Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Discarding the Initial Aliquot of Blood Does Not Reduce Contamination Rates in Intravenous-Catheter-Drawn Blood Cultures

ABSTRACT Although venipuncture is the preferred method for obtaining blood cultures, specimens often are obtained from intravenous catheters (IVC). For IVC-drawn blood cultures, some authorities recommend discarding the initial 5 to 10 ml of blood to reduce contamination and remove potential inhibitory substances. To determine whether this practice reduced contamination rates (CR), we assessed the results of IVC-drawn blood cultures for adults. Thirty milliliters of blood was obtained aseptically. The first 10 ml, rather than being discarded, was inoculated into an aerobic culture vial. Using a second sterile syringe, 20 ml of blood was obtained and inoculated in 10-ml aliquots to aerobic and anaerobic culture vials. Positive cultures were evaluated to assess clinical significance (true versus contaminant). Out of 653 IVC-drawn blood culture pairs, both vials were contaminated in 38 pairs (5.8%); only the “discard” vial was contaminated in 33 (5.1%); and only the “standard” vial was contaminated in 31 (4.7%). Overall CR were 10.9% for the discard vial versus 10.5% for the standard vial (P = 0.90). We conclude that discarding an initial aliquot of blood when obtaining blood cultures from IVCs does not reduce CR.
Disopyramide in the prevention of recurrence of atrial fibrillation after electroconversion

The effect of a new antidysrhythmic drug, disopyramide, was tested in a double‐blind clinical trial in 52 patients undergoing electroconversion of atrial fibrillation. During a 3 month follow‐up, the number of patients remaining in sinus rhythm after successful electroconversion was higher (p < 0.05) in the disopyramide group (72%) than in the placebo group (30%).
Social support as a determinant of health-related quality of life in breast cancer survivors in California.

118 Background: To evaluate the relationship between perceived social support and HRQOL (physical and emotional) in low SES (Socio economic status) breast cancer survivors. METHODS A cross-sectional study design was used to measure perceived social support at 18 months and HRQOL at 3 years after breast cancer diagnosis using MOS SS and MOS SF-36, respectively. Multiple regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship. RESULTS Menopause at the time of diagnosis, adjunct chemotherapy, adjunct radiation therapy, co-morbidities, treatment side effects and depression were negatively associated with PCS scores (p < 0.01). Treatment side effects, anxiety and depression were negatively associated with MCS scores (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Perceived social support was not associated with HRQOL in low SES breast cancer survivors in our study. Menopause, co-morbidities, treatment side effect, adjunct chemotherapy and radiation therapy adversely affect physical HRQOL. Feelings of anxiety, depression and treatment side effects have a negative impact on emotional HRQOL.
Selective changes in cardiac gene expression during compensated hypertrophy and the transition to cardiac decompensation in rats with chronic aortic banding.

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is associated with reinduction of the fetal program of gene expression. It is unclear whether this pattern of cardiac gene expression changes with the development of left ventricular decompensation and failure. To answer these questions, we quantified steady-state levels of mRNA by the polymerase chain reaction in the left ventricular myocardium of rats 8 and 20 weeks after ascending aortic banding. Clinical and hemodynamic assessment identified two distinct groups of animals 20 weeks after aortic banding. The first group (20-week nonfailed LVH) demonstrated substantial LVH but no depression in systolic developed pressure per gram left ventricular weight compared with the age-matched control group. In contrast, a second group of rats exhibited clinical signs of congestive failure as well as a marked diminution in left ventricular developed pressure per gram. Assessment of the levels of mRNA encoding a panel of cardiac proteins demonstrated a greater than twofold increase in beta-myosin heavy chain mRNA and an approximately sixfold increase in atrial natriuretic factor mRNA in left ventricular myocardium of all three groups (8-week LVH, 20-week nonfailed LVH, 20-week failed LVH) when compared with appropriate age-matched control groups. In contrast, Ca(2+)-ATPase mRNA levels were decreased by 50% only in the left ventricular myocardium of animals with both clinical signs and hemodynamic indexes consistent with cardiac decompensation (20-week failed LVH). These results suggest that in rats with ascending aortic banding the hypertrophic phenotype is associated with a selective reinduction of the fetal gene program, which persists even after the development of left ventricular failure. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Dividend Smoothing and Predictability Long Chen

The relative predictability of returns and dividends is a central issue since it forms the paradigm to interpret asset price variation. A little studied question is how dividend smoothing, as a choice of corporate policy, affects predictability. We show that, even if dividends are supposed to be predictable without smoothing, dividend smoothing can bury this predictability. Since aggregate dividends are dramatically more smoothed in the postwar period than before, the lack of dividend growth predictability in the postwar period does not necessarily mean that there is no cash flow news in stock price variations; rather, a more plausible interpretation is that dividends are smoothed. Using two alternative measures that are less subject to dividend smoothing – net payout and earnings – we reach the consistent conclusion that cash flow news plays a more important role than discount rate news in price variations in the postwar period. JEL Classification: G12, E44
Patterns of parasite prevalence and individual infection in yellow‐bellied marmots

Patterns of infection and prevalence result from complex interactions between hosts and parasites, the effects of which are likely to vary by species. We investigated the effects of age, sex and season on the likelihood of individual infection, and the effects of host population size, sex ratio and age structure on parasite prevalence. We capitalized on data from a long-term study of yellow-bellied marmots Marmota flaviventris potentially infected with fecal–orally transmitted intestinal parasites (Ascaris sp., Eimeria spp. and Entamoeba sp.), ectoparasitic fleas Thrassis stanfordi, and a flea- and louse-transmitted blood parasite Trypanosoma lewisi. Patterns of individual- and group-level infection varied widely by parasite. Yearlings were more likely to be infected with Tr. lewisi and Ascaris. Yearlings were also slightly more likely than adults to have Eimeria, but female yearlings had higher infection levels than female adults, while male yearlings had lower infection levels than male adults. Entamoeba infection decreased as the season progressed. Adults and males were more likely to be infected with Th. stanfordi. Ascaris prevalence increased with colony size. There were no significant relationships between colony size and prevalence of Entamoeba, Tr. lewisi, Eimeria or Thrassis. There was a small, but significant positive correlation between male-biased sex ratio and prevalence of fleas. The host population's age structure affected the prevalence of infection of Ascaris and Eimeria. Overall intestinal parasite diversity increased with colony size. Taken together, our results show a great deal of variation in the likelihood of individual infection and patterns of parasite prevalence in marmots.
Vascular endothelial growth factor and tryptase changes after chemoembolization in hepatocarcinoma patients.

AIM To evaluate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tryptase in hepatocellular cancer (HCC) before and after trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE). METHODS VEGF and tryptase serum concentrations were assessed from 71 unresectable HCC patients before and after hepatic TACE performed by binding DC-Beads(®) to doxorubicin. VEGF levels were examined for each serum sample using the Quantikine Human VEGF-enzyme-linked immuno-absorbent assay (ELISA), whereas tryptase serum concentrations were assessed for each serum sample by means of fluoro-enzyme immunoassay (FEIA) using the Uni-CAP100 tool. Differences between serum VEGF and tryptase values before and after TACE were evaluated using Student t test. Person's correlation was used to assess the degree of association between the two variables. RESULTS VEGF levels and serum tryptase in HCC patients before TACE had a mean value and standard deviation (SD) of 114.31 ± 79.58 pg/mL and 8.13 ± 3.61 μg/L, respectively. The mean levels and SD of VEGF levels and serum tryptase in HCC patients after TACE were 238.14 ± 109.41 pg/mL and 4.02 ± 3.03 μg/L. The changes between the mean values of concentration of VEGF and tryptase before treatment and after treatment was statistically significant (P < 0.000231 and P < 0.00124, by Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney respectively). A significant correlation between VEGF levels before and after TACE and between tryptase levels before and after TACE was demonstrated (r = 0.68, P = 0.003; r = 0.84, P = 0.000 respectively). CONCLUSION Our pilot results suggest that the higher serum VEGF levels and the lower tryptase levels following TACE may be potential biomarkers changing in response to therapy.
The Relationship Between Performance-based Visual Acuity Screening, Self-reported Visual Acuity, and Neuropsychological Performance

Despite frequent cautions in the literature concerning the importance of visual acuity in neuropsychological testing, there are few published empirical investigations of what constitutes “sufficient” visual acuity, nor are there published guidelines for performance-based visual screening techniques. The current study attempted to validate the utility of a visual acuity screening technique by examining individuals with varying visual ability on neuropsychological measures. Results revealed declines on neuropsychological measures associated with reduced visual acuity, as well as discrepancies between self-reported and measured visual acuity, with neuropsychological performance being more closely related to a performance-based measure of visual acuity than to self-reported visual acuity. Clinical implications are discussed.
Short-term intraocular tamponade with perfluorocarbon heavy liquid

Background Inferior retinal detachment pathology can be difficult to manage due to inadequate tamponade with low specific gravity tamponade agents and the propensity for the development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). We report the efficacy and adverse effects associated with the use of perfluorocarbon heavy liquid as a short-term tamponade in managing such pathologies. Methods Retrospective analysis of 17 eyes treated with short-term perfluoro-n-octane tamponade for complex inferior retinal pathology, including inferior detachment and PVR. Mean follow-up time was 14 months and mean tamponade duration was 7 days. Results Reattachment of the retina during the study period was achieved with a single set of operations in 13/17 (76%) eyes, with four eyes requiring a subsequent set of vitreoretinal operations. Postoperative visual acuity (VA) was equal to or better than preoperative VA in 14 (82%) of 17 eyes. Complications arising during the follow-up period included superior redetachment, atrophic macular changes, minor macular haemorrhage, cataract, elevated intraocular pressure, corneal defects, PVR, epiretinal membrane and retained perfluorocarbon heavy liquid. One case of intraocular inflammation occurred >6 months after removal of perfluoro-n-octane tamponade. Conclusion Short-term perfluoro-n-octane tamponade achieved a stable reattachment rate of 76% when used to manage challenging retinal pathologies.
Helical structure determined by NMR of the HIV‐1 (345–392)Gag sequence, surrounding p2: Implications for particle assembly and RNA packaging

Gag protein oligomerization, an essential step during virus assembly, results in budding of spherical virus particles. This process is critically dependent on the spacer p2, located between the capsid and the nucleocapsid proteins. P2 contributes also, in association with NCp7, to specific recognition of the HIV‐1 packaging signal resulting in viral genome encapsidation. There is no structural information about the 20 last amino acids of the C‐terminal part of capsid (CA[CTD]) and p2, in the molecular mechanism of Gag assembly. In this study the structure of a peptide encompassing the 14 residues of p2 with the upstream 21 residues and the downstream 13 residues was determined by 1H NMR in 30% trifluoroethanol (TFE). The main structural motif is a well‐defined amphipathic α‐helix including p2, the seven last residues of the CA(CTD), and the two first residues of NCp7. Peptides containing the p2 domain have a strong tendency to aggregate in solution, as shown by gel filtration analyses in pure H2O. To take into account the aggregation phenomena, models of dimer and trimer formed through hydrophobic or hydrophilic interfaces were constructed by molecular dynamic simulations. Gel shift experiments demonstrate that the presence of at least p2 and the 13 first residues of NCp7 is required for RNA binding. A computer‐generated model of the Gag polyprotein segment (282–434)Gag interacting with the packaging element SL3 is proposed, illustrating the importance of p2 and NCp7 in genomic encapsidation.
Cytochemical demonstration of acrosomal proteinase in mammalian and avian spermatozoa by a silver proteinate method.

A silver proteinate method developed by Takamatsu ci’ at. (1963) was employed for visual demonstration of the active sites of proteinase in the spermatozoa of nine mammalian species (golden hamster, mouse, deer mouse, rat, guinea pig, rabbit, dog, bull, and human) and one avian species (cock). Proteinase activity was demonstrated only in the acrosomal caps of all mammalian species studied. Strong proteinase activity was observed in the acrosomes of cock spermatozoa. In the golden hamster, activity was demonstrated in the acrosomes of not only mature spermatozoa, but also of immature spermatozoa as well as early spermatids. The optimum activity of the acrosomal proteinase in all of these species was generally in the acidic range. Studies using golden hamster and rabbit spermatozoa showed that proteinase activity was not inhibited by soybean and lima bean trypsin inhibitors, but it was drastically inhibited by tetrabutylammonium iodide, and completely inhibited by HgCl2, KCN, KMnO4, heparin sodium salt, phosphorylated hesperidin and a hydroquinone sulphonic acid-formaldehyde polymer. It was inferred that the hamster and rabbit sperm acrosomal proteinase demonstrable by this technique represents a proteinase conjugated with hyaluronidase. The function of such a proteinase was judged to be depolymerization of the matrix of the cumulus oophorus in close association with the action of hyaluronidase.
The 'making' of an entrepreneur: testing a model of entrepreneurial intent among engineering students at MIT

In the present, study a covariance structure model is tested to identify the causes of entrepreneurial intent among engineering students. Specifically, we explore whether steady personal dispositions or whether perceptions of contextual founding conditions have an impact on the intention to found one's own business. The survey of 512 students at the MIT School of Engineering broadly confirms the model. Personality traits have a strong impact on the attitude towards self-employment. The entrepreneurial attitude is strongly linked with the intention to start a new venture. The students' personality, therefore, shows an indirect effect on intentions. Furthermore, the entrepreneurial intent is directly affected by perceived barriers and support factors in the entrepreneurship-related context. The findings have important implications for policy makers inside and outside universities.
Pathways toward educational achievement among African American and Puerto Rican adolescent mothers: Reexamining the role of social support from families

Although a majority of adolescent mothers are graduating from high school, the processes that enhance the educational attainment of adolescent mothers are not well understood. With a sample of 93 African American and Puerto Rican adolescent mothers, we assessed the effects of material support from family (i.e., child care assistance from grandmother and residence with grandmother) and emotional support from family over and above pre- and postpregnancy risk factors (i.e., maternal age at first birth, delayed grade placement before pregnancy, ethnicity, depressive symptoms, stressful life events, and repeat pregnancy) during the first year postpartum on educational attainment at 6 years postpartum. Significant contributors to the explained variance in educational attainment included: delayed grade placement before pregnancy, maternal age at first birth, depressive symptoms, emotional support from family, and residence with grandmother. Unexpectedly, higher perceived emotional support from family and living with grandmother predicted lower educational attainment. Post hoc analysis of qualitative data suggested reasons for these latter findings and point to the need to reconceptualize and broaden the elements of social support that constitute protective factors for adolescent mothers.
Diagnostic Application of FISH to Hematological Malignancies

Since the mid-1970s, cytogenetic analysis of malignant hematopoietic disorders has been one of the most rapidly growing areas in hematology. Although conventional cytogenetics advanced our understanding of disease-specific abnormalities, molecular cytogenetics are now making it possible to identify genes involved at the breakpoints in specific chromosomal rearrangements. This knowledge is at the forefront of our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of hematological disorders. Thegoalof thisarticle is todelineatemolecularphenotypes that are key to the diagnosis and prognosis of leukemias and lymphomas. Knowledge of the molecular phenotype of a disease will lead to innovative and specifically tailored treatments. The first example of such gene-targeted therapy has already been successfully applied.
Structure and Freezing of MgSiO3 Liquid in Earth's Lower Mantle

First-principles molecular-dynamics simulations show that over the pressure regime of Earth's mantle the mean silicon-oxygen coordination number of magnesium metasilicate liquid changes nearly linearly from 4 to 6. The density contrast between liquid and crystal decreases by a factor of nearly 5 over the mantle pressure regime and is 4% at the core-mantle boundary. The ab initio melting curve, obtained by integration of the Clausius-Clapeyron equation, yields a melting temperature at the core-mantle boundary of 5400 ± 600 kelvins.
Modification of gamma radiation induced response of peritoneal macrophages and splenocytes by Hippophae rhamnoides (RH‐3) in mice

Alcoholic extract of Hippophae rhamnoides, RH‐3, reported to render >80% survival against lethal whole body Co‐60‐gamma irradiation (10 Gy) in mice, was investigated for its immunostimulatory effects. In comparison with un‐irradiated control, whole body irradiation did not reduce peritoneal macrophage counts at 24 h post‐irradiation. RH‐3 treatment (30 mg kg−1 body weight) alone or 30 min before whole‐body irradiation enhanced viable counts of macrophages significantly (P≤0.05) compared with both un‐irradiated control and irradiated groups. Whole‐body irradiation reduced the number of viable splenocytes significantly (P≤0.05) compared with un‐irradiated control at 24 h post‐irradiation. RH‐3 treatment alone or before whole‐body irradiation appreciably countered radiation‐induced decrease in splenocyte count. 3H‐thymidine uptake method revealed that whole‐body irradiation reduced splenocyte proliferation significantly (159 ± 45 counts min−1/106 cells; P±0.05) in comparison with control (607 ± 142 counts min−1) at 24 h after irradiation but RH‐3 treatment before irradiation reduced the steep decrease and maintained it as 444 ± 153 counts‐min−1. After whole‐body irradiation, the ratio of spleen weight/mouse weight decreased to 1.5 ± 04 compared with 2.9 ± 0.32 in un‐irradiated control at 24 h post‐irradiation. Similarly, total protein content in splenocytes also decreased to 48 ± 6 μg/106 cells in comparison with 368 ± 16 μg/106 cells of un‐irradiated control. RH‐3 treatment before irradiation countered radiation‐induced decrease in both spleen weight/mouse weight ratio (4.0 ± 0.35) and total protein content (360 ± 13 μg/106 splenocytes). In the supernatant of peritoneal macrophage cultures exposed to 2 Gy Co‐60‐gamma radiation ex‐vivo, the total nitrite content was enhanced significantly (P<0.05) to 5.72 ± 0.09 μm in comparison with un‐irradiated control (1.64 ± 0.09 μm). RH‐3 treatment (30 μg mL−1) before irradiation reduced total nitrite significantly (0.93 ± 0.3; P≤0.05) in comparison with irradiated control group. At 24 h after whole body irradiation, the CD4+/CD8+ ratio reduced to 1.5 in comparison with un‐irradiated control (1.9) but RH‐3 treatment before irradiation restored the ratio to 2.1. These findings explicitly reveal the immunostimulatory activity of RH‐3, which may play an important role in the manifestation of its radioprotective efficacy.
Non-apnea sleep disorder increases the risk of periodontal disease: a retrospective population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to determine whether patients with a non-apnea sleep disorder (NA-SD) and comorbidity have an increased risk of periodontal disease. METHODS Patients newly diagnosed with NA-SDs in 1997 to 2010 were identified as the study cohort from the Taiwan National Health Insurance database. For each patient with NA-SD, two matched controls without sleep disorders were randomly selected for comparison. RESULTS The overall incidence rate ratio of severe periodontal diseases was 39% higher in the NA-SD cohort than in the comparison cohort (7.93 versus 5.69 per 1,000 person-years), with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.36 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.30 to 1.43). The effect of NA-SD on the risk of severe periodontal diseases was higher in young and middle-aged patients compared with patients >65 years of age (<35 years of age, HR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.24; 35 to 49 years of age, HR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.61 to 1.86; 50 to 64 years of age, HR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.58 to 1.81; ≥65, HR: [reference] 1.0). CONCLUSION NA-SD might increase the risk of periodontal disease.