Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous early improvement following ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Recognizing that early spontaneous neurological improvement not uncommonly follows acute ischemic stroke, we conducted this study to determine the incidence of such improvement and its potential relation to stroke etiology. METHODS We prospectively evaluated 68 patients who presented within 12 hours after ischemic stroke, exhibited moderate or severe new functional neurological deficit acutely, and received either no stroke-specific therapy or only antiplatelet therapy over the ensuring week. We reexamined all patients 1 week after stroke onset. RESULTS Sixteen (24%) of the 68 patients improved to the point of having no or mild functional neurological deficit at 1 week. Patients with lacunar stroke were more likely to enjoy early spontaneous improvement (8/22 = 36% versus 8/46 = 17%), but this difference did not reach statistical significance (P = .15). CONCLUSIONS Early spontaneous improvement after ischemic stroke may occur in a substantial proportion of patients and more commonly after lacunar stroke. Even so, the majority of patients with acutely disabling stroke will remain significantly impaired 1 week after stroke onset.
The Cost of Anchoring on Credit-Card Minimum Repayments

About three quarters of credit card accounts attract interest charges. In the US, credit card debt is $951.7 billion of a total of $2,539.7 billion of consumer credit. In the UK, credit card debt is £55.1 billion of £174.4 billion of consumer credit. The 2005 US Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act and the 2003 UK Treasury Select Committee's report require lenders to collect a minimum payment of at least the interest accrued each month. Thus people are protected from the effects of compounding interest. But including minimum payment information has an unintended negative effect, because minimum payments act as psychological anchors.
Prokaryotic DNA segregation by an actin‐like filament

The mechanisms responsible for prokaryotic DNA segregation are largely unknown. The partitioning locus (par) encoded by the Escherichia coli plasmid R1 actively segregates its replicon to daughter cells. We show here that the ParM ATPase encoded by par forms dynamic actin‐like filaments with properties expected for a force‐generating protein. Filament formation depended on the other components encoded by par, ParR and the centromere‐like parC region to which ParR binds. Mutants defective in ParM ATPase exhibited hyperfilamentation and did not support plasmid partitioning. ParM polymerization was ATP dependent, and depolymerization of ParM filaments required nucleotide hydrolysis. Our in vivo and in vitro results indicate that ParM polymerization generates the force required for directional movement of plasmids to opposite cell poles and that the ParR–parC complex functions as a nucleation point for ParM polymerization. Hence, we provide evidence for a simple prokaryotic analogue of the eukaryotic mitotic spindle apparatus.
Survival Pessimism and the Demand for Annuities

Abstract The “annuity puzzle” refers to the fact that annuities are rarely purchased despite the longevity insurance they provide. Most explanations for this puzzle assume that individuals have accurate expectations about their future survival. We provide evidence that individuals misperceive their mortality risk and study the demand for annuities in a setting where annuities are priced by insurers on the basis of objectively-measured survival probabilities but in which individuals make purchasing decisions based on their own subjective survival probabilities. Subjective expectations have the capacity to explain significant rates of nonannuitization, yielding a quantitatively important explanation for the annuity puzzle.
Racial Discrimination, Racial Identity, and Impostor Phenomenon: A Profile Approach

Objectives: This study examined the association between racial discrimination and the impostor phenomenon (IP) and the moderating influence of racial identity on this relationship. Method: One hundred fifty-seven African American college students (68% female; mean age = 18.63) completed measures of racial discrimination, racial identity, and IP during 2 waves of data collection. Results: Utilizing latent profile analyses, 4 patterns of racial identity were identified: Undifferentiated, Multiculturalist, Race-Focused, and Humanist. Racial discrimination predicted higher subsequent levels of IP. Racial identity did not moderate the impact of racial discrimination; however, students in the Multiculturalist and Humanist groups reported the lowest and highest levels of IP at Wave 2, respectively. Conclusion: IP is influenced by racial discrimination experiences as well as by the significance and meaning that individuals ascribe to being African American.
Increasing conflict in times of retrenchment? Attitudes towards healthcare provision in Europe between 1996 and 2002

Public opinion is considered a major obstacle to changing the status quo of welfare state policies. Yet some far-reaching reforms and gradual changes of European welfare states prompt the reverse question: Have increased reform pressures and restructuring efforts led to changes in individual attitudes? In line with previous research, I found that the strong support for a public provision of healthcare remains unchanged. But what about the structure of attitudes? Testing core assumptions of the new politics theory and power resources theory, I looked at conflict lines within society and how they change in times of retrenchment. Analysing individual attitudes in 14 European countries between 1996 and 2002, I moved beyond static comparisons across countries to provide a dynamic account of trends over time. Observing stability, not change, I found no evidence that the relevance of old cleavages is in decline. Both old and new cleavages shape individual attitudes.
A Unified Model of the Presynaptic and Postsynaptic Changes During LTP at CA1 Synapses

Long-term potentiation (LTP) has been studied extensively at CA1 synapses of the hippocampus, and there is evidence implicating both postsynaptic and presynaptic changes in this process. These changes include (i) addition of AMPA channels to the extrasynaptic membrane and diffusional equilibrium of extrasynaptic receptors with synaptic receptors, (ii) sudden addition of AMPA channels to the synapse in large groups, (iii) a change in the mode of glutamate release (presumably from kiss-and-run to full fusion), and (iv) a delayed increase in the number of vesicles released. However, it remains unclear whether (or how) these changes work together. We have incorporated all of these processes into a structural model of the synapse. We propose that the synapse is composed of transsynaptic modules that function quasi-independently in AMPA-mediated transmission. Under basal conditions, synapses are partially silent; some modules are AMPA-silent (but contribute to NMDA-mediated transmission), whereas others are functional (and contribute to both AMPA- and NMDA-mediated transmission). During LTP, there is both a rapid change in the mode of vesicle fusion and a rapid insertion of a postsynaptic complex (a hyperslot) containing many proteins (slots) capable of binding AMPA channels. The combined effect of these pre- and postsynaptic changes is to convert AMPA-silent modules into functional modules. Slot filling is transiently enhanced by a rapid increase in extrasynaptic GluR1, a form of the AMPA-type receptor. A slower transsynaptic growth process adds AMPA-silent modules to the synapse, enhancing the number of vesicles released and thereby enhancing the NMDA response. This model accounts for a broad range of data, including the LTP-induced changes in quantal parameters. The model also provides a coherent explanation for the diverse effects of GluR1 knockout on basal transmission, LTP, and distance-dependent scaling. Long-term potentiation (LTP) is an activity-dependent process that leads to a long-lasting increase in the strength of synapses. Such changes are thought to underlie the storage of memory in the brain. But what exactly determines the strength of a synapse, and how is its strength enhanced during LTP? We review a large body of work on LTP at synapses in the hippocampal CA1 region, the site at which LTP has been most extensively studied. Experiments indicate that there are both presynaptic processes that enhance the release of neurotransmitter (glutamate) and postsynaptic processes that enhance the response to transmitter. To understand how these processes work together, we developed a structural model according to which the synapse is composed of transsynaptic modules. The synapse can be partially silent, meaning that some modules contribute to AMPA-mediated transmission whereas others do not (although all modules contribute to NMDA-mediated transmission). Within this framework, we have formulated a model that accounts for a large set of data in a unified way.
Primary and secondary nonresponse to infliximab: mechanisms and countermeasures

ABSTRACT Introduction: Primary and secondary non-response to infliximab are common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and remain a management challenge in clinical practice. Areas covered: This article describes the epidemiology, mechanisms and risk factors for primary and secondary nonresponse to infliximab in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Data on proactive and reactive therapeutic drug monitoring are examined in this review. An algorithm for evaluation and management of non-response to infliximab is provided. Preventative measures are also discussed. Relevant articles were identified after a literature search using PubMed. Search terms included ‘infliximab’, ‘loss of response’, ‘immunogenicity’, and ‘drug monitoring’. References of identified articles were also reviewed to identify additional references. Expert opinion: A common cause for primary and secondary non-response include inadequate dosing of infliximab; inadequate dosing can be identified through assessment of drug and anti-drug antibody levels. Therapeutic drug monitoring should be done in patients losing response to infliximab. Use of drug monitoring proactively is still under debate.
Pipeline embolization device for the treatment of intra- and extracranial fusiform and dissecting aneurysms: initial experience and long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND Flow-diverting stents offer a promising treatment option for complex aneurysms. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Pipeline embolization device (PED) in the treatment of fusiform and dissecting aneurysms. METHODS Sixty-five consecutive patients with 69 fusiform and dissecting aneurysms underwent endovascular treatment with the use of the PED. Target vessels included the internal carotid artery (n = 28), middle cerebral artery (n = 2), anterior cerebral artery (n = 1), vertebral artery (n = 20), basilar artery (n = 17), and posterior cerebral artery (n = 1). An average of 3.0 PEDs per target vessel were deployed. RESULTS Exclusion of the aneurysm(s) immediately after PED deployment was not observed. Angiographic follow-up examinations were performed in 63/65 patients (67/69 lesions). They showed complete cure of the target lesion in the first follow-up angiography (3.4 months mean interval) in 24 (36%) cases, partial elimination in 30 (45%), and no improvement in 13 (19%). After the latest follow-up (>1 digital subtraction angiography, n = 49, 27.4 months mean interval) complete cure of the target lesion was observed in 33 (67%), partial elimination in 14 (29%), and no change in 2 (4%). Taking all follow-up examinations together, 39/67 (58%) aneurysms were cured. The morbidity and mortality in the entire series were 5% and 8%, respectively. CONCLUSION Flow diverters offer a promising treatment option in fusiform and dissecting aneurysms. The introduction of flow diverters with different densities might help to identify the optimal amount of coverage needed given different anatomic presentations of fusiform and dissecting aneurysms.
Conflicting knowledges, competing worldviews : Norwegian governance of Sámi reindeer husbandry in West Finnmark, Norway

Since the late 1970s, a policy objective has been to rationalize Sámi reindeer husbandry in Norway. Among the government officials, there is, however, a concern that this objective has not been successfully met in West Finnmark due to "too many reindeer" and "too many pastoralists" degrading the pastures and jeopardizing the economy of pastoralism. Engaging with the concepts of "the art of governing" and "everyday resistance", we examined the state rationalization programme and how the main actors perceived it. We identified four "techniques of power" used by the state to stimulate "proper" pastoral practices: discipline, neoliberal rationality, sovereign power, and truth. Based on in-depth interviews with pastoralists and government officials, observations and written sources, we have sought to examine the public and hidden transcripts of the actors concerning the implementation of the rationalization programme. The analysis demonstrates how different examples of everyday forms of resistance are used by pastoralists to maintain control of their own livelihood and practices. A common strategy was to partly adopt and partly avoid state regulations. Individual responses to the rationalization programme were determined by personal desires and capacity, as well as relationships to and the behaviour of fellow pastoralists. Government officials presented the policies to the herding community as participatory, while in reality the state had gradually strengthened its control over reindeer husbandry. The governance of Sámi pastoralism since the 1970s affected power relations between the state and the pastoralists, as well as within the herding communities. Corresponding Author: Kathrine Ivsett Johnsen, Department of International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric), Norwegian University of Life Sciences, PO Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway. E-mail: katjohns@nmbu.no
Methamphetamine-related fatalities in Australia: demographics, circumstances, toxicology and major organ pathology.

AIM To examine the demographic characteristics, circumstances of death, toxicological results and major organ pathology of methamphetamine-related deaths in Australia. DESIGN Retrospective review of coronial files. SETTING Australia. METHODS Cases in which methamphetamine was listed as a cause of death were identified from the National Coronial Information System (NCIS). FINDINGS A total of 371 cases were identified. The mean age of decedents was 32.7 years; 77% were male and 35% were employed. Route of administration was predominantly by injection (89%). Drugs other than methamphetamine were detected in 89% of cases, most commonly benzodiazepines (41%) and morphine (36%). The median blood methamphetamine concentration was 0.2 mg/l (range 0.02-15.0 mg/l). Deaths were overwhelmingly accidental, with 14% determined to be suicides, and occurred in a private home (71%). Cardiovascular pathology, typically coronary artery atherosclerosis, was detected in 54% of decedents. Cerebrovascular pathology, most commonly cerebral haemorrhage and hypoxia, was present in 20% of cases. CONCLUSIONS Methamphetamine has contributed to a substantial number of deaths in Australia. Users need to be informed of the potential harms of methamphetamine use, particularly those associated with the cardiotoxicity of methamphetamine and the use of methamphetamine in conjunction with other drugs.
Identifying quality indicators of surgical training: A national survey

Evidence shows a positive association between quality of surgical training received and patient outcomes. Traditionally, improved patient outcomes are linked with increased operative volume. However, generalizing this finding to surgeons in training is unclear. In addition, reduced exposure due to work‐hour restrictions calls for alternative methods to determine the quality of training. The purpose of this study was to identify the indicators of high‐quality training by surveying the trainees and trainers.
Hormonal modulation of major histocompatibility complex class I gene expression involves an enhancer A-binding complex consisting of Fra-2 and the p50 subunit of NF-kappa B

Hydrocortisone decreases major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I gene expression in rat thyroid cells and counteracts increases induced by interferons. Using FRTL-5 cells transfected with class I promoter- reporter gene chimeras, we show that hydrocortisone action is transcriptional and mediated by an element located between 180 and 170 base pairs upstream of the start of transcription. Gel shift assays reveal that hydrocortisone causes the decrease of a specific protein- DNA complex; this same complex, referred to as Mod-1, is increased by interferon. Oligonucleotide competition assays reveal that the Mod-1 complex is associated with enhancer A of the class I gene, −180 to −170 base pairs (5′-GGGGAGTCCCC-3′), immediately upstream of the interferon response element. Antibodies to fra-2, a fos family member, and to the p50, but not the p65, subunit of NF-kappa B supershift the Mod-1 complex. We suggest that hydrocortisone decreases MHC class I gene expression by reducing the formation of Mod-1, which contains both p50 and fra-2; interferon reverses the hydrocortisone effect and increases Mod-1 formation. These observations are relevant to the molecular basis of hydrocortisone therapy in autoimmune thyroid disease and to the actions of interferon to exacerbate or induce autoimmune disease.
Effect of aerobic interval training and caffeine on blood platelet function.

PURPOSE Hyperactive platelets contribute to the thrombotic response in humans, and exercise transiently increases platelet function. Caffeine is routinely used by athletes as an ergogenic aid, but the combined effect of exercise and caffeine on platelet function has not been investigated. METHODS Twelve healthy males were randomly assigned to one of four groups and undertook four experimental trials of a high-intensity aerobic interval training (AIT) bout or rest with ingestion of caffeine (3 mg·kg(-1)) or placebo. AIT was 8 × 5 min at approximately 75% peak power output (approximately 80% V˙O2peak) and 1-min recovery (approximately 40% peak power output, approximately 50% V˙O2peak) intervals. Blood/urine was collected before, 60, and 90 min after capsule ingestion and analyzed for platelet aggregation/activation. RESULTS AIT increased platelet reactivity to adenosine diphosphate (placebo 30.3%, caffeine 13.4%, P < 0.05) and collagen (placebo 10.8%, caffeine 5.1%, P < 0.05) compared with rest. Exercise placebo increased adenosine diphosphate-induced aggregation 90 min postingestion compared with baseline (40.5%, P < 0.05), but the increase when exercise was combined with caffeine was small (6.6%). During the resting caffeine protocol, collagen-induced aggregation was reduced (-4.3%, P < 0.05). AIT increased expression of platelet activation marker PAC-1 with exercise placebo (P < 0.05) but not when combined with caffeine. CONCLUSION A single bout of AIT increases platelet function, but caffeine ingestion (3 mg·kg(-1)) does not exacerbate platelet function at rest or in response to AIT. Our results provide new information showing caffeine at a dose that can elicit ergogenic effects on performance has no detrimental effect on platelet function and may have the potential to attenuate increases in platelet activation and aggregation when undertaking strenuous exercise.
Pivotal moments and changes in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music for patients with depression.

AIMS To explore pivotal moments and changes during the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music from the perspective of patients with depression. BACKGROUND Depression has been described as an extremely difficult experience for people and is characterised by emotional distress and suffering. As depression progresses, symptoms increase and gradually influence all aspects of the lives of those affected. Few studies have been undertaken into the essence of inner and pivotal experiences during Guided Imagery and Music in patients with depression. DESIGN A qualitative research design and discovery-oriented approach were used as the method of both data gathering and textual analysis. METHODS This study conducted semi-structured interviews with five patients with depression after each of eight sessions of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music. Each session took place in a music therapy laboratory. Forty transcripts were organised into categories and analysed according to the discovery-oriented approach of Mahrer and Boulet, considering the dimensions of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music. Results. Nine patients with depression were recruited from a medical centre in southern Taiwan from 2004-2005. Five successfully completed eight Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music sessions. There were 141 statements coded into 10 subthemes and three themes describing pivotal moments: pushing aside the barrier, gaining new insight, moving forward. Each category was supported by three-four themes. The analysis also yielded three meaningful moments: releasing mind-body rigidity, awareness and inspiration, acceptance and inner transformation. Patients described personal emotional, cognitive and behavioural transformation during the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music experiences. CONCLUSIONS The discovery-oriented approach fulfilled the aim of gaining a valuable understanding of the psychological growth experiences of patients with depression during the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Patients with depression particularly need comfort and caring. It is important that nurses offer interventions as adjuvants to medication. This study supports the feasibility of incorporating the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music into the nursing management of patients with depression. Future studies are suggested to examine the interactive process of music stimulus and the multidimensional nature of imagery.
Upregulation of retinal neuronal MCP-1 in the rodent model of diabetic retinopathy and its function in vitro.

PURPOSE To evaluate the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in the rodent model of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and to study the stimulation of microglial activation by retinal neuronal MCP-1 in vitro. METHODS Diabetes mellitus was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection. The expression of MCP-1 was determined using immunohistochemical methods, Western blotting and RT-PCR analyses. Retinal neurons and microglia were separated and co-cultured in a Transwell apparatus. The levels of soluble MCP-1 that were produced after stimulation of retinal neurons by adding advanced glycation end products (AGEs) to the medium were measured by ELISA. The degree of microglial activation was measured by testing microglial migration and the level of soluble TNF-α in the medium by ELISA. The ability of neuronal MCP-1 to stimulate microglia activation was examined by pre-exposing the retinal neurons to AGEs and an MCP-1 antibody or to AGEs and SiRNA specific to MCP-1. RESULTS A marked increase in the expression of MCP-1 was detected 4 weeks after STZ injection, and the expression was consistently upregulated at 3 and 5 months in the rodent DR model. Stimulation with AGEs significantly increased the expression of MCP-1 in retinal neurons, which activated microglial cells, including increased microglial migration and upregulated secretion of TNF-α. Retinal neurons that were pre-exposed to AGEs and an MCP-1 antibody or MCP-1 knockdown displayed greatly reduced microglial migration and TNF-α secretion. CONCLUSIONS Upregulation of MCP-1 began during the early stage of DR and increased with the development of the disease. Retinal neurons are the main source of MCP-1, and they play an important role in retinal microglial activation, which may be an important link in the pathogenesis of DM.