Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prospective investigation of a subcutaneous, implantable central venous access device for therapeutic plasma exchange in adults with neurological disorders

Standard alternatives to antecubital access for long‐term therapeutic plasma exchange, including percutaneous polyurethane or tunneled silicone catheters, are associated with complications and inconvenience for the patient. We have investigated the Bard CathLink® 20, a subcutaneously implantable central venous access device, as an alternative for outpatient plasma exchange. The CathLink® 20 consists of a funnel‐shaped titanium port connected to a soft polyurethane‐derived catheter and is accessed percutaneously using an 18‐gauge catheter‐over‐needle Angiocath®. Six patients with paraproteinemic polyneuropathies underwent 64 outpatient plasma exchanges using the CathLink® 20 for access, 31 using 2 CathLink® 20's (draw and return), 20 using a single CathLink® 20 as the draw site and 13 using a single CathLink® 20 as the return site. Mean (± SD) plasma removed was 3,680 ± 551 ml in 115.2 ± 25.3 min. Apheresis personnel were able to access the ports in 1.23 ± 0.6 attempts per port per procedure. Six of 70 planned procedures were aborted: 3 because of failure of an antecubital access site and 3 because of catheter occlusion resolved using a thrombolytic agent. Whole blood flow rate was approximately 54 ml/min, and plasma flow rate was about 32 ml/min for 135 min. Access pressures were stable at −150 to −200 torr (P = 0.1395). Return line pressures varied between 90 and 130 torr (P = 0.0147). No patient required hospitalization during the study. Though not optimized for apheresis, the CathLink® 20 provides a reasonable option for chronic apheresis patients who lack adequate peripheral venous access. J. Clin. Apheresis 17:1–6, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, 2002.
Attracting Girls to a Career in Programming: A New Zealand Investigation

Various interventions to attract girls into computing careers have been instigated around the world in recent years. There have also been many efforts to understand factors influencing girls’ career choices, and several career choice models have been developed. This pilot study investigated the career preferences of teenage girls who participated in a New Zealand-based intervention, the Programming Challenge 4 Girls. Results revealed three sociability needs as the girls’ primary factors influencing career choice. The girls wanted a career that will allow them to engage socially, with a sense of fun, and in a ‘cool’ environment. The study also investigated sources of information about programming careers. Most girls did not know where to seek programming career information and their parents and career advisors were found to need more knowledge about IT careers. A government careers website was unsatisfactory with respect to teenage girls’ preferences, whereas an industry-based programme partially addressed girls’ needs. The paper distinguishes between formal and informal sources of programming career information and proposes a modification to a widely-cited model of girls’ career choices.
Exploring the Psychological Stress, Anxiety Factors, and Coping Mechanisms of Critical Care Unit Nurses During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Saudi Arabia

Background: The spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) throughout the world leads to a series of modifications of several National Health Service organizations, with a potential series of psychological consequences among nurses. Methods: This study was undertaken to assess the psychological stress, anxiety factors, and coping mechanisms of critical care unit nurses during the COVID-19 outbreak. A cross-sectional research design was employed, and the convenience sample consisted of 469 nurses working at several hospitals in Saudi Arabia during the period from July to September 2020. This study used the Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Coping Mechanism, and Nursing Stress scale. Results: Interestingly, more than one-third and one-quarter of the studied nurses had severe and moderate anxiety levels, respectively. In addition, the most anxiety-causing factors included providing care for their infected colleagues and worrying about infecting their families. More than one-quarter and slightly less than half of the studied nurses had high and moderate stress levels, respectively. Furthermore, more than half of the participants had low coping mechanisms and one-quarter had moderate coping mechanisms. In addition, there was a strong positive correlation between anxiety and stress levels, and there was a strong negative correlation between coping mechanisms and stress and anxiety levels. Conclusions: Collectively, this study explored the psychological stress, anxiety factors, and coping mechanisms among critical care unit nurses during the COVID-19 outbreak in Saudi Arabia. Continuous educational programs for nurses on using coping mechanisms should be developed in combination with teaching preventive measures for defining a psychological intervention plan within a mandatory occupational health surveillance program. This study recommends that constructive planning and necessary provision of supportive measures by the legal authorities and policymakers protect nurses and minimize their psychological stress to fulfill high-quality nursing care.
Profibrillatory Structural and Functional Properties of the Atrial-Pulmonary Junction in the Absence of Remodeling

Background: Sole pulmonary vein (PV) isolation by ablation therapy prevents atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with short episodes of AF and without comorbidities. Since incomplete PV isolation can be curative, we tested the hypothesis that the PV in the absence of remodeling and comorbidities contains structural and functional properties that are proarrhythmic for AF initiation by reentry. Methods: We performed percutaneous transvenous in vivo endocardial electrophysiological studies and quantitative histological analysis of PV from healthy sheep. Results: The proximal PV contained more myocytes than the distal PV and a higher percentage of collagen and fat tissue relative to myocytes than the left atrium. Local fractionated electrograms occurred in both the distal and proximal PVs, but a large local activation (>0.75 mV) was more often present in the proximal PV than in the distal PV (86 vs. 50% of electrograms, respectively, p = 0.017). Atrial arrhythmias (run of premature atrial complexes) occurred more often following the premature stimulation in the proximal PV than in the distal PV (p = 0.004). The diastolic stimulation threshold was higher in the proximal PV than in the distal PV (0.7 [0.3] vs. 0.4 [0.2] mA, (median [interquartile range]), p = 0.004). The refractory period was shorter in the proximal PV than in the distal PV (170 [50] vs. 248 [52] ms, p < 0.001). A linear relation existed between the gradient in refractoriness (distal-proximal) and atrial arrhythmia inducibility in the proximal PV. Conclusion: The structural and functional properties of the native atrial-PV junction differ from those of the distal PV. Atrial arrhythmias in the absence of arrhythmia-induced remodeling are caused by reentry in the atrial-PV junction. Ablative treatment of early paroxysmal AF, rather than complete isolation of focal arrhythmia, may be limited to inhibition of reentry.
Enhancing human nucleus pulposus cells for biological treatment approaches of degenerative intervertebral disc diseases: a systematic review

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration has been described as an aberrant, cell‐mediated, age‐ and genetics‐dependent molecular degeneration process, which can be accelerated by nutritional, mechanical and toxic factors. Collective involvement of these factors can result in structural failures, which are often associated with pain. Current treatment approaches are restricted to symptomatic therapies, not addressing options of restoring structural or biological deterioration of the IVD as the underlying problem. Therapeutic potentials of IVD cell transplantation, biomaterials, inhibiting or activating bioactive factors, including gene‐therapeutic approaches, have been shown in vitro or in small animal models. Since human degenerative IVD cells display distinctive features with regard to cell biology and regenerative potential, we attempted a systematic review, investigating the in vitro response of human nucleus pulposus cells to different stimuli. Therefore, we conducted an electronic database search on Medline through July 2011 to identify, compare and discuss publications concerning the effects of cell–cell stimulation, bioactive factors, biomaterials and combinations thereof in terms of cell isolation, proliferation, differentiation and matrix protein synthesis. This survey and discussion might serve as a source for designing future biological treatment strategies for the human IVD. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immune responses and vaccination against periodontal infections.

BACKGROUND The infectious aetiology of periodontitis is complex and no curative treatment modality exists. Palliative therapy is available. AIMS To review the evidence that active or passive immunization against periodontitis provides immune protection. MATERIAL AND METHODS PubMed (Medline), the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Center for Disease Control electronic databases were searched to extrapolate information on immune responses to immunization against periodontitis. RESULTS Studies in non-human primate models using ligature-induced experimental periodontitis suggest that antibody responses by active immunization against Porphyromonas gingivalis can safely be induced, enhanced, and obtained over time. Immune responses to whole bacterial cell and purified protein preparations considered as vaccine candidates have been evaluated in different animal models demonstrating that there are several valid vaccine candidates. Data suggest that immunization reduces the rate and severity of bone loss. It is also, temporarily, possible to alter the composition of the subgingival microflora. Natural active immunization by therapeutic interventions results in antibody titre enhancement and potentially improves treatment outcomes. Passive immunization of humans using P. gingivalis monoclonal antibodies temporarily prevents colonization of P. gingivalis. Probiotic therapy may be an alternative approach. Regulatory and safety issues for human periodontal vaccine trials must be considered. Shared infectious aetiology between periodontitis and systemic diseases may enhance vaccine effort developments. CONCLUSIONS Proof of principle that active and passive immunization can induce protective antibody responses is given. The impact of natural immunization and passive immunization in humans should be explored and may, presently, be more feasible than active immunization studies.
Dynamic contributions of P‐ and E‐selectins to β2‐integrin‐induced neutrophil transmigration

Leukocyte transendothelial migration is a key step in their recruitment to sites of inflammation. However, synergic regulation of endothelium‐expressed selectins on leukocyte transmigration remains unclear. In this study, an in vitro model was developed to investigate the dynamic contributions of P‐ and E‐selectin to polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) transmigration under static conditions. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with LPS for 4 or 12 h to induce different expression of selectins and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1. PMN transmigration was increased significantly by LPS stimulation, which was higher on 4‐h than on 12‐h LPStreated HUVECs. Blocking and competitive tests indicated that P‐selectin engages PSGL‐1 to activate β2‐integrin and initiate PMN transmigration within the first 15 min, whereas E‐selectin engages CD44 to influence PMN transmigration after 15 min. P‐ and E‐selectin–induced β2‐integrin activation is likely conducted through the spleen tyrosine kinase signaling pathway. Complicated complementary and competitive mechanisms are involved in the interaction of P‐/E‐selectins and their ligands to promote PMN transmigration. These results provide direct evidence of the distinct and dynamic contribution of P‐ and E‐selectins in mediating PMN transmigration and give new insight into PMN interaction with the vessel wall. —Gong, Y. , Zhang, Y. , Feng, S. , Liu, X. , Lü, S. , Long, M. Dynamic contributions of P‐ and E‐selectins to β2‐integrin‐induced neutrophil transmigration. FASEB J. 31, 212–223 (2017) www.fasebj. org
THE ROLE OF OWNERSHIP ON BEHAVIOR OF DIVIDEND PAYERS

The objectives of this study are to give empirical evidences about cash cow firms and free cash flow theory. Conducting compare means paired samples t test and logistic regression with samples of 141 firms which listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange for period 2009 to 2014, this study proves dividend payers in Indonesia are not cash cows and ownership has role in determining behavior behind dividend policy. Firms with individuals and/or public ownership both for larger and smaller size shall pay dividends for some other intentions, but firms with institutional and/or state ownership concerns with its size shall pay dividends because : first, they are not at cash cows status or not under circumstance of internal conflict; second, they shall behave like cash cows in order of conflict avoidance
A Review on the Role of AFAP1-AS1 in the Pathoetiology of Cancer

AFAP1-AS1 is a long non-coding RNA which partakes in the pathoetiology of several cancers. The sense protein coding gene from this locus partakes in the regulation of cytophagy, cell motility, invasive characteristics of cells and metastatic ability. In addition to acting in concert with AFAP1, AFAP1-AS1 can sequester a number of cancer-related miRNAs, thus affecting activity of signaling pathways involved in cancer progression. Most of animal studies have confirmed that AFAP1-AS1 silencing can reduce tumor volume and invasive behavior of tumor cells in the xenograft models. Moreover, statistical analyses in the human subjects have shown strong correlation between expression levels of this lncRNA and clinical outcomes. In the present work, we review the impact of AFAP1-AS1 in the carcinogenesis.
Poverty in Mexico in the 1990s

This paper explores poverty trends in Mexico during the 1990s using three different definitions of poverty. The paper then uses poverty convergence analysis to explore the pre-crisis (1992-1994), the crisis (1994-1996), and the recovery periods (1996-1998). Finally, the paper incorporates a regional analysis in order to examine these poverty effects in greater detail.
Tooth loss and stroke: results from the behavioral risk factor surveillance system, 2010.

PURPOSE Strokes are common events of significant morbidity and mortality. Poor oral conditions may share or exacerbate pathways that lead to stroke. METHODS This study was a cross-sectional study of 410,939 participants from the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Stroke was defined as the participant's response (yes/no) to the survey's question, "Has a doctor, nurse or other health professional ever told you that you had a stroke? " The definition for tooth loss was based upon participant's response to the survey's question, "How many of your permanent teeth have been removed because of tooth decay or gum disease? " Descriptive, Chi Square and logistic regression analyses were conducted. Other variables that are known etiologic factors were also included in the analysis. RESULTS The participants with increasing numbers of teeth lost had increasing adjusted odds ratios for stroke independent of the other factors. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, the participants who had 1 to 5 missing teeth had an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 1.29 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.17, 1.42), participants who had 6 or more, but not all missing teeth had an AOR of 1.68 (95% CI: 1.50, 1.88), and participants who were edentulous had an AOR of 1.86 (95% CI: 1.63, 2.11). CONCLUSION Evidence from this cross-sectional study indicates that tooth loss had a potential, although weak positive association as an independent factor in multivariable analysis with stroke.
Racial and ethnic disparities in children's oral health: the National Survey of Children's Health.

BACKGROUND The authors evaluated racial/ethnic differences and their socioeconomic determinants in the oral health status of U.S. children, as reported by parents. METHODS The authors used interview data from the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health, a large representative survey of U.S. children. They calculated weighted, nationally representative prevalence estimates for non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics, and they used logistic regression to explore the association between parents' reports of fair or poor oral health and various socioeconomic determinants of oral health. RESULTS The results showed significant racial/ethnic differences in parental reports of fair or poor oral health, with prevalences of 6.5 percent for non-Hispanic whites, 12.0 percent for non-Hispanic blacks and 23.4 percent for Hispanics. Although adjustments for family socioeconomic status (poverty level and education) partially explained these racial/ethnic disparities, Hispanics still were twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to report their children's oral health as fair or poor, independent of socioeconomic status. The authors did find differences in preventive-care attitudes among groups. However, in multivariate models, such differences did not explain the disparities. CONCLUSIONS Significant racial/ethnic disparities exist in parental reports of their children's oral health, with Hispanics being the most disadvantaged group. Disparities appear to exist independent of preventive-care attitudes and socioeconomic status.
Differential Membrane Interactions of Saposins A and C

Saposins are small, heat-stable glycoprotein activators of lysosomal glycosphingolipid hydrolases that derive from a single precursor, prosaposin, by proteolytic cleavage. Three of these saposins (B, C, and D) share common structural features including a lack of tryptophan, a single glycosylation sequence, the presence of three conserved disulfide bonds, and a common multiamphipathic helical bundle motif. Saposin A contains an additional glycosylation site and a single tryptophan. The oligosaccharides on saposins are not required for in vitro activation functions. Saposins A and C were produced in Escherichia coli to contain single tryptophans at various locations to serve as intrinsic fluorescence reporters,i.e. as topological probes, for interaction with phospholipid membranes. Maximum emission shifts, aqueous and solid quenching, and resonance energy transfer were quantified by fluorescence spectroscopy. Amphipathic helices at the amino- and carboxyl termini of saposins A and C were shown to insert into the lipid bilayer to about five carbon bond lengths. In comparison, the middle region of saposins A or C were either embedded in the bilayer or solvent-exposed, respectively. Conformational changes of saposin C induced by phosphatidylserine interaction suggested the reorientation of functional helical domains. Differential interaction models are proposed for the membrane-bound saposins A and C. By site-directed mutagenesis of saposin A and C, their membrane topological structures were correlated with their activation effects on acid β-glucosidase. These findings show that proper orientation of the middle segment of saposin C to the outside of the membrane surface is critical for its specific and multivalent interaction with acid β-glucosidase. Such membrane interactions and orientations of the saposins determine the proximity of their activation and/or binding sites to lysosomal hydrolases or lipoid substrates.
Navigating life

The discoveries of “place cells” in the hippocampus and “grid cells” in the entorhinal cortex are landmark achievements in relating behavior to neural activity, permitting analysis of a powerful system for spatial representation in the brain. The contributions of this work include not only the empirical findings but also the approach this work pioneered of examining neural activity in complex behaviors with real ecological validity in freely moving animals, and of attempting to place the findings in the larger context of how the neural representations of space are used in service of real‐world behavior, namely what the Nobel committee described as permitting us to “navigate our way through a complex environment. ” These discoveries and approaches have had far‐ranging impact on and implications for work in human cognitive neuroscience, where we see (1) confirmation in humans that the hippocampus and overlying MTL cortex are critically engaged in supporting a relational representation of space, and that it can be used for flexible spatial navigation and (2) evidence that these regions are also critically involved in aspects of relational memory not limited to space, and in the flexible use of hippocampal memory extending beyond spatial navigation. Recent work, using tasks that emphasize the requirement for the active use of memory in online processing, just as spatial navigation has long placed such a requirement on rodents, suggests that the hippocampus and related MTL cortex can support the navigating of environments even more complex than what is needed in spatial navigation. It allows us to use memory in guiding upcoming actions and choices to act optimally in and on the world, permitting us to navigate life in all its beautiful complexity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Circulating BRAFV600E in the diagnosis and follow-up of differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma.

CONTEXT Cell-free nucleic acids circulating in plasma are considered a promising noninvasive tool for cancer monitoring. BRAF(V600E) mutation in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) could represent an appropriate marker for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). OBJECTIVE Our aim is to investigate the role of BRAF(V600E)-mutated allele in cfDNA as a marker for the diagnosis and follow-up of PTC. STUDY DESIGN BRAF(V600E) allele was detected and quantified by an allele-specific real-time quantitative PCR assay in plasma from 103 patients affected by nodular goiter. As control populations, we enrolled 49 healthy subjects and 16 patients with non-nodular thyroid diseases. RESULTS The percentage of circulating BRAF(V600E) was significantly different between patients and controls and throughout different cytological categories of ultrasound-assisted fine-needle aspiration. Patients with a histopathological diagnosis of PTC showed a higher percentage of circulating BRAF(V600E) (P = .035) compared to those with benign histology. In 19 patients, a second blood draw, taken 3-6 months after surgery, showed a lower percentage of BRAF(V600E) in cfDNA than the presurgical sample (P < .001). The diagnostic performance of circulating BRAF(V600E) was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis resulting in an area under the curve of 0.797. A cutoff value was chosen corresponding to maximum specificity (65%) and sensitivity (80%). On this basis, we evaluated the predictive value of BRAF(V600E) in Thy 3 patients with a resulting positive predictive value of 33% and a negative predictive value of 80%. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study provide encouraging data supporting the possibility to take advantage of circulating BRAF(V600E) in the management of PTC.