Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Utilization of Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, Kerala

We aimed to compare the sociodemographics, health care utilization pattern, and out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses of 149 insured and 147 uninsured below-poverty-line households insured under the Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, Kerala, through a comparative cross-sectional study. Family size more than 4 (odds ratio [OR] = 2.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13-4.82), family member with chronic disease (OR = 2.05; 95% CI = 1.18-3.57), high socioeconomic status (OR = 2.95; 95% CI = 1.74-5.03), and an employed household head (OR = 2.69; 95% CI = 1.44-5.02) were significantly associated with insured households. Insured households had higher inpatient service utilization (OR = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.05-2.34). Only 40% of inpatient service utilization among the insured was covered by insurance. The mean OOP expenses for inpatient services among insured (INR 448.95) was higher than among uninsured households (INR 159.93); P = . 003. These findings show that urgent attention of the government is required to redesign and closely monitor the scheme.
Production of [14C]fumonisin B1 by Fusarium moniliforme MRC 826 in corn cultures

Kinetics of growth and fumonisin production by Fusarium moniliforme MRC 826 in corn "patty" cultures were investigated, and a technique was developed for the production of [14C]fumonisin B1 ([14C]FB1) by using L-[methyl-14C]methionine as the precursor. A significant (P < 0.01) correlation exists between fungal growth and FB1 (r = 0.89) and FB2 (r = 0.87) production in corn patties, beginning after 2 days and reaching the stationary phase after 14 days of incubation. [14C]FB1 was produced by adding L-[methyl-14C]methionine daily to cultures during the logarithmic phase of production. Incorporation of the isotope occurred at C-21 and C-22 of the fumonism molecule and was enhanced in the presence of unlabeled L-methionine. Although the concentration of exogenous unlabeled methionine is critical for incorporation of the 14C label, optimum incorporation was achieved by adding 50 mg of unlabeled L-methionine and 200 mu Ci of L-[methyl-14C]methionine to a corn patty (30 g) over a period of 9 days, yielding [14C]FB1 with a specific activity of 36 mu Ci/mmol.
Close Relationships and the Working Self-Concept: Implicit and Explicit Effects of Priming Attachment on Agency and Communion

Two studies investigated how contextually activating attachment relationships influences the working self-concept in terms of agency and communion. In Study 1, 245 participants were primed with a secure, avoidant, or anxious-ambivalent relationship and the implicit accessibility of agency and communion was assessed using word fragments. Activating a secure relationship increased the accessibility of communion, whereas activating an anxious-ambivalent relationship increased the accessibility of agency. In Study 2, 123 participants were primed with a secure, preoccupied, avoidant-dismissive, or avoidant-fearful relationship and explicit self-perceptions of agency and communion traits were assessed using the Extended Personality Attributes Questionnaire (EPAQ). Gender interacted with the attachment prime, such that men primed with a secure relationship reported higher communion than did men primed with an avoidant (dis-missive or fearful) relationship, whereas women primed with an anxious (preoccupied or fearful) relationship reported higher agency than did women primed with a secure relationship.
Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma: clinical and prognostic evaluation of 90 adult patients.

PURPOSE During the last few years, the application of CD30 monoclonal antibodies has led to the identification of a new lymphoma entity, termed anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). This tumor includes four distinct histologic subtypes, among which the Hodgkin's-like/Hodgkin's-related one (ALCL-HL) shares morphologic and phenotypic features with Hodgkin's disease (HD). PATIENTS AND METHODS From September 1988 to October 1993, 90 ALCL patients were treated with third-generation chemotherapy regimens (either vincristine, cyclophosphamide, fluorouracil, cytarabine, doxorubicin, methotrexate with leucovorin, and prednisone [F-MACHOP] or methotrexate with leucovorin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, and bleomycin [MACOP-B]) during the course of an Italian multicentric randomized trial on high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (HG-NHL). In particular, 47 patients had ALCL of the common type (ALCL-CT) and 43 ALCL-HL. Null phenotype was the most common (39.8%), while T-cell, B-cell, and hybrid forms accounted for 35.5%, 22.2%, and 2.5%, respectively. RESULTS Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 66 of 90 (73.5%) patients (33 of 47 [70%] with ALCL-CT and 33 of 43 [77%] with ALCL-HL). The majority of the patients in CR (56.5%) were alive and well at a median follow-up time of 38 months; no significant differences were observed between the two histologic groups, with the rate of complete responders being 49% and 65% in ALCL-CT and ALCL-HL, respectively. The probability of relapse-free survival (RFS), projected at 63 months, was 67% for ALCL-CT and 82% for ALCL-HL. The risk of lower CR and RFS rates was associated with the presence of bulky disease, advanced stage, and B symptoms. CONCLUSION The data of the present study confirm that ALCL responds to third-generation chemotherapy regimens similarly to other aggressive malignant lymphomas in terms of both CR and RFS rates.
Spatial analysis of volatile organic compounds in South Philadelphia using passive samplers

ABSTRACT Select volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured in the vicinity of a petroleum refinery and related operations in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, using passive air sampling and laboratory analysis methods. Two-week, time-integrated samplers were deployed at 17 sites, which were aggregated into five site groups of varying distances from the refinery. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers (BTEX) and styrene concentrations were higher near the refinery’s fenceline than for groups at the refinery’s south edge, mid-distance, and farther removed locations. The near fenceline group was significantly higher than the refinery’s north edge group for benzene and toluene but not for ethylbenzene or xylene isomers; styrene was lower at the near fenceline group versus the north edge group. For BTEX and styrene, the magnitude of estimated differences generally increased when proceeding through groups ever farther away from the petroleum refining. Perchloroethylene results were not suggestive of an influence from refining. These results suggest that emissions from the refinery complex contribute to higher concentrations of BTEX species and styrene in the vicinity of the plant, with this influence declining as distance from the petroleum refining increases. Implications: Passive sampling methodology for VOCs as discussed here is employed in recently enacted U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Methods 325A/B for determination of benzene concentrations at refinery fenceline locations. Spatial gradients of VOC concentration near the refinery fenceline were discerned in an area containing traffic and other VOC-related sources. Though limited, these findings can be useful in application of the method at such facilities to ascertain source influence.
Genome‐wide linkage survey for genetic loci that affect the risk of suicide attempts in families with recurrent, early‐onset, major depression

We previously described the results of a genome‐wide linkage survey for genetic loci that influenced the development of unipolar mood disorders in 81 families identified by individuals with Recurrent, Early‐Onset, Major Depressive Disorder (RE‐MDD) [Zubenko et al. 2003b; Am J Med Genet (Neuropsychiatr Genet) 123B:1–18]. In the current study, we extended this linkage analysis by including the history of a suicide attempt as a covariate to identify chromosomal regions that harbor genes that influence the risk of this behavior in the context of mood disorders. This approach identified six linkage peaks with maximum multipoint ΔLOD scores that reached genome‐wide adjusted levels of significance (2p, 5q, 6q, 8p, 11q, and Xq). Four of these (2p, 6q, 8p, and Xq) exceeded the criterion for “highly‐significant linkage” (genome‐wide adjusted P < 0.001) recommended by Lander and Kruglyak [1995; Nat Genet 11:241–246]. The strongest evidence for linkage was observed in analyses employing affected relative pairs (ARPs) with the most severe and disabling Mood Disorders: Depression Spectrum Disorder and RE‐MDD. The highest ΔLOD score that emerged from this linkage analysis, 5.08, occurred for ARPs with Depression Spectrum Disorder at D8S1145 (37.0 cM, 18.2 Mbps, P < 0.0001) at cytogenetic location 8p22‐p21. Significant linkage results on Xq arose from analyses of ARPs with RE‐MDD at DXS1047 (143 cM, 127.8 Mbps, ΔLOD = 3.87, P < 0.0001), a finding that may contribute to the higher rate of suicide attempts among women than men. These findings provide evidence for suicide risk loci that are independent of susceptibility loci for Mood Disorders, and suggest that the capacity for suicide risk loci to affect the development of suicidal behavior depends on the psychiatric disorder or subtype with which they interact. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A systematic program of research regarding the assessment of speech-language pathology competencies

This paper explores the nature and development of competence in speech-language pathology and is informed by the development and validation of a competency-based assessment tool to assess Australian speech-language pathology students' professional performance in the workplace (COMPASS®). Background is provided on speech-language pathology competency frameworks in Australia and a systematic program of research to validate this assessment tool. Findings relevant to understanding the nature and development of speech-language pathology competency are described. The domains of competence considered important for practice were found to extend beyond specific processes of professional practice to include generic competencies of Reasoning, Communication, Lifelong Learning, and Professionalism. The achievement of competency was identified as developmental, and clinical educators were found to validly and reliably identify seven levels of competency development. Competency may transfer across the scope of practice, and marginal students' performances were characterized by a high degree of variability. These findings are discussed in relation to the profession's understanding of competency and speech-language pathology education, professional development, and further research.
Mechanics of the healed meniscus in a canine model

The mechanical behavior of the intact canine stifle joint was studied, using a surgical model of meniscal injury and repair. Thirty-eight animals were divided into five study groups: Group S received only a sham arthro tomy (without a meniscal incision), Groups P13 and P26 received peripheral medial meniscal incisions, and Groups R13 and R26 received radial medial meniscus incisions. All meniscal incisions were repaired anatom ically with absorbable suture. Groups P13 and R13 were sacrificed at 13 weeks following surgery and Groups P26 and R26 at 26 weeks. Following sacrifice, the joints were subjected to gross and histologic ex amination, and structural and material properties test ing. All meniscal repairs healed, and the peripheral repairs were virtually invisible, with no articular damage. The radial repairs healed with 3 to 5 mm wide fibrovascular scars, and several joints demonstrated articular ero sions. The radial repair tissue contained unorganized collagen bundles and ground substance deficient in mucopolysaccharides. Groups S, P13 and P26 demonstrated no statistically significant differences between test and control limbs in compressive force-displacement behavior, input en ergy (EI), and ratio of dissipated to input energy (ED/EI). There were significant test-control differences in the load-displacement characteristics of Groups R13 (P < 0.05) and R26 (P < 0.05), with the repaired joint stiffer than the control. El decreased 26% in Group R13 (not significant) and 34% in Group R26 (P < 0.05), while the ratio ED/El increased from 27% to 44% in Group R13 (not significant) and from 31 % to 38% in Group R26 (P < 0.05). Medial compartment contact area did not change significantly in either peripheral repair group, but de creased by 25% in Group R13 (P < 0.05) and by 13% in Group R26 (P< 0.05). Yield stress, maximum stress, and Young's modulus decreased significantly (P < 0.05) relative to the controls in tensile tests of the radial repair tissue. There were no significant changes in these properties from 13 to 26 weeks. We concluded that in this animal model, the mechan ical function of the meniscus is restored following repair of peripheral longitudinal lesions ; however, it appears that in the radial repairs, progressive spreading at the repair site (filled by a fibrovascular scar) altered normal meniscal geometry and structure, adversely influencing mechanical function. Future studies may document whether protective measures (immobilization, limited weightbearing, etc.) can preserve normal mechanical function following repair of radial lesions.
CONCRETE FRACTURE MECHANICS AND SIZE EFFECT USING A SPECIALIZED COHESIVE ZONE MODEL

The size effect is the change of structural properties, especially nominal strength, due to scaling of geometrically similar structures. Due to the relatively large non-linear fracture process zone, the size effect on the nominal strength of a concrete structure is explained by non-linear fracture mechanics employing both an equivalent elastic crack model and a cohesive zone model (CZM) approach. The concept of equivalent elastic crack model provides the theoretical background for the size effect method (SEM) and the two-parameter fracture model (TPFM), which provide two size-independent fracture parameters. In addition, the CZM characterizes non-linear fracture process behavior through the bi-linear softening curve, which is determined by four experimental fracture parameters: tensile strength (ft ′), initial fracture energy (Gf ), total fracture energy (GF ) and critical crack tip opening displacement (CTODc). The location of the kink point in the bi-linear softening model has been estimated empirically in the literature. Thus a formal criterion to determine the kink point is proposed and discussed. The bi-linear softening curve in the CZM enables prediction of the load versus crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD) experimental curves as well as the size effect. Several examples and a sensitivity analysis are given to illustrate these points.
A Clinical Review of Return-to-Play Considerations After Anterior Shoulder Dislocation

Context: Shoulder dislocations are common in contact sports, yet guidelines regarding the best treatment strategy and time to return to play have not been clearly defined. Evidence Acquisition: Electronic databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase, were reviewed for the years 1980 through 2015. Study Design: Clinical review. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Results: Much has been published about return to play after anterior shoulder dislocation, but almost all is derived from expert opinion and clinical experience rather than from well-designed studies. Recommendations vary and differ depending on age, sex, type of sport, position of the athlete, time in the sport’s season, and associated pathology. Despite a lack of consensus and specific recommendations, there is agreement that before being allowed to return to sport, athletes should be pain free and demonstrate symmetric shoulder and bilateral scapular strength, with functional range of motion that allows sport-specific participation. Return to play usually occurs 2 to 3 weeks from the time of injury. Athletes with in-season shoulder instability returning to sport have demonstrated recurrence rates ranging from 37% to 90%. Increased bone loss, recurrent instability, and injury occurring near the end of season are all indications that may push surgeons and athletes toward earlier surgical intervention. Conclusion: Most athletes are able to return to play within 2 to 3 weeks but there is a high risk of recurrent instability.
Fas Ligand-independent, FADD-mediated Activation of the Fas Death Pathway by Anticancer Drugs*

Trimerization of the Fas receptor (CD95, APO-1), a membrane bound protein, triggers cell death by apoptosis. The main death pathway activated by Fas receptor involves the adaptor protein FADD (for Fas-associated deathdomain) that connects Fas receptor to the caspase cascade. Anticancer drugs have been shown to enhance both Fas receptor and Fas ligand expression on tumor cells. The contribution of Fas ligand-Fas receptor interactions to the cytotoxic activity of these drugs remains controversial. Here, we show that neither the antagonistic anti-Fas antibody ZB4 nor the Fas-IgG molecule inhibit drug-induced apoptosis in three different cell lines. The expression of Fas ligand on the plasma membrane, which is identified in untreated U937 human leukemic cells but remains undetectable in untreated HT29 and HCT116 human colon cancer cell lines, is not modified by exposure to various cytotoxic agents. These drugs induce the clustering of Fas receptor, as observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy, and its interaction with FADD, as demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation. Overexpression of FADD by stable transfection sensitizes tumor cells to drug-induced cell death and cytotoxicity, whereas down-regulation of FADD by transient transfection of an antisense construct decreases tumor cell sensitivity to drug-induced apoptosis. These results were confirmed by transient transfection of constructs encoding either a FADD dominant negative mutant or MC159 or E8 viral proteins that inhibit the FADD/caspase-8 pathway. These results suggest that drug-induced cell death involves the Fas/FADD pathway in a Fas ligand-independent fashion.
Results of tinnitus retraining therapy

A retrospective study of 483 patients were offered Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) based on the Jastreboff neurophysiological model, at the London Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Centre. 381 attended at 6–12 months and of these 224 attended a final appointment, over a median period of 21 months. Of the 224 patients receiving full TRT, 83.7% achieved a significant benefit using the 40% improvement criteria. The group that did not reach this significance level did however show a beneficial change in tinnitus effect on life.
Prevalence of abnormal adrenocortical function in human immunodeficiency virus infection by low-dose cosyntropin test

Recent evidence suggests that 10 µg cosyntropin test has higher sensitivity for detecting hypothalamus-hypophysis-adrenal axis (HHA-A) dysfunction. Our objective was to determine prevalence of glucocorticoid insufficiency with the 10 µg cosyntropin test and the level of the HHA-A defect. One hundred and four HIV-infected patients underwent the 10 µg cosyntropin test. In abnormal and borderline respondents, insulin-induced hypoglycaemia test and human corticotropin releasing hormone test were used to confirm and localize the level of the HHA-A defect. Thirty-two patients with HIV infection and 72 with AIDS were identified. Prevalence of glucocorticoid insufficiency by the 10 µg cosyntropin test was 21.2%. By clinical categories, the frequency in AIDS and HIV infection patients was 26.4% and 9.4%, respectively. Confirmed glucocorticoid insufficiency by insulin-induced hypoglycaemia test was found in 16 out of 19 cases. Twelve cases had primary glucocorticoid insufficiency, 7 had secondary glucocorticoid insufficiency and 3 were false positive. In conclusion, adrenocortical dysfunction occurs in approximately 20% of the cases with HIV disease. Clinical findings commonly occurring in HIV disease as well as adrenocortical insufficiency are not reliable indicators for performing adrenocortical laboratory assessment. Our results suggest screening all AIDS patients with the 10 µg cosyntropin test.
Historical risks of tuberculin skin test conversion among non-physician staff at a large urban hospital.

BACKGROUND Nosocomial transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis among workers at a 1000-bed inner-city hospital led to an extensive evaluation of this risk among workers with potential exposure to TB patients or laboratory specimens. METHODS Retrospective cohort study to determine the incidence and risk of tuberculin skin test (TST) conversions among workers employed 1/1/90 to 9/30/92. RESULTS Personal, community, and occupational risk factors were evaluated in 2,362 workers with potential M. tuberculosis exposure and 886 workers with no known exposure. The 33-month cumulative rate of TST conversion was 5.8% for potentially exposed workers and 2.0% for controls (RR 3.6; 95% CI; 2.2-5.8). Among workers with potential M. tuberculosis exposure, statistically significantly elevated risks were found for nurses, laboratory technicians, pharmacy workers, phlebotomists, housekeepers, clerks, emergency room workers, and emergency responders. CONCLUSIONS Workers with patient contact and those employed in certain occupational groups were at increased risk for occupational M. tuberculosis infection.
Twenty-Four-Hour Profiles of Serum Leptin in Siberian and Golden Hamsters: Photoperiodic and Diurnal Variations

Serum leptin concentrations were obtained from male Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) and golden hamsters (a.k.a. Syrian, Mesocricetus auratus) housed on long [light:dark (LD) 16:8] and short (LD 6:18) photoperiods for 10-11 weeks. Blood samples were collected at 45-min intervals for 24 h from individual animals using an in-dwelling atrial catheter. In Siberian hamsters, exposure to short photoperiods as compared to long photoperiods reduced body weight (32.5 +/- 1.5 vs 47.7 +/- 1.1 g) and leptin (24-h mean: 5.3 +/- 0.4 ng/ml vs 18.6 +/- 2.1 ng/ml). Although photoperiod influenced the temporal distribution of leptin in golden hamsters, the main effect of photoperiod on leptin levels in golden hamsters did not reach significance (24-h mean: 7.1 +/- 1.0 ng/ml vs 5.1 +/- 0.8 ng/ml.). Body weights of golden hamsters did not vary significantly following exposure to short photoperiod for 11 weeks (178.3 +/- 3.6 g in LD 6:18 vs 177.8 +/- 7.3 g in LD 16:8). There was no nocturnal increase in serum leptin in either species. Marked interindividual differences were apparent in individual leptin profiles. Periodogram analysis revealed that only a few animals exhibited 24-h periodicities; the presence of a significant 24-h periodicity was more common in hamsters exposed to short days. Photoperiod-associated differences in the 24-hour profile of leptin secretion may be the result of photoperiod-associated changes in feeding behavior or metabolism. A full understanding of the regulation of leptin secretion in multiple time domains may enhance our understanding of the function of leptin.