Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The TWEAK is weak for alcohol screening among female Veterans Affairs outpatients.

BACKGROUND The optimal brief questionnaire for alcohol screening among female patients has not yet been identified. This study compared the performance of the TWEAK (tolerance, worried, eye-opener, amnesia, cutdown), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and the AUDIT Consumption (AUDIT-C) as self-administered screening tests for hazardous drinking and/or active alcohol abuse or dependence among female Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatients. METHODS Women were included in the study if they received care at VA Puget Sound and completed both a self-administered survey containing the AUDIT and TWEAK screening questionnaires and subsequent in-person interviews with the Alcohol Use Disorders and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule. Sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and areas under Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were computed for each screening questionnaire compared with two interview-based comparison standards: (1) active DSM-IV alcohol abuse or dependence and (2) hazardous drinking and/or active DSM-IV alcohol abuse or dependence, the more appropriate target for primary care screening. RESULTS Of 393 women who completed screening questionnaires and interviews, 39 (9.9%) met diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence, and 89 (22.7%) met criteria for hazardous drinking or alcohol abuse or dependence. The TWEAK had relatively low sensitivities (0.62 and 0.44) but adequate specificities (0.86 and 0.89) for both interview-based comparison standards, even at its lowest cut-point (>/=1). The AUDIT and AUDIT-C were superior, with the following areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for active alcohol abuse or dependence and hazardous drinking and/or active alcohol abuse or dependence, respectively: AUDIT, 0.90 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.85-0.95] and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.84-0.91); AUDIT-C, 0.91 (95% CI, 0.88-0.95) and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.88-0.94); and TWEAK, 0.76 (95% CI, 0.66-0.86) and 0.67 (95% CI, 0.60-0.74). CONCLUSIONS The TWEAK has low sensitivity as an alcohol-screening questionnaire among female VA outpatients and should be evaluated further before being used in other female primary care populations. The three-item AUDIT-C was the optimal brief alcohol-screening questionnaire in this study.
Evaluation of the efficacy of lavage and induced emesis in treatment of salicylate poisoning.

Studies in experimental salicylate poisoning were carried out to ascertain the therapeutic value of gastric lavage and to compare it with the effect of emesis. Fasted dogs, 6 to 10 kg in weight, were given sodium salicylate in tablet form, and lavage was performed or emesis induced at varying time intervals following ingestion. Salicylate recovery was determined in the lavage and emesis fluids. The data indicate that in the recovery of ingested salicylate: 1) Initial aspiration of the stomach before introduction of fluid is equally as important as succeeding lavage. 2) Lavage carried out within 15 minutes is no more effective than emesis induced within 30 minutes of ingestion; 3) lavage carried out 1 hour after ingestion is inefficient and far less effective than emesis produced within the same time interval. 4) Spontaneous emesis is not as effective as induced emesis. 5) Emesis induced immediately, or even when delayed as long as 1½ hours after ingestion, appears to be the more effective and thus the preferable form of therapy. 6) Neither lavage nor emesis under the most optimal conditions are consistent in their effectiveness, so that all patients after either form of therapy should be followed carefully for signs of increasing drug intoxication, and treated if a specific form of therapy is available.
Transplantation studies of a putative lymphosarcoma of Xenopus.

The fate of the putative transplantable Xenopus lymphosarcoma (M. Balls, Cancer Res., 22: 1142-1154, 1962) was studied under three experimental conditions: (a) xenotransplantation, i.e., transplantation of live "tumor" tissue between adults of Xenopus borealis and X. laevis; (b) inoculation of live "tumor" cells from X. borealis into the blastocoele of X. laevis embryos; and (c) transplantation of "tumor" tissue into recipient adults immunologically unresponsive to the donor tissue antigens. This condition is fulfilled by using X. laevis-X. gilli (LG) hybrids [H.R. Kobel and L. Du Pasquier. In: J.B. Solomon and J.D. Horton (eds.), Developmental Immunology, pp. 229-306. The Netherlands: Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press, 1977] as donors, and triploid X. laevis-X. gilli and X. borealis (LGB) hybrids [C.H. Thiébaud, Dev. Biol., 98: 245-249, 1983] as recipients. In all transplantation experiments, donor and recipient cells could be unambiguously distinguished upon quinacrine staining that yields typical nuclear patterns, for instance bright patchiness in X. borealis, visible also in LGB cells. The results of xenotransplantation between X. borealis and X. laevis indicated that all developing "tumors" were composed of the recipient cell phenotype. The inoculation of live "tumor" cells from X. borealis "tumor" into the blastocoele of X. laevis embryos resulted in "tumor" formation in the recipient tadpoles and in metamorphosed animals. The cell constituting these "tumors" all were of recipient, X. laevis cell phenotype. Finally, "tumor" tissues from LG clones transplanted into LGB hosts were replaced by "tumors" formed of cells with recipient, LGB phenotype. These experiments indicate that this Xenopus tumor-like growth is a transmissible and not a transplantable disorder.
Developing a falls prevention program for community-dwelling stroke survivors in Singapore: client and caregiver perspectives

Abstract Purpose: Drawing on the perspectives of stroke survivors, family members and domestic helpers, this study explores participants’ experiences of self-perceived fall risk factors after stroke, common fall prevention strategies used, and challenges to community participation after a fall. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Singapore with community-dwelling stroke survivors with a previous fall (n = 9), family caregivers (n = 4), and domestic helpers (n = 4) who have cared for a stroke survivor with a previous fall. Purposive sampling was used for recruitment; all interviews were audio-recorded with permission and transcribed. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo (v10) software. Results: All participants shared their self-perceived intrinsic and extrinsic fall risk factors and main challenges after a fall. For stroke participants and family caregivers, motivational factors in developing safety strategies after a previous fall(s) include social connectedness, independent living and community participation. For family caregivers and domestic helpers, the stroke survivor’s safety is their top priority, however this can also lead to over-protective behavior outside of the rehabilitation process. Conclusions: Reducing the risk of falls in community-dwelling stroke survivors seems to be more important than promoting community participation among caregivers. The study findings highlight that a structured and client-centered fall prevention program targeting stroke survivors and caregivers is needed in Singapore. Implications for rehabilitation Falls after stroke can lead to functional decline in gait and mobility and restricted self-care activities. Community-dwelling stroke survivors develop adaptive safety strategies after a fall and want to be socially connected. However, caregivers see the safety of the stroke survivors as their top priority and demonstrate over-protective behaviors. Fall prevention programs for community-dwelling stroke survivors should target both stroke survivors and their caregivers. A structured and client-centered fall prevention program targeting at multiple risk factors post-stroke is needed for community-living stroke survivors.
Randomized phase III study of adjuvant versus progression-triggered treatment with gemcitabine (G) after radical cystectomy (RC) for locally advanced bladder cancer (LABC) in patients not suitable for cisplatin-based chemotherapy (CBC) (AUO-trial AB22/00).

250 Background: Cisplatin-based chemotherapy (CBC) has been widely used in trials of adjuvant therapy for LABC after RC. A high proportion of patients are unfit for CBC after RC for LABC. We therefore performed a prospective randomized phase III trial on G-monotherapy administered as adjuvant therapy (G-adj) vs in case of progression (G-prog) in pts not suitable for CBC. METHODS Between 7/2000 and 12/2008 120 of 178 planned pts with LABC unfit for CBC were randomized between 6 adjuvant cycles of G (q3w) starting within 12 wks after RC and G in case of disease progression. The primary endpoint of the trial was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included cancer-specific (CSS) and overall survival (OS) as well as treatment related toxicity. RESULTS The trial of 178 planned pts was closed early due to slow accrual. Of 120 randomized pts from 29 centers 114 were eligible for analysis. Median age of 81 male and 33 female pts was 72 (45-82) years. Lymph-node positive disease was found in 52/114 (47%) of pts at the time of surgery. The intention-to-treat analysis demonstrated a 10% difference in PFS after 3 years 50% (G-adj) vs 40% (G-prog) with a median PFS of 23 mo (G-adj) vs 17 mo (G-prog). The difference in PFS was not statistically significant (nss) (p= 0.335; HR 1.375, 95%CI 0.719 - 2.627). CSS at 3ys: 56% (G-adj) vs 50% (G-prog) with a median CSS of 49 mo (G-adj) vs 38 mo (G-prog). The difference in CSS was nss (p= 0.622; HR 1.166, 95%CI 0.632 - 2.149). OS at 3ys: 49% (G-adj) vs 48% (G-prog) with a median OS of 32 mo (G-adj) vs 31 mo (G-prog). The difference in OS was nss (p= 0.426; HR 1.225, 95%CI 0.743 - 2.018). Treatment with G was usually well tolerated, with less than 15% grade 3/4 toxicities.There was one treatment related death in the G-adj arm. CONCLUSIONS The study-hypothesis of a 15% difference in PFS after 3 years in favor of G-adj vs G-prog could not be confirmed. Nevertheless a marked difference in survival in favor of G-adj was shown by Kaplan-Meier plots regarding PFS, CSS and OS within the first 24 months after RC. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION NCT00146276.
How useful are smartphones for learning? Perceptions and practices of Library and Information Science students from Hong Kong and Japan

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of higher education students’ experiences in using smartphones for learning purposes, and their perceptions of the suitability of smartphones for learning. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative research method is applied to data collection and analysis by following the grounded theory approach. Data were gathered by an online focus group involving Library and Information Science (LIS) students from University of Hong Kong and University of Tsukuba (Japan). Findings – LIS students at both universities regularly use smartphones for communication, socializing, entertainment and other daily information needs. The findings show that LIS students commonly use smartphones for learning and consider smartphones to be very useful for their academic work. They use smartphones to access course materials, search library catalog, discuss course assignments with peers, take notes, etc. Although both academic libraries involved offer a variety of service.
Calculation of the work function of the cathode plasma under explosive electron emission

The initial stage of explosive electron emission represents is of most interest in the case of production of subnanosecond and picosecond electron beams in devices with explosive-emission cathodes. In this work we have developed, based on the electron density functional theory, a self-consistent model that allows one to calculate the work function of the cathode spot plasma in the range from the metal density to a density of ∼10<sup>18</sup>–10<sup>20</sup> cm<sup>−3</sup> in the interval of electron temperatures from zero to ∼5 eV. Calculations have been performed for a copper cathode. It has been shown that as the concentration of free charge carriers at the front the cathode flare is decreased from 10<sup>23</sup> to 10<sup>20</sup> cm<sup>−3</sup>, the work function of the plasma decreases to about one fifth.
Noninvasive monitoring of gene transfer using a reporter receptor imaged with a high-affinity peptide radiolabeled with 99mTc or 188Re.

UNLABELLED Gene therapy protocols require better modalities to monitor the location and level of transferred gene expression. One potential in vivo mechanism to assess gene expression would be to image the binding of a radiolabeled peptide to a reporter receptor that is expressed in targeted tissues. This concept was tested in a tumor model using a replication-incompetent adenoviral vector encoding the human type 2 somatostatin receptor (Ad5-CMVhSSTr2). Expression of the hSSTr2 reporter was imaged using a radiolabeled, somatostatin-avid peptide (P829). METHODS Bilateral subcutaneous A427 tumor xenografts were established on the flanks of athymic nude mice. These human-origin, non-small cell lung tumors are normally negative for hSSTr2 expression. One tumor was injected directly with Ad5-CMVhSSTr2, whereas the second tumor was injected directly with a control Ad5 vector. The mice were injected intravenously 48 h later with P829 peptide that was radiolabeled to high specific activity with 99mTc (half-life, 6 h) or 188Re (half-life, 17 h). Tumors were frozen and evaluated for somatostatin receptor expression using fluorescein-labeled somatostatin. RESULTS The accumulation of radiolabeled P829 in hSSTr2-expressing tumors was easily visualized by gamma camera imaging 3 h after injection. Imaging region of interest analyses and biodistribution studies confirmed a 5- to 10-fold greater accumulation of both radiolabeled P829 peptides in the Ad5-CMVhSSTr2-injected tumors versus control tumors injected with control Ad5 vectors. Ad5-CMVhSSTr2-injected tumors accumulated 2.5-3.8 percentage injected dose per gram 3 h after injection. Only Ad5-CMVhSSTr2-injected tumors expressed somatostatin receptors, as determined by immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION These studies show the feasibility of imaging a 99mTc-labeled peptide's binding to a reporter receptor after in vivo gene transfer to tumor cells. The 188Re-labeled peptide worked equally well for this imaging approach and offers the additional advantage of energetic beta decay with potential therapeutic efficacy. 99mTc and 188Re are generator produced, an advantage for widespread availability and low cost, and both radioisotopes can be imaged with existing, high-resolution modalities. There is great potential for using 99mTc-labeled peptides for imaging gene transfer with the hSSTr2 reporter receptor, especially when the reporter correlates with the expression of therapeutic genes that can be included simultaneously in the gene therapy vector.
Role of Emerging Campylobacter Species in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Abstract:The gut microbiota is a central player in the etiology of inflammatory bowel diseases. As such, there is intense scientific interest in elucidating the specific group/s of bacteria responsible for driving barrier damage and perpetuating the chronic inflammation that results in disease. Because of their ability to colonize close to the surface of the host intestinal epithelium, mucosa-associated bacteria are considered key players in the initiation and development of both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The leading bacterial candidates include adherent and invasive Escherichia coli, Helicobacter, Fusobacteria, Mycobacteria, and Campylobacter species. Of these, a member of the Campylobacter genus, Campylobacter concisus, has recently emerged as a putative player in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases. Current research indicates that this bacterium possesses extraordinarily diverse pathogenic capacities as well as unique genetic and functional signatures that are defined by their ability to adhere to and invade host cells, secrete toxins, and the presence of a virulence-associated restriction–modification system. These characteristics enable the potential classification of C. concisus into distinct pathotypes, which we have named adherent and invasive C. concisus and adherent and toxinogenic C. concisus. In this review, we evaluate evidence for the role of emerging Campylobacter species in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases.
Retinal transformation at metamorphosis in the winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus)

Abstract Winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) are hatched as bilaterally symmetric larvae which live near the ocean surface. At metamorphosis, they become laterally compressed, one eye migrates to the opposite side of the head, and they live the remainder of their lives lying on their blind side on the ocean floor. The present study characterizes and quantifies retinal cell distribution throughout the larval period and contrasts it with the adult retina. Based on light- and electron-microscopic analyses, retinas of larval flounder contain only a single cone-like photoreceptor type, arranged in a hexagonal array. In contrast, after metamorphosis, the adult retina has three types of photoreceptors: rods, single cones, and double cones. Rod photoreceptors are numerous in the ventral retina and decrease in density dorsad. The cone photoreceptor density, in contrast to rods, is higher in the dorsal retina decreasing ventrad. Adult cone photoreceptors are arranged in a square mosaic with four double cones surrounding one single cone. The differences in larval and adult retinal morphology reflect the distinctly different habitat each occupies.
Isolated Tears of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Background Over 30 years ago, Feagin and Curl reported on the diagnosis and treatment of “isolated” injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of the patients initially diagnosed with tears of the ACL, with special emphasis on those treated with primary repair. Hypothesis Long-term results are unsatisfactory for open evaluation and treatment of ACL injuries with or without primary repair. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Follow-up was available on 34 of the original 57 patients (60%) who had ACL tears on evaluation by arthrotomy. The average age at the index procedure was 20 years, and average follow-up was 32 (range, 29-36) years. Twenty-five of the 26 complete ACL tears were treated with primary repair. None of the 8 partial tears was repaired. Evaluations included the subjective and symptom ratings of the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) evaluation form, Lysholm score, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Tegner activity scale, and SANE rating. Results For the IKDC subjective score, 18 of 34 patients rated their knees as normal or nearly normal. The Lysholm scores averaged 70.1 (range, 20-100). The average SANE rating at 5 years was 74.8 (range, 49-110), and the current SANE rating averaged 68.9 (range, 10-100). The overall KOOS rating averaged 68.6 (range, 26.4-100). The Tegner activity score was 3.7. There was little difference between patients with unrepaired partial tears and those who had primary repairs. Conclusion At more than 30-year follow-up, patients have decreased activity levels and an equal mix of acceptable and unacceptable outcomes. We were unable to identify any predictive factors that correlated with the results; however, subsequent meniscal surgery did correlate with poor results. The results at greater than 30 years reinforce the 5-year results that showed unsatisfactory results after the open evaluation and treatment of ACL injuries with or without repair.
Response of surface water chemistry to reduced levels of acid precipitation: comparison of trends in two regions of New York, USA

In light of recent reductions in sulphur (S) and nitrogen (N) emissions mandated by Title IV of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, temporal trends and trend coherence in precipitation (1984–2001 and 1992–2001) and surface water chemistry (1992–2001) were determined in two of the most acid‐sensitive regions of North America, i.e. the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains of New York. Precipitation chemistry data from six sites located near these regions showed decreasing sulphate (SO42−), nitrate (NO3−), and base cation (CB) concentrations and increasing pH during 1984–2001, but few significant trends during 1992–2001. Data from five Catskill streams and 12 Adirondack lakes showed decreasing trends in SO42− concentrations at all sites, and decreasing trends in NO3−, CB, and H+ concentrations and increasing trends in dissolved organic carbon at most sites. In contrast, acid‐neutralizing capacity (ANC) increased significantly at only about half the Adirondack lakes and in one of the Catskill streams. Flow correction prior to trend analysis did not change any trend directions and had little effect on SO42− trends, but it caused several significant non‐flow‐corrected trends in NO3− and ANC to become non‐significant, suggesting that trend results for flow‐sensitive constituents are affected by flow‐related climate variation. SO42− concentrations showed high temporal coherence in precipitation, surface waters, and in precipitation–surface water comparisons, reflecting a strong link between S emissions, precipitation SO42− concentrations, and the processes that affect S cycling within these regions. NO3− and H+ concentrations and ANC generally showed weak coherence, especially in surface waters and in precipitation–surface water comparisons, indicating that variation in local‐scale processes driven by factors such as climate are affecting trends in acid–base chemistry in these two regions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Doxercalciferol safely suppresses PTH levels in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with chronic kidney disease stages 3 and 4.

BACKGROUND Calcitriol lowers parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3 and 4, but its use is limited by a low therapeutic index and concerns regarding hypercalcemia and acceleration of kidney disease. We evaluated doxercalciferol (1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2) as an alternative therapy in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. METHODS Fifty-five adults with stage 3 or 4 CKD and an intact PTH (iPTH) level greater than 85 pg/mL (ng/L) completed 8 baseline weeks, followed by 24 weeks of oral therapy with doxercalciferol or placebo. Pretreatment demographics and biochemical features did not differ between groups. Dosages were increased gradually if iPTH level was not decreased by 30% or greater and serum calcium and phosphorus levels were stable. Regular monitoring included plasma iPTH, serum calcium and phosphorus, urinary calcium, bone-specific serum markers, and serum lalpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured before and after treatment. RESULTS Mean plasma iPTH level decreased by 46% from baseline after 24 weeks of doxercalciferol treatment (P <0.001), but was unchanged with placebo. After 6 weeks, iPTH level reductions with doxercalciferol treatment exceeded those with placebo at all subsequent intervals (P <0.001). No clinically significant differences in mean serum calcium or phosphorus or urinary calcium levels or incidence of hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, or hypercalciuria were noted between groups. Serum C- and N-telopeptide and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase levels decreased with doxercalciferol treatment relative to both baseline and placebo (P <0.01). Adverse-event rates and changes in GFR did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION Doxercalciferol is safe and effective in controlling secondary hyperparathyroidism of patients with CKD stages 3 and 4.