Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of explicit cueing and ambiguity on the anticipation and experience of a painful thermal stimulus

Many factors can influence the way in which we perceive painful events and noxious stimuli, but less is known about how pain perception is altered by explicit knowledge about the impending sensation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of explicit cueing on anxiety, arousal, and pain experience during the anticipation and delivery of noxious thermal heat stimulations. Fifty-two healthy volunteers were randomised to receive explicit instructions about visual cue-stimulus temperature pairings, or no explicit instructions about the cue-stimulus pairs. A pain anxiety task was used to investigate the effects of explicit cueing on anticipatory anxiety, pain experience and electrophysiological responses. Participants who received explicit instructions about the cue-stimulus pairs (i.e., the relationship between the colour of the cue and the temperature of the associated stimuli) reported significantly higher subjective anxiety prior to the delivery of the thermal heat stimuli (p = .025, partial eta squared = .10). There were no effects of explicit cueing on subsequent pain intensity, unpleasantness, or the electrophysiological response to stimulus delivery. The perceived intensity and unpleasantness of the stimuli decreased across the blocks of the paradigm. In both groups anticipating the ambiguous cue elicited the largest change in electrophysiological arousal, indicating that not knowing the impending stimulus temperature led to increased arousal, compared to being certain of receiving a high temperature thermal stimulus (both p < .001). Perceived stimulus intensity varied between ambiguous and non-ambiguous cues, depending on the temperature of the stimulus. Together these findings highlight the impact and importance of explicit cueing and uncertainty in experimental pain studies, and how these factors influence the way healthy individuals perceive and react to noxious and innocuous thermal stimuli.
Immunoreactivity of human fetal membranes to peptidoglycan polysaccharide (PGPS): cytokine response

OBJECTIVE Group-B Streptococcus has been associated with preterm labor and other pregnancy related complications. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of peptidoglycan polysaccharide (PGPS) derived from a beta hemolytic Streptococcal cell wall on amniochorion cytokine production and to compare PGPS effects with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is the Gram negative counterpart of PGPS. STUDY DESIGN Amniochorionic membranes collected from women not in labor, and undergoing elective repeat C-section were placed in an organ explant system. Membranes were stimulated separately with 50 ng/ml of small (100p), large (10s) fractions of PGPS or LPS respectively immediately after collection and after a stabilization period of 48 hrs. Media samples were collected at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 hrs for protein analysis after each stimulation. Media samples were analyzed by ELISA for IL-6 and IL-8. RESULTS Both forms of PGPS and LPS stimulated IL-6 and IL-8 production by human fetal membranes. Of note is that LPS stimulated IL-6 to a greater degree than IL-8, while PGPS stimulated IL-8 to a greater degree than IL-6. No statistical difference was seen in the levels of either one of these cytokines for the larger or smaller fragments of PGPS. Time course studies documented a 3-hour lag phase when tissues are stimulated directly after collection which was absent when tissues are stimulated after a 48-hour stabilization period. CONCLUSION Both PGPS and LPS stimulate cytokine production differently from fetal membranes. This supports the theory that different bacteria may affect the host in contrasting ways which may lead to a distinct host response, i.e. PROM vs. PTL.
Tiotropium Respimat inhaler and the risk of death in COPD.

BACKGROUND Tiotropium delivered at a dose of 5 μg with the Respimat inhaler showed efficacy similar to that of 18 μg of tiotropium delivered with the HandiHaler inhalation device in placebo-controlled trials involving patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although tiotropium HandiHaler was associated with reduced mortality, as compared with placebo, more deaths were reported with tiotropium Respimat than with placebo. METHODS In this randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial involving 17,135 patients with COPD, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of tiotropium Respimat at a once-daily dose of 2.5 μg or 5 μg, as compared with tiotropium HandiHaler at a once-daily dose of 18 μg. Primary end points were the risk of death (noninferiority study, Respimat at a dose of 5 μg or 2.5 μg vs. HandiHaler) and the risk of the first COPD exacerbation (superiority study, Respimat at a dose of 5 μg vs. HandiHaler). We also assessed cardiovascular safety, including safety in patients with stable cardiac disease. RESULTS During a mean follow-up of 2.3 years, Respimat was noninferior to HandiHaler with respect to the risk of death (Respimat at a dose of 5 μg vs. HandiHaler: hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84 to 1.09; Respimat at a dose of 2.5 μg vs. HandiHaler: hazard ratio, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.87 to 1.14) and not superior to HandiHaler with respect to the risk of the first exacerbation (Respimat at a dose of 5 μg vs. HandiHaler: hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.93 to 1.03). Causes of death and incidences of major cardiovascular adverse events were similar in the three groups. CONCLUSIONS Tiotropium Respimat at a dose of 5 μg or 2.5 μg had a safety profile and exacerbation efficacy similar to those of tiotropium HandiHaler at a dose of 18 μg in patients with COPD. (Funded by Boehringer Ingelheim; TIOSPIR ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01126437.).
Gender and Ethnic Differences in Health-Promoting Behaviors of Rural Adolescents

Although much is known about health-risk behaviors of adolescents, less is known about their health-promoting behaviors. The purpose of this analysis was to compare health-promoting behaviors in adolescents in Grades 9–12 by gender and ethnicity and explore how these behaviors changed over time. Data were collected from 878 rural adolescents (47.5% Hispanic; mean age at baseline 14.7 years). Males from all ethnic groups scored significantly higher than all females on physical activity; non-Hispanic Black males and females scored significantly higher than other ethnic groups on safety behaviors. Hispanic and non-Hispanic White females scored higher than males in these ethnic groups on stress management. Nutrition, physical activity, and safety behaviors decreased significantly for most participants from Grade 9 to 12 whereas stress management remained relatively stable. Findings are similar to those from nationally representative samples that analyzed cross-sectional data and have implications for school nursing interventions to improve health-promoting behaviors in rural adolescents.
How Themistocles Zammit found Malta Fever (brucellosis) to be transmitted by the milk of goats.

One hundred years ago on 14 June 1905, Themistocles Zammit, a Maltese doctor, found that five out of six goats reacted to the blood test for brucellosis, then known as Mediterranean or Malta Fever. Vassallo has recounted the search for the source of the disease,1 but Zammit's previous experiments and how he came to test those goats have not been described. The discovery that apparently healthy goats could be carriers of the disease has been termed 'one of the greatest advances ever made in the study of epidemiology'. 2 It not only led in a few years to the elimination of the disease among British servicemen, but also revolutionized ideas about animal vectors of disease. Yet Zammit is all but forgotten. The discovery has been described as having arisen from an 'intuitive flash' that the goat might be susceptible,3 and was dismissed as an accident by Sir David Bruce4—a judgment echoed in one of Bruce's obituaries: 'After months of hard and disappointing work, Dr Zammit, a Maltese colleague, happened to examine the blood of a goat'. 5 The discovery was neither flash of intuition nor accident. After a year's work, the Mediterranean Fever Commission (MFC) had made little progress. With Zammit's intervention the problem was solved.6 That so many goats were naturally infected was so dramatic a finding that previous work was forgotten—especially since Zammit made few notes.
Are You Afraid of transiting from Web to Mobile Payment? The Bias and Moderating Role of inertia

The web-mobile payment transition has recently become a trend of business extension in the online payment marketplace. However, channel conflicts always exist in a multichannel environment which harms users’ willingness to try out new entrants. Using the status quo bias theory and the coping theory as theoretical lenses, we develop a model to investigate the role of traditional web payment inertia on mobile payment (MP) adoption. Our model posits that consumers’ intention to use MP, a form of coping intention, is a combination consequence of primary and secondary appraisal. Web payment inertia in turn demonstrates its effects on MP adoption via the primary and secondary appraisal process. Specifically, we hypothesize that inertia leads to decreased perceived value and increased perceived risk (i.e. primary appraisal factors) of the newly introduced MP. In addition, we hypothesize that inertia moderates the relationship between perceived controllability (i.e. secondary appraisal factor) and intention to use MP, such that perceived controllability becomes more important in the presence of inertia. We intend to conduct a field survey to test the research model and hypotheses.
Response surface methodology study of the combined effects of temperature, pH, and aw on the growth rate of Trichoderma asperellum

Aims: To evaluate the influence of environmental parameters (water activity aw, temperature, and pH) on the radial growth rate of Trichoderma asperellum (strains PR10, PR11, PR12, and 659‐7), an antagonist of Phytophthora megakarya, the causal agent of cocoa black pod disease.
DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT ON RISK ATTITUDES OF THE INDIAN INVESTORS - AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

Investor behavior and investment activities are strongly influenced by the risk tolerance level of individual investors. International evidence suggests that lower risk tolerant investors are generally risk averse. However, their demographic characteristics and socioeconomic factors drive their risk attitudes. This study aims at investigating the critical role that age, gender, marital/social status, number of dependents, educational qualifications, employment and income status, savings pattern, future monetary planning, investments amount and returns from investments play in influencing risk tolerance and thereby finding whether the individual investors are risk averse or risk prone. To fulfill these objective 12 questions representing hypotheses were asked to 200 individual investors investing regularly in the Indian stock markets. A risk tolerance points scale is prepared to analyze the risk attitudes overall and each factor wise, and a Binary Logit Model is applied to validate these results. On an overall basis, this study finds that the responded investors have a lower risk tolerance level which makes them highly risk averse. In line with the hypotheses drawn, this study proves that aged investors are more risk averse than their younger, inexperienced counterparts; married investors with children and other dependents are more risk averse than their unmarried and with less dependents counterparts; higher education brings risk tolerance attitude and thereby makes investors risk prone; higher income and savings also decrease risk aversion whereas future planning approach increases risk aversion. It is also found under this study that higher investments amount and returns from such investments increase the risk tolerance level and thus reduces risk aversion of these investors. However, contradictorily with the undertaken hypotheses, this study finds that women investors are more risk prone than their male counterparts, and employment status of the respondents is immaterial in regard to their risk attitude. Binary Logit Model results also mostly validate the above results except that it finds no impact of number of dependents, educational qualifications, employment status, FMP and investments amount on the risk tolerance levels of the respondent Indian investors.
Determinants of the association of overweight with elevated serum alanine aminotransferase activity in the United States.

BACKGROUND & AIMS In the absence of other causes, overweight and obesity increase the risk of liver disease. We examined whether central adiposity and metabolic markers explain the association of body mass index (BMI as kg/m(2)) with abnormal serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in a national, population-based study. METHODS Adult participants (5724) in the third U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994) underwent anthropometric measures and phlebotomy after an overnight fast. Participants with excessive alcohol consumption, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, iron overload, or known diabetes were excluded. RESULTS Elevated ALT levels were found in 2.8% of the population. In univariate analysis, factors associated with elevated ALT levels (P < 0.05) included younger age, male sex, Mexican-American ethnicity, and higher BMI, waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR), and fasting serum leptin, triglyceride, insulin, and glucose concentrations. The proportion of elevated ALT activity due to overweight and obesity (BMI > or =25 kg/m(2)) was 65%. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, control for WHR, demographic factors, and glucose concentration diminished but did not eliminate the association of higher BMI with elevated ALT activity. After adding leptin and insulin concentrations, abnormal ALT activity was most strongly associated with higher WHR (odds ratio [OR], 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-1.56) and leptin (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01-1.24) and insulin (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.01-1.60) concentrations, whereas BMI was not independently related. CONCLUSIONS In this large, national, population-based study, central adiposity, hyperleptinemia, and hyperinsulinemia were the major determinants of the association of overweight with elevated serum ALT activity.
Thyroid Abnormalities Associated with Protracted Childhood Exposure to 131I from Atmospheric Emissions from the Mayak Weapons Facility in Russia

Abstract Mushkacheva, G. , Rabinovich, E. , Privalov, V. , Povolotskaya, S. , Shorokhova, V. , Sokolova, S. , Turdakova, V. , Ryzhova, E. , Hall, P., Schneider, A. B. , Preston, D. L. and Ron, E. Thyroid Abnormalities Associated with Protracted Childhood Exposure to 131I from Atmospheric Emissions from the Mayak Weapons Facility in Russia. Radiat. Res. 166, 715–722 (2006). Between 1948 and 1960, the Mayak nuclear weapons facility in Ozyorsk, Russia discharged relatively high levels of radionuclides, primarily 131I, into the atmosphere, resulting in appreciable exposure to the residents of Ozyorsk. To evaluate the association between thyroid diseases and childhood exposure to radioiodines, we screened 894 Ozyorsk residents born between 1952 and 1953. The study population was comprised of 581 exposed individuals living in Ozyorsk during the years of heaviest exposure and 313 nonexposed individuals who moved to Ozyorsk when radiation exposure from Mayak largely had ended. The screening protocol included a patient interview, palpation of the thyroid, cervical lymph nodes and salivary glands, an ultrasound examination, and measurement of fT4, TSH and TPOAb. Twenty-eight percent of the study group was diagnosed with a thyroid abnormality. The prevalence of nodular disease was significantly higher in the exposed group (20.7%) compared with the nonexposed (14.4%) group (relative risk = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1; 1.9). Risks were larger for solitary nodules and for nodules ≥10 mm in diameter. Expansion of the study to increase the number of persons screened as well as detailed dose estimation would offer an unique opportunity to evaluate thyroid disease in relation to chronic exposure to radioiodines during childhood.
acetaminophen pharmacokinetics in neonates after multiple doses

Methods. Neonates from an intensive care unit received 6-hourly prn i.v. acetaminophen dosed according to postmenstrual age (PMA): 28–32 weeks, 10 mg kg; 32–36 weeks, 12.5 mg kg; and 36 weeks, 15 mg kg. A maximum of five blood samples for assay and liver function tests (LFTs) were collected. A one-compartment linear disposition model (zero-order input; first-order elimination) was used to describe time–concentration profiles using population modelling (NONMEM).
Growth Inhibition of Human Endothelial Cells by Human Recombinant Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha and Interferon-Gamma

We investigated the effect of recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rTNF-α) on the proliferative response of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) to normal human serum (NHS), in the absence or the presence of interferon (IFN)-γ. rTNF-α significantly impaired NHS-stimulated HUVEC growth at a dose as low as 0.1 U/ml. The inhibitory effect of rTNF-α was dose-dependent up to 50-100 U/ml and was already evident after 2 h of incubation. Doses of rTNF-α in the range of 10 U/ml completely suppressed 3H-thymidine uptake stimulated by 7.5% NHS, and the effect was partially overcome by 10-20% NHS. rTNF-α was not cytotoxic at doses up to 1000 U/ml. rIFN-γ was also effective in suppressing NHS-stimulated3H-thymidine incorporation, and at low doses (0.1 U/ml) rIFN-γ and rTFN-α showed an additive effect. The effect of TFN-α and IFN-γ in antagonizing the proliferative response of vascular endothelium to the variety of growth factors contained in human serum could be relevant in a variety of pathologic conditions involving endothelium damage and proliferation.
Time, space, and disorder in the expanding proteome universe

Proteins are highly dynamic entities. Their myriad functions require specific structures, but proteins’ dynamic nature ranges all the way from the local mobility of their amino acid constituents to mobility within and well beyond single cells. A truly comprehensive view of the dynamic structural proteome includes: (i) alternative sequences, (ii) alternative conformations, (iii) alternative interactions with a range of biomolecules, (iv) cellular localizations, (v) alternative behaviors in different cell types. While these aspects have traditionally been explored one protein at a time, we highlight recently emerging global approaches that accelerate comprehensive insights into these facets of the dynamic nature of protein structure. Computational tools that integrate and expand on multiple orthogonal data types promise to enable the transition from a disjointed list of static snapshots to a structurally explicit understanding of the dynamics of cellular mechanisms.
Axial Differences in the Musculature of Uropeltid Snakes: The Freight-Train Approach to Burrowing

The shield-tailed snakes (family Uropeltidae) extend and widen the tunnels in which they live by alternately curving and straightening the anterior portion of their vertebral columns within the skin, a burrowing method that proves to be most effective for tunneling amid roots and rocks, as well as for producing tunnels wider than the trunk through unpredictably heterogeneous substrates. The muscles of the anterior portion of the uropeltid trunk are larger and thicker than those of the posterior and are further modified by the inclusion of large amounts of myoglobin, numerous mitochondria, and diverse other ultrastructural and enzymatic specializations, which presumably represent adaptations for sustained work loads. The very much thinner, serially homologous, but unmodified musculature of the posterior trunk occupies only a much smaller fraction of the cross-sectional area. This regional modification increases the effectiveness of the posterior body for storing viscera and developing embryos.
Agonist pharmacology at recombinant α1A‐ and α1L‐adrenoceptors and in lower urinary tract α1‐adrenoceptors

Two distinct α1‐adrenoceptor phenotypes (α1A and α1L) have recently been demonstrated to originate from a single α1A‐adrenoceptor gene. Here, we examined the agonist profiles of recombinant α1A and α1L phenotypes and of lower urinary tract (LUT) α1‐adrenoceptors.
Researcher Perceptions of Ethical Guidelines and Codes of Conduct

Ethical codes of conduct exist in almost every profession. Field-specific codes of conduct have been around for decades, each articulating specific ethical and professional guidelines. However, there has been little empirical research on researchers’ perceptions of these codes of conduct. In the present study, we interviewed faculty members in six research disciplines and identified five themes bearing on the circumstances under which they use ethical guidelines and the underlying reasons for not adhering to such guidelines. We then identify problems with the manner in which codes of conduct in academia are constructed and offer solutions for overcoming these problems.
Mast cells in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques are associated with intraplaque microvessel density and the occurrence of future cardiovascular events.

AIMS Human autopsy, animal, and cell culture studies together have merged in a concept suggesting participation of mast cells (MCs) in the generation of atherosclerotic plaques. More specifically, these studies have suggested MC-induced intraplaque neovascularization as one mechanism by which MCs may render the plaques vulnerable. The present study was designed to assess the association between MC numbers and neovascularization in human atherosclerotic plaques, and to relate the abundance of plaque MCs to the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events during the follow-up. METHODS AND RESULTS Atherosclerotic plaques of 270 patients suffering from carotid artery stenosis were stained for the presence of MCs (MC tryptase). Furthermore, during a follow-up of 3 years, cardiovascular-related endpoints were assessed in 253 patients. On average a high number of MCs were observed per plaque cross-section [median 108 (55-233) cells per section]. Plaques with high MC numbers revealed an unstable lipid-rich inflammatory phenotype and were associated with symptomatic patients. In addition, MC numbers were positively associated with microvessel density (r = 0.416, P < 0.001). Patients with high intraplaque MC numbers showed significantly more cardiovascular events during the follow-up (58/142 vs. 31/111 events, P = 0.029). In a multivariate analysis with correction for the main risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, MCs remained independently associated with adverse cardiovascular events (P = 0.025). CONCLUSION Mast cells are highly prevalent in human carotid atherosclerotic lesions and associated with plaque microvessel density. Furthermore, intraplaque MC numbers associate with future cardiovascular events.