Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fathers' emotional involvement with the neonate: impact of the umbilical cord cutting experience.

AIMS This paper is a report on a study analysing the effect of the umbilical cord cutting experience on fathers' emotional involvement with their infants. BACKGROUND Participation in childbirth offers an opportunity for father and mother to share the childbirth experience, so it is vital that midwives improve the fathers' participation in this event. DESIGN A quasi-experimental study with a quantitative methodology was implemented. METHODS One hundred and five fathers were recruited as part of a convenience sample in a Maternity Public Hospital in a Metropolitan City in Portugal, between January and May of 2008. The Bonding Scale, the Portuguese version of the 'Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale' was used to evaluate the fathers' emotional involvement with the neonate at different moments: before childbirth, first day after childbirth and first month after childbirth. After childbirth, the fathers were divided into three separate groups depending on their umbilical cord cutting experience. RESULTS The results demonstrate that the emotional involvement between father and child tends to increase during the first days after childbirth and to decrease when evaluated 1 month after birth, for fathers who did not cut the umbilical cord. However, fathers who cut the umbilical cord demonstrate an improvement in emotional involvement 1 month later. CONCLUSION Results suggest that the umbilical cord cutting experience benefits the father's emotional involvement with the neonate, supporting the benefits of his participation and empowerment in childbirth.
Securing intensive care: towards a better understanding of intensive care nurses' perceived work pressure and turnover intention.

AIM To provide insight into the individual and contextual factors that are related to intensive care nursing staff perceptions of work pressure and turnover. BACKGROUND Hospitals are facing a shortage of intensive care nurses that will only become more pressing owing to demographic changes. Nurses' sickness absence and turnover are considered important threats to the supply of intensive care. DESIGN A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was used that was preceded by a qualitative, explorative study. METHOD First, interviews and observations took place to better understand intensive care nurses' work situation. Next, quantitative data were obtained in 2010 from 461 Dutch qualified intensive care nurses who completed a questionnaire. FINDINGS The outcomes of multiple regression analyses indicated that nurses' perceptions of work pressure were predicted by emotional demands, physical demands, threats from patients' relatives, social support and autonomy. Turnover intention was predicted by age, ability to deal with night shifts, social support and development opportunities. CONCLUSIONS Given the importance of the availability of staff to secure intensive care, this study indicates that hospitals should pay more attention to intensive care nurses' work situation. Decreasing emotional and physical demands and increasing nurses' development opportunities are some of the measures hospitals can take to create a work environment that better accommodates the needs of their intensive care nursing staff.
Two cases of hepatic adenomas in patients with wolf‐hirschhorn syndrome: A new rare complication?

Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) is a rare microdeletion syndrome associated with a characteristic facial appearance, failure to thrive, psychomotor delays, and various major malformations of internal organs; many medical complications have been described (feeding difficulties, epilepsy, hearing problems). Benign or malignant oncologic problems are not a typical feature of the natural history of these patients. We report on two patients with WHS patients in whom hepatic adenoma (HA) were diagnosed during adolescence. The clinical evolution of liver involvement was different between the two. We discuss the possibility of considering HA as a rare medical problem in the follow‐up of WHS patients. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
“Of course it’s relevant!”: A focus group study of older adults' perceived importance of HIV/AIDS prevention education

This article reports on older adults’ perceptions and opinions about the importance of HIV/AIDS prevention education and reasons for participation. It reports on specific themes that emerged from five focus groups consisting of 52 ethnically diverse adults 50 years and older. Participants identified four themes regarding HIV/AIDS prevention education: 1) “Knowing someone who has it”, 2) “Tell me about it at work”, 3) “We’re not dead yet”, and 4) “How do I talk about this with my doctor? ” The article discusses the meaning of the findings as they relate to current knowledge about HIV prevention education and older adults, sexual activity, and implications for social work research, education, and outreach.
Increasing Serum Half-life and Extending Cholesterol Lowering in Vivo by Engineering Antibody with pH-sensitive Binding to PCSK9*

Background: An antagonistic anti-PCSK9 antibody exhibits target-mediated clearance, resulting in a dose-dependent PK. Results: Engineering of an antibody with pH-sensitive binding to PCSK9 decreases target-mediated clearance, resulting in increased PK and efficacy in vivo. Conclusion: pH-sensitive anti-PCSK9 antibodies are excellent candidates for therapeutic development. Significance: pH-sensitive antibodies may enable less frequent or lower dosing of antibodies hampered by target-mediated clearance and high antigen load. Target-mediated clearance and high antigen load can hamper the efficacy and dosage of many antibodies. We show for the first time that the mouse, cynomolgus, and human cross-reactive, antagonistic anti-proprotein convertase substilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) antibodies J10 and the affinity-matured and humanized J16 exhibit target-mediated clearance, resulting in dose-dependent pharmacokinetic profiles. These antibodies prevent the degradation of low density lipoprotein receptor, thus lowering serum levels of LDL-cholesterol and potently reducing serum cholesterol in mice, and selectively reduce LDL-cholesterol in cynomolgus monkeys. In order to increase the pharmacokinetic and efficacy of this promising therapeutic for hypercholesterolemia, we engineered pH-sensitive binding to mouse, cynomolgus, and human PCSK9 into J16, resulting in J17. This antibody shows prolonged half-life and increased duration of cholesterol lowering in two species in vivo by binding to endogenous PCSK9 in mice and cynomolgus monkeys, respectively. The proposed mechanism of this pH-sensitive antibody is that it binds with high affinity to PCSK9 in the plasma at pH 7.4, whereas the antibody-antigen complex dissociates at the endosomal pH of 5.5–6.0 in order to escape from target-mediated degradation. Additionally, this enables the antibody to bind to another PCSK9 and therefore increase the antigen-binding cycles. Furthermore, we show that this effect is dependent on the neonatal Fc receptor, which rescues the dissociated antibody in the endosome from degradation. Engineered pH-sensitive antibodies may enable less frequent or lower dosing of antibodies hampered by target-mediated clearance and high antigen load.
The effects of two educational interventions on knowledge and competence of nurses with regard to conveying gastroscopy-related information to patients.

AIM The study was to compare the effects of two different educational interventions on knowledge and competence of nurses regarding conveying gastroscopy-related information to patients. BACKGROUND Nurses play an important role in helping patients undergo gastroscopy and must be familiar with the procedure to provide related patient education. DESIGN A quasi-experimental study. METHODS This study in 2010 involved a pre-test and two post-tests. The experimental group (n=25) received a multimedia CD-ROM, and the comparator group (n=40) received a pocket booklet. The effects of the two educational interventions were measured using the Knowledge Test Gastroscopy Nursing Instruction Scale, the Self-Evaluation Gastroscopy Nursing Instruction Scale, and the Gastroscopy Nursing Instruction Learning Satisfaction Scale. RESULTS No overall significant difference in knowledge scores between the two groups was found, but subsequent post hoc analysis showed significantly higher scores in the experimental group than in the comparator group at week 6. A significant within-subjects effect of the self-evaluation gastroscopy nursing instruction scores from baseline-week 6 was dependent on the experimental group or the comparator group. There were significant between-subjects effects overall, at week 3 and at week 6. CONCLUSION Both educational interventions improved nurses' knowledge and competence in gastroscopy-related information. However, the CD-ROM-based intervention had long-term effects on knowledge and had short-term and long-term effects on competence.
A compound heterozygote SLC26A2 mutation resulting in robin sequence, mild limbs shortness, accelerated carpal ossification, and multiple epiphysial dysplasia in two Brazilian sisters. A new intermediate phenotype between diastrophic dysplasia and recessive multiple epiphyseal dysplasia

Mutations in solute carrier family 26 (sulfate transporter), member 2 (SLC26A2) gene result in a spectrum of autosomal recessive chondrodysplasias that range from the mildest recessive form of multiple epiphysial dysplasia (rMED) through the most common diastrophic dysplasia (DTD) to lethal atelosteogenesis type II and achondrogenesis IB. The clinical variability has been ascribed to quantitative effect of mutations of the sulfate transporter activity. Here we describe two Brazilian sisters, born to healthy and non consanguineous parents, with Robin sequence, mild shortening of upper and lower limbs, brachymetacarpalia/tarsalia, additional and accelerated carpal ossification, marked genu valgum, and multiple epiphysial dysplasia. This phenotype was intermediate between DTD and rMED, and both girls have a compound heterozygous mutations for the SLC26A2, a Finnish founder mutation (c.−26 + 2T>C), and R279W. This combination of mutations has been observed in individuals with different phenotypes, including DTD, DTD variant, and rMED. The distinct phenotype of our cases reinforces the hypothesis that other factors may be influencing the phenotype as previously suggested. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Research on nursing handoffs for medical and surgical settings: an integrative review.

AIMS To synthesize outcomes from research on handoffs to guide future computerization of the process on medical and surgical units. BACKGROUND Handoffs can create important information gaps, omissions and errors in patient care. Authors call for the computerization of handoffs; however, a synthesis of the literature is not yet available that might guide computerization. DATA SOURCES PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, PsycINFO, Scopus and a handoff database from Cohen and Hilligoss. DESIGN Integrative literature review. REVIEW METHODS This integrative review included studies from 1980-March 2011 in peer-reviewed journals. Exclusions were studies outside medical and surgical units, handoff education and nurses' perceptions. RESULTS The search strategy yielded a total of 247 references; 81 were retrieved, read and rated for relevance and research quality. A set of 30 articles met relevance criteria. CONCLUSION Studies about handoff functions and rituals are saturated topics. Verbal handoffs serve important functions beyond information transfer and should be retained. Greater consideration is needed on analysing handoffs from a patient-centred perspective. Handoff methods should be highly tailored to nurses and their contextual needs. The current preference for bedside handoffs is not supported by available evidence. The specific handoff structure for all units may be less important than having a structure for contextually based handoffs. Research on pertinent information content for contextually based handoffs is an urgent need. Without it, handoff computerization is not likely to be successful. Researchers need to use more sophisticated experimental research designs, control for individual and unit differences and improve sampling frames.
Cyclin K-containing Kinase Complexes Maintain Self-renewal in Murine Embryonic Stem Cells*

Background: The physiological function of cyclin K is poorly defined. Results: Cyclin K interacts with CDK12 and CDK13, and knockdown of cyclin K, CDK12, or CDK13 causes embryonic stem cell differentiation. Conclusion: Cyclin K, CDK12, and CDK13 are required for embryonic stem cell self-renewal. Significance: Novel kinase complexes are identified to maintain embryonic stem cell pluripotency. Protein phosphorylation plays an important role in the regulation of self-renewal and differentiation of embryonic stem cells. However, the responsible intracellular kinases are not well characterized. Here, we discovered that cyclin K protein was highly expressed in pluripotent embryonic stem cells but low in their differentiated derivatives or tissue-specific stem cells. Upon cell differentiation, the level of cyclin K protein was decreased. Furthermore, knockdown of cyclin K led to cell differentiation, which could be rescued by an expression construct resistant to RNA interference. Surprisingly, cyclin K did not interact with CDK9 protein in cells as thought previously. Instead, it associated with CrkRS (also known as CDK12) and CDC2L5 (also known as CDK13). Similar to cyclin K, both CDK12 and CDK13 proteins were highly expressed in murine embryonic stem cells and were decreased upon cell differentiation. Importantly, knockdown of either kinase resulted in differentiation. Thus, our studies have uncovered two novel protein kinase complexes that maintain self-renewal in embryonic stem cells.
β-Actin-binding Complementarity-determining Region 2 of Variable Heavy Chain from Monoclonal Antibody C7 Induces Apoptosis in Several Human Tumor Cells and Is Protective against Metastatic Melanoma*

Background: Immunoglobulin complementarity-determining region (CDR) peptides frequently display antitumor activities. Results: Monoclonal antibody C7 CDR-H2 binds to β-actin and induces polymerization, F-actin stabilization, and tumor cell death. Conclusion: Alterations of actin dynamics trigger reactive oxygen species and tumor cell apoptosis. Significance: The in vitro apoptotic effect and in vivo antimetastatic activity of peptide C7H2 makes it a candidate to be developed as an anticancer drug. Complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) from monoclonal antibodies tested as synthetic peptides display anti-infective and antitumor activities, independent of the specificity of the native antibody. Previously, we have shown that the synthetic peptide C7H2, based on the heavy chain CDR 2 from monoclonal antibody C7, a mAb directed to a mannoprotein of Candida albicans, significantly reduced B16F10 melanoma growth and lung colony formation by triggering tumor apoptosis. The mechanism, however, by which C7H2 induced apoptosis in tumor cells remained unknown. Here, we demonstrate that C7H2 interacts with components of the tumor cells cytoskeleton, being rapidly internalized after binding to the tumor cell surface. Mass spectrometry analysis and in vitro validation revealed that β-actin is the receptor of C7H2 in the tumor cells. C7H2 induces β-actin polymerization and F-actin stabilization, linked with abundant generation of superoxide anions and apoptosis. Major phenotypes following peptide binding were chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, annexin V binding, lamin disruption, caspase 8 and 3 activation, and organelle alterations. Finally, we evaluated the cytotoxic efficacy of C7H2 in a panel of human tumor cell lines. All tumor cell lines studied were equally susceptible to C7H2 in vitro. The C7H2 amide without further derivatization significantly reduced lung metastasis of mice endovenously challenged with B16F10-Nex2 melanoma cells. No significant cytotoxicity was observed toward nontumorigenic cell lines on short incubation in vitro or in naïve mice injected with a high dose of the peptide. We believe that C7H2 is a promising peptide to be developed as an anticancer drug.
Mechanism of β-Catenin-mediated Transcriptional Regulation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Expression in Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 β-inactivated Prostate Cancer Cells*

Background: β-Catenin and EGFR are often overexpressed and activated in human cancers, but the relation between them is not completely understood. Results: β-Catenin targets EGFR gene for increased expression in GSK3β-inactivated prostate cancer cells. Conclusion: GSK3β inactivation initiates β-catenin-EGFR cross-talk leading to enhanced survival and proliferation of prostate cancer cells. Significance: Targeting the β-catenin-EGFR pathway may be a novel therapeutic approach for prostate cancer. Wnt/β-catenin and EGFR pathways are important in cancer development and often aberrantly activated in human cancer. However, it is very important to understand the mechanism responsible for this activation and the relation between them. Here, we report the mechanism of EGFR expression by transcriptionally active β-catenin in GSK3β-inactivated prostate cancer cells that eventually leads to its enhanced proliferation and survival. Expressions of β-catenin and EGFR are elevated in various cancers specifically in prostate cancer cells, DU145. When GSK3β is inactivated in these cells, β-catenin gets stabilized, phosphorylated at Ser-552 by protein kinase A, accumulates in the nucleus, and regulates the expression of its target genes that include EGFR. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and promoter analysis revealed that the EGFR promoter gets occupied by transcriptionally active β-catenin when elevated in GSK3β-inactivated cells. This phenomenon not only leads to increased expression of EGFR but also initiates the activation of its downstream molecules such as ERK1/2 and Stat3, ultimately resulting in up-regulation of multiple genes involved in cell proliferation and survival.
Vascular health and repair in women across the lifespan: effect of exercise

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main global cause of mortality with a death rate higher in females than males. Exercise training has the potential to reduce CVD risk but the optimal exercise type has not been determined. Therefore, the effects of two different types of exercise (interval and continuous) on markers related to CVD risk were assessed in women across the lifespan. Methods: The effect of exercise on vascular health was studied in three different populations of women; young premenopausal, middle-aged overweight/obese, and postmenopausal women. In chapters 4 and 6, 12 healthy and 20 overweight/obese women, respectively, completed either an interval or continuous exercise training programme. In chapter 5, 15 postmenopausal women performed a 30 min moderate-intensity continuous and interval exercise bout, with 9 participants completing a further interval exercise session at a heavy-intensity. Endothelial function, arterial stiffness, circulating angiogenic cell (CAC) number and function, and cardio-respiratory fitness were assessed in these chapters at pre and post-exercise. Results: Arterial stiffness was unaltered following exercise in all chapters. Cardio-respiratory fitness was increased following both interval and continuous exercise training. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was increased following interval exercise training in young women, unaltered acutely in postmenopausal women, and decreased following interval exercise training in overweight/obese women. CAC number was increased following both types of exercise in young women, but in overweight/obese women, CAC number was only increased after interval exercise training, and was unaltered acutely in postmenopausal women. Markers of CAC function were unaltered following exercise training in healthy young women, but CAC colony-forming units increased acutely following moderate and heavy-intensity interval exercise in postmenopausal women, and CAC adhesion increased following interval exercise training in overweight/obese women. However, continuous exercise (acutely and chronically) did not change endothelial function or CAC function in any study. Discussion: Interval exercise modified more markers of vascular health than continuous exercise. The mechanisms behind this discrepancy might be related to potential differences in the arterial shear stress profiles experienced during the exercise. Future studies are required to explore this theory. Exercise-mediated changes in many variables depended on the baseline health of participants and therefore, highlights that exercise effects are heterogeneous.
Knowledge, attitude and practice of epilepsy among persons attending tertiary care hospital of Bundelkhand region, Central India

Objectives: This study was conducted to find out knowledge attitude and practice (KAP) of epilepsy among persons of bundelkhand region. Secondary data from this study was compared with KAP studies from other parts of country. Material and Methods: Four hundred non epileptic persons attending various OPDs of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical college Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh were selected randomly. Printed questionnaire having answer yes or no were used for assessment of KAP. This questionnaire was used by various authors and validated for KAP analysis.Results: It was revealed that word epilepsy was heard by 94% of persons, 64% thought that epilepsy is a mental illness. Twenty three percent believe it to be contagious disease while 21% attribute it to previous life sin. Social discrimination was favored by 53% persons. Negative attitude is shown as more than half persons stated that epilepsy is hindrance to marriage and occupation. Holy treatment by tantric or priest was favored by 20% persons. More than one third persons use onion, shoe or splash water on face to terminate seizure episode. Conclusion: Study on persons of Bundelkhand revealed poor KAP for epilepsy and require special educational programme to remove these misconception
Enucleation of a five-kilograms hemangioma of the caudate lobe of the liver: A case report

Introduction: Although cavernous hemangioma is the most common benign tumors of the liver, caudate lobe is rare site of this type of hepatic pathology. Owing to the intricacy of the anatomy of the caudate lobe, the reports on resection of whole caudate lobe for tumor inside were seldom seen before the 1980s. This segment of the liver was always considered as the forbidden zone of hepatic surgery. Although excision of the caudate lobe has been performed with other types of hepatic resection, isolated complete removal of the caudate lobe is a technically challenging procedure. Case Report: We report a case of a giant cavernous hemangioma of the caudate lobe of the liver which extended to the right side compressing the right lobe.The patient was complaining of dull aching dragging abdominal pain in the right hypochondrium stationary in course for eight years, and in the last two years it became progressive preventing the patient from spleeping in supine position due severe dyspnea. Abdominal imaging, including ultrasonography and dynamic triphasic computed tomography (CT) scan showed a large mass in the caudate lobe with a typical CT enhancement pattern of a hemangioma. Surgical exploration and excision of the mass was done successfully and completely. The dimensions of the mass were 35x25x15 cm and the weight was 4750 g. Conclusion: Whatever the size of caudate lobe hemangioma, it could be enculated safely.