Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Implications for Training on Smartphone Medication Reminder App Use by Adults With Chronic Conditions: Pilot Study Applying the Technology Acceptance Model

Background The majority of middle-aged to older patients with chronic conditions report forgetting to take medications as prescribed. The promotion of patients’ smartphone medication reminder app (SMRA) use shows promise as a feasible and cost-effective way to support their medication adherence. Providing training on SMRA use, guided by the technology acceptance model (TAM), could be a promising intervention to promote patients’ app use. Objective The aim of this pilot study was to (1) assess the feasibility of an SMRA training session designed to increase patients’ intention to use the app through targeting perceived usefulness of app, perceived ease of app use, and positive subjective norm regarding app use and (2) understand the ways to improve the design and implementation of the training session in a hospital setting. Methods A two-group design was employed. A total of 11 patients older than 40 years (median=58, SD=9.55) and taking 3 or more prescribed medications took part in the study on one of two different dates as participants in either the training group (n=5) or nontraining group (n=6). The training group received an approximately 2-hour intervention training session designed to target TAM variables regarding one popular SMRA, the Medisafe app. The nontraining group received an approximately 2-hour control training session where the participants individually explored Medisafe app features. Each training session was concluded with a one-time survey and a one-time focus group. Results Mann-Whitney U tests revealed that the level of perceived ease of use (P=.13) and the level of intention to use an SMRA (P=.33) were higher in the training group (median=7.00, median=6.67, respectively) than in the nontraining group (median=6.25, median=5.83). However, the level of perceived usefulness (U=4.50, Z=−1.99, P=.05) and the level of positive subjective norm (P=.25) were lower in the training group (median=6.50, median=4.29) than in the nontraining group (median=6.92, median=4.50). Focus groups revealed the following participants’ perceptions of SMRA use in the real-world setting that the intervention training session would need to emphasize in targeting perceived usefulness and positive subjective norm: (1) the participants would find an SMRA to be useful if they thought the app could help address specific struggles in medication adherence in their lives and (2) the participants think that their family members (or health care providers) might view positively the participants’ SMRA use in primary care settings (or during routine medical checkups). Conclusions Intervention training session, guided by TAM, appeared feasible in targeting patients’ perceived ease of use and, thereby, increasing intention to use an SMRA. Emphasizing the real-world utility of SMRA, the training session could better target patients’ perceived usefulness and positive subjective norm that are also important in increasing their intention to use the app.
Where Did You Serve? Veteran Identity, Representative Bureaucracy, and Vocational Rehabilitation

• In this study, the first to examine the link between veteran status of program counselors and veterans’ views of the VA vocational rehabilitation programs, researchers interviewed 11 veteran rehabilitation counselors (VRCs) and examined a sample of veterans who had utilized veteran rehabilitation and employment services. • VRCs reported that the relationship between counselors and clients was a key determinant in how well a client performs in the program, and that many clients will either ask counselors about veteran status, or request counselors who are veterans. • Veteran counselors were reported by veteran clients to be more caring, explain things more clearly, care about the client’s individual needs, respect the client and be more responsive to client needs. Veteran clients with veteran counselors were up to 7% more likely to report a positive outcome, and those with veteran counselors were 5.9% more likely to report being satisfied with the program.
Personality and Psychological Factors as Predictors of Disordered Eating Among Female Collegiate Athletes

This article examined the relationship of perfectionism, psychological well-being (self-esteem and optimism), reasons for exercising and appearance orientation to eating disorder classification among 204 female collegiate athletes. Multivariate analyses showed that only self-esteem, exercising to improve appearance and be more attractive, and appearance orientation differentiated significantly between the symptomatic/eating disordered athletes and those who were asymptomatic. No differences existed between the two groups of athletes on perfectionism, optimism, or exercising for fitness/health. For athletes, self-esteem, appearance orientation and exercising to be attractive and improve appearance were most important for understanding their level of disordered eating.
A comparison of statistical and connectionist models for the prediction of chronicity in a surgical intensive care unit

ObjectiveTo compare statistical and connectionist models for the prediction of chronicity which is influenced by patient disease and external factors. DesignRetrospective development of predictive criteria and subsequent prospective testing of the same predictive criteria, using multiple logistic regression and three architecturally distinct neural networks; revision of predictive criteria. SettingSurgical intensive care unit (ICU) equipped with a clinical information system in a 1000-bed university hospital. PatientsFour hundred ninety-one patients with ICU length of stay 3 days who survived at least an additional 4 days. InterventionsNone. Measurements and Main ResultsChronicity was defined as a length of stay >7 days. Neural networks predicted chronicity more reliably than the statistical model regardless of the former's architecture. However, the neural networks' ability to predict this chronicity degraded over time. ConclusionsConnectionist models may contribute to the prediction of clinical trajectory, including outcome and resource utilization, in surgical ICUs. (Crit Care Med 1994; 22:750–762)
The Relationship Between Muscle Action and Repetition Maximum on the Squat and Bench Press in Men and Women

Abstract Flanagan, SD, Mills, MD, Sterczala, AJ, Mala, J, Comstock, BA, Szivak, TK, DuPont, WH, Looney, DP, McDermott, DM, Hooper, DR, White, MT, Dunn-Lewis, C, Volek, JS, Maresh, CM, and Kraemer, WJ. The relationship between muscle action and repetition maximum on the squat and bench press in men and women. J Strength Cond Res 28(9): 2437–2442, 2014—The relationship between muscle action and fatigue is not well understood, especially in terms of potential sex-specific differences. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether a different number of repetitions could be performed on the individual muscle actions of the bench press and squat in men and women. Ten resistance-trained men (n = 10; age, 25.2 ± 1.2 years; height, 178.6 ± 8.8 cm; weight, 91.4 ± 18.1 kg; body fat, 12.7 ± 3.6%) and women (n = 10; age, 25.4 ± 2.4 years; height, 164 ± 4.0 cm; weight, 58.45 ± 3.3 kg; body fat, 20.8 ± 1.5%) participated in this balanced and randomized within-group study. Using 85% of a 1 repetition maximum, over the course of 3 visits, subjects performed 1 eccentric (ECC), concentric (CON), or combined (COMB) set to failure on the squat and bench press. Differences in muscle action and sex-specific number of repetitions to failure were compared on the squat and bench press, where significance was p ⩽ 0.05. Across both exercises and sex, we observed significant differences between each of the 3 muscle actions, where the number of repetitions decreased from ECC to COMB to CON. While no sex-specific differences were observed in the squat, women performed significantly more repetitions on the ECC and CON muscle actions of the bench press. Men performed more combined repetitions, however, indicating a greater reliance on the stretch-shortening cycle. Different muscle actions contribute uniquely to the successful performance of a lift and fatigue. These contributions appear to differ in men and women.
The Media and Firm Reputation Roles in Corporate Governance Improvements: Lessons from European Dual Class Share Unifications

We study to what extent media pressure and firm's reputational concerns encourage corporate governance improvements. Our test sample comprises 72 European dual-class-shares firms that voluntarily unified their shares into a single class. We find that when the press' anti-dual-class-shares sentiment intensifies, the dual class firms' market valuation discount deepens, and the rate of unifications increases. We also show that dual-class firms that are more sensitive to public image (firms on the eve of an equity offering, and firms that invest more in Corporate Social Responsibility activities) are more likely to unify their dual class shares.
Burden of acute gastrointestinal illness in Denmark 2009: a population-based telephone survey

SUMMARY A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted in Denmark throughout 2009 to determine the incidence of acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI). Using the Danish population register, a random population sample stratified by gender and age groups was selected and mobile or landline phone numbers found. Representative numbers of interviews were performed by gender, age group and month. A recently proposed international case definition of AGI, including cases with diarrhoea and/or vomiting in a 4-week recall period, was used. A total of 1853 individuals were included and 206 (11·1%) fulfilled the case definition; 78% reported diarrhoea. This corresponds to an overall standardized incidence rate of 1·4 (95% CI 1·2–1·6) episodes of AGI per person-year. The incidence rate was generally higher in the younger age groups; only being 2·3, 1·9 and 0·80 per person-year in the 0–9, 10–39 and ⩾40 years age groups, respectively. The incidence rate estimates were considerably higher when calculated from shorter recall periods.
Fontolizumab, a humanised anti-interferon γ antibody, demonstrates safety and clinical activity in patients with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease

Introduction: Interferon γ is a potent proinflammatory cytokine implicated in the inflammation of Crohn’s disease (CD). We evaluated the safety and efficacy of fontolizumab, a humanised anti-interferon γ antibody, in patients with moderate to severe CD. Methods: A total of 133 patients with Crohn’s disease activity index (CDAI) scores between 250 and 450, inclusive, were randomised to receive placebo or fontolizumab 4 or 10 mg/kg. Forty two patients received one dose and 91 patients received two doses on days 0 and 28. Investigators and patients were unaware of assignment. Study end points were safety, clinical response (decrease in CDAI of 100 points or more), and remission (CDAI ⩽150). Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the primary end point of the study (clinical response) between the fontolizumab and placebo groups after a single dose at day 28. However, patients receiving two doses of fontolizumab demonstrated doubling in response rate at day 56 compared with placebo: 32% (9/28) versus 69% (22/32, p = 0.02) and 67% (21/31, p = 0.03) for the placebo, and 4 and 10 mg/kg fontolizumab groups, respectively. Stratification according to elevated baseline C reactive protein levels resulted in a decreased placebo response and pronounced differences in clinical benefit. Two grade 3 adverse events were reported and were considered to be related to CD. One death (during sleep) and one serious adverse event (an elective hospitalisation) occurred, both considered unrelated. Conclusion: Treating active CD with fontolizumab was well tolerated and resulted in increased rates of clinical response and remission compared with placebo.
Virological, intracellular and plasma pharmacological parameters predicting response to lopinavir/ritonavir (KALEPHAR Study)

Objectives: To assess the impact of HIV-1 protease mutations and intracellular and plasma lopinavir minimum concentrations (Cmin) on virological success or failure on lopinavir/ritonavir-containing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Design: HIV-1-infected HAART-experienced patients included in an observational study, received lopinavir/ritonavir (400/100 mg twice a day) plus two to three nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) or one NRTI plus one non-NRTI. A viral load less than 50 copies/ml at month 6 defined virological success. Methods: Intracellular and plasma lopinavir concentrations were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography with mass-spectrometry detection. Reverse transcriptase and protease genes were sequenced at baseline and the time of virological failure. Results: When the 38 patients started the lopinavir/ritonavir-based regimen, baseline median (25–75th percentile) values were: CD4 cell count 218 cells/μl (133–477); plasma HIV-1-RNA load 5.3 log10 copies/ml (3.8–5.1); number of lopinavir mutations four per protease gene (two to six). Univariate analysis associated virological success or failure at month 6 (21/38 patients) with the number of baseline lopinavir mutations, intracellular and plasma lopinavir Cmin, and the genotype inhibitory quotient (GIQ) at months 1 and 6. Multivariate analysis showed that the number of baseline lopinavir mutations and intracellular and plasma lopinavir Cmin were independently associated with virological success or failure. We defined the most discriminating intracellular and plasma lopinavir Cmin efficacy thresholds (8 and 4 μg/ml, respectively) and GIQ thresholds (1 and 3, respectively). Conclusion: The monitoring of lopinavir/rironavir-based HAART efficacy should include the number of baseline lopinavir/ritonavir mutations, intracellular and plasma lopinavir Cmin and GIQ calculation.
Percentage of US emergency department patients seen within the recommended triage time: 1997 to 2006.

BACKGROUND The wait time to see a physician in US emergency departments (EDs) is increasing and may differentially affect patients with varied insurance status and racial/ethnic backgrounds. METHODS Using a stratified random sampling of 151 999 visits, representing 539 million ED visits from 1997 to 2006, we examined trends in the percentage of patients seen within the triage target time by triage category (emergent, urgent, semiurgent, and nonurgent), payer type, and race/ethnicity. RESULTS The percentage of patients seen within the triage target time declined a mean of 0.8% per year, from 80.0% in 1997 to 75.9% in 2006 (P < .001). The percentage of patients seen within the triage target time declined 2.3% per year for emergent patients (59.2% to 48.0%; P < .001) compared with 0.7% per year for semiurgent patients (90.6% to 84.7%; P < .001). In 2006, the adjusted odds of being seen within the triage target time were 30% lower than in 1997 (odds ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.55-0.89). The adjusted odds of being seen within the triage target time were 87% lower (odds ratio, 0.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.11-0.15) for emergent patients compared with semiurgent patients. Patients of each payment type experienced similar decreases in the percentage seen within the triage target over time (P for interaction = .24), as did patients of each racial/ethnic group (P = .05). CONCLUSIONS The percentage of patients in the ED who are seen by a physician within the time recommended at triage has been steadily declining and is at its lowest point in at least 10 years. Of all patients in the ED, the most emergent are the least likely to be seen within the triage target time. Patients of all racial/ethnic backgrounds and payer types have been similarly affected.
A randomized trial to assess the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of a single dose of an extended-release aspirin formulation

Abstract Aims. Low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; aspirin) for secondary prevention reduces cardiovascular disease mortality risk. ASA acetylates cyclooxygenase in the portal circulation and is rapidly (half-life, 20 min) hydrolyzed. Certain patients with cardiovascular disease may exhibit high on-therapy platelet reactivity as a result of high platelet turnover, a process whereby platelets are produced and are active beyond the duration of antiplatelet coverage provided by once-daily immediate-release (IR) ASA. A once-daily, extended-release (ER) ASA formulation using ER microcapsule technology was developed to release ASA over the 24-h dosing interval and reduce maximal plasma concentrations to spare peripheral endogenous endothelial prostacyclin production. Methods. Healthy adults (n = 50) were randomized in a crossover study to receive two different ER-ASA single doses (up to 325 mg) and two different IR-ASA single doses (up to 81 mg) in four periods, each separated by ≥14 days. Pharmacodynamics was assessed by measuring serum thromboxane B2 (TXB2), urine 11-dehydro-TXB2, and arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation. Pharmacokinetics was determined for ASA and salicylic acid (SA). Results: Both formulations produced dose-dependent inhibition on all pharmacodynamic parameters. Marked inhibition of TXB2 and 11-dehydro-TXB2 was maintained over the 24-h dosing interval after a dose of ≥81 mg ER-ASA or ≥40 mg IR-ASA. The dose required to achieve 50% of maximum TXB2 inhibition with ER-ASA was 49.9 mg versus 29.6 mg for IR-ASA, for a similar maximum pharmacodynamic effect (98.9% TXB2 inhibition). This suggests that an approximately twofold greater ER-ASA dose (162.5 mg) is necessary to obtain the same response as that of IR-ASA 81 mg. Peak ASA concentrations were lower and Tmax was longer with ER-ASA versus IR-ASA. Administration of IR-ASA resulted in a dose-normalized mean Cmax of ASA that was approximately sixfold higher than that for ER-ASA and a Cmax of SA approximately two- to threefold higher than that for ER-ASA. Conclusion. Both ASA formulations showed dose-dependent antiplatelet activity. Compared with the IR-ASA, ER-ASA released active drug more slowly, resulting in prolonged absorption and lower systemic drug concentrations, which is expected for an ER (24-h) formulation.
The microbial community in the rhizosphere determined by community-level physiological profiles ( CLPP ) and direct soil – and cfu – PLFA techniques

The composition of the microbial community in the rhizosphere was investigated using three different techniques: direct soil–phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA), cfu–PLFA (using culturable bacteria only) and community-level physiological profiles (CLPP) using Biolog GN microtitre plates. All three techniques showed that the rhizosphere bacterial community differed from the bulk soil community, when pea plants were grown in pots. The two PLFA techniques also indicated that the effect of roots on microbial communities was greater than differences in the PLFA pattern between different bulk soils. The difference was most prominent using the direct soil–PLFA technique. Both PLFA techniques indicated that gram-negative bacteria were relatively more abundant in the rhizosphere, while PLFAs indicative of gram-positive bacteria were relatively more common in bulk soil samples. The results obtained with the direct soil–PLFA method did not differ between rhizosphere samples taken along a pea root, while this was the case with both the cfu–PLFA technique and the CLPP method. According to both techniques, the differences in community composition were greatest near the root tip. Different plant species exhibited different microbial community composition in the rhizosphere, as judged from all three methods, when four different plant species were compared. In all cases, Trifolium differed most from the other species (three different grasses). Although all three methods were found to be suitable for rhizosphere studies, the CLPP method appeared less suitable than the two PLFA methods, since less of the variation in the data could usually be explained. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Runx3 and Runx1 are required for CD8 T cell development during thymopoiesis

The RUNX transcription factors are important regulators of lineage-specific gene expression. RUNX are bifunctional, acting both as activators and repressors of tissue-specific target genes. Recently, we have demonstrated that Runx3 is a neurogenic transcription factor, which regulates development and survival of proprioceptive neurons in dorsal root ganglia. Here we report that Runx3 and Runx1 are highly expressed in thymic medulla and cortex, respectively, and function in development of CD8 T cells during thymopoiesis. Runx3-deficient (Runx3 KO) mice display abnormalities in CD4 expression during lineage decisions and impairment of CD8 T cell maturation in the thymus. A large proportion of Runx3 KO peripheral CD8 T cells also expressed CD4, and in contrast to wild-type, their proliferation ability was largely reduced. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxic activity of alloimmunized peritoneal exudate lymphocytes was significantly lower in Runx3 KO compared with WT mice. In a compound mutant mouse, null for Runx3 and heterozygous for Runx1 (Runx3-/-;Runx1+/-), all peripheral CD8 T cells also expressed CD4, resulting in a complete lack of single-positive CD8+ T cells in the spleen. The results provide information on the role of Runx3 and Runx1 in thymopoiesis and suggest that both act as transcriptional repressors of CD4 expression during T cell lineage decisions.
Regulation of cell death during infection by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and other coronaviruses

Both apoptosis and necrosis have been observed in cells infected by various coronaviruses, suggesting that the regulation of cell death is important for viral replication and/or pathogenesis. Expeditious research on the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus, one of the latest discovered coronaviruses that infect humans, has provided valuable insights into the molecular aspects of cell‐death regulation during infection. Apoptosis was observed in vitro, while both apoptosis and necrosis were observed in tissues obtained from SARS patients. Viral proteins that can regulate apoptosis have been identified, and many of these also have the abilities to interfere with cellular functions. Occurrence of cell death in host cells during infection by other coronaviruses, such as the mouse hepatitis virus and transmissible porcine gastroenteritis virus, has also being extensively studied. The diverse cellular responses to infection revealed the complex manner by which coronaviruses affect cellular homeostasis and modulate cell death. As a result of the complex interplay between virus and host, infection of different cell types by the same virus does not necessarily activate the same cell‐death pathway. Continuing research will lead to a better understanding of the regulation of cell death during viral infection and the identification of novel antiviral targets.