Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acromial shape in asymptomatic subjects: A study of 305 shoulders in different age groups

Background: It has been reported that acromial morphology and age have an independent association with rotator cuff pathology. In a recent study, we found the acromial angle of patients with stage III impingement syndrome (tear in the rotator cuff, according to the Neer classification of shoulder impingement syndrome) to be significantly greater than the acromial angle of their age-matched healthy controls. Purpose: To find out if acromial shape also changes, i.e., becomes more curved with age, in shoulders without any rotator cuff problems or previous shoulder surgery. Material and Methods: Standard supraspinatus outlet view (SOV) was obtained from both shoulders of healthy persons with no shoulder-related problems or previous shoulder surgery (n = 305; 36 SOVs for subjects aged 21–30 years, 60 for 31–40 years, 67 for 41–50 years, 52 for 51–60 years, 48 for 61–70 years, and 42 for over 71 years of age). Acromial angle, tilt, and the type of the acromion were evaluated. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the evaluated morphological parameters between the different age groups. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the shape of the acromion does not change with age in individuals who do not have any rotator cuff pathology. According to our results, the changes in acromial morphology seem to be similar in each age group.
Cisapride compared with ranitidine in the treatment of functional dyspepsia.

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of the prokinetic drug cisapride and the antisecretory agent ranitidine in relieving symptoms of functional dyspepsia, as well as their effect on the recurrence of symptoms after the discontinuation of treatment. DESIGN A randomized double-blind parallel-group trial of cisapride 30 mg daily and ranitidine 300 mg daily given for 2, 4 or 8 weeks, followed by a 4-week drug-free follow-up of the patients with a good or excellent response. Rescue antacid tablets were allowed only if pain was unbearable. PATIENTS A total of 203 patients (99 cisapride, 104 ranitidine) with symptoms of functional dyspepsia for more than 4 weeks, after the exclusion of organic disease by endoscopy and sonography or radiology. RESULTS Cisapride and ranitidine improved the symptoms of diffuse epigastric pain, postprandial epigastric fullness, epigastric distension, belching, heartburn, regurgitation, and nausea when compared with baseline. Pain at night and gastric discomfort also greatly improved. Cisapride produced a greater reduction in epigastric pain (P = 0.07) and epigastric distension (P = 0.03) scores than ranitidine. Both drugs were equally effective in reducing the concomitant reflux-like symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation. At week 8, 87% of cisapride patients versus 61% of ranitidine patients had an excellent or good result. The deterioration of symptoms during the follow-up phase was limited in both groups. However, after the withdrawal of medication there was a greater reduction in scores in the cisapride group than in the ranitidine group for diffuse epigastric pain (P = 0.05), epigastric distension (P = 0.002), the cluster of six symptoms of epigastric discomfort (P = 0.05), and the cluster of all nine upper gastrointestinal symptoms (P = 0.06). Adverse events occurred in 15 cisapride patients and 18 ranitidine patients, and two of the ranitidine patients were withdrawn from treatment. CONCLUSIONS Although cisapride and ranitidine both improved the symptoms of functional dyspepsia, cisapride was superior to ranitidine, particularly on the combined evaluation of the response to treatment and the recurrence of symptoms.
Recent advances in management of patients with platinum‐refractory testicular germ cell tumors

With the use of cisplatin‐based combination chemotherapy, metastatic testicular germ cell tumors can be cured in 70–80% of patients, but patients refractory to cisplatin‐based chemotherapy continue to have a very poor prognosis. Various chemotherapeutic agents have been evaluated in intensively pretreated or cisplatin‐refractory patients, but as single agents, only orally administered etoposide, paclitaxel, gemcitabine, and, most recently, oxaliplatin have been shown to be active with selected patients achieving complete remissions. This has for the first time lead to clinical evaluation of combination chemotherapy regimens such as gemcitabine–paclitaxel or oxaliplatin–gemcitabine, demonstrating the feasibility of combination therapy in these heavily pretreated patients. High response rates of up to 45% were observed in particular with the latter combination. Salvage surgery remains a very important treatment option for patients with resectable disease. The molecular mechanisms of cisplatin resistance have been intensively studied, and several mechanisms have been discussed such as a decreased intracellular concentration of the drug, increased repair of the drug‐induced damage, or an altered apoptotic response to this damage. This increasing knowledge may now allow design of new therapeutic options. Ongoing studies in refractory germ cell tumors are evaluating 3‐drug regimens such as gemcitabine–paclitaxel–oxaliplatin but also biologic approaches such as inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor or the vascular endothelial growth factor. This research may eventually allow the development of a noncross‐resistant multidrug combination regimen that can be evaluated in an earlier line of therapy. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Visual impairment and unmet eye care needs among homeless adults in a Canadian city.

IMPORTANCE The ocular status of homeless populations remains largely unknown. Given that visual acuity has been shown to be heavily correlated with reduced well-being and decreased earning potential, findings of poor vision could have important health implications for people experiencing homelessness. OBJECTIVES To assess the prevalence of visual impairment and to identify unmet eye care needs in an adult homeless population. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS For this cross-sectional study, we recruited 100 homeless persons using a stratified random sampling technique from January to March 2014. Recruitment took place at 10 randomly selected adult shelters in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. All English-speaking persons older than 18 years of age were eligible to participate. Information was obtained on sociodemographic characteristics, ocular history, and subjective visual acuity. A comprehensive vision screening and an undilated retinal examination were performed for each participant. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Rates of functional visual impairment and prevalence of nonrefractive eye pathology. RESULTS The median age of participants was 48 years (interquartile range, 36-56 years), and 62% were men. The median lifetime duration of homelessness was 12 months (interquartile range, 5-36 months). Based on the participants' presenting visual acuity, the age-standardized rate of visual impairment was 25.2% (95% CI, 16.7%-33.7%). After pinhole occlusion, this number decreased to 15.2% (95% CI, 7.7%-22.7%). In total, 13.0% (95% CI, 7.8%-20.0%) of participants experienced visual impairment secondary to a correctable refractive error. Although the major problem for this demographic was limited access to refractive correction, a large degree of nonrefractive pathology was also observed. Of all the participants, 34.0% (95% CI, 24.7%-43.3%) had 1 or more abnormal findings during the vision screening, and 8% (95% CI, 2.7%-13.3%) required urgent referral to an ophthalmologist. A large majority of participants (89.0%) indicated interest in accessing free eye examinations. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE These data suggest that homeless adults have a high prevalence of visual impairment, even when living within a system of universal health insurance. Given the high level of interest in eye care among homeless persons, ongoing vision-screening programs and readily accessible free eye clinics may help address this need.
Predictors of Depression 12 Months after Cardiac Hospitalization: The Identifying Depression as a Comorbid Condition Study

Objective: To determine characteristics which predict depression at 12 months after cardiac hospitalization, and track the natural history of depression. Method: Depressive symptoms were monitored at baseline, 3 and 12 months in a cohort of 785 patients, using the self-report Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Multinomial regression analyses of baseline clinical and demographic variables identified characteristics associated with depression at 12 months. Results: Three baseline variables predicted moderate to severe depression at 12 months: depression during index admission, past history of emotional health problems and current smoking. For those who were depressed during cardiac hospitalization, 51% remained depressed at both 3 and 12 months. Persistence was more evident in patients who had moderate to severe depressive symptoms when hospitalized. Mild depression was as likely to persist as to remit. Conclusions: Three clinically accessible characteristics at the time of cardiac hospitalization can assist in predicting depression at 12 months and may aid treatment decisions. Depressive symptoms persist in a substantial proportion of cardiac patients up to 12 months after hospitalization.
Differential effect of catechol-O-methyltransferase Val158Met genotype on emotional recognition abilities in healthy men and women

The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism modulates executive functions and working memory and recent neuroimaging studies implicate an association with emotional processing. We examined the relationship between the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and facial emotion recognition and differentiation in 100 healthy individuals. Compared to Met homozygosity, Val homozygosity was associated with better and faster recognition of negative facial expressions such as anger and sad. Our study provides evidence for a possible influence of the COMT polymorphism on emotion recognition abilities in healthy subjects. Additional research is needed to further define the neurocognitive phenotypes associated with COMT polymorphisms. (JINS, 2007, 13, 881–887.)
Barriers to the management of obesity in children - A cross sectional survey of GPs.

BACKGROUND General practitioners have been identified as having a key role in promoting healthy weight. In 2006, the South East Alliance of General Practice - Brisbane (Ltd) was approached by the Mater Children's Hospital to participate in the KOALA (Kinder Overweight Activity Lifestyle Actions) at Mater Healthy Lifestyle study. Between June 2007 and January 2008, only 14 eligible children were identified and referred to the KOALA study by participating GPs - a much lower referral rate than the study required. The aim of this study was to investigate barriers among GPs to the assessment of overweight and obesity in children aged 6-10 years. METHODS A survey was administered to 49 GPs. The main outcome measures were: perceptions about child overweight and obesity as a medical problem, the GP's role in management, and the use of body mass index for age percentile charts to identify overweight and obesity. RESULTS Of the 33 (67%) respondents, 93% agreed child overweight and obesity was a medical problem, that GPs had a role in management, and that the KOALA study had made them more aware of identifying overweight children. Only 57% however, reported changing their practice. DISCUSSION Although most GPs agreed they had a role in management and felt confident to assess overweight and obesity in children, only a minority were putting this into practice, suggesting there are other barriers. Practice systems that facilitate implementation of National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines may need to be put in place.
Combination of Erythromycin and Curcumin Alleviates Staphylococcus aureus Induced Osteomyelitis in Rats

Osteomyelitis is commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Both erythromycin and curcumin can suppress S. aureus growth, but their roles in osteomyelitis are barely studied. We aim to explore the activities of erythromycin and curcumin against chronical osteomyelitis induced by methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Chronicle implant-induced osteomyelitis was established by MRSA infection in male Wistar rats. Four weeks after bacterial inoculation, rats received no treatment, erythromycin monotherapy, curcumin monotherapy, or erythromycin plus curcumin twice daily for 2 weeks. Bacterial levels, bone infection status, inflammatory signals and side effects were evaluated. Rats tolerated all treatments well, with no death or side effects such as, diarrhea and weight loss. Two days after treatment completion, erythromycin monotherapy did not suppress bacterial growth and had no effect in bone infection, although it reduced serum pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6. Curcumin monotherapy slightly suppressed bacterial growth, alleviated bone infection and reduced TNF-α and IL-6. Erythromycin and curcumin combined treatment markedly suppressed bacterial growth, substantially alleviated bone infection and reduced TNF-α and IL-6. Combination of erythromycin and curcumin lead a much stronger efficiency against MRSA induced osteomyelitis in rats than monotherapy. Our study suggests that erythromycin and curcumin could be a new combination for treating MRSA induced osteomyelitis.
Dopamine and opioid gene variants are associated with increased smoking reward and reinforcement owing to negative mood

Negative mood increases smoking reinforcement and risk of relapse. We explored associations of gene variants in the dopamine, opioid, and serotonin pathways with smoking reward (‘liking’) and reinforcement (latency to first puff and total puffs) as a function of negative mood and expected versus actual nicotine content of the cigarette. Smokers of European ancestry (n=72) were randomized to one of four groups in a 2×2 balanced placebo design, corresponding with manipulation of actual (0.6 vs. 0.05 mg) and expected (told nicotine and told denicotinized) nicotine ‘dose’ in cigarettes during each of two sessions (negative vs. positive mood induction). Following mood induction and expectancy instructions, they sampled and rated the assigned cigarette, and then smoked additional cigarettes ad lib during continued mood induction. The increase in smoking amount owing to negative mood was associated with: dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) C957T (CC>TT or CT), SLC6A3 (presence of 9 repeat>absence of 9), and among those given a nicotine cigarette, DRD4 (presence of 7 repeat>absence of 7) and DRD2/ANKK1 TaqIA (TT or CT>CC). SLC6A3, and DRD2/ANKK1 TaqIA were also associated with smoking reward and smoking latency. OPRM1 (AA>AG or GG) was associated with smoking reward, but SLC6A4 variable number tandem repeat was unrelated to any of these measures. These results warrant replication but provide the first evidence for genetic associations with the acute increase in smoking reward and reinforcement owing to negative mood.
Nutrition and pharyngeal cancer: Results from a case‐control study in Spain

Oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer is increasing all over the world, frequently affecting more and more women and younger individuals and not only the typical 50‐ to 60‐year‐old heavy smoker and drinking man. In addition, 5‐year overall survival rate remains poor (30% to 40% in most series), despite advances in treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to understand as accurately as possible the risk factors for these malignancies to improve primary prevention.
Factors influencing motoneuron rhythmic firing: results from a voltage-clamp study.

1. The rhythmic firing properties of cat lumbar motoneurons were determined by intracellular injection of constant-current pulses. The activation thresholds of various membrane current components were subsequently determined in the same neurons using the technique of somatic voltage clamp. Voltage steps were employed that traversed the same voltage range as the membrane potential between rhythmic spikes (the "pacemaker potential"). 2. At fast firing rates (e.g., secondary-range firing), the pacemaker potential remains entirely within the range of voltages over which a previously described (42), persistent, inward, calcium current (Ii) is activated during voltage clamp. Thus Ii is tonically activated and counters the repolarizing, outward, potassium currents during fast firing. At slower firing rates (e.g., primary-range firing), the pacemaker potential only partially enters the voltage range where Ii is activated, and this voltage range may not be entered at all the slowest firing rates. Cells in which Ii deteriorated could not be made to fire at fast rates although they could still fire at slow rates. 3. The use of two independent intracellular microelectrodes allowed accurate measurement of the somatic voltage at which spike initiation occurred ("firing level"). In all cells, firing level increased significantly as steady firing rate increased. During a given injected-current pulse, firing level also exhibited a more moderate variation with time. 4. The variation in firing level was caused by the accommodative properties of the axon initial segment. Except at the fastest firing rates, firing level occurs at less depolarized voltages than the somatic sodium conductance threshold. In addition, somatic sodium current shows minimal inactivation over the voltage range traversed by the pacemaker potentials during slower firing rates. An inactivation of about 50% is attained during the maximum firing rate. 5. We discuss the ways by which Ii activation and thr progressive rise in firing level influence motoneuron rhythmic firing. We propose that the basic role of Ii is to aid in maintaining a linear f-I curve, especially at faster firing rates. We hypothesize that the relative balance between persistent inward and outward ionic currents plays a major role in determining the f-I curve slope among different neurons and between primary- and secondary-range firing of cat lumbar motoneurons.
Fully Closed: Individual Responses to Realized Gains and Losses

We use transaction-level data of portfolio trades and holdings linked to checking, savings, and settlement account transactions and balances to explore how individuals respond to realized capital gains and losses. We exploit plausibly exogenous sales due to mutual fund liquidations for identification. Specifically, we estimate the marginal propensity to reinvest out of one dollar received from a forced liquidation, when the investor either achieved a gain or a loss relative to his or her initial investment. Theoretically, if individuals held optimized portfolios, the marginal propensity to reinvest out of forced sales should be 100%. Individuals should just reinvest all of their liquidity immediately into a fund with similar characteristics. Empirically, individuals reinvest 83% on average if the forced sale resulted in a gain, but only 40% in the event of a loss. If individuals do not reinvest, they keep a share of their newly found liquidity in cash, save it, or consume it. Such differential treatment of gains and losses is inconsistent with active rebalancing or tax considerations, but consistent with mental accounting and the idea that individuals treat realized losses differently than paper losses. We thus provide evidence for realization utility and effects (Barberis and Xiong, 2012; Imas, 2016) and that individuals do not appear to learn rationally from experiences in the stock market (Malmendier and Nagel, 2011; Koudijs and Voth, 2016).
Air Wars: Television Advertising in Election Campaigns, 1952-1996

Why did Bob Dole get blamed for attack ads in 1996? How did Bill Clinton successfully portray Senator Dole and Speaker Newt Gingrich as the Siamese twins of the 1996 elections? In this new, updated edition, Darrell West helps readers understand how candidates from Eisenhower and Johnson, to Bush and Clinton have used television advertising to influence voters and win elections.
Marketing HIV Prevention for Heterosexually Identified Latino Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women: The Hombres Sanos Campaign

This article describes the development process of Hombres Sanos, a social marketing campaign to promote HIV testing and condom use for heterosexually identified Latino men who have sex with men and women. The steps included qualitative formative research and a social marketing analytic framework to understand our target audience better, identify incentives and barriers to risk reduction, guide product development, define an optimal promotional campaign, and inform the selection of campaign platforms. A better grasp of the authors' target beneficiaries' needs and values led to an innovative dual strategy for audience segmentation and targeting. The campaign had consumer-centered, culturally sensitive, and theory-driven communication materials. The authors found communication materials and events to be appealing and effective. The campaign was well received among the wider community, and evaluation showed promising results among Latino men in general and among heterosexually identified Latino men who have sex with men and women in particular. The authors provide a step-by-step overview of the project's formative research, including research methods and findings, and how these were translated into a social marketing campaign. In addition, the authors discuss the challenges encountered in this process and the potential of social marketing to reduce HIV risk among Latinos.
Characteristics of substance-abusing women on welfare. Findings from the evaluation of CASAWORKS for Families pilot demonstration.

AIM To describe and compare the characteristics and needs of substance-abusing women on Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) who enroll in a multi-service "welfare to work" program (n = 673) with two other relevant groups: (a) women from the general TANF population in the same locales (n = 157) and (b) a sample of substance-abusing women on TANF who entered standard outpatient substance-abuse treatment programs (n = 520). DESIGN A field study with repeated measures and intent-to-treat sampling. INTERVENTION The CASAWORKS for Families (CWF) program was delivered in 11 sites in 9 states across the country. The CWF intervention featured integration of substance-abuse treatment and employment-work readiness services, using case management to tailor needed services (parenting, victimization, mental health, physical health, legal, and basic needs). MEASUREMENT The Addiction Severity Index, supplemented with subject-appropriate questions, was used at treatment admission. FINDINGS The CWF sample exhibited multiple serious problems in the areas of substance abuse, victimization, medical and psychiatric health, and basic needs. The severity of their lifetime problems and their recent service needs were significantly higher in all these areas, except physical health, than were those of the general welfare sample of women in the same locales. Compared with women on TANF from standard addiction-treatment programs, CWF women exhibited similar substance-use problems but generally more severe co-occurring problems.