Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Reexamination of the Empirically Supported Treatments Critiques

Half a dozen special sections and a number of independent articles in psychotherapy journals have recently addressed and debated empirically supported treatments (ESTs). Serious arguments have been presented in favor of the EST movement, while significant criticisms have also appeared. While acknowledging the importance of criticism on the process of developing the EST lists, this commentary reexamines several critiques related to the goals of the EST movement. By offering a positive and comprehensive view of EST aspects that may have initially appeared as weaknesses, this article reaffirms the strengths and potential benefits of the EST project and discusses ways to achieve them.
Calcineurin A versus NS5A-TP2/HD Domain Containing 2: A Case Study of Site-directed Low-frequency Random Mutagenesis for Dissecting Target Specificity of Peptide Aptamers

We previously identified a peptide aptamer (named R5G42) via functional selection for its capacity to slow cell proliferation. A yeast two-hybrid screen of human cDNA libraries, using R5G42 as “bait,” allowed the identification of two binding proteins with very different functions: calcineurin A (CnA) (PP2B/PPP3CA), a protein phosphatase well characterized for its role in the immune response, and NS5A-TP2/HD domain containing 2, a much less studied protein induced subsequent to hepatitis C virus non-structural protein 5A expression in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells, with no known activity. Our objective in the present study was to dissect the dual target specificity of R5G42 in order to have tools with which to better characterize the actions of the peptide aptamers toward their individual targets. This was achieved through the selection of random mutants of the variable loop, derived from R5G42, evaluating their specificity toward CnA and NS5A-TP2 and analyzing their sequence. An interdisciplinary approach involving biomolecular computer simulations with integration of the sequence data and yeast two-hybrid binding phenotypes of these mutants yielded two structurally distinct conformers affording the potential molecular basis of the binding diversity of R5G42. Evaluation of the biological impact of CnA- versus NS5A-TP2-specific peptide aptamers indicated that although both contributed to the anti-proliferative effect of R5G42, CnA-binding was essential to stimulate the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor of activated T cells, indicative of the activation of endogenous CnA. By dissecting the target specificity of R5G42, we have generated novel tools with which to study each target individually. Apta-C8 is capable of directly activating CnA independent of binding to NS5A-TP2 and will be an important tool in studying the role of CnA activation in the regulation of different signaling pathways, whereas Apta-E1 will allow dissection of the function of NS5A-TP2, serving as an example of the usefulness of peptide aptamer technology for investigating signaling pathways.
Lymphocytic gastritis—relationship to Campylobacter pylori infection

The existence of a distinctive form of chronic gastritis characterized by marked infiltration of the surface and pitlining epithelium by mature T lymphocytes has been confirmed. Seventeen cases were identified amongst 382 patients with active chronic gastritis (4·5 per cent). The cases with lymphocytic gastritis had significantly higher counts of intra‐epithelial lymphocytes than sex and age‐matched controls drawn from a series of patients with the usual form of active Type B chronic gastritis. Furthermore, the lymphocytic gastritis group exhibited unusual endoscopic findings, namely erosions and ‘raised lesions’, in the body of the stomach. Such appearances have been previously described as ‘varioliform’ gastritis. Only seven of the patients (41 per cent) had C.pylori‐positive biopsies, compared with over 90 per cent in the generality of active chronic gastritis, but all but two of the eleven cases tested had serological evidence of C. pylori infection. While the pathogenesis of this condition is unclear, the histological resemblance to coeliac disease suggests that lymphocytic gastritis might also represent an abnormal response to a local antigen to which the patient has become sensitized. It is possible that this antigen is C. pylori.
Variabilite spatiale et temporelle des marqueurs pigmentaires des communautes autotrophes en mediterranee : implications biogeochimiques

Ce travail de these vise a utiliser les molecules pigmentaires pour caracteriser la structure des communautes phytoplanctoniques en mediterranee. Le premier stade a consiste a la mise au point d'une nouvelle methode d'analyse des pigments phytoplanctoniques par chromatographie liquide haute performance. Cette methode a ete appliquee lors de trois campagnes en mediterranee couvrant plusieurs echelles d'observations : 1. La campagne meteor 31/1 (28 decembre 1994- 5 fevrier 1995) ou a ete realisee un echantillonnage spatial intensif (77 stations echantillonnees) en mediterranee, en particulier dans le bassin oriental en periode hivernale. 2. La campagne minos (21 mai- 29 juin 1996). Cette campagne s'est focalisee sur la description de la variabilite spatiale des deux bassins, occidental et oriental, en periode estivale (20 sites visites). En outre, ces sites ont ete echantillonnes plusieurs fois par jour afin d'etudier la variabilite a haute frequence. 3. La campagne dynaproc (1 e r mai- 2 juin 1995) durant laquelle la station de reference dyfamed (jgofs-france), situee en mer ligure, a ete intensivement echantillonnee tout au long du mois de mai. Une large base de donnees pigmentaires a donc ete constituee a partir de ces etudes, et les distributions de biomasse et des classes de taille phytoplanctoniques ont ete decrites a differentes echelles spatio-temporelles dans le bassin mediterraneen. En outre, a partir d'indices pigmentaires et de mesures ou estimations des taux de production primaire par un modele bioptique, les productions nouvelles et de regeneration ont ete estimees pour ces memes echelles. Tous ces resultats ont permis de degager des generalisations entre la structure des communautes phytoplanctoniques et les cycles biogeochimiques.
Social support and social control in the context of cancer patients’ exercise: A pilot study

Social support is an important factor for exercise among cancer patients, but too much control might elicit reactance and lead to detrimental effects. In this pilot study, 56 dyads (cancer patient + relative) filled out a questionnaire assessing social support, social control, and reactance. After 4 weeks (T2), patients’ exercise was assessed with a 7-day recall. About half of the patients did not engage in any self-reported exercise behavior. Relative-reported support was the only variable associated with exercise behavior at T2. Perceived control (r = .4) but not perceived support was significantly correlated with reactance. Male patients reported more support, but were also more prone to reactance.
Inhaled corticosteroids and risk of lung cancer among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Lung cancer is a frequent cause of death among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We examined whether the use of inhaled corticosteroids among patients with COPD was associated with a decreased risk of lung cancer. METHODS We performed a cohort study of United States veterans enrolled in primary care clinics between December 1996 and May 2001. Participants had received treatment for, had an International Classification of Disease, 9th edition, diagnosis of, or a self-reported diagnosis of COPD. Patients with a history of lung cancer were excluded. To be exposed, patients must have been at least 80% adherent to inhaled corticosteroids. We used Cox regression models to estimate the risk of cancer and adjust for potential confounding factors. FINDINGS We identified 10,474 patients with a median follow-up of 3.8 years. In comparison to nonusers of inhaled corticosteroids, adjusting for age, smoking status, smoking intensity, previous history of non-lung cancer malignancy, coexisting illnesses, and bronchodilator use, there was a dose-dependent decreased risk of lung cancer associated with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS dose < 1,200 mug/d: adjusted HR, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-1.90; ICS dose >or= 1,200 microg/d: adjusted HR, 0.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.16-0.96). Changes in cohort definitions had minimal effects on the estimated risk. Analyses examining confounding by indication suggest biases in the opposite direction of the described effects. INTERPRETATION Results suggest that inhaled corticosteroids may have a potential role in lung cancer prevention among patients with COPD. These initial findings require confirmation in separate and larger cohorts.
Role of AgNOR in Benign and Malignant Breast Lesions

Study design: The studied samples included 48 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded breast tissues which consist of following diagnostic categories: Adenosis (n=8), ductal hyperplasia (n=6), infiltrative ductal carcinomas (n=14), infiltrative lobular carcinomas (n=5), and ductal carcinomas in situ (n=5). Standardized AgNORs analysis was performed on the above mentioned samples according to the guide lines of the committee on AgNORs. Quantification of AgNOR content was done by the usual counting method.
Assessing the microstructure of written language using a retelling paradigm.

PURPOSE The primary goal of this study was to document the progression of the microstructural elements of written language in children at 4 grade levels. The secondary purpose was to ascertain whether the variables selected for examination could be classified into valid categories that reflect the multidimensional nature of writing. METHOD Written language samples were collected and transcribed from 120 children in Grades 3 through 6 using an expository text-retelling paradigm. Nine variables at various levels of language were analyzed. RESULTS Using a text-retelling paradigm, measures of productivity (e.g., total number of words and ideas) improved steadily with age, whereas measures of complexity (e.g., mean length of T-unit) did not. Results for measures of accuracy (e.g., spelling and writing conventions) were mixed, with some showing improvement across grades. Grade 3 students showed consistently poorer performance than students in Grades 4, 5, and 6. Grade 4 students showed poorer performance than students in Grades 5 and 6. Exploratory factor analysis suggests that writing can be represented by 3 factors: Productivity, Complexity, and Accuracy. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians can use this multidimensional scheme for examining writing skills using text-retelling formats with children from Grades 3 through 6. This empirically based framework for measuring microstructural variables of writing provides clinicians with a 3-prong conceptual framework for determining children's strengths and weaknesses within the translational stage of writing.
HCV, ribavirin, and anemia: a new dawn.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 HCV, Ribavirin, and Anemia: A New Dawn 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 See “Effects of ribavirin dose reduction vs erythropoietin for boceprevir-related anemia in patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 infection—a randomized trial,” by Poordard F, Lawitz E, Reddy KR, et al, on page 000.
Influence of Dietary Calcium Concentration on the Digestion of Nutrients along the Intestinal Tract of Broiler Chickens

The effects of dietary calcium (Ca) concentration on the digestion of Ca, phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), fat and starch along the intestinal tract of broilers were assessed. Three-week old broilers were fed maize-soy diets containing 6, 9 or 12 g/kg of Ca (Ca: total P ratios of 1:1, 1.4:1 and 2:1, respectively) for six days and digesta were collected from the duodenum, jejunum, upper ileum and lower ileum. Apparent digestibility coefficients of P, Ca, N, fat and starch in different intestinal segments were calculated based on indigestible marker ratios in the diet and digesta. Apparent digestibility coefficients of P and Ca were determined to be negative in the duodenum. Apparent P digestibility was reduced (P 0.05) on apparent Ca digestibility. Calcium was absorbed predominantly in the jejunum. Digestibility of N and fat was reduced (P 0.05) by dietary Ca concentrations. Most of the starch digestion was completed by the end of the jejunum. The present data suggest that the site of digestion of P and N shifts depending on dietary Ca concentrations. Increasing dietary Ca concentrations negatively influenced the digestion of P, N and fat, but had no effect on those of Ca and starch.
Investigation of haematological effects of Terminalia macroptera stem bark via platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio among other blood parameters in Wistar rats

This study investigated the effects of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Terminalia macroptera stem bark (TMSB) in Wistar rats via white blood cell count and its differentials; erythrocytic parameters (EP) [red blood cell count, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration]; platelet count and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). Daily oral administration of extracts at low (50 and 200 mg/kg), mid (400 and 600 mg/kg) and high doses (1000 and 1200 mg/kg) were delivered to four female rats in six groups respectively for 28 days while control group received distilled water. Thereafter, animals were sacrificed and harvested blood analysed using automated systems. The results showed that high doses (1000 and 1200 mg/kg) of both extracts respectively caused granulocytic leukocytosis. However, only ethanol extract (EE) induced lymphocytopenia (1000 mg/kg, p=0.005; 1200 mg/kg, p=0.013) while granulocytosis observed with low doses had no corresponding increases in white blood cell counts. Aqueous extract (AE) had no effect on EP whereas significant increases were observed in groups administered 50 – 400 mg/kg of EE. PLR was 44.34 (± 6.58) in 1200 mg/kg aqueous extract dosed rats, significantly lower (p=0.01) than control group [73.03 (±5.14)], but higher in rats dosed with EE at 1000 mg/kg [PLR=175.55 (± 3.84); p<0.001] and 1200 mg/kg [PLR=117.28 (±3.90); p=0.005] respectively. These findings revealed that TMSB(AE) possesses immunoimpressive potential at high doses without significant erythropoietic effects while high doses of TMSB(EE) exhibits possible induction of systemic inflammation inaddition to erythropoietic boost at low to mid dose ranges.
What Is Beautiful Is Good Because What Is Beautiful Is Desired: Physical Attractiveness Stereotyping as Projection of Interpersonal Goals

The authors posit that the attribution of desirable interpersonal qualities to physically attractive targets is a projection of interpersonal goals; people desire to form and maintain close social bonds with attractive targets and then project these motivations onto those targets. Three studies support this model. Tendencies to see attractive novel targets depicted in photographs (Study 1), attractive romantic partners (Study 2), and attractive friends (Study 3) as especially interpersonally receptive and responsive were explained by perceivers’ heightened desires to bond with attractive individuals. Additional findings regarding response latencies (Study 1) also supported this model. Many instances of the “beautiful is good” effect may not reflect stereotyping as it is typically construed. Rather, they may reflect projection of heightened desires to bond with beautiful people.
D-dimer and international normalized ratio (INR) are correlated with tumor markers and disease stage in colorectal cancer patients.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation of coagulation tests with various clinicopathological variables and tumor markers among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ninety-four CRC patients were included for evaluation of clinicopathological factors, coagulation assays and tumor marker levels. RESULTS Metastatic disease was related with elevated INR (p= 0.03). Stage III patients had higher D-dimer values compared with stage II patients (p= 0.03). Correlation of tumor markers indicated a tendency towards elevated D-dimer levels for CEA values higher than median (p= 0.01). High CA 19-9 levels were also associated with higher INR (p= 0.007). Elderly age, distant metastasis, high CEA, CA-19-9 and LDH levels were associated with poorer overall-survival. CEA level was the only independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS Coagulation assays can be utilized as predictors of disease extent in CRC. Elevated D-dimer and INR values may indicate higher disease stage. Correlation of D-dimer levels with CEA supports their value for assessing tumor burden.
Phase I trial and pharmacokinetic analysis of ifosfamide in cats with sarcomas.

OBJECTIVE To determine the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicosis (DLT) of ifosfamide in tumor-bearing cats. ANIMALS 38 cats with resected, recurrent, or metastatic sarcomas. PROCEDURE The starting dosage of ifosfamide was 400 mg/m(2) of body surface area, IV, and dosages were increased by 50 to 100 mg/m(2) in cohorts of 3 cats. To protect against urotoxicosis, mesna was administered at a dosage equal to 20% of the calculated ifosfamide dosage. Diuresis with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution before and after administration of ifosfamide was used to minimize nephrotoxicosis. Samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were obtained after the MTD was reached. RESULTS 38 cats were entered into this phase I study and were administered a single dose of ifosfamide at various dosages. The MTD was 1,000 mg/m(2), and neutropenia was the DLT. Seven of 8 episodes of neutropenia were on day 7 after treatment, and 1 cat developed severe neutropenia on day 5. Adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract were generally mild and self-limiting, the most common of which was nausea during ifosfamide infusion. One cat had signs consistent with a drug-induced hypersensitivity reaction. There were no episodes of hemorrhagic cystitis or nephrotoxicosis. Correlations between pharmacokinetic variables and ifosfamide-associated toxicoses were not found. Preliminary evidence of antitumor activity was observed in 6 of 27 cats with measurable tumors. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The dosage of ifosfamide recommended to treat tumor-bearing cats is 900 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks. This dosage should be used in phase II clinical trials.
Dynamic changes in corticospinal tracts after stroke detected by fibretracking

Background and aims: The integrity of motor pathways and functional connectivity patterns are important in assessing plastic changes related to successful recovery, to obtain prognostic information and to monitor future therapeutic strategies of stroke patients. We tested the following hypotheses: (1) that changes in axonal integrity along the corticospinal tract after stroke can be detected as a reduction in fractional anisotropy; and (2) that sustained low fractional anisotropy is indicative of axonal loss and therefore is correlated with poor motor outcome, as measured by specific neurological motor scores. Methods: We developed a segmentation tool based on magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging in conjunction with three dimensional fibretracking for longitudinal studies of the corticospinal tract, and used specific neurological motor scores to test the hypotheses in five stroke patients within the first week and 30 and 90 days after the stroke. Results: Reduction in fractional anisotropy within the first weeks after stroke reflected a decline in axonal integrity, leading to Wallerian degeneration, and demonstrated a correlation between the temporal evolution of fractional anisotropy and motor function in patients with poor motor outcome. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the feasibility of fibretracking as a segmentation tool for mapping distal parts of the corticospinal motor pathways and showed that fractional anisotropy in the segmented corticospinal tract is a sensitive measure of structural changes after stroke.
Improved Specificity of a Multiplex Immunoassay for Quantitation of Anti-Diphtheria Toxin Antibodies with the Use of Diphtheria Toxoid

ABSTRACT A nonspecific binding of antibodies to diphtheria toxin, especially in adult serum samples, was observed in our diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis multiplex immunoassay (DTaP4 MIA). This can be significantly reduced by the use of diphtheria toxoid, achieving a good correlation with the Vero cell neutralization test and the toxin binding inhibition assay.
A charge-based compact model for arbitrary doped cylindrical surrounding-gate MOSFETs

This paper presents a charge-based compact model for the arbitrary doped long-channel cylindrical surrounding-gate (SRG) MOSFETs. Starting from Poissonpsilas equation with fixed charge and inversion charge terms, an accurate equation of inversion charge is obtained with the full-depletion approximation. Substituting this inversion charge expression into Pao-Sahpsilas dual integral, a drain current expression with concise form is derived. Based on the Ward-Duttonpsilas linear-charge-partition method and the current continuity principle, all trans-capacitances are obtained analytically. The developed model is valid in all operation regions without any smooth function. The model predictions have been extensively verified by 3D numerical simulations with a wide range of geometrical parameters and channel doping concentrations.
The epidemiology of paediatric Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in North China: 2006 to 2016

Abstract Paediatric Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia in China. Data on epidemiology of paediatric MPP from China are little known. This study retrospectively collected data from June 2006 to June 2016 in Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University of North China and aims to explore the epidemiological features of paediatric MPP and severe MPP (SMPP) in North China during the past 10 years. A total of 27 498 paediatric patients with pneumonia were enrolled. Among them, 37.5% of paediatric patients had MPP. In this area, an epidemic took place every 2–3 years at the peak, and the positive rate of MPP increased during these peak years over time. The peak age of MPP was between the ages of 6 and 10 years, accounting for 75.2%, significantly more compared with other age groups (χ2 = 1384.1, P < 0.0001). The epidemics peaked in September, October and November (χ2 = 904.9, P < 0.0001). Additionally, 13.0% of MPP paediatric patients were SMPP, but over time, the rate of SMPP increased, reaching 42.6% in 2016. The mean age of paediatric patients with SMPP (6.7 ± 3.0 years old) was younger than that of patients with non-SMPP (7.4 ± 3.2 years old) (t = 3.60, P = 0.0001). The prevalence of MPP and SMPP is common in China, especially in children from 6 to 10 years old. Paediatric patients with SMPP tend to be younger than those with non-SMPP. MPP outbreaks occur every 2–3 years in North China. September, October and November are the peak months, unlike in South China. Understanding the epidemiological characteristics of paediatric MPP can contribute to timely treatment and diagnosis, and may improve the prognosis of children with SMPP.