Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic prescriptions are associated with increased patient satisfaction with emergency department visits for acute respiratory tract infections.

OBJECTIVES Health care providers cite patient satisfaction as a common reason for prescribing antibiotics for viral acute upper respiratory infections (URIs), even though quality performance measures emphasize nonantibiotic treatment for these conditions. In a secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized trial to test a combined patient and physician educational intervention to reduce antibiotic prescribing for URIs, the authors examined whether satisfaction is greater among patients diagnosed with URIs who are prescribed antibiotics in emergency department (ED) settings. METHODS This was a follow-up telephone survey of 959 patients who received care for acute respiratory infections at any of eight Veterans Administration (VA) hospital EDs or eight location-matched non-VA hospital EDs around the United States. Patients reported their satisfaction with the amount of time spent in the ED, the explanation of treatment, the provider treatment, and overall satisfaction on a five-point Likert scale. The primary measure of effect was the association between antibiotic prescription and visit satisfaction, adjusted for patient and visit characteristics. RESULTS Antibiotic treatment was significantly associated with increased overall visit satisfaction in non-VA EDs (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.23 to 3.17), but not VA EDs (adjusted OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.81 to 1.58). Patients managed in non-VA EDs who received antibiotics were also significantly more likely to be satisfied with the explanation of treatment and the manner in which they were treated by the provider. CONCLUSIONS Antibiotic prescriptions are associated with increased overall patient satisfaction in non-VA, but not VA, ED visits for URIs. Continued efforts to reduce unnecessary prescriptions in these settings must address ways to maintain patient satisfaction and still reduce antibiotic prescriptions.
Endogenous hydrogen sulfide insufficiency as a predictor of sexual dysfunction in aging rats

Objective: Our earlier studies showed that endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) pathway contributed significantly to erectile function. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that age-dependent changes in the bioavailability of H2S increased the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods: Young, adult (3-month) and older (18-month) male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 6−8/group) were treated daily with sodium hydrosulfide hydrate (NaHS), DL-propargylglycine, sildenafil or l-NAME for 10 weeks. Subsequent to cavernous nerve electrical stimulation, intracavernosal pressure (ICP) responses were determined, and the samples were collected and processed for hormonal (plasma) and gaseous parameters (plasma and erectile corpus cavernosum [CC]) using standard assay protocols. Results: Aging significantly reduced the ICP response (35.9 ± 2.0 mmHg vs. 45.2 ± 1.9 mmHg in young controls), which was countered by NaHS (53.5 ± 6.0) or sildenafil (52.8 ± 9.8) treatment. In these rats, marked increments to testosterone (T) or estradiol resulted from NaHS supplementation. Similar to age-dependent decline in NO, the plasma and CC level of H2S was significantly lower in senescent rats when compared with young animals (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results confirm that ED with aging may be linked to a derangement in the H2S pathway accompanied by low T levels. It is likely that a pharmacologic intervention delivering H2S will provide additional benefits to sexual function from an improved T milieu.
Applying Carper’s patterns of knowing to children’s nursing today

Abstract A brief overview is given of Carper’s four fundamental patterns of knowing in nursing, that is empirics, aesthetics, personal knowing in nursing and moral knowledge in nursing. Each of the four patterns is then applied to children’s nursing to determine how well it relates to children’s nursing, and indeed whether this is taught or learnt at either pre-registration or post-registration level. It is suggested that some of the fundamental patterns of knowing are more clearly developed than others with regard to children’s nursing. Some of the reasons for this are postulated.
CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in autoimmune arthritis

Summary: CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells can play a critical role in the prevention of autoimmunity, as evidenced by the cataclysmic autoimmune disease that develops in mice and humans lacking the key transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3). At present, however, how and whether Treg cells participate in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which has both systemic manifestations and a joint‐targeted pathology that characterizes the disease, remains unclear. In this review, we describe work that has been carried out aimed at determining the role of Treg cells in disease development in RA patients and in mouse models of inflammatory arthritis. We also describe studies in a new model of spontaneous autoimmune arthritis (TS1 × HACII mice), in which disease is caused by CD4+ T cells recognizing a neo‐self‐antigen expressed by systemically distributed antigen‐presenting cells. We show that TS1 × HACII mice develop arthritis despite the presence of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells that recognize this target autoantigen, and we outline steps in the development of arthritis at which Treg cells might potentially act, or fail to act, in the development of inflammatory arthritis.
Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus Integration Site Selection in Human and Mouse Genomes

ABSTRACT Based on integration site preferences, retroviruses can be placed into three groups. Viruses that comprise the first group, murine leukemia virus and foamy virus, integrate preferentially near transcription start sites. The second group, notably human immunodeficiency virus and simian immunodeficiency virus, preferentially targets transcription units. Avian sarcoma-leukosis virus (ASLV) and human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV), forming the third group, show little preference for any genomic feature. We have previously shown that some human cells sustain mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) infection; therefore, we infected a susceptible human breast cell line, Hs578T, and, without introducing a species-specific bias, compared the MMTV integration profile to those of other retroviruses. Additionally, we infected a mouse cell line, NMuMG, and thus we could compare MMTV integration site selection in human and mouse cells. In total, we examined 468 unique MMTV integration sites. Irrespective of whether human or mouse cells were infected, no integration bias favoring transcription start sites was detected, a profile that is reminiscent of that of ASLV and HTLV. However, in contrast to ASLV and HTLV, not even a modest tendency in favor of integration within genes was observed. Similarly, repetitive sequences and genes that are frequently tagged by MMTV in mammary tumors were not preferentially targeted in cell culture either in mouse or in human cells; hence, we conclude that MMTV displays the most random dispersion of integration sites among retroviruses determined so far.
[Spendthrift in America? On Two Decades of Decline in the U.S. Saving Rate]: Comment

sumption are now justified by high levels of total wealth. The ratio TC/ TW is now at a postwar low. Since the rise in TC/TW was temporary, it may be relatively easy to explain. Transitory shocks like the 1980, 1981-1982, and 1990-1991 recessions, and the rapid expansion of consumer credit, can probably jointly explain a significant fraction of the temporary rise in TC/TW. Finally, collapsing stock prices could rapidly change all of my conclusions. If stock-market wealth falls dramatically (>30%), but consumption stays the same, the consumption puzzle will be resurrected. Unfortunately, I am not able to forecast future values of either the numerator or the denominator of my ratio.
Seven‐tesla phase imaging of acute multiple sclerosis lesions: A new window into the inflammatory process

In multiple sclerosis (MS), accurate, in vivo characterization of dynamic inflammatory pathological changes occurring in newly forming lesions could have major implications for understanding disease pathogenesis and mechanisms of tissue destruction. Here, we investigated the potential of ultrahigh‐field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; 7T), particularly phase imaging combined with dynamic contrast enhancement, to provide new insights in acute MS lesions.
Sonographic evaluation of maternal kidneys in normal pregnancy

Background and Objectives: Renal disease can affect the outcome of pregnancy. The renal system undergoes significant physiological and anatomical changes during pregnancy. Ultrasound is the commonest imaging modality used in the evaluation of the abdominal organs in pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to sonographically evaluate the kidneys in normal pregnancy. Methods: A prospective descriptive study in which real time B-mode renal ultrasound was performed on 500 pregnant women attending for a routine obstetric ultrasound scan. Questions about the age, parity and presence of loin pain were asked. Obstetrical ultrasound examination was initially performed followed by examination of maternal kidneys. Results: Renal collecting system dilatation was the main abnormal finding; it was present in 18.2% of cases, (15.2% right side and 3% left side). Bilateral hydronephrosis was seen in (2.6%) of cases. Rate of hydronephrosis was more in primiparous women. Other findings were renal stones (2.8% right and 1.8% left sides, respectively), ureteric stone (0.2%) and acute pyelonephritis (1%). Conclusions: This study established the value of renal sonography in the pregnant women, though not a common condition. Renal collecting system dilatation was the main finding. A significant proportion of patients with asymptomatic renal calculi were detected incidentally.
Heat shock attenuates oxidation and accelerates apoptosis in human neutrophils.

BACKGROUND The heat shock response entails the increased expression of heat shock proteins (hsp) which are capable of protecting cells from subsequent metabolic insults. Here we are interested in determining whether activation of the heat shock response might affect polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function and/or longevity. METHODS Freshly isolated human PMN were either left at 37 degrees C or subjected to a 43 degrees C heat shock treatment (60 min) and subsequently returned to 37 degrees C. During the course of the recovery period a number of parameters were examined for the control and heat shock-treated neutrophils: the relative expression of the highly stress-inducible hsp72; respiratory burst activity as measured by intracellular peroxidation in response to phorbol ester addition; cell-surface expression of CD16; and finally, the extent of apoptosis as determined by both annexin V staining and nuclear propidium iodide staining. RESULTS Heat shock treatment resulted in a progressive increase in hsp72 production, peaking at 8 h following return of the cells to 37 degrees C. Net intracellular oxidant production was diminished by 46% immediately following the heat shock treatment and deteriorated even further over the next 4 h. Finally, a significant early increase in the rate of apoptosis was observed in the cells subjected to the hyperthermic treatment. This increase in the heat-induced rate of apoptosis was associated with a marked reduction in cell-surface CD16 levels. CONCLUSIONS By decreasing PMN oxidative functions and by accelerating their apoptotic demise, it would appear that heat shock is anti-inflammatory and not cytoprotective for PMN.
IL-23R is Epigenetically Regulated and Modulated by Chemotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The Interleukin-23 (IL-23)/IL-23R signaling axis is an important inflammatory pathway, involved in the stimulation and regulation of the T helper (Th) 17 lymphocytes, resulting in the production of IL-17. Aside from auto-immunity, this cytokine has also been linked to carcinogenesis and polymorphisms in the IL-23R gene are associated with an increased risk for the development of a number of different cancers. Activation of the IL-23 pathway results in the up-regulation of STAT3 and it is thought that the pathological consequences associated with this are in part due to the production of IL-17. We have previously identified IL-23A as pro-proliferative and epigenetically regulated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The current study aims to evaluate IL-23R in greater detail in NSCLC. We demonstrate that IL-23R is expressed and epigenetically regulated in NSCLC through histone post-translation modifications and CpG island methylation. In addition, Gemcitabine treatment, a chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of NSCLC, resulted in the up-regulation of the IL-23R. Furthermore, Apilimod (STA 5326), a small molecule which blocks the expression of IL-23 and IL-12, reduced the proliferative capacity of NSCLC cells, particularly in the adenocarcinoma (A549) sub-type. Apilimod is currently undergoing investigation in a number of clinical trials for the treatment of auto-immune conditions such as Crohn’s disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Our results may have implications for treating NSCLC patients with Gemcitabine or epigenetic targeted therapies. However, Apilimod may possibly provide a new treatment avenue for NSCLC patients. Work is currently ongoing to further delineate the IL-23/IL-23R axis in this disease.
Quantitation of Colonic Luminal Synthesis of Butyric Acid in Piglets

Objectives Butyric acid, synthesized via bacterial fermentation in colonic lumen, may play an important role in the nutrition of the colonic mucosa. Since disaccharides, especially lactose, are the principal dietary carbohydrates during infancy, it is important to determine if their fermentation is associated with butyric acid synthesis. The objective of this paper is to describe a newly developed stable isotope method for quantifying butyric acid synthesis in the colonic lumen and to demonstrate its application during cecal infusions of lactose and lactulose in piglets. Methods Nine piglets aged 21 to 30 days were studied during acute anesthesia. The 13C enrichment of butyric acid was monitored in the portal vein before and during a 120 minutes cecal infusion of [1–13C]-butyric acid and either unlabeled lactose (N = 4) or lactulose (N = 5). Results The luminal synthesis of BA (&mgr;mol x kg−1 x min−1) (Mean ± S.D.) was respectively 1.5 ± 0.9 and 1.2 ± 0.6 during lactulose and lactose infusion. Conclusions This study provides new quantitative data on in vivo butyric acid production in the mammalian colon.
Reproducibility of Running Anaerobic Sprint Test for soccer players.

BACKGROUND Although the Running Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) presents reliability when performed on firmer surfaces (i.e. athletic track), its application on less rigid surfaces can compromise the measure determinations. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the RAST reliability for soccer players performing on grass, and wearing soccer cleats. METHODS Fourteen soccer players (16±1 years, 72.3±10.3 kg, 177.2±8.4 cm, 14.5±5.3% of fat mass, and VO2MAX of 52.0±5.1 mL∙kg-1∙min-1) performed six maximal 35-meter effort interspersed by 10s of passive rest (RAST). After 48h the RAST was repeated to test the reliability. The main variables analyzed were the peak power (PP), mean power (MP), fatigue indexes (FI), and impulse (ImP). The reproducibility of test and re-test was tested through the Student's t Test to paired samples, intraclass correlation (ICC), typical error (TE), and coefficient of variation (CV%). RESULTS The PP (test=701.4±169.5 W; re-test 712.4±142.3 W), MP (test=538.6±111.4 W; re-test=551.9±101.1 W), and the ImP (test=2841.2±461.8 N∙s; re-test=2797.2±575.9 N∙s) were not different, presented significant correlation between the situations (ICC=0.88; 0.96 e 0.93; respectively), and low values of TE (71.9 W; 30.6 W e 191.1 N∙s, respectively) and CV% (10.2%; 5.9% e 6.8%, respectively). The FI (test=40.1±5.8; re-test=38.7±7.7%) were not significantly related between the test and re-test, and presented high TE (5.7%) and CV% (14.4%). CONCLUSIONS We can conclude that RAST presents high reliability when performed on grass with soccer cleats, just as rigid surfaces. Besides, the ImP is more robust than the.
Tumor Markers and Lung Cancer: Correlation between Serum and Bronchial Secretion Levels of Cea, Tpa, Canag Ca-50, Nse and Ferritin

The levels of carcinoembryonic antigeny (CEA), tissue polypeptide antigeny (TPA), CanAg 50, neuron specific enolase (NSE) and ferritin were determined in bronchial secretion and serum of patients with neoplastic and non-neoplastic lung diseases. Simultaneous determination of two or three markers in the serum and in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) may be clinically useful for the diagnosis of lung cancer and even for the type of tumor. The positivity of CEA determined simultaneously in serum and in BAL of patients with lung cancer is higher than 80% whereas in patients with benign lung disease it is lower than 40%. The simultaneous assay of TP A in serum and in BAL showed 100% positivity in patients with oat-cell carcinoma, the frequencies of positivity were similar in patients with non-oat-cell carcinoma. For NSE and CanAg CA-50 patients with oat-cell carinoma showed 100% positivity. Simultaneous assay of ferritin in serum and in BAL gave 85% positivity in patients with oat-cell carcinoma and only 23% in patients with non-oat-cell carcinoma. We conclude that the simultaneous determination of CEA and CanAg CA-50 or NSE in serum and in BAL is a useful aid in the diagnosis of lung malignancy.
Assessment of Developmental Milestones in Rodents

Developmental tests are used to characterize early markers of behavior for investigation of the neurobiology of these behaviors, and to assess the impact of early prenatal or postnatal insult. These perturbations may include pharmacological, environmental, and genetic manipulations. At birth the rat is capable of some specific activities, but its movements are uncoordinated and seemingly random, its tactile sensitivity is not fully developed, and its ear canals and eyes remain closed until several days after birth. Postnatal development consists mainly of the continuation of processes begun earlier. This unit presents protocols for the most commonly used animal tests of developmental reflexology, including negative geotaxis, cliff avoidance, placing responses, tactile and acoustic startle responses, surface and air righting reflexes, crossed extensor reflex, rooting reflex, grasp reflex, bar holding, and horizontal and vertical screen tests.
Prolonged Radiant Exposure of the Middle Ear during Transcanal Endoscopic Ear Surgery

Transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (EES) provides a high-resolution, wide-field view of the middle ear compared with the conventional operating microscope, reducing the need for a postauricular incision or mastoidectomy. Our group has shown in cadaveric human temporal bone studies that radiant energy from the endoscope tip can quickly elevate temperatures of the tympanic cavity. Elevated temperatures of the middle ear are associated with acute auditory brainstem response shifts in animal models. In EES, proposed methods to decrease middle ear temperature include frequent removal of the endoscope and the use of suction to rapidly dissipate heat; however, the routine application of such cooling techniques remains unknown. Herein, we aim to quantify the duration that the tympanic cavity is typically exposed to the endoscope during routine endoscopic middle ear surgery. We find that the tympanic cavity is exposed to the endoscope without a cooling mechanism for a prolonged period of time.
Cigarette Smoking Reduction in Pregnant Women With Opioid Use Disorder

Objectives:Nearly 95% of women with opioid use disorder continue to smoke cigarettes during pregnancy. Despite this prevalence and the well documented adverse effects of smoking on birth outcomes, cigarette smoking is underaddressed in this population. This study examines factors associated with successful smoking reduction among pregnant women with opioid use disorder and the impact of smoking reduction on maternal and birth outcomes. Methods:This study is a secondary data analysis of maternal smoking reduction and infant birth outcomes among pregnant women with opioid use disorder (N = 118), enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a contingency management intervention in which escalating monetary vouchers were provided to women who met escalating smoking-reduction targets. Results:Participants’ ability to meet higher smoking reduction targets was associated with less cocaine use at baseline (P = 0.022), higher carbon monoxide levels at baseline (P = 0.039), fewer prior quit attempts (P = 0.016), participation in the contingency management intervention, and greater adherence with the parent trial protocol. Some clinically relevant associations were found between smoking reduction and birth outcomes, including birth weight, spontaneous abortions, and neonatal abstinence syndrome treatment, but these differences did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions:Contingency management promotes smoking reduction, but other factors may be associated with such reduction, including baseline smoking and illicit drug use, prior quit attempts, and willingness to participate in the incentives program. Clinicians caring for pregnant women with opioid use disorder may see greater smoking behavior change if they first encourage smoking reduction before recommending smoking cessation. Future research is needed to determine the level of smoking reduction needed to positively impact birth outcomes.
Plausible explanations for effects of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) on neonates

In recent years a major focus of attention in the field of infant nutrition has been on the role of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) in the visual and neural development of neonates.1-8 The benefit of proposed supplementation with LCPUFA in full term infants remains controversial. Several studies have found better visual acuity in term infants fed breast milk than in formula fed infants,9-11 but others have not.6 12 There are also many potential confounders in these non-randomised studies. However, it is agreed that breastfed infants have higher concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the phospholipids of the red cell membranes used as a representative marker for other cell membranes. The most pronounced effects of dietary LCPUFA supplementation have been observed in preterm infants. The visual function of infants fed a diet of either human breast milk, known to contain n-3 and n-6 essential fatty acids (EFA) or corn oil based formula feed (no dietary n-3 EFA ), has been compared in a range of different acuity tests. Both healthy preterm and full term infants were studied and it was found that at 4 months of age, visual acuity was significantly better in breastfed than in formula fed infants for both preterm and full term infants.7 9 Differences in visual acuity between the two diet regimens were most pronounced in preterm infants.9 LCPUFA from the n-3 series seem to have a selective effect on rod function with fewer effects on cone function.2 In very low birthweight infants longer term (up to 79 weeks after conception) supplementation of formula feed already containing 3–5% α-linolenic acid (n-3 EFA) and added fish oil (containing n-3 derivatives) may reduce the decline in the arachidonic (AA) and DHA content of red blood cell phospholipids3observed postnatally.13 …