Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Media Presentation of Breastfeeding Beliefs in Newspapers

ABSTRACT Despite numerous health benefits for babies and mothers, many women do not either initiate or continue breastfeeding for the recommended duration, and increasing breastfeeding is a national priority. It is important to understand media messages on the topic, given that breastfeeding is influenced by many environmental factors and that perceived norms, social support, and perceptions of difficulties predict breastfeeding. The current study analyzes how media covers (1) breastfeeding in general, (2) public breastfeeding, and (3) extended breastfeeding (past 1 year). Guided by the theory of planned behavior, this study analyzes 318 news articles sampled from 10 of the most commonly read mainstream newspapers from 2008–2013. This sample covers a wide range of topics related to breastfeeding, including health benefits, societal reform efforts, social/human interest stories, parenting choices, and stories about pumped breast milk and formula. The results indicate approving social norms by public health officials and medical professionals about breastfeeding in general. A significantly larger number of articles discussed positive behavioral beliefs associated with breastfeeding rather than negative behavioral beliefs. However, articles more often presented barriers, rather than factors that facilitate breastfeeding. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
UL20 Protein Functions Precede and Are Required for the UL11 Functions of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Cytoplasmic Virion Envelopment

ABSTRACT Egress of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) from the nucleus of the infected cell to extracellular spaces involves a number of distinct steps, including primary envelopment by budding into the perinuclear space, de-envelopment into the cytoplasm, cytoplasmic reenvelopment, and translocation of enveloped virions to extracellular spaces. UL20/gK-null viruses are blocked in cytoplasmic virion envelopment and egress, as indicated by an accumulation of unenveloped or partially enveloped capsids in the cytoplasm. Similarly, UL11-null mutants accumulate unenveloped capsids in the cytoplasm. To assess whether UL11 and UL20/gK function independently or synergistically in cytoplasmic envelopment, recombinant viruses having either the UL20 or UL11 gene deleted were generated. In addition, a recombinant virus containing a deletion of both UL20 and UL11 genes was constructed using the HSV-1(F) genome cloned into a bacterial artificial chromosome. Ultrastructural examination of virus-infected cells showed that both UL20- and UL11-null viruses accumulated unenveloped capsids in the cytoplasm. However, the morphology and distribution of the accumulated capsids appeared to be distinct, with the UL11-null virions forming aggregates of capsids having diffuse tegument-derived material and the UL20-null virus producing individual capsids in close juxtaposition to cytoplasmic membranes. The UL20/UL11 double-null virions appeared morphologically similar to the UL20-null viruses. Experiments on the kinetics of viral replication revealed that the UL20/UL11 double-null virus replicated in a manner similar to the UL20-null virus. Additional experiments revealed that transiently expressed UL11 localized to the trans-Golgi network (TGN) independently of either gK or UL20. Furthermore, virus infection with the UL11/UL20 double-null virus did not alter the TGN localization of transiently expressed UL11 or UL20 proteins, indicating that these proteins did not interact. Taken together, these results show that the intracellular transport and TGN localization of UL11 is independent of UL20/gK functions, and that UL20/gK are required and function prior to UL11 protein in virion cytoplasmic envelopment.
Anxiety, Self-Esteem and Coping with Stress in Secondary School Students in Relation to Involvement in Organized Sports

Abstract Aim. The objective of the study was to examine self-esteem, anxiety level and coping strategies among secondary school students in relation to their involvement in organized sports. Methods. The sample included 280 Slovenian male and female secondary school students aged between 15 and 19 years. The participants completed The Adolescent Coping Scale, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the PSDQ Selfesteem Scale. Results. Participants engaged in organized sports exhibited higher self-esteem scores and lower anxiety scores in comparison to non-sport participants. Differences between the two groups have also been identified with respect to the use of certain coping strategies. Sport participants reported more productive coping than non-sport participants, which represents an active and problem-focused approach to dealing with everyday problems. Gender differences in the referred variables have also been studied, with female athletes exhibiting higher levels of anxiety than male athletes. Female participants were also found to use more non-productive coping than males, focused mainly on reducing emotional effects of stress. Conclusions. Organized youth sports have an important role in improving and maintaining a favorable sense of self-worth, reducing anxiety, and promoting productive coping strategies in adolescents when dealing with everyday problems. Izvleček Cilj. Namen raziskave je bil preučiti raven samospoštovanja in anksioznosti ter uporabo različnih strategij spoprijemanja s stresom pri srednješolskih mladostnikih v povezavi z vključenostjo v redno in organizirano športno vadbo. Metode. Vzorec je obsegal 280 slovenskih srednješolcev in srednješolk od 15. do 19. leta. Udeleženci so izpolnili vprašalnik spoprijemanja s težavami za mladostnike, lestvico anksioznosti in lestvico samospoštovanja. Rezultati. Pri mladostnikih, ki se organizirano ukvarjajo s športom, smo ugotovili višje vrednosti na lestvici samospoštovanja in nižjo stopnjo anksioznosti v primerjavi z njihovimi športno neaktivnimi vrstniki. Razlike med skupinama so se pokazale tudi v uporabi nekaterih spoprijemalnih strategij: športno aktivni mladostniki so se v splošnem posluževali več na problem usmerjenih strategij spoprijemanja v primerjavi z nešportniki, kar kaže na bolj aktiven in konstruktiven pristop k reševanju vsakodnevnih težav. Razlike po spolu so pokazale, da športnice izražajo več anksioznega doživljanja kot športniki. Na področju soočanja s stresom smo ugotovili razlike v nekaterih spoprijemalnih strategijah tako v skupini športnikov kot v skupini nešportnikov: dekleta so v primerjavi s fanti izražala več nekonstruktivnega spoprijemanja, usmerjenega predvsem v blaženje učinkov čustvene napetosti v stresnih situacijah. Zaključek. Predpostavimo lahko, da ima organizirana športna aktivnost pomembno vlogo pri razvijanju in ohranjanju ugodnega občutka lastne vrednosti, zmanjševanju negativnih učinkov stresa ter spodbujanju uporabe aktivnih in konstruktivnih strategij spoprijemanja s težavami v mladostništvu.
An Application of Statistical Modeling for Classification of Human Motor Skill Level

Automation technology has expanded dramatically in the recent years; however human manual work is still required in many domains. To facilitate appropriate design of manual skill training and to reduce individual differences in manual performance, there is a need to assess individual skill level in advance of training exercises. Unfortunately, current motor skill assessment approaches do not provide direct indicators of human operator skill levels (e.g., high, medium, or low). Therefore, there is also a need to identify appropriate methods by which to classify novice operators based on their initial motor performance. In the present study, a statistical model was developed to classify participant motor ability level using a set of features based on kinematic parameters generated through a computerized motor test. The final model achieved a classification accuracy of ~98% using a 75/25 cross validation approach. Results verified the reliability of the motor-control test and validated the quantitative motor skill classification algorithm. Based on this work, it is expected that the algorithm and the test could be applied for design of novel manual skill training approaches to compensate for performance gaps among novice operators.
Saving Rates and Poverty: The Role of Conspicuous Consumption and Human Capital

Poor families around the world spend a large fraction of their income consuming goods that do not appear to alleviate poverty, while saving at low rates. We suggest that individuals care about economic status and interpret this behaviour as conspicuous consumption intended to provide a signal about unobserved income. We show that if human capital is observable and correlated with income, then a signalling equilibrium in which poor individuals tend to spend a large fraction of their income on conspicuous consumption can emerge. This equilibrium gives rise to an increasing marginal propensity to save that might generate a poverty trap.
Price parity, channel conflict, and hotel rooms in Macao

The purpose of this research was to determine whether there was price parity for hotel rooms in Macao. The study collected room prices based on hotel star categories at various sales channels. The room prices included three types of booking: reservations made on the day of stay, those made 14 days ahead, and those made 30 days ahead. The results were the same for the three types: price parity was observed for rooms at three-star and four-star hotels but not at five-star hotels. The authors offer explanations for these results and suggestions for hotel guests who intend to book rooms during their visit to Macao.
Inadequacy of the risk factor based approach to detect gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the present risk factor based approach in diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Sri Lanka in comparison with new guidelines proposed by the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG). METHODS A community based cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among pregnant women with gestational age of 24-28 weeks and residing in Anuradhapura district. All eligible pregnant women from selected Medical Officers of Health areas were invited to participate. The 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was carried out among all participants. RESULTS According to IADPSG criteria, 36 (8.9%) of pregnant women had GDM, compared to 29 (7.2%) according to WHO criteria. Prevalence of GDM in the study population (positive by one or both methods) was 10.6% (n=43) (95% CI 7.9-13.9%). Of these 43 women,22 (51.1%) had positive results by both methods. Seven (16.3%) and 14 (32.6%) mothers were positive only according to WHO and IADPSG criteria respectively. Out of 29 mothers who fulfilled WHO criteria, only one had an abnormal fasting plasma glucose, but 28 had abnormal 2 hour values. A total of 170 (42.0%) participants had at least one risk factor or early indicator of GDM. A risk based approach would have detected only 22 GDM patients according to IADPSG criteria, missing 14 cases (38.9%) who did not have any of the risk factors for GDM. CONCLUSIONS The risk factor based approach misses more than one third of GDM cases. Urgent revision of current GDM screening guidelines is recommended.
Value of contrast-enhanced CT in detecting active hemorrhage in patients with blunt abdominal or pelvic trauma.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the use of contrast-enhanced CT to show sites of active hemorrhage as a guide for surgical or angiographic treatment in patients sustaining blunt abdominal or pelvic trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-six CT scans were reviewed to compare the location or locations of extravasated contrast material (representing hemorrhage) detected on CT scans with the site or sites of active hemorrhage determined by surgery (eight patients), angiography (14 patients), or autopsy (one patient). (The three remaining patients had no additional studies done.) The attenuation of extravasated contrast material on CT scans was measured and compared with the CT attenuation of an adjacent artery. The attenuation of clotted blood within the abdomen or pelvis was also measured in 20 other patients with blunt trauma. RESULTS The locations of active bleeding as determined by extravasation of contrast material shown on CT scans included the pelvis (nine), spleen (five), retroperitoneum (four), kidney (three), liver (three), adrenal glands (one), and abdominal wall (one). Two patients had venous extravasation. The origin of bleeding was confirmed in all cases to correspond to the anatomic region in which extravasated contrast material was shown by CT. Three patients had only CT evidence of vascular extravasation of contrast material. The CT attenuation of active hemorrhage ranged from 85 to 370 H (mean, 132 H). A review of 20 additional CT scans that showed clotted blood in the abdomen or pelvis resulting from blunt abdominal trauma revealed a CT attenuation range of 40-70 H (mean, 51 H). These values were significantly different (p < .001) from the values for active hemorrhage. CONCLUSION Active extravasation of contrast material (representing bleeding) can be detected in trauma patients who are physiologically stable enough to undergo CT of the abdomen or pelvis. Extravasated contrast material can be distinguished from clotted blood by measuring CT attenuation. CT accurately shows the anatomic location of bleeding and indicates the probable vascular origin. CT, therefore, can be used as a guide for angiographic or surgical intervention.
Chloramphenicol, lincomycin and oxytetracycline disposition in calves with experimental pneumonic pasteurellosis.

The effects of pneumonia on the pharmacokinetics of chloramphenicol, lincomycin, and oxytetracycline were evaluated in two-month-old calves. Pneumonia was induced by injection of Pasteurella haemolytica cultures directly through the thoracic wall into each lung. Six days prior to induction of pneumonia, the antibiotics were administered in a single i.v. dose. The antibiotics were administered again 48 (i.v.), 60 and 72 h (i.m.) following injection of P. haemolytica. The pharmacokinetics of chloramphenicol (25 mg/kg) and lincomycin (10 mg/kg) were not significantly different in calves with pneumonia. The hybrid rate constant beta for oxytetracycline was increased in calves with pneumonia from 0.0034 +/- 0.0003/min to 0.0048 +/- 0.0007/min between 2 h and 8 h. Thus the elimination half-life in serum was shortened from 212.4 +/- 20.3 min to 149.3 +/- 19.5 min. In addition, there was an apparent but not statistically significant decrease in K12 with pneumonia. These findings accentuate the need for observance of 12-h dose intervals with oxytetracycline.
Selective acquisition of novel mating type and vegetative incompatibility genes via interspecies gene transfer in the globally invading eukaryote Ophiostoma novo‐ulmi

The Dutch elm disease fungus Ophiostoma novo‐ulmi, which has destroyed billions of elm trees worldwide, originally invaded Europe as a series of clonal populations with a single mating type (MAT‐2) and a single vegetative incompatibility (vic) type. The populations then rapidly became diverse with the appearance of the MAT‐1 type and many vegetative incompatibility types. Here, we have investigated the mechanism using isolates from sites in Portugal at which the rapid evolution of O. novo‐ulmi populations from clonality to heterogeneity was well established. We show by genetic mapping of vic and MAT loci with AFLP markers and by sequence analysis of MAT loci that this diversification was due to selective acquisition by O. novo‐ulmi of the MAT‐1 and vic loci from another species, Ophiostoma ulmi. A global survey showed that interspecies transfer of the MAT‐1 locus occurred on many occasions as O. novo‐ulmi spread across the world. We discuss the possibility that fixation of the MAT‐1 and vic loci occurred in response to spread of deleterious viruses in the originally clonal populations. The process demonstrates the potential of interspecies gene transfer for facilitating rapid adaptation of invasive organisms to a new environment.
Race and Ethnicity are Associated with Delays in Breast Cancer Treatment (2003–2006)

Access to timely treatment may be one contributing factor to survival differences by race/ethnicity among breast cancer patients. In this study, we examined the relationship between race and treatment delay among breast cancer patients diagnosed between 2003 and 2006 with Stage I–III breast cancer from the National Cancer Database (n = 250,007). We evaluated factors associated with receipt of initial treatment more than 30, 60, and 90 days after biopsy using multivariable log binomial models to estimate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The average time to treatment was 34.30 days (±31.77). Independent of health insurance, stage at diagnosis, and age, Black and Hispanic patients had higher risks of 30, 60, and 90-day treatment delay compared with White patients. Further studies are needed to define the role of structural, health system, physician, clinical and patient factors in treatment delay among Black and Hispanic women and appropriate interventions.
CONTRACTILITY AND PHENOTYPE OF HUMAN BRONCHIOLE SMOOTH MUSCLE AFTER PROLONGED FETAL BOVINE SERUM EXPOSURE

Culture of dispersed airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells with fetal bovine serum (FBS) induces rapid growth and modulation from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype, but this may be an artificial situation due to loss of tissue architecture. In this study, structural, functional and biochemical changes of ASM were examined in human intact bronchiole ring segments (200 to 600 μ m internal diameter) after organ culture for up to 6 days in 10% FBS or in D-STIM, an FBS-free medium formulated to maintain a contractile phenotype. ASM content was unchanged after culture for 3 or 6 days with D-STIM or FBS compared with fresh tissues. However, by 6 days culture with FBS reduced the maximum developed contraction to several agonists (carbachol, histamine, and KCl). Smooth muscle (sm)- α -actin and sm-myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform 1 expression was similar for all culture conditions, though FBS reduced calponin and metavinculin content. Nonmuscle (nm) proteins, including total vinculin, β -actin, and nm-MHC, were unchanged. Thus, ASM in human intact bronchioles maintains its functional, biochemical, and morphometric properties after culture in FBS-free (D-STIM) medium for at least 6 days, and for 3 days when cultured with FBS. These findings in organ culture may reflect more closely the in vivo situation in which tissue architecture is better preserved over cell culture, and may provide a basis for examining long-term effects of trophic or contractile stimuli on intact ASM in vitro that contribute to airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling.
The relationship of stress and anxiety with chronic periodontitis.

AIM This case-control study investigates the relationship of stress and anxiety with periodontal clinical characteristics. METHOD Seventy-nine selected patients (mean age 46.8+/-8 years) were assigned to three groups in accordance with their levels of probing pocket depth (PPD): control group (PPD< or =3 mm, n=22), test group 1 (at least four sites with PPD > or =4 mm and < or =6 mm, n=27) and test group 2 (at least four sites with PPD >6 mm, n=30). An inclusion criterion of the study required that patients presented a plaque index (PI) with a value equal to or larger than 2 in at least 50% of dental surfaces. All subjects were submitted to stress and anxiety evaluations. Stress was measured by the Stress Symptom Inventory (SSI) and the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), while the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to assess anxiety. Clinical measures such as PI, gingival index (GI), PPD and clinical attachment level (CAL) were collected. Patient's medical history and socioeconomic data were also recorded. RESULTS The mean clinical measures (PI, GI, PPD and CAL) obtained for the three groups, were: control group, 1.56+/-0.32, 0.68+/-0.49, 1.72+/-0.54 and 2.04+/-0.64 mm; group 1, 1.56+/-0.39, 1.13+/-0.58, 2.67+/-0.67 and 3.10+/-0.76 mm, group 2, 1.65+/-0.37, 1.54+/-0.46, 4.14+/-1.23 and 5.01+/-1.60 mm. The three groups did not differ with respect to percentage of clinical stress, scores of the SRRS, trait and state anxiety. Frequency of moderate CAL (4-6 mm) and moderate PPD (4-6 mm) were found to be significantly associated with higher trait anxiety scores after adjusting for socioeconomic data and cigarette consumption (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Based on the obtained results, individuals with high levels of trait anxiety appeared to be more prone to periodontal disease.
The relation between vitamin D deficiency and fibromyalgia syndrome in women.

OBJECTIVE To define the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and fibromyalgia syndrome. METHODS This is a prospective cohort study for description of a medical disorder. The study was carried out in Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from May 2007 to March 2010. One hundred women suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome were included. Blood level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D] was estimated at initial visit and every 4 weeks until its level exceeded 50 ng/mL. The patients with vitamin D deficiency were treated with ergocalciferol 50,000 IU once weekly until their blood level of 25(OH) D exceeded 50 ng/mL. The number of tender points and the revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) score were used to assess the fibromyalgia before and after vitamin D repletion. RESULTS Among the 100 fibromyalgia women, there were 61 women with 25(OH) D deficiency; with vitamin D supplementation, only 42 women showed a significant improvement when their blood level of 25(OH) D became>or=30 ng/mL, this improvement became more significant when their blood level of 25(OH) D exceeded 50 ng/ mL. CONCLUSION Vitamin D deficiency has to be considered in the management of fibromyalgia syndrome.
Alcohol consumption among breastfeeding women.

PURPOSE To determine the prevalence of alcohol consumption among breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women at 3 months postpartum. METHODS We analyzed the most recent data available, which were from the 1993-1994 Food and Drug Administration Infant Feeding Practices Study I, a longitudinal panel study of infant-mother pairs. Self-reported data on alcohol consumption were analyzed for 772 breastfeeding women and 776 non-breastfeeding women age > or =14 years. RESULTS At 3 months postpartum, 36% of breastfeeding women and 40% of non-breastfeeding women consumed alcohol (p = 0.09). In multinomial regression models adjusted for age, race, education, income, marital status, region, smoking, and alcohol consumption before and during pregnancy, breastfeeding women were significantly less likely than non-breastfeeding women to consume two drinks per week (p < 0.01), or equal to or more than three drinks per week (p < 0.01), but equally likely to consume one drink (p = 0.23). CONCLUSIONS A substantial percentage of breastfeeding women consumed alcohol. Their infants may or may not have been exposed, as some women may have used alcohol avoidance strategies. Nationally representative data are needed on alcohol consumption and infant feeding practices among breastfeeding women.