G3P [8] strains in 2007–2008, the first rotavirus season with reasonable rotavirus vaccine coverage, was consistent with Australian reports of G3 dominance following RotaTeq introduction. However, these strain changes in both countries have occurred in the context of large declines in severe rotavirus disease and we cannot rule out that they are simply the result of naturally occurring changes in rotavirus strain prevalence. These findings underscore the need for careful monitoring of strains to assess possible vaccine pressure-induced changes and vaccine effectiveness against various rotavirus genotypes.
Suppression of multiphoton ionization with circularly polarized coherent light.

Multiphoton ionization in xenon has been studied with 1064-nm circularly polarized coherent light, producing electrons with energies up to 15 eV. A strong suppression of the cross section is observed for electrons below 4 eV, but not for linearly polarized light at the same intensity. We show that if the electrons are emitted in single-step, nonresonant coherent processes, rather than stepwise excitation, the centrifugal potential barrier in the atomic Hamiltonian produces this suppression.
Central and peripheral fatigue during passive and exercise-induced hyperthermia.

PURPOSE Hyperthermia was induced during prolonged exercise (ExH) and passive heating (PaH) to isolate the influence of exercise on neuromuscular function during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) of the quadriceps under heat stress. The influence of cardiovascular strain in limiting endurance performance in the heat was also examined. METHODS On separate days, eight males cycled to exhaustion at 60% maximal oxygen uptake or were immersed in a water bath (∼41°C) until rectal temperature (Tre) increased to 39.5°C. The ExH and PaH interventions were performed in ambient conditions of 38°C and 60% relative humidity with Tre reaching 39.8°C during exercise. Before (control) and after each intervention, voluntary activation and force production capacity were evaluated by superimposing an electrically stimulated tetanus during a 45-s MVC. RESULTS Force production decreased immediately after PaH and ExH compared with control, with the magnitude of decline being more pronounced after ExH (P < 0.01). Mean voluntary activation was also significantly depressed after both interventions (P < 0.01 vs control). However, the extent of decline in voluntary activation was maintained at ∼90% during both PaH and ExH MVC. This decline accounted for 41.5% (PaH) and 33.1% (ExH) of the decrease in force production. In addition, exhaustion coincided with a marked increase in HR (∼96% of maximum) and a decline in stroke volume (25%) and mean arterial pressure (10%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The loss of force production capacity during hyperthermia originated from central and peripheral fatigue factors, with the combination of heat stress and previous contractile activity exacerbating the rate of decline. Thus, the observed significant rise in thermal strain in ExH and PaH impaired neuromuscular function and was associated with an exercise performance limiting increase in cardiovascular strain.
Captopril and telmisartan treatments attenuate cadmium‐induced testicular toxicity in rats

The possible protective effect of captopril, an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor, vs. telmisartan, an angiotensin II‐receptor antagonist, was investigated in rats with testicular injury induced by a single i.p. injection of cadmium chloride (2 mg/kg). Captopril (60 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and telmisartan (10 mg/kg/day, p.o.) were given for five consecutive days, starting 3 days before cadmium administration. Both agents significantly increased serum testosterone level, which was reduced by cadmium, suppressed lipid peroxidation, restored the depleted reduced glutathione, decreased the elevations of nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and cadmium ion levels, and attenuated the reductions of selenium and zinc ions in testicular tissue resulted from cadmium administration. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that both captopril and telmisartan significantly reduced the cadmium‐induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, nuclear factor‐κB, Fas ligand, and caspase‐3 in testicular tissue. The differences between the results obtained with captopril and telmisartan were insignificant, suggesting that both drugs equally protected the testicular tissue from the detrimental effects of cadmium.
Our House Is Burning: Discrepancy in Climate Change vs. Biodiversity Coverage in the Media as Compared to Scientific Literature

Scientists, policy makers and journalists are three key, interconnected players involved in prioritizing and implementing solutions to mitigate the consequences of anthropogenic pressures on the environment. The way in which information is framed and expertise is communicated by the media is crucial for political decisions and for the integrated management of environmental issues. Here we present a comparative study of scientific literature and press articles addressing climate change and biodiversity. We extensively scrutinized the scientific literature, research funding and press articles from the USA, Canada and United Kingdom addressing climate change and biodiversity issues between 1991 and 2016. We found that media coverage of climate change was up to eight times higher compared to biodiversity. This discrepancy could not be explained by different scientific output between the two issues. Moreover, climate change media coverage was often related to specific events whereas no such indication of a connection was found in the case of biodiversity. An international communication strategy is urgently required to raise public awareness on biodiversity issues. We discussed several initiatives that scientists could undertake to better communicate major discoveries to the public and policy makers.
Screening of 25 compounds isolated from Phyllanthus species for anti‐human hepatitis B virus in vitro

Using an HBV‐producing cell line and inhibition of the expression of the HBsAg and HBeAg as antiviral indicators, a study was conducted on 25 compounds isolated from four Phyllanthus (Euphorbiaceae) plants, including P. amarus Schum. & Thonn. , P. multiﬂorus Willd. , P. tenellus Roxb. and P. virgatus Forst. f. It was found that niranthin (1), nirtetralin (3), hinokinin (5) and geraniin (13) at the non‐cytotoxic concentration of 50 µm, suppressed effectively both HBsAg and HBeAg expression, with the highest inhibition at 74.3%, 45.3%; 69.6%, 33.9%; 68.1%, 52.3%; 32.1%, 46.6%, respectively. Of these, niranthin (1) showed the best anti‐HBsAg activity, while the most potent anti‐HBeAg activity was observed with hinokinin (5). Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.