Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The paradoxical psychological effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)

Background Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent serotonergic hallucinogen or psychedelic that modulates consciousness in a marked and novel way. This study sought to examine the acute and mid-term psychological effects of LSD in a controlled study. Method A total of 20 healthy volunteers participated in this within-subjects study. Participants received LSD (75 µg, intravenously) on one occasion and placebo (saline, intravenously) on another, in a balanced order, with at least 2 weeks separating sessions. Acute subjective effects were measured using the Altered States of Consciousness questionnaire and the Psychotomimetic States Inventory (PSI). A measure of optimism (the Revised Life Orientation Test), the Revised NEO Personality Inventory, and the Peter's Delusions Inventory were issued at baseline and 2 weeks after each session. Results LSD produced robust psychological effects; including heightened mood but also high scores on the PSI, an index of psychosis-like symptoms. Increased optimism and trait openness were observed 2 weeks after LSD (and not placebo) and there were no changes in delusional thinking. Conclusions The present findings reinforce the view that psychedelics elicit psychosis-like symptoms acutely yet improve psychological wellbeing in the mid to long term. It is proposed that acute alterations in mood are secondary to a more fundamental modulation in the quality of cognition, and that increased cognitive flexibility subsequent to serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) stimulation promotes emotional lability during intoxication and leaves a residue of ‘loosened cognition’ in the mid to long term that is conducive to improved psychological wellbeing.
Conformational isomers of curved DNA molecules can be observed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Dimers, trimers and higher multimers of two 147‐base pair restriction fragments called 12 A and 12B, obtained from the MspI digest of plasmid pBR322, migrate as sharp bands in agarose and dilute polyacrylamide gels, indicating that they are homogeneous in molecular weight. However, the electrophoretic bands corresponding to multimers of the curved fragment 12A are split into sharp sub‐bands in more concentrated polyacrylamide gels. The relative intensities and spacing of the sub‐bands depend on the number of monomers in the multimer, the pH of the buffer, and the presence or absence of divalent cations in the solution. Since band splitting is not observed for the normal 12B multimers under any gel‐running conditions, the sub‐bands observed for multimers of the curved fragment 12A must be attributed to conformational isomers which are in slow exchange on the electrophoretic time scale. Band splitting is also observed for multimers of a curved DNA fragment containing the kinetoplast bending locus and for plasmid pUC19 linearized by digestion with certain restriction enzymes. Plasmid pUC19 contains two nearly equidistant regions of intrinsic curvature (Strutz, K., Stellwagen, N. C., Electrophoresis 1996, 17, 989—995). Hence, DNA molecules containing two or more regions of curvature exist as discrete subpopulations of conformational isomers which can be observed as separate bands migrating in polyacrylamide gels.
Clinical Correlation between Irrigation Bottle Contamination and Clinical Outcomes in Post-Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Patients

Background Sinonasal irrigation after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is a common practice, but the role irrigation bottles play in iatrogenic contamination of the operated sinuses is unknown. Therefore, we investigated whether irrigation bottles used postoperatively become contaminated and have any potential association with immediate postsurgical infection and outcomes. Methods Patients irrigated twice daily after ESS. Bottle cleaning was performed as recommended by the manufacturer. New bottles were distributed at the time of the operation and at each postoperative visit. During postoperative weeks 1, 2, and 4, bottles were cultured. Medical charts were reviewed for the presence of postsurgical infection and changes in management. Results Twenty post-ESS patients were enrolled and examined at weeks 1, 2, and 4. A total of 51 bottles were collected and cultured. Overall, 15 of 51 (29%) bottles demonstrated bacterial growth when cultured. During the first two collection periods, 10 of 40 (25%) bottles demonstrated bacterial growth when cultured; however, five of 11 (45%) bottles collected at the last postoperative visit demonstrated bacterial growth when cultured. During the study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were frequently recovered during the collection periods. Other organisms isolated included Escherichia coli and Enterobacter spp. Although positive bottle cultures were more common at weeks 2 and 4, no postoperative infections occurred. Conclusions Irrigation bottles used postoperatively have a measurable incidence of contamination. Contamination rate increases when bottles are used for longer than 1 week, but this does not appear to result in postsurgical infection.
Down‐Regulation of Osteoclast Differentiation by Daidzein via Caspase 3

Phytoestrogens are plant‐derived compounds with estrogen‐like activity. Phytoestrogen‐rich diets may prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis and these molecules maintain bone mass in ovariectomized animals. We compared the effects of the isoflavone daidzein, which has no action on tyrosine kinases, and 17β‐estradiol on the development and activity of osteoclasts in vitro. Nonadherent porcine bone marrow cells were cultured on dentine slices or on culture slides in the presence of 10−8 M of 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], with or without 10−8 M of daidzein, 10−8 M of 17β‐estradiol for 9‐11 days. Multinucleated tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase‐positive (TRAP+) cells that resorbed bone (osteoclasts) developed in the presence of 1,25(OH)2D3. The number of osteoclasts formed in response to 1,25(OH)2D3 was reduced by 58 ± 8% by daidzein and 52 ± 5% by estrogen (p < 0.01); these effects were reversed by 10−6 M of ICI 182,780. The area resorbed by mature osteoclasts was reduced by 39 ± 5% by daidzein and 42 ± 6% by estradiol (p < 0.01). Both compounds also inhibited the 1,25(OH)2D3‐induced differentiation of osteoclast progenitors (mononucleated TRAP+ cells), 53 ± 8% by daidzein and 50 ± 7% by estradiol (p < 0.05). Moreover, daidzein and estradiol promoted caspase‐8 and caspase‐3 cleavage and DNA fragmentation of monocytic bone marrow cells. Caspase‐3 cleavage was reversed by 10−8 M of ICI 182,780. Both compounds up‐regulated the expression of nuclear estrogen receptors ER‐α and ER‐β. Thus, daidzein, at the same concentration as 17β‐estradiol, inhibits osteoclast differentiation and activity. This may be caused by, at least in part, greater apoptosis of osteoclast progenitors mediated by ERs.
Semen of HIV-1-infected individuals: local shedding of herpesviruses and reprogrammed cytokine network.

BACKGROUND Semen is the main carrier of sexually transmitted viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). However, semen is not just a mere passive transporter of virions but also plays an active role in HIV-1 transmission through cytokines and other biological factors. METHODS To study the relationship between viruses and the chemokine-cytokine network in the male genital tract, we measured the concentrations of 21 cytokines/chemokines and the loads of HIV-1 and of 6 herpesviruses in seminal and blood plasma from HIV-1-infected and HIV-uninfected men. RESULTS We found that (1) semen is enriched in cytokines and chemokines that play key roles in HIV-1 infection or transmission; (2) HIV-1 infection changes the chemokine-cytokine network in semen, further enriching it in cytokines that modulate its replication; (3) HIV-1 infection is associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) compartmentalized seminal reactivation; (4) CMV and EBV concomitant seminal shedding is associated with higher HIV-1 loads in blood and seminal plasma; and (5) CMV seminal reactivation increases the seminal levels of the CCR5 ligands RANTES and eotaxin, and of the CXCR3 ligand monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG). CONCLUSIONS HIV-1 infection results in an aberrant production of cytokines and reactivation of EBV and CMV that further changes the seminal cytokine network. The altered seminal milieu in HIV-1 infection may be a determinant of HIV-1 sexual transmission.
Evaluation of a new endoscopic index to predict first bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract in patients with cirrhosis

The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the usefulness of the Italian Liver Cirrhosis Project (ILCP) classification of esophageal varices, together with the gastric features of portal hypertension, in predicting the first upper gastrointestinal bleeding in cirrhosis. The efficiency of these endoscopic parameters in predicting bleeding was also compared with the efficiency of the North Italian Endoscopic Club (NIEC) index. Three hundred forty‐four cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices but without any previous bleeding were enrolled in the study. The following endoscopic parameters of esophageal varices were recorded: location, size, occupancy, blue tone, and red color signs. Gastric varices were graded as absent or present, while congestive gastropathy was considered as absent, mild to moderate, or severe. All patients were followed until the first upper gastrointestinal bleeding and/or death, or for at least 24 months. No patient received any treatment to prevent bleeding. Sixty‐five patients bled from the upper gastrointestinal tract during the study. Univariate analysis showed that all endoscopic parameters were predictors of bleeding. According to multivariate analysis (Cox's model), size, gastric varices and congestive gastropathy were the only independent predictors of bleeding, and the following prognostic index (PI) was developed: PI = (size × 0.0395) + (congestive gastropathy × 0.878) + (gastric varices × 0.705). This index, which was validated using a split‐sample technique, and which appears to be superior to the NIEC index in predicting bleeding, may be useful in decision making for primary prophylaxis.
Cathepsin C is a tissue-specific regulator of squamous carcinogenesis

Serine and cysteine cathepsin (Cts) proteases are involved in tumor progression. CtsB plays a significant role during mammary carcinogenesis. Ruffell et al. find that squamous carcinomas develop independently of CtsB. CtsC is not required during mammary carcinogenesis but is necessary for squamous carcinogenesis. Dermal/stromal fibroblasts and bone marrow-derived cells express elevated levels of enzymatically active CtsC that regulate the complexity of infiltrating immune cells in neoplastic skin, development of angiogenic vasculature, and squamous cell carcinoma growth. These findings indicate that tissue specificity can define functional significance.
Limb salvage versus amputation. Preliminary results of the Mangled Extremity Severity Score.

Objective criteria can predict amputation after lower-extremity trauma. The authors examined the hypothesis that objective data, available early in the evaluation of patients with severe skeletal/soft-tissue injuries of the lower extremity with vascular compromise, might discriminate the salvageable from the unsalvageable limbs. The Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS) was developed by reviewing 25 trauma victims with 26 severe lower-extremity open fractures with vascular compromise. The four significant criteria (with increasing points for worsening prognosis) were skeletal/soft-tissue injury, limb ischemia, shock, and patient age. (There was a significant difference in the mean MESS scores; 4.88 in 17 limbs salvaged and 9.11 in nine limbs amputated; p less than 0.01). This scoring system was then prospectively evaluated in 26 lower-extremity open fractures with vascular injury over a 12-month period at two trauma centers. Again, there was a significant difference in the mean MESS scores; 4.00 for the 14 salvaged limbs and 8.83 for the 12 amputated limbs (p less than 0.01). In both the prospective and retrospective studies, a MESS score of greater than or equal to 7 had a 100% predictable value for amputation. This relatively simple, readily available scoring system of objective criteria was highly accurate in acutely discriminating between limbs that were salvageable and those that were unsalvageable and better managed by primary amputation.
The use of errorless learning strategies for patients with Alzheimer’s disease: a literature review

The aim of this article was to review the evidence of errorless learning on learning outcomes in patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. A computer-aided literature search from 1999 to 2011 was carried out using MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO and PsycArticles. Keywords included ‘errorless learning or practice’ and ‘Alzheimer’s disease’. Four studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected and reviewed. Two of the studies were clinical controlled trials: one was a single-group pretest–post-test trial and the other was a multiple single-participant study. Demographic variables, design, treatment and outcome measures were summarized. Recall trials were used as the primary outcome measure. Results indicate that the use of errorless learning promotes better retention of specific types of information. Errorless learning is effective in memory rehabilitation of older adults with Alzheimer’s disease. However, it would require more studies with unified outcome measures to allow for the formulation of standardized clinical protocol and recommendations.
[A study on early hearing impairment with essential hypertension].

OBJECTIVE To study the characteristic of hearing loss in essential hypertension. METHOD Sixty-eight cases (136 ears) of patients with essential hypertension were divided into two groups, i.e. group A, patients without retinal arteriosclerosis (35 cases, 70 ears ) and group B, patients with retinal arteriosclerosis (33 cases, 66 ears ). The control group consisted of 30 cases (60 ears) of the same sex and same age. All people were measured by pure tone audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emissions. RESULT The pure tone thresholds measured in group B hypertensive patients were significantly higher than in the normal controls (P<0.05), whereas pure tone thresholds in group A were not different from those in the control group (P>0.05). From 1000 to 8000 Hz, DPOAE amplitudes of hypertensive group A and group B were lower than that in control group (P<0.01). Only on the frequency points of 4000 Hz, the detection rate of DPOAE in group B was lower than that in control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Hypertension is a risk factor of degeneration of the hearing apparatus. The hearing function of hypertensive patients has probability to be impaired, although they do not feel hearing loss.
Bitewing and Digital Bitewing Radiography for Detection of Caries Lesions

When radiography is applied in the clinic for caries detection, the recommended technique is bitewing projection (Gröndahl, 1994). This technique was introduced by Raper (1925) and has continued with only minor alterations. The aims of this report are to provide evidence for (1) optimal bitewing recording for individual examinations and clinical trials, (2) advantages and disadvantages of digital receptors for bitewing examinations, (3) the diagnostic outcomes and limitations of bitewing radiography, and (4) computerautomated detection of caries.
Barriers to counselling support for HIV/AIDS patients in south-western Cameroon

The potential synergy between counselling and HIV/AIDS prevention is gaining recognition in Cameroon as counselling sessions are more often organised at health centres. In order to evaluate the actual achievements of these efforts, a qualitative ethnographic survey (based on interviews and focus group discussions) was conducted in two public and two private hospitals in the South-West Province. Churches and public health officials in Cameroon are struggling with the psycho-social, philosophical, psychological, theological, social, moral, ethical and cultural dimensions of HIV/AIDS, as they seek out viable prevention strategies. Health centres are also struggling to embrace the full meaning of counselling and to make psychological and spiritual support to AIDS patients available through the centres. Patients using these health centres may receive HIV testing against a backdrop of cultural standards that allow unsafe sex and bar open discussion on sex and sexuality. We propose that reversing the trend of the epidemic requires the intervention of the State, organisations in civil society and the family. Equally crucial is the role played by the churches — especially in confronting issues of stigmatisation and abandonment that often accompany patient disclosure, and in providing spiritual, emotional and psychological support to patients undergoing treatment.
Cysteine‐rich protein 1 is regulated by transforming growth factor‐β1 and expressed in lung fibrosis

Transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) is a diverse cytokine regulating growth, apoptosis, differentiation, adhesion, invasion, and extracellular matrix production. Dysregulation of TGF‐β is associated with fibrotic disorders and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition, and has been linked with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Cysteine‐rich protein 1 (CRP1) is a small LIM‐domain containing protein involved in smooth muscle differentiation. Here, we show that TGF‐β1 increases the expression of CRP1 protein and that CRP1 levels increase in a biphasic fashion. A rapid transient (15–45 min) increase in CRP1 is followed by a subsequent, sustained increase in CRP1 a few hours afterwards that lasts several days. We find that TGF‐β1 regulates the expression of CRP1 through Smad and non‐conventional p38 MAPK signaling pathways in a transcription‐independent manner and that the induction occurs concomitant with an increase in myofibroblast differentiation. Using CRP1 silencing by shRNA, we identify CRP1 as a novel factor mediating cell contractility. Furthermore, we localize CRP1 to fibroblastic foci in IPF lungs and find that CRP1 is significantly more expressed in IPF as compared to control lung tissue. The results show that CRP1 is a novel TGF‐β1 regulated protein that is expressed in fibrotic lesions and may be relevant in the IPF disease. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 2605–2612, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Absolute lymphocyte count predicts therapeutic efficacy of rituximab therapy in follicular lymphomas

The immunologic mechanisms of action of rituximab include complement mediated lysis and antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity. We hypothesised that a stronger host immune system prior to rituximab therapy for follicular (grades 1and 2) lymphomas (FL) would result in better response rates and longer time to progression (TTP). Thus, we studied the role of absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) prior to rituximab therapy on treatment efficacy and TTP in FL patients. Between 1996 and 2002, 79 FL patients were treated with single agent rituximab during their lymphoma treatment at the Mayo Clinic. The median age of the cohort was 56·6 years (range: 25–98 years). The median TTP was 12·5 months (range: 1–76 months). Superior TTP was observed with an ALC ≥0·89 × 109/l (n = 40) compared with an ALC <0·89 × 109/l (n = 39) at the time of rituximab therapy (median: 36·5 vs. 8·1 months, respectively, P < 0·0009). Higher complete response rates were observed in the ALC ≥0·89 × 109/l (23/40, 58%) compared with the ALC <0·89 × 109/l (5/39, 13%) (P < 0·0001). Multivariate analysis showed ALC to be an independent predictor for TTP. This study supports our hypothesis that a higher ALC predicts longer TTP following rituximab therapy.
Quantitative electron spectroscopic imaging studies of microelectronic metallization layers

The combination of focused ion beam (FIB) sample preparation and quantitative electron spectroscopic imaging is an ideal tool for the investigation of layered structures used in microelectronic metallization schemes. In the present work, Si3N4/Cu/Si3N4/SiO2/Si and Al/TiN/Ti/SiO2/Si metallization layers produced by physical vapour deposition are investigated. We apply series of energy filtered images in the low loss region for a mapping of the sample thickness which makes it possible to refine the parameters of the FIB process. We also show how series of energy filtered images in the core loss region can be used to obtain elemental distribution images and chemical bonding information on these samples on a nanometre scale. For materials with a small grain size and/or a strong variation in Bragg orientation, the intensity distribution of the elemental map is strongly influenced by the superimposed Bragg contrast. This detrimental effect can be reduced greatly by using hollow cone illumination, as is demonstrated for polycrystalline Cu. One striking feature observed in Cu layers prepared with FIB is strong, regularly arranged contrast variations caused by subsurface defects in the Cu grains. We suppose that these defects are a consequence of a strong interaction of Ga atoms from the FIB with Cu.
Long Non-Coding RNA Prostate Cancer-Associated Transcript 7 (PCAT7) Induces Poor Prognosis and Promotes Tumorigenesis by Inhibiting mir-134-5p in Non-Small-Cell Lung (NSCLC)

Background Long non-coding RNA PCAT7 has been revealed to participate in tumorigenesis of various cancers. However, the mechanism of PCAT7 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been identified. Hence, this study aimed to determine the function of PCAT7 in NSCLC. Material/Methods The expression level of PCAT7 in 96 pairs of NSCLC tissues and 6 cell lines was detected by qRT-PCR. Proliferation assay, flow cytometric analysis, transwell/migration assay, and Western blotting assay were performed to detect the relation between PCAT7 and malignant behaviors of NSCLC cells in vitro, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Rescue assays were carried out to confirm the contribution of PCAT7 to the progression of NSCLC cells by targeting miR-134-5p. Results PCAT7 was found to be overexpressed in NSCLC tissues (compared with corresponding non-tumor tissues) and NSCLC cells (compared with normal cell line 16-HBE). Overexpression of PCAT7 resulted in the promotion of tumor cell proliferation, inhibition of cells apoptosis, facilitation of cells metastasis, and formation of EMT phenotype, while PCAT7 expression deletion remarkably prohibited cell proliferation, accelerated their apoptosis, weakened metastasis, and reversed EMT to MET. miR-134-5P, as a target gene of PCAT7, restored the effects of down-regulation of PCAT7. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that PCAT7 participates in tumor progression in NSCLC by inhibiting miR-134-5p.