Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interpersonal Problems, Mindfulness, and Therapy Outcome in an Acceptance-Based Behavior Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Objective: To better understand the role interpersonal problems play in response to two treatments for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD); an acceptance-based behavior therapy (ABBT) and applied relaxation (AR), and to examine how the development of mindfulness may be related to change in interpersonal problems over treatment and at follow-up. Method: Eighty-one individuals diagnosed with GAD (65.4% female, 80.2% identified as white, average age 32.92) were randomized to receive 16 sessions of either ABBT or AR. GAD severity, interpersonal problems, and mindfulness were measured at pre-treatment, post-treatment, 6-month follow-up, and 12-month follow-up. Results: Mixed effect regression models did not reveal any significant effects of pre-treatment interpersonal problems on GAD severity over treatment. After controlling for post-treatment GAD severity, remaining post-treatment interpersonal problems predicted 6- but not 12-month GAD severity. Participants in both conditions experienced a large decrease in interpersonal problems over treatment. Increases in mindfulness over treatment and through follow-up were associated with decreases in interpersonal problems, even when accounting for reductions in overall GAD severity. Conclusions: Interpersonal problems may be an important target of treatment in GAD, even if pre-treatment interpersonal problems are not predictive of outcome. Developing mindfulness in individuals with GAD may help ameliorate interpersonal difficulties among this population.
An examination of the factors affecting the adoption of E‐training in the Nigerian civil service sector

To examine the role that perceived support has in e-training adoption in the Nigerian civil service, researchers developed a framework that addressed organizational, technical, and government support, as well as perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. The results of a questionnaire administered to 450 department heads revealed that both perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use had a strong predictive role in e-training adoption. Although organizational and government support were not shown to have a significant impact on the adoption of e-training, technical support was found to play a role through its impact on perceived ease of use. By bolstering e-training efforts with the proper support, public-sector decision-makers can facilitate the adoption of such programs in their quest to improve the performance of the government agencies they administer.
Light scattering from cells: the contribution of the nucleus and the effects of proliferative status

As part of our ongoing efforts to understand the fundamental nature of light scattering form cells and tissues, we present data on elastic light scattering from isolated mammalian tumor cells and nuclei. The contribution of scattering from internal structures and in particular from the nuclei was compared to scattering from whole cells. Roughly 55 percent of the elastic light scattering at high- angles comes from intracellular structures. An upper limit of 40 percent on the fractional contribution of scattering form cells in tissue was determined. Using cell suspensions isolated from monolayer cultures at different stages of growth, we have also found that scattering at angles greater than about 110 percent was correlated with the DNA content of the cells. Based on model calculations and the relative size difference of nuclei from cells in different stages of growth, we argue that this difference in scattering results form changes in the internal structures of the nucleus. This interpretation is consistent with our estimate of 0.2 micrometers as the mean size of the scattering centers in cells. Additionally, we find that while scattering from the nucleus accounts for a majority of internal scattering, a significant portion must result from scattering off of cytoplasmic structures such as mitochondria.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXCHANGE RATE AND INFLATION: THE CASE OF WESTERN BALKANS COUNTRIES

The paper investigates empirically the relationships between exchange rates and inflation in Western Balkan countries. The literature on the transition countries has recently focused on exchange rate as a shock absorber and downplayed its costs to macroeconomic stabilization. However, the decision to apply a different exchange rate regime depends on the costs and benefits in giving up an exchange rate instrument. With this in mind, the objective of this study is to determine whether fixed exchange rates play a significant role in inflationary performance or whether flexible exchange rates perform as a better shock-absorbing instrument in the Western Balkans. The result reveals that an exchange rate is still the main source of inflationary pressures in Western Balkan countries. Thus policy makers must weigh the relative costs and benefits associated with introducing a flexible exchange rate in small open economies because such regime is likely to incur more costs than benefits.
Role of Biological Mimicry in the Pathogenesis of Rat Arthritis Induced by Mycoplasma arthritidis

Complement fixation (CF), immunofluorescence, and agar gel double-diffusion tests were used to demonstrate an antigenic relationship between rat tissues and Mycoplasma arthritidis. Rabbit antisera against six strains of M. arthritidis exhibited positive reactions in the CF test with an ethyl alcohol-saline extract of rat muscle, whereas only 6 of 18 antisera against other Mycoplasma species were positive. With the use of gel diffusion techniques, absorption of various M. arthritidis antigens with antiserum against rat muscle removed at least one precipitin band when the absorbed mycoplasma antigens were reacted against homologous antisera. Rabbit antiserum against M. arthritidis was conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate and reacted against frozen sections of muscle tissues of various animals. As controls, unlabeled normal rabbit serum and rabbit anti-M. arthritidis serum were included to determine the specificity of the reaction. Rat, hamster, and mouse skeletal muscle exhibited specific fluorescence, whereas chicken, beef, frog, and turtle muscles exhibited no specific fluorescence. Mice injected at birth with rat lymphocytes were found to be more susceptible to subsequent infection by M. arthritidis than were normal mice or mice injected at birth with mouse lymphocytes. These results indicate the occurrence of a heterogenetic antigen(s) common to M. arthritidis and rat tissues. Preliminary evidence suggests that this heterogenetic antigen(s) may enable the mycoplasmas to become established in their host.
Pattern reversal visual evoked potentials as a measure of visual pathway pathology in multiple sclerosis

Background: Pattern reversal visual evoked potentials (PRVEPs) have a well-documented role in diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), but their value as a visual function surrogate remains controversial. Methods: We evaluated PRVEP in 37 patients with MS who were participating in a long-term follow-up study following a phase III trial of interferon b-1a (A vonex®). Patients were examined to determine the Kurtzke Extended Disability Status Score (EDSS), multiple sclerosis functional composite (MSFC), contrast letter acuity (CLA), and had cranial MRI scans to determine whole brain atrophy (BPF). PRVEP was evaluated for P100 latency, amplitude, and waveform morphology. Two summary scores were created: for Score A, abnormal latencies, morphologies, and amplitudes of each individual eye were added; for Score B, abnormal latencies, morphologies, and amplitude ratio between eyes was determined. Sixteen patients in this group also had PRVEP at the time they enrolled in the clinical trial, eight years previously. Results: A t the follow-up exam, over 75% of patients had abnormal PVEP parameters while visual acuity (VA) was abnormal only in 59%. Increased PRVEP latency over the eight-year period correlated with deterioration assessed by EDSS (P = 0.006), BPF (P = 0.0001), and MSFC (P = 0.0041). Score A was significantly correlated with EDSS, BPF, C LA, cognitive function, and quality of life assessed with the Sickness Impact profile. No correlation was seen with the MSFC. Conclusions: The results indicate that PRVEP measures MS-related patho logy, and can provide not only diagnostic but also prognostic information during evaluation of MS patients.
Increased acinar damage of salivary glands of patients with Sjögren's syndrome is paralleled by simultaneous imbalance of matrix metalloproteinase 3/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 and matrix metalloproteinase 9/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 ratios.

OBJECTIVE Previous findings in labial salivary glands (LSGs) from patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) suggest that increased activity and expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and MMP-3 trigger the destruction of acinar structures in these glands. Tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) tightly control MMP activity, and TIMP expression is an important modulator of effects attributed to MMPs. This study was undertaken to investigate the correlation between the balance of MMPs/TIMPs in the LSGs of SS patients and the degree of inflammatory infiltration and acinar structure integrity. METHODS Three groups of SS patients classified according to focus score and residual tissue were studied. The expression of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 was examined at the messenger RNA and protein levels. The ratio of MMP/TIMP expression (R value) was calculated. Focus score and acinar structure were evaluated by histologic analysis. RESULTS In SS patients the MMP-3/TIMP-1 ratio was higher than 1 and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio was much higher than 1 whereas the MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio nearly equaled 1, suggesting elevated proteolytic activity due mainly to MMP-9. R values were independent of the focus score of inflammatory cells, but correlated well with the dramatic changes observed in morphologic integrity of acini, as revealed mainly by the lack of nuclear polarity. Acinar changes were more evident when R values for both MMP-9/TIMP-1 and MMP-3/TIMP-1 were higher. CONCLUSION This study provides evidence that an altered balance between MMPs and their inhibitors is associated with acinar damage. Since salivary gland acinar cells express both MMPs and TIMPs, these cells may play an important role in extracellular matrix destruction and in the LSG pathophysiology in SS.
Clinical Performance of Audiological and Related Diagnostic Tests

This paper is the second in a series of three concerning audiological tests and test batteries designed to differentiate cochlear from retrocochlear site-of-lesion. The first paper discussed the application of clinical decision analysis to diagnostic tests, particularly audiological tests. This paper uses the techniques of clinical decision analysis to evaluate the clinical performance of audiological, vestibular, and radiological tests based on data derived from the last 15 years of the clinical literature. Using calculated measures of test performance, we compared and divided the test into four groups.
The influence of Ghana's national culture on latent entrepreneurs: An application of Social Rule System Theory

The impact of Ghana's national culture on its latent entrepreneurial activities are in frequently studied on - as compare to social, economic and financial influences. The current studyexamined the impact of Ghana's national culture on its latent entrepreneurs amongSmall and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) from the view point of Social Rule System theory. The study employeda simple random sampling technique ineliciting251 respondents from the Business city of Kumasi in Ghana.It employedStructural Equation Modelling statistical technique (SEM) using Amos software version 22 in analysing the data. The results showed that, masculine and high power distance cultures in Ghana have significant positive effects on peoples' intention to become entrepreneurs. High uncertainty avoidance and collective cultures had positive and insignificant effects on latent entrepreneurs. Thestudy presents significant contribution to the existing academic literature on national culture and latent entrepreneurial activities. Italso brings additional step towards a fundamental means of empowering people into SMEs in any developing country. Recommendationsare also providedfor useful suggestionstogovernment and policy makers in Africa towards the improvement of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises.
Cross-sectional Survey and Retrospective Analysis of a Large Cohort of Adults With Type 1 Diabetes With Long-Term Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion Treatment

Background: Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) is an established modality for intensive insulin treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D), but long-term data concerning satisfaction, CSII function use, safety, and efficacy in real-life conditions are scarce. Methods: We analyzed a cohort of adult patients with T1D treated with CSII for more than 1 year in a single diabetes center. We performed a cross-sectional survey in 2010 (tolerance/satisfaction and behavior forms) and a retrospective analysis of medical records (including HbA1c level, hospitalization, and catheter infections). The primary objective was to assess long-term tolerance/satisfaction, and secondary objectives were safety and efficacy. Results: There were 295 patients analyzed. After a median duration of CSII use of 5 years, overall satisfaction was high for about 90% of patients. Mean CSII-related discomfort scores were low for work, recreation, and sleep and moderate for sport and sexual activity (2.5 ± 1.9, 2.6 ± 1.8, 2.6 ± 2.1, 3.4 ± 2.3, and 4.0 ± 2.9 of 10, respectively). Despite a high level of diabetes education, only one third of patients were using advanced CSII functions. During long-term follow-up, the safety of CSII treatment was good; the hospitalization rate was 0.18 patients/year, and catheter infections were scarce. The HbA1c level dropped about −0.5% independently from CSII duration (P < .05). Conclusions: In this adult cohort, satisfaction and tolerance, together with safety, of CSII were maintained at long-term follow up. The sole basic functions of CSII were currently used by patients. A 0.5% decrease in the HbA1c level was maintained during the study period.
Resistance to antimicrobial agents used for animal therapy in pathogenic‐, zoonotic‐ and indicator bacteria isolated from different food animals in Denmark: a baseline study for the Danish Integrated Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring Programme (DANMAP)

This study describes the establishment and first results of a continuous surveillance system of antimicrobial resistance among bacteria isolated from pigs, cattle and broilers in Denmark. The three categories of bacteria tested were: 1) indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium), 2) zoonotic bacteria (Campylobacter coli/jejuni, Salmonella enterica, Yersinia enterocolitica), and 3) animal pathogens (E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase‐negative staphylococci (CNS), Staphylococcus hyicus, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae). A total of 3304 bacterial isolates collected from October 1995 through December 1996 were tested for susceptibility to all major classes of antimicrobial agents used for therapy in Denmark. Bacterial species intrinsically resistant to an antimicrobial were not tested towards that antimicrobial. Acquired resistance to all antimicrobials was found. The occurrence of resistance varied by animal origin and bacterial species. In general, resistance was observed more frequently among isolates from pigs than from cattle and broilers. The association between the occurrence of resistance and the consumption of the antimicrobial is discussed, as is the occurrence of resistance in other countries. The results of this study show the present level of resistance to antimicrobial agents among a number of bacterial species isolated from food animals in Denmark. Thus, the baseline for comparison with future prospective studies has been established, enabling the determination of trends over time.
Effectiveness of innovations in nurse led chronic disease management for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: systematic review of evidence

Abstract Objective To determine the effectiveness of innovations in management of chronic disease involving nurses for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Design Systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Data sources 24 electronic databases searched for English or Dutch language studies published between January 1980 and January 2005. Review methods Included studies described inpatient, outpatient, and community based interventions for chronic disease management that were led, coordinated, or delivered by nurses. Hospital at home and early discharge schemes for acute exacerbations of COPD were excluded. Results We identified nine relevant randomised controlled trials, most of which had some potential methodological flaws. All the interventions seemed to be variations on a case management model. The interventions described could be divided into brief (one month) and longer term (around a year) or more intensive interventions. Only two studies examined the effect of brief interventions, these found little evidence of any benefit. Meta-analysis of the long term interventions failed to detect any influence on mortality at 9-12 months' follow-up (Peto odds ratio 0.85, 95% confidence interval 0.58 to 1.26). There was evidence that the long term interventions had not improved patients' health related quality of life, psychological wellbeing, disability, or pulmonary function. The evidence on whether long term interventions reduced readmissions to hospital was equivocal, but the only study exclusively directed at patients on long term oxygen therapy reported a reduction in readmission. We identified several outcomes where little or no evidence was available; these included patients' satisfaction, self management skills, adherence with treatment recommendations, the likelihood of smoking cessation, and the effect of the interventions on carers. Conclusion There is little evidence to date to support the widespread implementation of nurse led management interventions for COPD, but the data are too sparse to exclude any clinically relevant benefit or harm arising from such interventions.
Long-Term Follow-Up of Amniotic Membrane Graft for the Treatment of Symblepharon in a Patient With Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa

Purpose: To report a case of symblepharon due to epidermolysis bullosa (EB), surgical treatment, and follow-up to 14 years. Methods: A 17-year-old white female with recessive dystrophic EB presented with decreased vision due to extensive symblepharon OU. There was opacification and neovascularization of the cornea OU with limited motility. Results: The symblepharon was surgically lysed, anterior lamellar keratectomy performed, and amniotic membrane graft transplanted to the cornea and palpebral conjunctiva, first in the OS and subsequently in the OD. Visual acuity improved from counting fingers to 20/40 in the OS and from 20/200 to 20/70 in the OD at 2 months and 6 weeks postoperatively, respectively, with minimal symblepharon, mild corneal scarring, neovascularization, and haze of OU. She recovered full ductions, but noted diplopia and had a 35 prism diopter exotropia. Symblepharon resolved after 6 months, and alignment improved to 4 prism diopter exophoria. At 14 years follow-up, visual acuity was 20/20 in the OD and 20/30 in the OS, with clear cornea, maintained on fluorometholone 0.1% one drop OU at bedtime. Conclusions: Surgical symblepharolysis, superficial lamellar keratectomy, and amniotic membrane graft transplantation were effective for our patient with recessive dystrophic EB. Her postoperative exotropia resolved over time with monitoring and convergence exercises.
Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm of the Pancreas as the Main Focus for Early Detection of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Abstract For early detection of pancreatic cancer, interests are now focused on the detection of high-risk individuals to undergo screening examinations. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a unique dual precursor of pancreatic cancer, characterized by progression to invasive cancer and the development of pancreatic adenocarcinoma either concomitantly (synchronous occurrence) or even after resection of IPMN (metachronous occurrence). Careful examination and surveillance of patients with IPMN may therefore lead to early detection of pancreatic cancer. By reviewing only reports describing detailed breakdown of the morphological types of IPMN and numbers of patients with noninvasive and invasive carcinoma in each type, the rough frequencies of noninvasive carcinoma in main duct IPMNs and branch duct IPMNs (BD-IPMNs) are 20% and 10%, respectively, and those of invasive carcinoma are 40% and 13%, respectively. Roughly 5% of all patients with IPMN had concomitant adenocarcinoma. The real frequency of carcinoma in BD-IPMNs would be far lower because most patients with small asymptomatic BD-IPMNs do not undergo resection. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm can be the main focus for early detection of pancreatic cancer to achieve favorable prognosis after surgical resection. The optimal protocol for surveillance and method for early detection of pancreatic cancer are to be determined.
Proinflammatory cytokines correlate with early exercise attenuating anxiety‐like behavior after cerebral ischemia

Stroke may cause neuropsychiatric problems, which have negative effects on cognitive functions and behavior. Exercise plays an important role in reducing the occurrence and development of stroke, the concrete mechanism is not fully clarified. In this study, we attempted to determine whether early treadmill exercise attenuates anxiety‐like behavior by regulation of inflammation after brain ischemia.
Effects of direction of rotation in continuous and discontinuous 8 hour shift systems

OBJECTIVES Previous research has produced conflicting evidence on the relative merits of advancing and delaying shift systems. The current study assessed the effects of the direction of shift rotation within 8 hour systems, upon a range of measures including sleep, on shift alertness, physical health, and psychological wellbeing. METHODS An abridged version of the standard shiftwork index which included retrospective alertness ratings was completed by four groups of industrial shiftworkers on relatively rapidly rotating 8 hour systems (n=611). Two groups worked continuous systems that were either advancing or delaying; the other two groups worked discontinuous systems that were either advancing or delaying. RESULTS Few effects were found of direction of rotation on chronic measures of health and wellbeing, even when the systems incorporated “quick returns” (a break of only 8 hours when changing from one shift to another). This was despite the use of measures previously shown to be sensitive to the effects of a broad range of features of shift systems. However, advancing continuous systems seemed to be associated with marginally steeper declines in alertness across the shift (F (3,1080)=2.87, p<0.05). They were also associated with shorter sleeps between morning shifts (F (1,404)=4.01, p<0.05), but longer sleeps between afternoons (F (1,424)=4.16, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The absence of negative effects of advancing shifts upon the chronic outcome measures accorded with previous evidence that advancing shifts may not be as harmful as early research indicated. However, this interpretation is tempered by the possibility that difficult shift systems self select those workers most able to cope with their deleterious effects. The presence of quick returns in advancing continuous systems seemed to impact upon some of the acute measures such as duration of sleep, although the associated effects on alertness seemed to be marginal.