Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of a group treatment approach for women sexually abused in childhood

This study was conducted for the purpose of determining: 1) if changes occured among sexually abused women who participated in a time-limited group treatment approach from pre-test to post-test on 8 psychological variables including: a) self-esteem, b) body image, c) depression, d) feelings of guilt, e) anger, f) interpersonal sensitivity, g) paranoid ideation, and h) general severity of psychological distress symptoms, 2) if changes on the dependent measures occured for women in a contrast group, and 3) if the changes were greater among women in group therapy than among women in the contrast group. Twenty-two women who had been sexually abused in childhood participated in this study. Eleven women comprised the experimental group of women who received group treatment, and 11 women comprised the contrast group of women who did not receive group treatment. Participants were administered the SCL-90-R and the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale at three separate intervals: once prior to the commencement of group treatment, once upon completion of the group treatment and once six weeks following the group treatment. A Personal Information Sheet was also administered to both groups prior to group treatment and an
Control of apical membrane chloride permeability in the renal A6 cell line by nucleotides

1 The effect of extracellular nucleotides applied on the apical side of polarised A6 cells grown on permeant filters was investigated by measuring the changes in (i) the 36Cl efflux through the apical membranes, (ii) the intracellular chloride concentrations (aCli, measured with N‐(6‐methoxyquinolyl) acetoethyl ester, MQAE), (iii) ICl, the short‐circuit current in the absence of Na+ transport and (iv) the characteristics of the apical chloride channels using a patch‐clamp approach. 2 ATP or UTP (0.1‐500 μm) transiently stimulated ICl. The sequence of purinergic agonist potencies was UTP = ATP > ADP >> the P2X‐selective agonist β,γ‐methylene ATP = the P2Y‐selective agonist 2‐methylthioATP. Suramin (100 μm) as the P2Y antagonist Reactive Blue 2 (10 μm) had no effect on the UTP (or ATP)‐stimulated current. These findings are consistent with the presence of P2Y2‐like receptors located on the apical membranes of A6 cells. Apical application of adenosine also transiently increased ICl. This effect was blocked by theophylline while the UTP‐stimulated ICl was not. The existence of a second receptor, of the P1 type is proposed. 3 ATP (or UTP)‐stimulated ICl was blocked by apical application of 200 μmN‐phenylanthranilic acid (DPC) or 100 μm niflumic acid while 100 μm glibenclamide was ineffective. 4 Ionomycin and thapsigargin both transiently stimulated ICl; the nucleotide stimulation of ICl was not suppressed by pre‐treatment with these agents. Chlorpromazin (50 μm), a Ca2+‐calmodulin inhibitor strongly inhibited the stimulation of ICl induced either by apical UTP or by ionomycin application. BAPTA‐AM pre‐treatment of A6 cells blocked the UTP‐stimulated ICl. Niflumic acid also blocked the ionomycin stimulated ICl. 5 A fourfold increase in 36Cl effluxes through the apical membranes was observed after ATP or UTP application. These increases of the apical chloride permeability could also be observed when following aCli changes. Apical application of DPC (1 mM) or 5‐nitro‐2(3‐phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid (NPPB; 500 μm) produced an incomplete inhibition of 36Cl effluxes through the apical membranes in ATP‐stimulated and in untreated monolayers. 6 In single channel patch‐clamp experiments, an apical chloride channel with a unitary single channel conductance of 7.3 ± 0.6 pS (n= 12) was usually observed. ATP application induced the activation of one or more of these channels within a few minutes. 7 These results indicate that multiple purinergic receptor subtypes are present in the apical membranes of A6 cells and that nucleotides can act as modulators of Cl− secretion in renal cells.
USMGs Versus FMGs: Are There Performance Differences in the Ambulatory Care Setting?

Several earlier studies compared performance differences between USMGs and FMGs in inpatient care settings, mainly hospitals. This study compares performance differences between USMGs and FMGs in ambulatory care settings. The sample consisted of 14,203 patient episodes treated by 1,156 physicians (pediatricians, obstetricians/gynecologists, internists, and other specialty physicians). The study setting was a midwestern state. Little evidence was found to support the hypothesis that the medical school origin (U.S. and foreign) had influenced physicians' technical quality in practice. Mean differences between the USMGs and FMGs were either not significant or contrary to the general assumption. The FMGs provided equal care to the USMGs, and sometimes the FMGs provided even marginally better care than the USMGs.
Gabapentin produces PKA‐dependent pre‐synaptic inhibition of GABAergic synaptic transmission in LC neurons following partial nerve injury in mice

We have previously demonstrated that gabapentin supraspinally activates the descending noradrenergic system to ameliorate pain hypersensitivity in mice with partial nerve ligation. To clarify the supraspinal mechanism of action of gabapentin, whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings were performed on locus coeruleus (LC) neurons in brainstem slices prepared from mice after peripheral nerve injury or mice subjected to a sham‐operation, and the effects of gabapentin in the modulation of synaptic transmission were studied. Bath application of gabapentin (10, 30 and 100 μM) in a concentration‐dependent manner reduced the GABAA receptor‐mediated inhibitory post‐synaptic currents (IPSCs) in slices prepared from partially nerve‐ligated mice, whereas glutamate‐mediated excitatory post‐synaptic currents were hardly affected. By contrast, gabapentin did not reduce IPSCs in slices taken from mice given a sham operation. Although gabapentin altered neither the amplitude nor the frequency of miniature IPSCs, it reduced IPSCs together with an increase in the paired‐pulse ratio, suggesting that gabapentin acts on the pre‐synaptic GABAergic nerve terminals in the LC. As the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H‐89 but not the protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine abolished the inhibitory action of gabapentin on IPSCs, PKA‐mediated phosphorylation seems to be important for supraspinal gabapentin responsiveness in neuropathic conditions. Together, gabapentin generates PKA‐dependent pre‐synaptic inhibition of GABAergic synaptic transmission, and thereby removes the inhibitory influence on LC neurons only under neuropathic pain states. These findings provide crucial evidence of how supraspinally acting gabapentin recruits the descending noradrenergic system.
Relationship of GnRH‐stimulated LH release to episodic LH secretion and baseline endocrine‐metabolic measures in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

background and objective In polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) inappropriate gonadotrophin secretion is characterized by increased pulse frequency and amplitude, elevated 24‐h mean serum concentrations, and greater responses to GnRH. While the mechanism(s) responsible for this increased release of LH are not well understood, enhanced LH secretion has been attributed to increased pituitary sensitivity to GnRH and feedback influences from circulating steroid hormones. To address these considerations, we conducted a study to examine the relationships between GnRH‐stimulated LH responses, episodic gonadotrophin secretion, and baseline measurements of endocrine‐metabolic function in PCOS.
The McrBC endonuclease translocates DNA in a reaction dependent on GTP hydrolysis.

McrBC specifically recognizes and cleaves methylated DNA in a reaction dependent on GTP hydrolysis. DNA cleavage requires at least two recognition sites that are optimally separated by 40-80 bp, but can be spaced as far as 3 kb apart. The nature of the communication between two recognition sites was analyzed on DNA substrates containing one or two recognition sites. DNA cleavage of circular DNA required only one methylated recognition site, whereas the linearized form of this substrate was not cleaved. However, the linearized substrate was cleaved if a Lac repressor was bound adjacent to the recognition site. These results suggest a model in which communication between two remote sites is accomplished by DNA translocation rather than looping. A mutant protein with defective GTPase activity cleaved substrates with closely spaced recognition sites, but not substrates where the sites were further apart. This indicates that McrBC translocates DNA in a reaction dependent on GTP hydrolysis. We suggest that DNA cleavage occurs by the encounter of two DNA-translocating McrBC complexes, or can be triggered by non-specific physical obstacles like the Lac repressor bound on the enzyme's path along DNA. Our results indicate that McrBC belongs to the general class of DNA "motor proteins", which use the free energy associated with nucleoside 5'-triphosphate hydrolysis to translocate along DNA.
CHANGES IN MUSCLE STRUCTURE IN DYSTROPHIC PATIENTS, CARRIERS AND NORMAL SIBLINGS SEEN BY ELECTRON MICROSCOPY; CORRELATION WITH LEVELS OF SERUM CREATINEPHOSPHOKINASE (CPK) *

The Duchenne type of muscular dystrophy, transmitted by sex-linked recessive inheritance, is the commonest and most progressive form of the disease. The primary defect is unknown. Occasionally the symptoms may be seen in females, but in contrast to the severity and progression of the disease in boys, the course is mild. In the present investigations we have attempted to ascertain, by electron microscopy, the structural lesions that might initiate the series of changes in the degeneration of the muscle, to correlate these early alterations in muscle with the elevations in serum creatinephosphokinase (CPK) and perhaps explain the mechanisms responsible for the transfer of CPK from muscle to blood. It was postulated that the early anatomic changes in the fine structure of the muscle might be revealed more readily in carriers in whom the alterations are apt to be less advanced than those already observed in the early diseased state in patients. Therefore, in several kinships, we studied patients and female carriers, and used the normal male siblings and fathers as controls. The pathologic alterations in muscle in Duchenne muscular dystrophy have been studied extensively by light microscopy since the early work of Erb, but electron microscopic studies are comparatively few and incomplete. The investigations reported so far on the pathology of muscle in female carriers have been limited to light microscopy. It is hoped that this report will meet the present need for information on the evolution of the morphologic changes from the early to the advanced stages of the disease as revealed by electron microscopy. Elevations in serum CPK levels have been demonstrated by a number of investigators in patients and in female carriers. The mechanism of the increase of CPK in serum is not known. In an earlier report we1 described the structural changes demonstrated by electron microscopy in muscle during different stages of serum CPK elevations in patients. In the present investigations observations on anatomic changes and correlation with serum CPK activities were extended to female carriers, some of whom had elevated enzyme levels and others who did not.
Detection of tumor specific gene expression in bone marrow and peripheral blood from patients with small cell lung carcinoma

Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) has the propensity to grow rapidly and metastasize extensively. Detection of micro‐dissemination of SCLC may have clinical relevance. For its detection, tumor‐specific gene expressions were examined in peripheral blood and bone marrow aspirate from patients with SCLC.
Characteristics and consequences of medical care interruptions in HIV-infected patients in France

SUMMARY To describe the consequences of medical care interruptions (MCIs) we selected patients with at least two medical encounters between January 2006 and June 2013 in the Dat'AIDS cohort. Patients with any time interval >15 months between two visits were defined as having a MCI, as opposed to uninterrupted follow-up (UFU). Patients’ characteristics at the time of HIV diagnosis and at the censoring date were compared between groups. Cox proportional hazards models were built to assess the role of interruptions on survival (total and AIDS-free). Of 11 116 patients, 824 had at least one MCI. These patients were younger at the time of HIV diagnosis (30 vs. 33 years, P < 0·0001). MCI was less frequent in men having sex with men vs. heterosexual patients [odds ratio (OR) 0·81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·69–0·96)], and a centre effect was described. MCI was independently associated with AIDS (OR 2·54, 95% CI 2·10–3·09) and death (OR 2·65, 95% CI 1·94–3·61). At the censoring date, 52·2% of patients with at least one MCI had viral load below detection vs. 85·3% of the UFU group (P < 0·0001). In conclusion, MCIs were associated with patients’ survival and with the proportion of viral loads below detection in our cohort, compromising individual and collective treatment benefits.
Magnesium buffering in intact human red blood cells measured using the ionophore A23187.

1. A method was developed for measuring the cytoplasmic magnesium buffering of intact red cells using the divalent cation selective ionophore A23187. Addition of A23187 to a suspension of red cells induces rapid equilibration of ionized magnesium across the cell membrane. 2. Entry of magnesium into red cells is associated with cell swelling and depolarization of the membrane potential. 3. At an external ionized magnesium concentration of about 0.15 mM corresponding to an internal ionized concentration of 0.4 mM the addition of A23187 did not produce a change in the magnesium content of the cells. This indicates that the normal ionized magnesium concentration inside the oxygenated red cell is about 0.4 mM. 4. The magnesium buffering curve for oxygenated, inosine‐fed human red blood cells is adequately described by the existence of three buffer systems of increasing capacity and decreasing affinity. These are 0.15 mM with a Km < 10(‐7) M, probably structural magnesium bound within the cell proteins; 1.6 mM with a Km approximately equal to 0.08 mM, mainly ATP and other nucleotides; and about 21‐25 mM with a Km approximately equal to 3.6 mM, a major portion of this being organic phosphates. It is suggested that the contribution of 2,3‐DPG to the low affinity site involves each phosphate group acting as an independent binding site for magnesium.
Is submucosal epinephrine injection necessary before polypectomy? A prospective, comparative study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Polyps of the gastrointestinal tract are usually removed due to their link to bleeding, obstruction and malignancy. However, complications may occur following polypectomy. The aim of this study was to assess whether submucosal epinephrine injection before polypectomy could reduce the incidence of bleeding and perforation. METHODOLOGY Between June 1997 and November 1999, patients with sessile polyps of the gastrointestinal tract found in our endoscopic unit were randomized to receive submucosal epinephrine injection (epinephrine group) or no injection (control group) before polypectomy. In the epinephrine group, epinephrine (1:10,000) was injected surrounding the stalk of the polyp until the mucosa was blanched and bulged. The patients were observed for complications in the following month. RESULTS A total of 120 patients with 151 sessile polyps were enrolled in this study. In the epinephrine group, 75 polyps (n = 68) were randomized to receive epinephrine injection before polypectomy. In the control group, 76 polyps (n = 61) underwent polypectomy without epinephrine injection. In both groups, there was no significant difference in clinical features including the sizes of the polyps and their stalks, the location of polyps and the pathological diagnosis. There were a total of nine episodes of post-polypectomy hemorrhage, two in the epinephrine group and seven in the control group (2/75 vs. 7/76) (P = 0.07). One case in the epinephrine group experienced delayed bleeding (4 days later). Immediate hemorrhage occurred less in the epinephrine group than that in the control group (1/75 vs. 7/76, P = 0.03). There was one case of perforation in each group. CONCLUSIONS Epinephrine injection prior to polypectomy is effective in preventing immediate bleeding.
Complement activation in patients with isolated antiphospholipid antibodies or primary antiphospholipid syndrome

Summary The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is the association of thrombosis and recurrent pregnancy loss and/or pregnancy morbidity with persistent antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Increased complement activation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of APS in animal models. It was our objective to evaluate complement activation in patients with aPL or primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS). We measured complement activation products, fragments Bb and C3a–desArg by ELISA in 186 aPL/PAPS patients and 30 healthy controls. All patients with aPL had significantly increased levels of complement activation products. Fragment Bb levels (mean, 95% CI); (thrombotic APS 0.54 units/ml, 0.31–0.83, obstetric APS 0.60 units/ml,0.39–1.02, isolated aPL 0.48 units/ml, 0.29–0.85, overall 0.39 units/ml, 0.33–0.47) and C3a–desArg levels (mean, 95% CI): (thrombotic APS 261 ng/ml, 219–311, obstetric APS 308 ng/ml, 243–391, isolated aPL 258 ng/ml, 193–337, overall 225 ng/ml, 202–251) were significantly higher compared to controls (fragment Bb 0.06 units/ml, 0.03–0.11, C3a–desArg 69 ng/ml, 50–92). There were correlations between Fragment Bb and C3a–desArg levels in all patients with aPL. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis showed increased fragment Bb and C3a–desArg levels had strong associations with the presence of persistent lupus anticoagulant (area under ROC: Bb 0.89, and C3a–desArg 0.90), dual and triple aPL positivity (Bb 0.71–0.82, C3a–desArg 0.71–0.80) but not with high titre anti-cardiolipin antibodies (Bb 0.62, C3a–desArg 0.65), or anti β2-glycoprotein 1 antibodies (Bb 0.66, C3a–desArg 0.67). Complement activation is present in all patient groups within this large cohort of patients aPL. This suggests it may have a major role in the pathogenesis of APS and merits further study.
The Role of Efflux and Physiological Adaptation in Biofilm Tolerance and Resistance*

Microbial biofilms demonstrate a decreased susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. Various mechanisms have been proposed to be involved in this recalcitrance. We focus on two of these factors. Firstly, the ability of sessile cells to actively mediate efflux of antimicrobial compounds has a profound impact on resistance and tolerance, and several studies point to the existence of biofilm-specific efflux systems. Secondly, biofilm-specific stress responses have a marked influence on cellular physiology, and contribute to the occurrence of persister cells. We provide an overview of the data that demonstrate that both processes are important for survival following exposure to antimicrobial agents.
Vital role of drift algae in the life history of the pelagic harpacticoid Parathalestris croni in the northern North Atlantic

The harpacticoid copepod Parathalestris croni, a widespread pelagic species of the northern North Atlantic, was found to be closely associated with seaweed originating in the intertidal zone float- ing on the surface of the sea around Iceland. The abundance of the copepod increased with distance from the shore and it showed a special affinity for the brown alga Ascophyllum nodosum. The cope- pods in the macroalgal clumps were mostly ovigerous females, and the seaweed clearly serves a nest function. The eggs were deposited on the seaweed where the nauplii, which are unable to swim, crawl on the algae until they metamorphose into the first copepodite stage (CI). The CI copepodites leave the floating weed, and the juvenile stages may eventually disperse widely in the water column until floating weed is colonized, probably by adults or juveniles in the last one or two copepodite stages. Parathalestris croni is one of a group of very few species known or suspected to be dependent for sur- vival on the extremely unpredictable habitat of floating weed in the northern North Atlantic.
Messenger RNA (mRNA) Expression for the Antimicrobial Peptides β-Defensin-1 and β-Defensin-2 in the Male Rat Reproductive Tract: β-Defensin-1 mRNA in Initial Segment and Caput Epididymidis Is Regulated by Androgens and Not Bacterial Lipopolysaccharides1

Abstract Mechanisms of antimicrobial protection in male reproductive organs are poorly understood. Defensins are antimicrobial peptides produced by many epithelial tissues. The goals of the present study were 1) to test the hypothesis that adult rat male reproductive organs express mRNA for rat β-defensin (RBD)-1 and RBD-2, 2) to examine if defensin mRNA expression in the testis and epididymis is induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and 3) to investigate the effects of androgens on defensin mRNA expression in the epididymis. Total RNA from reproductive organs was analyzed by relative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. RBD-1 mRNA was detected in the testis. All segments of epididymis expressed equal levels of RBD-1 mRNA with higher expression than in the testis, whereas accessory sex glands showed expression equal to that in the testis. Expression of RBD-2 mRNA was primarily restricted to the penis. Effects of inflammation on defensin mRNA expression were examined in rats administered a unilateral injection of LPS from Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Escherichia coli. Expression of RBD-1 mRNA in the testis and epididymis was unaffected by LPS. To test the hypothesis that circulating androgens regulate RBD-1 mRNA expression in the epididymis, rats were subjected to bilateral orchiectomy (orch) or to orch plus a 3.5-cm implant containing testosterone. Expression of RBD-1 mRNA in the initial segment and caput was unchanged following 1-day orch but showed androgen-sensitive expression after 5 and 15 days. Expression of RBD-1 mRNA in corpus and cauda was not affected by orch. Results of this study suggest that RBD-1 may play an antimicrobial role in the testis and epididymis.
Spatial Patterns of Grass Seedling Recruitment Imply Predation and Facilitation by Harvester Ants

ABSTRACT Extended drought on the Edwards Plateau, TX, causes high mortality in grass species' populations and their replacement by recruitment from the seeds of survivors. Harvester ant nests may act as refugia for perennial plants during drought, as evidenced by a high survivorship of plants directly adjacent to nests. Because grasses tend to disperse seeds short distances and drought eliminated seed banks, we hypothesized that the spatial pattern of grass seedlings and adults would be clumped at small scales around these refugia. In contrast, nests would be regular at small to moderate scales. We studied the spatial patterns of seedlings, adults, and ant nest locations using a modified Ripley's K-function technique for transect data. Point data were collected along a 1-km transect. Spatially regular patterns were found for nests from 1.0- to 22.0-m scales. We found that two species' seedlings and adults were significantly clumped with ant nests, and two species had significantly regular spatial patterns with nests. Surprisingly, patterns of clumped seedlings occurred up to 30-m scales with nests. Nests appear to affect seedling establishment at multiple scales. These results suggest that nests may facilitate colonization for some grass populations, but regular spatial patterns in other species imply that forager seed harvest may inhibit establishment.