Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Who is Tracking Health on Mobile Devices: Behavioral Logfile Analysis in Hong Kong

Background Health apps on mobile devices provide an unprecedented opportunity for ordinary people to develop social connections revolving around health issues. With increasing penetration of mobile devices and well-recorded behavioral data on such devices, it is desirable to employ digital traces on mobile devices rather than self-reported measures to capture the behavioral patterns underlying the use of mobile health (mHealth) apps in a more direct and valid way. Objective The objectives of this study were to (1) assess the demographic predictors of the adoption of mHealth apps; (2) investigate the temporal pattern underlying the use of mHealth apps; and (3) explore the impacts of demographic variables, temporal features, and app genres on the use of mHealth apps. Methods Logfile data of mobile devices were collected from a representative panel of about 2500 users in Hong Kong. Users’ mHealth app activities were analyzed. We first conducted a binary logistic regression analysis to uncover demographic predictors of users’ adoption status. Then we utilized a multilevel negative binomial regression to examine the impacts of demographic characteristics, temporal features, and app genres on mHealth app use. Results It was found that 27.5% of mobile device users in Hong Kong adopt at least one genre of mHealth app. Adopters of mHealth apps tend to be female and better educated. However, demographic characteristics did not showcase the predictive powers on the use of mHealth apps, except for the gender effect (Bfemale vs Bmale=–0.18; P=.006). The use of mHealth apps demonstrates a significant temporal pattern, which is found to be moderately active during daytime and intensifying at weekends and at night. Such temporal patterns in mHealth apps use are moderated by individuals’ demographic characteristics. Finally, demographic characteristics were also found to condition the use of different genres of mHealth apps. Conclusions Our findings suggest the importance of dynamic perspective in understanding users’ mHealth app activities. mHealth app developers should consider more the demographic differences in temporal patterns of mHealth apps in the development of mHealth apps. Furthermore, our research also contributes to the promotion of mHealth apps by emphasizing the differences of usage needs for various groups of users.
Synergistic stimulation of MHC class I and IRF‐1 gene expression by IFN‐γ and TNF‐α in oligodendrocytes

In order to understand the molecular basis of the synergistic action of interferon γ (IFN‐γ) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) on rat oligodendrocyte development, we studied some aspects of the signalling pathways involved in the regulation of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and the interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF‐1) gene expression. Two well‐defined inducible enhancers of the MHC class I gene promoter, the MHC class I regulatory element (MHC‐CRE) and the interferon consensus sequence (ICS), were analysed. Neither IFN‐γ nor TNF‐α was capable of inducing MHC‐CRE binding activity when administrated alone. Following the exposure of oligodendrocytes to IFN‐γ, TNF‐R1 expression was transcriptionally induced by the binding of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT‐1) homodimers to the IFN‐γ activated site (GAS) present in the gene promoter. The upregulation of TNF‐R1 allowed TNF‐α to induce the binding of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) to the MHC‐CRE site. With respect to ICS element, IFN‐γ induced IRF‐1 binding, that was further enhanced upon co‐treatment with TNF‐α. The existence of a synergism between IFN‐γ and TNF‐α in stimulating IRF‐1 expression at the transcriptional level was supported by IRF‐1 promoter analysis: IFN‐γ directly induced the binding of STAT‐1 homodimers to the GAS element, while NF‐κB binding to the κB sequence was activated by TNF‐α only after IFN‐γ treatment. This transcriptional regulation of IRF‐1 gene by IFN‐γ and TNF‐α was confirmed at the mRNA level. The synergism demonstrated in the present study highlights the importance of cytokine interactions in magnifying their biological effects during brain injury and inflammation.
Correlation between endotoxin level and bacterial count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of ventilated patients

ObjectiveTo assess the predictive value of the endotoxin level in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and to propose to the clinician a guide in the diagnosis of Gram-negative bacterial (GNB) pneumonia. DesignRetrospective and prospective studies to investigate the relation between endotoxin level and quantitative bacterial culture of BAL and to test the predictive value of a defined threshold. SettingUniversity hospital general intensive care unit. PatientsIn the first part of the study, 77 consecutive ventilated patients with clinical suspicion of nosocomial pneumonia between January 1995 and January 1996. In the second part of the study, 93 consecutive ventilated patients studied prospectively between February 1996 and April 1997. Measurements and Main ResultsQuantitative cultures for aerobic bacteria were performed directly from the fluid. Bacterial species were determined with standard techniques. The detection of endotoxin in BAL was made using a quantitative chromogenic Limulus assay.In the retrospective analysis, a significant correlation between quantitative GNB cultures and BAL endotoxin levels was observed (r2 = 0.60, p < .0001). An endotoxin level ≥ 4 endotoxin units/mL (EU/mL) distinguishes patients with a significant GNB count from colonized patients with a sensitivity of 92.6%, a specificity of 81.4% and a correct classification rate of 84.9%. In the prospective analysis, the 4 EU/mL threshold permits identification of infected patients with a sensitivity of 82.2%, a specificity of 95.6%, and a correct classification rate of 90.3%. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the Limulus assay still had a good discrimination power in the prediction of significant bacterial count in BAL fluid. ConclusionsEndotoxin detection immediately after bronchoscopy is a distinct advantage to the clinician because antimicrobial Gram-negative therapy may be immediately justified according to the results.
Ambulatory Cardiac Monitoring for Discharged Emergency Department Patients with Possible Cardiac Arrhythmias

Introduction Many emergency department (ED) patients have symptoms that may be attributed to arrhythmias, necessitating outpatient ambulatory cardiac monitoring. Consensus is lacking on the optimal duration of monitoring. We describe the use of a novel device applied at ED discharge that provides continuous prolonged cardiac monitoring. Methods We enrolled discharged adult ED patients with symptoms of possible cardiac arrhythmia. A novel, single use continuous recording patch (Zio®Patch) was applied at ED discharge. Patients wore the device for up to 14 days or until they had symptoms to trigger an event. They then returned the device by mail for interpretation. Significant arrhythmias are defined as: ventricular tachycardia (VT) ≥4 beats, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) ≥4 beats, atrial fibrillation, ≥3 second pause, 2nd degree Mobitz II, 3rd degree AV Block, or symptomatic bradycardia. Results There were 174 patients were enrolled and all mailed back their devices. The average age was 52.2 (± 21.0) years, and 55% were female. The most common indications for device placement were palpitations 44.8%, syncope 24.1% and dizziness 6.3%. Eighty-three patients (47.7%) had ≥1 arrhythmias and 17 (9.8%) were symptomatic at the time of their arrhythmia. Median time to first arrhythmia was 1.0 days (IQR 0.2–2.8) and median time to first symptomatic arrhythmia was 1.5 days (IQR 0.4–6.7). 93 (53.4%) of symptomatic patients did not have any arrhythmia during their triggered events. The overall diagnostic yield was 63.2% Conclusion The Zio®Patch cardiac monitoring device can efficiently characterize symptomatic patients without significant arrhythmia and has a higher diagnostic yield for arrhythmias than traditional 24–48 hour Holter monitoring. It allows for longer term monitoring up to 14 days.
The mortality of US nuclear submariners, 1969-1982.

A mortality study of 76,160 men who served on US nuclear submarines is reported. Indirect standardization was used to compare mortality rates to those of the US male population. Multiplicative models were developed to explore patterns of mortality within the cohort. Mortality rates for leukemia, acute myocardial infarction, and for motor vehicle accidents were equivalent to those of US males; rates for other causes were lower, generally consistent with the "healthy worker effect. " Motor vehicle accident mortality dropped during the study period, perhaps reflecting efforts to control the problem. Suicide rates were depressed during the period of active duty. There was a suggestion that cancer mortality was associated with submarine type; however, the age distribution casts doubt that the excess was occupationally induced.
Stable pediatric blunt trauma patients: is trauma team activation always necessary?

BACKGROUND An increasing number of studies on adult trauma patients have questioned the need for trauma team activation for stable patients dictated only by mechanism of injury. This triage approach seems to burden the limited resources of the trauma center and may prove to be cost-ineffective. The objective of our study was to determine the predictive value and the sensitivity and specificity of blunt injury mechanism for major trauma in stable pediatric trauma patients. METHODS Patients 0 to 14 years old injured by injury mechanisms modified from the American College of Surgeons trauma triage criteria and presenting to our American College of Surgeons-verified regional pediatric trauma center from the field between July 1, 1993, and July 31, 1994, were included. Physiologically and anatomically stable patients were identified and subgroup analysis was performed to determine the negative and positive predictive value and sensitivity, and the specificity of blunt injury mechanisms for major trauma [Injury Severity Score > 15] in this group. RESULTS One hundred ninety-four patients met the study criteria. One hundred forty-three patients (73.6%) had trauma team activation only for mechanism of injury. Of these patients, four patients had Injury Severity Score > 15. The positive and negative predictive values of injury mechanisms modified from the American College of Surgeons trauma triage criteria were 2.8% and 90.2%, respectively, for major trauma in stable pediatric blunt trauma patients. The sensitivity and specificity were 44.4% and 24.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION Mechanisms of injury seem to have limited value as predictors of injury severity in stable pediatric blunt trauma patients. A modified response level for these patients may prove to be a safe and practical alternative to current practice.
Effects of excess centromeres and excess telomeres on chromosome loss rates

The linear chromosomes of eukaryotes contain specialized structures to ensure their faithful replication and segregation to daughter cells. Two of these structures, centromeres and telomeres, are limited, respectively, to one and two copies per chromosome. It is possible that the proteins that interact with centromere and telomere DNA sequences are present in limiting amounts and could be competed away from the chromosomal copies of these elements by additional copies introduced on plasmids. We have introduced excess centromeres and telomeres into Saccharomyces cerevisiae and quantitated their effects on the rates of loss of chromosome III and chromosome VII by fluctuation analysis. We show that (i) 600 new telomeres have no effect on chromosome loss; (ii) an average of 25 extra centromere DNA sequences increase the rate of chromosome III loss from 0.4 x 10(-4) events per cell division to 1.3 x 10(-3) events per cell division; (iii) centromere DNA (CEN) sequences on circular vectors destabilize chromosomes more effectively than do CEN sequences on 15-kb linear vectors, and transcribed CEN sequences have no effect on chromosome stability. We discuss the different effects of extra centromere and telomere DNA sequences on chromosome stability in terms of how the cell recognizes these two chromosomal structures.
Workplace learning in academia: (Older) bones of contention?

Abstract The understanding of what constitutes workplace learning in academia is under-going change. Academic teaching staff are increasingly required to learn new administrative functions, to organise and supervise more hourly paid tutors and become adept at online curriculum writing and its delivery. Additionally, they often need new communication skills for teaching very large and diverse classes frequently in overseas contexts, and must know how to provide a flexible learner-centred environment for their students. The acquisition or updating of requisite skills that relate to such requirements constitutes workplace learning. From this author's observations, mature age academics appear to respond to the learning inherent in such skills quite differently from the way younger, or early career academics approach their workplace learning requirements. This paper examines some of the issues confronting older academic staff as they face the necessities of developing new skills in their university workplace, and their concerns with what might constitute real academic work that needs to be developed. The discussion asks how a university's organisational learning practices might respond more appropriately to such needs than currently seems the case. The paper asks what focussed support might be available for this group of academics and, if there is none, whether there should be. Given the federal government's new performance funding criteria as well as a more general push to keep individuals working longer, it would seem that managing and assisting the learning in late stages of an academic career is likely to become more critical to universities if the over fifties are to be encouraged to stay within the academic workplace.
Coordination in International and Domestic Sports Events: Examining Stakeholder Network Governance

This paper sought to examine the stakeholder network governance structures of two international and two domestic multisports events focusing on (a) exploring the structural connectedness of these networks and (b) illuminating powerful stakeholders vis-a-vis centrality and the ability to control the network’s flow. An exploratory, comparative case study design was built by means of 58 interviews and 550 archival materials. Findings highlight international sports events are sparsely connected networks with power concentrated in the organizing committee, government, and venue stakeholders, who broker coordination with other stakeholders. In contrast, domestic sport event organizing committees appear more decentralized as coordinating actors: Sport organizations, sponsors, and community-based stakeholders emerged as highly connected, powerful stakeholders. Domestic event governance decentralization highlights a potential imbalance in stakeholder interests through network flow control by multiple actors, while.
Characterization and Determination of Origin of Lactic Acid Bacteria from a Sorghum-Based Fermented Weaning Food by Analysis of Soluble Proteins and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Fingerprinting

ABSTRACT The group that includes the lactic acid bacteria is one of the most diverse groups of bacteria known, and these organisms have been characterized extensively by using different techniques. In this study, 180 lactic acid bacterial strains isolated from sorghum powder (44 strains) and from corresponding fermented (93 strains) and cooked fermented (43 strains) porridge samples that were prepared in 15 households were characterized by using biochemical and physiological methods, as well as by analyzing the electrophoretic profiles of total soluble proteins. A total of 58 of the 180 strains wereLactobacillus plantarum strains, 47 were Leuconostoc mesenteroides strains, 25 were Lactobacillus sake-Lactobacillus curvatus strains, 17 were Pediococcus pentosaceus strains, 13 were Pediococcus acidilacticistrains, and 7 were Lactococcus lactis strains. L. plantarum and L. mesenteroides strains were the dominant strains during the fermentation process and were recovered from 87 and 73% of the households, respectively. The potential origins of these groups of lactic acid bacteria were assessed by amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerprint analysis.
Reducing Internalized Binegativity: Development and Efficacy of an Online Intervention

Internalized binegativity (IB), negative attitudes and beliefs about one’s own bisexuality, can develop from chronic exposure to binegative discrimination and prejudice and is associated with several negative mental health consequences. We developed and tested an online intervention following the Releasing Internalized Stigma for Empowerment (RISE) model (Lin, Israel, & Ryan, 2018) to reduce IB and to offer a novel means to access and treat bisexual people. We analyzed data from 641 bisexual adults recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) who were randomly assigned to the intervention or active control condition and asked to complete pretest and posttest measures. Four modules tailored for bisexual people, based on a review of relevant literature and expert feedback, comprised the intervention. The modules included: (a) a true/false quiz that challenged negative bisexual stereotypes with research evidence, (b) an activity where participants identified external sources of their binegative beliefs, (c) a biaffirming video and a writing exercise to express support for a bisexual person, and (d), presentation of positive aspects of being bisexual and biaffirming images. We used a posttest-only randomized controlled design with the intervention as the between-subjects factor. A series of one-way analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs), controlling for covariates of identity concealment and self-esteem, revealed that the intervention was efficacious in reducing IB at a small effect size in addition to influencing related constructs. These results offer a promising contribution to accessible and targeted intervention efforts for reducing bispecific minority stressors. Future directions include examining acceptability, feasibility, implementation, and replication issues.
Neoadjuvant Therapy with Weekly Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel for Luminal Early Breast Cancer Patients: Results from the NABRAX Study (GEICAM/2011-02), a Multicenter, Non-Randomized, Phase II Trial, with a Companion Biomarker Analysis.

BACKGROUND Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-Paclitaxel) is an alternative to standard taxanes for breast cancer (BC) treatment. We evaluated nab-Paclitaxel efficacy as neoadjuvant treatment for early estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS Women with ER+, HER2-, stage II-III BC were treated preoperatively with four cycles of weekly nab-Paclitaxel (150 mg/m2), 3 weeks on and 1 week off. We hypothesized that poor pathological response rate (residual cancer burden [RCB] III; Symmans criteria) would be ≤16%. RESULTS Eighty-one patients with a median age of 47 years were treated; 64.2% were premenopausal, and 69% of tumors were stage II. Residual cancer burden III rate was 28.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 18.6%-38.2%), RCB 0+I (good response) rate was 24.7% (95% CI: 15.3%-34.1%) and RCB 0 (complete response) rate was 7.4% (95% CI: 1.7%-13.1%). Objective response rate by magnetic resonance imaging was 76.5% and rate of conversion to breast conserving surgery was 40.0%. The most frequent grade 3 and 4 toxicity was neutropenia (12.3% and 3.7% of patients, respectively), without any febrile neutropenia. Sensory neuropathy grade 2 and 3 were seen in 25.9% and 2.5% of patients, respectively. Tumor secreted protein, acidic, cysteine-rich (SPARC) overexpression was significantly associated with RCB 0 (odds ratio: 0.079; 95% CI: 0.009-0.689; p = .0216). CONCLUSION Despite failing to confirm an RCB III rate ≤16% in nab-Paclitaxel-treated patients, the RCB 0+I rate indicates a significant drug antitumor activity with low rates of grade 3-4 toxicity. Our exploratory biomarker analysis suggests a potential predictive role of complete response for SPARC. Confirmatory analyses are warranted, adapting dose and schedule to decrease peripheral neurotoxicity. (Trial registration: European Clinical Trials Database study number: 2011-004476-10; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01565499). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The pathological response rate (residual cancer burden [RCB]; Symmans criteria) of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel administered as neoadjuvant treatment for early estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative disease was evaluated. Whereas poor response (RCB III) was 24.7%, similar to that for docetaxel, good response (RCB 0+I) reached 23.0%, far superior to the 13% for docetaxel, while keeping toxicity low. Exploratory biomarker analysis suggests secreted protein, acidic, cysteine-rich overexpression in tumor cells as a potential predictor of complete response (RCB 0). Findings point to an encouraging single-agent neoadjuvant treatment with low toxicity, which warrants future research and development.
Conduct Problems in Children Attending Pre-Primary Schools in Rural Areas of Pakistan

The aim of this study was to explore the conduct problems faced by school going children in the rural areas of Pakistan. Two hypotheses were formulated to explore the significant differences between the intervention and non-intervention groups and gender on the variables of conduct and internalization. The data of a total 386 young children were collected from three different regions, who were enrolled in government pre-primary classes. The children under study comprised two kinds of schools: intervention schools that had early childhood interventions, and non-intervention schools. The data analysis revealed no significant difference between children in intervention and non-intervention schools. However, there was a gender difference found in the variables of conduct and internalization. The conclusion of the study was framed to provide implications of the study for professionals.
Molecular Cloning, Characterization, and Expression in Escherichia coli of Full-length cDNAs of Three Human Glutathione S-Transferase Pi Gene Variants

We report the isolation of three full-length cDNAs corresponding to the mRNAs of closely related glutathione S-transferase (GST) Pi genes, designated hGSTP1*A, hGSTP1*B, and hGSTP1*C, expressed in normal cells and malignant gliomas. The variant cDNAs result from A → G and C → T transitions at nucleotides +313 and +341, respectively. The transitions changed codon 104 from ATC (Ile) in hGSTP1*A to GTC (Val) in hGSTP1*B and hGSTP1*C and changed codon 113 from GCG (Ala) to GTG (Val) in hGSTP1*C Both amino changes are in the electrophile-binding active site of the GST Pi peptide. Computer modeling of the deduced crystal structures of the encoded peptides showed significant deviations in the interatomic distances of critical electrophile-binding active site amino acids as a consequence of the amino acid changes. The encoded proteins expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by GSH affinity chromatography showed a 3-fold lower Km (CDNB) and a 3-4-fold higher Kcat/Km for the hGSTP1*A encoded protein than the proteins encoded by hGSTP1*B and hGSTP1*C Analysis of 75 cases showed the relative frequency of hGSTP1*C to be 4-fold higher in malignant gliomas than in normal tissues. These data provide conclusive molecular evidence of allelopolymorphism of the human GST Pi gene locus, resulting in active, functionally different GST Pi proteins, and should facilitate studies of the role of this gene in xenobiotic metabolism, cancer, and other human diseases.