Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of malignant tumors and adenomatous lesions detected by ultrasonographic screening in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases.

BACKGROUND Thyroid ultrasonography (US) is the most sensitive method for detecting thyroid nodules, and US-guided aspiration biopsy is the most accurate diagnostic procedure for thyroid nodules. We performed this retrospective study to establish the prevalence of thyroid nodules in Graves' disease and patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis at the time of their initial visit. METHODS We performed thyroid US as routine screening in 1652 patients with Graves' disease and 2036 Hashimoto's thyroiditis and performed US-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy when the diameter of a nodule >1 cm or a nodule was suspected of being malignant. RESULTS The prevalence of papillary carcinoma in the patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis was higher than in the patients with Graves' disease (1.77% vs. 0.97%), and two patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (0.098%) were found to have malignant lymphoma. Adenomatous lesions were observed more frequently in the patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis than in the patients with Graves' disease. The prevalence of adenomatous lesions increased in an age-dependent manner in both the patients with Graves' disease and those with Hashimoto disease; and adenomatous lesions were more frequent in younger patients with Hashimoto' s thyroiditis than in those with Graves' disease. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of both thyroid papillary cancer and adenomatous lesions was greater in the patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis than in those with Graves' disease; and adenomatous lesions were more frequent in younger patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. We recommend performing US at the time of the initial visit in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease, who have a high prevalence of thyroid papillary carcinoma, to detect malignant thyroid tumors and adenomatous lesions.
Hyponatremia predicts mortality after stroke

Background Hyponatremia, the commonest electrolyte imbalance encountered in clinical practice, is associated with adverse outcomes. Despite this, understanding of the association between hyponatremia and stroke mortality outcome is limited. Aims To investigate the association between admission serum sodium and mortality at various time-points after stroke. Methods Cases of acute stroke admitted to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital consecutively from January 2003 until June 2013 were included, with mortality outcomes ascertained until the end of December 2013. Odds ratios or hazards ratios for death were constructed for various time-points (within seven-days, 8-30 days, within one-year, and over full follow-up). Results There were 8540 participants included (47.4% male, mean age 77.3 (±12.0) years). Point prevalence of hypernatremia and hyponatremia were 3.3% and 13.8%, respectively. In fully adjusted models controlling for age, gender, prestroke modified Rankin score, stroke type, Oxford community stroke project class, and laboratory biochemical and hematological results, the odds ratio (up to one-year)/hazards ratio (for full follow-up) for the above time-points were 1.00, 1.11, 1.03, 1.05 for mild hyponatremia; 1.97, 0.78, 1.11, 1.2 for moderate hyponatremia; 3.31, 1.57, 2.45, 1.67 for severe hyponatremia; and 0.47, 1.23, 1.30, 1.10 for hypernatremia. When stratified by age groups, outcomes were poorer in younger hyponatremic patients (aged <75 years). Conclusion Hyponatremia is prevalent in acute stroke admissions and is independently associated with higher mortality in patients <75 years).
Seasonal H1N1 Influenza Virus Infection Induces Cross-Protective Pandemic H1N1 Virus Immunity through a CD8-Independent, B Cell-Dependent Mechanism

ABSTRACT During the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus pandemic (pdmH1N1) outbreak, it was found that most individuals lacked antibodies against the new pdmH1N1 virus, and only the elderly showed anti-hemagglutinin (anti-HA) antibodies that were cross-reactive with the new strains. Different studies have demonstrated that prior contact with the virus can confer protection against strains with some degree of dissimilarity; however, this has not been sufficiently explored within the context of a pdmH1N1 virus infection. In this study, we have found that a first infection with the A/Brisbane/59/2007 virus strain confers heterologous protection in ferrets and mice against a subsequent pdmH1N1 (A/Mexico/4108/2009) virus infection through a cross-reactive but non-neutralizing antibody mechanism. Heterologous immunity is abrogated in B cell-deficient mice but maintained in CD8−/− and perforin-1−/− mice. We identified cross-reactive antibodies from A/Brisbane/59/2007 sera that recognize non-HA epitopes in pdmH1N1 virus. Passive serum transfer showed that cross-reactive sH1N1-induced antibodies conferred protection in naive recipient mice during pdmH1N1 virus challenge. The presence or absence of anti-HA antibodies, therefore, is not the sole indicator of the effectiveness of protective cross-reactive antibody immunity. Measurement of additional antibody repertoires targeting the non-HA antigens of influenza virus should be taken into consideration in assessing protection and immunization strategies. We propose that preexisting cross-protective non-HA antibody immunity may have had an overall protective effect during the 2009 pdmH1N1 outbreak, thereby reducing disease severity in human infections.
Improving maternal healthcare utilisation in sub-Saharan Africa through micro-finance.

PURPOSE This paper aims to examine links between women's access to micro-finance and how they use maternal healthcare services in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH The authors use theoretical and empirical literature to propose a framework to sustain and improve women's access to maternal healthcare services through micro-financing. FINDINGS It is found that improved access to micro-finance by women, combined with education may enhance maternal health service uptake. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS The paper does not consider empirical data in the analysis. The authors advocate empirically testing the framework proposed in other SSA countries. SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS It is important to empower women by facilitating their access to education and micro-finance. This has implications for improving maternal healthcare utilization in SSA. ORIGINALITY/VALUE The paper moves beyond poor access to maternal health services in SSA and proposes a framework for providing sustainable solutions.
Asymmetric Auxin Response Precedes Asymmetric Growth and Differentiation of asymmetric leaf1 and asymmetric leaf2 Arabidopsis Leaves

We have analyzed the development of leaf shape and vascular pattern in leaves mutant for ASYMMETRIC LEAVES1 (AS1) or AS2 and compared the timing of developmental landmarks to cellular response to auxin, as measured by expression of the DR5:β-glucuronidase (GUS) transgene and to cell division, as measured by expression of the cycB1:GUS transgene. We found that the earliest visible defect in both as1 and as2 first leaves is the asymmetric placement of auxin response at the distal leaf tip. This precedes visible changes in leaf morphology, asymmetric placement of the distal margin gap, formation of margin gaps along the leaf border, asymmetric distribution of marginal auxin, and asymmetry in cell division patterns. Moreover, treatment of developing leaves with either exogenous auxin or an auxin transport inhibitor eliminates asymmetric auxin response and subsequent asymmetric leaf development. We propose that the initial asymmetric placement of auxin at the leaf tip gives rise to later asymmetries in the internal auxin sources, which subsequently result in asymmetrical cell differentiation and division patterns.
The influence of temperature and aging of cellulose on water distribution in oil-paper insulation

This paper deals with the problem of moisture in the transformer insulation system. The author proposed that apart from the temperature, the uneven aging of cellulose insulation may have a substantial effect on moisture distribution. The main goal of the research was to check the influence of the degree of aging of winding paper on moisture distribution by taking into account temperature distribution. New paper and paper at three different stages of aging were tested. The obtained results confirmed the hypothesis - it was proven that the uneven aging of insulation may enhance moisture distribution in the insulation system.
The Syndrome of Capgras

Summary In eleven patients with the syndrome of Capgras, the clinical data and the results of electroencephalographic, echoencephalographic, air-encephalographic, psychological and brain-scanning investigations are presented and discussed. All patients were psychotic: six were schizophrenic, four were depressive and one suffered from an organic psychosis. A paranoid element was marked in all cases. The present evidence supports the view that organic factors are important in the pathogenesis of Capgras' syndrome.
Smoking, Genetic Polymorphisms in Biotransformation Enzymes, and Nonsyndromic Oral Clefting: A Gene-Environment Interaction

The importance of maternal smoking in the pathogenesis of oral facial clefts is not clear. Susceptibility to cigarette smoke depends on biotransformation of the toxic compounds by mother and embryo. In a population-based case-control study, we investigated the effects of maternal smoking during the first pregnancy trimester and the interaction with polymorphisms in the biotransformation enzymes cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and glutathione S-transferase theta 1–1 (GSTT1) on the risk of nonsyndromic oral clefting in the offspring. We recruited 113 infants with nonsyndromic oral clefts and their mothers, as well as 104 control infants and their mothers. Maternal smoking habits were collected regarding the period 3 months before through 3 months after conception. Buccal swabs were taken from mothers and infants for genetic analysis. Maternal smoking was not strongly associated with oral clefting (odds ratio = 1.1; 95% confidence interval = 0.6–2.2), nor were CYP1A1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms. Mothers who smoked and carried the GSTT1-null genotype, however, had an increased risk for having a child with oral clefting compared with nonsmokers with the wild type genotype (odds ratio = 3.2; 95% confidence interval = 0.9–11.6). The risk was almost five times greater (odds ratio = 4.9; 95% confidence interval = 0.7–36.9) in mothers and infants both having the GSTT1-null genotype compared with both having the wild genotype. There was no interaction between CYP1A1 and maternal smoking in relation to oral clefting.
Effect of Abciximab on Prothrombin Activation and Thrombin Generation in Acute Coronary Syndromes Without ST-Segment Elevation: Global Utilization of Strategies to Open Occluded Coronary Arteries Trial IV in Acute Coronary Syndromes (GUSTO IV ACS) Italian Hematologic Substudy

Background—Abciximab is very effective in reducing major cardiac events in patients undergoing interventional procedures. Its antithrombotic effect is primarily attributable to the blocking of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptors, but recent evidence suggests that it may have a direct antithrombin effect. No data are available concerning the effect of abciximab on the in vivo markers of prothrombin activation and thrombin generation in patients with acute coronary syndromes without ST elevation. Methods and Results—We measured the plasma levels of prothrombin fragment 1+2 (a marker of prothrombin activation) and the thrombin/antithrombin complex (a marker of thrombin generation) in 167 patients with acute coronary syndromes without ST elevation enrolled in the GUSTO IV ACS trial who were randomized to receive abciximab for 24 hours (52 patients), abciximab for 48 hours (59 patients), or placebo (56 patients) in addition to heparin. Blood samples were obtained at baseline (before any treatment), after 24 and 48 hours (before study drug discontinuation), and 1 month later. There was a significant increase in the plasma levels of prothrombin fragment 1+2 after 48 hours and after 1 month in all 3 groups, placebo (P =0.0001), 24-hour abciximab (P =0.0002), and 48-hour abciximab (P =0.0001). The plasma thrombin/antithrombin complex levels were similar in the 3 groups at all time points and did not change during the study drug infusions. Conclusions—Abciximab does not decrease prothrombin activation and thrombin generation in patients with acute coronary syndromes without ST elevation not undergoing interventional procedures.
Factors affecting the landing and feeding responses of the tsetse fly Glossina pallidipes to a stationary ox

In Zimbabwe, studies were made of the landing and feeding responses of Glossina pallidipes on an ox. Of the tsetse approaching an ox, ≈ 70% fed. Increasing densities of tsetse increased the grooming responses of the ox but had no significant effect on the percentage of tsetse that engorged. The landing site of tsetse on the ox varied with density, with ≈ 50% landing on the legs at low densities (< 20 flies per ox), compared to ≈ 80% at densities > 40 flies per ox. For male G. pallidipes, the mean bloodmeal size was 37 mg. The probability of feeding was negatively correlated with fat content, declining from 91% for flies with < 1 mg fat to < 50% for flies with > 4 mg fat. Bloodmeal size was also negatively correlated with fat content; the regression equation relating bloodmeal size and fat content indicated that the mean wet weight declined from 42 mg for flies with 1 mg of fat to 31 mg for flies with 5 mg of fat. For females, the probability of feeding was not significantly affected by age as determined by ovarian category but there was a paucity of young (ovarian category 0) flies attracted to the ox. Pregnancy status had no significant effect on the probability of feeding, but samples of flies attracted to the ox showed a relative dearth of females approaching larviposition and a preponderance just after.
An Extended Model of Theory of Planned Behaviour in Predicting Exercise Intention

The main purpose of the present study was to propose and test an extended model with the addition of perceived need in predicting exercise participation, drawing upon the theory of planned behaviour. Cross-sectional data was collected via self-administered surveys from general adults sample (n = 217). The instrument was first validated using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to test for unidimensionality, convergent and discriminant validity. Model and hypotheses testing were performed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The extended model accounted for a substantial portion of the variance in exercise intention ( R 2 = 0 . 798). Specific findings revealed that: (1) all predictors were significantly correlated with exercise intention; ( 2) attitude components, perceived control, and perceived need predicted exercise intention; (3) instrumental attitude emerged as the strongest predictor of intention. This study has important implications for marketing practitioners, consumer researchers, and public policy makers interested in the determinants of exercise participation.
Media Consumption and Perceptions of Social Reality: Effects and Underlying Processes

I opened this chapter in the second edition of Bryant and Zillmann’s Media Effects series with the same quote. I retained it for this updated volume because it still rings true, despite some significant changes in the media landscape. Although in the movie it is unclear whether his words were those of a madman or a sage, few would be likely to question Howard Beale’s claim that television presents a distorted view of reality. Certainly, one can argue that aspects of media content, format, and presentation have changed significantly in just the last few years, with a rise in so-called “reality programming,” made popular by the initial success of programs such as Survivor, and more recently by programs such as American Idol. Yet charges such as scripting of outcomes of competitions, selection of contestants based on audience appeal, and product placements have undermined the claim that these programs present the world as it really is. But even if most people do not question the premise that typical television fare distorts reality, what they do question is if the distortion has any effect, and if so, why and how. These interrelated questions about the why and how of media effects lie at the heart of scholarly debates and critiques of media effects research. Over the past few decades, there have been two persistent criticisms. One is that the evidence accumulated to date has provided little indication of sizable media effects on viewers’ thoughts, feelings, or actions, in spite of a generally held “myth of massive media impact” by many researchers (McGuire, 1986). The second criticism is that it has for the most part lacked any focus on explanatory mechanisms. That is, media effects research has been primarily concerned with relations between input variables (e.g., media information and its characteristics) and output variables (e.g., attitudes, beliefs, behavior), with little consideration of the cognitive processes that might mediate these relations (Hawkins & Pingree, 1990; Reeves, Chaffee, & Tims, 1982; see also Wyer, 1980).
Evaluation of quality-of-life measures for use in palliative care: a systematic review

Purpose: In this literature review we evaluated the feasibility and clinimetric quality of quality-of-life (QoL) measurement instruments suitable for use in palliative care. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review to identify instruments measuring (at least one domain of) QoL. We selected articles that present data on patients receiving palliative care and at least one measurement property. A checklist was used to describe the characteristics of the instruments, and a widely accepted rating list was used to evaluate the clinimetric aspects. Results: 29 instruments were identified and evaluated, most of which were targeted at palliative patients in general. None of the instruments demonstrated satisfactory results for all measurement properties. Fourteen instruments received positive ratings for construct validity. Thirteen instruments were tested for reliability, but only two were tested adequately and had positive results (ICC>0.70). Responsiveness was not tested adequately for any of the instruments. Very few of the studies provided information on the interpretation of the scores. Overall, the MQOL, followed by the QUAL-E and the QODD, received the best ratings for their measurement properties. Conclusions: Many measurement instruments were identified, but most had not yet been adequately evaluated. The evaluation of existing instruments with good content validity should have priority over the development of new instruments.
A Comparison of Three Strategies for Scale Construction to Predict a Specific Behavioral Outcome

Using 65 items from a mental health screening questionnaire, the History Opinion Inventory–Revised (HOI-R), the present study compared three strategies of scale construction—(1) internal (based on factor analysis), (2) external (based on empirical performance) and (3) intuitive (based on clinicians’ opinion)—to predict whether 203,595 U.S. Air Force trainees would be discharged early for mental health or behavior-related reasons within a 4-year follow-up period. The external strategy significantly outperformed the internal strategy, which in turn outperformed the intuitive strategy. For all strategies, predictive accuracy was consistently higher when items and scales were scored using empirically derived weights rather than unit weights. These findings suggest that the external strategy of scale construction provides the highest accuracy when sample sizes are large and the aim is to predict a specific behavioral event. However, the internal strategy also yields valid results and can be a reasonable choice when outcome data are unavailable.
Regulation and distribution of Fibrobacter succinogenes subsp. succinogenes S85 endoglucanases

The distribution of endoglucanase activities in cultures of Fibrobacter succinogenes subsp. succinogenes S85 grown on different carbon sources was examined by a variety of biochemical and immunological techniques. Total culture endoglucanase activity was primarily cell associated and was expressed constitutively, although synthesis of endoglucanase 1 (EG1) was repressed by cellobiose. Western immunoblotting showed that EG1 and EG3 were released into the culture fluid during growth, while EG2 remained largely associated with the cell. Subcellular localization showed low endoglucanase activity in the periplasmic fraction and similar, high levels in the cytoplasmic and membrane fractions. Western immunoblotting showed that EG2 was absent from the periplasmic fraction. Data from immunoelectron microscopy with either polyclonal or monoclonal antibody to EG2 revealed a high density of gold labeling at sites where there was a disruption in the regular features of the cell surface, such as in blebbing or physical tearing of the membrane. When cells were grown on cellulose, there was a high density of labeling on the cellulose but not on the cells, indicating that EG2 has limited exposure at the cell surface. On the basis of these data, export of enzymes from their intracellular locations appears to occur via three different mechanisms: a specific secretory pathway independent of cellulose, a secretory mechanism which is mediated by contact with cellulose, and a generalized blebbing process that occurs irrespective of the carbon source.
Occupational radiation doses to the extremities and the eyes in interventional radiology and cardiology procedures.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine occupational dose levels in interventional radiology and cardiology procedures. METHODS The study covered a sample of 25 procedures and monitored occupational dose for all laboratory personnel. Each individual wore eight thermoluminescent dosemeters next to the eyes, wrists, fingers and legs during each procedure. Radiation protection shields used in each procedure were recorded. RESULTS The highest doses per procedure were recorded for interventionists at the left wrist (average 485 μSv, maximum 5239 μSv) and left finger (average 324 μSv, maximum 2877 μSv), whereas lower doses were recorded for the legs (average 124 μSv, maximum 1959 μSv) and the eyes (average 64 μSv, maximum 1129 μSv). Doses to the assisting nurses during the intervention were considerably lower; the highest doses were recorded at the wrists (average 26 μSv, maximum 41 μSv) and legs (average 18 μSv, maximum 22 μSv), whereas doses to the eyes were minimal (average 4 μSv, maximum 16 μSv). Occupational doses normalised to kerma area product (KAP) ranged from 11.9 to 117.3 μSv/1000 cGy cm² and KAP was poorly correlated to the interventionists' extremity doses. CONCLUSION Calculation of the dose burden for interventionists considering the actual number of procedures performed annually revealed that dose limits for the extremities and the lenses of the eyes were not exceeded. However, there are cases in which high doses have been recorded and this can lead to exceeding the dose limits when bad practices are followed and the radiation protection tools are not properly used.