Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationship between methodological quality and conclusions in reviews of spinal manipulation.

OBJECTIVE To study the relationship between the methodological quality and other characteristics of reviews of spinal manipulation for low back pain on the one hand and the reviewers' conclusions on the effectiveness of manipulation on the other hand. DATA SOURCES Reviews identified by MEDLINE search, citation tracking, library search, and correspondence with experts. STUDY SELECTION English- or Dutch-language reviews published up to 1993 dealing with spinal manipulation for low back pain that include at least two randomized clinical trials (RCTs). DATA EXTRACTION Methodological quality was assessed using a standardized criteria list applied independently by two assessors (range, 0% to 100%). Other extracted characteristics were the comprehensiveness of the search, selective citation of studies, language, inclusion of non-RCTs, type of publication, reviewers' professional backgrounds, and publication in a spinal manipulation journal or book. The reviewers' conclusions were classified as negative, neutral, or positive. DATA SYNTHESIS A total of 51 reviews were assessed, 17 of which were neutral and 34 positive. The methodological quality was low, with a median score of 23%. Nine of the 10 methodologically best reviews were positive. Other factors associated with a positive reviewers' conclusion were review of spinal manipulation only, inclusion of a spinal manipulator in the review team, and a comprehensive literature search. CONCLUSIONS The majority of the reviews concluded that spinal manipulation is an effective treatment for low back pain. Although, in particular, the reviews with a relatively high methodological quality had a positive conclusion, strong conclusions were precluded by the overall low quality of the reviews. More empirical research on the review methods applied to other therapies in other professional fields is needed to further explore our findings about the factors related to a positive reviewers' conclusion.
Role of Quorum Sensing in Sinorhizobium meliloti-Alfalfa Symbiosis

ABSTRACT The ExpR/Sin quorum-sensing system of the gram-negative soil bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti plays an important role in the establishment of symbiosis with its host plant Medicago sativa. A mutant unable to produce autoinducer signal molecules (sinI) is deficient in its ability to invade the host, but paradoxically, a strain lacking the quorum-sensing transcriptional regulator ExpR is as efficient as the wild type. We compared the whole-genome expression profile of the wild-type strain with strains missing one of the quorum-sensing regulatory components to identify genes controlled by the ExpR/Sin system throughout the different phases of the bacterial growth cycle, as well as in planta. Our analyses revealed that ExpR is a highly versatile regulator with a unique ability to show different regulatory capabilities in the presence or absence of an autoinducer. In addition, this study provided us with insight into the plant invasion defect displayed by the autoinducer mutant. We also discovered that the ExpR/Sin quorum-sensing system is repressed after plant invasion. Therefore, quorum sensing plays a crucial role in the regulation of many cell functions that ensures the successful invasion of the host and is inactivated once symbiosis is established.
Effects of glycation of the model food allergen ovalbumin on antigen uptake and presentation by human dendritic cells

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) of food proteins resulting from the Maillard reaction after cooking or heating may have particular importance in food allergy. The underlying immunological mechanisms are only poorly understood. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of AGE derived from the model food allergen ovalbumin (AGE‐OVA) on dendritic cells (DCs), their immunostimulatory capacity and the T‐cell response compared with regular OVA. For this purpose, human immature DCs were exposed to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‐labelled AGE‐OVA and FITC‐labelled regular OVA and uptake was analysed by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, autologous CD4+ T‐cell proliferation and cytokine production induced by mature DCs loaded with AGE‐OVA were compared with those induced by mature DCs loaded with OVA. Finally, expression of the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) and activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor (NF)‐κB by AGE were investigated. Internalization of FITC‐AGE‐OVA by immature DCs was significantly increased compared with FITC‐OVA. Blocking the mannose receptor, macropinocytosis or the scavenger receptor strongly reduced uptake of both FITC‐OVA and FITC‐AGE‐OVA. In a comparison of CD4+ T cells co‐cultured with AGE‐OVA‐loaded mature DCs versus those co‐cultured with OVA‐loaded mature DCs, AGE‐OVA DCs were found to produce more interleukin (IL)‐6 and to induce a stronger T helper type 2 (Th2) and a weaker Th1 cytokine response, while there was no difference in proliferation of CD4+ T cells. The expression of RAGE was higher on immature DCs compared with mature DCs. AGE‐OVA‐exposed immature DCs showed a stronger expression of RAGE and activation of the transcription factor NF‐κB compared with OVA‐loaded immature DCs. Our data indicate that AGE‐OVA may be more immunogenic/allergenic than regular OVA.
Mannan oligosaccharide increases serum concentrations of antibodies and inflammatory mediators in weanling pigs experimentally infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus1,2

ABSTRACT Mannan-containing products are capable of modulating immune responses in animals. However, different products may have diverse immunomodulation. The experiment was conducted to examine effects of mannan oligosaccharide (Actigen; ACT) on growth performance and serum concentrations of antibodies and inflammatory mediators in weanling pigs (Sus scrofa) experimentally infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). A total of 32 PRRSV-negative pigs (3 wk old) were randomly assigned from within blocks to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2 by 2 factorial arrangement [2 types of diet: control (0%) and ACT addition (0.04%); and with and without PRRSV] in a randomized complete block design. Pigs were blocked by initial BW within sex. Ancestry was equalized across treatments. Pigs (8/treatment) were kept individually in each pen. After 2 wk of an 8-wk period of feeding the treatments, pigs received an intranasal inoculation of PRRSV or sham medium at 5 wk of age. Infection by PRRSV decreased ADG, ADFI, and G:F throughout the experiment (P < 0.01). Actigen did not affect ADG (P = 0.450), but decreased (P = 0.047) ADFI from 28 to 42 days postinoculation (DPI). During that time, ACT improved G:F in infected pigs but not in sham controls (interaction, P = 0.009). Dietary ACT did not affect viremia in infected pigs (P > 0.05), but increased PRRSV-specific antibody titer at 35 DPI (P = 0.042). Infection with PRRSV induced the febrile responses of pigs from 3 to 10 DPI (P < 0.001) with return to normal at 14 DPI. During the experimental period, the rectal temperature of pigs was found slightly elevated by ACT (P = 0.045). Infected pigs had greater serum concentrations of IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-10, and haptoglobin (Hp) than sham controls (P < 0.001). These results indicate that PRRSV stimulated secretion of cytokines involved in innate, T-helper 1, and T-regulatory immune responses. Actigen tended to decrease the serum TNF-α concentration regardless of PRRSV (P = 0.058). The ACT × PRRSV interaction was significant for IL-1β (P = 0.016), IL-12 (P = 0.026), and Hp (P = 0.047), suggesting that infected pigs fed ACT had greater serum concentrations of these mediators than those fed the control. The increases in IL-1β and IL-12 may favorably promote innate and T-cell immune functions in infected pigs fed ACT. Feeding ACT may be useful as ACT is related to increased PRRSV antibody titers and G:F in infected pigs at certain times during infection.
The Scale to Assess Narrative Development: Association With Other Measures of Self and Readiness for Recovery in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

While changes in self-experience have been suggested as an element of recovery from schizophrenia, little is known about how they are linked with other subjective indicators of recovery. To examine this, we have developed methods of eliciting narratives of self and illness in schizophrenia and quantitatively rating self-experience expressed within those narratives. In this study, we rated the narratives of 34 persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorder prior to entry into rehabilitation using the Scale to Assess Narrative Development (STAND). STAND scores were then correlated with concurrent assessments of self-esteem using the Rosenberg Self Esteem schedule and readiness for change using the Stages of Change Questionnaire. Results indicated that higher ratings on the STAND were associated with greater levels of self-esteem and greater overall readiness for change. This may suggest that qualities of self-experience within personal narratives of persons with schizophrenia are linked to objective and subjective assessments of recovery.
Statistical spectroscopy of switching traps in deeply scaled vertical poly-Si channel for 3D memories

For future high density storage memories, 3D vertical poly-Si channel SONOS devices are emerging as the most prominent alternative because of the extreme reduction of cost per bit (1-3). This architecture, however, faces critical reliability issues related to the highly defective channel (4-5). For instance, we recently showed that discrete current drops and fluctuations (RTN) are clearly observed in the transfer characteristics (ID vs. VG) of these nanoscale vertical nFETs (Fig. 1). These instabilities were linked to single electron trapping/detrapping processes (6-7), which potentially may cause read errors during operation (4-5). The present paper therefore aims at characterizing these adverse switching traps to gain insight into their physical properties. A statistical comparison among different polysilicon channels is presented and benchmarked against monocrystalline planar nFETs. We reveal that a significant part of the switching traps reside in the poly-Si channel.
CORNEAL THICKNESS AND ENDOTHELIAL DAMAGE AFTER INTRAOCULAR LENS IMPLANTATION

The corneal thickness and the specular appearance of the corneal endothelium are reported in 100 patients with unilateral intraocular lens implantation. Post‐operative time ranged from one to 42 months. An average central endothelial cell loss of uncomplicated cases of 46%, range 1 to 83%, with no correlation with time after the operation was found. A significantly higher cell loss was found in cases with technical complications, shallow anterior chamber or increased intraocular pressure post‐operatively. No correlation was found between the corneal thickness and the endothelial cell loss. In two patients, however, with a cell density below 500 cells/mm2, a slight increase in corneal thickness was noted. Thirty patients presented a guttate endothelium. Irrespective of the occurrence of surgical complications the presence of a guttate endothelium was found to be a major determinant of the corneal thickness increase and could be ascribed as a cause of persistent corneal swelling in six of twelve patients with elevated corneal thickness. The progression of guttate changes occurred independently of the cell loss.
Responses to depression in unipolar depressed patients: an investigation of Nolen-Hoeksema's response styles theory

Background. The response styles theory suggests that rumination in response to depressed mood exacerbates and prolongs depression, while distraction ameliorates and shortens it. Gender differences in response styles are said to contribute to the observed gender differences in the prevalence of unipolar depression. While empirical support for the theory has been found from a variety of non-clinical studies, its generalizability to clinically depressed patient populations remains unclear. Methods. A cohort of 52 unipolar depressed in-patients was assessed with the Response Styles Questionnaire during in-patient stay (T1) and 4 weeks after discharge (T2). The patients were followed up 4 months after discharge (T3). Clinical assessment included the SCAN-PSE-10. Results. Moderate and statistically significant retest-stabilities for rumination and distraction were found, comparable for patients with stable and changing depression status from T1 to T2. A cross-sectional diagnosis of a major depressive episode was associated with rumination, while gender was not. Post-discharge baseline rumination (T2), adjusted for concurrent depression, predicted follow-up levels of depression (T3), and, in patients who were non-remitted at post-discharge baseline, it predicted presence of a major depressive episode at follow-up (T3). Results on distraction were more ambiguous. Conclusions. Our results suggest that rumination is likely to have a deteriorating impact on the course of clinical episodes of depression in unipolar depressed patients. Larger longitudinal patient studies are needed to validate these findings.
Crystal structure of a defective folding protein

Maltose‐binding protein (MBP or MalE) of Escherichia coli is the periplasmic receptor of the maltose transport system. MalE31, a defective folding mutant of MalE carrying sequence changes Gly 32→Asp and Ile 33→Pro, is either degraded or forms inclusion bodies following its export to the periplasmic compartment. We have shown previously that overexpression of FkpA, a heat‐shock periplasmic peptidyl‐prolyl isomerase with chaperone activity, suppresses MalE31 misfolding. Here, we have exploited this property to characterize the maltose transport activity of MalE31 in whole cells. MalE31 displays defective transport behavior, even though it retains maltose‐binding activity comparable with that of the wild‐type protein. Because the mutated residues are in a region on the surface of MalE not identified previously as important for maltose transport, we have solved the crystal structure of MalE31 in the maltose‐bound state in order to characterize the effects of these changes. The structure was determined by molecular replacement methods and refined to 1.85 Å resolution. The conformation of MalE31 closely resembles that of wild‐type MalE, with very small displacements of the mutated residues located in the loop connecting the first α‐helix to the first β‐strand. The structural and functional characterization provides experimental evidence that MalE31 can attain a wild‐type folded conformation, and suggest that the mutated sites are probably involved in the interactions with the membrane components of the maltose transport system.
MicroRNA Expression Profile of Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells and the Effect of Let-7d in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a life-threatening condition characterized by single or recurrent pulmonary thromboemboli, which promote pulmonary vascular remodeling. MicroRNA (miRNA), is a small, noncoding RNA that is involved in multiple cell processes and functions and may participate in the pathogenesis of CTEPH. Our aims were to identify the miRNA expression signature in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) of CTEPH patients and to study the role of let-7d in CTEPH pathogenesis. The miRNA expression profile was analyzed by microarray in PASMCs of CTEPH and control patients. Differentially expressed miRNAs were selectively validated by stem-loop quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The role of let-7d was identified by in silico analysis, and its effect on the proliferation of PASMCs was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT). Student's unpaired t test, the Fisher exact test, and the χ2 test were used for statistical analysis. Eighteen miRNAs were differentially expressed in PASMCs from CTEPH patients, including 12 upregulated miRNAs and 6 downregulated miRNAs; among the latter, let-7d decreased 0.58-fold in CTEPH patients, as validated by qRT-PCR. It was found that let-7d could inhibit the proliferation of PASMCs through upregulation of p21. In conclusion, PASMCs in CTEPH patients have an aberrant miRNA profile and reduced let-7d, which could promote PASMC proliferation and may be involved in the pathogenesis of CTEPH.
Development of a Human Neuronal Cell Model for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Infected Macrophage-Induced Neurotoxicity: Apoptosis Induced by HIV Type 1 Primary Isolates and Evidence for Involvement of the Bcl-2/Bcl-xL-Sensitive Intrinsic Apoptosis Pathway

ABSTRACT Neuronal apoptosis within the central nervous system (CNS) is a characteristic feature of AIDS dementia, and it represents a common mechanism of neuronal death induced by neurotoxins (e.g., glutamate) released from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected macrophages (HIV/macrophage-induced neurotoxicity). Neuronal apoptosis may result from activation of the intrinsic (mitochondrial/bcl-2 regulated) or extrinsic (death receptor) pathways, although which pathway predominates in CNS HIV infection is unknown. Apoptosis initiated by the intrinsic pathway is typically blocked by antiapoptosis Bcl-2 family proteins, such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, but whether these can block HIV/macrophage-induced neuronal apoptosis is unknown. To determine the potential role of the Bcl-2 family in HIV/macrophage-induced neuronal apoptosis, we developed a unique in vitro model, utilizing the NT2 neuronal cell line, primary astrocytes and macrophages, and primary CNS HIV type 1 (HIV-1) isolates. We validated our model by demonstrating that NT2.N neurons are protected against HIV-infected macrophages by N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonists, similar to effects seen in primary neurons. We then established stable NT2.N neuronal lines that overexpress Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL (NT2.N/bcl-2 and NT2.N/bcl-xL, respectively) and determined their sensitivity to macrophages infected with primary R5, X4, and R5/X4 HIV-1 isolates. We found that NT2.N/bcl-2 and NT2.N/bcl-xL neurons were resistant to apoptosis induced by either R5, X4, or R5/X4 isolates and that resistance was abrogated by a Bcl-2 antagonist. Thus, the NMDA receptor/bcl-2-regulated apoptotic pathway contributes significantly to HIV/macrophage-induced neuronal apoptosis, and Bcl-2 family proteins protect neurons against the spectrum of primary HIV-1 isolates. Modulation of bcl-2 gene expression may therefore offer adjunctive neuroprotection against development of AIDS dementia.
The psychological contracts of National Health Service nurses.

AIMS Following the psychological contract model of the employee-employer exchange relationship is offered as a means of understanding the expectations of a UK sample of 223 National Health Service (NHS) nurses in association with their leaving intentions. DESIGN AND METHODS A pilot study involving 21 NHS nurses, using the repertory grid technique was conducted to elicit contract expectations. Twenty-nine categories of expectation were identified through content analysis. The study proper, employed a survey developed on the basis of results from the pilot study to identify contract profiles among 223 nurses from three London/South-east NHS hospitals, using the Q-sort method. Type of contract held (relational/transactional), satisfaction (job and organization), and leaving intentions were also examined. RESULTS Q-analysis yielded four contract profiles among the nurses sampled: 'self-development and achievement'; 'belonging and development'; 'competence and collegiality' and 'autonomy and development'. Correlation analysis demonstrated that leaving intentions were associated with a need for personal autonomy and development, and the violation of expectations for being appreciated, valued, recognized and rewarded for effort, loyalty, hard-work and achievement, negative endorsement of a relational contract, positive endorsement of a transactional contract, and job and organizational dissatisfaction. CONCLUSION Findings illustrate the diagnostic utility of the term psychological contract for understanding the expectations of NHS nurses. The potential significance of these findings for managing nurse retention is highlighted.
Isolated Regional Lymph Node Dissection; Morbidity, Mortality and Economic Considerations

Between 1971–1979, 330 consecutive isolated regional lymph node dissections (RLNDs) were performed as therapeutic procedures for metastatic disease, at the University of Louisville Affiliated Hospitals and the Ellis-Fischel State Cancer Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. This retrospective analysis includes 133 radical neck RLNDs, 87 axillary RLNDs, and 110 superficial groin RLNDs. All accessioned cases were elective and were performed as isolated procedures, discrete from resection of contiguous or remote organs. No patients received preoperative irradiation, chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Forty-eight per cent of the 330 RLND procedures resulted in some form of postoperative complication. However, 91% of the incurred morbidity was localized to the operative site and was related to serum collection and/or flap necrosis. The occurrence of postoperative complications for each RLND site resulted in a prolongation of the patients' hospital stays by a mean of 9 days, and was most extended for the superficial groin RLND by a mean of 11 days. Nine patients (3%) died. These data for morbidity and mortality rates, as well as the implicit economic impact, represent substantial factors in the utilization of elective RLND.
Interannual Variability of Monsoon Precipitation and Local Subcloud Equivalent Potential Temperature

AbstractThe interannual variability of monsoon precipitation is described in the context of a convective quasi-equilibrium framework. Using two reanalysis products and two global precipitation datasets, the authors examine linear relationships between seasonal anomalies of precipitation and subcloud equivalent potential temperature (θeb) local to six monsoon regions. This approach provides a single near-surface thermodynamically relevant variable over both land and ocean, extending previous studies of interannual monsoon variability that emphasized ocean surface temperatures. After removing the variability linearly associated with an index of the El Nino–Southern Oscillation, positive monsoon precipitation anomalies are shown to be associated with enhanced θeb local to and slightly poleward of the climatological θeb maximum. The variations in continental θeb local to the monsoon precipitation maxima are mainly due to variations in subcloud specific humidity, with changes in subcloud temperature having the.
The c-MYC-AP4-p21 cascade

The p21 gene encodes a CDK-inhibitor, which is induced by p53 and many other anti-proliferative factors. The mechanism of transcriptional repression of p21 by c-MYC has been a subject of intensive study for several years, as it may explain how c-MYC promotes cell cycle progression. Recently, we reported a novel mechanism which allows c-MYC to repress p21: c-MYC triggers a transcriptional cascade by directly inducing the gene encoding the bHLH-LZ transcription factor AP4 (TFAP4), which binds to recognition motifs located in the vicinity of the p21 promoter and mediates transcriptional repression of p21. Thereby, AP4 interferes with induction of p21 via the DNA damage response/p53 or TGF-β/Smad pathways and during differentiation. Intriguingly, the expression patterns of c-MYC and AP4 strictly overlap in colonic epithelium and colorectal cancer. Here we survey the recent findings and discuss the role of AP4 for c-MYC function and its potential application for cancer diagnosis and therapy.