Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Managing fatigue following spinal cord injury: A qualitative exploration

Purpose. To identify, from the perspectives of people with spinal cord injury (SCI), (a) appropriate components of a fatigue management programme; and (b) important outcomes or indicators of success. Method. Collaborative, qualitative methodology comprising four focus groups undertaken simultaneously in Kelowna, Prince George, Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Participants included a purposive sample of 21 men and women with complete and incomplete SCI of high and low tetraplegia and paraplegia. Two family members, two care-providing assistants and four occupational therapists provided additional information (total n = 29). Interpretive data analysis identified common themes addressing each research question. Results. Building on those strategies they perceived to facilitate coping with fatigue, the participants identified 10 components of a helpful fatigue management programme. Dimensions of ‘successful’ outcomes from such a programme reflected quality of life concerns: enabling people with SCI to do the things they value, enhancing their sense of control over their lives, reducing pain and helplessness, increasing motivation and enhancing relationships strained by fatigue. Conclusions. This study identifies many of the necessary elements of a fatigue management programme to meet the specific needs of people with SCI; and ascertains important indicators of a successful programme from the perspectives of those who must live with the outcomes.
Analysis of Primary and Secondary Influences on Spatial Neglect

When attempting to determine the middle of a line, patients with neglect deviate from true center. Deviation may be induced by perceptual-attentional bias, premotor-intentional bias, or both. Using a video-based apparatus, we decoupled perceptual from premotor influences on line bisection performance in patients with hemispatial neglect to examine (a) the relationship between primary and secondary bias and (b) the relationship of bias type to lesion location. The same video-based procedure was applied to target cancellation to determine if neglect type varied as a function of task. Primary attentional-perceptual bias was found using line bisection in 14/26 subjects, most of whom had lesions involving the posterior hemisphere. Primary premotor-intentional bias on line bisection was more often associated with lesions of frontal-subcortical structures. The neglect type determined by the bisection task agreed with the results of target cancellation in most cases. Secondary bias was determined based upon whether decoupling decreased the magnitude of bisection error (concordant), increased error (discordant), or produced no significant change. Most patients showed a secondary bias, with 12/26 in the discordant group and 11/26 in the concordant group. Discordant secondary bias was more common in premotor-intentional neglect (10/12) than in perceptual-attentional neglect (2/14), whereas concordant bias was more common in the latter group (10/14) compared to the former (1/12). The nonrandom relationship between primary and secondary bias may provide a more detailed description of ways in which anatomically separate components of a cortical network contribute to spatial processing under conditions of perceptuomotor incongruity.
A simple, safe technique for the drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts

Background: A number of methods are available for the drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts, including percutaneous, endoscopic and open approaches. In Leicester, we developed a combined radiological and endoscopic technique (predating the use of endoscopic/ultrasound) to allow drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts into the stomach. The aim of the study was to evaluate the long‐term results of this approach.
Mortality (1968–2008) in a French cohort of uranium enrichment workers potentially exposed to rapidly soluble uranium compounds

Objectives Until recently, enrichment of uranium for civil and military purposes in France was carried out by gaseous diffusion using rapidly soluble uranium compounds. We analysed the relationship between exposure to soluble uranium compounds and exposure to external γ-radiation and mortality in a cohort of 4688 French uranium enrichment workers who were employed between 1964 and 2006. Methods Data on individual annual exposure to radiological and non-radiological hazards were collected for workers of the AREVA NC, CEA and Eurodif uranium enrichment plants from job-exposure matrixes and external dosimetry records, differentiating between natural, enriched and depleted uranium. Cause-specific mortality was compared with the French general population via standardised mortality ratios (SMR), and was analysed via Poisson regression using log-linear and linear excess relative risk models. Results Over the period of follow-up, 131 161 person-years at risk were accrued and 21% of the subjects had died. A strong healthy worker effect was observed: all causes SMR=0.69, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.74. SMR for pleural cancer was significantly increased (2.3, 95% CI 1.06 to 4.4), but was only based on nine cases. Internal uranium and external γ-radiation exposures were not significantly associated with any cause of mortality. Conclusions This is the first study of French uranium enrichment workers. Although limited in statistical power, further follow-up of this cohort, estimation of internal uranium doses and pooling with similar cohorts should elucidate potential risks associated with exposure to soluble uranium compounds.
Influence of several root canal disinfection methods on pushout bond strength of self-etch post and core systems.

AIM To determine the effect of four root canal disinfection protocols (2.5% sodium hypochlorite, 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate, gaseous ozone and Nd : YAG laser) on the pushout bond strength of a self-etch post and core system. METHODOLOGY Sixty anterior single-rooted permanent human teeth were used. Root canals were instrumented with ProTaper instruments (Dentsply Maillefer; Ballaigues, Switzerland). Roots were divided into four groups (n = 15 each) according to the final disinfection protocol: sodium hypochlorite, chlorhexidine gluconate, gaseous ozone and Nd:YAG laser. Fibre-reinforced composite post preparations were created in previously filled root canals, and posts cemented according to the manufacturer's instructions. Roots were then uniformly sectioned and prepared for the pushout bond strength testing in a universal testing machine. One-way anova with post hoc Scheffe test was used for statistical analysis. SEM imaging of one sample from each group was made. RESULTS The only significant difference (P = 0.004) was observed between sodium hypochlorite irrigation, which was associated with the lowest bond strength, and Nd:YAG laser irradiation, which provided the highest bond strength. There was no difference between root canal pre-treatment with sodium hypochlorite, gaseous ozone and chlorhexidine, nor between gaseous ozone, chlorhexidine and Nd : YAG laser. CONCLUSION Sodium hypochlorite irrigation was associated with the lowest bond strength values and Nd : YAG laser irradiation with the highest bond strength values for a self-etch post and core system bonded to root canal dentine.
Confeito-like assembly of organosilicate-caged fluorophores: ultrabright suprananoparticles for fluorescence imaging

We report ultrabright, photostable, sub-25 nm nanoparticle agglomerates (suprananoparticles) assembled from a few hundred 3.3 ± 0.9 nm units, each hosting on average a single rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) dye molecule encased in a thin organosilicate cage. These individual Rh6G-doped nanoparticle (DOSNP) units consist of a hydrophobic core containing the dye and an ultrathin, conformal silicate shell modified by CO2 plasma to confer a beneficial ‘cage effect’ as well as surface hydrophilicity. The isolation of the dye within individual DOSNP units in the final 22 ± 5 nm agglomerate avoids dimerization and related spontaneous molecular interactions that otherwise lead to self-quenching in closely co-localized fluorophores. The resulting suprananoparticles are over 200 times brighter than the free Rh6G molecules in the same volume. There is no observable dye leaching, and the labels are 20-fold more resistant to photobleaching than free Rh6G in solution. We demonstrate the attractive features of DOSNPs as labels in bioimaging applications.
Adipokines in umbilical cord blood from children born large for gestational age

Abstract Background: The etiology of childhood obesity and the associated morbidity is multifactorial. Recently, data suggesting a prenatal programming towards later childhood obesity and metabolic deregulation through the intrauterine environment has emerged. This study explored the concentrations of adipokines and their mutual relationship at birth in children born to non-diabetic mothers. Methods: Adiponectin, leptin and sOB-R were measured using ELISA-based commercial kits in umbilical cord blood from 60 neonates (30 born large for gestational age [LGA] and 30 born appropriate for gestational age [AGA]). Children exposed to maternal diabetes, chronic disease and preeclampsia were excluded. Results: The LGA group exhibited significantly elevated concentrations of leptin (p<0.001) and of free leptin index (p<0.001) and decreased sOB-R concentrations (p=0.005) when compared to the AGA group, which persisted in multiple regression analysis after taking the gestational age into account (p=0.048, p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Only a trend towards a difference in adiponectin was demonstrated (p=0.057) regardless of adjustment (p=0.150). However, the leptin/adiponectin ratio was elevated in the LGA group (p=0.008), regardless of adjustment (p=0.039). Conclusion: The data indicate a disturbance of adipokines in macrosomic newborns and that the mutual ratios between adipokines may provide a more sensitive marker of metabolic disturbance than any isolated adipokine.
Relative sensitivity to alfentanil and reliability of current perception threshold vs von Frey tactile stimulation and thermal sensory testing

Abstract Recent technological advances claim to allow quantitative measurement of the functional integrity of both large and small diameter sensory nerve fibers using the current perception threshold (CPT) sensory testing device. This device has yet to be validated against the corresponding gold standard references for sensory testing (thermal sensory testing [TST]) and von Frey tactile hair stimulation [VF]) to correlate its evaluation of similar sensory nerve perceptions. A baseline neurosensory examination using the CPT, TST and VF methods was performed on 19 healthy volunteers. Using a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled design, each subject received an alfentanil or diphenhydramine (as a placebo control) infusion in separate study sessions. The order of the study sessions was randomized and separated by 1 week. The 3 neurosensory examinations were repeated at 3 different targeted plasma levels of study drug. Changes in neurosensory thresholds were then compared between the 3 methods. All CPT measurements and the cold pain measurement showed a significantly higher degree of variability than the other TST and VF measurements. There appeared to be a correlation between the CPT 5 Hz pain threshold and the TST cold pain and warm sensation; intravenous alfentanil significantly elevated all 3 detection thresholds. In addition, there was no effect of alfentanil on the VF or the CPT 2000 Hz thresholds. However, we did not see the predicted relation between the 250 Hz CPT stimulus and cool sensation. From these studies, there is some evidence that similar fiber tracts may be measured between the CPT, TST, and VF methods, especially with the CPT 5 Hz measures and C‐fiber tract activity.
Dextromethorphan decreases the excitability of the human motor cortex

Objective: To assess the acute effects of dextromethorphan (DM) on human motor cortical excitability. Background: DM, a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, has recently attracted clinical interest for its potential as a neuroprotective agent in various models of excitotoxicity. We were interested in learning whether this drug can modulate the excitability of the motor cortex in healthy subjects. Methods: The effects of DM on the excitability of the normal human motor cortex were studied in eight healthy volunteers by means of focal transcranial magnetic stimulation before and 1.5, 4, 6.5, and 24 hours after a single oral dose of 150 mg DM. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded from the relaxed abductor digiti minimi muscle. Measures of motor cortical excitability were motor threshold, MEP recruitment, duration of the cortical silent period, and intracortical inhibition and facilitation. In addition, the authors explored spinal and neuromuscular excitability by means of F waves, duration of the peripheral silent period, and maximum M wave. Results: Intracortical inhibition increased temporarily, intracortical facilitation decreased, and the cortical silent period lengthened slightly. Motor threshold, MEP recruitment, and spinal and peripheral motor excitability were not affected significantly. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that DM can exert a significant suppression of the excitatory drive in the normal human cortex, which may be relevant for its potential therapeutic use in excitotoxicity-related neurologic disease. Furthermore, the noninvasive technique described may prove useful in preclinical studies to assess the effects on motor cortical excitability induced by new modulators of glutamatergic transmission currently under development.
Intubation of pediatric trauma patients in the field: predictor of negative outcome despite risk stratification.

BACKGROUND Recently, evidence has shown that intubation in the field may not improve or may even adversely affect outcomes. Our objective was to analyze outcomes in pediatric intubated trauma patients using a large national pediatric trauma registry. METHODS The patient population was derived from the last phase of the National Pediatric Trauma Registry, comprising admissions from 1994 through 2002. Intubated patients were identified, as was their place of intubation: in the field, at a hospital that was not a trauma center, and at a trauma center. Risk stratification was performed for mortality using logistic regression models and variables available at presentation to the emergency room. Odds ratio and variable significance were calculated from the logistic regression model. The percentage of patients discharged to home and an abnormal Functional Independence Measure at hospital discharge examined functional outcome of survivors. RESULTS There were a total of 50,199 patients, 5460 (11.6%) of whom were intubated (1,930 in the field, 1,654 in the hospital, and 1,876 in a trauma center). Unadjusted mortality rates for intubated patients were as follows: field, 38.5%; hospital, 16.7%; and trauma center, 13.2% (all different, p < 0.05). The developed logistic regression model had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.98. Compared with nonintubated patients, the odds ratio for field intubation, for non-trauma center, and for trauma center intubation was 14.4, 5.8, and 4.8, respectively (significantly different field vs. either hospital). The actual (observed) death rate was significantly higher than predicted in those intubated in the field. Stratification of injury by New Injury Severity Score or degree of head injury showed that this difference extended from mild to severe (e.g., odds ratio for New Injury Severity Score < 15 field vs. trauma center intubation, 12.3; odds ratio for none or moderate head injury, 5.1). Similar results were obtained for functional outcome in the survivors. CONCLUSION Field intubation is an independent strong negative predictor of survival or good functional outcome despite adjustment for severity of injury. Although not causal, the magnitude of these differences should lead to future controlled studies of pediatric trauma field intubations.
Protein Phosphatases 1 and 2A Dephosphorylate B‐50 in Presynaptic Plasma Membranes from Rat Brain

The protein B‐50 is dephosphorylated in rat cortical synaptic plasma membranes (SPM) by protein phospha‐tase type 1 and 2A (PP‐1 and PP‐2A)‐like activities. The present studies further demonstrate that B‐50 is dephosphorylated not only by a spontaneously active PP‐1‐like enzyme, but also by a latent form after pretreatment of SPM with 0.2 mM cobalt/20 μg of trypsin/ml. The activity revealed by cobalt/trypsin was inhibited by inhibitor‐2 and by high concentrations (μM) of okadaic acid, identifying it as a latent form of PP‐1. In the presence of inhibitor‐2 to block PP‐1, histone H1 (16–64 μg/ml) and spermine (2 mM) increased B‐50 dephosphorylation. This sensitivity to poly‐cations and the reversal of their effects on B‐50 dephosphorylation by 2 nM okadaic acid are indicative of PP‐2A‐like activity. PP‐1‐ and PP‐2A‐like activities from SPM were further displayed by using exogenous phosphorylase a and histone H1 as substrates. Both PP‐1 and PP‐2A in rat SPM were immunologically identified with monospecific antibodies against the C‐termini of catalytic subunits of rabbit skeletal muscle PP‐1 and PP‐2A. Okadaic acid‐induced alteration of B‐50 phosphorylation, consistent with inhibition of protein phosphatase activity, was demonstrated in rat cortical synaptosomes after immunoprecipitation with affinity‐purified anti‐B‐50 immunoglobulin G. These results provide further evidence that SPM‐bound PP‐1 and PP‐2A‐like enzymes that share considerable similarities with their cytosolic counterparts may act as physiologically important phosphatases for B‐50.
The connubial crucible: newlywed years as predictors of marital delight, distress, and divorce.

This study showed that couples' newlywed marriages and changes in their union over the first 2 years foreshadow their long-term marital fate after 13 years. Consistent with the enduring dynamics model, differences in the intensity of newlyweds' romance as well as the extent to which they expressed negative feelings toward each other predicted (a) whether or not they were happy 13 years later (among those who stayed married) and (b) how long their marriage lasted prior to separation (for those who divorced). The results provide little support for the idea that emergence of distress (e.g., increasing negativity) early in marriage leads to marital failure but instead show that disillusionment--as reflected in an abatement of love, a decline in overt affection, a lessening of the conviction that one's spouse is responsive, and an increase in ambivalence--distinguishes couples headed for divorce from those who establish a stable marital bond.
Overcoming translational barriers impeding development of Alzheimer's disease modifying therapies

It has now been ~ 30 years since the Alzheimer's disease (AD) research entered what may be termed the ‘molecular era’ that began with the identification of the amyloid β protein (Aβ) as the primary component of amyloid within senile plaques and cerebrovascular amyloid and the microtubule‐associated protein tau as the primary component of neurofibrillary tangles in the AD brain. These pivotal discoveries and the subsequent genetic, pathological, and modeling studies supporting pivotal roles for tau and Aβ aggregation and accumulation have provided firm rationale for a new generation of AD therapies designed not to just provide symptomatic benefit, but as disease modifying agents that would slow or even reverse the disease course. Indeed, over the last 20 years numerous therapeutic strategies for disease modification have emerged, been preclinically validated, and advanced through various stages of clinical testing. Unfortunately, no therapy has yet to show significant clinical disease modification. In this review, I describe 10 translational barriers to successful disease modification, highlight current efforts addressing some of these barriers, and discuss how the field could focus future efforts to overcome barriers that are not major foci of current research efforts.
Aneuploidy studies in human cells exposed in vitro to GSM-900 MHz radiofrequency radiation using FISH

Purpose: Since previous research found an increase in the rate of aneuploidies in human lymphocytes exposed to radiofrequencies, it seems important to perform further studies. The objective of this study was then to investigate whether the exposure to RF (radiofrequency) radiation similar to that emitted by mobile phones of a second generation standard, i.e., Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) may induce aneuploidy in cultured human cells. Materials and methods: The potential induction of genomic instability by GSM-900 MHz radiofrequency (GSM-900) was investigated after in vitro exposure of human amniotic cells for 24 h to average-specific absorption rates (SAR) of 0.25, 1, 2 and 4 W/kg in the temperature range of 36.3–39.7°C. The exposures were carried out in a wire-patch cell (WPC). The rate of aneuploidy of chromosomes 11 and 17 was determined by interphase FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridisation) immediately after independent exposure of three different donors for 24 h. At least 100 interphase cells were analysed per assay. Results: No significant change in the rate of aneuploidy of chromosomes 11 and 17 was found following exposure to GSM-900 for 24 h at average SAR up to 4 W/kg. Conclusion: Our study did not show any in vitro aneuploidogenic effect of GSM using FISH and is not in agreement with the results of previous research.
Epidemiology of illicit drug use disorders in Iran: prevalence, correlates, comorbidity and service utilization results from the Iranian Mental Health Survey.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Drug abuse is a significant social and public health problem in Iran. The present study aimed to provide prevalence estimates and information on correlates of illicit drug use disorder and opioid dependence, as well as service use for these disorders in Iran. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS This report is based on the Iranian household Mental Health Survey (IranMHS) conducted in 2011. A three-stage probability sampling was employed. Face-to-face interviews by trained psychologists were carried out with a nationally representative sample of 7841 individuals (3366 men and 4475 women) aged 15-64 years. MEASUREMENTS The Composite International Diagnostic Interview and questionnaires for socio-demographic correlates and service use. FINDINGS The prevalence of 12-month use disorders for any illicit drug according to DSM-IV and DSM-5 criteria were 2.09% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.70-2.47%] and 2.44% (95% CI = 2.03-2.85%), respectively. Opioid use disorders, and opium in particular, were the most common use disorder. The odds of drug use disorders were greater in men than in women, in previously married participants than in currently or never married participants, and in participants with lower socio-economic status than in those with higher socio-economic status (all P-values <0.05). Approximately half of those with drug use disorders and 40% with opioid dependence had a 12-month unmet need for treatment. Self-help groups were the most common type of service used, followed by obtaining medication from pharmacies directly and outpatient treatment services. CONCLUSIONS Opioid use disorders are the most common type of drug use disorders in Iran, setting Iran apart from many other countries. Patterns of service use suggest a large unmet need for drug use disorder treatment in Iran.