Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Current Guidelines on Antiplatelet Agents for Secondary Prevention of Noncardiogenic Stroke: An Evidence-Based Review

Abstract Antiplatelet therapy is a mainstay of secondary prevention of ischemic strokes. Recent studies, such as Prevention Regimen for Effectively Avoiding Second Strokes (PRoFESS), the Clopidogrel for High Atherothrombotic Risk and Ischemic Stabilization, Management, and Avoidance (CHARISMA) trial, and the European/Australasian Stroke Prevention in Reversible Ischaemia Trial (ESPRIT), have added much to our understanding about how best to utilize the various antiplatelet agents available. Aspirin has been shown to reduce the risk of recurrent strokes, and the combination of aspirin and dipyridamole has repeatedly been shown to outperform aspirin alone. Recently, clopidogrel was demonstrated to be “noninferior” to an aspirin/dipyridamole combination, and can be considered as a first-line agent. The American Stroke Association and American Heart Association have clear recommendations on how to utilize these agents.
Differential mental health effects of neighborhood relocation among youth in vulnerable families: results from a randomized trial.

CONTEXT Extensive observational evidence indicates that youth in high-poverty neighborhoods exhibit poor mental health, although not all children may be affected similarly. OBJECTIVE To use experimental evidence to assess whether gender and family health problems modify the mental health effects of moving from high- to low-poverty neighborhoods. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. SETTING Volunteer low-income families in public housing in 5 US cities between 1994-1997. PARTICIPANTS We analyze 4- to 7-year outcomes in youth aged 12 to 19 years (n = 2829, 89% effective response rate) in the Moving to Opportunity Study. INTERVENTION Families were randomized to remain in public housing (control group) or to receive government-funded rental subsidies to move into private apartments (experimental group). Intention-to-treat analyses included intervention interactions by gender and health vulnerability (defined as prerandomization health/developmental limitations or disabilities in family members). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Past-year psychological distress (Kessler 6 scale [K6]) and the Behavioral Problems Index (BPI). Supplemental analyses used past-year major depressive disorder (MDD). RESULTS Male gender (P = .02) and family health vulnerability (P = .002) significantly adversely modified the intervention effect on K6 scores; male gender (P = .01), but not health vulnerability (P = .17), significantly adversely modified the intervention effect on the BPI. Girls without baseline health vulnerabilities were the only subgroup to benefit on any outcome (K6: β = -0.21; 95% CI, -0.34 to -0.07; P = .003; MDD: odds ratio = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.85; P = .02). For boys with health vulnerabilities, intervention was associated with worse K6 (β = 0.26; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.44; P = .003) and BPI (β = 0.24; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.40; P = .002) values. Neither girls with health vulnerability nor boys without health vulnerability experienced intervention benefits. Adherence-adjusted instrumental variable analysis found intervention effects twice as large. Patterns were similar for MDD, but estimates were imprecise owing to low prevalence. CONCLUSIONS Although some girls benefited, boys and adolescents from families with baseline health problems did not experience mental health benefits from housing mobility policies and may need additional program supports.
Cognitive biases and decision support systems development: a design science approach

Abstract. This paper presents design science research that aims to improve decision support systems (DSS) development in organizations. Evolutionary development has been central to DSS theory and practice for decades, but a significant problem for DSS analysts remains how to conceptualize the improvement of a decision task during evolutionary DSS development. The objective of a DSS project is to improve the decision process and outcome for a manager making an important decision. The DSS analyst needs to have a clear idea of the nature of the target decision task and a clear strategy of how to support the decision process. Existing psychological research was examined for help with the conceptualization problem, and the theory of cognitive bias is proposed as a candidate for this assistance. A taxonomy of 37 cognitive biases that codifies a complex area of psychological research is developed. The core of the project involves the construction of a design artefact – an evolutionary DSS development methodology that uses cognitive bias theory as a focusing construct, especially in its analysis cycles. The methodology is the major contribution of the project. The feasibility and effectiveness of the development methodology are evaluated in a participatory case study of a strategic DSS project where a managing director is supported in a decision about whether to close a division of a company.
Do enforced bicycle helmet laws improve public health?

EDITOR—Hagel et al have not grasped the main point of Robinson's analysis about mandatory bicycle helmet laws.1 2 Regardless of how effective a particular safety measure might be in theory, or even empirically from case-control studies, failure to demonstrate any real benefits in whole populations over time must necessarily call into question its true effectiveness—particularly when compulsion is involved. Helmet proponents are often quick to claim any reduction in cycling …
Colonization of high altitudes by alien plants over the last two centuries

The paper by Alexander et al. (1) provides an elegant explanation for global patterns of alien species richness in mountain regions. These authors conclude that evolutionary factors such as differential rates of speciation may be less relevant for explaining the patterns of alien species richness than dispersal processes or preadaptation of species to abiotic and biotic conditions (1). One of the important conclusions of their study is that the decrease in alien species richness with increasing altitude is caused by a progressive loss of species, and therefore, the species found at high altitudes are those with the widest ranges that also occurred at low elevations. This implies that gradual spread of alien species after their introduction was a major process involved in shaping the currently observed patterns. This contention raises the issue of the dynamics of these processes over time: have these remained constant or changed? Although robust evidence has accumulated in the literature that plant invasions into high altitudes are limited compared with lower altitudes (2–8), it has yet to be adequately shown whether the colonization of high altitudes by alien plants is a stochastic process of spread in time or if changing conditions in high altitudes have made this environment more favorable to plant invasions.
Qualitative HCI Research: Going Behind the Scenes

HCI addresses problems of interaction design: evaluating existing designs, delivering novel designs, and understanding user needs for future designs. Qualitative methods have an essential role to play in this enterprise, particularly in understanding user needs and behaviors and evaluating situated use of technology. In this lecture, we draw on the analogy of making a documentary film: historically, the film was presented as a finished product, giving the viewer little insight into the production process; more recently, there has been a trend to go 'behind the scenes' to expose some of the painstaking work that went into creating the raw footage behind the film; but still much essential work remains hidden. Similarly, in qualitative research, the essential work 'behind the scenes' is rarely discussed. There are many "how to" guides for particular methods, but few texts that discuss the important details of how to select a suitable method, how to adapt it to fit the study context, or how to deal with unexpected challenges that arise. We address this gap by presenting a repertoire of techniques for understanding user needs, practices and experiences with technology, including practical considerations such as tactics for recruiting participants when aiming for a particular sampling strategy, and ways of getting started when faced with a pile of interview transcripts. We present illustrative case studies drawn from prior experience. Our particular focus is on semi-structured qualitative studies, which occupy a space between ethnography and surveys, typically involving observations, interviews and similar methods for data gathering, and methods for analysis based on systematic coding of data. Just as a documentary team faces challenges that often go unreported when arranging expeditions or interviews, gathering footage or editing the story, within time and budget pressures, so the qualitative research team faces challenge in obtaining ethic
In Situ Stent-Graft Fenestration to Preserve the Left Subclavian Artery

Purpose: To report our first clinical application of a new technique for in situ fenestration of a thoracic stent-graft. Case Report: After completing a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments, in situ stent-graft fenestration was employed during endograft repair of a saccular thoracic aortic aneurysm in a 77-year-old woman. Because the stent-graft would have covered the left subclavian artery ostium, a modified Zenith TX1 thoracic stent-graft was deployed then fenestrated transluminally using a guidewire followed by serial cutting balloons, which created a fenestration over the LSA sufficiently large to accommodate a Jomed covered stent on an 8-mm balloon. Completion angiography showed exclusion of the aneurysm and brisk flow into the LSA. Following the procedure, the arm pressures were nearly equal. The 6-month CT scan showed no endoleak and a patent subclavian artery stent. Conclusions: In situ graft fenestration to preserve the left subclavian artery after deliberate coverage during endovascular repair of a thoracic aortic aneurysm appears feasible in this initial clinical application. There are uncertainties regarding the long-term stability of the fabric tears that are an inherent part of this technique.
The Role of Hormones, Growth Factors and Their Receptors in Pituitary Tumorigenesis

Numerous factors have been shown to govern adenohypophysial cell proliferation. Human and animal models have documented that the hypothalamic trophic hormone growth hormone‐releasing hormone stimulates cell proliferation, and prolonged stimulation leads to tumor formation. Similarly, lack of dopaminergic inhibition of lactotrophs and lack of feedback suppression by adrenal, gonadal or thyroid hormones are implicated, perhaps through hypothalamic stimulatory mechanisms, in pituitary adenoma formation superimposed on hyperplasia. However, most pituitary tumors are not associated with underlying hyperplasia. Overexpression of growth factors and their receptors, such as EGF, TGFα, EGF‐R and VEGF has been identified in pituitary adenomas, and reduction of follistatin expression has been implicated in gonadotroph adenomas. Aberrant expression of members of the FGF family, an FGF antisense gene and FGF receptors have all been described in pituitary adenomas. The clonal composition of pituitary adenomas attests to the molecular basis of pituitary tumorigenesis, however, the evidence suggests that these various hypophysiotropic hormones and growth factors likely play a role as promoters of tumor cell growth in genetically transformed cells.
Failure of the Platelet‐Halothane Nucleotide Depletion Test as a Diagnostic or Screening Test for Malignant Hyperthermia

&NA; A platelet‐halothane nucleotide or bioassay test has been suggested as an accurate means for diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia (MH). For the last three years we performed this test in all patients at risk for MH and in all normal control patients undergoing skeletal muscle biopsy in our diagnostic unit. The reliability of the platelet‐halothane nucleotide test has been assessed on the basis of the presence or absence of a previous MH reaction and degree of rela‐ tionship of relatives to those who have had reactions, and on the basis of caffeine‐halothane contracture test values (positive or negative for MH). We have found no significant difference in platelet‐halothane nucleotide test values in malignant hyperthermia susceptible (MHS) patients or relatives of MHS patients and normal controls, and no relationship between the nucleotide test and caffeine‐halothane contracture test results. We conclude that the platelet‐halothane nucleotide test is not of assistance in the diagnosis of or in the screening for MH.
Identification of gene products required for in vitro formation of the internal peptides of bacteriophage T4

In vitro formation of both bacteriophage T4 internal peptides (II and VII) from preexisting precursor protein was shown to require the product of T4 gene 21. The proteolytic factor was detectable in extracts of cells infected with certain phage mutants blocked in early steps of head assembly but could not be demonstrated in extracts of T4 wild-type infected cells. This finding suggests that the proteolytic factor is inactivated during normal phage assembly. The product of T4 gene 22 appears to be the precursor of peptide VII but not of peptide II.
Bile salts induce expression of the afimbrial LDA adhesin of atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli

Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) strains are frequently implicated in infant diarrhoea in developing countries. Not much is known about the adherence properties of aEPEC; however, it has been shown that these strains can adhere to tissue‐cultured cells. A chromosomal region designated the locus for diffuse adherence (LDA) confers aEPEC strain 22 the ability to adhere to culture cells. LDA is an afimbrial adhesin that contains a major subunit, LdaG, whose expression is induced on MacConkey agar at 37°C. We hypothesized that the bile salts found in this culture media induce the expression of LdaG. Strain 22 and the LdaG mutant were grown in Luria–Bertani (LB) media in the presence or absence of bile salts and heat‐extracted surface‐expressed proteins were separated by SDS‐PAGE to determine whether expression of the 25 kDa LdaG protein was induced. Western blot analysis with anti‐LdaG confirmed that bile salts enhance LdaG expression at 37°C. Adhesion assays on HeLa cells revealed that adhesion in a diffuse pattern of strain 22 increased in the presence of bile salts. We also confirmed that expression of the localized adherence pattern observed in the ldaG mutant required the presence of a large cryptic plasmid found in strain 22 and that this phenotype was not induced by bile salts. At the transcriptional level, the ldaG‐lacZ promoter fusion displayed maximum beta‐galactosidase activity when the parent strain was grown in LB supplemented with bile salts. Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting analysis, immunogold labelling electron microscopy and immunofluorescence using anti‐LdaG sera confirmed that LDA is a bile salts‐inducible surface‐expressed afimbrial adhesin. Finally, LdaG expression was induced in presence of individual bile salts but not by other detergents. We concluded that bile salts increase expression of LDA, conferring a diffuse adherence pattern and having an impact on the adhesion properties of this aEPEC strain.
Nitrous oxide dissolved in soil solution: An insignificant pathway of nitrogen loss from a southeastern hardwood forest

Nitrous oxide is soluble and can accumulate in soil solution when gaseous diffusion is restricted. The importance of N losses via degassing of N2O from groundwater entering surface streams is unknown. Measurements of N2O in soil solution revealed patterns of seasonal and spatial variation that were consistent with ecosystem regulation of denitrification. The highest concentrations were observed in the riparian zone in May, when soil NO3−, temperature, and moisture were conducive for denitrification. At each of the other sample dates and sites, at least one of these factors appeared to prevent significant N2O accumulation in soil solution. Extrapolation of the highest observed N2O concentrations to an annual basis corresponded to a loss of only 56 g N ha−1 yr−1. Denitrification in the riparian zone may be an important fate of N in this hardwood forest, but N2O in soil solution does not appear to be a significant pathway of N loss. This site might be expected to produce N2O at higher rates than most hardwood forests, but extrapolation of the highest calculated losses frorn soil solution over the global area occupied by hardwood forest indicates that this source of N2O is insignificant for global atmospheric budgets.
The neurological complications of sepsis

Encephalopathy and polyneuropathy occur in 70% of septic patients. The encephalopathy is diffuse, appears early, is often severe, but reverses quickly with successful treatment of the sepsis. The electroencephalogram is a sensitive indicator of the incidence and severity of the encephalopathy, but computed tomograms of the brain and cerebrospinal fluid findings are unremarkable. Critical‐illness polyneuropathy develops later and in association with multiple‐organ failure. Recovery is more gradual. Difficulty in weaning from the ventilator is an important early manifestation. Electromyography should be routinely performed to establish the diagnosis. The polyneuropathy is a primary axonal degeneration, predominantly of distal motor fibers. A persistent deficit may eventuate in severe cases. Whether muscle is affected as consistently as brain and peripheral nerve, and by the same process, has not been determined. Medications used in critical care units, notably sedatives and neuromuscular blocking agents, often confuse the clinical picture. The neurological pathophysiology is unknown but current evidence suggests that nervous system dysfunction arises through the same mechanisms as for systemic organs in the septic syndrome.
A flow cytometric immune function assay for human peripheral blood dendritic cells

CD11c+ and CD11c− (CD123+) dendritic cells (DCs) have been described in blood. Both cell types express high levels of HLA‐DR and lack the lineage markers CD3, CD14, CD19, CD20, CD16, and CD56. These immunophenotypic properties were used along with analysis of activation‐related surface antigens and intracellular staining of cytokines to characterize functional responses of these DC subsets to stimuli in whole human blood (WB). Samples from healthy donors were activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate plus ionomycin (PMA+I). The only distinct response in CD11c−DCs was the expression of CD25 upon PMA+I activation. CD11c+ cells responded to LPS stimulation by producing high levels of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), and lower levels of IL‐6, IL‐1Ra, and IL‐8 and an increased expression of accessory molecules (CD25, CD40, CD80, CD86, HLA‐DR, and HLA‐DQ). PMA+I activation of CD11c+ cells resulted in high levels of IL‐1p and lower levels of IL‐8, IL‐1Ra, and TNF‐ct and up‐regulation of CD80, CD86, HLA‐DR, and HLA‐DQ. Our data support prior observations of functional differences between peripheral blood DC subsets and demonstrate the power of multiparameter flow cytometry to characterize the pleiotropic responses of these cells to various stimuli. J. Leukoc. Biol. 67: 536–544; 2000.
Persistence of CA1 hippocampal LTP after selective cholinergic denervation

The possible role of endogenous cholinergic innervation in hippocampal plasticity is controversial. We studied the role of acetylcholine (ACh) in short- and long-term potentiation (STP and LTP), using the cholinergic neurotoxin 192 IgG-saporin. It was still possible to induce STP the LTP in the CA1 field following complete and selective cholinergic denervation of the hippocampus. This study therefore demonstrates that integrity of the endogenous cholinergic system is not necessary for the induction or maintenance of LTP in the CA1 field of the hippocampus. The consequences in terms of relationship between hippocampal cholinergic system, LTP and memory are discussed.
Mild Infectious Laryngotracheitis in Broilers in the Southeast

Abstract During 2001, a mild infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) infection occurred in broiler flocks in the southeastern United States. Clinical signs included mild tracheitis, swollen sinuses, and conjunctivitis, with no increased mortality and minimal serologic response. Infrequent intranuclear inclusion bodies with or without syncytial cell formation were observed in eyelid, trachea, and larynx and in the chorioallantoic membrane of infected embryos. Immunohistochemistry and a nested infectious laryngotracheitis polymerase chain reaction (ILT PCR) were utilized to confirm the presence of ILTV nucleic acid in fixed tissues. In addition, 2-wk-old specific-pathogen-free (SPF) birds inoculated with field material exhibited the mild signs observed in broilers in the field. Tracheal swabs and tissues taken from these SPF birds were also positive by nested ILT PCR. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of ILT PCR products indicated that ILT virus associated with mild respiratory disease in the Southeast is related to the chicken embryo origin vaccine type strains.
Arab Women in the Israeli Labor Market: Characteristics and Policy Proposals

This paper examines the characteristics of labor force participation among Arab women in Israel. The participation rates of Israeli Arab women are low relative to those of Israeli Jewish women and to women in Western countries. In a series of empirical tests, making use of intra-temporal and inter-temporal variation, the study characterizes the key determinants of the patterns of participation of these women. Higher education and marital status are important in explaining participation, as are modern attitudes and modern knowledge. A key implication of the findings is that it is not enough to strengthen “explanatory variables” – such as education – so as to bring about an increase in participation. It is also necessary to take measures that will help overcome the difficulty in “translating” explanatory variables, such as education, into participation. This difficulty may be due to frictions, such as informational issues and obstacles to mobility, and to discrimination. The paper proposes a series of policy measures to raise participation and simulates a number of future participation trajectories and their potential contribution to GDP.
El autoconcepto emocional como factor de riesgo emocional en estudiantes universitarios: diferencias de género y edad

En este trabajo pretendemos confirmar la capacidad predictiva de las medidas de autoinforme sobre el manejo real de las emociones en la vida cotidiana, el nivel de estabilidad emocional y de salud mental en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios espanoles, controlando el efecto de la personalidad, asi como establecer las posibles diferencias en funcion del genero y la edad. Los resultados obtenidos presentan importantes implicaciones, tanto a nivel clinico como educativo.