Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neurodevelopmental and psychiatric issues in Down’s syndrome: assessment and intervention

Down’s syndrome (DS) is the most frequent genetic cause of intellectual disability and patients with DS show significant psychopathology (18–23%). Moreover, individuals with DS often show a cognitive decline associated with ageing characterized by a deterioration in memory, language and cognitive functioning. According to these relevant findings, an overview is presented of state-of-the-art knowledge of the neurocognitive, neurobiological and psychopathological profile, assessment and treatment of patients with DS. The linguistic characteristics of DS develop differently along distinct developmental trajectories. Thus, for example, morphosyntax deficit, especially in production, is more evident in adolescence than in early childhood and lexicon is usually better preserved in all ages (at least in comprehension). So far, rehabilitation is the only effective approach for improving cognitive and linguistic abilities. However, ongoing preliminary reports on other approaches such as transmagnetic stimulation or drugs suggest alternative or integrative treatment for the future. Individuals with DS show typical organization of brain structures related to some cognitive abilities, such as reduced volume in frontal and prefrontal areas, which is related to poor executive and linguistic abilities. They also frequently show psychiatric disorders such as externalizing disorders as well as depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Nevertheless, as for other genetic syndrome with intellectual disability, there is a significant lack of research specifically focused on treatments of psychiatric and behavioural problems in DS. This is true both for psychosocial and for pharmacological interventions.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of bone marrow--an unusual presentation.

A clinico-morphological study of twelve patients of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, diagnosed on bone marrow biopsy, is presented. They manifested with pyrexia of uncertain origin and/or unexplainable anaemia. These patients did not show any superficial lymphadenopa-thy, mediastinal lymph node enlargement or a specific mass in the abdomen. Eleven patients showed enlargement of the liver, whereas, eleven manifested with splenomegaly. Bone marrow aspirate and trephine biopsy performed as an investigational procedure, lead to a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. According to the classification by W.H. O. (I978), six of them showed diffuse lymphoblastic lymphosarcoma, whereas, in the remaining six patients, the histological type was diffuse lymphocytic lymphosarcoma (JPMA 32:230, 1982).
Vacancy Referrals, Job Search, and the Duration of Unemployment: A Randomized Experiment

One goal of the public employment service is to facilitate matching between unemployed job seekers and job vacancies; another goal is to monitor job search so as to bring search efforts among the unemployed in line with search requirements. The referral of job seekers to vacancies is one instrument used for these purposes. We report results from a randomized Swedish experiment where the outcome of referrals is examined. To what extent do unemployed individuals actually apply for the jobs they are referred to? Does information to job seekers about increased monitoring affect the probability of applying and the probability of leaving unemployment? The experiment indicates that a relatively large fraction (one third) of the referrals do not result in job applications. Information about intensified monitoring causes an increase in the probability of job application, especially among young people. However, we find no significant impact on the duration of unemployment.
Systemically circulating oxidative species in human deep venous thrombosis

To investigate the hypothesis that plasmatic changes of lipoperoxidative markers are associated with deep venous thrombosis (DVT), peripheral venous blood samples were obtained from 10 patients with venographically proven DVT before starting anticoagulant therapy, and 36 ± 3 and 60 ± 3 hours later. Values of myeloperoxidase (MPO), 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were compared with those of 10 age-matched control subjects. Despite individual variations, mean plasma MPO level was higher in the DVT group (p < 0.01), as were average plasma MDA (p < 0.001) and HNE (p < 0.01) levels. Separate analysis of the DVT cases showed that higher values of MDA, HNE and MPO were found in patients with either co-morbid diseases or clinically silent pulmonary embolism (PE). Good evidence exists for considering DVT a condition associated with an apparently excessive free radical production not buffered by efficient defence systems. A role of DVT itself cannot be excluded, but PE or other co-morbid diseases may participate in the oxidative stress. If confirmed in a larger series of patients, these findings could shed new light on the plasmatic changes associated with the propagation and complications of DVT, which in turn could have therapeutic implications. Unit of Angiology, Clinical Pharmacology University and S. Orsola-Malpighi Community Teaching Hospital of Bologna, Italy To investigate the hypothesis that plasmatic changes of lipoperoxidative markers are associated with deep venous thrombosis (DVT), peripheral venous blood samples were obtained from 10 patients with venographically proven DVT before starting anticoagulant therapy, and 36 ± 3 and 60 ± 3 hours later. Values of myeloperoxidase (MPO), 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were compared with those of 10 age-matched control subjects. Despite individual variations, mean plasma MPO level was higher in the DVT group (p < 0.01), as were average plasma MDA (p < 0.001) and HNE (p < 0.01) levels. Separate analysis of the DVT cases showed that higher values of MDA, HNE and MPO were found in patients with either co-morbid diseases or clinically silent pulmonary embolism (PE). Good evidence exists for considering DVT a condition associated with an apparently excessive free radical production not buffered by efficient defence systems. A role of DVT itself cannot be excluded, but PE or other co-morbid diseases may participate in the oxidative stress. If confirmed in a larger series of patients, these findings could shed new light on the plasmatic changes associated with the propagation and complications of DVT, which in turn could have therapeutic implications.
Predictors of new-onset kidney disease in a community-based population.

CONTEXT Kidney disease is associated with an increased risk for the development of cardiovascular disease and end-stage renal disease; however, risk factors for kidney disease have not been well studied. OBJECTIVE To identify predictors of the development of new-onset kidney disease. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A community-based, longitudinal cohort study of 2585 participants who attended both a baseline examination in 1978-1982 and a follow-up examination in 1998-2001, and who were free of kidney disease at baseline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Kidney disease was assessed by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation and defined by a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the fifth or lower percentile (< or =59.25 mL/min per 1.73 m2 in women, < or =64.25 mL/min per 1.73 m2 in men). Stepwise logistic regression was used to determine the impact of risk factors on the occurrence of new-onset kidney disease. Baseline and long-term, 12-year, averaged risk factor models were explored. RESULTS At baseline, there were 1223 men and 1362 women, with a mean age of 43 years, who were free of preexisting kidney disease. After a mean follow-up of 18.5 years, 244 participants (9.4%) had developed kidney disease. In multivariable models, baseline age (odds ratio [OR], 2.36 per 10-year increment; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.00-2.78), GFR (<90 mL/min per 1.73 m2: OR, 3.01; 95% CI, 1.98-4.58; 90-119 mL/min per 1.73 m2: OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.16-2.93), body mass index (OR, 1.23 per 1 SD; 95% CI, 1.08-1.41), diabetes (OR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.44-4.70), and smoking (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.06-1.91) were related to the development of kidney disease. In addition to baseline age and GFR, the long-term, averaged risk factors that were predictive of kidney disease included hypertension (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.17-2.12), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (OR, 0.80 per 1 SD; 95% CI, 0.69-0.92), and diabetes (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.45-3.92). Compared with a normal GFR (> or =120 mL/min per 1.73 m2), a mildly reduced GFR (<90 mL/min per 1.73 m2) predicted a 3-fold odds of progression to kidney disease (OR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.94-4.49). CONCLUSIONS Established cardiovascular disease risk factors are associated with the development of new-onset kidney disease. Patients with a mildly reduced GFR should be monitored for progression to kidney disease.
Pain behavior measures to quantitate joint pain and response to neurotoxin treatment in murine models of arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the validity of newly developed pain behavior measures in two murine models of inflammatory arthritis and to determine the ability of these measures to evaluate the analgesic effectiveness of intra-articular (IA) botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A) for treatment of arthritis pain. DESIGN Acute inflammatory arthritis was produced in adult female mice by IA injection of carrageenan and chronic inflammatory arthritis by IA injection of CFA. The presence of arthritis was confirmed by the presence of swelling and erythema. A menu of pain behavior measures was devised for quantitating pain in these models including tenderness, and spontaneous nocturnal wheel running. Toxicity due to neurotoxin was measured as gross limb weakness and impaired functional ability during wheel running. RESULTS Tenderness measures and spontaneous nocturnal wheel-running are valid measures of arthritis pain and are sensitive to the effects of analgesia. Narcotic analgesics are effective, but in fully analgesic doses impair wheel-running. IA BoNT/A is an effective analgesic for chronic arthritis pain, but not for acute arthritis pain. High doses can produce local limb muscle weakness, which impairs wheel-running function. Doses of botulinum toxin that are not toxic retain their analgesic function. CONCLUSIONS Tenderness and spontaneous pain behavior measures are valid and sensitive for the measurement of pain and analgesia in murine models of inflammatory arthritis. Effective narcotic analgesia produces a decline in function in mice similar to that seen in humans. IA neurotoxin is a promising therapy for chronic inflammatory arthritis but may not be effective for acute arthritis pain.
Blood flows within and among rat muscles as a function of time during high speed treadmill exercise.

The purpose of these experiments was to use radiolabelled microspheres to measure blood flow distribution patterns within and among rat hind‐limb skeletal muscles before, during, and after high speed treadmill running at 60 min‐1 to fatigue. Exercise blood flows were measured at the 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 min time points. Pre‐exercise blood flow was highest in physiological extensor muscles or muscle parts with large populations of slow‐twitch muscle fibres, e.g. soleus (197 ml min‐1 100 g‐1). Blood flows were lowest to muscles or muscle parts with high proportions of fast‐twitch glycolytic fibres, e.g. white gastrocnemius (15 ml min‐1 100 g‐1). The most rapid increases in blood flow at the beginning of exercise and the highest peak blood flows during exercise generally occurred in physiological extensor muscles with relatively high populations of fast‐twitch oxidative fibres. For example, red gastrocnemius muscle blood flow increased by 271 ml min‐1 100 g‐1 during the first 30 s of exercise, and attained a peak flow of 395 ml min‐1 100 g‐1 by the third minute of exercise. On the other hand, the slowest elevations in blood flow at the start of exercise and the lowest peak flows were observed in muscles with high populations of fast‐twitch glycolytic fibres. White gastrocnemius muscle, for example, increased its blood flow by 16 ml min‐1 100 g‐1 during the first 30 s of running, and had a peak flow of 76 ml min‐1 100 g‐1 by the end of 3 min exercise. These relationships between blood flows and fibre type populations were less consistent in physiological flexor muscle groups. Following exercise, blood flows in high‐oxidative muscles returned to the pre‐exercise levels within 30 s. However, in low‐oxidative muscles, return of blood flows to the pre‐exercise levels were slower. Thus, marked differences in the absolute magnitudes of blood flows and in the rates of change in blood flows were observed within and among the hind‐limb muscles before, during and after exercise. These differences were related to the fibre type compositions of the muscles.
Prevalence of travel related illness amongst a group of Chinese undergraduate students in Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND Regional and global travel by Asian residents is increasing. Young people seeking new experiences through travel may be particularly at risk of a wide spectrum of health problems. This study assesses travel-associated health risks and examines the prevalence and likely impact of pretravel health advice among Chinese undergraduate students in Hong Kong. METHODS Year 1 and year 3 undergraduate students of the University of Hong Kong were surveyed during September to December 1996, using a structured self-administered questionnaire. A total of 1,067 subjects were required to give a power of 95% (p =.50+/-3%). RESULTS Of 1,197 students (514 male and 680 female) surveyed, 52% had traveled outside Hong Kong at least once within the previous 12 months. Of these travelers (n = 578), 41% had developed one or more health problems, 7% had to consult a doctor and 2% needed hospitalization during travel, and 8% developed health problems within 2 weeks of returning for which they had to consult a doctor. Most (75%) took no pretravel health advice and 48% took no travel health precautions. About half (41%) of those who received advice received this from nonexpert sources. Those more likely to develop health problems were aged over 20 years (Odds Ratio, 1.49, 95% confidence interval, 1.06-2.10), in financial difficulties (1.60, 1.02-2.51), ever-smokers (1.69, 1.03-2.77), reporting poorer current health status (1.64, 1.04-2.57). Also, those who sought health advice from nonprofessional sources (2.13, 1.03-4.01) and took precautions (1.88, 1.33-2.63) were more likely to develop health problems. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that young Chinese adults, with the benefits of higher education, are potentially at risk of a variety of avoidable travel-related health problems. Taking pretravel health advice from nonprofessional sources was common among respondents, but taking precautions did not reduce health problems. The comprehensibility and effectiveness of the advice and appropriateness of precautions taken need scrutiny in randomized trials. Specific topics for pretravel health education that will target higher risk travelers with preventive messages need to be identified and evaluated.
Genetic diversity is related to climatic variation and vulnerability in threatened bull trout

Understanding how climatic variation influences ecological and evolutionary processes is crucial for informed conservation decision‐making. Nevertheless, few studies have measured how climatic variation influences genetic diversity within populations or how genetic diversity is distributed across space relative to future climatic stress. Here, we tested whether patterns of genetic diversity (allelic richness) were related to climatic variation and habitat features in 130 bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) populations from 24 watersheds (i.e., ~4–7th order river subbasins) across the Columbia River Basin, USA. We then determined whether bull trout genetic diversity was related to climate vulnerability at the watershed scale, which we quantified on the basis of exposure to future climatic conditions (projected scenarios for the 2040s) and existing habitat complexity. We found a strong gradient in genetic diversity in bull trout populations across the Columbia River Basin, where populations located in the most upstream headwater areas had the greatest genetic diversity. After accounting for spatial patterns with linear mixed models, allelic richness in bull trout populations was positively related to habitat patch size and complexity, and negatively related to maximum summer temperature and the frequency of winter flooding. These relationships strongly suggest that climatic variation influences evolutionary processes in this threatened species and that genetic diversity will likely decrease due to future climate change. Vulnerability at a watershed scale was negatively correlated with average genetic diversity (r = −0.77; P < 0.001); watersheds containing populations with lower average genetic diversity generally had the lowest habitat complexity, warmest stream temperatures, and greatest frequency of winter flooding. Together, these findings have important conservation implications for bull trout and other imperiled species. Genetic diversity is already depressed where climatic vulnerability is highest; it will likely erode further in the very places where diversity may be most needed for future persistence.
Defining the Optimal Selenium Dose for Prostate Cancer Risk Reduction: Insights from the U-Shaped Relationship between Selenium Status, DNA Damage, and Apoptosis

Our work in dogs has revealed a U-shaped dose response between selenium status and prostatic DNA damage that remarkably parallels the relationship between dietary selenium and prostate cancer risk in men, suggesting that more selenium is not necessarily better. Herein, we extend this canine work to show that the selenium dose that minimizes prostatic DNA damage also maximizes apoptosis—a cancer-suppressing death switch used by prostatic epithelial cells. These provocative findings suggest a new line of thinking about how selenium can reduce cancer risk. Mid-range selenium status (.67–.92 ppm in toenails) favors a process we call “homeostatic housecleaning”—an upregulated apoptosis that preferentially purges damaged prostatic cells. Also, the U-shaped relationship provides valuable insight into stratifying individuals as selenium-responsive or selenium-refractory, based upon the likelihood of reducing their cancer risk by additional selenium. By studying elderly dogs, the only non-human animal model of spontaneous prostate cancer, we have established a robust experimental approach bridging the gap between laboratory and human studies that can help to define the optimal doses of cancer preventives for large-scale human trials. Moreover, our observations bring much needed clarity to the null results of the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) and set a new research priority: testing whether men with low, suboptimal selenium levels less than 0.8 ppm in toenails can achieve cancer risk reduction through daily supplementation.
Testing for Response Shift Bias in Evaluations of School Antibullying Programs

Background: Involvement in bullying at school is detrimental to students’ mental and physical health; however, school antibullying programs have not been found to be uniformly successful. Self-reported frequency of involvement in bullying victimization and perpetration, often used as outcome measures in intervention impact evaluation studies, may be subject to response shift, particularly in intervention conditions. Such differential shifts could lead to biased estimates of intervention effects. Objectives: This study investigated the presence of reconceptualization, reprioritization, and recalibration response shift, resulting from intervention implementation. Method: The study subjects were Grade 8 students (n = 3,382, 53% female) in the 35 schools participating in the Cyber Friendly Schools Project, a longitudinal group-randomized intervention trial. Response shift was assessed by comparing traditional and retrospective pretest measures of bullying involvement, as well as testing for measurement invariance over time in the Forms of Bullying Scale (FBS) using confirmatory factor analyses. Results: No evidence of response shift was found, indicating students’ understandings of bullying behavior remained stable over time. These findings also demonstrate the applicability of the FBS in longitudinal studies involving adolescents. Conclusion: While response shift was not present in our study, researchers conducting program evaluations in other contexts are advised to consider testing for this potential source of bias in their studies.
Proteome analysis of brown spider venom: Identification of loxnecrogin isoforms in Loxosceles gaucho venom

Brown spiders of the Loxosceles genus are distributed worldwide. In Brazil, eight species are found in Southern states, where the envenomation by Loxosceles venom (loxoscelism) is a health problem. The mechanism of the dermonecrotic action of Loxosceles venom is not totally understood. Two isoforms of dermonecrotic toxins (loxnecrogins) from L. gaucho venom have been previously purified, and showed sequence similarities to sphingomyelinase. Herein we employed a proteomic approach to obtain a global view of the venom proteome, with a particular interest in the loxnecrogin isoforms' pattern. Proteomic two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis maps for L. gaucho, L. intermedia, and L. laeta venoms showed a major protein region (30–35 kDa, pI 3–10), where at least eight loxnecrogin isoforms could be separated and identified. Their characterization used a combined approach composed of Edman chemical sequencing, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight mass spectrometry, and electrospray ionization‐quadropole‐time of flight tandem mass spectrometry leading to the identification of sphingomyelinases D. The venom was also pre‐fractionated by gel filtration on a Superose 12 fast protein liqiud chromatography column, followed by capillary liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Eleven possible loxnecrogin isoforms around 30–32 kDa were detected. The identification of dermonecrotic toxin isoforms in L. gaucho venom is an important step towards understanding the physiopathology of the envenomation, leading to improvements in the immunotherapy of loxoscelism.
Maladaptive Sleep Hygiene Practices in Good Sleepers and Patients with Insomnia

Previous studies examining the associations between sleep hygiene practices and insomnia have produced inconsistent results. This study further investigates this issue by examining different domains of sleep hygiene separately. One hundred and six insomnia patients and 89 good sleepers participated in the study. Their sleep hygiene, sleep quality and insomnia severity were assessed with subjective rating scales. Among good sleepers, almost all domains of sleep hygiene correlated significantly with their sleep ratings. However, in insomnia patients, only the arousal-related behavior correlated with sleep ratings. The findings suggest that strategies in prevention and treatment of sleep disturbance may be different accordingly.