Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coping effectiveness training during acute rehabilitation of spinal cord injury/dysfunction: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE To compare coping effectiveness training (CET) with supportive group therapy (SGT) for anxiety, depression, and adjustment to injury in an acute spinal cord injury/dysfunction (SCI/D) rehabilitation population. CET was shown to result in decreased anxiety and depression symptoms when compared to historical no-treatment control groups (Kennedy, Duff, Evans, & Beedie, 2003; King & Kennedy, 1999). The present study sought to extend those findings with a comparison of CET to an alternative active therapy condition, SGT. RESEARCH METHOD Participants (N = 40) entering a hospital-based program were assigned to treatment condition using block randomization. Questionnaire mood measures were completed at program admission, program discharge, and 3-month postdischarge follow-up. Adjustment to disability was assessed at follow-up only. Analyses of variance tested for group differences in anxiety, depression, and adjustment to injury. RESULTS Both groups reported reductions in mood symptoms with no differences between treatment conditions. However, similar reductions were obtained after fewer sessions of CET. Symptoms of depression increased in both groups following hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS Clinical and research implications, including innovative interventions during the period after discharge, are discussed.
Practical aspects of fluorescent staining for proteomic applications

SYPRO Orange and SYPRO Ruby staining methods, modified for use with large‐format two dimensional (2‐D) gels, are compared to the manufacturer's recommended protocols to determine sensitivity and reproducibility of the new methods. This study examines the critical aspects of fixation, washing, and staining to develop an optimized fluorescent staining method. It was determined that careful control of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) levels and pH in the gel was critical for successful staining with SYPRO Orange. Overnight fixation in 40% ethanol/2% acetic acid/0.0005% SDS preserved protein content, eliminated ampholyte‐generated staining artifacts, and had no detrimental effects on staining. Three one‐hour washes in 2% acetic acid/0.0005% SDS, followed by staining with SYPRO Orange diluted 1 : 5000 with washing solution for 3 or more hours, produced high sensitivity, low background images using a STORM 860 laser scanner. Gels viewed two years after staining showed no significant changes with respect to the initial protein patterns, and allowed successful mass spectrometric postgel characterization of protein spots. Protocol changes applied to SYPRO Ruby staining improved the contrast of STORM 860‐generated images, but had little impact on staining sensitivity. A comparison of the cost benefits of staining with SYPRO Orange vs. SYPRO Ruby is also discussed.
High‐level expression of naked DNA delivered to rat liver via tail vein injection

High levels of foreign gene expression in mouse hepatocytes can be achieved by rapid tail vein injection of a large volume of a naked DNA solution, the ‘hydrodynamics‐based procedure’. Rats are more tolerant of the frequent phlebotomies required for monitoring blood parameters than mice, and thus are better for some biomedical research.
The efficiency of nitrogen retention during compensatory growth of food-restricted broilers

1. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of compensatory growth, induced by early quantitative food restrictions, on the efficiency of nitrogen-retention in two lines of Ross broilers. 2 . Birds were restricted to 80% of the ad libitum intake of the previous 24 h of the control group from d 4 to d 7. After the period of restrictions all birds were fed ad libitum . 3 . In both trials, the final body weight of the restricted Ross 208(308) birds was similar or even higher than that of the control group. For the Ross 508 line, compensatory growth was substantial in the first trial, but non-existent in the second trial. In all cases, the mortality of restricted birds was lower than in control birds. 4. Not only environmental factors, but mainly chick quality, seemed to have a major influence on the capacity of the chickens to establish compensatory growth. 5. As compensatory growth was established, some improvement in N retention was induced. Although differences were not significant, they may be environmentally important. 6. It is concluded that a retardation of the early growth of fast growing broiler chickens can, in certain circumstances, reduce mortality and increase performance and N retention.
The acceptability among young Hindus and Muslims of actively ending the lives of newborns with genetic defects

Aim To explore the views in non-Western cultures about ending the lives of damaged newborns. Method 254 university students from India and 150 from Kuwait rated the acceptability of ending the lives of newborns with genetic defects in 54 vignettes consisting of all combinations of four factors: gestational age (term or 7 months); severity of genetic defect (trisomy 21 alone, trisomy 21 with serious morphological abnormalities or trisomy 13 with impending death); the parents’ attitude about prolonging care (unknown, in favour or opposed); and the procedure used (withholding treatment, withdrawing it or injecting a lethal substance). Results Four clusters were identified by cluster analysis and subjected to analysis of variance. Cluster I, labelled ‘Never Acceptable’, included 4% of the Indians and 59% of the Kuwaitis. Cluster II, ‘No Firm Opinion’, had little variation in rating from one scenario to the next; it included 38% of the Indians and 18% of the Kuwaitis. In Cluster III, ‘Parents’ Attitude+Severity+Procedure’, all three factors affected the ratings; it was composed of 18% of the Indians and 16% of the Kuwaitis. Cluster IV was called ‘Severity+Parents’ Attitude’ because these had the strongest impact; it was composed of 40% of the Indians and 7% of the Kuwaitis. Conclusions In accordance with the teachings of Islam versus Hinduism, Kuwaiti students were more likely to oppose ending a newborn's life under all conditions, Indian students more likely to favour it and to judge its acceptability in light of the different circumstances.
Reduced microRNA-503 expression augments lung fibroblast VEGF production in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Alterations in microRNA (miRNA) expression may contribute to COPD pathogenesis. In COPD, lung fibroblast repair functions are altered in multiple ways, including extracellular mediator release. Our prior study revealed miR-503 expression is decreased in COPD lung fibroblasts, although the exact role played by miR-503 is undetermined. The current study examined a role of miR-503 in cytokine, growth factor and fibronectin production by lung fibroblasts from patients with and without COPD. Primary adult lung fibroblasts were isolated from patients with or without COPD. MiR-503 expression and interleukin (IL)-6, -8, PGE2, HGF, KGF, VEGF and fibronectin release were examined with or without inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. MiR-503 expression was decreased in COPD lung fibroblasts. The expression of miR-503 was positively correlated with %FVC, %FEV1, and %DLco as well as IL-6, -8, PGE2, HGF, KGF, and VEGF in the absence or presence of IL-1ß/TNF-α. In addition, IL-8 and VEGF release from COPD lung fibroblasts were increased compared to those from control. Exogenous miR-503 inhibited VEGF release from primary adult and fetal lung fibroblasts but not IL-8 release. As expected, COPD fibroblasts proliferated more slowly than control fibroblasts. MiR-503 did not affect proliferation of either control or COPD lung fibroblasts. MiR-503 inhibition of VEGF protein production and mRNA was mediated by direct binding to the 3’ untranslated region of VEGF mRNA. Endogenous miR-503 was differently regulated by exogenous stimulants associated with COPD pathogenesis, including IL-1ß/TNF-α, TGF-ß1 and PGE2. Endogenous miR-503 inhibition augmented VEGF release by IL-1ß/TNF-α and TGF-ß1 but not by PGE2, demonstrating selectivity of miR-503 regulation of VEGF. In conclusions, reduced miR-503 augments VEGF release from lung fibroblasts from patients with COPD. Since VEGF contributes to disturbed vasculature in COPD, altered miR-503 production might play a role in modulating fibroblast-mediated vascular homeostasis in COPD.
Maternal Glucocorticoid in Unplanned Premature Labor. Controlled Study on the Effects of Betamethasone Phosphate on the Phospholipids of the Gastric Aspirate and on the Adrenal Cortical Function of the Newborn Infant

Summary: The effects of betamethasone on surfactant composition and neonatal adrenal function were compared with placebo in a double-blind study, which included 74 patients at risk for premature delivery. The overall incidence of respiratory distress syndrome was low, and no difference was observed between the betamethasone and placebo groups. The phospholipid pattern (lecithin/sphingomyellin ratio, acetone precipitated lecithin, phosphatidylinositol/sphingomyelin ratio, and phosphatidylglycerol/sphingomyelin ratio) from gastric aspirates of newborn infants was similar in the betamethasone and placebo groups, suggesting a similarity in lung surfactant. The responsiveness of the adrenal cortex of the newborn infants, evaluated by a 2-hr adrenocorticotropic hormone test at the age of 24 hr, did not differ between infants whose mothers had received either betamethasone or placebo. The low incidence of respiratory distress syndrome in the betamethasone and placebo groups was ascribed in part to a high incidence of prolonged rupture of fetal membranes. Our results do not exclude the possibility that antenatal maternal administration of betamethasone could prevent respiratory distress syndrome in other defined high-risk infants.Speculation: Maternal betamethasone administration does not enhance the acceleration of the fetal lung maturation in "fetal stress" due to rupture of fetal membranes, even if the phospholipids of the lung effluent are somewhat immature. Betamethasone phosphate only transiently suppresses fetal adrenal function. Due to the potential long-term side effects, the use of glucocorticoids should be limited to cases in which the risk to develop respiratory distress syndrome is high and spontaneous acceleration of lung maturation is not expected.
Reduction of oscillatory potentials and photopic negative response in patients with autosomal dominant optic atrophy with OPA1 mutations.

PURPOSE To study the electroretinographic (ERG) findings in patients with autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA) with OPA1 mutations. METHODS Eight ADOA patients (age range, 24-55 years; mean, 41 years) with OPA1 mutations were studied. In addition to routine ophthalmological tests, full-field ERGs including the rod response, mixed rod-cone response, oscillatory potentials (OPs), single-flash cone response, and photopic negative response (PhNR) were recorded and compared with those from 25 age-matched controls. The correlation between the ERG data and averaged retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness around the optic disk measured by optical coherent tomography, mean deviation of the static perimetry (Humphrey 30-2 program), or corrected visual acuity was also examined. RESULTS Amplitudes of the PhNR and OPs, both of which are believed to originate from inner retinal layers, were significantly smaller in ADOA patients than in control subjects (P < 0.01). Amplitudes of other ERG components were not statistically different in the two groups. OP amplitude was inversely correlated with the patient's age. The RNFL was thinner and the retinal sensitivities obtained by static perimetry were lower in ADOA patients, but these values were not correlated with the amplitude of PhNR or OPs. CONCLUSIONS These results suggested that there are functional impairments not only in the ganglion cell layer but also in the inner nuclear and plexiform layers, including the amacrine cells of ADOA patients with OPA1 mutations.
Bullying Victimization and Racial Discrimination Among Australian Children.

OBJECTIVES To compare the prevalence of bullying victimization and racial discrimination by ethnicity. METHODS We completed a cross-sectional analysis of 3956 children aged 12 to 13 years from wave 5 (2011-2012) of the nationally representative Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. RESULTS Bullying victimization and racial discrimination were weakly associated and differently patterned by ethnicity. Children from visible minorities reported less bullying victimization but more racial discrimination than did their peers with Australian-born parents. Indigenous children reported the highest risk of bullying victimization and racial discrimination. CONCLUSIONS Peer victimization and racial discrimination each require specific attention as unique childhood stressors. A focus on general bullying victimization alone may miss unique stress exposures experienced by children from stigmatized ethnic backgrounds.
Effect of acute ethanol administration on the release of opioid peptides from the midbrain including the ventral tegmental area.

BACKGROUND Experimental evidence suggests that ethanol alters the activity of the endogenous opioid peptide systems in a dose and brain-region dependent manner. These alterations may influence the processes of ethanol reward and reinforcement. Thus, it was the objective of this study to investigate the response of the 3 major opioid peptide systems (endorphins, enkephalins, and dynorphins) to acute ethanol administration, at the level of the midbrain including the ventral tegmental area (midbrain/VTA), a region important for drug, including ethanol reinforcement. METHODS Using the in vivo microdialysis technique coupled with specific solid-phase radioimmunoassay for beta-endorphin, met-enkephalin, and dynorphin A(1-8,) changes in the extracellular concentration of theses peptides at the level of midbrain/VTA were determined at distinct time points following the administration of 0.0 (saline), 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, 2.0, and 2.4 g ethanol/kg B.Wt. RESULTS A biphasic effect of ethanol on beta-endorphin release was found, with low to medium (1.2, 1.6, and 2.0 g) but not high (2.4 g) doses of ethanol, inducing a significant increase in the dialysate content of beta-endorphin. A late increase in the dialysate content of dynorphin A(1-8) was observed in response to the 1.2 g ethanol dose. However, none of the ethanol doses tested significantly altered the content of met-enkephalin in the dialysate. CONCLUSIONS The present findings suggest that the ethanol-induced increase of beta-endorphin release at the level of midbrain/VTA may influence alcohol reinforcement.
Intramedullary Spinal Cord Metastasis from Renal Cell Carcinoma: Detection by Positron Emission Tomography

Although positron emission tomography (PET) is an established diagnostic method in brain and lung cancer, its use is often confined to research. The authors report a case of a minimally symptomatic intramedullary spinal cord metastasis, an uncommon and often diagnostically challenging lesion, that was confirmed by PET. A 37-year-old man with a history of metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with systemic agents, an autologous stem cell transplant, and local palliative radiotherapy with a 2-month history of vague right foot numbness and right leg dysesthesias was found to have an intramedullary lesion at the level of T12. Although the findings of magnetic resonance imaging suggested central necrosis, a PET scan revealed a metabolically active lesion and confirmed the diagnosis of intramedullary metastasis. PET can be used to detect and confirm intramedullary spinal cord metastatic carcinoma. PET imaging may have a vital role in clinical diagnosis by helping to distinguish diagnostically troublesome lesions based on metabolic activity.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Men: A Retrospective Analysis in a Veterans Administration Healthcare System Population

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a connective tissue disease of unknown etiology, is generally considered to occur in women of child-bearing age and to be uncommon among men (1-5). Because of the female predominance in most studies, less is known about the disease in men. To begin to better understand lupus in men, we retrospectively analyzed all the SLE patients from all the hospitals in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system, a population that is predominantly male. Between 1987 and 1996, 2614 SLE patients were retrieved from the VA databank; 2144 were male, making this the largest group of male patients with SLE reported in United States of America. Age, racial and geographic distribution, comorbidities, and mortality of the SLE patients are reported. This study suggests that SLE men in this population are older at onset of disease, have different comorbidities, and have a higher mortality at 1 year than women with SLE. These findings suggest that men with SLE have a more complex clinical course than women, although the data do not illuminate whether the comorbidities are due to or coincident with SLE. On the basis of these data, practitioners are reminded to consider SLE in the differential diagnosis for older men and be attentive to the frequent presence of comorbidities such as cardiac ischemia and neoplasms. Because of the identified regional variations in demographics, comorbidities, and mortality, this study suggests the need for future SLE studies to include data from multiple geographic areas.
Management of urinary incontinence in women: scientific review.

CONTEXT Urinary incontinence is a common health problem among women that negatively impacts quality of life. Therefore, it is important that primary care physicians have an understanding of how to manage urinary incontinence effectively. OBJECTIVE To review the most recent, high-quality evidence regarding the etiology and management of urinary incontinence in women. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION Searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, and the ACP Journal Club were performed to identify English-language articles published between 1998-2003 that focused on the etiology or treatment of urinary incontinence in adult women. The references of each retrieved article were reviewed and an expert in the field was contacted to identify additional relevant articles. DATA EXTRACTION Using a combination of more than 80 search terms, we included articles of etiology that were cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, or systematic reviews of cohort, case-control, and/or cross-sectional studies. Studies of treatment had to be randomized controlled trials or systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials. The quality of each article was assessed independently by each author and inclusion (n = 66) was determined by consensus. DATA SYNTHESIS Multiple factors have been found to be associated with urinary incontinence, some of which are amenable to modification. Factors associated with incontinence include age, white race, higher educational attainment, pregnancy-related factors, gynecological factors, urological and gastrointestinal tract factors, comorbid diseases, higher body mass index, medications, smoking, caffeine, and functional impairment. There are several effective nonpharmacological treatments including pelvic floor muscle training, electrical stimulation, bladder training, and prompted voiding. Anticholinergic drugs are effective in the treatment of urge urinary incontinence. Several surgical interventions are effective in the management of stress incontinence, including open retropubic colposuspension and suburethral sling procedure. CONCLUSION Urinary incontinence in women is an important public health concern, and effective treatment options exist.
Selective facilitation of responses to cortical stimulation of proximal and distal arm muscles by precision tasks in man.

1. The responses of the first dorsal interosseus (1DI), opponens pollicis (OP), extensor digitorum communis (EDC), brachioradialis (BR), biceps brachii (BB) and anterior deltoid (AD) muscles to magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex were recorded during different motor tasks. 2. Two precision and two power isometric tasks were investigated. The precision tasks were a pincer grip (‘grip’) and a thrust against a target with the wrist (‘push’). In the former, the prime movers were the intrinsic hand muscles, while the proximal muscles played a postural role. In the latter, the prime movers were the proximal muscles. In both tasks, force was controlled through visual feedback. The power tasks required encirclement of a cylinder with the fingers (‘grasp’), or sustaining a weight suspended at wrist level (‘load’). 3. Magnetic stimulation was applied in eight subjects by a coil placed over the vertex at 1.1‐1.2 times the motor threshold for the most excitable muscles. This produced in the prime mover muscles larger motor‐evoked responses (MEPs) during grip or push tasks than grasp or load tasks, in spite of similar background EMG levels. During grip tasks, only one of the two prime movers showed task‐dependent changes. In the postural muscle AD there was no significant difference between MEPs during grip and grasp tasks; however, BB responses were larger during grasp than grip tasks. 4. MEPs simultaneously recorded in the prime movers were plotted against each other. The slope of the regression line for AD versus BB was larger in push than load tasks, whilst the changes in MEPs of 1DI and OP were independent during both grip and grasp tasks. 5. In three subjects, MEPs were also elicited by electrical stimulation during grip and grasp tasks. MEP changes tended to parallel those obtained for magnetic stimulation, but the increase in size of the electrically evoked MEPs during the precision task was smaller. 6. In all subjects the median and ulnar nerves were stimulated during grip and grasp tasks, and an H reflex was evoked in the hand muscles of five subjects. In no case did the two tasks produce reflexes of different amplitude. 7. The motor response of both proximal and distal muscles can be task dependent, in spite of the differences in their principal functional role and cortical representation. The modulation is related to the degree of control requested by the task, and is likely to reflect selective changes in the excitability of corticospinal neurones.
Comparison of Patient Satisfaction Between General and Spinal Anaesthesia in Emergency Caesarean Deliveries.

OBJECTIVE Obstetric anaesthesia aims to deliver a healthy baby as well as render a comfortable operation for the mother. This study compared general and spinal anaesthesia in terms of the quality of recovery and patient satisfaction in women undergoing emergency caesarean deliveries. METHODS In total, 100 patients were enrolled in this prospective, single-blind, cross-sectional clinical study. Patients were divided into spinal (n=50) and general (n=50) anaesthesia groups. The recovery score, pain and satisfaction were evaluated by Quality of Recovery Score (QoR-40), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at 24 hours postoperatively. RESULTS The total QoR-40 scores were significantly higher and the total operation time was longer in the spinal anaesthesia group (median score: 194.5 vs. 179.0, p<0.001 and mean±SD: 69.0±13.3 vs. 62.7±13.4 minutes, p=0.02, respectively). There was no significant difference in VAS and NRS scores between the groups. CONCLUSION Both spinal anaesthesia and general anaesthesia have advantages and disadvantages in terms of emergency caesarean deliveries. Spinal anaesthesia speeds up the recovery time and enables the mother to return to normal life earlier, while general anaesthesia has a short initiation time and does not affect patient satisfaction.