Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parental Control, Trait Anxiety, and Satisfaction with Life in College Students

Research on developmental psychopathology has highlighted the role of parental behavior in subsequent development of pathology in children and adolescents. Although parental psychological control has been an area of interest to researchers, the connection between psychological control and anxiety has not been well established. We administered measures of perceived parental control and acceptance (separate forms for mother and father), trait anxiety, and satisfaction with life to 202 undergraduate students. Analysis indicated that perception of parents (both mother and father) as psychologically controlling was significantly positively correlated with trait anxiety and significantly negatively correlated with satisfaction with life. This held even after the effects of psychological control by the other parent were statistically eliminated.
Nicotine activates TRPM5-dependent and independent taste pathways

The orosensory responses elicited by nicotine are relevant for the development and maintenance of addiction to tobacco products. However, although nicotine is described as bitter tasting, the molecular and neural substrates encoding the taste of nicotine are unclear. Here, rats and mice were used to determine whether nicotine activates peripheral and central taste pathways via TRPM5-dependent mechanisms, which are essential for responses to other bitter tastants such as quinine, and/or via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). When compared with wild-type mice, Trpm5−/− mice had reduced, but not abolished, chorda tympani (CT) responses to nicotine. In both genotypes, lingual application of mecamylamine, a nAChR-antagonist, inhibited CT nerve responses to nicotine and reduced behavioral responses of aversion to this stimulus. In accordance with these findings, rats were shown to discriminate between nicotine and quinine presented at intensity-paired concentrations. Moreover, rat gustatory cortex (GC) neural ensemble activity could also discriminate between these two bitter tastants. Mecamylamine reduced both behavioral and GC neural discrimination between nicotine and quinine. In summary, nicotine elicits taste responses through peripheral TRPM5-dependent pathways, common to other bitter tastants, and nAChR-dependent and TRPM5-independent pathways, thus creating a unique sensory representation that contributes to the sensory experience of tobacco products.
Endothelial dysfunction in patients with chronic periodontitis and its improvement after initial periodontal therapy.

BACKGROUND Recent epidemiological data suggested that there is a relationship between periodontal health and atherosclerotic coronary heart disease. Although hypothetical models were proposed, the exact mechanism of this association has not been clarified. The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is an endothelial dysfunction in patients with chronic periodontitis and, if present, whether recovery is possible with therapy. METHODS The study groups consisted of 28 patients (mean age: 45.5 +/- 8.6 years) with chronic periodontitis and without any atherosclerotic vascular disease, and 26 healthy controls (mean age: 43.7 +/- 6.8 years). Cardiovascular risk factors were investigated in both groups. Brachial artery responses to reactive hyperemia (endothelium-dependent dilatation [EDD]) and sublingual nitroglycerin (endothelium-independent dilatation [EID]) were measured using high-resolution vascular ultrasound in both groups. Measurements were taken before and after initial periodontal therapy in the periodontal patients. RESULTS There was no significant difference between the groups with regard to cardiovascular risk factors. In the baseline measurements, EDD and EID were significantly impaired in patients with chronic periodontitis when compared with the controls (8.4% +/- 4.0% versus 19.4% +/- 8.1%, P<0.0001; 13.3% +/- 6.3% versus 29.5% +/- 10.0%, P<0.0001 for EDD and EID, respectively). After non-surgical periodontal therapy, EDD and EID improved significantly (from 8.4% +/- 4.0% to 17.7% +/- 5.7%, P<0.0001; and from 13.3% +/- 6.3% to 24.9% +/- 7.3%, P<0.0001 for FMD and EID, respectively). The EDD and EID changes in the controls were insignificant. CONCLUSION This study showed that endothelial functions were impaired in patients with chronic periodontitis and that they improve following initial periodontal therapy.
From Bloodshed to Hope in Burundi: Our Embassy Years during Genocide

Foreword by Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Preface Acknowledgments Some Notes on the Text Chapter 1. The Coup: Burundi's Army Kills Its President Chapter 2. Burundi's Tortured History, Its Champion of Democracy, and Its Legacy of Assassination Chapter 3. From Washington to Burundi Chapter 4. The Embassy and the Countryside: Massacres Explored Chapter 5. Government at a Standstill Chapter 6. Christmas in Bujumbura: Grenades, Gunfire, and Curfew Chapter 7. Quiet Heroes Chapter 8. No White Hats for the Rwandan Patriotic Army Chapter 9. Telling the Truth Draws Threats of Assassination Chapter 10. Democracy Eaten Away: The Crocodile Is Never Satisfied Chapter 11. The Standoff Chapter 12. A Life of Contrast Chapter 13. The Convent and the Camp Chapter 14. Burundi at War and at Peace, and from the Sky Chapter 15. The Dark Curtain: A Family Divided Chapter 16. Gasorwe: Hundreds Massacred and a Reporter Murdered Chapter 17. Vortex of Violence Chapter 18. Ambushed on a Mountain Road Chapter 19. Interlude: Three Missionaries Chapter 20. Epiphany: Going Home Chapter 21. Conclusion Notes Index
In-vivo corneal biomechanical analysis of unilateral keratoconus.

AIM To evaluate and compare corneal biomechanical findings measured by ocular response analyzer, topographic and pachymetric findings in patients with unilateral keratoconus patients and healthy controls. METHODS This is an observational, case-control study. Patients with keratoconus in one eye and forme fruste keratoconus in the fellow eye were compared with sex and age matched with controls healthy subjects. All subjects were evaluated with rotating scheimpflug imaging system. The receiver-operating-characteristic curves were analyzed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the parameters. RESULTS Twenty-seven patients with keratoconus in one eye and forme fruste keratoconus in the fellow eye were compared with 40 eyes of 40 normal subjects. Corneal hysteresis (CH) was 8.0±1.7 mm Hg in keratoconus group, 8.3±1.6 mm Hg in forme fruste keratoconus group, and 9.8±1.6 mm Hg in control groups (P=0.54 between keratoconus and forme fruste keratoconus groups, P<0.01 between control group and other groups). Corneal resistance factor (CRF) was 7.1±2.2 mm Hg in keratoconus group, 7.8±1.2 mm Hg in forme fruste keratoconus group and 9.9±1.5 mm Hg in control group (P<0.001 between control group and other groups). Using receiver-operating-characteristic analysis, the area under curve values of the parameters to distinguish forme fruste keratoconus from control subjects were: CH (0.768), CRF (0.866). Best cut-off points were 9.3 mm Hg and 8.8 mm Hg for CH and CRF respectively. CONCLUSION Ocular response analyzer parameters (CH and CRF) are found to be significantly lower in forme fruste keratoconus patients compared to normal control subjects.
A Systematic Review of Pain Drawing Literature: Should Pain Drawings Be Used for Psychologic Screening?

ObjectivesThe use of pain drawings to identify the psychologic “state” of patients has been advocated. They are used for psychologic screening before considering treatments, such as surgery. For pain drawings to be clinically useful as a psychologic screen they need good positive and negative predictive values. We systematically reviewed the literature that directly compared pain drawing scoring systems with measures of psychologic state. MethodWe searched 12 medical and social science databases, using key words and their derivatives. Nineteen articles were suitable for analysis. The majority focused on low back pain (79%) in secondary or tertiary care (90%). Pain drawings were evaluated against psychologic tools testing: somatization, depression, anxiety, and distress. ResultsThree studies concluded that the association between pain drawings and psychologic state was sufficient for clinical use; of these only 1 showed reasonable sensitivity and specificity data. Six reported a statistical association and 10/19 studies reported inconclusive results and weak association. The pooled median sensitivity score was 56% (range 24% to 93%), specificity 79.5% (range 44% to 91%), positive predictive value 71.5% (range 28% to 94%), and negative predictive value 88% (range 35% to 100%). The predictive data were too low, wide-ranging, and inconsistent to accept the pain drawing as a clinical diagnostic tool to predict psychologic state. ConclusionsWe conclude that the available data do not support the assumption that unusual pain drawings or extensive marking indicate disturbed psychologic state. There is no high quality evidence to support pain-drawing use as a psychologic assessment tool; therefore, pain drawings are not recommended for this purpose.
Development of Sunitinib in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Rationale, Early Clinical Experience, and Correlative Studies

The approval of a multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, sorafenib, with activity against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 and -3, Raf-1 and B-Raf, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α and -β, and other kinases, has ushered in the era of molecular targeted agents in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Sunitinib malate is an oral, multitargeted inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1, -2, and -3, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α and -β, and other kinases implicated in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Sunitinib has been approved in metastatic renal cell carcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor and is undergoing active clinical development in HCC. Early evidence of antitumor activity and a promising safety profile for this agent have emerged from single arm phase II trials in United States, European, and Asian patients with advanced HCC. Correlative studies of imaging and circulating biomarkers have provided insights into the potential mechanism of action of sunitinib. Additional phase II studies using either single agent or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents are ongoing, and a phase III trial comparing sunitinib and sorafenib in advanced HCC is actively accruing patients. Here, we review the current progress and future directions for the development of sunitinib in advanced HCC.
Identification of PKHD1 multiexon deletions using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

INTRODUCTION Mutations in the PKHD1 gene are responsible for autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). Using exon scanning by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (dHPLC) or bidirectional sequencing of all exons constituting the longest open reading frame, the mutation detection rate reaches approximately 82% and minor lesion mutations include truncating, splice, and missense mutations. AIM The main aim of this study was to screen ARPKD patients in whom only one pathogenic PKHD1 mutation was identified after bidirectional sequencing of the longest open reading frame, for gene copy number alterations by employing multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification complemented with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Sixteen ARPKD probands were studied in whom only one clearly pathogenic mutation was previously identified. One patient with a suspected homozygous deletion of the exons 1-37 was also included in this cohort. Three distinct PKHD1 germ-line deletions were identified. Two of these deletions encompassed multiple exons of PKHD1 extending far beyond the 5' and 3' untranslated regions of the gene, and spanning at least 170 and 470 kb, respectively. The third 3.7 kb intragenic deletion affected only exons 20-21 of the PKHD1 gene. Thus, this is the first report presenting analysis of the entire PKHD1 longest open reading frame for gene deletions/duplications in a select cohort of ARPKD patients, in whom previously only one mutation was identified after bidirectional sequencing of the entire longest open reading frame. CONCLUSIONS The data indicate that multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification is a sensitive and rapid method to identify PKHD1 deletions. Our study demonstrates that dosage analysis will increase the PKHD1 mutation detection rate and should be performed as a complementary assay in patients suspected to have ARPKD in the absence of two clear pathogenic mutations.
Microrna expression distinguishes between germinal center B cell‐like and activated B cell‐like subtypes of diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive malignancy that accounts for nearly 40% of all lymphoid tumors. This heterogeneous disease can be divided into germinal center B cell‐like (GCB) and activated B cell‐like (ABC) subtypes by gene expression and immunohistochemical profiling. Using microarray analysis on prototypic cell lines, we identified microRNAs (miR‐155, miR‐21 and miR‐221) that were more highly expressed in ABC‐type than GCB‐type cell lines. These microRNAs were over‐expressed in de novo DLBCL (n = 35), transformed DLBCL (n = 14) and follicular center lymphoma cases (n = 27) compared to normal B cells. Consistent with the cell line model, expression levels were higher in DLBCL cases with an ABC‐type immunophenotype than those that were GCB‐type (p < 0.05). Moreover, using multivariate analysis we found that expression of miR‐21 was an independent prognostic indicator in de novo DLBCL (p < 0.05). Interestingly, expression levels of both miR‐155 and miR‐21 were also higher in nonmalignant ABC than in GCB cells. As we also demonstrate that expression of microRNAs can be measured reliably from routine paraffin‐embedded biopsies of more than 8‐years‐old (p < 0.001), we suggest that microRNAs could be clinically useful molecular markers for DLBCL as well as other cancers. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Learning From 'Actually Existing' REDD+: A Synthesis of Ethnographic Findings

The 2015 United Nations Paris Agreement on Climate reinforces actions to conserve and enhance forests as carbon reservoirs. A decade after sub-national demonstration projects to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) commenced, we examine why many REDD+ schemes appear to have fuelled social conflict while having limited success in addressing the drivers of forest loss and degradation. Our analysis is two-tiered: first we synthesise findings from a set of ethnographic case studies of REDD+ in Mainland Southeast Asia, conducted by the authors; second, we explore whether the insights from our regional synthesis apply globally, through a comparative review of published qualitative research on REDD+ field experiences. Our results reveal three major implementation dynamics that can undermine REDD+ in practice, which we conceptualise from science and technology studies and critical political ecology as follows: 1) problems with the enrolment of governments, civil society, and local forest users in REDD+ governance; 2) the prevalence of overly simplified codification systems for REDD+ implementation that mismatch targeted societies and landscapes; and 3) the consequent dissonance between REDD+ objectives and outcomes. Together, these problematic dynamics reveal how and why REDD+ so often misses its targets of reducing deforestation and delivering community benefits. In effect, it appears that REDD+ in the course of implementation maps onto local power structures and political economies, rendering it blunt as tool for change. The potential of REDD+ as a 'solution' in the global climate regime must therefore be scrutinized, along with other similar mechanisms espoused by the green economy.
Atrial Fibrillation: Maintaining Stability of Sinus Rbythm or Ventricular Rate Control? The Need for Prospective Data: The PIAF Trial

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most commonly encountered clinical arrhythmias. Different treatment options for this rhythm disorder exist with the electrical and/or pharmacological cardioversion to sinus rhythm with subsequent antiarrhythmic drug therapy to prevent recurrences being one of the primary therapeutic goals. Another alternative, however, is represented by the control of the ventricular rate in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. The question of which of these two strategies should be preferred in the majority of patients with atrial fibrillation has not been studied in a prospective way. Given the background of conflicting data with respect to the prognostic impact of atrial fibrillation and of the increasing evidence concerning the risks of antiarrhythmic drug treatment in atrial fibrillation, a prospective multicenter trial has been initiated to compare these two therapeutic alternatives prospectively. Patients will be randomly assigned to cardioversion with subsequent antiarrhythmic drug therapy to prevent recurrent atrial fibrillation or to a therapy aiming exclusively at control of the ventricular rate during persistent atrial fibrillation. All patients will receive anticoagulation by means of warfarin (target INR 2.5‐3.5) to prevent thromboembolic complications. The rationale and the design of the PIAF trial (Pharmacological Intervention in Atrial Fibrillation) are discussed below. The pilot phase of this study has begun patient enrollment in the spring of 1995.
Arctic Lakes and Streams as Gas Conduits to the Atmosphere: Implications for Tundra Carbon Budgets

Arctic tundra has large amounts of stored carbon and is thought to be a sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) (0.1 to 0.3 petagram of carbon per year) (1 petagram = 1015 grams). But this estimate of carbon balance is only for terrestrial ecosystems. Measurements of the partial pressure of CO2 in 29 aquatic ecosystems across arctic Alaska showed that in most cases (27 of 29) CO2 was released to the atmosphere. This CO2 probably originates in terrestrial environments; erosion of particulate carbon plus ground-water transport of dissolved carbon from tundra contribute to the CO2 flux from surface waters to the atmosphere. If this mechanism is typical of that of other tundra areas, then current estimates of the arctic terrestrial sink for atmospheric CO2 may be 20 percent too high.
Objective Assessment of Smoking Habits by Urinary Cotinine Measurement in Adolescents and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: Reliability of reported cigarette consumption and relationship to urinary albumin excretion

OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship of objective smoking status to age, sex, longterm metabolic control, and urinary albumin excretion. Patients with type 1 diabetes who smoke are at increased risk to develop diabetic microvascular and macrovascular complications. While this has repeatedly been demonstrated in adults, smoking habits have rarely been investigated in adolescents. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Urinary cotinine excretion has been determined by radioimmunoassay in 238 adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes. This biochemical parameter of nicotine use was related to age, to the number of cigarettes allegedly consumed per day, and to urinary albumin excretion. RESULTS A total of 46 patients (19.3%) with urinary cotinine values >500 ng/ml were classified as smokers. In 26 patients (10.9%), cotinine values between 100 and 500 ng/ml were found (infrequent smokers or environmental nicotine exposure), while the remaining 166 patients excreted <100 ng/ml of cotinine in the urine (nonsmokers). Smokers were significantly older (20.2 ± 0.6 years [mean ± SE]) compared with the intermediate group (18.3 ± 0.7 years) or with nonsmokers (15.9 ± 0.4 years; P < 0.0001, Wilcoxon's signed-rank test). Of 46 smokers, 12 denied smoking cigarettes entirely, and among biochemically defined smokers, no correlation was present between urinary cotinine excretion and the reported number of cigarettes consumed per day. Urinary albumin excretion was significantly higher in smokers compared with nonsmokers (P < 0.003). CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that cigarette smoking is common among German adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes in this study. Many patients deny nicotine use or refuse to disclose their smoking habits. Increased urinary albumin excretion is consistent with an increased risk of nephropathy in subjects with diabetes who smoke. Pediatricians in charge of adolescents with type 1 diabetes should actively discuss the risk of nicotine consumption with their patients.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Respond to Hypoxia by Increasing Diacylglycerols

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are currently being tested clinically for a plethora of conditions, with most approaches relying on the secretion of paracrine signals by MSC to modulate the immune system, promote wound healing, and induce angiogenesis. Hypoxia has been shown to affect MSC proliferation, differentiation, survival and secretory profile. Here, we investigate changes in the lipid composition of human bone marrow‐derived MSC after exposure to hypoxia. Using mass spectrometry, we compared the lipid profiles of MSC derived from five different donors, cultured for two days in either normoxia (control) or hypoxia (1% oxygen). Hypoxia induced a significant increase of total triglycerides, fatty acids and diacylglycerols (DG). Remarkably, reduction of DG levels using the phosphatidylcholine‐specific phospholipase C inhibitor D609 inhibited the secretion of VEGF and Angiopoietin‐2, but increased the secretion of interleukin‐8, without affecting significantly their respective mRNA levels. Functionally, incubation of MSC in hypoxia with D609 inhibited the potential of the cells to promote migration of human endothelial cells in a wound/scratch assay. Hence, we show that hypoxia induces in MSC an increase of DG that may affect the angiogenic potential of these cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 300–307, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Carbon dioxide laser treatment for lentigo maligna: a retrospective review comparing 3 different treatment modalities.

OBJECTIVE To assess outcomes in managing primary lentigo maligna through surgical excision, radiation therapy, and carbon dioxide laser ablation. METHODS Retrospective case series review of all patients with primary lentigo maligna diagnosed and treated in London, Ontario, Canada, between July 2, 1991, and June 29, 2010. RESULTS Seventy-five patients aged 39 to 93 years (mean age, 64.8 years) were included in the study; 73 patients chose treatment. Twenty-seven patients were treated with surgical excision, 31 patients with radiation therapy, and 15 patients with carbon dioxide laser ablation. The median follow-up times were 16.6 months for surgical excision, 46.3 months for radiation therapy, and 77.8 months for carbon dioxide laser ablation (P < .001). Recurrence rates by treatment modality were 4.2% (1 of 27) for surgical excision, 29.0% (9 of 31) for radiation therapy, and 6.7% (1 of 15) for carbon dioxide laser ablation. CONCLUSIONS A trend toward lower recurrence rates with surgical excision and carbon dioxide laser ablation was identified, but the results were not statistically significant. Carbon dioxide laser ablation may have a role as an alternative treatment for lentigo maligna among patients in whom standard treatments, such as surgical excision and radiation therapy, are declined or carry significant morbidity.