Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender role nonconformity and perception of mental illness.

The hypothesis that clinicians' perceptions of psychological maladjustment are related to the deviation of symptoms from prevailing gender role stereotypes was explored. Case history descriptions were sent to a random sample of practicing psychologists. These clinicians viewed female patients with "masculine" symptoms (e.g., alcoholism or antisocial behavior) as more psychologically disturbed than males with the same symptoms; they also perceived male patients with "feminine" symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety) as more psychologically disturbed than their female counterparts. Significant main effects for psychologists' sex were found for both the perceived usefulness of drug treatment and prognostic outlook ratings.
Histidine Decarboxylase in Hyaline Membrane Disease

During the latter part of pregnancy, the foetal rat produces large quantities of histamine which may be concerned with the growth of the foetus (Kahlson and Rosengren, 1959). Kahlson (1960) reported increased formation of histamine by the human foetus as well: recently Davis (1961) suggested that the antagonism of such excess histamine might account for the beneficial effect of an antihistamine drug (chlorpheniramine) on the respiratory distress of premature infants. It is not unlikely that endogenously-formed histamine participates in the genesis of hyaline membrane, since histamine is believed to regulate the microcirculation (Schayer, 1962), and circulatory changes following hypoxia may play an important role in hyaline membrane formation (Cook, 1962; Wade-Evans, 1962). The histamine formed by the foetal rat is produced in the liver by a specific L-histidine decarboxylase (Kahlson, Rosengren and White, 1959; Telford and West, 1961; Burkhalter, 1962). The present work was undertaken to determine whether abnormally increased histidine decarboxylase activity could be detected in the tissues of infants dying of hyaline membrane disease.
Efficacy of protamine zinc recombinant human insulin for controlling hyperglycemia in dogs with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND Alternative insulin preparations are needed when NPH insulin is ineffective in diabetic dogs. This study evaluated the efficacy of recombinant human protamine zinc insulin (rhPZI) for treating diabetic dogs. HYPOTHESIS rhPZI is effective for treating diabetic dogs. ANIMALS Six newly diagnosed and 11 insulin-treated diabetic dogs. METHODS Prospective clinical trial. Dogs were treated with rhPZI for 60 days. Control of glycemia was assessed on days 7, 14, 30, and 60 by evaluation of history, physical examination, body weight, serum fructosamine concentration, and blood glucose concentrations measured before and 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 hours after rhPZI administration. Adjustments in dosage of rhPZI were made as needed to control glycemia. RESULTS rhPZI administration resulted in a significant decrease in 10-hour mean blood glucose (MBG(10h) ; 299 ± 115 versus 457 ± 38 mg/dL, X ± SD, P = . 0003) and serum fructosamine (478 ± 83 versus 557 ± 104 μmol/L, P = .006) concentration at day 60, compared with day 1, respectively. By day 60, polyuria and polydipsia had improved in 14, body weight was stable or increased in 16, MBG(10h) had decreased in 16, and serum fructosamine concentration had decreased in 11 of 17 dogs, compared with day 1. Hypoglycemia (<80 mg/dL) was the only consistent adverse event. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE rhPZI is effective in diabetic dogs and can be considered as an alternative treatment in diabetic dogs that are poorly controlled using other insulin preparations.
Magnesium reduces insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and serum lipid concentrations in type 1 diabetes.

A magnesium (Mg) deficit has been described in patients with type 1 diabetes, and it has been related to the development of cardiovascular disease. We tested the hypothesis that type 1 diabetic patients have deficits in dietary Mg intake and that proper long-term (24 weeks) oral Mg supplementation would reduce cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, the Mg status, dietary Mg intake, and the effect of Mg supplementation were evaluated in 10 type 1 diabetic patients and 5 control subjects. Muscle Mg content was decreased by 7% in the type 1 diabetic patients, and it increased by 5% after 24 weeks of oral MgO supplementation. Acute and chronic Mg supplementation decreased serum total cholesterol, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B. Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake decreased by 35% after 24 weeks of oral MgO supplementation. Eight of 10 patients with type 1 diabetes had a daily intake of Mg below 90% of the recommended daily allowance. In conclusion, a Mg deficit was found in type 1 diabetic patients. The deficit might be due partly to a relatively Mg-deficient diet. Mg repletion was associated with a decrease in atherogenic lipid fractions and a reduced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake.
School-age follow-up of children with childhood apraxia of speech.

PURPOSE The primary aim of this study was to examine differences in speech/language and written language skills between children with suspected childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and children with other speech-sound disorders at school age. METHOD Ten children (7 males and 3 females) who were clinically diagnosed with CAS (CAS group) were followed from the preschool years (ages 4-6) to school age (ages 8-10) and were compared with children with isolated speech-sound disorders (S group; n = 15) and combined speech-sound and language disorders (SL group; n = 14). Assessments included measures of articulation, diadochokinetic rates, language, reading, and spelling. RESULTS At follow-up, 8 of the children with CAS demonstrated improvement in articulation scores, but all 10 continued to have difficulties in syllable sequencing, nonsense word repetition, and language abilities. The children also exhibited comorbid disorders of reading and spelling. Group comparisons revealed that the CAS group was similar to the SL group, but not the S group during the preschool years. By school age, however, the SL group made more positive changes in language skills than the CAS group. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS These findings suggest that the phenotype for CAS changes with age. Language disorders persist in these children despite partial resolution of articulation problems. Children with CAS are also at risk for reading and spelling problems.
Phagocytic and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Response of Human Mast Cells following Exposure to Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Bacteria

ABSTRACT Recent studies have implicated rodent mast cells in the innate immune response to infectious bacteria. We report that cord blood-derived human mast cells (CBHMC) obtained from culture of cord blood progenitors phagocytozed and killed various gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and simultaneously released considerable amounts of tumor necrosis factor alpha. Overall, the extent of the endocytic and exocytic response of CBHMC correlated with the number of adherent bacteria. Thus, human mast cells are intrinsically capable of mediating microbial recognition and of actively contributing to the host defense against bacteria.
The composition of lung lipids after poisoning with paraquat.

The composition of the lung lipids from animals poisoned with paraquat 2 days and 6 days after treatment has been compared with that from controls. After 6 days, but not after 2 days, there was a large increase in the proportion of arachidonic acid and a small increase in the cholesterol ester fraction. No differences were seen in the phospholipid fractions examined. Analysis of the lipids of peritoneal and alveolar macrophages has shown that the changes in the lungs can be mainly attributed to the increase in numbers of alveolar but not peritoneal macrophages.
Effects of sex and age on behavior and weight gain in beef calves after abrupt weaning.

The effects of weaning on beef calves of different ages were investigated. Forty male and 40 female calves were either weaned at 6 (W6, n = 40) or 8 (W8, n = 40) months of age. The vocalization activity and behaviors (feeding, lying and standing/walking) were observed during the first 3 days following weaning. Body weight was recorded at 6 and 8 months and 2 weeks following weaning. W6 animals vocalized more often than W8 calves and females more than males on day 1 (P < 0.05). The vocalization activity decreased at a higher rate in W8 than in W6 from days 1 to 3. On day 2, W6 calves spent less time lying and more standing/walking than W8 calves (P < 0.05). The behaviors did not differ between males and females. The average daily gain after weaning did not differ between weaning ages (P > 0.05), but W8 calves gained more from 6 to 8 months of age. In conclusion, weaning distress was more pronounced in W6 than in W8 calves. W8 calves also had a superior growth performance during 6 to 8 months of age. The effect of the calves' sex was less pronounced. Therefore, it is recommended to wean beef calves later than 6 months of age.
Determining attitudes toward acupuncture: a focus on older U.S. veterans.

OBJECTIVE To explore whether factors related to attitudes toward acupuncture use in a population of older veterans is similar to previously identified motivators for nonveterans. METHODS A sample of veterans was asked to complete a questionnaire, which included questions on sociodemographic traits, history of acupuncture, chronic diseases, and the Health Belief Model (HBM). Data reduction was performed by using principal components analysis to identify major factors among the HBM responses. Linear regression was performed to evaluate variables that may contribute to attitudes toward acupuncture. RESULTS There were 402 completed questionnaires. Principal components analysis yielded three significant factors. Linear regression resulted in a model that explained 35% of the variance for positive attitudes toward acupuncture: Age, race, religion, access to acupuncture, self-efficacy for nonpharmacologic treatments, and the presence of one or more physical and mental chronic health condition were significantly related to positive attitudes toward acupuncture. CONCLUSIONS Factors related to attitudes toward acupuncture were very similar to factors identified in other literature for nonveterans, with the exception of income and education. The findings suggest that availability of treatment influences attitudes toward acupuncture.
Advantages and disadvantages of graduated and inverse graduated compression hosiery in patients with chronic venous insufficiency and healthy volunteers: A prospective, mono-centric, blinded, open randomised, controlled and cross-over trial

Background The therapeutic effectiveness of compression therapy depends on the selection of compression hosiery. Objectives To assess efficacy and tolerability of graduated elastic compression stockings (GECS) and inverse graduated elastic compression stockings (PECS). Methods Thirty-two healthy volunteers and thirty-two patients with chronic venous insufficiency were analysed; wear period: one week for each stocking type (randomised, blinded). Primary outcome: volume reduction of ‘Lower leg’ (Image3D®) and ‘Distal leg and foot’ (water plethysmography). Secondary outcomes: clinical symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency assessed by the Venous Clinical Severity Score, side effects and wear comfort in both groups. Results Volume of ‘Lower leg’: significant reduction in healthy volunteers (mean GECS: −37.5 mL, mean PECS: −37.2 mL) and in patients (mean GECS: −55.6 mL, mean PECS: −41.6 mL). Volume of ‘Distal lower leg and foot’: significant reduction in healthy volunteers (mean GECS: −27 mL, mean PECS: −16.7 mL), significant reduction in patients by GECS (mean: −43.4 mL), but non-significant reduction by PECS (mean: −22.6 mL). Clinical symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency were improved significantly better with GECS than with PECS, p < 0.001. GECS led to more painful constrictions, p = 0.047, PECS slipped down more often, p < 0.001. Conclusion GECS and PECS reduce volume of the segment ‘Lower leg’ in patients and healthy volunteers. Patients’ volume of the ‘Distal lower leg and foot’, however, were diminished significantly only by GECS (p = 0.0001). Patients’ complaints were improved by both GECS and PECS, and GECS were superior to PECS.
Distribution and accumulation of liposomal form of doxorubicin in breast cancer cells of MCF-7 line.

AIM To study distribution and accumulation of liposomal form of doxorubicin in human breast cancer cells of MCF-7 line and Dox-resistant subline MCF-7/Dox. METHODS High performance liquid chromatography and laser confocal microscopy were used. RESULTS It has been shown that conventional form of doxorubicin was more efficiently delivered to the MCF-7 cells already after 30 min of incubation amounting to its maximum concentration after 4 h. MCF-7/Dox cells are characterized by lower doxorubicin accumulation rate compared with parental cells. The quantity of accumulated liposomal form of doxorubicin is high in MCF-7 cells, and, what is important, Dox-resistant cells accumulated higher levels of liposomal form of doxorubicin than its conventional form. CONCLUSION It has been shown that intracellular distribution and accumulation of liposomal forms of doxorubicin in parental and Dox-resistant MCF-7 cells differs from that of conventional doxorubicin.
Tracheoesophageal diversion and puncture operation for intractable aspiration: A case series

INTRODUCTION Tracheoesophageal diversion (TED) is an effective procedure for treating intractable aspiration. The technique was first reported by Lindeman, and modified versions have subsequently been reported in the literature. Lindeman et al. also described laryngotracheal separation (LTS), and subsequent reports have described its use. Both TED and LTS aim at preventing aspiration and facilitating safe oral intake; if the patient’s condition improves, reversal of the separation is possible. However, both operations compromise phonatory function; phonation is generally impossible after LTS and is very difficult after TED. Although the potential for some phonation after LTS has been reported, the voice originates from the pharyngeal mucosa and differs from that originating from the vocal folds. We report three cases of intractable aspiration in which TED combined with tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) was performed to prevent aspiration while maintaining vocal fold-derived phonation. Written informed consent was obtained from the three patients.
Lipopolysaccharide-induced Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression in Human U937 Macrophages Is Phosphatidic Acid Phosphohydrolase-1-dependent*

Cyclooxygenase (COX) has two isoforms, COX-1 and -2, which catalyze the key step in the conversion of cellular arachidonic acid into prostaglandins. In recent years, interest in COX-2 has significantly increased since it has been a target for the development of specific non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. We report that COX-2 expression is up-regulated in phorbol ester (phorbol myristate acetate, PMA)-differentiated human U937 macrophage-like cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), whereas COX-1 is not up-regulated. We show that the LPS-induced up-regulation of COX-2 depends on the activity of the Mg+2-dependent phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase 1 (PAP-1). Inhibition of PAP-1 by bromoenol lactone, propranolol, or ethanol resulted in a decrease in LPS-induced COX-2 mRNA transcript production, COX-2 protein expression, and prostaglandin E2 release from U937 macrophages. To ensure that these results did not arise because of PMA treatment of the U937 cells, similar experiments were conducted with the P388D1 cell line, which does not require PMA differentiation. LPS increased the levels of endogenous cellular diacylglycerol (DAG) within 2 min of stimulation. This increase was observed to be sensitive to the PAP-1 inhibitors. Furthermore, phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase activity assays showed that the bromoenol lactone-sensitive PAP-1 activity was translocated from the cytosolic fraction to the membrane fraction within 2 min of LPS exposure. Finally, DAG add-back experiments demonstrate that LPS-induced COX-2 expression is enhanced by the addition of exogenous DAG.
PAI-1 4G/5G and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms increased the accuracy of two prediction scores for the risk of acute lower extremity deep vein thrombosis.

AIM This study investigates the accuracy of two scores in predicting the risk of acute lower extremity deep vein thrombosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 170 patients [85 (50%) women and 85 (50%) men] who were diagnosed with acute lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with duplex ultrasonography. Median age was 62 (52.75; 72) years. The control group consisted of 166 subjects [96 (57.8%) women and 70 (42.2%) men], without DVT, matched for age (± one year) to those in the group with DVT. The patients and controls were selected from those admitted to the internal medicine, cardiology and geriatrics wards within the Municipal Hospital of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, between October 2009 and June 2011. Clinical, demographic and lab data were recorded for each patient. For each patient we calculated the prior risk of DVT using two prediction scores: Caprini and Padua. RESULTS According to the Padua score only 93 (54.7%) patients with DVT had been at high risk of developing DVT, while 48 (28.9%) of controls were at high risk of developing DVT. When Padua score included PAI-1 4G/5G and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms, the sensitivity increased at 71.7%. Using the Caprini score, we determined that 147 (86.4%) patients with DVT had been at high risk of developing DVT, while 103 (62%) controls were at high risk of developing DVT. A Caprini score higher than 5 was the strongest predictor of acute lower extremity DVT risk. CONCLUSIONS The Caprini prediction score was more sensitive than the Padua score in assessing the high risk of DVT in medical patients. PAI-1 4G/5G and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms increased the sensitivity of Padua score.
R2D2, a Bridge Between the Initiation and Effector Steps of the Drosophila RNAi Pathway

The RNA interference (RNAi) pathway is initiated by processing long double-stranded RNA into small interfering RNA (siRNA). The siRNA-generating enzyme was purified from Drosophila S2cells and consists of two stoichiometric subunits: Dicer-2(DCR-2) and a previously unknown protein that we named R2D2. R2D2 is homologous to the Caenorhabditis elegans RNAi protein RDE-4. Association with R2D2 does not affect the enzymatic activity of DCR-2. Rather, the DCR-2/R2D2 complex, but not DCR-2 alone, binds to siRNA and enhances sequence-specific messenger RNA degradation mediated by the RNA-initiated silencing complex (RISC). These results indicate that R2D2 bridges the initiation and effector steps of the Drosophila RNAi pathway by facilitating siRNA passage from Dicer to RISC.
Cyclic-di-GMP Regulates Extracellular Polysaccharide Production, Biofilm Formation, and Rugose Colony Development by Vibrio vulnificus

ABSTRACT Vibrio vulnificus is a human and animal pathogen that carries the highest death rate of any food-borne disease agent. It colonizes shellfish and forms biofilms on the surfaces of plankton, algae, fish, and eels. Greater understanding of biofilm formation by the organism could provide insight into approaches to decrease its load in filter feeders and on biotic surfaces and control the occurrence of invasive disease. The capsular polysaccharide (CPS), although essential for virulence, is not required for biofilm formation under the conditions used here. In other bacteria, increased biofilm formation often correlates with increased exopolysaccharide (EPS) production. We exploited the translucent phenotype of acapsular mutants to screen a V. vulnificus genomic library and identify genes that imparted an opaque phenotype to both CPS biosynthesis and transport mutants. One of these encoded a diguanylate cyclase (DGC), an enzyme that synthesizes bis-(3′-5′)-cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP). This prompted us to use this DGC, DcpA, to examine the effect of elevated c-di-GMP levels on several developmental pathways in V. vulnificus. Increased c-di-GMP levels induced the production of an EPS that was distinct from the CPS and dramatically enhanced biofilm formation and rugosity in a CPS-independent manner. However, the EPS could not compensate for the loss of CPS production that is required for virulence. In contrast to V. cholerae, motility and virulence appeared unaffected by elevated levels of c-di-GMP.
Variation in Extracellular Protease Production among Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus Due to Different Levels of Expression of the Protease Repressor sarA

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus produces four major extracellular proteases: staphylococcal serine protease (V8 protease; SspA), cysteine protease (SspB), metalloprotease (aureolysin; Aur), and staphopain (Scp). Several in vitro studies have suggested that these enzymes are important virulence factors. Here we analyzed the protease production of 92 S. aureus strains from infected human soft tissue. Twenty-one strains produced variable zones of proteolysis on casein agar plates, while the remaining 71 strains appeared to be protease negative. The major protease genes were present in all protease-positive (n = 5) and protease-negative (n = 12) strains analyzed. Northern blotting showed that transcription of the protease genes was suppressed due to increased sigma factor B (SigB)-dependent expression of the protease repressor SarA. Other SigB-dependent traits such as pigmentation and expression of asp 23 were also increased in protease-negative compared to protease-positive strains. Inactivation of sarA in three protease-negative strains resulted in increased transcription of all protease genes and increased protease production, while overexpression of sarA in a strain producing protease at high levels repressed protease production. Our results suggest that the protease genes are conserved among clinical S. aureus strains and that the level of SigB-dependent expression of the protease repressor sarA determines the level of protease production in each strain.
Construction and Phenotypic Characterization of an Auxotrophic Mutant of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Defective in l-Arginine Biosynthesis

ABSTRACT A mutant of Mycobacterium tuberculosis defective in the metabolism of l-arginine was constructed by allelic exchange mutagenesis. The argF mutant strain required exogenous l-arginine for growth in vitro, and in the presence of 0.96 mM l-arginine, it achieved a growth rate and cell density in stationary phase comparable to those of the wild type. The mutant strain was also able to grow in the presence of high concentrations of argininosuccinate, but its auxotrophic phenotype could not be rescued by l-citrulline, suggesting that the ΔargF::hyg mutation exerted a polar effect on the downstream argG gene but not on argH. The mutant strain displayed reduced virulence in immunodeficient SCID mice and was highly attenuated in immunocompetent DBA/2 mice, suggesting that l-arginine availability is restricted in vivo.