Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rumination, distraction and mindful self-focus: effects on mood, dysfunctional attitudes and cortisol stress response

Background Although aggravating effects of rumination on dysfunctional cognitions and endocrine stress responses have been proposed, experimental studies testing these assumptions are lacking. In parallel, mindfulness theory suggests beneficial effects of mindfulness on dysfunctional cognitions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of induced rumination, distraction and mindful self-focus on mood and dysfunctional attitudes and to assess the possible impact of induced rumination on participants' cortisol responses. Method Sixty university students were subjected to negative mood induction and subsequently randomly assigned to a rumination, distraction or mindful self-focus condition. The latter included statements focusing on self-acceptance and awareness of the breath. Four saliva cortisol samples were selected during the session. Results Compared to induced rumination, distraction showed a clear beneficial effect on the course of dysphoric mood, whereas a mindful self-focus did not. In contrast to distraction and mindful self-focus, participants induced to ruminate showed significant increases in dysfunctional attitudes from baseline to post-induction. Although rumination was not itself linked to higher cortisol responses, participants scoring high on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)-II who were induced to ruminate showed a smaller decrease in cortisol levels than those scoring low on the BDI-II. Conclusions This study indicates that rumination as a dysfunctional mode of cognitive processing is able to maintain depression-linked dysfunctional thought content. Furthermore, our study revealed preliminary indications for a link between induced rumination and the cortisol stress response in vulnerable individuals.
Blood-based DNA methylation of DNA repair genes in the non-homologous end-joining (NEHJ) pathway in patient with glioma.

UNLABELLED To investigate the blood-based DNA methylation of repair genes including LIG4, XRCC4, XRCC5, XRCC6 and XRCC7 that involved in non-homologous end-joining (NEHJ) DNA repair pathway in patients with glioma. Blood samples were obtained from 114 glioma patients, 96 normal controls, and 81 glioma patients after radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Blood-based DNA methylation of the five NHEJ repair genes was assayed by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). The DNA methylation level of XRCC5 and XRCC7 in glioma group are significantly higher than those of normal group (P<0.001). Moreover, radiotherapy treatment significantly increased methylation level of XRCC5 and XRCC7 compared to glioma group. No significant difference for the methylation of the other three genes, LIG4, XRCC4 and XRCC6 were detected among three groups. IN CONCLUSION our findings indicate that DNA methylation modification plays an important role to regulate the gene expression of XRCC5 and XRCC7, from the results that the gene methylation level of the glioma group is higher than that of the normal group. Increased methylation of XRCC5 and XRCC7 in blood samples of glioma patients and patients with radiotherapy and chemotherapy suggests that blood-based methylation level of XRCC5 and XRCC7 could be a potential indicator for evaluating of the effect of radiotherapy and chemotherapy for glioma patient.
Application of the Rosner-Colditz Risk Prediction Model to Estimate Sexual Orientation Group Disparities in Breast Cancer Risk in a U.S. Cohort of Premenopausal Women

Background: Lesbian and bisexual women may be at greater risk of breast cancer than heterosexual women during the premenopausal period due to disparities in risk factors. Methods: With 16 years of prospective data from a large cohort of U.S. women ages 25–58 years, we conducted a breast cancer risk assessment for 87,392 premenopausal women by applying the Rosner–Colditz biomathematical risk prediction model to estimate breast cancer risk based on known risk factors. On the basis of each woman's comprehensive risk factor profile, we calculated the predicted 1-year incidence rate (IR) per 100,000 person-years and estimated incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for lesbian and bisexual women compared with heterosexual women. Results: A total of 87,392 premenopausal women provided 1,091,871 person-years of data included in analyses. Mean predicted 1-year breast cancer IRs per 100,000 person-years for each sexual orientation group were heterosexual, 122.55; lesbian, 131.61; and bisexual, 131.72. IRs were significantly elevated in both lesbian (IRR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.06–1.06) and bisexual (IRR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.10–1.10) women compared with heterosexual women. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that both lesbian and bisexual women have slightly elevated predicted breast cancer incidence compared with heterosexual women throughout the premenopausal period. Impact: Health professionals must ensure that breast cancer prevention efforts are reaching these women. As more health systems around the country collect data on patient sexual orientation, the National Cancer Institute's SEER cancer registry should add this information to its data system to monitor progress in reducing sexual orientation–related disparities in cancer incidence and mortality. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(12); 2201–8. ©2012 AACR.
THE RENAL FACTOR IN ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION WITH COARCTATION OF THE AORTA.

Consideration of the hydrodynamics in coarctation of the aorta indicates that the arterial hypertension which is a feature of that disease is not to be explained upon the grounds of mechanical obstruction to blood flow per se. Such consideration has led to experiments which show that this variety of hypertension is owing to interference with renal blood supply. Pathological physiology of coarctation of the aorta. In this condition, arterial pressure is practically always high in the arms, while it is usually low or normal (occasionally even high) in the legs (1). The hypertension in the upper part of the body is often attributed to the mechanical obstruction of the stenotic aortic isthmus to blood flow, but as Lewis (2) pointed out, the total cross section area of the collateral bed is at least equal to that of the normal aorta. However, the collateral vessels are long and tortuous and may easily account for the reduced pressure in the lower body as compared with the upper. Although the resistance of the collateral bed explains the difference between arm and leg pressure, it is not an explanation of the absolute pressure levels; were mechanical obstruction the only factor, one would always expect to find low pressure in the legs and less increase of pressure in the arms than actually occurs. If the increased arterial pressure in the arms were a result of redistribution of blood such as occurred in the experiments of Barcroft and Samaan (3), then the cardiac output and flow of blood through the upper part of the body should be increased; this, however, has not been found (2, 4, 5, 6, 7). Failure to demonstrate abnormally high rates of flow can mean only that peripheral resistance is increased in all the small vessels of the upper part of the body; the increased resistance in this region requires just as much explanation as does the generalized in-
Efficient HIV‐1 replication can occur in the absence of the viral matrix protein

Matrix (MA), a major structural protein of retroviruses, is thought to play a critical role in several steps of the HIV‐1 replication cycle, including the plasma membrane targeting of Gag, the incorporation of envelope (Env) glycoproteins into nascent particles, and the nuclear import of the viral genome in non‐dividing cells. We now show that the entire MA protein is dispensable for the incorporation of HIV‐1 Env glycoproteins with a shortened cytoplasmic domain. Furthermore, efficient HIV‐1 replication in the absence of up to 90% of MA was observed in a cell line in which the cytoplasmic domain of Env is not required. Additional compensatory changes in Gag permitted efficient virus replication even if all of MA was replaced by a heterologous membrane targeting signal. Viruses which lacked the globular domain of MA but retained its N‐terminal myristyl anchor exhibited an increased ability to form both extracellular and intracellular virus particles, consistent with a myristyl switch model of Gag membrane targeting. Pseudotyped HIV‐1 particles that lacked the structurally conserved globular head of MA efficiently infected macrophages, indicating that MA is dispensable for nuclear import in terminally differentiated cells.
Simulation of subtle lung nodules in projection chest radiography.

PURPOSE To measure the radiologic characteristics of subtle lung nodules and develop nodule phantoms that simulate these characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS From a database of chest radiographs, 16 radiographs that showed confirmed subtle lung nodules were selected. The optical density values surrounding each nodule were obtained, and the radiologic characteristic of the nodules were evaluated. A set of Teflon nodule phantoms with similar x-ray transmission and variability was designed and fabricated. The contrast characteristics of the images of the nodule phantoms were measured. RESULTS Most of the subtle nodules appeared to have diffuse edges with Gaussian-like contrast profiles. The contrast and size characteristics of the nodule phantom images fulfilled the design criteria within a 4% deviation. CONCLUSION The radiologic pattern of subtle lung nodules is poorly simulated by nodule phantoms with simple spherical or disk shapes. The nodule phantoms in this study produce realistic radiographic patterns with an energy-dependent attenuation equivalent to that of tissue. The nodule phantoms are intended for use in experiments involving human subjects.
Contribution of Skin Temperature Regularity to the Risk of Developing Pressure Ulcers in Nursing Facility Residents

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to determine whether characterizing skin temperature regulation as a functional property of the skin as it relates to tissue tolerance improves the clinician's understanding of pressure ulcer risk prediction. DESIGN: A 2-group time-series design was used to observe skin temperature regularity (entropy) and self-similarity (spectral exponent). METHODS: Twenty nursing facility residents wore skin temperature monitors continuously for 5 days. One bathing episode was observed because bathing is a commonly occurring care procedure. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Difference in skin temperature multiscale entropy and spectral exponent by risk category and pressure ulcer outcome. RESULTS: Multiscale entropy (MSE) for skin temperature was lowest in those who developed pressure ulcers, F1,18 = 35.14, P < . 001. Skin temperature mean MSE, F1,17 = 5.55, P = . 031 and the skin temperature spectral exponent, F1,17 = 6.19, P = . 023 differentiated the risk groups. The change in skin temperature entropy during bathing was significant, t(16) = 2.55, P = . 021. CONCLUSIONS: Skin temperature MSE and the spectral exponent were significantly different between low-risk and higher risk residents and residents who did and did not develop pressure ulcers. The study supports measurement of skin temperature regulation as a component of tissue tolerance to pressure.
Comparison of HEp-2 cell culture and Abbott respiratory syncytial virus enzyme immunoassay

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection in children. Rapid identification of RSV infections would allow for specific chemotherapy. We evaluated a means of rapid diagnosis, the Abbott enzyme immunoassay (EIA), by using 314 stored nasopharyngeal aspirates. RSV antigens were identified in 62 of 66 RSV culture-positive specimens. An additional 37 specimens from which RSV was not isolated were positive in the EIA. Of these, 29 were confirmed as truly positive by a blocking assay, for a total of 95 (66 + 29) positive specimens. The sensitivity of the EIA for total positive samples was 96% (91/95) versus 69% (66/95) for cell culture. The specificity of the EIA was 96% (211/219). In these stored specimens, Abbott EIA was superior to cell culture for the detection of RSV.
Fatigue analysis of plates used for fracture stabilization in small dogs and cats.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the fatigue life of stacked and single, veterinary cuttable plates (VCP) and small, limited contact, dynamic compression plates (LC-DCP). STUDY DESIGN In vitro biomechanical study. METHODS Fracture models (constructs; n = 8) were assembled for each of 6 groups all with 8-hole plates: 2.0 mm LC-DCP; 2.4 mm LC-DCP; single 1.5/2.0 mm VCP; stacked 1.5/2.0 mm VCP; single 2.0/2.7 mm VCP; and stacked 2.0/2.7 mm VCP. Plate(s) were secured to 2 polyvinylchloride pipe lengths, mounted in a testing system with a custom jig, and subjected to axial loading (10-100 N) for 1,000,000 cycles at 10 Hz or until failure. Differences in number of cycles to failure among groups were compared. Failure mode was determined. RESULTS All LC-DCP and single VCP constructs failed before 1,000,000 cycles. Stacked 2.0/2.7 mm VCP constructs withstood 1,000,000 cycles without failure. ANOVA and Fisher's least significant difference tests demonstrated significantly more cycles to failure for the stacked 1.5/2.0 mm VCP and stacked 2.0/2.7 mm VCP compared with the single 1.5/2.0 mm VCP, single 2.0/2.7 mm VCP, 2.0 mm LC-DCP, or 2.4 mm LC-DCP. Constructs that failed did so through a screw hole adjacent to the gap. CONCLUSION Stacked VCP constructs have greater fatigue lives than comparably sized LC-DCP or single VCP constructs. Plates with 2.4 mm screws were not significantly different from the comparable construct with 2.0 mm screws. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Although these data reveal that stacked VCP create a superior construct with respect to cyclic fatigue, surgeons must decide whether this is a clinical advantage on a case-by-case basis.
Partial Excision of the Chromosomal Cassette Containing the Methicillin Resistance Determinant Results in Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT We report a detailed characterization of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus isolates from five French hospitals negative for both the mecA and the ccrAB loci but positive for the IS431::pUB110::IS431::dcs structure, present in some Staphylococcus cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types. The presence of SCCmec-associated elements suggests that this unusual resistant phenotype is due to a partial excision of SCCmec from epidemic methicillin-resistant S. aureus. The hypothesis of a genetic relatedness is strengthened by common sequence and spa types and similar susceptibility patterns.
Further characterization of mRNA's of mouse hepatitis virus: presence of common 5'-end nucleotides

The mouse hepatitis virus strain A59 codes for seven RNA species in the infected cells. These virus-specific RNAs were found to be polysome associated and therefore likely to represent mRNA's. All of them have common 3'-end sequences (Lai et al., J. Virol. 39:823-834, 1981). Their structure was further studied with respect to their 5'-end sequences. It was found that all of these mRNA's contained cap structures at their 5' ends. Furthermore, the cap-containing oligonucleotides which represent the sequences immediately adjacent to the 5' ends were found to be the same for most, if not all, of the seven virus-specific mRNA's. These sequences are also identical to the 5'-end sequences of the virion RNA genome. The 5'-end sequences were tentatively determined to be 5'-cap-N-UAAG. The presence of the common nucleotides in all of the virus-specific RNAs in mouse hepatitis virus strain A59 suggests several possible mechanisms of synthesis for these RNAs. The significance of these findings is discussed.
Predicting tacrolimus concentrations in children receiving a heart transplant using a population pharmacokinetic model

Objective Immunosuppressant therapy plays a pivotal role in transplant success and longevity. Tacrolimus, a primary immunosuppressive agent, is well known to exhibit significant pharmacological interpatient and intrapatient variability. This variability necessitates the collection of serial trough concentrations to ensure that the drug remains within therapeutic range. The objective of this study was to build a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model and use it to determine the minimum number of trough samples needed to guide the prediction of an individual’s future concentrations. Design, setting and patients Retrospective data from 48 children who received tacrolimus as inpatients at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah were included in the study. Data were collected within the first 6 weeks after heart transplant. Outcome measures Data analysis used population PK modelling techniques in NONMEM. Predictive ability of the model was determined using median prediction error (MPE, a measure of bias) and median absolute prediction error (MAPE, a measure of accuracy). Of the 48 children in the study, 30 were used in the model building dataset, and 18 in the model validation dataset. Results Concentrations ranged between 1.5 and 37.7 µg/L across all collected data, with only 40% of those concentrations falling within the targeted concentration range (12 to 16 µg/L). The final population PK model contained the impact of age (on volume), creatinine clearance (on elimination rate) and fluconazole use (on elimination rate) as covariates. Our analysis demonstrated that as few as three concentrations could be used to predict future concentrations, with negligible bias (MPE (95% CI)=0.10% (−2.9% to 3.7%)) and good accuracy (MAPE (95% CI)=24.1% (19.7% to 27.7%)). Conclusions The use of PK in dose guidance has the potential to provide significant benefits to clinical care, including dose optimisation during the early stages of therapy, and the potential to limit the need for frequent drug monitoring.
Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge: An Analysis of Impact on IDEIA, Part C Early Intervention Programs

Infants and toddlers who live in poverty are more likely to experience developmental delays or disabilities and less likely to access early intervention (EI) services. The federal initiative Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) was designed to increase access to high quality early learning programs for children at risk for developmental delays due to poverty or disability. Although IDEA, Part C programs were not specifically targeted by this initiative, policies associated with RTTELC may have an indirect impact on state EI programs. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of RTT-ELC on Part C programs by comparing states that received federal grants to states that did not. This study used a social justice framework to identify variables that inform equitable access to high quality Part C programs. Data were extracted from Part C state profiles and compared across states. Awarded states were more likely to increase enrollment of infants and toddlers in Part C Programs and were more likely to use broad eligibility criteria. These findings indicated that although differences were small they could become more pronounced over time. The need for policy change in Part C programs and federal early learning initiatives to directly target infants, toddlers and families in poverty are highlighted through the results of this study.
What do we know about different models of providing palliative care? Findings from a systematic review of reviews

Background: A wide range of organisational models of palliative care exist. However, decision makers need more information about which models are likely to be most effective in different settings and for different patient groups. Aim: To identify the existing range of models of palliative care that have been evaluated, what is already known and what further information is essential if the most effective and cost-effective models are to be identified and replicated more widely. Design: A review of systematic and narrative reviews according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Study quality was assessed using the AMSTAR (A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Reviews) tool. Data sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and ASSIA were searched for reviews about models of service provision from 2000 to 2014 and supplemented with Google searches of the grey literature. Results: Much of the evidence relates to home-based palliative care, although some models are delivered across care settings. Reviews report several potential advantages and few disadvantages of models of palliative care delivery. However, under-reporting of the components of intervention and comparator models are major barriers to the evaluation and implementation of models of palliative care. Conclusion: Irrespective of setting or patient characteristics, models of palliative care appear to show benefits and some models of palliative care may reduce total healthcare costs. However, much more detailed and systematic reporting of components and agreement about outcome measures is essential in order to understand the key components and successfully replicate effective organisational models.
Identification of novel expressed sequences, up‐regulated in the leucocytes of chronic fatigue syndrome patients

Background Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an increasing medical phenomenon of unknown aetiology leading to high levels of chronic morbidity. Of the many hypotheses that purport to explain this disease, immune system activation, as a central feature, has remained prominent but unsubstantiated. Supporting this, a number of important cytokines have previously been shown to be over‐expressed in disease subjects. The diagnosis of CFS is highly problematic since no biological markers specific to this disease have been identified. The discovery of genes relating to this condition is an important goal in seeking to correctly categorize and understand this complex syndrome.
Does discourse congruence influence spoken language comprehension before lexical association? Evidence from event-related potentials

The goal of this study was to examine how lexical association and discourse congruence affect the time course of processing incoming words in spoken discourse. In an event-related potential (ERP) norming study, we presented prime-target pairs in the absence of a sentence context to obtain a baseline measure of lexical priming. We observed a typical N400 effect when participants heard critical associated and unassociated target words in word pairs. In a subsequent experiment, we presented the same word pairs in spoken discourse contexts. Target words were always consistent with the local sentence context, but were congruent or not with the global discourse (e.g., “Luckily Ben had picked up some salt and pepper/basil,” preceded by a context in which Ben was preparing marinara sauce (congruent) or dealing with an icy walkway (incongruent). Event-related potential effects of global discourse congruence preceded those of local lexical association, suggesting an early influence of the global discourse representation on lexical processing, even in locally congruent contexts. Furthermore, effects of lexical association occurred earlier in the congruent than incongruent condition. These results differ from those that have been obtained in studies of reading, suggesting that the effects may be unique to spoken word recognition.