Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimating the effect of help-seeking on achieving recovery from alcohol dependence.

AIMS To investigate the effect of help-seeking on the likelihood of recovery from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version IV (DSM-IV) alcohol dependence, specifically examining the impact of model selection, factors that moderate the effect of help-seeking and distinctions between the effects of 12-Step participation and formal treatment. DESIGN This analysis is based on data from the Wave 1 2001-02 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a cross-sectional, retrospective survey of a nationally representative sample of US adults 18 years of age and over. The analytical sample consisted of 4422 individuals with prior-to-past-year (PPY) onset of DSM-IV alcohol dependence. METHODS Logistic regression, proportional hazards and time-dependent proportional hazards models were used to estimate the effects of help-seeking on three outcomes: (1) any recovery from alcohol dependence, which required full remission of all symptoms of alcohol abuse and dependence and excluded asymptomatic drinkers whose alcohol consumption exceeded low-risk drinking guidelines; (2) non-abstinent recovery (NR), representing low-risk asymptomatic drinkers; and (3) abstinent recovery (AR), representing abstainers. FINDINGS Only one-quarter of individuals with PPY-onset alcohol dependence had ever sought help for alcohol problems, including 3.1% who had participated in 12-Step programs only, 5.4% who had received formal treatment only and 17.0% with both 12-Step and formal treatment. Based on the most appropriate model, help-seeking increased the likelihood of any recovery [hazard rate ratio (HRR) = 2.38], NR (HRR = 1.50) and AR (HRR = 4.01). The impact of help-seeking on AR did not show any significant variation across the exposure period but was modified by severity among other factors. Individuals who participated in 12-Step programs in addition to formal treatment had almost twice the chance of recovery and more than more than twice the chance of AR compared with those who received formal treatment alone. CONCLUSIONS Help-seeking plays a significant role in the achievement of abstinent recovery from alcohol dependence, with 12-Step participation playing a major role. Appropriate model selection is critical to assessing the impact of help-seeking.
Machined and sandblasted human dental implants retrieved after 5 years: a histologic and histomorphometric analysis of three cases.

OBJECTIVE Human retrieved implants with an intact bone-implant interface play a pivotal role in validating data obtained from in vitro studies and animal experiments. This study presents a histologic and histomorphometric analysis of peri-implant tissue reactions and of the bone-titanium interface in three machined and sandblasted dental implants retrieved after a 5-year loading period. METHOD AND MATERIALS Three implants, with an intact bone-implant interface, were found in the Archives of the Implant Retrieval Center of the Dental School of the University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy. The three implants had been used in a two-stage submerged procedure and loaded as part of a small prosthetic restoration. One implant had been retrieved because of an abutment fracture, while there was a fracture of the connecting screw in the other two. One implant was in the maxilla (sandblasted surface), and two were in the mandible (one with a machined surface and the other with a sandblasted surface). All implants had been processed for histology. RESULTS All three implants presented mature, compact, lamellar bone at the interface. Many remodeling areas were present in the peri-implant bone, especially inside the implant threads. The bone was always in close contact with the implant surface. The bone-implant contact percentage of the machined implant was 92.7%, while the two sandblasted implants showed bone-implant contact percentages of 85.9% and 76.6%. CONCLUSION The present histologic results confirmed that these implants with different surfaces maintained a good level of osseointegration over a 5-year loading period, with continuous remodeling at the interface, and showed high bone-implant contact percentages.
Impact of internet experience on citizens’ adoption of e‐government in Sri Lanka

: Electronic Government implementation and adoption of its services are in early stage in many developing countries. The fruitful outcome of this effort not only depends on the government side but also the citizen’s side as well. This study amended and used Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model to identify the factors influencing citizens’ adoption of electronic government and moderating effect of citizens’ internet experience. University students from Sri Lanka were the participants of the study. The real data disclosed that factors such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy and social influence determine the participants’ behavioural intention to use electronic government services, and these factors are influenced by the participants’ internet experience.
Analysis of the Effect of E-Government Implementation on Quality of Information Towards Government to Government

The purpose of this study is to analyzed the effect of e-Government application on the quality of information of a local government called Kabupaten Agam. This study also analyzed factors that influence e-Government implementation such as user resistance, organizational culture, management support, human resource competence, and information technology. The population in this study were all employees of the local government in Kabupaten Agam amounted to 6874 people. The sampling technique was purposive sampling. The total sample of 119 respondents. Research instrument used was questionnaire. Data were analyzed with Structural Equation Model (SEM) and Second Order Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) with AMOS 22. The results showed that there is a positive and significant influence of human resource competence on the implementation of e-Government. However, there is no positive and significant influence on user resistance, organizational culture, management support, and information technology on eGovernement implementation. The results also show that there is a positive and significant influence of e-Government applications on information quality. Human resource competence is an important factor affecting the implementation of e-Government to produce good information quality at local government of Kabupaten Agam The better the implementation of e-Government through institutional and infrastructure will result in the quality of information that is relevant and tested. The results of this study will contribute to the improvement of information systems in the district government of kabupaten agam and science related to information systems. Keyword—user resistance, organizational culture, management support, human resource competence, and information technology, e-Government, information quality
In Vitro 24-Hour Time-Kill Studies of Vancomycin and Linezolid in Combination versus Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT Many clinicians are trying unique strategies, including vancomycin and linezolid in combination, for treatment of patients who do not respond to conventional therapy against methicillin (meticillin)-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In our study, which illustrated in vitro activity only, no synergistic activity was seen when the two agents were combined. Conversely, antagonistic activity occurred in three of five strains when linezolid was added to vancomycin. Our results indicate that vancomycin and linezolid in combination should be avoided.
Tumor-Infiltrating Cytotoxic T Cells but not Regulatory T Cells Predict Outcome in Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) are a possible prognostic factor in solid tumors. Cytotoxic TILs are generally considered as prognostically favorable, whereas regulatory T cells (Treg) may have adverse effects by virtue of their ability to inhibit effector cells. We have evaluated the effect of T-cell subsets on survival in patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma following radiochemotherapy. Methods: Biopsy specimens from 38 patients with anal carcinomas were evaluated using tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry for the presence of tumor-infiltrating immune cells using CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD68 antibodies. Treg were identified using an antibody directed against the transcription factor FoxP3, and granzyme B served as a marker for cytotoxic cells. Intratumoral immune cells were enumerated using a semiautomatic image analysis program. Prognostic effect of TIL subsets was evaluated by the log-rank test comparing no evidence of disease survival for groups with high and low numbers using median values as cutoff. Results: CD3+ and CD4+ TILs influenced no evidence of disease survival: 3-year rates for patients with low numbers were 89% and 95%, respectively, and 54% (P = 0.02) and 48%, (P = 0.01), respectively, in cases with high numbers. Large numbers of tumor-infiltrating granzyme B+ cytotoxic cells had a significant negative prognostic effect (P = 0.008), whereas no effect was observed for Treg. Conclusions: TILs were identified as negative prognostic indicators in anal squamous cell carcinomas with granzyme B+ cytotoxic cells showing highest effect on outcome. This is possibly explained by the selection of therapy-resistant tumor cell clones. No prognostic influence of Treg was found. Knowledge of local immune responses is important for the development of immunotherapeutic strategies.
Effects of Training and Taper on Blood Leucocyte Populations in Competitive Swimmers: Relationships with Cortisol and Performance

The effects of 12 weeks of training and 4 weeks of taper on blood leucocyte populations and cortisol were investigated in 8 well-trained competition swimmers. Blood samples were taken at rest in the mid-season (week 10), before taper (week 22) and after taper (week 26). Swimmers improving by more than 2% with taper (N = 4), efficient (GE), were compared with swimmers improving by less than 2% (N = 4), less efficient (GLE). No significant changes were observed in leucocyte subpopulations or cortisol during training. The percentage of neutrophils decreased during taper (p < 0.05). Basophils and the percentage of granulocytes tended to decrease, while lymphocytes tended to increase. The increment in lymphocytes was positively related with the reduction in training volume during taper (r = 0.86, p < 0.05). Cortisol levels did not change with taper and were not related with leucocyte status and kinetics. GE swimmers had higher pre- and post-taper eosinophil counts than GLE swimmers (p < 0.05). Lymphocyte counts in GE tended to be higher, too. Cortisol decreased with taper in GE, while it increased in GLE. In conclusion, taper appeared to have an influence on leucocyte populations, which did not seem to be related with blood cortisol.
Fermentation of pectin and glucose, and activity of pectin‐degrading enzymes in the rabbit caecal bacterium Bifidobacterium pseudolongum

Aims: In a rabbit caecal bacterium Bifidobacterium pseudolongum, metabolites of pectin and glucose, and activities of enzymes involved in the degradation of pectin were assayed. Simultaneously, activities of these enzymes were assayed in a rumen pectinolytic strain of Streptococcus bovis.
Psychosocial problems among younger women with breast cancer

Women diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age often have concerns less frequently faced by older women. A cross‐sectional survey of 204 women diagnosed with breast cancer at age 50 or younger within the past 3.5 years was conducted to examine issues particularly faced by younger women. The questionnaire included standardized measures of problems related to breast cancer (CARES) and open‐ended questions asking women about their experiences. Concerns about premature menopause and pregnancy related issues, among those women for whom these issues were applicable, had the highest ratings as problems experienced by women since their diagnosis. Among all women, sexual functioning was a greater problem than lack of sexual interest, and body image was of moderate concern. Overall, relationships with partners were not a problem. In multivariate analyses, having a mastectomy was associated with greater problems with body image and interest in sex. Chemotherapy was associated with greater sexual dysfunction. Responses to open‐ended questions were particularly informative and reflected the diversity of responses women have to breast cancer. Findings reinforce the need to develop interventions to help women deal with premature menopause and problems with sexual functioning following chemotherapy. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tonsillectomy With Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC): Evaluation of Pain and Hemorrhage

Objective Argon plasma coagulation (APC) offers a new possibility for tonsillectomy (TE) because of its effective hemostasis and limited penetration depth of the coagulation zone. The APC dissector allows dissection and hemostasis in a one‐step procedure. The aim of this prospective, randomized, single‐blinded study was the evaluation of pain and hemorrhage of the “hot” argon‐plasma‐coagulation tonsillectomy (TEAPC) compared with a conventional “cold” non‐electrosurgery tonsillectomy (TEConv).
Lucifer Yellow Slows Voltage‐Gated Na+ Current Inactivation in a Light‐Dependent Manner in Mice

Lucifer Yellow CH (LY), a membrane‐impermeant fluorescent dye, has been used in electrophysiological studies to visualize cell morphology, with little concern about its pharmacological effects. We investigated its effects on TTX‐sensitive voltage‐gated Na+ channels in mouse taste bud cells and hippocampal neurons under voltage‐clamp conditions. LY applied inside cells irreversibly slowed the inactivation of Na+ currents upon exposure to light of usual intensities. The inactivation time constant of Na+ currents elicited by a depolarization to −15 mV was increased by fourfold after a 5 min exposure to halogen light of 3200 lx at source (3200 lx light), and sevenfold after a 1‐min exposure to 12 000 lx light. A fraction of the Na+ current became non‐inactivating following the exposure. The non‐inactivating current was ≈ 20 % of the peak total Na+ current after a 5 min exposure to 3200 lx light, and ≈ 30 % after a 1 min exposure to 12 000 lx light. Light‐exposed LY shifted slightly the current‐voltage relationship of the peak Na+ current and of the steady‐state inactivation curve, in the depolarizing direction. A similar light‐dependent decrease in kinetics occurred in whole‐cell Na+ currents of cultured mouse hippocampal neurones. Single‐channel recordings showed that exposure to 6500 lx light for 3 min increased the mean open time of Na+ channels from 1.4 ms to 2.4 ms without changing the elementary conductance. The pre‐incubation of taste bud cells with 1 mM dithiothreitol, a scavenger of radical species, blocked these LY effects. These results suggest that light‐exposed LY yields radical species that modify Na+ channels.
Assessing the Relationship Between the Use of Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs and Necrotizing Fasciitis Caused by Group A Streptococcus

Group A streptococcal (GAS) necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressive soft tissue infection. Elderly and chronically ill individuals are at greatest risk, particularly when skin breakdown is present. Reports suggest that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increase the risk of developing GAS necrotizing fasciitis, impede its timely recognition and management, and accelerate the course of infection. We present a literature review conducted to examine these hypotheses and present a case of GAS necrotizing fasciitis associated with rofecoxib use.Initial symptoms of fasciitis may be nondescript, mimicking more benign conditions such as cellulitis, arthritis, or musculoskeletal pain. Case reports and retrospective studies suggest that the application of NSAIDs to relieve these nonspecific symptoms can delay diagnosis and treatment of GAS necrotizing fasciitis. However, prospective studies do not support a risk of developing GAS necrotizing fasciitis as a result of NSAID therapy, or a worsening of established streptococcal infection. To avoid the application of NSAIDs in lieu of aggressive medical and surgical management of streptococcal fasciitis, clinicians must understand the early symptoms of GAS necrotizing fasciitis that precede visible soft tissue necrosis. A rational approach to patients presenting with localized soft tissue pain will enhance detection and therapy of this rapidly progressive, life-threatening disease.
Rhamnolipids Are Virulence Factors That Promote Early Infiltration of Primary Human Airway Epithelia by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

ABSTRACT The opportunistic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes chronic respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis and immunocompromised individuals. Bacterial adherence to the basolateral domain of the host cells and internalization are thought to participate in P. aeruginosa pathogenicity. However, the mechanism by which the pathogen initially modulates the paracellular permeability of polarized respiratory epithelia remains to be understood. To investigate this mechanism, we have searched for virulence factors secreted by P. aeruginosa that affect the structure of human airway epithelium in the early stages of infection. We have found that only bacterial strains secreting rhamnolipids were efficient in modulating the barrier function of an in vitro-reconstituted human respiratory epithelium, irrespective of their release of elastase and lipopolysaccharide. In contrast to previous reports, we document that P. aeruginosa was not internalized by epithelial cells. We further report that purified rhamnolipids, applied on the surfaces of the epithelia, were sufficient to functionally disrupt the epithelia and to promote the paracellular invasion of rhamnolipid-deficient P. aeruginosa. The mechanism involves the incorporation of rhamnolipids within the host cell membrane, leading to tight-junction alterations. The study provides direct evidence for a hitherto unknown mechanism whereby the junction-dependent barrier of the respiratory epithelium is selectively altered by rhamnolipids.
An Outbreak of Kingella kingae Infections Associated with Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease/Herpangina Virus Outbreak in Marseille, France, 2013

Background: Outbreaks of invasive Kingella kingae infections recently emerged as a new public health concern in daycare centers in Europe, USA and Israel. Despite this, no trigger factor has been yet identified, preventing the setting up of rational measures of control and prevention. We report an outbreak of K. kingae infections associated with hand, foot and mouth disease/herpangina outbreak, and we define the research and policy priorities. Methods: From April 22 to May 07, 2013, 5 toddlers presented successive osteo-articular infections in a daycare center in Marseille, France. Real-time polymerase chain reaction targeting the cpn60 gene of K. kingae was used to investigate suspected cases and the prevalence of oropharyngeal K. kingae carriage of their close contacts. Results: The attack rate of the K. kingae infections outbreak was 23.7% (5/21) with no fatality. Positive real-time polymerase chain reaction targeting the cpn60 gene of K. kingae confirmed the diagnosis in 3 cases and revealed a rate of K. kingae oropharynx carriage in the index classroom of 94.4% (17/18) among daycare attendees not given antibiotic during the previous month, and of 76.9% (10/13) among staff in close contact. The eradication rate of K. kingae was 21.4% (3/14) among classmates after oral administration of rifampicin, and eradication occurred spontaneously in 83.3% (5/6) of the staff. Clinical and epidemiological features of the herpangina outbreak were consistent with that of an emerging European Coxsackievirus-A6 outbreak. Conclusions: Hand, foot and mouth disease/herpangina virus outbreak enables triggering a K. kingae infections outbreak. Our findings offer support for new guidelines of K. kingae infections outbreaks management and emphasize the need for further research.
Recirculatory Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Rocuronium in Patients: The Influence of Cardiac Output

BackgroundRecirculatory models are capable of accurately describing first-pass pharmacokinetics and the influence of cardiac output (CO), which is important for drugs with a fast onset of effect. The influence of CO on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of rocuronium in patients was evaluated using a recirculatory pharmacokinetic model. MethodsFifteen patients were included to study rocuronium pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Bolus doses of rocuronium (0.35 mg/kg) and indocyanine green (25 mg) were injected simultaneously via a peripheral intravenous catheter. Blood samples were taken for 240 min from the radial artery. The force of contraction of the adductor pollicis after a train-of-four at 2 Hz every 12 s was measured. Arterial concentration–time curves of rocuronium and indocyanine green were analyzed using a recirculatory model. Pharmacodynamics were described using a sigmoid maximum effect (Emax) model. ResultsThe CO of the patients varied from 2.43 to 5.59 l/min. Total distribution volume of rocuronium was 17.3 ± 4.8 l (mean ± SD). The CO showed a correlation with the fast tissue clearance (ClT_f; r2 = 0.51), with the slow tissue clearance (ClT_s; r2 = 0.31) and with the mean transit times of rocuronium except for the mean transit time of the slow tissue compartment. The blood–effect site equilibration constant (ke0) was strongly correlated with CO (r2 = 0.70). ConclusionsCardiac output influences the pharmacokinetics, including ke0, for rocuronium in patients. For drugs with a fast onset of effect, a recirculatory model, which includes CO, can give a good description of the relation between concentration and effect, in contrast to a conventional compartmental pharmacokinetic model.
Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and risk of lung cancer in non‐smoking women from Moscow, Russia

The association between exposure to ETS and the risk of lung cancer in life‐time non‐smoking women was investigated by means of a hospital based case‐control study in Moscow, Russia. The main importance of our study is that it was conducted on a population with a specific smoking pattern from which no information is available on health effects of ETS. A total of 189 incident cases of histologically confirmed lung cancer were identified in 2 principal cancer treatment hospitals in Moscow. A total of 358 female oncology patients from the same hospitals were selected as controls. The controls matched by the hospitals to the cases were similarly restricted to never‐smokers. Women diagnosed with cancer of the upper respiratory organs were ineligible for selection as controls. Personal interviews of cases and controls were conducted in the hospital wards, using a closed‐form structured questionnaire. An elevated risk of lung cancer was observed in women whose husbands smoked. The odds ratio (OR) adjusted by age and education for husband's smoking was 1.53 (95% CI, 1.06–2.21). Smoking by other members of the family, by colleague's, or by fathers in the women's childhood do not affect the risk of lung cancer. The risk is higher for women whose husbands smoke “papirosy” (OR 2.12; 95% CI, 1.32–3.40), a special Russian type of cigarettes with a long mouthpiece, and usually very high levels of tar (>30 mg/cig) and nicotine (>1.8 mg/cig). Our study suggests that the association between exposure to ETS of the spouse and risk of lung cancer in non‐smoking women is somewhat stronger for squamous‐cell carcinoma (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 0.99–3.81) than for adenocarcinoma (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 0.96–2.39). Int. J. Cancer 75:335–338, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.