Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
When Modern Technologies Meet Ageing Workforces: Older Workers are more affected by Demands from Mobile Interruptions than their Younger Counterparts

Mobile technologies have dramatically increased the number of work-related interruptions. In many organizations, employees have to remain accessible and respond to these technology-mediated (T-M) interruptions even after regular work hours. Thus, demands from work interruptions might spill over into workers’ evening and family time, entailing role stress. Ultimately, workers might shy away from using the technologies they deem responsible, with negative impacts for organizations. At the same time, the workforce is ageing rapidly, and older workers might be even more susceptible to the negative impacts of interruptions than their younger counterparts. Hence, this research examines whether demands from T-M interruptions reduce IT use indirectly via workers’ experiences of role stress and whether this indirect effect depends on age such that it is stronger for older workers. Data collected from 121 younger and 124 older knowledge workers supported this idea. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Effects of aerobic training on pyruvate dehydrogenase and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase in human skeletal muscle

This study examined the effects of short‐ and long‐term aerobic training on the stable up‐regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and PDH kinase (PDK) in human skeletal muscle. We hypothesized that 8 weeks, but not 1 week, of aerobic training would increase total PDH (PDHt) and PDK activities compared to pretraining, and this would be detectable at the level of gene transcription (mRNA) and/or gene translation (protein). Resting muscle biopsies were taken before and after 1 and 8 weeks of aerobic cycle exercise training. PDHt and PDK activities, and their respective protein and mRNA expression, did not differ after 1 week of aerobic training. PDHt activity increased 31% after 8 weeks and this may be partially due to a 1.3‐fold increase in PDH‐E1α protein expression. PDK activity approximately doubled after 8 weeks of aerobic training and this was attributed to a 1.3‐fold increase in PDK2 isoform protein expression. Similar to 1 week, no changes were observed at the mRNA level after 8 weeks of training. These findings suggest that aerobically trained human skeletal muscle has an increased maximal capacity to utilize carbohydrates, evident by increased PDHt, but increased metabolic control sensitivity to pyruvate through increased contribution of PDK2 to total PDK activity.
Scrub Practitioners' List of Intra-Operative Non-Technical Skills - SPLINTS

Modern surgery requires a group of people with a variety of skills to work together effectively to deliver patient care. in addition to their technical expertise, members of an operating theatre (OT) team will utilize a range of ‘non-technical’ skills. These are the cognitive and social skills that complement technical skills to achieve safe and efficient practice. Taxonomies of these non-technical skills have already been identified for anaesthetists’ (see Glavin and Patey, Chapter 11 in this volume, Fletcher et al. 2004) and surgeons’ performance (see Yule et al., Chapter 2 in this volume, Yule et al. 2006b) in the intra-operative phase of surgical procedures. Another key member of the theatre team is the scrub (or instrument) nurse, practitioner or technician,1 who works directly with one or more surgeons while they are operating on the patient. as there was no taxonomy of non-technical skills for this member of the scrub team, a research project (funded 2007–2009 by NHS Education Scotland) was established to identify these skills and this chapter will describe the findings of the SPLINTS project to date.
[A multi-centered randomized controlled study of neo-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery versus surgery alone for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus: an interim analysis].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and validity of neo-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery for locally advanced esophageal carcinoma. METHODS Patients with IIB, III staged squamous cell carcinoma of thoracic esophagus were randomly allocated to either preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery (arm A) or surgery alone (arm B). In arm A, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were performed concurrently. Patients received two cycles of vinorelbine and cisplatin. Vinorelbine at 25 mg/m(2) per day was administered as a bolus infusion at d1, d8, d22 and d29. Cisplatin at 75 mg/m(2) was administered by an intravenous infusion at d1 and d22 (or 25 mg/m(2) days 1 - 4 and 22 - 25). A total radiotherapeutic dose of 40 Gy was delivered in 20 daily fractions of 2.0 Gy each (5 d/wk for 4 weeks). Three-incisioned esophagectomy was performed at Weeks 4 - 6 after chemoradiotherapy. Primary outcome was overall survival time. An interim analysis was performed in June 2011. RESULTS From July 2007 to June 2011, 123 eligible patients were randomly assigned at 7 cooperative cancer centers (54 cases in arm A vs 69 cases in arm B). In arm A, the clinical response rate of chemoradiotherapy was 90.7%. All patients finished the preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Forty-nine cases continued to receive esophagectomy. The pathological complete response rate was 29.6%. The rate of R0 resection in arm A was significant higher than that in arm B(96.0% vs 85.5%, P = 0.015). The most common grade 3/4 toxicity of chemoradiotherapy was leukopenia occurring in 33 cases (61.1%). Vomiting and esophagitis were usually of Grade 1/2. No patient died or abandoned surgery because of chemoradiation toxicity. Between arms A and B, operative duration, blood loss, duration of chest tube drainage and length of postsurgical hospital stay were similar. The incidences of postoperative heart failure (2.0% vs 1.4%, P = 1.000), anastomotic leakage (8.2% vs 11.6%, P = 0.759) and hoarseness (6.1% vs 4.3%, P = 0.691) were not significantly different. The incidence of pulmonary infection in arm A was slightly higher than that in arm B (8.2% vs 1.4%, P = 0.094). No perioperative deaths occurred in either group. There were no significant differences in overall survivals at 1, 2 years between arms A and B (85.6%/75.5% vs 79.1%/66.1%, P = 0.207). The disease-free survivals at 1, 2 years in arm A were slightly higher than in arm B (86.6%/83.2% vs 70.9%/61.8%, P = 0.075). CONCLUSION Neo-adjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgery may achieve a high clinical response rate and pathologic complete tumor regression rate. It significantly increases the R0 resection rate and down stage the esophageal cancer patients. But its ultimate efficacy awaits further follow-up studies.
Massive liver cell necrosis induced in the pig with carbon tetrachloride.

An attempt was made to induce massive liver necrosis in the pig by the injection of varying doses of carbon tetrachloride into the afferent vessels of the liver. The optimal route and dose of injection were assessed as well as the effect of prior phenobarbitone administration. Survival, and biochemical and histological changes were noted. A preliminary trial of exchange transfusion showed that the model could be used, but a number of variables complicates evaluation in this biological system. A large number of animals would be needed under strictly paired conditions in order to draw significant conclusions. S. Afr. Med. J . , 48, 1201 (1974).
Volume progression in polycystic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is characterized by progressive enlargement of cyst-filled kidneys. METHODS In a three-year study, we measured the rates of change in total kidney volume, total cyst volume, and iothalamate clearance in patients with ADPKD. Of a total of 241 patients, in 232 patients without azotemia who were 15 to 46 years old at baseline we used magnetic-resonance imaging to correlate the total kidney volume and total cyst volume with iothalamate clearance. Statistical methods included analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS Total kidney volume and total cyst volume increased exponentially, a result consistent with an expansion process dependent on growth. The mean (+/-SD) total kidney volume was 1060+/-642 ml at baseline and increased by a mean of 204+/-246 ml (5.27+/-3.92 percent per year, P<0.001) over a three-year period among 214 patients. Total cyst volume increased by 218+/-263 ml (P<0.001) during the same period among 210 patients. The baseline total kidney volume predicted the subsequent rate of increase in volume, independently of age. A baseline total kidney volume above 1500 ml in 51 patients was associated with a declining glomerular filtration rate (by 4.33+/-8.07 ml per minute per year, P<0.001). Total kidney volume increased more in 135 patients with PKD1 mutations (by 245+/-268 ml) than in 28 patients with PKD2 mutations (by 136+/-100 ml, P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS Kidney enlargement resulting from the expansion of cysts in patients with ADPKD is continuous and quantifiable and is associated with the decline of renal function. Higher rates of kidney enlargement are associated with a more rapid decrease in renal function.
Role of human Na,K‐ATPase alpha 4 in sperm function, derived from studies in transgenic mice

Most of our knowledge on the biological role of the testis‐specific Na,K‐ATPase alpha 4 isoform derives from studies performed in non‐human species. Here, we studied the function of human Na,K‐ATPase alpha 4 after its expression in transgenic mice. Using a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) construct containing the human ATP1A4 gene locus, we obtained expression of the human α4 transgene specifically in mouse sperm testis and, in the sperm flagellum. The expressed human alpha 4 was active, and compared to wild‐type sperm, those from transgenic mice displayed higher Na,K‐ATPase alpha 4 activity and greater binding of fluorescently labeled ouabain, which is typical of the alpha 4 isoform. The expression and activity of endogenous alpha 4 and the other Na,K‐ATPase alpha isoform present in sperm, alpha 1, remained unchanged. Male mice expressing the human ATP1A4 transgene exhibited similar testis size and morphology, normal sperm number and shape, and no changes in overall fertility compared to wild‐type mice. Sperm carrying the human transgene exhibited enhanced total motility and an increase in multiple parameters of sperm movement, including higher sperm hyperactive motility. In contrast, no statistically significant changes in sperm membrane potential, protein tyrosine phosphorylation, or spontaneous acrosome reaction were found between wild‐type and transgenic mice. Altogether, these results provide new genetic evidence for an important role of human Na,K‐ATPase alpha 4 in sperm motility and hyperactivation, and establishes a new animal model for future studies of this isoform. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 82: 167–181, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Changes in attitudes and perceptions about research in physical therapy among professional physical therapist students and new graduates.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The physical therapy profession, through its published educational accreditation standards and its normative model of professional education, has addressed the importance of educating physical therapist students in the basic principles and application of research. The purpose of this study was to conduct a longitudinal study of students relative to (1) their perception of knowledge with respect to research, (2) their perception of what source should be used (evidence-based practice or traditional protocols) for clinical decision making, and (3) their perception of what should be used in a clinical setting for patient management. SUBJECTS Thirty-six students during the final year of their professional program from a sample of 115 physical therapist students who requested 2 consecutive physical therapist classes completed the entire sequence of pretest and posttest survey administrations. Seventy-nine students did not complete the entire sequence. METHODS A 10-item 5-point Likert-type questionnaire was designed by the authors to probe the students' attitudes and perceptions about research, their level of comfort and confidence in reading and applying research findings published in the literature, and their personal habits regarding reading the professional literature. An expert panel consisting of internal and external reviewers was used for construction of the questionnaire. The questionnaire was completed by the students immediately preceding their research methods course, immediately after the completion of that course, and following the second research course, which included statistics and development of a research proposal. The subjects also completed the questionnaire after 1 year of physical therapy practice. Friedman's analysis of variance was used as an omnibus test to detect differences across time. In addition, a follow-up analysis using the Wilcoxon signed-rank procedure to examine differences between baseline data and data obtained during each follow-up was done for all items to determine whether a difference occurred at a time other than at the final posttest survey administration. RESULTS The students showed differences on 5 of the 10 items on the questionnaire during the study. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION These items related to reading peer-reviewed professional journals, critically reading professional literature, relevance and importance of evidence-based clinical practice, and level of comfort with knowledge in research.
Pattern Recognition Scavenger Receptor CD204 Attenuates Toll-like Receptor 4-induced NF-κB Activation by Directly Inhibiting Ubiquitination of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Receptor-associated Factor 6*

The collaboration and cross-talk between different classes of innate pattern recognition receptors are crucial for a well coordinated inflammatory response and host defense. Here we report a previously unrecognized role of scavenger receptor A (SRA; also known as CD204) as a signaling regulator in the context of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation. We show that SRA/CD204 deficiency leads to greater sensitivity to LPS-induced endotoxic shock. SRA/CD204 down-regulates inflammatory gene expression in dendritic cells by suppressing TLR4-induced activation of the transcription factor NF-κB. For the first time, we demonstrate that SRA/CD204 executes its regulatory functions by directly interacting with the TRAF-C domain of TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), resulting in inhibition of TRAF6 dimerization and ubiquitination. The attenuation of NF-κB activity by SRA/CD204 is independent of its ligand-binding domain, indicating that the signaling-regulatory feature of SRA/CD204 can be uncoupled from its conventional endocytic functions. Collectively, we have identified the molecular linkage between SRA/CD204 and the TLR4 signaling pathways, and our results reveal a novel mechanism by which a non-TLR pattern recognition receptor restricts TLR4 activation and consequent inflammatory response.
Probiotic intervention has strain-specific anti-inflammatory effects in healthy adults.

AIM To evaluate the effects of three potentially anti-inflammatory probiotic bacteria from three different genera on immune variables in healthy adults in a clinical setting based on previous in vitro characterization of cytokine responses. METHODS A total of 62 volunteers participated in this randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled parallel group intervention study. The volunteers were randomized to receive a milk-based drink containing either Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Bb12 (Bb12), or Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS (PJS) or a placebo drink for 3 wk. Venous blood and saliva samples were taken at baseline and on d 1, 7 and 21. Fecal samples were collected at baseline and at the end of intervention. RESULTS The serum hsCRP expressed as the median AUC(0-21) (minus baseline) was 0.018 mg/L in the placebo group, -0.240 mg/L in the LGG group, 0.090 mg/L in the Bb12 group and -0.085 mg/L in the PJS group (P = 0.014). In vitro production of TNF-alpha from in vitro cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was significantly lower in subjects receiving LGG vs placebo. IL-2 production from PBMC in the Bb12 group was significantly lower compared with the other groups. CONCLUSION In conclusion, probiotic bacteria have strain-specific anti-inflammatory effects in healthy adults.
DDGP versus SMILE in NK/T-Cell Lymphoma—Letter

We read with interest the randomized controlled trial by Li and colleagues ([1][1]) comparing DDGP (dexamethasone, cisplatin, gemcitabine, pegasparaginase) to SMILE (dexamethasone, methotrexate, ifosfamide, l-asparaginase, etoposide) in patients with stage III–IV NK/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL). While
Made in America

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine. edu/pjcr Part of the Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, International and Intercultural Communication Commons, Interpersonal and Small Group Communication Commons, Organizational Communication Commons, and the Social Influence and Political Communication Commons
Nucleus Accumbens AMPA Receptors Are Necessary for Morphine-Withdrawal-Induced Negative-Affective States in Rats

Dependence is a hallmark feature of opiate addiction and is defined by the emergence of somatic and affective withdrawal signs. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) integrates dopaminergic and glutamatergic inputs to mediate rewarding and aversive properties of opiates. Evidence suggests that AMPA glutamate-receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity within the NAc underlies aspects of addiction. However, the degree to which NAc AMPA receptors (AMPARs) contribute to somatic and affective signs of opiate withdrawal is not fully understood. Here, we show that microinjection of the AMPAR antagonist NBQX into the NAc shell of morphine-dependent rats prevented naloxone-induced conditioned place aversions and decreases in sensitivity to brain stimulation reward, but had no effect on somatic withdrawal signs. Using a protein cross-linking approach, we found that the surface/intracellular ratio of NAc GluA1, but not GluA2, increased with morphine treatment, suggesting postsynaptic insertion of GluA2-lacking AMPARs. Consistent with this, 1-naphthylacetyl spermine trihydrochloride (NASPM), an antagonist of GluA2-lacking AMPARs, attenuated naloxone-induced decreases in sensitivity to brain stimulation reward. Naloxone decreased the surface/intracellular ratio and synaptosomal membrane levels of NAc GluA1 in morphine-dependent rats, suggesting a compensatory removal of AMPARs from synaptic zones. Together, these findings indicate that chronic morphine increases synaptic availability of GluA1-containing AMPARs in the NAc, which is necessary for triggering negative-affective states in response to naloxone. This is broadly consistent with the hypothesis that activation of NAc neurons produces acute aversive states and raises the possibility that inhibiting AMPA transmission selectively in the NAc may have therapeutic value in the treatment of addiction. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Morphine dependence and withdrawal result in profound negative-affective states that play a major role in the maintenance of addiction. However, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are not fully understood. We use a rat model of morphine dependence to show that GluA1 subunits of AMPA glutamate receptors in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain region critical for modulating affective states, are necessary for aversive effects of morphine withdrawal. Using biochemical methods in NAc tissue, we show that morphine dependence increases cell surface expression of GluA1, suggesting that neurons in this area are primed for increased AMPA receptor activation upon withdrawal. This work is important because it suggests that targeting AMPA receptor trafficking and activation could provide novel targets for addiction treatment.
Relationships between DNA Methylation and Expression in Erythrocyte Membrane Protein (Band 3, Protein 4.2, and β-Spectrin) Genes during Human Erythroid Development and Differentiation

Red cell membrane proteins are sequentially expressed during erythroid development and differentiation. Spectrins have already been synthesized in early erythroid precursors such as pronormoblasts, and band 3 (B3) appears at nearly the same stage. Protein 4.1 appears next, followed by protein 4.2 (P4.2) at the very late erythroblast stage. The methylation states of the promoter 5′-CG-3′ sites are known to be linked to the regulation of promoter function by modulating DNA-protein interactions and the structure of chromatin. Hence, the genes for B3, P4.2, and β-spectrin (β-SP) appear to be suitable models to study the relationship between methylation of promoter 5′ -CG-3′ sites and the sequential expression of genes during human erythroid development and differentiation. We have examined methylation profiles in the promoter regions of the genes (ELB42, EPB3, and SPTB) for the human erythroid membrane proteins P4.2, B3, and β-SP by applying the bisulfite genomic sequencing method. Our results demonstrate the following: (1) The promoter regions of EPB3 and ELB42 are extensively methylated in DNA from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, but the SPTB promoter is totally unmethylated. (2) During erythroid differentiation, DNA methylation patterns change as follows: (a) ELB42 is unmethylated in DNA from erythroid-committed blastic cells, such as the human cell line UT-7/EPO, but is methylated in erythroblasts from peripheral blood burst-forming unit erythroid (BFU-E) in the second phase of the liquid-culture method. Messenger RNA (mRNA) from ELB42 is first detected in early erythroblasts, and P4.2 is expressed in late erythroblasts. (b) In contrast, EPB3 is consistently methylated in UT-7/EPO cells and in cultured erythroblasts from BFU-E from human peripheral blood. B3 mRNA and protein are already expressed in early erythroblasts. (c) SPTB remains unmethylated in human DNA from UT-7/EPO cells and from cultured erythroblasts. These results document the diversity of the reactions of human promoter sequences to the modulating influence of DNA methylation. Whereas the human SPTB promoter conforms to expectations in that it is unmethylated and fully active throughout erythroid development, high levels of promoter methylation correlate with promoter activity for the EPB3 and ELB42 genes during their sequential activation in erythrocyte differentiation.
Parental death from cardiovascular disease and dietary habits in an elderly group

The present study examines the influence of parental history of death from cardiovascular disease on dietary habits and nutritional status of a group of seventy-two Spanish elderly. Those with at least one parent who had died of cardiovascular disease (43·1% of the cases) had higher diastolic blood pressure (P < 0·05) and nutrient intakes less favourable from the cardiovascular risk point of view than those whose parents died of other causes. Descendants whose parents died of cardiovascular disease had higher total fat, animal fat, saturated fatty acids, myristic acid and palmitic acid intakes and a lower monounsaturated fatty acids: saturated fatty acids value than descendants of those who died from other causes (all P < 0·05).