Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuropsychological Characteristics and Personality Traits in Pathological Gambling

ABSTRACT Introduction: Pathological gambling disorder (PG) has been associated with fronto-temporal dysfunction and maladaptive personality traits, such as impulsivity and novelty seeking. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive variance of neuropsychological and personality characteristics in PG. Methods: Persons with PG (n=25) and a comparison group (n=34) were administered a battery of neuropsychological tests, the Temperament and Character Inventory, and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Subjects with PG had evidence of fronto-temporal dysfunction as assessed by the Stroop, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test-64, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Letter-Number Sequencing, Controlled Oral Word Association Test, and Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination Animal Naming Test. Results: Subjects with PG also had impaired decision making on the Iowa Gambling Task. PG subjects had elevated levels of impulsivity, novelty seeking, and harm avoidance, and lower levels of self-directedness and cooperativeness. Logistic regression analyses indicated that neuropsychological variables did not add significant incremental variance over personality traits in predicting PG (Block χ2=5.19, P=.074), while personality variables added significant incremental variance over neuropsychological traits in predicting PG (Block χ2=25.13, P<.001). Conclusion: These results suggest that personality traits are better predictors than neuropsychological characteristics of whether someone has PG.
Myocardial impairment detected by late gadolinium enhancement in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: comparison with 99mTc-MIBI/tetrofosmin and 123I-BMIPP SPECT.

PURPOSE Myocardial fibrosis is considered to be an important factor in myocardial dysfunction and sudden cardiac death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The purpose of this study was to compare myocardial fibrosis detected by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac MRI with myocardial perfusion and fatty acid metabolism assessed by single photon emission computed tomography in HCM. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 20 consecutive HCM patients (female, 7; mean age, 53.4 years) who underwent LGE, technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile/tetrofosmin (99mTc-MIBI/tetrofosmin), and iodine-123 beta-methyl-iodophenylpentadecanoic acid (123I-BMIPP) imaging. We calculated the myocardium-to-lumen signal ratio (M/L) for LGE in 17 segments based on the American Heart Association statement. Scoring of 99mTc-MIBI/tetrofosmin (PI) and 123I-BMIPP (BM) was performed for each segment using a 5-point scale (0, normal; 4, highly decreased). RESULTS Nineteen of 20 patients (95%) and 153 of 340 segments (45%) showed LGE. M/Ls were 0.42±0.16, 0.55±0.17, and 0.65±0.24 in PI0/BM0, PI0/BM1-4 and PI1-4/BM1-4, respectively. All M/Ls were significantly higher than that of a normal control (0.34±0.14) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Myocardial fibrosis in HCM can occur despite normal perfusion and fatty acid metabolism, and is more strongly associated with disorders of fatty acid metabolism than with perfusion abnormalities. M/L may be a useful indicator of disease severity.
HYPOTHERMIA DURING ENDOTOXEMIC SHOCK IN FEMALE MICE LACKING INDUCIBLE NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE

The present study was undertaken to evaluate: (1) whether lipopolysaccharide LPS-induced hypothermic responses may be altered during two estrous cycle phases, proestrus and diestrus, and after ovariectomy, followed by hormonal supplementation and (2) whether nitric oxide (NO) plays a role on LPS-induced hypothermia responses in female mice. Experiments were performed on adult female wild-type (WT) C57BL and inducible NO synthase knockout (KO) mice weighing 18 to 30 g. Endotoxemia was induced by intraperitoneal LPS administration from Escherichia coli at a nonlethal dose of 10 mg/kg, and body temperature was measured by biotelemetry. Hormonal replacement was performed in ovariectomized mice through 17&bgr;-estradiol Silastic capsules (100 &mgr;g) and s.c. injection of progesterone (0.5 mg per animal). We observed that during the diestrus phase, mice presented more intensive hypothermia than during proestrus phase, and hormonal supplementation with 17&bgr;-estradiol and progesterone attenuated hypothermia in ovariectomized mice. During diestrus and ovariectomy, KO mice had higher hypothermic response when compared with the WT group. During proestrus, the lack of statistical difference between KO and WT mice could be consequent of lower ovarian hormones plasma levels. After hormonal replacement, hypothermia was reverted in KO groups probably because of higher ovarian hormonal levels. In summary, the results demonstrated that NO release by inducible NO synthase has an important thermoregulatory role in LPS-induced hypothermia in female mice. Besides, this involvement is directly dependent on the presence of ovarian hormones and their respective levels.
The Mitotic Checkpoint in Cancer Therapy

The mitotic checkpoint is a key cell cycle control mechanism that ensures an accurate segregation of chromosomes during mitosis by delaying the onset of anaphase until all chromosomes are properly attached to a bipolar mitotic spindle. While complete loss of this checkpoint is lethal in vertebrates, a weakened mitotic checkpoint is frequently seen in cancer cells and it may contribute to tumorigenesis. Many antitumor drugs, including spindle assembly inhibitors and DNA damaging agents, can activate the mitotic checkpoint. However, since these drugs influence interphase events besides activating the mitotic checkpoint, the role of the mitotic checkpoint in drug-induced cell death remained unclear. Using a KSP antagonist that specifically acts on mitotic cells, we have recently shown that activation of the mitotic checkpoint followed by mitotic slippage or adaptation, activates Bax and initiates apoptosis. Notably, cells with a weakened mitotic checkpoint incur much less apoptotic death than their checkpoint-proficient counterparts, indicating the requirement of a competent mitotic checkpoint in the induction of apoptosis. In light of these findings and other recent reports, the potential influence of the mitotic checkpoint in response to chemotherapies, and the strategy to target the mitotic checkpoint for cancer therapeutics are discussed.
Financial sustainability of biogas technology: Barriers, opportunities, and solutions

ABSTRACT Biogas technology, which converts biological waste into energy, is considered as an excellent tool to improve the lives, livelihoods, health, and ecosystem. The demand and prospect of biogas technology as a renewable energy source in terms of market value have not been adequately addressed, although it offers a large revenue opportunity that supports the socioeconomic development in rural areas. For more sustainable development of this technology, policy-makers should reform the existing institutional framework by reorganizing subsidies, motivating and attracting investors with flexible financial conditions, liberalizing the management of gas grids, and involving farmers in local projects. Therefore, it is a great challenge to find a proper mode of marketing policy, business models, and multi-profit options and a sustainable financing mechanism. This paper covers the state-of-the-art enlargements and future consequences of the hastily emerging biogas market, starting with a universal viewpoint and going through special market characteristics of Europe, USA, Africa, and Asia Pacific.
Effects of cost sharing on care seeking and health status: results from the Medical Outcomes Study.

OBJECTIVES This study sought to determine the effect of cost sharing on medical care use for acute symptoms and on health status among chronically ill adults. METHODS Data from the Medical Outcomes Study were used to compare (1) rates of physician care use for minor and serious symptoms and (2) 6- and 12-month follow-up physical and mental health status among individuals at different levels of cost sharing. RESULTS In comparison with a no-copay group, the low- and high-copay groups were less likely to have sought care for minor symptoms, but only the high-copay group had a lower rate of seeking care for serious symptoms. Follow-up physical and mental health status scores were similar among the 3 copay groups. CONCLUSIONS In a chronically ill population, cost sharing reduced the use of care for both minor and serious symptoms. Although no differences in self-reported health status were observed, health plans featuring cost sharing need careful monitoring for potential adverse health effects because of their propensity to reduce use of care that is considered necessary and appropriate.
Correlation between chemical-safety knowledge and personal attitudes among Taiwanese hairdressing students.

BACKGROUND Hairdressers are exposed daily to a variety of chemicals; insufficient protection and non-compliance are issues of concern in this trade. We examined the relationship between the knowledge hairdressing-students have concerning chemical safety and precautionary handling practices with their intentions and beliefs as regards chemical use, handling precautions, perceptions of associated risk, peer norms, and perceived self-efficacy toward preventing personal exposure. METHODS A total of 163 full-time students from two vocational schools were recruited to complete a questionnaire and a 60-min structured interview. RESULTS Students scoring lower in knowledge regarding chemicals were less likely to report the intention to wait for favorable air conditions prior to their using chemicals in the workplace (odds ratio (OR)=2.45, 95% confidence interval (95% CI=2.03-2.96). Those scoring higher were more likely to disagree with the statement that exposure to certain hairdressing-related chemicals is not harmful to human health (OR=0.13, 95% CI=0.03-0.62), and that such chemical exposure does not cause cancer (OR=0.13, 95% CI=0.04-0.40), and were more unlikely to report being too busy to use personal-protective equipment when occupationally using such chemicals (OR=0.45, 95% CI=0.21-0.95). Those participants revealing a low knowledge score with regards to chemicals were also shown to exhibit a poor perception of the long-term harm posed by skin exposure to certain work-related chemicals (OR=2.33, 95% CI=1.10-4.93). Associations between knowledge of chemicals and preventive measures, however, were not found in this study. CONCLUSIONS Our study's findings support the need to promote primary prevention of potential hazardous chemical exposure by providing a safe occupational environment for hairdressers by means of providing appropriate education and training with regard to safety measures necessary for the safe handling of relevant chemicals.
Measuring skin to subarachnoid space depth in Egyptian population: A prospective cohort study

Background: Lumbar puncture is a difficult medical skill and is used for administering subarachnoid anesthetic medications. Estimation of skin to subarachnoid space depth (SSD) helps to reduce post spinal anesthetic complications. Aims: To measure the SDD in overall Egyptian population and to find a formula for predicting SSD in Egyptian patients. Settings and Design: Four hundred patients of American Society of Anesthesiologist class I and II adult Egyptian patients undergoing surgery using spinal anesthesia in general and obstetric surgery unit, Mansoura University main hospital, were included in this prospective, observational study. Subjects and Methods: Patients were divided into three groups: Males (Group M), nonpregnant females (Group F), and pregnant females (Group PF). SSD was measured after performing lumbar puncture. The relationship between SSD and patient characteristics was studied; correlated and statistical analysis was used to find a formula for predicting SSD. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 19.0, Chicago, IL, USA). One-way ANOVA with post hoc (Bonferroni correction factor) analysis was applied to compare the three groups. All the covariates in the study further were taken for multivariate analysis. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to evaluate important covariates influencing SSD for each group separately. Results: Mean SSD was 4.99 ± 0.48 cm in the overall population. SSD in adult males (4.93 ± 0.47 cm) was significantly longer than that observed in females (4.22 ± 0.49 cm) but was comparable with SSD in parturient (4.32 ± 0.47 cm). Formula for predicting SSD in the overall population was 2.1+ (0.009 × height) + (0.03 × weight) + (0.02 × body mass index [BMI]) + (0.15 × body surface area [BSA]). Craig's formula when applied correlated best with the observed SSD. Conclusions: SSD in adult males was significantly longer than that in both pregnant and nonpregnant females, but it was nearly the same in pregnant and nonpregnant females. SSD in Egyptian population can be calculated based on height, weight, BMI, and BSA. Craig's formula was the most suitable to be applied to Egyptian population.
Repeated sessions of noninvasive brain DC stimulation is associated with motor function improvement in stroke patients.

PURPOSE Recent evidence has suggested that a simple technique of noninvasive brain stimulation - transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) - is associated with a significant motor function improvement in stroke patients. METHODS We tested the motor performance improvement in stroke patients following 4 weekly sessions of sham, anodal- and cathodal tDCS (experiment 1) and the effects of 5 consecutive daily sessions of cathodal tDCS (experiment 2). A blinded rater evaluated motor function using the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test. RESULTS There was a significant main effect of stimulation condition (p=0.009) in experiment 1. Furthermore there was a significant motor function improvement after either cathodal tDCS of the unaffected hemisphere (p=0.016) or anodal tDCS of the affected hemisphere (p=0.046) when compared to sham tDCS. There was no cumulative effect associated with weekly sessions of tDCS, however consecutive daily sessions of tDCS (experiment 2) were associated with a significant effect on time (p< 0.0001) that lasted for 2 weeks after treatment. CONCLUSIONS The findings of our study support previous research showing that tDCS is significantly associated with motor function improvement in stroke patients; and support that consecutive daily sessions of tDCS might increase its behavioral effects. Because the technique of tDCS is simple, safe and non-expensive; our findings support further research on the use of this technique for the rehabilitation of patients with stroke.
Some minor female reproductive system disorders: findings in the Oxford-Family Planning Association contraceptive study

Background The Oxford-Family Planning Association (Oxford-FPA) contraceptive study has provided information on many serious diseases of the female reproductive tract. No information has been published about a number of common minor conditions. This report fills the gap with regard to uterine polyp, cervicitis, cervical erosion, and vaginitis and vulvitis. Methods The Oxford-FPA study includes 17 032 married women recruited at ages 25–39 years between 1968 and 1974 from clinics in England and Scotland. These women were followed up until mid-1994. Information collected during follow-up included details of contraceptive use, cervical smears taken at the clinic, pregnancies and hospital referrals. Results Oral contraceptive (OC) use was associated with a reduction in first hospital referral for uterine polyp and for vaginitis and vulvitis, which became more marked with increasing duration of use. There was a slightly increased rate of hospital referral for cervicitis in OC users. Referral for cervical erosion was markedly increased in current and recent OC users (rate ratio 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.8–2.4). This increase in risk steadily declined after OC use was discontinued. First hospital referral for both uterine polyp and cervical erosion showed a highly significant negative association with numbers of cigarettes smoked per day. The explanation for these observations is unknown. Conclusions It should be remembered that the OCs studied were mainly those used in the 1970s and 1980s and mostly contained 50 μg estrogen. On balance, the overall effect of OC use on the conditions considered was neutral or beneficial. The apparent protective effect of cigarette smoking against uterine polyp and cervical erosion, even if valid, counts as nothing against the overwhelming adverse effects of smoking on health.
Has the Emergence of Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Increased Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Use and Resistance?: a 10-Year Time Series Analysis

ABSTRACT There are an increasing number of indications for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole use, including skin and soft tissue infections due to community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). Assessing the relationship between rates of use and antibiotic resistance is important for maintaining the expected efficacy of this drug for guideline-recommended conditions. Using interrupted time series analysis, we aimed to determine whether the 2005 emergence of CA-MRSA and recommendations of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole as the preferred therapy were associated with changes in trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole use and susceptibility rates. The data from all VA Boston Health Care System facilities, including 118,863 inpatient admissions, 6,272,661 outpatient clinic visits, and 10,138 isolates were collected over a 10-year period. There was a significant (P = 0.02) increase in trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prescriptions in the post-CA-MRSA period (1,605/year) compared to the pre-CA-MRSA period (1,538/year). Although the overall susceptibility of Escherichia coli and Proteus spp. to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole decreased over the study period, the rate of change in the pre- versus the post-CA-MRSA period was not significantly different. The changes in susceptibility rates of S. aureus to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and to methicillin were also not significantly different. The CA-MRSA period is associated with a significant increase in use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole but not with significant changes in the rates of susceptibilities among clinical isolates. There is also no evidence for selection of organisms with increased resistance to other antimicrobials in relation to increased trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole use.
Think Tank—Beyond the Five Forces Model and Blue Ocean Strategy: An Integrative Perspective From Sun Zi Bingfa

The 2,300-year-old military treatise Sun Zi Bingfa has been extensively applied to the business arena over the years. A study of Michel Porter's five forces model regarding competitive strategy and the blue ocean strategy espoused by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne shows that key concepts contained in both theories hark back to the ancient philosophy of Sun Zi. In his work, he urged leaders to proactively attack an undefended or weakly defended area while maintaining a proactive defense. An analysis of this holistic perspective in addressing competitive challenges offers useful guidance to forward-thinking 21st-century strategists in both the East and the West. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Natural Killer Cell Inhibitory Receptor Expression in Humans and Mice: A Closer Look

The Natural Killer (NK) cell population is composed of subsets of varying sizes expressing different combinations of inhibitory receptors for MHC class I molecules. Genes within the NK gene complex, including the inhibitory receptors themselves, seem to be the primary intrinsic regulators of inhibitory receptor expression, but the MHC class I background is an additional Modulating factor. In this paper, we have performed a parallel study of the inhibitory receptor repertoire in inbred mice of the C57Bl/6 background and in a cohort of 44 humans. Deviations of subset frequencies from the “product rule (PR),” i.e., differences between observed and expected frequencies of NK cells, were used to identify MHC-independent and MHC-dependent control of receptor expression frequencies. Some deviations from the PR were similar in mice and humans, such as the decreased presence of NK cell subset lacking inhibitory receptors. Others were different, including a role for NKG2A in determining over- or under-representation of specific subsets in humans but not in mice. Thus, while human and murine inhibitory receptor repertoires differed in details, there may also be shared principles governing NK cell repertoire formation in these two species.
Treatment of locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer: a 10-year experience.

PURPOSE We retrospectively analyzed the results of patients with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer (LAPC) treated with either chemoradiation (CRT) or chemotherapy alone over the past decade. METHODS AND MATERIALS Between December 1998 and October 2009, 116 patients with LAPC were treated at our institution. Eighty-four patients received concurrent chemoradiation [RT (+) group], primarily 5-flourouracil based (70%). Thirty-two patients received chemotherapy alone [RT (-) group], the majority gemcitabine based (78%). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated from date of diagnosis to date of first recurrence and to date of death or last follow-up, respectively. Univariate statistical analysis was used to determine significant prognostic factors for overall survival. RESULTS Median patient age was 67 years. Sixty patients were female (52%). Median follow-up was 11 months (range, 1.6-59.4 months). The RT (+) group received a median radiation dose of 50.4 Gy, was more likely to present with ECOG 0-1 performance status, and experienced less grade 3-4 toxicity. PFS was 10.9 versus 9.1 months (P=0.748) and median survival was 12.5 versus 9.1 months (P=0.998) for the RT (+) and RT (-) groups respectively (P=0.748). On univariate analysis, patients who experienced grade 3-4 toxicity had worse overall survival than those who did not (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS Optimal management for LAPC continues to evolve. Patients who developed treatment-related grade 3-4 toxicity have a poorer prognosis. Survival rates were not statistically significant between chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy groups.
Apotransferrin induces cAMP/CREB pathway and cell cycle exit in immature oligodendroglial cells

We have demonstrated previously that a single intracranial injection of apotransferrin (aTf) in neonatal rats increases myelination and accelerates differentiation of oligodendroglial cells (OLGc). In addition, we have shown through in vitro experiments that OLGc isolated from 4‐day‐old rats (OLGc‐4) treated with aTf were more differentiated than were controls although aTf had no effect upon OLGc isolated from 10‐day‐old animals (OLGc‐10). In the present work, we analyzed the role of second messengers in the effect of aTf upon the maturation of OLGc at different stages of development. We isolated OLGc‐4 and OLGc‐10 from rat brain using a Percoll density gradient and briefly treated the cells with a pulse of aTf or kept them in culture during 2 days in the presence or absence of aTf. In OLGc‐4, after a short pulse of aTf, there was an increase in the levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP), in the phosphorylation of cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB) and in the DNA‐binding capacity of cAMP‐responsive transcription factors. Treatment of OLGc‐4 with aTf diminished bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation and changed levels of p27 and cyclin D1. This glycoprotein seemed to act on OLGc through the cAMP pathway only at early stages of development and on a certain sensitive cell population, accelerating their differentiation, probably as a consequence of premature withdrawal from the cell cycle. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.