Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anorexic response to rapamycin does not appear to involve a central mechanism

The authors have previously demonstrated that a low and intermittent peripheral dose of rapamycin (1 mg/kg three times/week) to rats inhibited mTORC1 signalling, but avoided the hyperlipidemia and diabetes‐like syndrome associated with higher doses of rapamycin. The dosing regimen reduced food intake, body weight, adiposity, serum leptin and triglycerides. mTORC1 signalling was inhibited in both liver and hypothalamus, suggesting some of the actions, in particular the decrease in food intake, may be the results of a central mechanism. To test this hypothesis, rapamycin (30 μg/day for 4 weeks) was infused into 23–25‐month‐old F344xBN rats by intracerebroventricular (icv) mini pumps. Our results demonstrated that central infusion did not alter food intake or body weight, although there was a tendency for a decrease in body weight towards the end of the study. mTORC1 signalling, evidenced by decreased phosphorylation of S6 protein at end of 4 weeks, was not activated in liver, hypothalamus or hindbrain. Fat and lean mass, sum of white adipose tissues, brown adipose tissue, serum glucose, insulin and leptin levels remained unchanged. Thus, these data suggest that the anorexic and body weight responses evident with peripheral rapamycin are not the result of direct central action. The tendency for decreased body weight towards the end of study, suggests that there is either a slow transport of centrally administered rapamycin into the periphery, or that there is delayed action of rapamycin at sites in the brain.
Smoking and risk of myocardial infarction in women and men: longitudinal population study

Abstract Objective: To compare risk of myocardial infarction associated with smoking in men and women, taking into consideration differences in smoking behaviour and a number of potential confounding variables. Design: Prospective cohort study with follow up of myocardial infarction. Setting: Pooled data from three population studies conducted in Copenhagen. Subjects: 11 472 women and 13 191 men followed for a mean of 12.3 years. Main outcome measures: First admission to hospital or death caused by myocardial infarction. Results: 1251 men and 512 women had a myocardial infarction during follow up. Compared with non-smokers, female current smokers had a relative risk of myocardial infarction of 2.24 (range 1.85-2.71) and male smokers 1.43 (1.26-1.62); ratio 1.57 (1.25-1.97). Relative risk of myocardial infarction increased with tobacco consumption in both men and women and was higher in inhalers than in non-inhalers. The risks associated with smoking, measured by both current and accumulated tobacco exposure, were consistently higher in women than in men and did not depend on age. This sex difference was not affected by adjustment for arterial blood pressure, total and high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, triglyceride concentrations, diabetes, body mass index, height, alcohol intake, physical activity, and level of education. Conclusion: Women may be more sensitive than men to some of the harmful effects of smoking. Interactions between components of smoke and hormonal factors that may be involved in development of ischaemic heart disease should be examined further.
Abortion, Motherhood, and Mental Health: Medicalizing Reproduction in the United States and Great Britain

By contrasting post-abortion syndrome with postnatal depression, Ellie Lee provides a fascinating and excellent interrogation of modern day abortion and motherhood within the United States and Britain. Both these countries have embraced what might be loosely called a therapeutic ethos. An increasing list of common occurrences—from bereavement and divorce to moving house and being criticised—is now liable to generate a psychiatric label such as post-traumatic stress, depression, or anxiety. Surprisingly, however, post-abortion syndrome has failed to take a place within this modern “syndrome society. [][1] Ellie Lee Aldine de Gruyter $29.95/sFr48/ 29.95, pp 293 www.degruyter. com/aldine ISBN 0 202 30681 X Rating: ! [Graphic][2] ! [Graphic][3] ! [Graphic][4] On both sides of the Atlantic, advocates … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif [2]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif [3]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif [4]: /embed/inline-graphic-3.gif
Phase Contrast Imaging of Cochlear Soft Tissue

A noninvasive technique to image soft tissue could expedite diagnosis and disease management in the auditory system. We propose inline phase contrast imaging with hard X-rays as a novel method that overcomes the limitations of conventional absorption radiography for imaging soft tissue. In this study, phase contrast imaging of mouse cochleae was performed at the Argonne National Laboratory Advanced Photon Source. The phase contrast tomographic reconstructions show soft tissue structures of the cochlea, including the inner pillar cells, the inner spiral sulcus, the tectorial membrane, the basilar membrane, and the Reissner's membrane. The results suggest that phase contrast X-ray imaging and tomographic techniques hold promise to noninvasively image cochlear structures at an unprecedented cellular level.
The changes in, and relationship between, plasma nitric oxide and corticotropin‐releasing hormone in patients with major depressive disorder

There is strong evidence of roles of the hypothalamus‐pituitary‐adrenal axis and nitric oxide (NO) synthase‐NO system in depression, but the relationship between them is unknown. The aim of this study, therefore, was to elucidate whether there is any correlation between NO and corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. In 16 outpatients with MDD and 18 healthy controls, the plasma amino acids citrulline (Cit) and arginine (Arg) were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography, and CRH levels was measured by radioimmunoassay. The Cit/Arg ratio was calculated as an index of NO synthesis. Correlations between NO and CRH were examined with the Spearman test. Before treatment, no significant correlation was observed between the plasma NO level and CRH levels in MDD patients. The plasma NO levels were significantly higher in MDD patients. A significant correlation was found between NO levels and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores in MDD patients. The plasma CRH levels were significantly higher in MDD patients than in controls. After monotherapy for 2 months, the NO levels had dramatically declined but were also higher than those in the controls. This study is the first report of the absence of a significant correlation between plasma NO and CRH levels, although both levels are elevated in MDD patients. Furthermore, the strong links between the plasma NO levels and the HAMD scores, as well as the increased NO reduction after remission, suggest that NO plays a key role in depression and may be an indicator of therapeutic success.
The ineluctable constraints of thermodynamics in the aetiology of obesity

We exploit the detail‐independence feature of thermodynamics to examine issues related to the development of obesity. We adopt a ‘global’ approach consistent with focus on the first law of thermodynamics – namely that the metabolic energy provided by dietary foodstuffs has only three possible fates: the performance of work (be it microscopic or macroscopic), the generation of heat, or storage – primarily in the form of adipose tissue. Quantification of the energy expended, in the form of fat metabolised, during selected endurance events, reveals the inherent limitation of over‐reliance on exercise as a primary agent of weight loss. This result prompts examination of various (non‐exercise based) possibilities of increasing the rate of heat loss. Since these, too, give little cause for optimism, we are obliged to conclude that obesity can be prevented, or weight loss achieved, only if exercise is supplemented by reduction of food intake.
Child speech, language and communication need re-examined in a public health context: a new direction for the speech and language therapy profession.

BACKGROUND Historically speech and language therapy services for children have been framed within a rehabilitative framework with explicit assumptions made about providing therapy to individuals. While this is clearly important in many cases, we argue that this model needs revisiting for a number of reasons. First, our understanding of the nature of disability, and therefore communication disabilities, has changed over the past century. Second, there is an increasing understanding of the impact that the social gradient has on early communication difficulties. Finally, understanding how these factors interact with one other and have an impact across the life course remains poorly understood. AIMS To describe the public health paradigm and explore its implications for speech and language therapy with children. METHODS & PROCEDURES We test the application of public health methodologies to speech and language therapy services by looking at four dimensions of service delivery: (1) the uptake of services and whether those children who need services receive them; (2) the development of universal prevention services in relation to social disadvantage; (3) the risk of over-interpreting co-morbidity from clinical samples; and (4) the overlap between communicative competence and mental health. OUTCOMES & CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that there is a strong case for speech and language therapy services to be reconceptualized to respond to the needs of the whole population and according to socially determined needs, focusing on primary prevention. This is not to disregard individual need, but to highlight the needs of the population as a whole. Although the socio-political context is different between countries, we maintain that this is relevant wherever speech and language therapists have a responsibility for covering whole populations. Finally, we recommend that speech and language therapy services be conceptualized within the framework laid down in The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion.
Non-speech oro-motor exercises in post-stroke dysarthria intervention: a randomized feasibility trial.

BACKGROUND There has been little robust evaluation of the outcome of speech and language therapy (SLT) intervention for post-stroke dysarthria. Non-speech oro-motor exercises (NSOMExs) are a common component of dysarthria intervention. A feasibility study was designed and executed, with participants randomized into two groups, in one of which NSOMExs were a component of the intervention programme. AIMS To examine (1) operational feasibility of the programme; (2) participants' views of the programme; and (3) speech intelligibility, communication effectiveness and tongue and lip movement at four points (A1 and A2 before, and A3 and A4 after intervention). METHODS & PROCEDURES Thirty-nine participants were randomized into Group A (n=20) and Group B (n=19). Groups were equivalent at enrolment in demographic variables and A1 measures. Intervention was behavioural, delivered in eight home-based SLT sessions, and included practise of individually appropriate words, sentences and conversation, and for Group B also NSOMExs. Between-session practice was recorded in a diary. Data on speech intelligibility, effectiveness of communication in conversation, self-rated situational communication effectiveness, and tongue and lip movement were collected at 8-week intervals, twice before and twice after intervention. Anonymous evaluation (AE) questionnaires were completed. OUTCOME & RESULTS The recruited number was 20% below the target of 50. Thirty-six participants completed the intervention and 32 were followed through to A4. The programme was delivered to protocol and fidelity was verified. Thirty-four AEs were returned. These showed high satisfaction with the programme and its outcome. According to diary records from 32 participants, 59% carried out at least the recommended practice amount. Outcome measure performance across the four assessment points did not indicate any group effect. For the whole sample both externally rated and self-rated communication effectiveness measures showed statistically significant gains across the intervention period (A2/A3), which were maintained for 2 months after intervention (A2/A4). Non-intervention period changes (A1/A2 and A3/A4) were not present. There were no intervention-related gains in tongue and lip movement or speech intelligibility, but the latter is likely to be attributable to a ceiling effect on scores. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS The results indicate positive outcomes associated with a short period of behavioural SLT intervention in the post-stroke dysarthria population. The inclusion of NSOMExs, delivered in accordance with standard clinical practice, did not appear to influence outcomes. The results must be viewed in relation to the nature of feasibility study and provide a foundation for suitably powered trials.
Prevalence of vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women with lumbar osteopenia using MorphoXpressSR (OSTEOXPRESS Study)

Background and aims: Vertebral fracture (VF) is the most common complication of osteoporosis. However, more than half of all VF are asymptomatic and may go unnoticed, even in patients with osteoporosis. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of VF in postmenopausal women with osteopenic lumbar densitometry by means of vertebral morphometry, using the MorphoXpressSR software. Patients and methods: This was an epidemiological, cross-sectional, multicenter study conducted among 289 postmenopausal women (>1 year of amenorrhoea), diagnosed with lumbar osteopenia (not due to chronic treatment with corticosteroids or immobilization). Vertebral deformities ≥20% were considered as VF. Results: Demographic and clinical characteristics showed mean age (±SD) 64±9 years, body mass index 27±5 kg/m2, and time from diagnosis of 2±3 years. A total of 25% of subjects had a family history of osteoporotic fracture in first-degree relatives, and 23% had previous fragility fracture. The prevalence of VF was 50% (CI 95% 44–56), the most frequent being the dorsal wedge (34%). Previous fragility fracture was a risk factor for VF (OR 3.13, p=0.0004). A total of 76.5% of patients were receiving treatment, mainly calcium and vitamin D supplements (70%) and bisphosphonates (27%). Conclusions: MorphoXpressSR revealed that 50% of postmenopausal women with osteopenic lumbar densitometry showed VF. This result is important since only 7% of all evaluated subjects had previously been diagnosed with VF.
Endometrial Screening of Asymptomatic Women by Irrigation Technique in the Private Gynecology Office

A study was made of 201 asymptomatic women over age 40 (range, 40–74 years) who underwent uterine sounding and endometrial screening by the negative‐pressure jet irrigation technique, without anesthesia, in private gynecologists’ offices. Introduction of the irrigator was accomplished in 88 percent of these patients. In 97 percent of the successful irrigations, the specimens obtained were satisfactory for cytologic and histologic diagnosis of neoplasia. No occult endometrial carcinomas were discovered. The factors which interfered with endometrial screening by these methods are analyzed. Cervical stenosis prevented endometrial irrigation in 13 of the 24 unsuccessful attempts. Acceptance by the patients was high, in that 74.2 percent reported slight or no discomfort and only 4.7 percent complained of severe discomfort. Although 12.5 percent experienced pelvic cramping after irrigation, no other significant side effects were observed. The results of this investigation indicate the feasibility of using the endometrial irrigation technique for massive screening studies of asymptomatic women who are at risk for the development of endometrial carcinoma.
The movements of the shoulder‐joint a plea for the use of the 'plane of the scapula' as the plane of reference for movements occurring at the humero‐scapular joint

IN a contribution to this JOURNAL in 1932, C. P. Martin1 drew attention to two very important points in connection with the movements at the shoulder. He demonstrated that whether the arm be elevated to the vertical in the sagittal or in the coronal or in any other plane, the end-result is always the same, namely, that the medial epicondyle points forwards and somewhat medially. Secondly, he drew attention to the fact that when the arm is elevated to the vertical in the coronal plane, it undergoes an appreciable degree of lateral rotation during the process. Codman2 has drawn attention to the same two points, and in addition has shown that when the arm is elevated to the vertical in the sagittal plane, it undergoes an appreciable and demonstrable degree of medial rotation in the process ; and more recently Lee MacGregor3 has stressed the same points in this JOURNAL. These observations are of considerable importance and can readily be confirmed, but none of the authors referred to has offered a convincing explanation for the rotation which occurs. The problem is complicated by the observations of Cath~art ,~ recently amplified by the work of L~ckhar t ,~ that when the arm is raised to the vertical, the sterno-clavicular, acromio-clavicular, and humero-scapular joints are all moving simultaneously throughout the movement. The fact that the movements are occurring simultaneously at all three joints, however, does not negative the possibility of analysing them into their three components, and the object of this communication is to analyse the movements occurring at the humeroscapular joint with a view to obtaining a satisfactory explanation of the rotation noted by Martin and Codman during elevation of the humerus. According to Fick6 the head of the humerus, which faces upwards, backwards, and medially in the resting position, is inclined backwards at an angle of 30’ to the coronal plane, and lies in what he terms the “ Nullmeridianebene ” or “ dead meridian plane ”, which, he says, is for all practical purposes the “ Schulterblatterebene ” or “ plane of the scapula ”. * In this position the vertical line which divides the articular head of the humerus into approximately equal anterior and posterior halves is opposed to the corresponding vertical diameter of the glenoid cavity. This may or may not be exactly accurate, but for all practical purposes it may be regarded as such, and will be so regarded in the argument that follows. In case, however, it should be urged that Fick’s estimate of the position of the
Role of Helicobacter pylori CagA+ strains and risk of adenocarcinoma of the stomach and esophagus

Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), especially CagA+ strains, has been associated with an increased risk of noncardia gastric adenocarcinoma. The relationship with junctional cancer (adenocarcinomas of the esophagus and gastric cardia combined) has not been adequately investigated, although some studies have reported a reduced risk associated with H. pylori and CagA seroseropositivity. We investigated this question in a subset of cases and controls from a recently completed, large population‐based case‐control study of gastric and esophageal adenocarcinomas in Los Angeles County. Using established antigen‐specific ELISAs, serum IgG antibodies to H. pylori whole‐cell antigens (Helico‐G) and CagA were measured in population controls (n = 356) and patients with incident esophageal adenocarcinoma (n = 80), gastric cardia cancer (n = 87) or distal gastric cancers (noncardia gastric adenocarcinoma) (n = 127). After controlling for demographic characteristics (age, gender, race, birthplace, education), smoking and body mass index, seropositivity for H. pylori was associated with a statistically significant increased risk of distal gastric cancer (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03, 3.32) but the risk of junctional cancer was not increased (adjusted OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 0.82, 1.94). The risk of junctional cancer was not changed when CagA and H. pylori were both considered, but the risk of distal gastric cancer was further increased. Subjects who were seropositive for both CagA and H. pylori compared to those who were seronegative for H. pylori showed a risk of 2.20 (95% CI = 1.13, 4.26) for distal gastric cancer and 0.86 (95% CI = 0.47, 1.59) for junctional cancer. Although tests for interaction between smoking and H. pylori were not statistically significant for junctional or distal gastric cancers, risk for both tumor types tended to be higher among current smokers who were also H. pylori seropositive. In conclusion, we find no evidence that infection with CagA+ strains of H. pylori reduces risk of esophageal and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma in this population. Our findings confirm the positive association between risk of distal gastric cancer and infection with H. pylori infection, especially CagA+ strains. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Psychometric properties of discourse measures in aphasia: acceptability, reliability, and validity.

BACKGROUND Discourse in adults with aphasia is increasingly the focus of assessment and therapy research. A broad range of measures is available to describe discourse, but very limited information is available on their psychometric properties. As a result, the quality of these measures is unknown, and there is very little evidence to motivate the choice of one measure over another. AIMS To explore the quality of a range of discourse measures, targeting sentence structure, coherence, story structure and cohesion. Quality was evaluated in terms of the psychometric properties of acceptability (data completeness and skewness), reliability (inter- and intra-rater), and validity (content, convergent, discriminant and known groups). METHODS & PROCEDURES Participants with chronic mild-to-moderate aphasia were recruited from community groups. They produced a range of discourses which were grouped into Cinderella and everyday discourses. Discourses were then transcribed orthographically and analyzed using macro- and microlinguistic measures (Story Grammar, Topic Coherence, Local Coherence, Reference Chains and Predicate Argument Structure-PAS). Data were evaluated against standard predetermined criteria to ascertain the psychometric quality of the measures. OUTCOMES & RESULTS A total of 17 participants took part in the study. All measures had high levels of acceptability, inter- and intra-rater reliability, and had good content validity, as they could be related to a level of the theoretical model of discourse production. For convergent validity, as expected, 8/10 measures correlated with the Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (WAB-R) spontaneous speech scores, and 7/10 measures correlated with the Kissing and Dancing Test (KDT) scores (r ≥ 0.3), giving an overall positive rating for construct validity. For discriminant validity, as predicted, all measures had low correlations with Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) and WAB-R Auditory Verbal Comprehension scores (r < 0.3), giving an overall positive rating for construct validity. Finally, for known groups validity, all measures indicated a difference between speakers with mild and moderate aphasia except for the Local Coherence measures. Overall, Story Grammar, Topic Coherence, Reference Chains and PAS emerged as the strongest measures in the current study because they achieved the predetermined thresholds for quality in terms of each of the psychometric parameters profiled. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS The current study is the first to psychometrically profile measures of discourse in aphasia. It contributes to the field by identifying Story Grammar, Topic Coherence, Reference Chains and PAS as the most psychometrically robust discourse measures yet profiled with speakers with aphasia. Until further data are available indicating the strength of other discourse measures, caution should be applied when using them.