Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A phenomenological hermeneutic study into unseen chronic pain.

Acute pain is often accompanied by physiological changes, such as increased heart rate, unlike chronic pain, which in sharp contrast is often unaccompanied by any physiological changes other than the patients' self report of pain. Coupled with the lack of physiological changes, chronic pain will outlive the usual healing period if an injury has been sustained thereby leading to the unseen nature of the chronic pain phenomenon. This study (n? =? 8) adopted a multi-method approach - a low-structured interview coupled with patients' diaries - and was analysed hermeneutically. 'Unseen pain' was identified as a category with subsequent themes of 'isolation', 'needing to prove the existence of chronic pain', 'in their head' and 'depression'. The unseen nature of the chronic pain phenomenon caused further distress to patients as they could feel disbelieved by society as well as by healthcare professionals. This has a profound effect on patients who then channel valuable psychological resources into appearing credible to society and healthcare professionals in particular. The lack of clear explanations and a definitive diagnosis or acceptable label also adds to the invisible nature of the chronic pain phenomenon and as healthcare professionals we need to confirm the validity of the expressed pain narrative through means that do not enforce illness behaviour, but empower the patient to accept their chronic pain and live with it rather than be ruled by it.
Comportamiento agronómico de diez cultivares de mandioca (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) en Colonia Benítez, Chaco

El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar el comportamiento de 10 cultivares de mandioca colectadas de chacras de productores de la zona este de Chaco. La plantación se realizó en la localidad de Colonia Benítez, Chaco Argentina, durante el mes de noviembre 2014, a partir de ramas seleccionadas de una plantación realizada el año anterior. Los cultivares fueron identificados con el nombre que fueron recolectados y una letra de referencia al del lugar de colecta, definiendo 10 materiales: Campeona L, Blanca astada, Verde L, Pombero J, Campeona B, Verde J, Misionera L, Pombero negra, Yeruti y Blanca J. El diseño experimental fue en bloques completos al azar con 10 tratamientos (los cultivares de mandioca) y 4 repeticiones. El marco de plantación fue de 1x1 metro y las unidades experimentales de 20 m2 (4 hileras con 6 plantas por hilera). La cosecha fue realizada a los 10 meses, determinando las siguientes variables: peso fresco bruto (PFB) y comercial (PFC), número de raíces totales (NRT) y comerciales (NRC) y porcentaje (%) de almidón. Los análisis mostraron los siguientes resultados: se encontró mayor rendimiento promedio bruto y comercial para los cultivares Pombero, Misionera, Pombero negra y Campeona B. En relación al número de raíces totales, los valores máximos y mínimos fueron 14 y 10 para el cultivar Pombero y Verde J, respectivamente. El porcentaje de almidón para todos los materiales superaron el 30%, el máximo fue de 35,14% para Verde L y los menores tenores se registraron en Blanca astada y Misionera L (<32%).
"Learning by Teaching": A Peer-Teaching Model for Diversity Training in Medical School

Background: The sociocultural medicine teaching experience examines the viability and efficacy of a peer teaching model in enhancing diversity-focused attitudes, knowledge, and skills in medicine among advanced level medical students. Description: This experience recruited 4th year students to facilitate diversity-focused case-based discussions for 2nd year students. Peer teachers participated in a training session that addressed personal exploration of sociocultural background, health care disparities, biosociocultural aspects of the patient case, and facilitation skills. Evaluation assessed learning outcomes, teaching experience; and attitudes, knowledge, and skills related to sociocultural medicine. Evaluation: Paired t tests revealed a greater understanding of the relation among sociocultural background, health, and medicine (p <. 05), and greater proficiency with teaching sociocultural medicine topics to peers (p <. 01). Overall, peer teachers agreed the experience increased their exposure to sociocultural factors in patient care, enhanced their case conceptualization skills, and encouraged them to consider personal belief systems. Conclusion: Findings suggest peer teaching can be an effective model to refine knowledge, attitudes, and skills related to diversity issues in health care. The model may be a viable approach for diversity training in graduate and continuing medical education.
Wall Apposition Is a Key Factor for Aneurysm Occlusion after Flow Diversion: A Histologic Evaluation in 41 Rabbits

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Robust wall apposition for flow-diverter stents may be important for endothelialization. Using a large series of experimental aneurysms treated with the Pipeline Embolization Device, the objectives of this study were to 1) assess interobserver agreement for the evaluation of wall apposition on posttreatment DSA and evaluate its association with aneurysm occlusion, and 2) measure the relationship between wall apposition assessed with histology and aneurysm occlusion rate after treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Saccular aneurysms were created in 41 rabbits and treated with the Pipeline Embolization Device. DSA was performed just after the deployment of the device and at follow-up. Three investigators independently graded wall apposition on posttreatment DSA as good or poor. A histopathologist blinded to the angiographic results graded the wall apposition on histologic samples. We examined the correlation between angiographic occlusion and wall apposition with histology and angiography. RESULTS: Wall apposition evaluated on histology was strongly associated with saccular aneurysm occlusion. Sensitivity and specificity of wall apposition to predict complete occlusion at follow-up were 76.9% and 84.0%, respectively, with an overall accuracy of 81.6%. In this experimental study, DSA was suboptimal to assess flow-diverter apposition, with moderate interobserver agreement and low accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Good wall apposition is strongly associated with complete occlusion after flow-diverter therapy. In this study, DSA was suboptimal for assessing wall apposition of flow-diverter stents. These findings suggest that improved tools for assessing flow diverter–stent wall apposition are highly relevant.
Faithful expression of the Myf-5 gene during mouse myogenesis requires distant control regions: a transgene approach using yeast artificial chromosomes.

Myf-5, a member of the family of four muscle-specific basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors is the first to be expressed in somites, branchial arches, and limb buds during prenatal mouse development. However, little is known about control mechanisms which actually regulate Myf-5 gene activity within these various muscle-forming domains. To identify control regions that contribute to the correct spatiotemporal activity pattern of the Myf-5 gene during mouse embryogenesis, here we report the characterization of yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) which faithfully direct muscle-specific expression of the gene in chimeric mouse embryos. Forty-five kilobases of sequence 5' to the Myf-5 gene together with 500 kb of 3' flanking DNA drives the correct Myf-5 expression in the mesenchyme of the visceral arches and in somites but not in the hypaxial muscles of limb buds. An additional 50 kb of DNA at the 5' end is required to activate Myf-5 gene expression in developing limbs. These results demonstrate for the first time that unexpectedly distant regions of the Myf-5 gene are necessary to recapitulate its precise developmental expression pattern. We also show that Myf-5 expression in hypaxial muscles and in somites and visceral arches is regulated by separate and distinct far upstream regions. The identification of these remote regulatory elements on YACs carrying the mouse Myf-5 gene constitutes the first important step toward further dissection of the complex mechanisms by which cell-autonomous and external cues control Myf-5 expression during skeletal muscle formation in the mouse embryo.
Genetic diversity of Australian isolates of Leptosphaeria maculans, the fungus that causes blackleg of canola (Brassica napus)

Isolates of Leptosphaeria maculans, the fungus that causes blackleg of canola, were randomly sampled from seven sites in both eastern Australia and Western Australia. Amplified fragment length polymorphism and restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses showed a low degree of genetic differentiation between isolates of L. maculans from these sites. There were small, weakly significant differences in genetic diversity of isolates when grouped according to the cultivar, age of the plants and the region from which the isolates were sampled. However, distinct populations were not observed. There was an even distribution of mating types, as shown by a PCR assay using idiomorph-specific primers.
Modulation of phenotypic and functional maturation of dendritic cells by intestinal bacteria and gliadin: relevance for celiac disease

DC maturation and functions are influenced by microbial and environmental stimuli, which could contribute to immune dysfunction. Here, we have investigated the role of enterobacteria (Escherichia coli CBL2 and Shigella CBD8) isolated from CD patients, bifidobacteria (Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 and Bifidobacterium bifidum CECT 7365), and gliadins on phenotypic and functional features of MDDCs and in coculture with Caco‐2 cells. The ultimate goal of our study is to understand the roles played by specific components of the gut microbiota in CD. Enterobacteria induced marked alterations in MDDC morphology, inducing podosome dissolution and dendrites, and activated MDDC adhesion and spreading. Enterobacteria also induced inflammatory cytokine production (IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, and IL‐12), partially resembling the gliadin‐induced Th1‐type cytokine profile. B. longum CECT 7347 and B. bifidum CECT 7365 induced minor MDDC morphological changes and activated adhesion and spreading and inflammatory cytokine production to a lesser extent compared with enterobacteria. B. longum CECT 7347 also induced lower CD86 and CD40 expression on MDDCs than the two enterobacteria. The aforementioned bifidobacterial strain also reduced gliadin‐induced IFN‐γ production and increased IL‐10 secretion when both stimuli were combined. Similar trends were detected for MDDCs cocultured with Caco‐2 cells. B. longum CECT 7347 reversed the gliadin‐reduced ZO‐1 expression in Caco‐2 cells. Thus, our results suggest that specific components of the gut microbiota may influence phenotypic and functional maturation of DCs differently and their interactions with epithelial cells. This could ultimately define the role of DCs in CD progression.
Histopathological Effects of Aloe barbadensis and Soybean Oil on Rat Liver

Aloe Barbadensis, una especie de Aloe vera, es una planta popular usada por el comun de las personas y tambien en la medicina alternativa. El estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar los efectos del Aloe Barbadensis y aceite de soya en el higado. Para el estudio se emplearon ratas Wistar hembras Albino y se dividieron en 3 grupos: grupo control I sin tratamiento; grupo II A. barbadensis disuelta en aceite de soja (25 mg / dia), y grupo III tratado solo con aceite de soja (500 mg / dia). Fueron extraidas biopsias del lobulo derecho del higado de las ratas y luego se analizaron con microscopio de luz. En el grupo I el higado de las ratas era normal. En los grupos II y III, se observo aumento del tamano nuclear, leve aumento de la cromatina y degeneracion hidropica y binucleacion en algunos hepatocitos. La histologia hepatica mostro la congestion en las venas porta, sinusoides y las centrales. En el grupo III, la congestion venosa portal y en el Grupo II la congestion sinusoidal fue evidente. Ademas, el Grupo III revelo infiltracion de plasmocitos en areas portales. El uso de soja con Aloe Barbadensis es sinergista y aumenta cada uno de otros efectos. Infiltraciones mononucleares en el grupo III determinan la reaccion inflamatoria. Sin embargo, no observamos infiltracion mononuclear en el Grupo II, este mostro efectos antiinflamatorios de la Aloe Barbadensis. Esto determina que, dependiendo de la dosis usada de Aloe Barbadensis, los efectos toxicos pueden cambiar. Si es usado en altas dosis Aloe Barbadensis puede producir efectos toxicos en los hepatocitos.
Cardiovascular health knowledge of the Polish population. Comparison of two national multi-centre health surveys: WOBASZ and WOBASZ II.

BACKGROUND AND AIM To compare the cardiovascular health knowledge (CHK) of the adult Polish population in the years 2003-2005 and 2013-2014, and to evaluate the CHK determinants in the Polish adult population. METHODS Data came from the two random samples of the Polish population, screened in 2003-2005 in the WOBASZ health survey (6392 men and 7153 women, aged 20-74 years) and in 2013-2014 in the WOBASZ II health survey (2751 men and 3418 women, aged 20+ years). For the present analysis, the population of WOBASZ II was limited to persons aged 20-74 years. A CHK score (CHKs) was constructed based on questionnaire answers of responders, and the results of physical examination and ranged from -1 (lowest knowledge) to +6 (highest knowledge). RESULTS Women had greater CHK than men. In both studies, about 30% of women and 40% of men did not know their blood pressure (BP). About 20% of men and women that declared their BP awareness was not able to classify it correctly to the normal or high category. Most persons that declared body weight awareness could give their body weight to within 2 kg and could correctly classify it as normal or overweight/obesity. The mean CHKs raised in men from 1.74 in WOBASZ to 1.93 in WOBASZ II (in women, respectively, from 2.10 to 2.23). The chance of having CHK greater than mean value of CHKs increased in men by 31% and in women by 27% in WOBASZ II compared to WOBASZ (ORCHK = 1.31, p < 0.0001 in men; ORCHK = 1.27, p < 0.0001 in women). Younger, better educated persons and men with coronary artery disease history and persons with familial history of death from myocardial infarction or stroke had greater health knowledge. CONCLUSIONS Since 2003 Polish adults significantly advanced their knowledge and awareness of cardiovascular risk factors. Gender, age, education level, coronary artery disease history, and family history of cardiovascular disease death are significant determinants of CHK. From 20% to 30% of studied persons who declared their awareness, were shown to be unaware of their own cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Identification of a Nuclear Localization Signal in OCT4 and Generation of a Dominant Negative Mutant by Its Ablation*

OCT4 plays a critical role in maintaining stem cell pluripotency in a dose-dependent manner by activating and repressing multiple downstream genes. The precise mechanism by which OCT4 achieves these diverse biological functions remains unknown. In this report, we identify and characterize 195RKRKR as a nuclear localization signal responsible for its localization in the nuclei and required for the transactivation of its target genes. Point mutations within this motif yielded a mutant that localizes randomly throughout the cells and is defective in transactivating target genes. However, restoration of nuclear localization with a heterologous nuclear localization signal failed to rescue its transactivation function, suggesting that this 195RKRKR motif has additional function in mediating transactivation function. We further demonstrate that this mutant is competent in dimerization with not only itself but also wild type OCT4 and can interfere with the activity of wild type OCT4, thus acting as a dominant negative mutant. Indeed, this mutant can induce the differentiation of P19 cells into trophoblast-like giant cells. These data suggest that this dominant negative form of OCT4 may be a useful tool for modulating the activity of OCT4 in pluripotent cells such as embryonic stem cells to achieve the desired cell types for therapeutic applications.
TI 15-070 / III / DSF 94 The Information in Systemic Risk Rankings

We propose to pool alternative systemic risk rankings for financial institutions using the method of principal components. The resulting overall ranking is less affected by estimation uncertainty and model risk. We apply our methodology to disentangle the common signal and the idiosyncratic components from a selection of key systemic risk rankings that are recently proposed. We use a sample of 113 listed financial sector firms in the European Union over the period 2002-2013. The implied ranking from the principal components is less volatile than most individual risk rankings and leads to less turnover among the top ranked institutions. We also find that price-based rankings and fundamentals based rankings deviated substantially and for a prolonged time in the period leading up to the financial crisis. We test the adequacy of our newly pooled systemic risk ranking by relating it to credit default swap premia.
Reliability of PET activation across statistical methods, subject groups, and sample sizes

Four pixel‐based methods for estimating regional activation in positron emission tomography (PET) images were implemented so as to allow the comparison of their performances in the same dataset. Change distribution analysis, Worsley's method, a pixelwise general linear model, a nonparametric method, and several methods derived from them were investigated. Important technical factors, including the degree of smoothing, stereotactic transform, coregistration algorithm, search volume, and the volumetric alpha level, were held constant. The dataset, which was obtained with a verb generation paradigm, was large enough to permit assessment of concordance between independent samples of conventional size, as well assessment of within‐cohort replicability. (Eighteen normal subjects performed four GENERATE‐READ pairs each.) Same‐task (noise) images were also analyzed.
Functional outcome of orthotopic bladder substitution: A comparison between the S-shaped and U-shaped neobladder

Abstract Objective. To compare the functional outcome of two types of orthotopic bladder substitution, the S-shaped and the U-shaped neobladder, with respect to leakage, functional capacity and quality of life. Material and methods. Between 1999 and 2007, 45 male patients with urinary bladder cancer were treated with cystectomy and orthotopic bladder substitution; 23 with the S-shaped bladder ad modum Schreiter and 22 with the U-shaped bladder ad modum Studer. Patients were followed up by a urologist and a specialized nurse (urotherapist) at 1, 3 and 6 months. At each visit the patient completed a voiding chart, a weighted pad test and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Differences between the groups in functional outcome and quality of life variables were analysed by Student's t test using SPSS software. Results. Mean maximum bladder capacity increased over time. At 6 months, the S-bladder had a larger capacity than the U-bladder (525 ml vs 423 ml). Patients with an S-bladder had less urine leakage at all follow-ups, although this was statistically significant only at 6 months regarding day-time incontinence and at all visits regarding night-time incontinence. The mean urine leakage at 6 months was 7 g (day) and 30 g (night) in the S-bladder group and 50 g (day) and 250 g (night) in the U-bladder group. However, quality of life did not differ between the groups. Conclusion. The S-bladder had better bladder capacity and less leakage than the U-bladder, but these differences did not translate into differences in quality of life. The results should be confirmed in larger prospective studies.
Genetic suppression of agrin reduces mania‐like behavior in Na+, K+‐ATPase α3 mutant mice

Myshkin mice heterozygous for an inactivating mutation in the neuron‐specific Na+,K+‐ATPase α3 isoform show behavior analogous to mania, including an abnormal endogenous circadian period. Agrin is a proteoglycan implicated as a regulator of synapses that has been proposed to inhibit activity of Na+,K+‐ATPase α3. We examined whether the mania‐related behavior of Myshkin mice could be rescued by a reduction in the expression of agrin through genetic knockout. The suppression of agrin reduced hyperambulation and holeboard exploration, restored anxiety‐like behavior (or reduced risk‐taking behavior), improved prepulse inhibition and shortened the circadian period. Hence, agrin is important for regulating mania‐like behavior and circadian rhythms. In Myshkin mice, the suppression of agrin increased brain Na+,K+‐ATPase activity by 11 ± 4%, whereas no effect on Na+,K+‐ATPase activity was detected when agrin was suppressed in mice without the Myshkin mutation. These results introduce agrin as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of mania and other neurological disorders associated with reduced Na+,K+‐ATPase activity and neuronal hyperexcitability.
The effect of clomiphene on spermatogenesis and hormone excretion in a patient with Klinefelter's syndrome.

Summary. The effect of clomiphene on the sperm count and hormone excretion is described in a patient with Klinefelter's syndrome, having a 47 XXY karyotype, and in whom a testicular biopsy showed small areas of spermatogenesis. Clomiphene stimulated the production of morphologically normal motile spermatozoa in the absence of any marked effect on hormone output. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed.
Beneficial actions of melatonin in the management of viral infections: a new use for this “molecular handyman”?

Melatonin (N‐acetyl‐5‐methoxytryptamine) is a multifunctional signaling molecule that has a variety of important functions. Numerous clinical trials have examined the therapeutic usefulness of melatonin in different fields of medicine. Clinical trials have shown that melatonin is efficient in preventing cell damage under acute (sepsis, asphyxia in newborns) and chronic states (metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, inflammation, aging). The beneficial effects of melatonin can be explained by its properties as a potent antioxidant and antioxidant enzyme inducer, a regulator of apoptosis and a stimulator of immune functions. These effects support the use of melatonin in viral infections, which are often associated with inflammatory injury and increases in oxidative stress. In fact, melatonin has been used recently to treat several viral infections, which are summarized in this review. The role of melatonin in infections is also discussed herein. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The development of children's knowledge structures: events, slots, and taxonomies

ABSTRACT Seventeen preschool (age range 2;10–3;6), 26 kindergarten (age range 5;5–6;7), and 26 fourth-grade (age range 9;5–10;5) children's knowledge structures were examined with a word association task and a match-to-sample picture task to determine whether or not children used slot-filler categories as a mediating structure between event-based and taxonomic knowledge structures, as proposed by Nelson (1985, 1986). In general, preschool children were able to provide event-based, but not slot-filler or taxonomic, relations; kindergarten children were able to provide event-based or slot-filler relations, but very few taxonomic relations; and fourth-grade children were able to provide all three relations. These findings support Nelson's hypothesis that taxonomic knowledge structures are derived from event-based knowledge structures with the aid of slot-filler categories.