Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Care Solutions Against Contact Lens-Associated Fusarium Biofilms

Purpose. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of lens wear on the formation of soft contact lens-associated Fusarium biofilms and to determine the efficacy of marketed contact lens care products against such biofilms. Methods. Using an established in vitro soft contact lens-Fusarium biofilm model, two clinical Fusarium isolates (F. solani B6914 and F. oxysporum B8996) were incubated with three different types (lotrafilcon A, etafilcon A, and balafilcon A) of worn contact lenses under conditions that facilitate biofilm formation. Unworn lenses were used as internal controls for biofilm formation. Biofilm was quantified using a tetrazolium XTT (2,3-bis[2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide) assay. In addition, susceptibilities of the fungal biofilm growth phases to the five most common multipurpose contact lens care solutions available at the time of study (three polymeric biguanide-preserved and two polyquaternium-preserved) and two hydrogen peroxide care solutions were assessed. Results. Both Fusarium strains formed dense biofilms on each of the contact lens types tested. Worn lenses showed no differences in the ability of biofilm to form compared with unworn lenses except worn etafilcon A lenses which formed more biofilm with F. oxyspourm B8996 compared with unworn controls. Lens material did not influence biofilm formation. The biofilms of F. solani on all three lens types were consistently susceptible to both hydrogen peroxide care systems (growth reduction of 84 to 97%, p ⩽ 0.001) and two of the five multipurpose solutions (MPSs) (growth reduction of 62 to 85% for a biguanide-preserved MPS, p ⩽ 0.05; growth reduction of 92 to 96% for a polyquaternium-myristamidopropyl dimethylamine preserved MPS, p < 0.001). The biofilms of F. oxysporum on all three lens types were consistently susceptible to both hydrogen peroxide care systems (growth reduction of 79 to 99%, p ⩽ 0.001) and one of the five MPSs (growth reduction of 93 to 96% for a polyquaternium-myristamidopropyl dimethylamine preserved MPS, p ⩽ 0.001). Conclusions. F. solani and F. oxysporum form biofilms on lotrafilcon A, etafilcon A, and balafilcon A worn contact lenses, which are resistant to the antifungal activity of several soft contact lens care products. Only the hydrogen peroxide care systems and one polyquaternium-myristamidopropyl dimethylamine-preserved solution consistently demonstrated effective antifungal activity against both Fusarium strains on all three lens types.
Identification of estrogen‐regulated genes in the mouse uterus using a delayed‐implantation model

Gonadal steroid hormones are known to modulate the implantation of the blastocyst, but how the controlling genetics are regulated remains largely unknown. Using a delayed‐implantation model, we examined estrogen‐regulated genes (ERGs) in the mouse uterus using the differential‐display reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (DD RT‐PCR). Pregnant mice were ovariectomized and injected daily with progesterone (P, 1 mg/mouse), followed by a single injection of estrogen (E, 200 ng/mouse); 24 or 48 hr later, total RNA was extracted from the uterus. Reverse Northern analysis verified the expression patterns of 36 clones out of thousands of RNA species. Only five clones had mRNA levels that were modified, whereas other mRNAs were unchanged or not detectable. Sequence analysis of these, using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) service, revealed that four of these clones were novel; one clone, designated ERG10, was found to be the mouse homologue of that deleted in oral cancer DOC‐1. DOC‐1 mRNA was detected all tissues examined, but only in the uterus and cervix was markedly increased 12 hr after E administration, it returned to basal level by 48 hr. One of the novel genes, designated ERG8, had three different forms of mRNAs and was expressed ubiquitously in all examined tissues. In the uterus, the mRNA level of ERG8 also increased 12 hr after E administration. These results suggest that during the implantation process, E differentially regulates several genes depending on cell type. Uterine‐specific induction of newly found genes, such as ERG8 and 10, by E appears to be important for the early implantation process. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 64: 405–413, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Organization of Pyramidal Cell Apical Dendrites and Composition of Dendritic Clusters in the Mouse: Emphasis on Primary Motor Cortex

It has been proposed that neurons in sensory cortices are organized into modules that centre on clusters of apical dendrites belonging to layer V pyramidal neurons. In the present study, sections reacted for microtubule‐associated protein (MAPP) were examined in order to determine the three‐dimensional inter‐relationships of pyramidal cell dendrites in mouse primary motor cortex (MsI) cortex. Results indicate that pyramidal cell dendrites in MsI cortex can be interpreted to be arranged in a modular fashion, and that these modules are organized similarly to those in the sensory areas of the cortex. Also included in the present study are experiments designed to determine if the clusters of apical dendrites, around which the modules are centred, are composed of dendrites belonging to one or to more than one type of projection cell. Callosal neurons in MsI cortex were labelled by the retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase deposited onto severed callosal fibres in the contralateral hemisphere. Examination of tangential thin sections through layer IV of MsI cortex shows clusters of apical dendrites in which every dendrite is labelled with horseradish peroxidase. Adjacent clusters are composed of unlabelled dendrites, suggesting that the apical dendrites of callosal neurons aggregate to form clusters that are composed exclusively of dendrites belonging to this type of projection cell. These findings suggest a hitherto unsuspected degree of specificity in the cellular composition of cortical modules.
Adiponectin receptors gene expression in lymphocytes of obese and anorexic patients

Aim: Two adiponectin receptors (ADIPORs), ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2, are widely expressed in tissues. Whether changes in the expression of ADIPORs are associated with obesity and insulin resistance in humans is still unclear. The aim of this study was to explore whether lymphocyte ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2 mRNA expression is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, first‐phase insulin secretion and serum adiponectin levels.
Choosing Prediction Over Explanation in Psychology: Lessons From Machine Learning

Psychology has historically been concerned, first and foremost, with explaining the causal mechanisms that give rise to behavior. Randomized, tightly controlled experiments are enshrined as the gold standard of psychological research, and there are endless investigations of the various mediating and moderating variables that govern various behaviors. We argue that psychology’s near-total focus on explaining the causes of behavior has led much of the field to be populated by research programs that provide intricate theories of psychological mechanism but that have little (or unknown) ability to predict future behaviors with any appreciable accuracy. We propose that principles and techniques from the field of machine learning can help psychology become a more predictive science. We review some of the fundamental concepts and tools of machine learning and point out examples where these concepts have been used to conduct interesting and important psychological research that focuses on predictive research questions. We suggest that an increased focus on prediction, rather than explanation, can ultimately lead us to greater understanding of behavior.
A duplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the simultaneous detection of long terminal repeat regions and envelope protein gene sequences of Reticuloendotheliosis virus in avian blood samples

The Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) group of retroviruses infects a wide range of avian species, including chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, quail, and prairie chickens. The objective of the present study was to develop a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic test for the detection of REV in whole blood samples. In order to increase the diagnostic sensitivity, a duplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that detects both the envelope protein gene (env) and the long terminal repeat (LTR) region of REV was designed. This assay demonstrated greater analytical and diagnostic sensitivity than the gel-based PCR assay when using DNA extracted from whole blood by both phenol-chloroform and magnetic bead methods. In general, threshold cycle values in the duplex real-time PCR assay were lower from DNA extracted using the magnetic bead system compared to DNA extracted by the phenol-chloroform method. Data presented herein show the successful development of a rapid and accurate test procedure, with high-throughput capability, for the diagnosis of REV infection using avian blood samples.
Application of Pattern Mixture Models to Address Missing Data in Longitudinal Data Analysis Using SPSS

Background:Longitudinal studies are used in nursing research to examine changes over time in health indicators. Traditional approaches to longitudinal analysis of means, such as analysis of variance with repeated measures, are limited to analyzing complete cases. This limitation can lead to biased results due to withdrawal or data omission bias or to imputation of missing data, which can lead to bias toward the null if data are not missing completely at random. Pattern mixture models are useful to evaluate the informativeness of missing data and to adjust linear mixed model (LMM) analyses if missing data are informative. Objectives:The aim of this study was to provide an example of statistical procedures for applying a pattern mixture model to evaluate the informativeness of missing data and conduct analyses of data with informative missingness in longitudinal studies using SPSS. Methods:The data set from the Patients’ and Families’ Psychological Response to Home Automated External Defibrillator Trial was used as an example to examine informativeness of missing data with pattern mixture models and to use a missing data pattern in analysis of longitudinal data. Results:Prevention of withdrawal bias, omitted data bias, and bias toward the null in longitudinal LMMs requires the assessment of the informativeness of the occurrence of missing data. Discussion:Missing data patterns can be incorporated as fixed effects into LMMs to evaluate the contribution of the presence of informative missingness to and control for the effects of missingness on outcomes. Pattern mixture models are a useful method to address the presence and effect of informative missingness in longitudinal studies.
Allogeneic transplantation provides durable remission in a subset of DLBCL patients relapsing after autologous transplantation

For diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients progressing after autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation (autoHCT), allogeneic HCT (alloHCT) is often considered, although limited information is available to guide patient selection. Using the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) database, we identified 503 patients who underwent alloHCT after disease progression/relapse following a prior autoHCT. The 3‐year probabilities of non‐relapse mortality, progression/relapse, progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 30, 38, 31 and 37% respectively. Factors associated with inferior PFS on multivariate analysis included Karnofsky performance status (KPS) <80, chemoresistance, autoHCT to alloHCT interval <1‐year and myeloablative conditioning. Factors associated with worse OS on multivariate analysis included KPS<80, chemoresistance and myeloablative conditioning. Three adverse prognostic factors were used to construct a prognostic model for PFS, including KPS<80 (4 points), autoHCT to alloHCT interval <1‐year (2 points) and chemoresistant disease at alloHCT (5 points). This CIBMTR prognostic model classified patients into four groups: low‐risk (0 points), intermediate‐risk (2‐5 points), high‐risk (6‐9 points) or very high‐risk (11 points), predicting 3‐year PFS of 40, 32, 11 and 6%, respectively, with 3‐year OS probabilities of 43, 39, 19 and 11% respectively. In conclusion, the CIBMTR prognostic model identifies a subgroup of DLBCL patients experiencing long‐term survival with alloHCT after a failed prior autoHCT.
[Treatment of femoral shaft fractures by interlocking intramedullary nailing in adults].

OBJECTIVES We evaluated the radiological, clinical, and functional results of femoral shaft fractures treated by interlocking intramedullary nailing. METHODS Interlocking intramedullary nailing was performed in 48 femoral shaft fractures of 46 patients (35 men, 11 women; mean age 30.5 years; range 20 to 69 years). Of the fractures, 31 were in the right femur, 13 were in the left femur, and two were bilateral. There were 44 closed and four open femoral fractures. The results were evaluated according to the Thoresen criteria. Final evaluations included 44 fractures whose follow-ups (mean 26.9 weeks; range 20 to 56 weeks) were completed. RESULTS The mean time to union was 16.5 weeks (range 12 to 42 weeks). Four patients (9%) had a varus angulation, and one patient (2.3%) a valgus angulation of 5 degrees; one patient had a posterior angulation of 10 degrees, one patient had an internal rotation of 10 degrees, and one patient had both an external rotation and valgus angulation of 10 degrees. Two patients (4.5%) developed a shortening of 2 cm. Knee flexion was 90 degrees and extension loss was 15 degrees in one patient. Knee flexion was 90 degrees in two patients, and 110 degrees in one patient. Chronic osteomyelitis developed in one patient who had a segmental femoral shaft fracture. According to the Thoresen criteria, 88.6% of patients had excellent or good results. CONCLUSION The high success rate obtained with interlocking intramedullary nailing makes it an appropriate method in the treatment of femoral shaft fractures in adults.
Aerosolized Perfluorocarbon Suppresses Early Pulmonary Inflammatory Response in a Surfactant-Depleted Piglet Model

The effect of new ventilation strategies on initial pulmonary inflammatory reaction was studied in a surfactant-depleted piglet model. Sixty minutes after induction of lung injury by bronchoalveolar lavage, piglets received either aerosolized FC77 (aerosol-PFC, 10 mL/kg/h, n = 5) or partial liquid ventilation (PLV) with FC77 at functional residual capacity volume (FRC-PLV, 30 mL/kg, n = 5), or at low volume (LV-PLV, 10 mL/kg per hour, n = 5), or intermittent mandatory ventilation (control, n = 5). After 2 h, perfluorocarbon application was stopped and intermittent mandatory ventilation continued for 6 h. After a total experimental period of 8 h, animals were killed and lung tissue obtained. mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TGF-β in porcine lung tissue was quantified using TaqMan real-time PCR and normalized to β-actin (A) and hypoxanthine-guanine-phosphoribosyl-transferase (H). In the aerosol-PFC group, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β mRNA expression in lung tissue was significantly lower than in the control group. Reduction was 95% for IL-1β/H (p < 0.001), 73% for IL-6/H (p < 0.05), 87% for IL-8/H (p < 0.001), and 38% for TGF-β/H (p < 0.01). A lower mRNA gene expression was also determined for IL-1β and IL-8 when the aerosol-PFC group was compared with the LV-PLV group [91% for IL-1β/H (p < 0.001), 75% for IL-8/H (p < 0.001)]. In the FRC-PLV group, mRNA expression of IL-1β was significantly lower than in the control (p < 0.05) and LV-PLV (p < 0.01) group. In a surfactant-depleted piglet model, aerosol therapy with perfluorocarbon but not LV-PLV reduces the initial pulmonary inflammatory reaction at least as potently as PLV at FRC volume.
Parenting and Concerns of Pregnant Women in Buprenorphine Treatment

Purpose:Opioid-dependent pregnant women are characterized by drug use during pregnancy and deficits in knowledge of newborn care and feeding, and of child development. We assessed parenting skills and concerns among pregnant women in buprenorphine treatment for prescription opioid dependence. Study Design and Methods:We interviewed 32 pregnant women who received buprenorphine treatment for prescription opioid dependence in a primary care setting and administered questionnaires, including the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory version 2 (AAPI-2) and Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire. Results:AAPI-2 scores revealed medium risk of abuse for all five scales: inappropriate expectations of the child, low level of empathy, strong belief in corporal punishment, reversal of parent–child roles, and oppression of children's power and independence. Primary concerns of participants were neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and their child's health. Pregnant women who received buprenorphine for treatment of prescription opioid dependence showed a lack of appropriate parenting skills, but did not express concern about their ability to parent. Clinical Implications:Our findings suggest a need for nurses to assist prescription opioid-dependent pregnant women in acquiring additional parenting skills, to refer for educational parenting intervention, and to educate patients about NAS.
Proteinase B Disruption Is Required for High Level Production of Human Mechano-Growth Factor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Mechano-growth factor (MGF) is a product of a unique muscle-specific splice variant of the insulin-like growth factor I gene. Potential use of MGF to improve regenerative capability of skeletal muscle as well as to prevent neuronal damage has been widely discussed. Human MGF was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but the yield of the recombinant protein was low due to its rapid degradation. The proteinase B was identified as the enzyme responsible for MGF processing. A yeast strain with Δprb1 deletion was created resulting in a fivefold increase of MGF yield that reached 50 mg/l. The biological activity of recombinant MGF was verified in a proliferation assay employing human postnatal myoblasts.
Protein modification responds to exercise intensity and antioxidant supplementation.

PURPOSE To assess the effects of different exercise intensities and antioxidant supplementation on plasma protein modification. METHODS Trained men (n = 41) from a homogenous population were randomly assigned to perform cycle ergometer exercise either at 70% or 80% of individual . VO2max. Each intensity group was randomly assigned to receive either juice powder concentrate (JPC 70%, n = 11; JPC 80%, n = 10) or placebo (Plac 70%, n = 10; Plac 80%, n = 10) capsules for 28 wk. Four controlled exercise bouts and blood collections were conducted at baseline and study weeks 4, 16, and 28. Blood samples were drawn before (BE), immediately after (IE), and 30 min (30M) and 30 h (30H) postexercise. These samples were analyzed to estimate concentrations of carbonyl groups on plasma proteins (CP) and the redox state of human serum albumin (HSA). RESULTS In the Plac group, CP concentrations increased at 80% of . VO2max IE and 30M, returning to preexercise concentrations by 30H (P < 0.05). At both 16 and 28 wk, the Plac groups had significantly higher BE and 30H CP concentrations than the JPC groups (P < 0.05). The reduced fraction of HSA, human mercaptalbumin (HMA), decreased at all four exercise tests at both exercise intensities IE and 30M, returning to preexercise values by 30H (P < 0.05). Supplementation had no influence on HSA. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that CP concentrations increase with 80% . VO2max intensity. The JPC group had lower baseline CP levels after 16 and 28 wk and no exercise-induced CP increase. HSA is reversibly shifted to a more oxidized state by recent intense exercise.
A simple phenolic antioxidant protocatechuic acid enhances tumor promotion and oxidative stress in female ICR mouse skin: dose-and timing-dependent enhancement and involvement of bioactivation by tyrosinase.

The modifying effects of topical application of the phenolic antioxidant protocatechuic acid (PA) on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse skin tumor promotion were investigated. Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-initiated female ICR mice were treated with TPA (1.6 nmol) twice weekly for 20 weeks to promote papilloma formation. Pre-treatment with 16nmol PA 30 min prior to each TPA treatment significantly inhibited the number of papillomas per mouse by 52% (P < 0.05). On the other hand, PA pre-treatment at a high dose (1600 nmol) significantly enhanced tumor numbers by 38% (P < 0.05). Interestingly, in the group treated with a quite high dose (20000 nmol) of PA 5 min prior to each TPA application, the average number of tumors per mouse was reduced by 38%, whereas the same PA dose 3 h before TPA treatment significantly enhanced tumor numbers by 84% (P < 0.01). These results suggested that topically applied PA was converted to compound(s) lacking antioxidative properties and/or rather possessing the potential to enhance tumor development. A similar tendency was also observed in the short-term experiment of TPA-induced inflammation and oxidative stress; i.e. two groups pre-treated with PA at 20000 nmol, 30min and 3h before TPA treatment, did not show suppression or even significantly enhanced TPA-induced leukocyte infiltration, H(2)O(2) generation, thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances level and proliferating cell nuclear antigen index, while PA treatment together with TPA significantly suppressed these parameters. Treatment with a high dose (20000 nmol) of PA alone for 3h enhanced oxidative stress by reducing glutathione levels in mouse skin, which was counteracted by the tyrosinase inhibitor arbutin. Oxidative stress responses such as leukocyte infiltration and H(2)O(2) generation were also counteracted by arbutin. These results suggested that tyrosinase-dependent oxidative metabolism of PA was at least partially involved in the enhanced effects of PA on TPA-induced inflammatory responses and thus tumor promotion.
A latent growth examination of fear development in infancy: contributions of maternal depression and the risk for toddler anxiety.

Growth modeling was used to examine the developmental trajectory of infant temperamental fear with maternal fear and depressive symptoms as predictors of infant fearfulness and change in infant fear predicting toddler anxiety symptoms. In Study 1, a sample of 158 mothers reported their own depressive symptoms and fear when their children were 4 months of age and infant fearfulness at 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 months. Maternal symptoms of depression predicted steeper increases in infant fearfulness over time (z = 2.06, p < .05), with high initial infant fear and steeper increases in fear (intercept, z = 2.32, p < .05, and slope, z = 1.88, p < .05) predicting more severe toddler anxiety symptoms. In Study 2, an independent sample of 134 mothers completed measures of maternal depression and fear when the infants were 4 months old, and standardized laboratory observations of infant fear were made at 8, 10, and 12 months. Consistent with Study 1, maternal depression accounted for change in fearfulness (z = 2.30, p < .05), with more frequent and more severe maternal symptoms leading to greater increases in infant fear and increases in fearfulness z = 2.08, p < . 05) leading to more problematic toddler anxiety. The implications and contributions of these findings are discussed in terms of methodology, fear development, and developmental psychopathology.