Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dispositional pandemic worry and the health belief model: promoting vaccination during pandemic events

Background Promoting vaccination during pandemics is paramount to public health, yet few studies examined theoretical motivations for vaccination during pandemics. Thus, the relationships between dispositional pandemic worry, constructs of the health belief model (HBM) and vaccination during the H1N1 pandemic were studied. Methods Participants (N = 1377) completed surveys assessing dispositional pandemic worry, HBM variables and H1N1 vaccination. Principle axis factor analysis and point biserial correlations were conducted. Differences in worry and vaccination were assessed via independent samples t‐tests. Relationships between vaccination, demographics and worry were investigated using hierarchical linear regression. PROCESS analysis was conducted to explicate the relationship between worry and vaccination intention. Results A two‐factor structure of dispositional pandemic worry—worry frequency and worry severity—was confirmed. Dispositional worry was higher among those who intended to and received H1N1 vaccine. Worry frequency and worry severity were positively related to vaccination. Threat, benefits and barriers mediated the impact of worry severity and threat and barriers mediated the impact of worry frequency on vaccination intentions. Conclusions Messages increasing dispositional worry and benefits while decreasing barriers may boost vaccination behavior during a pandemic event. Future study of relationships between dispositional worry and HBM variables is warranted.
The Effectiveness of the Behavioral- Cognitive Therapy on the Reduction of the Rate of the Depression and Anxiety of the Infertile Women of the Rasht City

The objective of this research is to study the effectiveness of the behavioral- cognitive therapy on the reduction of the rate of the depression and anxiety of the infertile women. In this research, the statistical society included 300 individuals of the infertile women who referred to the Mehr professional clinic. Out of which 128 Individuals acquired the high score in the depression and anxiety test and, then, 30 individuals of the women having the high depression and anxiety were selected randomly (and) in order to test the above hypothesis. They were divided into 2 groups of 15 individuals of which one group was placed under the behavioral - cognitive therapy for 8 ninety- minute sessions. The findings indicated that the behavioral cognitive therapy has positive influence over depression of the test group significantly compared to the control group which had received no therapeutic interference. Thus, the behavioralcognitive therapy has been effective on the reduction and elimination of the depression and anxiety in the infertile women.
Relationship of the seasonal variations with the incidence of preeclampsia Dr. Sardjito, General Hospital Yogyakarta, 1999-2003

Objectives: To study the correlation between seasonal variation and preeclampsia and to describe how factor such as age, parity, and type of pregnancy influence the preeclampsia. Design/data identification: The study used a cross sectional. Setting: Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta. Material and methods: The data of mother in 1999-2003 were extracted from electronic medical record, register books, delivery books, and other factor were age, parity, and type of pregnancy. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the effect of season on preeclampsia. The analyses was controlled by age and parity. Result: The study found a total of 6,726 deliveries in RSUP Dr. Sardjito during 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2003, among these 926 (13.77%) women were preeclampsia. The incidence of preeclampsia was low in Januari (11.97%) and high in August (15.30%). The mean age of mothers was 31.0 ± 5.9 years, 81.1% were 20-35 years. Mother with high risk age ( 35 years) increase the risk 1.65 compared to mother age 20-35. Primigravida has risk of 0.96 to multigravida. Multiple pregnancy increase the risk preeclampsia 2.36 compared to single pregnant (p=0.000). Dry/wet season statistically did not reveal any correlation with preeclampsia (OR=0.96; p=0.53). Conclusion: Season is not correcalted with preeclampsia. This factors for preeclampsia are high risk age of mother and multiple pregnancy. Keywords: preeclampsia, season, mother’s age, multiple pregnancies.
Preliminary Evidence-Based Pharmacotherapy of Mitoxantrone for Multiple Sclerosis in an Iranian Population

Background: Although mitoxantrone inhibits lipopolysaccharide induction of many immunological factors, but the mechanism of action somewhat remains to be more understood. Objectives: This preliminary study was designed to investigate the evidence-based mitoxantrone therapy results in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study on 71 patients with MS was carried out between 2010 and 2012, in an Iranian population. Demographic and pharmacological variables were recorded in d-Base. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS for Windows. Results: The females/males sex ratio within the study population was 3.17: 1. The mean age of females was 32.2 years old (range 20 - 45 years) and the mean age of males was 52.7 years old (range 45 - 64 years). Out of the total population studied, 20% received both methylprednisolone (MP) pulse therapy and mitoxantrone on at least on one occasion. The mean frequency of dose received by each individual was two, with a range of one to five. Conclusions: To prevent the serious adverse effects of mitoxantrone, such as acute leukemia and secondary hematologic cancers, pharmacotherapy outcome, using disease modifying drugs, should focus on rate and severity of relapses within Iranian pateints with MS.
Myeloid sarcoma as the initial presentation of chronic myelogenous leukemia, medullary chronic phase in era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors: A report of 11 cases

To the Editor: We read with interest “Effect of cumulative bortezomib dose on survival in multiple myeloma patients receiving bortezomib–melphalan–prednisone in the phase III VISTA study” [1]. Mateos et al. reported a retrospective post hoc analysis by using data from a randomized phase III trial, VISTA [2], which showed improved outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed myeloma who were ineligible for high-dose therapy by adding bortezomib to melphalan–prednisone. Furthermore, Mateos et al. found that the transplantineligible myeloma patients who received a cumulative bortezomib dose of more than the median (39 mg/m) had better overall survival (OS). This study provides new evidence that an increased cumulative bortezomib dose could improve OS in transplant-ineligible untreated myeloma patients. However, according to protocol, patients had to survive at least 151 days to have a cumulative bortezomib dose of 39 mg/m. If the data was analyzed by using a log-rank test or time-independent Cox proportional hazards model, it would be likely that an “immortal time bias” could interfere with these results [3–6]. “Immortal time” implies to a time interval during the follow-up period in which death cannot occur because of exposure definition. For instance, mortality “cannot” occur in the first five months of follow-up in the patients who had received at least 30 doses of protocol bortezomib. In conventional survival analysis using the likelihood ratio or log-rank tests, the immortal time bias can confer a spurious survival advantage to patients with a higher cumulative dose. The authors further performed a landmark analysis of OS that was conducted at 180 days post-randomization that might be unable to avoid this bias. In contrast, the results should be analyzed by using time-dependent analysis [3,6], such as Cox regression with the cumulative dose of bortezomib as a time-dependent covariate. Furthermore, the planned dose of bortezomib in the VISTA trial was 67.6 mg/m [2]. Patients who had a cumulative bortezomib dose of less than 39 mg/m had higher probability of serious adverse effects and disease progression, both of which were correlated to death. Obviously, patients who had better response to bortezomib can live longer and have a chance to receive more doses of bortezomib. Reverse causality means that Y might exert a causal effect on X, in addition to the effects of X on Y [7]. In this study, a longer OS might also offer a causal effect on higher cumulative dose of bortezomib, which could not be solved by a 180-day landmark or time-dependent analysis. We believe that the best way to evaluate the effect of cumulative dose of bortezomib on survival of multiple myeloma patients is a randomized controlled study while the cut-off value of the cumulative dose was best determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.
Comparing bleed frequency and factor concentrate use between haemophilia A and B patients

Summary. Haemorrhagic manifestations in patients with haemophilia A and B are considered quite similar for comparable level of factor deficiency. We investigated the bleeding frequency and factor usage between HA and HB patients with comparable disease severities. We collected data on frequency of bleeds and factor concentrate utilization over 3 years, from January 2001 to December 2003. Information was gathered from home infusion logs recorded by patients or their parents, and treatment records from the Hemophilia Clinic or the Hospital Emergency Department. Data were available on 58 patients with severe HA (FVIII < 0.01 U mL−1), 10 with moderate HA (FVIII < 0.05 U mL−1), 15 with severe HB, and five with moderate HB who required treatment for episodic bleeds, postoperative haemostasis and for primary or secondary prophylaxis. The HA patients bled more frequently than HB patients (14.4 vs. 8.63 bleeds/patient/year), but used similar amounts of concentrate per year. HA patients underwent surgical procedures 3.2 times more frequently than HB patients to correct musculoskeletal complications. A total of 21 363 409 IU of recombinant FVIII was used by patients with HA (104 722 IU/patient/year) and 6 430 960 IU of recombinant factor IX, by patients with HB (107 182 IU/patient/year). The difference in factor concentrate usage is not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The decrease in bleed frequency in haemophilia B indicates that the conclusions from randomized trials of prophylaxis in HA may not be accurately applied to HB.
Burden of stigma among relatives of Nigerian patients living with epilepsy

Background: Epilepsy, a chronic noncommunicable disease is recognized as a major public health concern. Stigma is an important factor that has a negative influence on people with epilepsy (PWE) and their families. The burden for people with epilepsy and their families is greatest in poor countries. Aims: The aim of this study is to elicit the lived experiences of individuals who had experienced burden of stigma while they live and care for patients with epilepsy. Settings and Design: The participants in this study are relatives who are the caregivers of patients with epilepsy who visited the mental health unit of a tertiary health center in Southwest Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Sociodemographic data of participants were collected in addition to recorded significant statements following extensive interactions held with the participants. Thematic analyses of varying experiences of participants, as recorded, were done using the phenomenological method of Colazzi. Results: Nineteen participants were engaged in the study with 12 (63.2%) of them being females and half of the females being mothers. Child and spouse of patients of epilepsy were least likely as care givers. The mean age of participants was 38.3 years and mean duration of patients′ illness was 5.6 years. Four major themes including prejudice, fear, shame, and social isolation were the most recurring of the -33 significant statements recorded from the participants. Conclusions: It is pertinent to have enhanced and sustained self-efficacy with great empathy toward the patients and their family members.
Habitual physical activity in Dutch children and adolescents with haemophilia

Summary. For patients with haemophilia, a physically active lifestyle is important to maintain musculoskeletal health and to prevent chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease. Therefore, we studied physical activity levels, in Dutch children and adolescents with haemophilia as well as its association with aerobic fitness and joint health. Forty‐seven boys with haemophilia (aged 8–18) participated. Physical activity was measured using the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire (MAQ) and was compared with the general population. Aerobic fitness was determined using peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). Joint health was measured using the Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS). Associations between physical activity, joint health and aerobic fitness were evaluated by correlation analysis. Subjects were 12.5 (SD 2.9) years old, had a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 19.5 (SD 3.1; z‐score 0.5) and a median HJHS score of 0 (range 0–6). Cycling, physical education and swimming were most frequently reported (86%, 69% and 50% respectively). Children with severe haemophilia participated significantly less in competitive soccer and more in swimming than children with non‐severe haemophilia. Physical activity levels were similar across haemophilia severities and comparable to the general population. VO2peak kg−1 was slightly lower than healthy boys (42.9 ± 8.6 vs. 46.9 ± 1.9 mL kg−1 min−1; P = 0.03). Joint health, aerobic fitness and physical activity showed no correlation. Dutch children with haemophilia engaged in a wide range of activities of different intensities and showed comparable levels of physical activity to the general population. Aerobic fitness was well preserved and showed no associations with physical activity levels or joint health.
The Tumor Suppressor Protein HBP1 Is a Novel c-Myc-binding Protein That Negatively Regulates c-Myc Transcriptional Activity*

c-Myc is an important transcription factor that regulates cellular proliferation, cell growth, and differentiation. A number of transcriptional co-factors for c-Myc have been described that have binding sites within highly conserved regions of the c-Myc transactivational domain (TAD). Given the importance of the c-Myc TAD, we set out to identify new proteins that interact with this region using a yeast two-hybrid assay. HBP1 was identified in our screen as a protein that interacts with full-length c-Myc but not a c-Myc mutant lacking the TAD. HBP1 is a transcriptional repressor and has been shown to negatively regulate the cell cycle. A correlation between HBP1 under-expression and breast cancer relapse has been described, suggesting that HBP1 may be an important tumor suppressor protein. We have found that HBP1 binds c-Myc in cells, and expression of HBP1 inhibits c-Myc transactivational activity at least partly by preventing c-Myc binding to target gene promoters. c-Myc binds to the C terminus of HBP1, a region lost in some breast tumors, and some HBP1 mutants found in breast cancer weakly interact with and/or no longer negatively regulate c-Myc. This work adds to our understanding of c-Myc regulation and mechanisms of tumor suppression by HBP1.
Osteopontin Is Cleaved at Multiple Sites Close to Its Integrin-binding Motifs in Milk and Is a Novel Substrate for Plasmin and Cathepsin D*

Osteopontin (OPN) is a highly modified integrin-binding protein present in most tissues and body fluids where it has been implicated in numerous biological processes. A significant regulation of OPN function is mediated through phosphorylation and proteolytic processing. Proteolytic cleavage by thrombin and matrix metalloproteinases close to the integrin-binding Arg-Gly-Asp sequence modulates the function of OPN and its integrin binding properties. In this study, seven N-terminal OPN fragments originating from proteolytic cleavage have been characterized from human milk. Identification of the cleavage sites revealed that all fragments contained the Arg–Gly–Asp145 sequence and were generated by cleavage of the Leu151–Arg152, Arg152–Ser153, Ser153–Lys154, Lys154–Ser155, Ser155–Lys156, Lys156–Lys157, or Phe158–Arg159 peptide bonds. Six cleavages cannot be ascribed to thrombin or matrix metalloproteinase activity, whereas the cleavage at Arg152–Ser153 matches thrombin specificity for OPN. The principal protease in milk, plasmin, hydrolyzed the same peptide bond as thrombin, but its main cleavage site was identified to be Lys154–Ser155. Another endogenous milk protease, cathepsin D, cleaved the Leu151–Arg152 bond. OPN fragments corresponding to plasmin activity were also identified in urine showing that plasmin cleavage of OPN is not restricted to milk. Plasmin, but not cathepsin D, cleavage of OPN increased cell adhesion mediated by the αVβ3- or α5β1-integrins. Similar cellular adhesion was mediated by plasmin and thrombin-cleaved OPN showing that plasmin can be a potent regulator of OPN activity. These data show that OPN is highly susceptible to cleavage near its integrin-binding motifs, and the protein is a novel substrate for plasmin and cathepsin D.
Diminished Carcinogen Detoxification Is a Novel Mechanism for Hypoxia-inducible Factor 1-mediated Genetic Instability*

The hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) pathway is induced in many tumors and associated with poorer outcome. The hypoxia-responsive transcription factor HIF-1α dimerizes with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT), which is also an important binding partner for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). AhR is an important mediator in the metabolic activation and detoxification of carcinogens, such as the environmental pollutant benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). We hypothesized that HIF-1α activation attenuates BaP-induced AhR-mediated gene expression, which may lead to increased genetic instability and malignant progression. Human lung carcinoma cells (A549) were simultaneously stimulated with CoCl2, which leads to HIF-1α stabilization and varying concentrations of BaP. Both quantitative PCR and immunoblot analysis indicated that induction of the hypoxia response pathway significantly reduced the levels of AhR downstream targets CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 and AhR protein binding to ARNT. We further demonstrate that the BaP-induced hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase mutation frequency and γ-H2AX foci were markedly amplified when the HIF-1 pathway was induced. BaP-DNA adducts were only marginally increased, and transient strand breaks were diminished by HIF-1 induction, indicating changes in DNA repair. These data indicate that concurrent exposure of tumor cells to hypoxia and exogenous genotoxins can enhance genetic instability.
Notch and Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGFβ) Signaling Pathways Cooperatively Regulate Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Differentiation*

Notch and transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) play pivotal roles during vascular development and the pathogenesis of vascular disease. The interaction of these two pathways is not fully understood. The present study utilized primary human smooth muscle cells (SMC) to examine molecular cross-talk between TGFβ1 and Notch signaling on contractile gene expression. Activation of Notch signaling using Notch intracellular domain or Jagged1 ligand induced smooth muscle α-actin (SM actin), smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, and calponin1, and the expression of Notch downstream effectors hairy-related transcription factors. Similarly, TGFβ1 treatment of human aortic smooth muscle cells induced SM actin, calponin1, and smooth muscle protein 22-α (SM22α) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Hairy-related transcription factor proteins, which antagonize Notch activity, also suppressed the TGFβ1-induced increase in SMC markers, suggesting a general mechanism of inhibition. We found that Notch and TGFβ1 cooperatively activate SMC marker transcripts and protein through parallel signaling axes. Although the intracellular domain of Notch4 interacted with phosphoSmad2/3 in SMC, this interaction was not observed with Notch1 or Notch2. However, we found that CBF1 co-immunoprecipitated with phosphoSmad2/3, suggesting a mechanism to link canonical Notch signaling to phosphoSmad activity. Indeed, the combination of Notch activation and TGFβ1 treatment led to synergistic activation of a TGFβ-responsive promoter. This increase corresponded to increased levels of phosphoSmad2/3 interaction at Smad consensus binding sites within the SM actin, calponin1, and SM22α promoters. Thus, Notch and TGFβ coordinately induce a molecular and functional contractile phenotype by co-regulation of Smad activity at SMC promoters.
Effects of stretching and strength exercises on speed and power abilities in male basketball players

Recent data, especially related to the molecular structure of muscle tissue and the neurophysiological processes that control muscular speed and force have questioned the benefits of stretching exercises performed prior to dynamic physical activitiessuch as sprinting or jumping. On the other hand strength exercises withvarious types of muscle contraction and different training loads have proven effective in developing running speed and jumping performance. The present work attempted to verify the hypothesis concerning the detrimental influence of stretching on running speed and anaerobic power of lower limbs, while confirming the benefits of strength exercises on these motor abilities. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the short-term effects of stretching and strength exercises on running speed and jumping performance in competitive basketball players. The results showed significant changes in all of six variables used to evaluate lower limb power and running speed. Vertical jump performance showed increased tendencies in a microcycle without stretching, yet with strength exercises focused on lower limb extensors and flexors. Take-off speed, maximal jump height, work output and power during this microcycle were significantly higher in comparison to a weekly cycle were stretching was incorporated in the warm-up and prior to testing. In the case of running speed, the 3 treatments revealed significant differences, yet once again strength exercises compared to stretching allowed reaching of faster times for the 5 and 20 m sprint, respectively.
The Deubiquitinating Enzyme USP17 Blocks N-Ras Membrane Trafficking and Activation but Leaves K-Ras Unaffected

The proto-oncogenic Ras isoforms (H, N, and K) have a C-terminal CAAX motif and undergo the same post-translational processing steps, although they traffic to the plasma membrane through different routes. Previously, we have shown that overexpression of the deubiquitinating enzyme USP17 inhibits H-Ras localization to the plasma membrane. Now we report that whereas H-Ras and N-Ras were unable to localize to the plasma membrane in the presence of USP17, K-Ras4b localization was unaffected. EGF stimulation was unable to induce N-Ras membrane localization in USP17-expressing cells. In addition, N-Ras activity and downstream signaling through the MAPK MEK/ERK and PI3K/JNK pathways were blunted. However, we still detected abundant N-Ras localization at the ER and Golgi in USP17-expressing cells. Collectively, our data showed that the deubiquitinating enzyme USP17 blocks EGF-induced N-Ras membrane trafficking and activation, but left K-Ras unaffected.
Targeting Liaison Activities: Use of a Faculty Survey in an Academic Research Library.

A library liaison program establishes a mechanism for li brarians to increase their understanding of faculty needs and to share information about the library. Because needs differ and the range of possible activities is broad, a faculty survey is presented as a means to identify differences among faculty and to suggest productive areas of interven tion for liaison librarians. In the case presented, a survey profiles faculty use and perceptions of the library and iden tifies specific predictors of faculty perceptions of library performance. Differences by rank and academic area are highlighted and then used to develop action plans for the overall liaison program and for individual liaisons between libraries and departments.