Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Public support for anti-smoking legislation varies with smoking status.

OBJECTIVE Rural Australians have higher rates of smoking than their urban counterparts, contributing to poorer health outcomes. In 2004, the Queensland Government introduced legislation to reduce the impact of environmental tobacco smoke on the community. The aims of the study were to describe smoking behaviours and associations between smoking behaviour and agreement with current anti-smoking laws. PARTICIPANTS A total of 1208 people over the age of 18 years and living in rural, remote and very remote central Queensland participated in this telephone survey. RESULTS About 22% (n = 130) of female and 21% of male (n = 125) participants identified themselves as smokers. No difference existed between the mean age of smokers (47.3 years) and non-smokers (47.1 years). While there is high level of support for smoking restrictions in public places (75%), attitudes vary with smoking status. Smokers were less likely than smokers to agree that the legislation would create a healthier environment, reduce exposure to passive smoking or agree that 'it is right to ban smoking in public places'. Smokers were significantly more likely to agree that the legislation had gone too far. CONCLUSION The gradual implementation of the anti-smoking legislation is changing social beliefs on what are acceptable smoking practices. It is likely that the legislation within Queensland and the subsequent forced changes in social conditions for smokers will continue to reduce the number of people smoking and reduce exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.
ADSORPTION OF COPPER FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION BY ELAIS GUINEENSIS KERNEL ACTIVATED CARBON

In this study, a series of batch laboratory experiments were conducted in order to investigate the feasibility of Elais Guineensis kernel or known as palm kernel shell (PKS)-based activated carbon for the removal of copper from aqueous solution by the adsorption process. Investigation was carried out by studying the influence of initial solution pH, adsorbent dosage and initial concentration of copper. The particle size of PKS used was categorized as PKS–M. All batch experiments were carried out at a constant temperature of 30°C (±2°C) using mechanical shaker that operated at 100 rpm. The single component equilibrium data was analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson, Temkin and Toth adsorption isotherms.
Specific interaction between OutD, an Erwinia chrysanthemi outer membrane protein of the general secretory pathway, and secreted proteins

OutD is an outer membrane component of the main terminal branch of the general secretory pathway (GSP) in Erwinia chrysanthemi. We analyzed the interactions of OutD with other components of the GSP (Out proteins) and with secreted proteins (PelB, EGZ and PemA). OutD is stabilized by its interaction with another GSP component, OutS. The 62 C‐terminal amino acids of OutD are necessary for this interaction. In vivo formation of OutD multimers, up to tetramers, was proved after the dissociation in mild conditions of the OutD aggregates formed in the outer membrane. Thus, OutD could form a channel‐like structure in the outer membrane. We showed that OutD is stabilized in vivo when co‐expressed with Out‐secreted proteins. This stabilization results from the formation of complexes that were detected in experiments of co‐immunoprecipitation and co‐sedimentation in sucrose density gradients. The presence of the N‐terminal part of OutD is required for this interaction. The interaction between OutD and the secreted protein PelB was confirmed in vitro, suggesting that no other component of the GSP is required for this recognition. No interaction was observed between the E.carotovora PelC and the E.chrysanthemi OutD. Thus, the interaction between GspD and the secreted proteins present in the periplasm could be the key to the specificity of the secretion machinery and a trigger for that process.
Association of the AGXT2 V140I polymorphism with risk for coronary heart disease in a Chinese population.

AIM Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor that decreases NO production and promotes the development of cardiovascular diseases. Alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase 2 (AGXT2) plays an important role in ADMA metabolism. This study was designed to explore the association of the AGXT2 V140I (rs37369 G＞A) polymorphism with risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) in a Chinese population. METHODS A case-control study including 1103 controls and 942 CHD patients was performed. The patients were genotyped for rs37369 using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Plasma ADMA concentration in healthy controls was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS The rs37369 GG genotype was significantly overrepresented in CHD patients compared to the controls (18.5% versus 14.8%, p=0.025), and it was significantly associated with increased risk for CHD in smokers (OR=2.21, 95% CI: 1.24-3.92, p=0.007) and marginally increased CHD risk for individuals with diabetes mellitus (OR=1.92; 95% CI: 0.94-3.91, p=0.074). The association between rs37369 and CHD risk was further increased in smokers with diabetes mellitus (OR=3.32, 95% CI:1.14-9.67, p=0.028). Patients who smoked and were rs37369 GG homozygous showed significantly higher plasma ADMA levels than carriers of the rs37369 A allele (p=0.004). However, in non-smokers, patients homozygous for rs37369 GG showed significantly lower plasma ADMA concentrations than carriers of the rs37369 A allele (p=0.003). Furthermore, smokers homozygous for rs37369 GG showed significantly higher plasma ADMA concentrations than non-smokers with the same genotype (p=0.012). CONCLUSION The AGXT2 rs37369 polymorphism is associated with increased risk for CHD in smokers and in diabetes mellitus patients. This increased risk may be due to increased plasma ADMA levels.
Characteristics of cisternal cerebrospinal fluid associated with primary brain tumors in the dog: a retrospective study.

Results of cisternal CSF analyses of 77 dogs with primary brain tumors (1970 to 1984) were examined retrospectively. The types of primary brain tumors were astrocytomas, choroid plexus papillomas, ependymomas, meningiomas, and oligodendrogliomas. Fifty-three dogs had complete CSF analyses performed (total WBC count, total protein content, and pressure). Of these 53 CSF, 39.6% had a pattern of change consistent with current descriptions of CSF associated with brain neoplasia. Results of the remaining 60.4% of the 53 CSF were normal (9.4%) or had an atypical pattern of abnormality (50.9%). The CSF associated with meningiomas was unique in having CSF with a WBC count greater than 50 cells/microliter and a WBC differential count greater than 50% polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells. Within the meningioma group, a predominance of PMN cells in the CSF correlated with necrosis or PMN cell infiltration of the tumors. Additional correlations between specific CSF characteristics and histologic features of the tumors could not be made. Statistical analysis of the 77 CSF revealed that the mean CSF total WBC count of the oligodendroglioma group was significantly less than the mean WBC count of the choroid plexus papilloma group and the meningioma group. The mean CSF total protein contents of the astrocytoma group and the meningioma group were significantly less than the mean protein of the choroid plexus papilloma group. The mean CSF pressure of the tumor groups was not significantly different. For all 77 tumors, the most common abnormality was an increased total protein content (69.4%); the least common abnormality was an increased total WBC count (41.3%). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Changes in urinary cytokines and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) in bladder cancer patients after Bacillus Calmette—Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy

Intravesical immunotherapy for carcinoma in situ of the bladder is arguably the most effective form of tumour immunotherapy described to date. Following repeated instillations of BCG organisms into the bladder, large quantities of cytokines are detected in patients’ urine. This study concerns the production of IL‐1β, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) and soluble ICAM‐1 (sICAM‐1) throughout the six weekly instillations which comprise a therapeutic course. Sequential instillations of BCG induced secretion of IL‐1β, IL‐2, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, TNF‐α, IFN‐γ and sICAM‐1 into urine. The responses were heterogeneous between patients and cytokines, but some general trends were evident. Although cytokine levels were initially low, their concentration increased with repeated instillation of BCG. Certain cytokines (e.g. IL‐6, IL‐8 and IL‐10) could be detected after the first instillation, whilst others (e.g. IL‐2 and IFN‐γ) were not detected until after the third or fourth instillation. Interestingly, IL‐4 was not detected, perhaps suggesting a differential effect on Th2‐like responses. Some patients produced particularly elevated or non‐detectable levels of cytokines, and a positive correlation was found between the production of various cytokines. The production of a particular cytokine did not correspond with lack of production of another species. Whether monitoring the production of cytokines following therapy may be of prognostic value will be determined in a larger series of patients. However, as these potent immunomodulators are thought t o be important for the 75% complete clinical response observed with BCG therapy, there remains the possibility that detection of the products of an activated immune system may correlate with eventual clinical outcome. This study is a necessary forerunner to full prognostic evaluation of such immunological data.
The influence of strain and housing on two types of spike‐wave discharges in rats

WAG/Rij rats, a genetic model of absence epilepsy, show two types of spike‐wave discharges (Type 1 and Type 2) in their EEG activity. The large interindividual variation in the expression of the phenotypes (number and mean duration of spike‐wave discharges) suggests that as well as genetic, environmental factors also play a role. The aim of our study was to establish effects of strain and housing on the incidence and expression of both types of paroxysms. Therefore, WAG/Rij and ACI rats were housed from weaning in either an enriched or impoverished environment for 60 days. At three months of age the EEG of the rats was recorded for four hours to examine the effects of strain and housing on the incidence and expression of the two types of paroxysms. Generally, enriched housing led to worsening of Type 1 and Type 2 spike‐wave discharges (SWD). However, the number of affected rats and the expression (number and mean duration) of Type 1 and Type 2 spike‐wave discharges were differently influenced by strain and housing. This suggests that Type 1 and Type 2 spike‐wave discharges are independent phenomena and that number and mean duration of these paroxysms are controlled by different mechanisms. Finally, the worsening of absence seizures after enrichment is different from what has been found for convulsive seizures.
To Have or to Take: Discourse, Positioning, and Narrative Identity in Women’s Accounts of HRT

Using ‘social cognitive’ frameworks, attitudes to HRT have been examined as if they were stable entities located within individuals. However, qualitative studies have revealed variations and contradictions in women’s ‘attitudes’. We seek to explain these apparent contradictions by using a social constructionist approach to the analysis of qualitative data from 7 focus group discussions about HRT with 48 women in New Zealand. A discourse analysis of ‘interpretative repertoires’, subject positions and narrative identity was undertaken to explain the construction of HRT in situated practice, and the negotiation and accomplishment of a unitary orientation to HRT across situations. The results summarize the interpretative repertoires used by the women, and one example of a subject position negotiated at a moment of patently problematic intersecting interpretative repertoires, to highlight the construction of subject positions using discursive resources. The importance of the study of subjectivity in applied areas of psychology is discussed.
Heteroscedasticity and Grouped Data Regression

Of the numerous problems arising in attempts to empirically model an economic phenomenon using micro level survey data, perhaps the least attention has been given to those attributable to a "grouped dependent variable. " In this case, the dependent variable is categorical in nature, having known category boundaries, and of interval strength. For many surveys, data on individual incomes, home values, length of time in residence, etc. fall into this class of measures, and attempts to econometrically estimate models explaining their behavior encounter more difficulties than is commonly realized. When confronted with grouped data on the dependent variable analysts typically will assign each observation in a particular category the midpoint value of that category, perhaps after the end points of that category have been transformed (e.g., to conform to a Pareto, lognormal, or some other distribution), and then estimate the parameters of the model by ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. Alternatively, the analyst might attempt to account for the categorical nature of the dependent variable by employing a maximum likelihood estimation technique such as probit or logit. Unfortunately, both of these approaches result in unsatisfactory parameter estimates. OLS on the category midpoints produces inconsistent estimates. ' Even the qualitative dependent variable maximum likelihood techniques such as n-chotomous probit produce inefficient estimates, since they ignore the information provided by the known values of the category boundaries. About a decade ago, Mark Stewart [13] developed a maximum likelihood model that would allow consistent and asymptotically efficient parameter estimation when the dependent variable is grouped. His procedure has come to be known as "grouped data regression. " Mute testimony as to the lack of attention paid to this important work is given by the dominance, until very recently, of the two inappropriate techniques (above) in the relevant empirical literature.2 Due to the recent rapid rise in popularity of the grouped data regression model, however, some of its limitations should be examined. One limitation that has not been considered is the
Contrasting smokers' and snus users' perceptions of personal tobacco behavior in norway.

INTRODUCTION In Norway, snus use and cigarette smoking are at different developmental stages as described by the diffusion of innovation model. Concomitant with declining smoking rates, the use of snus is increasing. In light of these differences in use trends, we assumed that snus users and cigarette smokers would have different perceptions of their personal tobacco use. METHODS A total of 4,852 smokers and snus users were recruited from a large sample of online panelists (n = 62,000) and a postal database (n = 15,000). The responses to 16 evaluative statements assessing perceptions about tobacco use were compared between exclusive snus users and exclusive smokers and within dual users. The statements concerned self-evaluative emotions, moral judgments, social disapproval, and benefits of quitting. RESULTS The perceptions of personal tobacco use differed greatly between exclusive smokers and exclusive snus users, even after controlling for age and sex. Smoker's perceptions were more negative compared with snus users' perception. The differences between smoking and snus use were particularly large for indices of social disapproval (Cohen's d = 1.56) and benefits from quitting use of the product (Cohen's d = 1.47) between exclusive users. Dual users exhibited a similar pattern. CONCLUSIONS Smokers have a more negative perception of their own use compared to snus users. Dual users also devaluated smoking in comparison to their snus use. This finding may have important values for prevention strategies targeting smokers, snus users, and dual users.
Cell death in the development of the lateral motor column of the chick embryo

Cell counts were made in the lumbar lateral motor column (l.m.c.) of chick embryos of 5.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 18 days of incubation and five days posthatching (n = equals; 68). Only nuclei with nucleoli were counted and corrections were made for double counting (Abercrombie, 1946). The population attains a peak value of over 20,000 cells (corrected figure: over 17,000) at 5.5–6.5 days = stages 28 and 29 (Hamburger and Hamilton, 1951). The l.m. c. loses between 7,000 and 8,000 cells between days 6.5 and 9.5, (between stages 29 and 36). In other words, 60% of the population survive. A plateau of approximately 12,300 cells (corrected figure: 10,300) is maintained throug five days posthatching. Massive cell degeneration was observed in 7‐ and 8‐day embryos. Counts of distinctly pyknotic cells indicate that at least 5–6% of the total population is in the process of degeneration at any particular time. This figure is probably an underestimation; hence it is virtually certain that the depletion of the l.m. c. is due entirely to cell death. Arguments are presented in support of the hypothesis that the naturally occurring cell death in the l.m. c. is due to the failure of their axons to survive in a competion process at the periphery. Observations of the time pattern of muscle differentiation and their neurotization in the leg further endorse this hypothesis. However, it is not clear whether the axons compete for contact sites on muscle fibers or for a “trophic” agent.
Depressant‐like effects of parthenolide in a rodent behavioural antidepressant test battery

The anti‐serotonergic effects of parthenolide (PTL) demonstrated in platelets inspired the present psychopharmacological investigation, which employs a battery of rodent behavioural assays of depression. In mice, PTL (0.5‐2 mg kg−1) exhibited dose‐dependent depressant‐like effects in a forced swim test and a tail suspension test, without affecting the baseline locomotor status. The doses (1 and 2 mg kg−1) that induced depressant‐like effects were found to significantly reduce 5‐hydroxytrypto‐phan‐induced head twitch response. Interaction studies revealed that the depressant‐like effects of PTL (1 mg kg−1) were reversed more efficiently by serotonergic antidepressants (venlafaxine, escitalopram, citalopram, fluoxetine) than by others (desipramine, bupropion) tested. Chronic treatment of PTL (1 and 2 mg kg−1) augmented the hyper‐emotionality of olfactory bulbectomized rats, when compared with sham rats, as observed in modified open field, elevated plus maze and social interaction paradigms. This study depicts the severe depressogenic potential of PTL (in its pure form) plausibly mediated by platelet/neuronal hypo‐serotonergic effects.
Organization of immature intrahemispheric connections

In the adult cat injections of retrograde fluorescent tracers near the border between areas 17 and 18 and extending to the underlying white matter label neurons in restricted parts of nine other ipsilateral visual areas. A very similar, restricted distribution of retrograde labeling is found in newborn kittens when injections near the 17/18 border are confined to the cortical gray matter. When, however, the neonatal 17/18 border injection reaches the underlying white matter, more visual areas and numerous nonvisual areas become labeled, each of them over nearly its whole tangential extent. Labeled nonvisual areas include the primary and secondary auditory areas, the auditory areas of the posterior ectosylvian gyrus, areas 7 and 5, the cingulate gyrus, and the primary and secondary somatosensory areas. The widespread labeling in kittens was not due to larger or differently placed injections, since the distribution and extent of retrograde labeling in the ipsilateral lateral geniculate nucleus were similar at all ages. The transitory projections from the auditory and somatosensory areas are not reciprocated by a projection from areas 17 or 18.
Sexual Dimorphism in the Development, Emergence, and Agenesis of the Mandibular Third Molar

The development, alveolar emergence, and agenesis of the mandibular third molars, in a homogeneous group of French-Canadian children and young adults ranging in age from seven to 25 yr, were evaluated from 4640 panoramic radiographs using the method of Demirjian et al. 8 Clinical emergence was recorded from dental casts of children between 15 and 19 yr. The occurrence of bilateral agenesis was about 9%, without significant sexual difference. The left and right third molars had the same pattern of crown and root development and emergence. Girls were ahead of boys up to the second half of crown formation, but this sexual difference disappeared at the first stage of root formation. The root development course was faster in males than in females. At the apex closure, the sexual difference was much more marked for retarded cases (about 2.7 yr) than for median (1.5 yr) or advanced cases (0.4 yr). For alveolar and clinical emergence, males were about six mo ahead of females at the median level.
Killed Escherichia coli stimulates macrophage-mediated alterations in hepatocellular function during in vitro coculture: a mechanism of altered liver function in sepsis

Hepatic dysfunction is a poorly understood and highly lethal component of multiple-system organ failure. Both in vivo and in vitro studies of "liver" function have generally neglected hepatocyte-Kupffer cell interactions. In the following experiments, isolated hepatocytes were cocultivated with unstimulated peritoneal cells, predominately macrophages, which served as a readily available Kupffer cell analog. Coculture of hepatocytes with peritoneal cells resulted in little or no change in [3H]leucine incorporation into hepatocyte protein. When gentamicin-killed Escherichia coli cells (GKEC) were added to coculture, there was a marked decrease in hepatocyte [3H]leucine incorporation. In contrast, GKEC added to hepatocytes alone had no effect. Kinetic data revealed an 8-h delay before any significant decrease in leucine incorporation into hepatocyte protein after the addition of GKEC to the coculture. The maximal decrease in hepatocyte [3H]leucine incorporation occurred 24 h after GKEC were added. The decrease observed 24 h after GKEC were added disappeared almost completely after 48 h of coculture. Similar alterations in cocultured hepatocyte protein synthesis were observed after the addition of phorbol myristate acetate, lipopolysaccharide, or muramyl dipeptide, a component of bacterial peptidoglycan. Hepatocyte viability by trypan blue exclusion was unchanged, and gross morphology by light or electron microscopy was unaffected. We propose that during sepsis, macrophages (Kupffer cells) respond to circulating microbial products and mediate alterations in hepatocyte function. These experiments underscore the important role of Kupffer cell function in attempts to understand hepatic malfunction in multiple-system organ failure.