Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Childhood Traumatic Experiences and Dissociative Phenomena in Eating Disorders: Level and Association with the Severity of Binge Eating Symptoms

ABSTRACT The aim of the current study is to evaluate the presence of childhood trauma, psychoform, and somatoform dissociation in eating disorders (ED). Eighty-six ED outpatients participated in this study, 20 of them were diagnosed with restrictive anorexia (AN-R), 10 of them with anorexia nervosa binge-purging subtypes (AN-B), 25 with bulimia nervosa (BN), and 31 with binge eating disorder (BED). They were matched by sex and age with a control group consisting of 86 healthy subjects (HC). Traumatic experiences were assessed by means of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), psychological, and somatoform dissociation, respectively, by means of the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES-II) and Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ-20), and binge eating symptoms by means of Binge Eating Scale (BES). ED subjects showed higher levels of childhood trauma, and both psychoform and somatoform dissociation compared to HC subjects. ED patients showed higher levels of childhood trauma compared to the HC group. No significant differences were shown between ED subgroups with respect to all forms of childhood trauma. BN and AN-B subgroups showed higher levels of both psychological and somatoform dissociation. Dissociation and childhood trauma predicted the severity of binge eating symptoms. Our results confirm previous studies in the same field.
Intenção de amamentar e de introdução de alimentação complementar de puérperas de um Hospital-Escola do sul do Brasil

O objetivo deste artigo e analisar a intencao de puerperas de amamentar e as perspectivas de introducao de alimentos complementares no primeiro ano de vida da crianca. Estudo transversal descritivo, realizado no Hospital Escola da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (RS), de Setembro a Dezembro de 2010. Os dados foram obtidos atraves de um questionario padronizado, contemplando perguntas sobre fatores socioeconomicos, amamentacao e alimentacao complementar. Participaram 170 puerperas com idade media de 26,5 ± 5,8 anos. Dentre elas, 99% realizaram pre-natal, mas apenas 49% referiram ter recebido informacao sobre aleitamento materno e/ou alimentacao complementar nestas consultas. Todas as maes informaram pretender amamentar, sendo a media do aleitamento exclusivo pretendido de 5,5 ± 1,6 meses. As variaveis associadas a maior tempo de intencao de amamentacao foram maior escolaridade, nao trabalhar fora do lar, menor idade materna e ter recebido informacoes sobre amamentacao durante o pre-natal. Quanto a alimentacao complementar, caldo de feijao foi o alimento mais pretendido pelas maes para o primeiro ano de vida, com 99,41% de aceitacao, enquanto cha foi o de intencao mais precoce. O tempo de amamentacao exclusiva foi aquem do preconizado pela OMS e a alimentacao complementar mostrou-se equivocada.
The trauma factor: Examining the relationships among different types of trauma, dissociation, and psychopathology

ABSTRACT Extensive research has reported a dose-response relationship between exposure to trauma and the severity of both dissociation and psychopathology. However, certain types of trauma may co-occur more frequently than others and specific combinations of traumatic experiences may relate differently to dissociative processes and psychiatric symptoms. In the current study, 359 adult participants completed questionnaires on traumatic experiences, dissociation, and psychopathology. A correlation network analysis showed that some types of trauma are more likely to co-occur and that especially traumatic experiences in attachment relationships during childhood were significantly associated with other trauma in life. A latent class analysis identified four classes of participants (namely, extremely traumatized, resilient to the impact of abuse, exposed to impersonal and social trauma, and reporting low levels of traumatization) who showed different profiles on trauma exposure, dissociation, and psychopathology. Mediation analyses further showed that dissociation partially mediated the relationship between different types of traumatic experiences and the severity of psychiatric symptoms. The findings of this study support the view that a comprehensive assessment of traumatic experiences and dissociation is needed in trauma research and clinical practice.
CHRONIC ALLOGENEIC DISEASE

The incidence of lymphomas in 371 CAF1 mice injected with BALB/c spleen cells was compared with that in 324 control CAF1 mice. A high incidence of lymphomas was found in the treated mice, but not in the control animals. The development of the neoplasms was a function of the number of parental cells administered. Analyses of the injected mice for the presence of donor cells indicated that the majority of the injected parental cells lost antihost activity, probably within 24 hr of their administration. The tumors were of host origin, as judged by transplantation tests and antigenic analysis of tumor cells.
Perceptions about using mindfulness therapy: a lung cancer focus group study.

BACKGROUND Patients with lung cancer are in need of effective strategies to modify symptom burden and improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL). One promising approach to symptom management is an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention, which incorporates meditation, breathing, and gentle yoga exercises. It requires few resources to implement, but has not been adequately tested with lung cancer patients. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to obtain lung cancer patient perceptions of a mindfulness-based intervention. METHODS Eleven lung cancer patients participated in audio-taped focus group sessions led by the investigator. Discussion questions probed patient perceptions of mindfulness in terms of symptom management, including benefits and barriers to this therapy and ways the intervention may need to be adapted to accommodate them. RESULTS Three primary themes from the qualitative analysis include (1) awareness and interest, (2) perceived barriers and benefits, and (3) recommended adaptations. Specific perceptions included the importance of targeting key symptoms such as dyspnea, worry, and insomnia, whereas recommendations pointed out the need for a shorter duration than the standard 8-week protocol and a home-based approach for greater accessibility. CONCLUSIONS The design of mindfulness-based intervention protocols must consider unique characteristics of this vulnerable group, such as targeting specific symptoms, reducing the 8-week protocol, and a home-based offering. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Nurses are integral to optimizing HRQOL and independent functioning for lung cancer patients. As lung cancer survivorship is extended, it becomes increasingly imperative that a range of supportive resources is available for patients to manage symptoms and improve HRQOL.
Attitudes and Experiences of Nurses Toward Death and Caring for Dying Patients in Turkey

Background: Caring of the dying patients and facing the death can be a stressful and difficult experience for nurses. Besides personal and professional experiences, nurses’ own attitudes toward death may affect the care given to dying individuals. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine Turkish nurses’ attitudes toward and experiences with death and caring for dying patients. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at 2 university hospitals and 1 state hospital located in Ankara, Turkey. Data were collected via sociodemographics form, the Death Attitude Profile–Revised, and Frommelt’s Attitude Toward Caring for Dying Patients. Results: The attitudes of Turkish nurses toward death and caring for dying patients are less positive than the reported attitudes of nurses in other studies. Significant relationships were found among level of education, willingness to care for dying patients, and scores on Frommelt’s Attitude Toward Caring for Dying Patients and on Death Attitude Profile–Revised subscales (P < .05). Although the majority of nurses (85%) stated that they had received education on end of life, most of them (82%) were not comfortable talking about death. Conclusions: A lack of education and experience may contribute to the negative attitudes. Providing a reflective narrative environment in which nurses can express their personal feelings about death and dying could be a potentially effective approach. Implications for Practice: This study highlights the need for further educational research and development of better educational programs to help nurses to explore and understand their attitudes toward death, overcome fears, increase communication skills, and enhance coping strategies.
Individualized treatment strategy according to early viral kinetics in hepatitis C virus type 1–infected patients

Individualized treatment on the basis of early viral kinetics has been discussed to optimize antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Individually tailored reduction in treatment duration in HCV type 1–infected patients represents one possible strategy. Four hundred thirty‐three patients were randomly assigned to receive either 1.5 μg/kg peginterferon alfa‐2b weekly plus 800‐1,400 mg ribavirin daily for 48 weeks (n = 225, group A) or an individually tailored treatment duration (18‐48 weeks; n = 208, group B). In the latter group, treatment duration was calculated using the time required to induce HCV RNA negativity (branched DNA [bDNA] assay; sensitivity limit, 615 IU/mL) multiplied by the factor 6. All bDNA negative samples were retested with the more sensitive transcription‐mediated amplification (TMA) assay (sensitivity limit, 5.3 IU/mL). Sustained virologic response (SVR) rates were significantly lower in group B (34.6% versus 48.0% [P = 0.005]) due to higher relapse rates (32.7% versus 14.2% [P< 0.0005]). Important predictors of response were the levels of baseline viremia as well as the time to TMA negativity on treatment. Taking the simultaneous presence of low baseline viral load (<800,000 IU/mL) and a negative TMA test within the first 4 weeks as predictors for treatment response, SVR rates were comparable between both treatment schedules with an SVR probability of >80% obtained in patients treated for only 18 or 24 weeks. Conclusion: The individualized treatment strategy according to time to bDNA negativity failed to provide comparable efficacy compared with the standard of care. The inferiority of the individualized protocol may be explained by the use of a less sensitive HCV RNA assay, and also by underestimation of the importance of baseline viremia. (HEPATOLOGY 2009.)
METHOD COMPARISON FOR CA 15-3, CA 19-9, AND CA 125 DETERMINATION USING THE NEW LOCI TECHNIQUE OF DIMENSION VISTA 1500 AND IMMULITE 2000 XPI

We performed method comparison for the tumor markers CA 15-3, CA 19-9, and CA 125 measured by luminescent oxygen channeling immunoassay technology on the Dimension Vista 1500 and by classic luminescence technology on the Immulite 2000 XPI. Within-day and total imprecision were determined according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines using three serum pools at different clinically relevant levels. In addition, parallel measurements on both systems were performed in a total of 738 routine serum samples (133 CA 15-3, 395 CA 19-9, and 210 CA 125). Total imprecision of serum pools for CA 15-3 ranged between 4.6% and 5.9%, for CA 19-9 between 4.4% and 7.8%, and for CA 125 between 3.3% and 4.3%. Marker values determined within the measurement range of both systems correlated well with each other (R = 0.88 for CA 15-3, R = 0.93 for CA 19-9, and R = 0.96 for CA 125). Slopes between the Vista and the Immulite method were 0.96 for CA 125, 0.72 for CA 15-3, and 0.87 for CA 19-9, indicating lower values for CA 15-3 and CA 19-9 when measured by the Vista method. This was particularly obvious for CA 19-9 levels in the lower measuring range of <100 U/mL (R = 0.85; slope 0.73).
Seroepidemiology and High Negativity of IgG Antibodies Against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Type 6, 11, 16, and 18 Virus-like Particles in Women of Childbearing Age in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

This study reports the seroepidemiology and high negativity of IgG antibodies against the most common low- and high-risk HPVs among sexually active women of childbearing age in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A total of 182 consented women (age range 19–45 years) were consecutively recruited to participate in the study. Using a Performa specifically designed for this study, pertinent socio-demographic/behavioral data were collected. Five 5 mL blood samples were also collected (aseptically) from each woman. Plasma of each sample was assayed for HPV-6/11/16/18 virus-like particles using a HPV IgG ELISA kit (Dia.Pro). The study showed a high overall anti-HPV seronegativity of 95.1% among these women. High group-specific seronegativity was also observed which ranged from 90.0 −100.0%. None of the variables evaluated showed statistical association with the HPV seronegativity. This study further confirmed the presence of HPV and susceptibility of a large population of women in their childbearing age to infections with these four HPV genotypes in Nigeria. Our findings therefore advocate for routine and early screening and clinical evaluation of all women of childbearing age for HPV- infection and -related manifestations.
Evaluation of Immunity and Seropositivity of IgG Antibodies to Canine Parvoviruses in Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Dogs in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Canine Parvovirus (CPV) is a very contagious and virulent viral disease affecting domestic dogs all over the world causing high morbidity and mortality in dogs, especially puppies. This study aimed at determining the seropositivity of IgG antibodies against CPV in vaccinated and unvaccinated dogs and to evaluate the immune status of dogs presented in Abeokuta. Forty-eight dogs were enrolled in this study. These dogs were presented at random for treatment, routine checkup, and vaccination at the State Veterinary Hospital and Veterinary Teaching Hospital all in Abeokuta. All the dogs were fully maintained under domestic setting. Selection for study was done based on thorough examination of the dogs and their medical records. The clients were informed of the nature of the investigation. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for anti-CPV-IgG. In principle, protective immunity correlates with high antibody titers and this was determined using a commercially available immunocomb® test kit for anti-CPV IgG antibody. Of 48 dogs sampled, 38 (79.2%) had high level of anti-CPV antibody titer and 10 (20.8%) had low level of anti-CPV antibody titer. Twenty six (54.2%) were males while 22 (45.8%) were females. Forty-five (93.75%) dogs were exotic breeds while 3 (6.25%) dogs were mongrels. Thirty (62.5%) of the dogs were less than one year old and the age range of all dogs sampled was between 7 weeks and 7 years. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between sex and the level of immunity but significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed between ages of dogs, breeds, post-vaccination period, and the level of immunity. In conclusion, this study has further confirmed the presence of IgG antibodies against canine parvovirus among dogs in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Of all variables evaluated, ages of dogs, breeds and post-vaccination period were the main correlates of the level of immunity to CPV. This study also showed agreement with previous studies in the diagnostic value of using the immunoblot ELISA assay for the rapid detection of anti-CPV IgG antibody.
High level Multi-Resistant and Virulent Escherichia coli in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Multi-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains co-harboring virulence genes is a cause of high morbidity in Abeokuta, Nigeria. This study was designed to determine some virulent factors among enteropathogenic E. coli in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Approximately non-repetitive 102 isolates of E. coli were recovered from clinical samples from two health facilities in Abeokuta. Biotyping using API and antibiotic susceptibility was determined, and eae and flic genes were assayed by PCR. Antibiotic resistance relatedness was performed by DendroUPGMA. Results showed that 48.0% and 52.0 % were intestinal and extra-intestinal E. coli, ampicillin recorded 100% resistance, amoxycilli/clavulanic acid 64.7%, cotrimoxazole 57.8% and 56.8% resistance against cefotaxime, at MIC >16 ug/mL, 100%, 57.8%, and 50% have MIC50 to ampicillin, tetracycline, and ceftazidime, while 74.5% and 48.0% have MIC90 to ampicillin and ceftazidime. Significant rates of 4.9%, 7.8%, and 9.8% flic, eae, and flic/eae genes were found in intestinal isolates, while 2.9%, 2.0%, and 3.9% were found in extra-intestinal (P < 0.05). Two major clades of the resistant isolates reveal significant antibiotic relatedness among intestinal and extra-intestinal isolates, at 54% resistance similarities with very high multi-antibiotic resistance index of 1.0 (MARI). A high rate of undetected virulent E. coli pathotypes with high resistance could trigger unprecedented morbidity and mortality, mostly among children and the elderly.
Placement of an esophageal temperature probe by nurses.

BACKGROUND Current guidelines support therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest. An esophageal temperature probe (ETP) provides a core temperature assessment; however, accurate placement is necessary. OBJECTIVES To demonstrate accurate placement of an ETP and evaluate the effectiveness of high-fidelity simulation with anatomic imaging. METHODS Registered nurses (RNs) were educated using 3-dimensional, high-fidelity simulation with VH Dissector technology (Touch of Life Technologies, Aurora, Colorado) to demonstrate ETP placement. The RNs provided survey responses on the effectiveness of simulation before and after using the simulator. RESULTS : Thirty-two RNs participated and did not demonstrate difficulties with the skill; however, 53.1% required more than 1 attempt for accurate placement in the distal esophagus. Survey results found that participants had increased confidence and high satisfaction with simulation and 3-dimensional imaging (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Literature is lacking to guide ETP placement. In this study, RNs overestimated the depth for ETP insertion. Accurate temperature readings are highly dependent on accurate anatomical location placement. Providing skill competency training that incorporated anatomical imaging technology enhanced RNs' awareness for effective skill acquisition.
The right stuff? a prospective controlled trial of trainees' research

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Deletion of interleukin‐12p40 suppresses autoimmune cholangitis in dominant negative transforming growth factor β receptor type II mice

Our laboratory has reported that mice that express a dominant negative form of transforming growth factor β receptor restricted to T cells (dnTGFβRII) develop an inflammatory biliary ductular disease with elevated serum levels of interleukin (IL)‐12p40 and other proinflammatory cytokines and antimitochondrial autoantibodies (AMAs) closely resembling human primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). We have used this mouse model to address the potential mechanisms of immunomodulation of liver disease by creating two unique genetic strains: IL‐12p40 knockout (KO)‐dnTGFβRII mice and IFN‐γ KO‐dnTGFβRII mice. The two colonies of genetically modified mice—and, for purposes of controls, the dnTGFβRII mice—were monitored for liver immunopathology, AMAs, and intrahepatic cytokine production. Disease expression in the IFN‐γ KO‐dnTGFβRII mice, including liver immunopathology, were similar to those of dnTGFβRII mice, whereas the IL‐12p40 KO‐dnTGFβRII mice had a dramatic reduction in histological autoimmune cholangitis and significant decreases in levels of intrahepatic proinflammatory cytokines, but similar levels of AMAs compared with dnTGFβRII controls. Conclusion: These data indicate that in this mouse model of PBC, signaling by way of IL‐12p40 is an essential requirement for the development of autoimmune cholangitis. The results of these studies will play an important role in identifying pathways and reagents that will selectively inhibit IL‐12 signaling for the outlining of future therapeutic strategies for human PBC. (HEPATOLOGY 2009.)
HIV-1 Tat inhibits neprilysin and elevates amyloid β

Objective:Aging is a risk factor for amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation and dementia. Since highly active antiretroviral therapies have effectively lengthened the life expectancy of individuals infected with HIV-1, we investigated the affect of HIV-1 Tat, a viral transactivating transcription factor, on Aβ degradation in the brain by neprilysin (NEP), a neuronal endopeptidase. Design and methods:Using neural cell membrane fractions from human brain aggregates, Tat inhibition of NEP activity was assessed in a fluorescence assay. Following treatment with Tat, conditioned medium of human brain aggregate cultures was assayed for Aβ1–40 by ELISA. We evaluated the potential consequence of Tat inhibition of NEP by immunostaining cortex sections from postmortem human brain for Aβ. Results:In an in vitro assay, Tat inhibited NEP activity by 80%. The cysteine-rich domain of Tat was essential for NEP inhibition. Recombinant Tat added directly to brain cultures, resulted in a 125% increase in soluble Aβ. Postmortem human brain sections from patients with HIV-1 infection (n = 14; 31–58 years old) had a significant increase in Aβ, compared to controls (n = 5; 30–52 years old). Correlative analysis identified a statistically significant relationship between Aβ load and duration of HIV-1 seropositive status. Conclusion:We have shown that Tat, which is found in the brains of patients with HIV-1 infection, inhibits the Aβ-degrading enzyme, NEP. Aβ staining was significantly increased in human brain sections from individuals with HIV-1 infection compared to controls. These results have important implications for individuals living and aging with HIV-1 infection.