Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PRMT1 is required for RAP55 to localize to processing bodies

In eukaryotic cells, components of messenger ribonucleoproteins (mRNPs) are often detected in cytoplasmic granules, such as processing bodies (P-bodies) and stress granules (SGs) where translationally repressed mRNAs accumulate. RAP55A, which is an RNA binding component of mRNPs, acts as a translational repressor and localizes to P-bodies and SGs. We found here that a homologous protein RAP55B also localized to P-bodies when expressed in human cultured cells. When RAP55A or RAP55B was highly expressed in the cells, they induced the formation of SG-like large cytoplasmic mRNP granules that contained both P-body and SG components, indicating that RAP55 is important for the assembly of cytoplasmic mRNP granules. In addition, we found that RAP55A associated with protein arginine methyltransferases PRMT1 and PRMT5. Multiple arginine residues of RAP55A were indeed asymmetrically dimethylated in the cell and PRMT1 was shown to be a component of large mRNP granules induced by RAP55A overexpression. Although PRMT1 did not accumulate in P-bodies, siRNA-mediated knockdown of PRMT1 impaired the localization of RAP55A to P-bodies, while other components were still retained in these structures. Thus, our data indicate that RAP55 is important for the assembly of cytoplasmic mRNP granules and that PRMT1 is required for RAP55A to localize to P-bodies.
A Comparison of Drug Use and Risk Behavior Profiles Among Younger and Older Street Youth

Among 559 street youth recruited between 2005 and 2007 in Vancouver, Canada, young drug users (<21 years of age) were compared with older drug users (≥21 years) with regard to recent drug use and sexual practices using multiple logistic regression. Older youth were more likely to be male and of Aboriginal ancestry, to have more significant depressive symptoms, to have recently engaged in crack smoking, and to have had a recent history of injection drug use. Young drug users, by contrast, were more likely to have engaged in recent binge alcohol use. Efforts to reduce drug use-related harm among street youth may be improved by considering the highly prevalent use of “harder” drugs and risk for depression among older youth.
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Illicit Drug Use Among Native American College Students: An Exploratory Quantitative Analysis

We examine alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use among US Native American college students by using 4 years of College Alcohol Study data (1993, 1997, 1999, and 2001; n = 267). To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to quantitatively examine this population using advanced statistical analyses and a nationally representative sample of US college students. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses show that Native American college students have unique rates and patterns of substance use that must be addressed accordingly. It is suggested that specialized future research and policy are needed to properly address alcohol and drug use among this population. Limitations of the study are noted.
Psychosocial Factors in Adolescent Nicotine Dependence Symptoms: A Sample of High School Juniors Who Smoke Daily

Cross-sectionally examined seven theory-guided psychosocial factors associated with nicotine dependence symptoms in a representative self-report survey of 794 Washington State high school junior daily smokers (93% participation). Outcomes were four nicotine dependence symptoms. Results showed that low self-efficacy for quitting smoking and being around adults who smoke were associated with a 3.48–10.35 and a 1.47–1.77 times higher odds, respectively, of each of the four nicotine dependence symptoms. These results, needing replication in a longitudinal study, suggest that interventions designed to enhance self-efficacy to quit smoking and counter adult smoking influences might reduce adolescent nicotine dependence.
A Social Network Approach to Demonstrate the Diffusion and Change Process of Intervention From Peer Health Advocates to the Drug Using Community

Project RAP (Risk Avoidance Partnership) trained 112 active drug users to become peer health advocates (PHAs). Six months after baseline survey (Nbl = 522), 91.6% of PHAs and 56.6% of community drug users adopted the RAP innovation of giving peer intervention, and 59.5% of all participants (N6m = 367) were exposed to RAP innovation. Sociometric network analysis shows that adoption of and exposure to RAP innovation was associated with proximity to a PHA or a highly active interventionist (HAI), being directly linked to multiple PHAs/HAIs, and being located in a network sector where multiple PHAs/HAIs were clustered. RAP innovation has diffused into the Hartford drug-using community.
Fitness and physical activity in Norwegian adults

To date there is scant knowledge about cardio-respiratory fitness in the general adult population. The aims of the present study were to assess physical activity and fitness level in adults, and to obtain practical experience with field testing in the adult population. Employees in a rural municipality (n=925) were invited to answer a questionnaire about physical activity and participate in the UKK 2-km Walk Test. Sixty per cent (n=554) answered the questionnaire and 42% (n=388) performed the test. Sixty per cent of the men and 32% of the women had a body mass index ≥25. Twenty-three per cent of the participants were physically active ≥30 min/day. Estimated VO2 max (±SD) was 39.1±8.9 for men and 32.0±5.9 for women. The Walk Test was well received by participants and easy to arrange. The Norwegian adult population was not as fit as expected. The feasibility of the test was good. However, it is important to develop strategies to increase participation rates in future fitness tests and surveillances.
Risk Factors for Gun-Related Behaviors Among Urban Out-of-treatment Substance Using Women

We examine the prevalence and factors associated with lifetime gun-carrying among 858 urban out-of-treatment substance using women using data collected between 2000 and 2004 in a large Midwestern city. Instruments assessed gun ownership, carrying and access, psychopathology and personal lifestyle risk factors. Analyses were conducted using logistic regression. Illegal activities for income and lifetime violent victimization were the most significant predictors of gun carrying. The implications for practice and future research are discussed along with the study's limitations. The work was supported by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Single-molecule FRET supports the two-state model of Argonaute action

Argonaute can be found in all three domains of life and is the functional core of the eukaryotic RNA-silencing machinery. In order to shed light on the conformational changes that drive Argonaute action, we performed single-molecule FRET measurements employing a so far uncharacterized member of the Argonaute family, namely Argonaute from the archaeal organism Methanocaldococcus jannaschii (MjAgo). We show that MjAgo is a catalytically active Argonaute variant hydrolyzing exclusively DNA target strands out of a DNA/DNA hybrid. We studied the interplay between Argonaute and nucleic acids using fluorescent dyes covalently attached at different positions of the DNA guide as steric reporters. This allowed us to determine structurally confined parts of the protein scaffold and flexible regions of the DNA guide. Single-molecule FRET measurements demonstrate that the 3′end of the DNA guide is released from the PAZ domain upon target strand loading. This conformational change does not necessitate target strand cleavage but a fully complementary target strand. Thus, our data support the two state model for Argonaute action.
Dental Anxiety and Oral Hygiene in Udaipur Rural Women- A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Indian Rural women are generally motivated with regard to oral hygiene practices and thus clean their teeth. Objective: To assess relationship of dental anxiety levels and oral hygiene status of Indian rural women. Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Setting: Department of Periodontics, Pacific dental college & Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. Subjects: Two Hundred and fifty six rural women were interviewed on socio-demographic details and Corah’s dental anxiety scale, and a full-mouth examination was done to determine Oral Hygiene status using Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified. Results: The analysis revealed that there was statistically significant difference between the anxiety scores and dental hygiene (p 0.05). Conclusion: This study concludes that dental anxiety cause dental care negligence which leads to poor oral hygiene.
Conserved RNA structures in the non-canonical Hac1/Xbp1 intron

The unconventional splicing of Hac1 by the ribonuclease Ire1 is a key event in the activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This splicing is independent of the spliceosome and is mediated by a secondary structure at the intron-exon boundaries of the mRNA. Similar unconventional splicing was also described for the gene Xbp1 in human, mouse, C. elegans and D. melanogaster, and for Hac1 in five other fungi. We used reported RNA structures to build a multiple sequence alignment and the Infernal package to search for homologous structures. We identified homologous non-canonical intron structures in 128 out of 156 searched eukaryotic genomes. Our results show that the sequence of the Hac1/Xbp1 intron is highly conserved only around the splice sites recognized by Ire1. The consensus structure of the Hac1/Xbp1 mRNA is well conserved in Fungi and Metazoa and resembles structures previously described. We show that a typical Hac1/Xbp1 intron is very short, only 20-26 bases, whereas yeast species have a long intron (>100 bases). We identified six species with unambiguous Hac1/Xbp1 homologs that have lost the non-canonical intron structure. We propose that these species use a different mechanism to regulate the UPR.
Chapter 10. Perspectives on Treatment, Alliance and Narratives Concerning Substance Use-Related Dependency

This article considers different perspectives on the treatment of substance use-related dependency, focusing on the importance of a therapeutic relationship, working alliance, counseling, and the use of narrative methods. The article also discusses some unresolved critical issues concerning the possibilities and limitations of acquiring necessary knowledge about substance use-related dependency when using narrative research methods. The main conclusion is that the therapeutic relationship between the therapist and the client is of crucial importance for a positive outcome of treatment and that narrative methods provide a detailed empirical database for analyses of substance use-related dependency.
Evaluating directors of nursing: Self-perceptions on leadership, job satisfaction, and personnel retention

Leaders within the long-term care (LTC) industry face a myriad of challenges as the U.S. population ages at exponential rates. Individuals 65 years of age and older are projected to have an epic presence in the U.S. over the next 40 years. This population is expected to double reaching 88.5 million by 2050. In order to meet the anticipated challenges of this rapidly growing aging population, effective healthcare leaders are needed. More specifically, efficacious leaders are required in Medicare certified skilled nursing facilities. LTC is an industry that requires strong, well-developed leaders; yet, while Directors of Nursing (DONs) are viewed as key leaders in the LTC setting, few studies have focused on their leadership styles. The goal of this quantitative, non-experimental research was to determine if a relationship existed between leadership styles, personnel retention, and job satisfaction. This study also sought to test the hypothesis that transformational leaders experience higher levels of job satisfaction and low levels of personnel retention. In efforts to meet the goal of this study, a descriptive correlational methodology was selected. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire was utilized to assess DON leadership styles and outcomes while the Abridged Job Description Index/Abridged Job in General survey evaluated job satisfaction. A convenience sample of DONs serving as active members of two well renowned professional DON organizations were solicited for participation. This study concluded both transformational and transactional leadership styles positively impacted leadership outcomes and personnel retention in LTC. Additionally, the analysis revealed moderate positive linear correlations between contingent reward and the retention of part-time Licensed Practical Nurses (r = .41, p = .02) and Certified Nursing Assistants (r = .47, p = .008). Such evidence suggests the use of rewards may work well to improve retention of part-time employees. Lastly, the tested hypothesis was unfounded as this study revealed leadership styles were generally unrelated to job satisfaction.
Review: newer and older antidepressants have similar efficacy and total discontinuation rates but different side effects

Mulrow CD, Williams JW Jr, Trivedi M, et al. Treatment of depression: newer pharmacotherapies. Rockville, MD: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research; February 1999. AHCPR publication no. 99-E014. http://www.ahcpr. gov/clinic/deprsumm.htm. QUESTION: In patients with depressive disorders, do newer and older pharmacotherapies have similar efficacy and adverse effects? Studies were identified by searching the Cochrane Collaboration Depression, Anxiety, and Neurosis Controlled Trials Registry; scanning trial article references and 46 meta-analyses; and contacting experts. Studies were selected if they were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with an active intervention of ≥6 weeks; compared a “newer” antidepressant with another antidepressant, placebo, or psychosocial intervention in patients with depressive disorders; and assessed depression symptoms, functional status, or quality of life. 2 reviewers independently extracted data on participant and diagnostic descriptors, setting, intervention, study methods, adverse effects, and outcomes (response rate, dropouts, and dropouts because of adverse events). 315 studies met the selection criteria. Similar response and total discontinuation rates existed for newer and older antidepressants. Newer antidepressants led to greater response rates in patients with major depression (51% …
Social Stressors and Alcohol Use Among Immigrant Sexual and Gender Minority Latinos in a Nontraditional Settlement State

We sought to quantify the association of social stressors with alcohol use among immigrant sexual and gender minority Latinos in North Carolina (n = 190). We modeled any drinking in past year using logistic regression and heavy episodic drinking in past 30 days using Poisson regression. Despite a large proportion of abstainers, there were indications of hazardous drinking. Among current drinkers, 63% reported at least one heavy drinking episode in past 30 days. Ethnic discrimination increased, and social support decreased, odds of any drinking in past year. Social support moderated the associations of English use and ethnic discrimination with heavy episodic drinking.
Ecological Momentary Assessment of Antecedents and Consequences of Smoking in Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

The current study assessed antecedents and consequences of ad lib cigarette smoking in smokers diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Adult smokers with ADHD (n = 17) completed 870 smoking and 622 nonsmoking electronic diary entries over a 7-day observation period of their naturalistic smoking behavior. Data collection occurred from 2011 to 2012. Generalized estimating equations indicated that ADHD smokers were more likely to smoke when urge to smoke, negative affect, boredom, stress, worry, and restlessness were elevated. In addition, participants were more likely to smoke in situations that elicited higher levels of nervousness and frustration. ADHD symptoms, in general, did not differ between smoking and nonsmoking contexts, though hyperactive–impulsive ADHD symptoms were elevated prior to smoking in frustrating situations. Additional situational antecedent variables were associated with smoking, including being in the presence of others smoking, being in a bar or restaurant, while outside, and while consuming caffeinated or alcoholic beverages. Participants also reported a significant improvement in urge to smoke, negative affect, stress, hunger, and ADHD symptoms after smoking a cigarette. Findings suggest certain contextual factors that may maintain ad lib cigarette smoking in smokers with ADHD and identify potential treatment targets in smoking cessation interventions for this at-risk group. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed. Funding for this study was provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Significance of reduced reactivity in ELISPOT assay to RD antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in BCG vaccinated individuals exposed to a patient with tuberculosis

Children with previous BCG immunization, who were investigated for mycobacterium tuberculosis infection during an outbreak of tuberculosis, were found to have a reduced reactivity in a gamma interferon release assay for mycobacterium tuberculosis. This may represent reduced presence of mycobacterium tuberculosis in BCG vaccinated individuals, who eliminated infection due to enhancement of the immune response by immunization. Alternatively bacterial load may have been suppressed below detection threshold of the body's immune system. Future research needs to develop methods of direct and specific detection of low bacterial loads of mycobacterium tuberculosis in vivo. One method worth further development is radio-immuno-szintigraphy, which has been successful in detection of mycobacterium tuberculosis in vivo in animal studies.
Alcohol Consumption Among Arabs in Israel: A Qualitative Study

Background: The Israeli society is a unique setting in which the Arabs are exposed to western alcohol consumption norms while living in Arab communities where alcohol consumption is not accepted. Objectives: To characterize Arab Muslim, Druze and Christian alcohol consumption behaviors and contingencies while being exposed to western style alcohol consumption. Methods: This study was a phenomenological qualitative study interviewing six focus groups and 13 individual Arab Muslims, Christians and Druze. Themes and categories were identified using qualitative methodology analysis. Results: Two concurrent contingencies exist for Arab Muslim men: on the one hand they describe pressure to drink because of social norms, and on the other hand they are reprehended for drinking, because of the religious interdiction. Therefore, they hide their drinking in secluded places. In addition, participants reported more heavy drinking among Muslim Men. Arab Christians reported drinking openly especially among men. Women do not drink and are looked down upon if they drink. Drinking may be viewed as a stage in life that a Muslim boy or young man goes through, he is expected to grow out of this stage and stop drinking while becoming religious. Conclusions/importance: Due to Muslim laws prohibiting alcohol consumption, alcohol consumption is not high, however it does exist especially among young men and when they drink they tend to drink heavily, more than the Arab Christians. Therefore, there is a need for interventions targeting younger Muslim men, to establish moderate drinking behaviors, if they chose to drink.
Dependence on Prescription Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs Among Young to Middle-aged Patients in France

Background: Benzodiazepines (BZD) and nonbenzodiazepines hypnotics (z-drugs) are recognized as one of the most widely prescribed medications in the world. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to assess the BZD and z-drugs dependence in young to middle-aged outpatients who were taking BZD/z-drugs on a chronic basis, and to characterize their profile. Methods: This is a forward-looking cross-sectional epidemiological study. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview within a network of partner pharmacies from the Nantes area, in France. All data were obtained exclusively through patients’ declarations. 212 patients (19-64 years old) were included: they were considered dependent when they answered positively to at least three items of the DSM IV. A multivariate logistic regression and a principal component analysis (PCA) were carried out to determine their profile. Results: Almost half of the patients met criteria for BZD/z-drugs dependence. The risk to develop BZD/z-drugs dependence is significantly associated with psychiatric history and with the quantity of BZD/z-drugs that is taken. A two factor concept of dependence could be identified according to the PCA: one axis with items of “tolerance” and “long term administration or higher doses”, and a second axis with “concerned by treatment” and “somatic consequences”. Conclusions/Importance: Among this BZD/z-drug dependent population, the two axes identified in the PCA represent two profiles of dependence: being in positive conditioning or suffering from negative consequences. Clinicians need to know them: these two clinical profiles may have an influence in terms of decision-making, especially to manage discontinuation.
The effect of abdominal muscle strengthening on pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of abdominal strengthening on pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis in healthy subjects with established abdominal weakness, in a relaxed standing position. Data were collected on 20 subjects, before and after an 8 week abdominal muscle strengthening programme. Abdominal muscle strength was tested using a modification of Kendall's leg-lowering test, pelvic tilt was measured using a pelvic inclinometer, and lumbar lordosis was measured using a flexible ruler. Twenty control subjects were used to determine reliability of the measurements over the 8 week period. The intra-class correlation coefficients calculated for measures of pelvic tilt, lumbar lordosis and abdominal strength were 0.87, 0.96 and 0.55 respectively, demonstrating reliability of these measures over the 8 week period. In the subsequent ANCOVA, controlling for pre-test scores, post-test mean muscle strength in the experimental group was found to be significantly greater than in the control group.
BRAFV599E Mutation Is the Leading Genetic Event in Adult Sporadic Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas

Activating mutations of BRAF have been identified in a variety of human cancers, most notably melanomas and papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). The aim of the present study was to disclose the role of BRAF mutations in thyroid carcinoma development. Seventy-two thyroid tumors, including 60 PTCs, six follicular adenomas, five follicular carcinomas, and one anaplastic carcinoma, were studied. BRAF mutation screening focused on exon 15 and exon 11 of the gene by single-stranded conformational polymorphism and sequence analysis. Search of RET/PTC expression was conducted with the RT-PCR technique. The molecular genetic study of the BRAF gene showed the presence of a missense thymine to adenine transversion at nucleotide 1796, resulting in the V599E substitution, in 24 of 60 PTCs (40%), none of six follicular adenomas, and none of five follicular carcinomas or one anaplastic carcinoma. Moreover, nine of 60 PTCs (15%) presented RET/PTC expression. A genetico-clinical association analysis showed a statistically.