Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relation between serologic response and pathologic findings in sheep with naturally acquired paratuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relation between lesions and serologic response in sheep with naturally acquired paratuberculosis and to evaluate the efficacy of agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and ELISA as diagnostic tests. ANIMALS 134 adult sheep, culled by the owner from flocks with history of severe chronic weight loss. PROCEDURE Before euthanasia, blood samples were collected and serum was obtained. AGID and ELISA were performed, using a protoplasmic antigen of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis. Sensitivity and specificity of these techniques were evaluated, using histopathologic findings as a reference. Histologic studies were carried out focusing on specimens containing intestinal organized lymphoid tissue. RESULTS Of the sheep examined, 46.3% had lesions that were classified in 5 categories, according to their location, extension, cellular types, and presence of acid-fast bacilli. Regarding serologic test results, 37.1% of sheep with lesions had a positive AGID result, and all sheep without lesions had negative results. However, ELISA positivity was slightly greater--48.4% of sheep with lesions; however, by use of ELISA, 11.1% of sheep without lesions had positive results. CONCLUSION A close relation between pathologic findings and serologic response was determined, especially between presence of acid-fast bacilli (potentially heavily shedding sheep) in the intestinal lesions and positivity to serologic tests, especially AGID. CLINICAL RELEVANCE On the basis of these results, together with its high specificity, reliability, and the difficulty of fecal specimen culture in sheep, AGID is proposed as a useful tool for seeking evidence of paratuberculosis in live sheep, and therefore, is suggested as the basis for control programs in areas in which the disease is a serious threat to sheep production.
Chronomodulated chemotherapy with oxaliplatin, 5-FU and sodium folinate in metastatic gastrointestinal cancer patients: original analysis of non-hematological toxicity and patient characteristics in a pilot investigation.

OBJECTIVE Several clinical trials have demonstrated that oxaliplatin is a useful agent in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid (FA) for the treatment of patients with colorectal carcinoma. The aims of this pilot study were to evaluate non-hematological toxicity and patient characteristics in gastrointestinal cancer patients treated with chronomodulated chemotherapy consisting of oxaliplatin, 5-FU and sodium folinate. METHODS Patients with metastatic gastrointestinal cancer received a chronomodulated regimen with oxaliplatin (25 mg/m2), 5-FU (750 mg/m2) and sodium folinate (150 mg/m2). Non-hematological toxicities were evaluated and analyzed in relation to patient characteristics, i.e. age, sex, body weight, body mass index (BMI), body surface area and smoking status. Toxicity was graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria. RESULTS The severity of non-hematological toxicity was generally moderate. Grade 4 toxicity was only found in 2 patients with diarrhea (12.5%). The most frequent common adverse events were nausea, Grades 1 - 2 in 13 patients (81.3%), followed by motor neuropathy, Grades 1 - 3 in 11 patients (68.9%). The analyses showed that patient characteristics such as BMI and smoking status were associated with mucositis/stomatitis, vomiting or mood alteration. Furthermore, there was a relationship between smoking status and the overall non-hematological toxicity. Smokers had significantly higher overall toxicity than non-smokers and body mass index correlated significant with overall toxicity. CONCLUSION The results of this pilot investigation suggest that a chronomodulated regimen with oxaliplatin, 5-FU and sodium folinate has a manageable non-hematological toxicity profile and that toxicity of the chronomodulated schedule studied depends on the patient characteristics. In further investigations, risk factors determining chemotherapeutic toxicity should be considered. Because of the small number of patients in this pilot investigation, the findings need to be confirmed in a larger clinical study.
International Trade Finance and the Cost Channel of Monetary Policy in Open Economies

This paper models the interaction between international trade finance and monetary policy in open economies and shows that trade finance affects the propagation mechanism of all macroeconomic shocks that are identified to be drivers of business cycles in advanced economies. The model is estimated with Bayesian techniques using output, price and bilateral trade data from the US and the Eurozone. The estimation exercise shows that trade finance conditions, which in turn are driven by US interest rates, are critical in explaining economic fluctuations. Quantitatively, trade finance has a larger impact on spillover effects of shocks to foreign countries, implying that incorporation of trade finance is particularly important when modeling small open economies.
Is Hip Abduction Strength Asymmetry Present in Female Runners in the Early Stages of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?

Background: The current literature indicates that hip abduction weakness in female patients is associated with ipsilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) as part of the weaker hip abductor complex. Thus, it has been suggested that clinicians should consider screening female athletes for hip strength asymmetry to identify those at risk of developing PFPS to prevent the condition. However, no study to date has demonstrated that hip strength asymmetry exists in the early stages of PFPS. Purpose: To determine whether hip abduction strength asymmetry exists in female runners with early unilateral PFPS, defined as symptoms of PFPS not significant enough to cause patients to seek medical attention or prevent them from running at least 10 miles per week. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: This study consisted of 21 female runners (mean age, 30.5 years; range, 18-45 years) with early unilateral PFPS, who had not yet sought medical care and who were able to run at least 10 miles per week, and 36 healthy controls comparably balanced for age, height, weight, and weekly running mileage (mean, 18.5 mi/wk). Study volunteers were recruited using flyers and from various local running events in the metropolitan area. Bilateral hip abduction strength in both a neutral and extended hip position was measured using a handheld dynamometer in each participant by an examiner blinded to group assignment. Results: Patients with early unilateral PFPS demonstrated no significant side-to-side difference in hip abduction strength, according to the Hip Strength Asymmetry Index, in both a neutral (mean, 83.5 ± 10.2; P = .2272) and extended hip position (mean, 96.3 ± 21.9; P = .6671) compared with controls (mean, 87.0 ± 8.3 [P = .2272] and 96.6 ± 16.2 [P = .6671], respectively). Hip abduction strength of the affected limb in patients with early unilateral PFPS (mean, 9.9 ± 2.2; P = .0305) was significantly stronger than that of the weaker limb of control participants (mean, 8.9 ± 1.4; P = .0305) when testing strength in a neutral hip position; however, no significant difference was found when testing the hip in an extended position (mean, 7.0 ± 1.4 [P = .1406] and 6.6 ± 1.5 [P =.1406], respectively). Conclusion: The study data show that early stages of unilateral PFPS in female runners is not associated with hip abduction strength asymmetry and that hip abduction strength tested in neutral is significantly greater in the affected limb in the early stages of PFPS compared with the unaffected limb. However, when tested in extension, no difference exists. Further studies investigating the early stages of PFPS are warranted. Clinical Relevance: Unlike patients with PFPS seeking medical care, early PFPS does not appear to be significantly associated with hip abduction strength asymmetry.
Reactivation of Phosphorylated Actin Depolymerizing Factor and Identification of the Regulatory Site (*)

Actin depolymerizing factor (ADF) occurs naturally in two forms, one of which contains a phosphorylated Ser and does not bind G-actin or depolymerize F-actin. Removal of this phosphate in vitro by alkaline phosphatase restores full F-actin depolymerizing activity. To identify the phosphorylation site, [P]pADF was purified and digested with endoproteinase Lys-C. The digest contained only one P-labeled peptide. Further digestion with endoproteinase Asp-N and mass spectrometric analysis showed that this peptide came from the N terminus of ADF. Alkaline phosphatase treatment of one Asp-N peptide (mass 753) converted it to a peptide of mass 673, demonstrating that this peptide contains the phosphate group. Tandem mass spectrometric sequence analysis of this peptide identified the phosphorylated Ser as the encoded Ser3 (Ser2 in the processed protein). HeLa cells, transfected with either chick wild-type ADF cDNA or a cDNA mutated to code for Ala in place of Ser or Thr, express and phosphorylate the exogenous ADF. Cells also expressed high levels of mutant ADF when Ser3 was deleted or converted to either Ala or Glu. However, none of these mutants was phosphorylated, confirming that Ser3 in the encoded ADF is the single in vivo regulatory site.
Small non-coding RNA profiling in human biofluids and surrogate tissues from healthy individuals: description of the diverse and most represented species

The role of non-coding RNAs in different biological processes and diseases is continuously expanding. Next-generation sequencing together with the parallel improvement of bioinformatics analyses allows the accurate detection and quantification of an increasing number of RNA species. With the aim of exploring new potential biomarkers for disease classification, a clear overview of the expression levels of common/unique small RNA species among different biospecimens is necessary. However, except for miRNAs in plasma, there are no substantial indications about the pattern of expression of various small RNAs in multiple specimens among healthy humans. By analysing small RNA-sequencing data from 243 samples, we have identified and compared the most abundantly and uniformly expressed miRNAs and non-miRNA species of comparable size with the library preparation in four different specimens (plasma exosomes, stool, urine, and cervical scrapes). Eleven miRNAs were commonly detected among all different specimens while 231 miRNAs were globally unique across them. Classification analysis using these miRNAs provided an accuracy of 99.6% to recognize the sample types. piRNAs and tRNAs were the most represented non-miRNA small RNAs detected in all specimen types that were analysed, particularly in urine samples. With the present data, the most uniformly expressed small RNAs in each sample type were also identified. A signature of small RNAs for each specimen could represent a reference gene set in validation studies by RT-qPCR. Overall, the data reported hereby provide an insight of the constitution of the human miRNome and of other small non-coding RNAs in various specimens of healthy individuals.
Hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids precedes cellular proliferation in asbestos-stimulated tracheobronchial epithelial cells.

Metabolism of inositol phospholipids and phosphatidylcholine was investigated in tracheobronchial epithelial cells exposed to mitogenic concentrations of crocidolite asbestos. Alterations in levels of diacylglycerol, the endogenous activator of protein kinase C, and inositol polyphosphates, presumed mobilizers of intracellular calcium, were examined. Cultures labeled with [3H]glycerol and exposed to proliferative concentrations of crocidolite asbestos demonstrated significant elevations in [3H]diacylglycerol. In contrast, crocidolite-exposed cells labeled with [3H]myristic acid or [3H]choline did not display elevated production of [3H]diacylglycerol or release of [3H]choline metabolites--i.e., evidence of phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis. The soluble tumor promoter phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate catalyzed both of these changes. myo-[3H]Inositol-labeled cells exposed as briefly as 10 min to mitogenic concentrations of crocidolite demonstrated elevations in [3H]inositol mono-, tris-, and terakisphosphates, phenomena indicating turnover of inositol phospholipids. The detection of diacylglycerol and inositol phosphates in crocidolite asbestos-exposed cells suggests that this fibrous tumor promoter activates phospholipase C as it stimulates cellular proliferation.
Police, Public, and Arrestee Perceptions of Body-Worn Video: A Single Jurisdictional Multiple-Perspective Analysis

This article analyzes police, public, and arrestee survey responses from a single jurisdiction to give a multiple-perspective insight into the use of body-worn video (BWV) cameras by police. Police attitudinal data were collected from before (n = 190), during (n = 139), and at the conclusion (n = 221) of a BWV implementation trial. Public attitudes were collected at the conclusion of the BWV implementation trial via online survey (n = 995 respondents) and intercept survey (n = 428 respondents). Arrestee attitudes (n = 302) were collected for detainees in police custody over a 6-month period immediately preceding the BWV trial. Results showed (a) all three perspectives were supportive of the use of BWV, (b) the extent to which police felt BWV influenced their behavior tempered during the trial, (c) the public who had encountered BWV-wearing officers and the arrestee sample indicated limited belief that BWV would reduce bad behavior, and (d) there was clear contention about the policy and practice decisions around recording. These findings have significance for BWV trials, commenting on the importance of collecting police attitudes at multiple points, separating the attitudes of public who did encounter police-wearing BWV, and data collection/policy for evaluation outcomes.
Examination of sacral tissue oxygen saturation among immobile patients

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To explore the effect of immobility on sacral tissue oxygen saturation in patients lying on a supporting surface in supine position. BACKGROUND Guidelines in regard to preventing pressure ulcers recommend that patients lying on a standard bed should change their positions every 2 hr and that patients on a supporting surface should change their positions every 4 hr. But there is no strong evidence that justifies this practice. DESIGN Quasi-experimental. METHODS Data for the research were collected over the period October 2014-March 2015 at Anesthesiology and Reanimation and Neurosurgery Clinic Intensive Care Units. A total of 46 patients matching the research criteria were left in the supine position for 4 hr without having a position change, during which time sacral tissue oxygen saturation was measured every hour on the hour. Sacral tissue oxygen saturation was measured with the InSpectra Tissue Oxygenation Monitor. RESULTS Mean sacral tissue oxygen saturation was 73.4% at baseline and was then measured as 74.9% at the first hour, 72.3% at the second hour, 71.9% at the third hour and 71.9% at the fourth hour. The changes observed between measuring times were not found to be statistically significant (p = .09). CONCLUSIONS No statistically significant differences were found between sacral tissue oxygen saturation values recorded over a period of 4 hr in immobile patients lying on a supporting surface in the supine position. However, it was observed that sacral tissue oxygen saturation values did not change significantly depending upon the type of supporting surface that was being used. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The study outcome supports changing the position of a patient lying on a supporting surface every 4 hr and provides evidence that justifies the recommendation made in the guidelines.
Dependence of alignment direction on magnitude of strain in esophageal smooth muscle cells

The response of cells in vitro to mechanical forces has been the subject of much research using devices to exert controlled mechanical stimulation on cultured cells or isolated tissue. In this study, esophageal smooth muscle cells were seeded on flexible polyurethane membranes to form a confluent cell layer. The cells were then subjected to uniform cyclic stretch of varying magnitudes at a frequency of approximately five cycles per minute in a custom made mechatronic bioreactor, providing similar strains experienced in the in vivo mechanical environment of the esophagus. The results show that the orientation response is dependent on the magnitude of cyclic stretch applied. Smooth muscle cells showed parallel alignment to the force direction at low cyclic strains (2%) compared to the hill‐valley morphology of static controls. At higher strains (5% and 10% magnitude), the cells exhibited a consistent alignment perpendicular to the strain. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the alignment direction's dependence on strain magnitude has been demonstrated. MTS analysis indicated that cell metabolism was reduced when mechanical strain was applied, and proliferation was inhibited by mechanical strain. Protein expression indicates a decrease in smooth muscle α‐actin, indicative of changes in cell phenotype, an increase in vimentin, which is associated with increased cell motility, and an increase in desmin, indicating differentiation in stimulated cells. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1703–1711. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simplified guideline for prescribing medical cannabinoids in primary care.

OBJECTIVE To develop a clinical practice guideline for a simplified approach to medical cannabinoid use in primary care; the focus was on primary care application, with a strong emphasis on best available evidence and a promotion of shared, informed decision making. METHODS The Evidence Review Group performed a detailed systematic review of 4 clinical areas with the best evidence around cannabinoids: pain, nausea and vomiting, spasticity, and adverse events. Nine health professionals (2 generalist family physicians, 2 pain management-focused family physicians, 1 inner-city family physician, 1 neurologist, 1 oncologist, 1 nurse practitioner, and 1 pharmacist) and a patient representative comprised the Prescribing Guideline Committee (PGC), along with 2 nonvoting members (pharmacist project managers). Member selection was based on profession, practice setting, location, and lack of financial conflicts of interest. The guideline process was iterative through content distribution, evidence review, and telephone and online meetings. The PGC directed the Evidence Review Group to address and provide evidence for additional questions as needed. The key recommendations were derived through consensus of the PGC. The guideline was drafted, refined, and distributed to a group of clinicians and patients for feedback, then refined again and finalized by the PGC. RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendations include limiting medical cannabinoid use in general, but also outline potential restricted use in a small subset of medical conditions for which there is some evidence (neuropathic pain, palliative and end-of-life pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and spasticity due to multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury). Other important considerations regarding prescribing are reviewed in detail, and content is offered to support shared, informed decision making. CONCLUSION This simplified medical cannabinoid prescribing guideline provides practical recommendations for the use of medical cannabinoids in primary care. All recommendations are intended to assist with, not dictate, decision making in conjunction with patients.
Intervention Fidelity

BackgroundAlthough an assumption of consistency in intervention delivery is key to the conclusion that the findings are valid, attention to both interventionist adherence and competence has not become a standard in nursing intervention research. ObjectivesThe purpose of this article is to describe the technology model of intervention fidelity as it applies to psychosocial interventions, and to propose its application in nursing intervention research as a way to support accurate conclusions about validity. MethodsThe features and methods of the Technology Model of intervention fidelity were reviewed. The review included development of a manual, training and supervision of interventionists, measurement of intervention fidelity, and inclusion of intervention fidelity as an independent variable in the analysis. ResultsThe Technology Model and the associated methodologies that have been used to monitor psychosocial intervention fidelity in psychiatry can be adapted and applied by nursing. Monitoring costs can be managed through use of a general system that can be applied across programmatic or related studies. ConclusionsApplication of the Technology Model of intervention fidelity could advance the maturation of nursing intervention research and evidence-based clinical practice.
Influence of approach speed of grounded electrode on ESD from charged metal

In this study, we considered the influences of approach speed of the grounded electrode on characteristic of ESD from charged metal. The approach speed ranges from 0.04mm/s to 4mm/s. The applied voltage is +3kV and +5kV. The analyses are done from the viewpoint of the followings; (1) The gap length of discharge inception. (2) Relationship between the breakdown electric field strength and the shape of discharge current waveform. (3) The peak current and the rising speed of 1st peak of discharge current. From experimental results, we found that the approach speed affected the distribution of the gap length of discharge inception. This change of the gap length led to change the shape of the discharge current waveform, the 1st peak current and their rising speed.
Effects of mandibular fixed implant-supported prostheses on masticatory and swallowing functions in completely edentulous elderly individuals.

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of oral rehabilitation with immediately loaded fixed implant-supported mandibular prostheses on chewing and swallowing in elderly individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen completely edentulous patients aged more than 60 years (10 women and five men), wearing removable dentures in both arches, had a mandibular denture replaced by an implant-supported prosthesis. All individuals were evaluated before surgery and again 3, 6, and 18 months later with regard to mastication and swallowing conditions. Examinations entailed an interview, evaluation of tactile sensitivity of the face, and observation of food intake, masticatory type, formations of bolus, and pain during mastication. The swallowing evaluation comprised observation of clinical signs related to the oral and pharyngeal stages of swallowing, as well as the presence of oral residue. The findings of different evaluations before and 3, 6, and 18 months after the surgical-prosthetic procedure were statistically compared by analysis of variance for repeated measurements at a significance level of 5%. RESULTS The questionnaire revealed a reduction in complaints of masticatory and swallowing disturbances, a decreased need for liquid ingestion, and reduced choking and coughing. Clinical evaluations showed improved oral function and bolus propulsion for both solid and paste-consistency foods; pain during mastication was also resolved. CONCLUSION Treatment with mandibular implant-supported dentures had positive effects on the clinical aspects of mastication and swallowing in elderly individuals.