Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psychometric Assessment of the Depressive Cognition Scale in Women Family Members of Adults with Serious Mental Illness

Family members of persons with serious mental illness (SMI) are vulnerable to depression, and early identification of cognitive depressive symptoms is important to prevent it. The Depressive Cognition Scale (DCS) may be beneficial for early detection, but the scale's psychometrics have not been tested in family members of persons with SMI. In this study, 60 women relatives of adults with SMI completed the eight-item DCS and measures of caregiver burden, resourcefulness, sense of coherence, and quality of life. A Cronbach's alpha of . 87 indicated internal consistency. Construct validity was supported by correlations with caregiver burden (.40), resourcefulness (–.65), sense of coherence (–.77), and quality of life (–.70). Confirmatory factor analysis produced a single factor with 48% of the variance explained and factor loadings >. 45 for all items. The findings suggest the DCS is useful for early detection of depression in women relatives of adults with SMI.
Weight bias among UK trainee dietitians, doctors, nurses and nutritionists.

BACKGROUND Trainee dietitians, nutritionists, nurses and doctors will direct the future of obesity treatment and prevention. To do so effectively, they must be willing and able to engage empathically with overweight and obese people. The present study aimed to assess weight bias among UK trainee healthcare professionals and to investigate the factors predicting weight bias, both static and potentially modifiable. METHODS A self-completed questionnaire collected data on demographics, weight and height, the Fat Phobia Scale (F-scale), and the Beliefs about Obese People (BOAP) scale from 1130 students. RESULTS Overall, participants demonstrated significant levels of fat phobia [F-scale score mean (SD) = 3.8 (0.5)]. Only 1.4% of participants could be said to have expressed 'positive or neutral attitudes' (i.e. achieved a F-scale score ≤ 2.5). Hierarchical multiple regression revealed that lower fat phobia (as measured by the F-scale) was uniquely predicted by a higher self-reported body mass index, being on the Nursing BSc course and a stronger perception that obesity is not under a person's control (as measured by the BOAP scale). CONCLUSIONS There are unacceptable levels of weight bias among UK students training to become nurses, doctors, nutritionists and dietitians. The results of the present study suggest that a promising approach for future interventions would be the provision of balanced education about the controllability of obesity, focusing upon genetic and environmental factors, as well as diet and exercise.
Serum alkaline phosphatase and phosphate and risk of mortality and hospitalization.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Elevated alkaline phosphatase (AlkPhos) and phosphate levels are associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients receiving dialysis. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to test these associations in outpatients with an estimated GFR > or =60 ml/min/1.73 m(2). DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS Patients with serum AlkPhos and phosphate levels measured between 2000 and 2002 (n = 10,743) at Montefiore Medical Center (MMC) clinics were followed through September 11, 2008 (median 6.8 years). Mortality data were obtained via Social Security Administration records (n = 949 deaths). Hospitalization data were obtained from MMC records. RESULTS The mean age was 51 years, 64% were women, 22% were white, 26% were non-Hispanic black, 16% were Hispanic, 13% had a diagnosis of hypertension, 9% had diabetes mellitus, and 8% had cardiovascular disease at baseline. AlkPhos and phosphate were independently associated with mortality and cardiovascular-related hospitalization after multivariable adjustment. Comparing patients in the highest (> or =104 U/L) versus lowest quartile of AlkPhos (< or =66 U/L), the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for mortality was 1.65 (P trend across quartiles <0.001). For the highest compared with the lowest quartile of serum phosphate (> or =3.8 mg/dl versus < or =3.0 mg/dl), the adjusted HR for mortality was 1.29 (P trend across quartiles = 0.008). High AlkPhos but not phosphate levels were also associated with all-cause, infection-related, and fracture-related hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS Higher levels of serum AlkPhos and phosphate were associated with increased mortality and cardiovascular-related hospitalization in an inner-city clinic population. Further studies are needed to elucidate mechanisms underlying these associations.
Usage of Online Social Networks in Cultural Adaptation

Online social networks (OSN) have become an important part of every individual’s social support network. This makes OSNs, particularly important to the sojourner who will have to constantly resort to social support sources to cope with the difficulties and psychological stress of cross-cultural adaptation. Nevertheless, the use of OSNs in the context of cultural adaptation is an under explored area. This study draws upon social network theory, adopts a qualitative research approach with multiple case design, to investigate how international students use OSNs to adapt to a new culture. Three themes emerged from our findings. OSNs can be leveraged to 1) enable socialization, 2) facilitate knowledge exchange, and 3) alleviate acculturative stress in adapting to a new culture. We believe our study contributes to the sparse literature on the impact of OSNs on cross-cultural adaptation and serves a foundation for future research in this vital area of OSN usage.
A Comparison of antimicrobial effect of the mouthwash containing chlorhexidine , Cetylpyridinium chloride , and zinc lactate ( Halita ) and chlorhexidine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococcus aureus : in vitro study

Staphylococcus aureous and pseudomonas aeroginosa have been dedicated the attentions since its potential to create oral diseases. Therefore the control of these microorganisms can play a great role in oral health. To gain this goal there are some medical methods such as utilizing a mouthwash like chlorhexidine. Since the chlorhexidine has some side effects like changing the taste, there is a new formula of cetyl predinium (Halita) which can be an alternative to chlorhexidine. The aim of this study was to compare the antibacterial effect of chlorhexidine and Halita on reduction of Staphylococcus aureous and pseudomonas aeroginosa. In this in vitro study there were 3 groups of chlorhexidine 0.2%, chlorhexidine 0.02% and halite as for positive control, negative control and the case respectively. Each mouthwash was pure up into 5 tubes in 90 ml and then 10 ml of bacterial species (0.5 Mc Farland) were mixed in with a suab and after that the specimens were picked up after 5, 10, 15, 30 and 60 seconds after mixing the bacterial species. The specimens were then cultured in plates in order to count the bacterial colonies. The data were analyzed by SPSS 17. The data revealed that the chlorhexidine 0.2% has a significantly great effect on staphylococcus and Halita showed the higher effect on pseudomonas aeroginosa. Nevertheless the overall results revealed that the halite and chlorhexidine 0.2% had a statistically significant difference in reduction of the bacterial counts. The study showed that the Halita can be an alternative mouth rinse to chlorhexidine 0.2% because of its less side effects.
Towards a unified classification of the ectodermal dysplasias: Opportunities outweigh challenges

The ectodermal dysplasias include a complex and highly diverse group of heritable disorders that share in common developmental abnormalities of ectodermal derivatives. The broader definition of ectodermal dysplasias (as heritable disorders involving at least two of the ectodermal derivatives nails, teeth, hair, and eccrine sweat glands) encompasses 170–200 conditions. Some conditions included by this definition are relatively common; others are rare and, in some cases, family‐specific. Classification of the ectodermal dysplasias has largely been approached by categorizing patterns of clinical findings (phenotypic grouping). In the last 2 decades great progress has been made in understanding the molecular pathogenesis and inter‐relatedness of some of these conditions and a new consensus approach to classification that incorporates this new information is needed. A comprehensive and definitive classification of these disorders would be highly valuable for the many stakeholders in ED. As disease‐specific molecular treatments are developed, accurate classification will assume greater importance in designing registries to enable rapid identification of those with rare disorders who may wish to participate in clinical trials. Ideally a working classification of such a disparate collection of conditions would have a design and architecture that would facilitate easy accessibility by each of the key stakeholder groups and would encourage enhanced interaction between these parties. Attaining this objective is a major challenge but is achievable. This article reviews the historical‐clinical perspective and the impact of recent developments in molecular biology in the field. Reflections are offered as to the future direction of classification systems in these disorders. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The transcriptome of Plasmodium vivax reveals divergence and diversity of transcriptional regulation in malaria parasites

Plasmodium vivax causes over 100 million clinical infections each year. Primarily because of the lack of a suitable culture system, our understanding of the biology of this parasite lags significantly behind that of the more deadly species P. falciparum. Here, we present the complete transcriptional profile throughout the 48-h intraerythrocytic cycle of three distinct P. vivax isolates. This approach identifies strain specific patterns of expression for subsets of genes predicted to encode proteins associated with virulence and host pathogen interactions. Comparison to P. falciparum revealed significant differences in the expression of genes involved in crucial cellular functions that underpin the biological differences between the two parasite species. These data provide insights into the biology of P. vivax and constitute an important resource for the development of therapeutic approaches.
Identification of cells expressing somatostatin receptor 2 in the gastrointestinal tract of Sstr2 knockout/lacZ knockin mice

Somatostatin is found in neurons and endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract. The actions of somatostatin are mediated by a family of G‐protein–coupled receptors that compose five subtypes (SSTR1–5), each of which is encoded by a separate gene. lacZ “knockin” mice, in which the reporter gene lacZ was engineered into the genomic locus of Sstr2 by gene targeting, were used to examine the expression pattern of Sstr2 and identify potential targets for neurally released and hormonal somatostatin in the gastrointestinal tract. In the body of the stomach, a large proportion of epithelial cells and subpopulations of myenteric neurons expressed Sstr2. Double‐ or triple‐labeling with antisera to H+K+ATPase (to identify parietal cells) and/or histidine decarboxylase (to identify enterochromaffin‐like [ECL] cells) combined with β‐galactosidase staining revealed that both parietal cells and ECL cells expressed Sstr2, and these two cell types accounted for almost all of the Sstr2‐expressing epithelial cells. Somatostatin inhibits gastric acid secretion. The presence of SSTR2 on both parietal and ECL cells suggests that somatostatin acting on SSTR2 may reduce acid secretion by both acting directly on parietal cells and by reducing histamine release from ECL cells. In the small and large intestine, subpopulations of neurons in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses expressed Sstr2, and many of the Sstr2‐expressing myenteric neurons also showed SSTR2(a) immunostaining. Most of Sstr2‐expressing neurons in the myenteric plexus showed nitric oxide synthase (NOS) immunoreactivity. Previous studies have shown that NOS neurons are descending interneurons and anally projecting, inhibitory motor neurons. Thus, somatostatin acting at SSTR2 receptors on NOS neurons might modulate descending relaxation. J. Comp. Neurol. 454:329–340, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Studying wedge factors and beam profiles for physical and enhanced dynamic wedges

This study was designed to investigate variation in Varian's Physical and Enhanced Dynamic Wedge Factors (WF) as a function of depth and field size. The profiles for physical wedges (PWs) and enhanced dynamic wedges (EDWs) were also measured using LDA-99 array and compared for confirmation of EDW angles at different depths and field sizes. WF measurements were performed in water phantom using cylindrical 0.66 cc ionization chamber. WF was measured by taking the ratio of wedge and open field ionization data. A normalized wedge factor (NWF) was introduced to circumvent large differences between wedge factors for different wedge angles. A strong linear dependence of PW Factor (PWF) with depth was observed. Maximum variation of 8.9% and 4.1% was observed for 60° PW with depth at 6 and 15 MV beams respectively. The variation in EDW Factor (EDWF) with depth was almost negligible and less than two per cent. The highest variation in PWF as a function of field size was 4.1% and 3.4% for thicker wedge (60°) at 6 and 15 MV beams respectively and decreases with decreasing wedge angle. EDWF shows strong field size dependence and significant variation was observed for all wedges at both photon energies. Differences in profiles between PW and EDW were observed on toe and heel sides. These differences were dominant for larger fields, shallow depths, thicker wedges and low energy beam. The study indicated that ignoring depth and field size dependence of WF may result in under/over dose to the patient especially doing manual point dose calculation.
Growth of Naegleria fowleri in several axenic media.

Growth of Naegleria fowleri under agitated and unagitated culture conditions was compared using axenic media developed by Balamuth, Cerva, Chang and Nelson. Under agitated culture conditions, the best growth was achieved with Nelson medium. Using unagitated cultures. Cerva medium produced the greatest cell yields. The media of Cerva and Nelson are considerably lower in organic nutrients and salt concentration than are the media of Balamuth and Chang. The pH of the media rose during ameba growth with the increases proportional to the amount of growth, i.e. the greater the cell yield the greater the rise in pH. Maximum cell yields varied by 2.5 fold for 10 human isolates of N. fowleri cultured in Nelson medium.
Validity of the Zygosity Questionnaire and Characteristics of Zygosity-Misdiagnosed Twin Pairs in the Healthy Twin Study of Korea

Abstract Determining valid zygosity is a basic and important requirement in a twin study, because misdiagnosing zygosity leads to biased results. The Healthy Twin Study has collected data from adult like-sex twins and their families since 2005. In the study, a questionnaire to determine zygosity was developed comprising four questions; one concerning the degree of resemblance, and three concerning the degree of confusion by the resemblance. Among 2,761 individuals (624 twin pairs) of twin and their families, 406 pairs of twins (mean age 38.3, 63.5% women) with both questionnaire and genotype information were selected to examine the validity of the zygosity questionnaire using 16 short tandem repeat markers. We first determined individual zygosity including undetermined category, and then decided the zygosity of a twin pair using a decision tree. Sensitivity of questionnaire diagnosis was 98.8% for monozygotic (MZ) and 88.9% for dizygotic (DZ) twins, and positive predictive value was 97.2% for MZ and 95.0% for DZ. When we compared correctly and wrongly diagnosed twin pairs, misdiagnosed DZ twins (nine pairs) showed striking similarity in stature or obesity even exceeding that of true MZ twins. Our finding suggests that a parsimonious questionnaire method of diagnosing the zygosity will be useful, and adding physical or physiological measurements to a questionnaire of zygosity diagnosis will either confound the correct diagnosis or reduce the efficiency of the study compared with using questionnaire alone or with introducing genotyping.
Flow cytometric osmotic fragility test: Increased assay sensitivity for clinical application in pediatric hematology

Osmotic fragility test (OFT) is widely considered as a sensitive indicator of red blood cells' sensitivity to the hypotonic solution. It is often used as a screening test for the diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis (HS). Nowadays, the osmotic fragility test based on flow cytometric analysis (FCM OF) is widely used in laboratory practice. The purpose of this study was to optimize the assay sensitivity and to validate its clinical application in the diagnostic screening of childhood anemias.
Cognitive‐Behavioral Recovery in Comatose Patients Following Auditory Sensory Stimulation

&NA; Nursing therapies promote recovery following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the type and dose of treatment needed to stimulate functional plasticity have not been determined. In this quasi‐experimental study, the effects of a structured auditory sensory stimulation program (SSP) were examined in 12 male patients, 17–55 years old, with severe TBI. SSP was initiated 3 days after injury and contimued for 7 days. Recovery was measured by comparing baseline Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Sensory Stimulation Assessment Measure (SSAM), Ranchos Los Amigos Level of Cognitive Functioning Scale (RLA), and Disability Rating Scale (DRS) scores to ending scores between those who received SSP and those who did not. For the intervention group a positive recovery of function trajectory was found for mean GCS, and there was a greater improvement in GCS and RLA scores between baseline and discharge testing periods. DRS and SSAM scores at baseline and at discharge were significantly different. SSP did not affect hemodynamic or cerebral dynamic status. Early and repeated exposure to an SSP may promote arousal from severe TBI without adversely influencing cerebral dynamic status.
Self-coping complexity: role of self-construal in relational, individual and collective coping styles and health outcomes

Using a tripartite relational (R), individual (I) and collective (C) framework, three studies explored the health benefits of self-coping complexity (SCC). Study 1 (N = 333) developed and validated RIC coping scales. Study 2 (N = 346) identified two clusters of Australians, those with an expansive pattern of multiple self-aspects and coping styles, and those with a more restricted self-coping pattern. Both clusters reported similar stress, but the expansive high SCC cluster reported greater well-being. A culturally diverse sample (N = 225) in Study 3 yielded the expected high SCC RIC self-coping cluster, plus interdependent RC and independent I clusters. Cluster membership was not associated with culture or gender in these studies, but greater SCC did confer a health advantage to men and women from both Eastern and Western cultures.
EFFECT OF TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM ( FENUGREEK ) SEED EXTRACT IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS AND ITS USE IN DIABETES MELLITUS : A BRIEF QUALITATIVE PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ACUTE TOXICITY TEST ON THE EXTRACT

The effects of ethanol extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek) seeds on the blood glucose levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats at different doses (2g/kg, 1g/kg, 0.5g/kg and 0.1g/kg) were studied. The hypoglycemic effect of extract was compared with that of the standard antidiabetic drug (glimepiride, 4mg/kg) single dose. The extract showed significant activity against the diabetic state induced by alloxan but the intensity of hypoglycemic effect varied from dose to dose. The most effective dose recognized was 1g/kg but that is still lower than the standard antidiabetic drug. No acute toxicity was observed for ethanol extract of T. foenum-graecum seed when it was administered orally at high dose level (3 g/kg body weight), which is higher than effective antihyperglycemic dose, and closely observed for 24 hrs for any mortality and next 10 days for any delayed toxic effects on gross behavioral activities. Phytochemical group tests were also accomplished and presence of alkaloids, steroids and carbohydrates were recognized in the extract.
Canine Mammary Tumours Are Affected by Frequent Copy Number Aberrations, including Amplification of MYC and Loss of PTEN

Background Copy number aberrations frequently occur during the development of many cancers. Such events affect dosage of involved genes and may cause further genomic instability and progression of cancer. In this survey, canine SNP microarrays were used to study 117 canine mammary tumours from 69 dogs. Results We found a high occurrence of copy number aberrations in canine mammary tumours, losses being more frequent than gains. Increased frequency of aberrations and loss of heterozygosity were positively correlated with increased malignancy in terms of histopathological diagnosis. One of the most highly recurrently amplified regions harbored the MYC gene. PTEN was located to a frequently lost region and also homozygously deleted in five tumours. Thus, deregulation of these genes due to copy number aberrations appears to be an important event in canine mammary tumour development. Other potential contributors to canine mammary tumour pathogenesis are COL9A3, INPP5A, CYP2E1 and RB1. The present study also shows that a more detailed analysis of chromosomal aberrations associated with histopathological parameters may aid in identifying specific genes associated with canine mammary tumour progression. Conclusions The high frequency of copy number aberrations is a prominent feature of canine mammary tumours as seen in other canine and human cancers. Our findings share several features with corresponding studies in human breast tumours and strengthen the dog as a suitable model organism for this disease.
Distinct Upregulation of Extracellular Matrix Genes in Transition From Hypertrophy to Hypertensive Heart Failure

Cardiac hypertrophy in response to pressure overload is initially beneficial but eventually leads to heart failure, a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the Western countries. Although abnormalities in left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling are early features associated with pressure overload-induced LV hypertrophy, the molecular mechanisms regulating transition to diastolic heart failure are poorly understood. We analyzed global changes in gene expression in 12-, 16-, and 20-month-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and their age-matched controls, Wistar Kyoto rats, using DNA microarrays. In SHR, a progressive LV hypertrophy was associated with increased expression of hypertrophy-associated genes including contractile protein and natriuretic peptide genes. Echocardiography indicated that 16-month-old SHR had features of diastolic dysfunction leading to diastolic failure at age 20 months without significant changes in LV systolic function. Comparison analysis revealed that the extracellular matrix genes strikingly dominated the list of altered genes after transition to the heart failure, whereas there was no major shift in gene expression patterns involved in calcium homeostasis and neurohumoral activation, as well as myofilament contractile and cytoskeletal proteins. The microarray analysis also revealed differential gene expression of several novel factors, such as thrombospondin-4 and matrix Gla protein, as well as unknown expressed sequence tags. Our data show that transition from LV hypertrophy to diastolic hypertensive heart failure is almost exclusively associated with progressive remodeling of the extracellular matrix and provide new insights into the pathogenesis of hypertrophy by suggesting existence of novel regulators of LV remodeling.