Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
From illegal poison to legal medicine: a qualitative research in a heroin-prescription trial in Spain.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS In recent decades, studies have been made of the possible benefits of treatments using heroin, although qualitative methodologies have not usually been employed. In 2004, in Granada (Spain), a clinical experiment was launched: the Experimental Narcotics Prescription Programme in Andalusia (PEPSA). This project attempted to evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous heroin and orally-administered methadone prescription for long-term socially-excluded opiate addicts for whom other treatments have failed. The research described herein is qualitative and has been carried out within the framework of the aforementioned experiment. The objective was to discover the attitudes, opinions and experiences of patients (and relatives) once they had been included in the program and are receiving heroin in a therapeutic environment. DESIGN AND METHODS Focused ethnographic procedures were used to establish the study population. During the field work, we carried out in-depth interviews and observations using 21 patients and relatives. Analysis was carried out by a team according to grounded theory. RESULTS Our results show how the treatment process and the administering of heroin in a therapeutic context manages to break the habit of consuming heroin obtained illegally, thus changing the significance given to the substance and bringing about improvements in aspects such as the workplace, family relations and physical and mental health. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The move from 'substance addiction' to chronic 'illness' upon beginning the treatment provides a chance for a population with a long history of rejection and exclusion to become part of society once again.
Comparison of the 3 Different Injection Techniques Used in a Randomized Controlled Study Evaluating a Cross-Linked Sodium Hyaluronate Combined With Triamcinolone Hexacetonide (Cingal) for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Subgroup Analysis

A recent trial demonstrated that patients with knee osteoarthritis treated with a sodium hyaluronate and corticosteroid combination (Cingal) experienced greater pain reductions compared with those treated with sodium hyaluronate alone (Monovisc) or saline up to 3 weeks postinjection. In this study, injections were administered by 1 of 3 approaches; however, there is currently no consensus on which, if any, of these techniques produce a more favorable outcome. To provide additional insight on this topic, the results of the previous trial were reanalyzed to determine whether (1) the effect of Cingal was significant within each injection technique and (2) pain reductions were similar between injection techniques across all treatment groups. Greater pain reductions with Cingal up to 3 weeks were only significant in the anteromedial subgroup. Across all therapies, both the anteromedial and anterolateral techniques demonstrated significantly greater pain reductions than the lateral midpatellar approach at 18 and 26 weeks.
Impact of Aerosol Dust on xMAP Multiplex Detection of Different Class Pathogens

Environmental or city-scale bioaerosol surveillance can provide additional value for biodefense and public health. Efficient bioaerosol monitoring should rely on multiplex systems capable of detecting a wide range of biologically hazardous components potentially present in air (bacteria, viruses, toxins and allergens). xMAP technology from LuminexTM allows multiplex bead-based detection of antigens or nucleic acids, but its use for simultaneous detection of different classes of pathogens (bacteria, virus, toxin) is questionable. Another problem is the detection of pathogens in complex matrices, e.g., in the presence of dust. In the this research, we developed the model xMAP multiplex test-system aiRDeTeX 1.0, which enables detection of influenza A virus, Adenovirus type 6 Salmonella typhimurium, and cholera toxin B subunit representing RNA virus, DNA virus, gram-negative bacteria and toxin respectively as model organisms of biologically hazardous components potentially present in or spreadable through the air. We have extensively studied the effect of matrix solution (PBS, distilled water), environmental dust and ultrasound treatment for monoplex and multiplex detection efficiency of individual targets. All targets were efficiently detectable in PBS and in the presence of dust. Ultrasound does not improve the detection except for bacterial LPS.
Comparison of arterial and venous pH, bicarbonate, Pco2 and Po2 in initial emergency department assessment

Objective: To determine the agreement between arterial and venous samples in a pathologically diverse patient population presenting at an emergency department (ED) with a view to obviating the need for arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis in initial ED evaluation. Methods: Prospective study of 95 patients (69 males, 26 females, mean (SD) age 52 (1.6) years) with diverse medical conditions, presenting at a tertiary health centre ED and deemed by the treating physician to require an ABG analysis. Arterial and venous samples for gas analysis were taken as close in time to each other as possible. The data thus obtained were analysed for agreement between pH, Pco2, Po2 and bicarbonate using the Bland–Altman method. Results: The arterial and venous values of pH, bicarbonate and Pco2 show acceptably narrow 95% limits of agreement using the Bland–Altman method (0.13 to −0.1, 4.3 to −5.8 and 6.8 to −7.6, respectively). Agreement in Po2 measurements was poor (95% limits of agreement 145.3 to −32.9). Conclusion: Venous blood gas analysis for pH, bicarbonate and Pco2 may be a reliable substitute for ABG analysis in the initial evaluation of an adult patient population presenting to the ED.
Crowdsourcing-Based Business Models: How to Create and Capture Value

Technology has transformed individuals from mere consumers of products to empowered participants in value co-creation. While numerous firms experiment with involving a crowd in value creation, few companies turn crowdsourcing projects into thriving platforms with a powerful business model. To address this challenge, this article analyzes successful platforms to identify patterns of effective crowdsourcing-based business models. The results provide guidance for managers who need to create new (or adapt existing) business models.
International publication trends originating from anaesthetic departments from 2001 to 2015

The aim of this study was to analyse publication trends from the anaesthetic literature of the G‐20 countries. We performed a literature search in Medline to identify articles related to anaesthetic departments published between 2001 and 2015, by specific G‐20 countries according to the affiliation field of the authors, and to three time periods 2001–2005, 2006–2010 and 2011–2015. The number of articles, number of original articles (vs. reviews, editorials or correspondence), articles per million inhabitants, and citations per article were analysed. In total, 96,920 articles were published between 2001 and 2015 in 74 anaesthetic and in 4117 non‐anaesthetic journals, with an increase of +104% absolute (i.e. from 23,028 in 2001–05 to 46,887 articles ìn 2010–15) and +85% as articles per million inhabitants. Similarly, the number of original articles increased by 21%, but the anaesthetic specialty's share of original articles (as a proportion of total articles in biomedicine) decreased from 31% in 2001–2005 to 19% in 2011–2015 (−38%). The USA published most articles (2011–15 16,016; 31% of total), second came the EU as a whole and third Japan (from 2001 to 2005) or Germany (2006–2010) until 2011–2015 when China took over the third rank. In 2011–2015, Canada published most articles per million inhabitants (68.7 articles/million inhabitants). China and India exhibited the most publication growth 11‐ and 9‐fold, respectively, and are now among the top five countries for the number of published articles.
Tat acetylation regulates its actions on microtubule dynamics and apoptosis in T lymphocytes

The transactivator protein Tat of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) is known to suppress microtubule dynamics and thereby trigger apoptosis in T lymphocytes. These actions of Tat constitute one of the major mechanisms for the massive destruction of T lymphocytes associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Herein, we show that Tat acetylation at lysine‐28 (K28) enhances its interaction with microtubules and increases its activity to promote microtubule assembly, by lowering the critical concentration of tubulin for polymerization into microtubules. In addition, K28 acetylation enhances the ability of Tat to stabilize microtubules, leading to increased apoptosis in T lymphocytes. Our data further reveal that Tat acetylation at K28 stimulates its activity to induce the translocation of Bim, a pro‐apoptotic protein of the Bcl‐2 family, from microtubules to mitochondria. These findings provide the first evidence that Tat acetylation regulates its actions on microtubule dynamics and apoptosis, in addition to the regulation of its transactivation activity. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relationship of land use and elevated ionic strength in Appalachian watersheds

Coal mining activities have been implicated as sources that increase stream specific conductance in Central Appalachia. The present study characterized potential sources of elevated ionic strength for small subwatersheds within the Coal, Upper Kanawha, Gauley, and New Rivers in West Virginia. From a large monitoring data set developed by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, 162 < 20–km2‐watersheds were identified that had detailed land cover information in southwestern West Virginia with at least one water chemistry sample. Scatter plots of specific conductance were generated for nine land cover classifications: open water, agriculture, forest, residential, barren, total mining, valley fill, abandoned mine lands, and mining excluding valley fill and abandoned mine lands. Conductivity was negatively correlated with the percentage of forest area and positively associated with other land uses. In a multiple regression, the percentage of area in valley fill was the strongest contributor to increased ionic strength, followed by percentage of area in urban (residential/buildings) land use and other mining land use. Based on the 10th quantile regression, 300 µS/cm was exceeded at 3.3% of area in valley fill. In most catchments, HCO 3− and SO 42− concentrations were greater than Cl− concentration. These findings confirm coal mining activities as the primary source of high conductivity waters. Such activities might be redressed with the goal of protecting sources of dilute freshwater in the region. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:296–303. © 2012 SETAC
Mammalian-Transmissible H5N1 Virus: Containment Level and Case Fatality Ratio

Dr. Casadevall serves on the NSABB, and the views expressed in this Editorial do not represent official policy or those of the NSABB. In addition, the views expressed in this Editorial do not necessarily reflect the views of the journal or of ASM . The life sciences, and the field of microbiology in particular, are in the midst of an unprecedented debate regarding the risks posed by the publication of two studies that report the generation of mammalian-transmissible H5N1 virus in the laboratory. The controversy was precipitated when the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) advised the U.S. government that the best course of action was to seek a redaction of the manuscripts to delete important details that could be used for nefarious purposes (1, 2). In a recent issue, mBio published pro- and anti-NSABB decision commentaries (3–6) with the goal of informing the debate and the hope that airing these views would lead to the best decisions. At the time of this writing the issue remains unsettled, and a fierce debate is raging in government and academic circles on the best course of action. Even with the question of how to publish these studies unsettled, two …
The timing of marriage vis-à-vis coresidence and childbearing in Europe and the United States

textabstractOBJECTIVE These descriptive findings extend Holland's (2013) marriage typology by linking the timing of marriage, childbearing, and cohabitation, and apply it to a range of European countries and the United States. The meaning of marriage is organized around six ideal types: Direct Family-Forming, Post-Cohabitation Family-Forming, Conception-Related Legitimizing, Birth-Related Legitimizing, Reinforcing, and Capstone marriage. METHODS I present descriptive tabulations of data from the Harmonized Histories, covering 17 European countries and the United States, to highlight continuity and change in the context of marriage across the life course, cohorts, and countries. RESULTS Although smaller shares of women entered marriage at each age across cohorts, there is increasing diversity in the timing and context of marriage. Family-Forming marriage continues to be the majority marriage experience, but Direct Family-Forming marriage has declined and Post-Cohabitation Family-Forming marriage has increased in many contexts. Conception-Related Legitimizing marriages became more important in Central and Eastern Europe but less common in Western, Northern, and Anglo-Saxon countries. Limited evidence of growth in post-first-birth marriages suggests that childbearing intentions or a first conception continue to be important triggers for marriage, although this may be changing in Nordic, Anglo-Saxon, and some Western European countries. CONCLUSIONS While most people who marry do so prior to or in the absence of a first conception, increasingly marriage is not the first step in the family-building process. Still, for many women in diverse country contexts, marriage continues to be very closely linked to initiating childbearing.
[Association of interleukin-1 genetic polymorphism and CagA positive Helicobacter pylori with gastric cancer in Colombia].

BACKGROUND There is an association of interleukin (IL)1B polymorphism with gastric cancer risk. However systematic reviews of the existing evidence have shown that such association varies across populations with different genetic ancestry. AIM To evaluate the association of IL-1B-511 and IL-1RN polymorphism and Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies CagA, with gastric cancer in two Colombian cities located in a high risk area for gastric cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS A case-control study including 46 gastric cancer cases and 99 controls with non-atrophic gastritis from a high risk zone for gastric cancer. Polymorphism genotyping was carried out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and IgG CagA status by ELISA. RESULTS IgG CagA seropositive individuals had an increased gastric cancer risk (odds ratio (OR) = 11.56; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 2.62-50.91 in Tunja and OR = 19.66, 95%CI 0.98-395 in Bogotá). IL-1B-511TT carriers in Tunja had increased risk of gastric cancer (OR = 11.31; 95%CI 1.20-106.54)), while IL-1RN*2 alelle carriers in Bogotá showed an inverse association with gastric cancer risk (OR = 0.03; 95%CI 0.01-0.65). CONCLUSIONS This study adds evidence to the positive association of Helicobacter pylori CagA positive strains with non-cardial gastric cancer etiology. There is a possible heterogeneity in the association of IL-1B gene polymorphism with cancer, in populations of similar ethnic background and settled in the same risk area.
Innovative schedule of oral idarubicin in elderly patients with metastatic breast cancer: comprehensive results of a phase II multi-institutional study with pharmacokinetic drug monitoring.

BACKGROUND To determine if protracted low-dose oral idarubicin (IDA), feasible in a previous dose-finding study, would result in similar activity and a better toxicity profile in patients with metastatic breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Elderly women (> or=65 years) with metastatic breast carcinoma were treated with 7.5 mg/day for 21 consecutive days, every 4 weeks. After the first fourteen patients, due to excessive toxicity, the protocol was amended to 5 mg/day. IDA and Idarubicinol (IDOL) plasma concentrations (C(trough)) were investigated in all patients. RESULTS Between April 1999 and June 2004, 47 elderly patients were accrued in this two-part study (14 and 33 patients respectively). The median age was 74 and 75 years respectively. Visceral involvement was present in most patients. A partial response was noted in 7/31 patients (22%; 95% CI, 9.6-41.1%). Eleven patients had stable disease (33%). At the dose of 5 mg/day the treatment was well tolerated. Neutropenia grade 4 was present in only 6% of patients; alopecia > grade 1 and cardiotoxicity did not occur. The median time to progression was 3 months and the median overall survival was 17 months. IDA C(trough) and IDOL C(trough) levels were significantly associated with haematologic toxicity. CONCLUSION This study shows that idarubicin at the dose of 5 mg/day for 21 consecutive days is feasible and effective in elderly breast cancer patients but do not demonstrate an improvement in efficacy. A determination of the IDA and IDOL plasma levels (C(trough)) is predictive for toxicity.
Mineralogical microanalysis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

A mineralogical analysis of lung tissue was conducted on 25 samples from patients who had been diagnosed as having idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at low magnification and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (EDXA) was used. In all samples, the surface silicon/sulfur (Si/S) ratio was calculated. The Si/S ratio for 25 samples of normal lung and 6 samples of pneumoconiotic lung was also determined (upper limit of normal Si/S ratio = 0.3). The difference between the Si/S ratio in the group with IPF and group with normal lung tissue was significantly significant (p less than .007, Wilcoxon test). Six of 12 patients with a previous diagnosis of IPF and a Si/S ratio greater than 0.3 had an exposure history that could imply inhalation of silica/silicates, and the correct diagnosis for these patients is most probably pneumoconiosis. The silica/silicate deposits detected in patients with IPF, and who had a ratio and no past exposure to dusts, could be either a cause or an effect of the disease.
Protein kinase A‐dependent enhanced NMDA receptor function in pain‐related synaptic plasticity in rat amygdala neurones

Mechanisms of pain‐related plasticity in the amygdala, a key player in emotionality, were studied at the cellular and molecular levels in a model of arthritic pain. The influence of the arthritis pain state induced in vivo on synaptic transmission and N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor function was examined in vitro using whole‐cell voltage‐clamp recordings of neurones in the latero‐capsular part of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), which is now defined as the ‘nociceptive amygdala’. Synaptic transmission was evoked by electrical stimulation of afferents from the pontine parabrachial area (part of the spino‐parabrachio‐amygdaloid pain pathway) in brain slices from control rats and from arthritic rats. This study shows that pain‐related synaptic plasticity is accompanied by protein kinase A (PKA)‐mediated enhanced NMDA‐receptor function and increased phosphorylation of NMDA‐receptor 1 (NR1) subunits. Synaptic plasticity in the arthritis pain model, but not normal synaptic transmission in control neurones, was inhibited by a selective NMDA receptor antagonist. Accordingly, an NMDA receptor‐mediated synaptic component was recorded in neurones from arthritic animals, but not in control neurones, and was blocked by inhibition of PKA but not protein kinase C (PKC). Exogenous NMDA evoked a larger inward current in neurones from arthritic animals than in control neurones, indicating a postsynaptic effect. Paired‐pulse facilitation, a measure of presynaptic mechanisms, was not affected by an NMDA‐receptor antagonist. Increased levels of phosphorylated NR1 protein, but not of total NR1, were measured in the CeA of arthritic rats compared to controls. Our results suggest that pain‐related synaptic plasticity in the amygdala involves a critical switch of postsynaptic NMDA receptor function through PKA‐dependent NR1 phosphorylation.
Interindividual variability in nasal filtration as a function of nasal cavity geometry.

BACKGROUND Interindividual variability in nasal filtration is significant due to interindividual differences in nasal anatomy and breathing rate. Two important consequences arise from this variation among humans. First, devices for nasal drug delivery may furnish quite different doses in the nasal passages of different individuals, leading to different responses to therapeutic treatment. Second, people with poor nasal filtration may be more susceptible to adverse health effects when exposed to airborne particulate matter (PM) due to greater lung deposition. Although interindividual variability of nasal filtration has been reported by several authors, a relationship for predicting filtration efficiency from nasal anatomy and ventilation is still lacking. Such a relationship is needed to (1) devise nasal drug delivery systems and (2) define limits of exposure to PM that are effective for the human population at large. METHODS Anatomically correct nasal replicas of five adults (four healthy individuals and one atrophic rhinitis patient) were used in aerosol experiments to measure nasal deposition of 1-12-microm particles. The dependence of nasal filtration on nasal anatomy and breathing rate was investigated using various definitions of the Stokes number as well as phenomenological Impaction Parameters proposed in the literature. RESULTS Interindividual variability among the healthy adults was nearly eliminated when nasal filtration was plotted against a specific definition of the Stokes number or against a pressure-based Impaction Parameter. Nasal filtration in the atrophic rhinitis patient was lower than in the healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS The new definition of the Stokes number introduced in this study, which is based on a new definition of the characteristic diameter of the nasal passages, nearly eliminated interindividual differences in nasal filtration. Our results suggest that it is possible to estimate nasal filtering efficiency using measurements of transnasal pressure drop.