Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Large‐scale immunohistochemical examination for lymphoreticular prion protein in tonsil specimens collected in Britain

There have been 173 cases of variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (vCJD) in the UK, as of 5 July 2010, as a result of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy epidemic. The number of individuals subclinically infected with vCJD, and thus the eventual number of cases, remains, however, uncertain. In an attempt to address this problem, 63 007 tonsil tissue specimens were previously tested by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the presence of disease‐related prion protein (PrPres) and found to be negative. To confirm the reliability of this result, all those in the birth cohort most at risk (1961–1985) and a few others, including controls, have now been tested by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Histological slides were prepared from 10 075 anonymized formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissues and examined for PrPres with two anti‐prion protein antibodies, ICMS35 and KG9. One specimen showed a single strongly positive follicle with both antibodies, on two slides from adjacent sections. As this specimen was negative when it was further investigated by EIA, IHC, and immunoblotting, it is unclear whether the patient from whom the tonsil came will go on to develop vCJD. If, however, this is the case, then a finding of 1 out of 9160 gives a prevalence of disease‐related prion protein in the British population of 109 per million, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 3–608 per million, which is not statistically different (exact p = 0.63) from population prevalence estimates based on finding three positives out of 10 278 in a previous IHC study of appendix tissue. If this is not the case, a finding of 0 out of 9160 gives a prevalence of 0–403 per million (95% CI) for the 1961‐1985 cohort, which is also not different (exact p = 0.25) from previous population prevalence estimates. Therefore, the results of this work could be summarized as finding, by IHC, no or one vCJD‐positive individual. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of the melanoma vaccine in 38 dogs: The South African experience

The commercially available vaccine Oncept® is indicated for the management of dogs with stage II or III oral melanoma after local control has been achieved. Survival times in dogs with both oral and digit melanoma have been shown to be significantly increased following vaccination. This retrospective study was designed to document the investigators’ experiences with Oncept® vaccine when used as an adjunct therapy for treatment of stage II–IV oral, digit and malignant melanoma of other sites after local control had been achieved in dogs presented to a South African specialist referral veterinary practice. Thirty-eight dogs diagnosed with melanoma (25 oral, 6 digit and 7 infiltrative at various other sites) underwent a combination of surgical excision and Oncept® vaccination. At the end of the study period there were 16 live and 22 dead dogs; median survival time of the live dogs was 29 months (range 2–46 months) versus 8 months (range 2–16 months) for those that died from progressive disease. This study showed that by using a combination of surgical excision and vaccination with Oncept® survival times in dogs with malignant melanoma of the oral cavity, digit and other sites can be increased significantly.
Backstepping-based tracking control of nonholonomic chained systems

We consider the tracking control of chained nonholonomic systems using integrator backstepping techniques. For any a priori given compact set. we can find a tracking controller such that the closed-loop error dynamics are uniformly asymptotically stable with a domain of attraction containing this set. A systematic controller design scheme is proposed via backstepping. Comparisons with previous tracking methods are also made.
Health promoting lifestyles of Jordanian university students

Background: Health-promoting lifestyles of university students are strongly related to their current and subsequent health status. Low rates of health-promoting lifestyles among university students are still reported in literature. However, few studies in Jordan have examined health-promoting behaviors among university students. Objectives: This study was aimed to assess health-promoting lifestyles among university students and to examine relationship between the university student's characteristics and health-promoting lifestyles. Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational design was conducted using a sample of university students at Mutah University in Jordan. The Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II) scale was given to students as self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Of the 480 distributed questionnaires; 340 completed questionnaires were returned. Results revealed that the total average score for the HPLP-II for students was 2.4 (SD =0.4). The highest mean score was for spiritual growth subscale (M=3.0, SD= 0.7) and the lowest mean score was for physical activity subscale (M = 2.0, SD = 0.7). Students' scores on the health responsibility, nutritional habits, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, and stress-management subscales of the HPLP-II did not differ significantly by gender, but males scored better than females on the physical exercise subscale. Conclusions: This study suggest that university administrators, curriculum planners, community health professionals, and public health nurses may need to develop guidelines and interventions for structuring a healthier environment and developing health promotion programs to assist university students in developing healthy lifestyles.
High divorce rates in the United States combined with the detrimental effects of unhappy marriage on the physical and mental health of spouses and children have led to an increased amount of research on marital satisfaction and marital stability

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of cultural backgrounds of spouses on leisure (couple and individual) and marital satisfaction among Korean-American and East European-American married couples. In particular, the study examined challenges faced by intercultural unions that were related to their leisure engagements and the role of leisure in improving marital satisfaction. The data were collected with the use of in-depth one-on-one interviews. The results showed the importance of shared leisure time as a component of marital satisfaction among intercultural couples. Leisure allowed them to develop shared interests and provided opportunities for healthy communication and spending quality time together. Spouses faced unique problems in leisure related to differences in native languages, communication styles, and social behavior. They also employed a number of strategies to increase their marital satisfaction, including (a) restructuring leisure, (b) proactively using leisure to address potential marital problems, and (c) providing opportunities for positive seclusion.
Extraction of Hoechst 33342 from the cytoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane by P-glycoprotein.

P-glycoprotein is an ATP-dependent plasma membrane multidrug transporter of broad specificity. A common chemical property of its substrates is that all are lipophilic. Using Hoechst 33342 as the substrate, we have previously shown that P-glycoprotein extracts the substrate directly from the lipid bilayer [Shapiro, A. B. , Corder, A. B. & Ling, V. (1997) Eur. J. Biochem. 250, 115-121]. In this paper, we determined the leaflet of the plasma membrane from which P-glycoprotein extracts Hoechst 33342. The initial rate of Hoechst 33342 transport upon ATP addition to P-glycoprotein-rich inside-out plasma membrane vesicles decreased slightly with the amount of time previously elapsed for slow diffusion of Hoechst 33342 to the extracellular leaflet. This result is consistent with transport from the cytoplasmic leaflet. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer from donor Hoechst 33342 to acceptor 2-[6-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]hexanoyl-sn-glycero- 3-phosphocholine (Nbd-C6-HPC) in the cytoplasmic leaflet was used to monitor the amount of Hoechst 33342 in the cytoplasmic leaflet versus time. The initial rate of decrease of the energy-transfer-related Nbd-C6-HPC fluorescence after ATP addition exceeded that of the Hoechst 33342 fluorescence and continued to decrease after decrease of the Hoechst 33342 fluorescence had ceased. These effects were consistent with transport of Hoechst 33342 from the cytoplasmic leaflet to the aqueous interior of the vesicles, followed by rebinding to the extracellular leaflet. This demonstrates that P-glycoprotein transports drugs from the cytoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane directly to the aqueous extracellular medium. This finding has implications for efforts to localize the drug-binding site(s) within P-glycoprotein.
Distribution of large biomass particles in a sand‐biomass fluidized bed: Experiments and modeling

The axial distribution of large biomass particles in bubbling fluidized beds comprised of sand and biomass is investigated in this study. The global and local pressure drop profiles are analyzed in mixtures fluidized at superficial gas velocities ranging from 0.2 to 1 m/s. In addition, the radioactive particle tracking technique is used to track the trajectory of a tracer mimicking the behavior of biomass particles in systems consisting of 2, 8, and 16% of biomass mass ratio. The effects of superficial gas velocity and the mixture composition on the mixing/segregation of the bed components are explored by analyzing the circulatory motion of the active tracer. Contrary to low fluidization velocity (U = 0.36 m/s), biomass circulation and distribution are enhanced at U = 0.64 m/s with increasing the load of biomass particles. The axial profile of volume fraction of biomass along the bed is modeled on the basis of the experimental findings. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 869–880, 2014
Heroin and naltrexone effects on pituitary-gonadal hormones in man: interaction of steroid feedback effects, tolerance and supersensitivity.

The acute and chronic effects of heroin, and the opiate antagonist naltrexone, on integrated plasma samples analyzed for luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) levels were studied in six adult males with a history of heroin addiction. Acute doses of heroin (10 mg i.v.) significantly suppressed LH levels. Chronic heroin use was also associated with a significant decrease in plasma T levels. LH levels after chronic heroin use were lower than control levels but the degree of LH suppression was approximately the same as after the acute doses of heroin. Acute naltrexone administration did not alter T levels appreciably but was associated with a significant elevation in LH levels. After 22 days of chronic naltrexone maintenance, T levels were in the high normal range and LH levels were in the low normal range. These data suggest the development of tolerance and supersensitivity to opiate agonist and antagonist effects on pituitary-gonadal hormones involves interaction between the direct effects of these drugs on LH followed by steroid feedback effects of T on gonadotrophin secretory activity.
Transarticular Screw Fixation for Atlanto-Occipital Dislocation

Study Design. A case report of traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation managed by transarticular screw fixation. Objectives. To present a case with initial failed wire fixation but successful reduction and fixation with transarticular screw fixation and occipitocervical plate stabilization. Summary of Background Data. Atlanto-occipital dislocation is generally a fatal injury, except when it occurs in children. Management of this injury is difficult because of multidirectional instability and the problems associated with technical stabilization. Methods. Intraoperative atlanto-occipital reduction was achieved and maintained by direct C0–C1 transarticular screw fixation. To protect this fixation, a posterior occipitocervical fusion at C0–C2 using a Y-plate was performed. Results. The internal fixation and reduction were maintained, indicating a good surgical outcome, at examination 2 years after surgery. The initially severe neurologic deficit was reduced to some motor weakness of the right hand and weakness of oculomotor function. Conclusions. Anatomic reduction and reliable fixation with transarticular screws may provide satisfactory clinical results with important neurologic recovery in cases of atlanto-occipital dislocation.
Orthographic influences on division of labor in learning to read Chinese and English: Insights from computational modeling*

Learning to read in any language requires learning to map among print, sound and meaning. Writing systems differ in a number of factors that influence both the ease and the rate with which reading skill can be acquired, as well as the eventual division of labor between phonological and semantic processes. Further, developmental reading disability manifests differently across writing systems, and may be related to different deficits in constitutive processes. Here we simulate some aspects of reading acquisition in Chinese and English using the same model for both writing systems. The contribution of semantic and phonological processing to literacy acquisition in the two languages is simulated, including specific effects of phonological and semantic deficits. Further, we demonstrate that similar patterns of performance are observed when the same model is trained on both Chinese and English as an “early bilingual”. The results are consistent with the view that reading skill is acquired by the application of statistical learning rules to mappings among print, sound and meaning, and that differences in the typical and disordered acquisition of reading skill between writing systems are driven by differences in the statistical patterns of the writing systems themselves, rather than differences in cognitive architecture of the learner.
Carotid Artery Stenting Compared to Carotid Endarterectomy Performed Exclusively in a Veteran Population: One Center's Experience With Midterm Results

Objective:To evaluate a single center's experience with carotid artery stenting (CAS) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) performed by vascular surgeons in an entirely veteran population. Methods:Data from the Lakeside and Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC) from September 1997 to December 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Indications for CAS or CEA included asymptomatic carotid stenosis >70% or symptomatic stenosis >50%. Demographic data, procedural details, and clinical outcomes are reported. Results:A cohort of 104 patients (98% men) underwent 113 CAS procedures with 100% technical success. Cerebral protection was used in 98% of the procedures. Average age was 70 years (15 patients ≥80 years old); 30% were symptomatic. Previous ipsilateral CEA, neck dissection or irradiation was present in 10.6% of procedures. The 30-day transient ischemic attack, stroke, and death rates were 2.7%, 3.5%, and 0.0% respectively. The 1-year all cause death rate was 6.2%. During the same time period, 79 patients (98% male) underwent 91 CEA procedures. Average age was 67 years (9 patients ≥80 years old); 45% were symptomatic. The 30-day transient ischemic attack, stroke, and death rates were 1%, 2.2%, and 1% respectively. The 1-year all cause death rate was 5.5%. There were no statistically significant differences in outcome within asymptomatic and symptomatic patient groups between CAS and CEA, respectively. Conclusions:CAS is a safe and efficacious alternative for the treatment of carotid artery stenosis in a veteran population and outcomes compare favorably to contemporary CAS and CEA trials. Veterans should be offered CAS as a treatment option for carotid artery stenosis by vascular surgeons or interventionalists who are trained to perform this procedure and have the appropriate resources.
Lack of protection by the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor blocker dizocilpine (MK-801) after transient severe cerebral ischemia in the rat.

Glutamate is an important factor in the mechanisms of neuronal damage following cerebral ischemia. Blockade of one type of glutamate receptor, the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, decreases brain infarct size in experimental models of permanent focal ischemia, but protection in models of transient reversible ischemia is ambiguous. We investigated the effect of the noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist dizocipiline (MK-801) on neuronal damage in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus, using two models of reversible cerebral ischemia: 10 or 15 min of bilateral common carotid occlusion combined with hypotension, or 6-8.5 min of cardiac arrest. Histopathologic evaluation of neuronal damage was performed 7 days after the ischemic insults. Thirteen groups of rats (a total of 129 animals) were treated with saline or dizocilpine in single or multiple doses ranging from 0.1 to 5 mg.kg-1, given intravenously or intraperitoneally prior to and/or after the ischemic insult. In none of the dizocilpine-treated groups could neuronal protection be demonstrated in the CA1 region of the septal as well as dorsotemporal hippocampus, compared to a corresponding saline-treated group. We conclude that systemically administered noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists do not provide a marked protection against neuronal damage after a transient period of severe forebrain ischemia.
The effects of high resistance–few repetitions and low resistance–high repetitions resistance training on climbing performance

Abstract The aim of the study was to compare the effects of different strength training intensities on climbing performance, climbing-specific tests and a general strength test. Thirty lower grade and intermediate-level climbers participated in a 10-week training programme. The participants were randomized into three groups: high resistance–few repetitions training groups (HR-FR), low resistance–high repetitions training groups (LR-HR) and a control group (CON) which continued climbing/training as usual. Post-testing results demonstrated statistical tendencies for climbing performance improvements in the HR-FR and LR-HR (p = 0.088–0.090, effect size = 0.55–0.73), but no differences were observed between the groups (p = 0.950). For the climbing-specific tests, no differences were observed between the groups (p = 0.507–1.000), but the HR-FR and LR-HR improved their time in both Dead-hang (p = 0.004–0.026) and Bent-arm hang (p < 0.001–0.002). The HR-FR and LR-HR improved their 12RM strength in pull-down (p ≤ 0.001), but not the CON group (p = 0.250). No differences were observed in the CON group in any of the tests (p = 0.190–0.596) with the exception of improvement in Bent-arm Hang (p = 0.018). The training groups reduced their climbing sessions during the intervention compared to the CON group (p = 0.057–0.074). In conclusion, HR-FR and LR-HR training programmes demonstrated an 11% and 12% non-significant improvement in climbing performance despite a 50% reduction in climbing sessions, but improved the results in strength and climbing-specific tests. None of the training intensities was superior compared to the others.
Solitary cysts of the parotid

Cystic changes in the parotid gland are found occasionally in long-standing parotid obstruction. The cysts are multiple and usually < 0.5 cm in diameter. Lymphangiomas occur occasionally in children and are obvious at operation. Solitary cysts in otherwise normal glands are rare but are more commonly seen in the parotid than the submandibular salivary gland. They account for 2-5percent of all parotid masses or spaceoccupying lesions‘. Because cystic degeneration occasionally occurs in salivary neoplasms, all solitary cystic lesions in the parotid were widely excised after nerve dissection. The results of this policy are presented.
Trajectories of marijuana use and psychological adjustment among urban African American and Puerto Rican women

Background The current longitudinal study examined the developmental patterns of marijuana use and their relationship with subsequent psychological adjustment in a community-based sample of urban African American and Puerto Rican women. Method Participants were interviewed five times over a period ranging from adolescence (mean age 14.0 years) to adulthood (mean age 32.5 years). Outcome measures included depressive symptoms, anger/hostility and the presence of a substance use disorder (abuse/dependence). Results Three distinct trajectories of marijuana use were identified: non-users, increasers and quitters. Increasers reported higher levels of depressive symptoms and anger/hostility than did non-users and were more likely to meet criteria for a substance use disorder at age 32.5 years. Conclusions Our findings indicate that early-starting long-term use of marijuana is associated with psychological maladjustment among women. Prevention efforts should emphasize the long-term cost associated with marijuana use, and that the best psychological health is reported by those who abstain from the drug.
Cutting Edge: Multiple Sclerosis-Like Lesions Induced by Effector CD8 T Cells Recognizing a Sequestered Antigen on Oligodendrocytes1

CD8 T cells are emerging as important players in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis, although their direct contribution to tissue damage is still debated. To assess whether autoreactive CD8 T cells can contribute to the pronounced loss of oligodendrocytes observed in MS plaques, we generated mice in which the model Ag influenza hemagglutinin is selectively expressed in oligodendrocytes. Transfer of preactivated hemagglutinin-specific CD8 T cells led to inflammatory lesions in the optic nerve, spinal cord, and brain. These lesions, associating CD8 T cell infiltration with focal loss of oligodendrocytes, demyelination, and microglia activation, were very reminiscent of active MS lesions. Thus, our study demonstrates the potential of CD8 T cells to induce oligodendrocyte lysis in vivo as a likely consequence of direct Ag-recognition. These results provide new insights with regard to CNS tissue damage mediated by CD8 T cells and for understanding the role of CD8 T cells in MS.
Prevalence of Migraine Headaches in the Romany Population in Spain

Purpose: To compare the prevalence of migraine headaches in the Romany population with the prevalence in the general Spanish population and to describe its association with demographic and clinical risk factors. Method: A cross-sectional study using data from the 2006 Spanish National Health Survey (n = 16,079) and the National Health Survey in the Romany Population (n = 993). Inclusion criteria were migraine headache diagnosed by a neurologist, suffered over the preceding 2 weeks that reduced work or leisure activity by half a day or more. Results: The prevalence of migraine in the Romany population (29.4%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 26.48-32.53) was significantly higher than in the general Spanish population (12.52%, 95% CI = 11.85-13.22). Females (odds ratio [OR] = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.10-2.21), those ≤40 years old (OR = 4.17, 95% CI = 1.78-9.62), those sleeping ≤8 hours/day or less (OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.32-2.59), those with body mass index >30 kg/m2 (OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.15-2.65), those suffering from osteoarthritis (OR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.54-4.36), and those suffering from allergy (OR = 1.69, CI = 1.05-2.71) were associated with higher incidence of migraines. Romanies with migraines reported worse self-perceived health status (OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.41-3.15) and higher incidence of depression (OR = 2.09 95% CI = 1.32-3.30) than those without. Discussion: Prevalence of migraines is greater in the Romany living in Spain than in the general Spanish population. Implication for practice: Public health systems should focus prevention campaigns specifically on this population and concentrate on those factors that are potentially modifiable.