Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Managing sexually transmitted infections in community sexual health clinics: an audit of a community service

Traditional hospital-based genitourinary (GU) medicine services have been overwhelmed by the current sexual health crisis. In November 2001, the Community Sexual and Reproductive Health department in Lewisham, South East London started a treatment service for uncomplicated sexually transmitted infections (STI). An audit was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of and demand for this service. Two years after its introduction the number of chlamydia tests increased by 94%, the number of men attending the service doubled, GU medicine referrals halved and the number of STI treatments had risen by 90%, mainly for chlamydia. Proposed national outcome standards were exceeded with treatment of 84% of chlamydia clients with a median delay of 14 days, partner notification documented in 88% of chlamydia treatments and 0.45 contacts per case of chlamydia treated. Community-based services can provide successful testing, treatment and partner notification for uncomplicated STI despite increasing demand and such services should be properly recognized, encouraged and financially supported.
Religious Education

PROGRAMS The Religious Education programs offer studies leading to the Master of Arts: Religious Education degree and the Doctor of Philosophy: Religious Education degree. Each graduate will have a biblical knowledge base, an understanding of Christian spiritual formation and nurture, and pedagogical skills to serve in a specialized area of teaching ministry for either the formal (school) or nonformal (church and family) setting. Religious Education prepares pastor-teachers for leadership roles in settings where religious, moral, and spiritual nurture and growth are primary concerns. Areas of emphasis in Religious Education include family life education, campus spiritual leadership, denominational certification for secondary religion teaching, and other options customized by the student in consultation with an advisor. The degrees are interdisciplinary and offer students considerable flexibility. In addition to the area of emphasis, the core requirements focus on facilitating the development of the graduate as a • Christian Apologist • Pastor-Teacher • Servant Leader • Researcher-Evaluator • Maturing Christian • Lifelong Scholar Each of these roles includes a number of competencies that serve as guides to students in designing their programs of study and choosing their courses. Students generally meet the competencies by satisfactorily completing the core courses and emphasis area electives in the curriculum. A course plan is prepared by each student in consultation with his or her Religious Education advisor. Well-planned choices help to ensure that competencies are met at levels appropriate for the degree pursued. All course work is campus-based and supported by online resources. Where warranted, students may fulfill program competencies by portfolio presentation.
Internal Strains in Healthy and Degenerated Lumbar Intervertebral Discs

Study Design. A biomechanical study investigating the intradiscal mechanics of human lumbar intervertebral discs (IVDs). Objectives. To assess the relationship between nucleuspulposus migration and intradiscal strains as a function of degeneration. Summary of Background Data. Intradiscal deformation studies have documented the nucleus pulposus migration capabilities during bending but without assessing subsequent intradiscal strains of the anulus fibrosus. Degenerated IVDs show higher anular laxity, hypermobility, and, perhaps, segmental instability. It is unknown if nucleus pulposus migration might be the cause of increased intradiscal anular strains and if such a phenomenon is modulated by IVD degeneration. Methods. Eighteen healthy and degenerated IVDs were subjected to compression, extension, flexion, and lateral bending. Craniocaudal radiographs at unloaded and loaded steps documented positions of wires placed within and beads glued to the external surface in the mid-transverse plane. Circumferential and radial strains from the anterior, lateral, and posterolateral regions during load were compared between healthy and degenerated IVDs. Results. The nucleus pulposus migrated to the opposite side of bending regardless of bending direction and significantly more in degenerated IVDs. The highest nucleus pulposus migration was observed during lateral bending. Circumferential tensile strains were significantly higher in the posterolateral regions of degenerative IVDs during all loads. Degeneration significantly increased radial tensile and compressive strains during all bending loads. Conclusions. Increased nucleus pulposus migration in degenerated IVDs may result in increased shifting of the IVD pivot point during bending movements as well as intradiscal anular strains, particularly in the posterolateral anulus. This phenomenon may explain the segmental instability observed in degenerated segments as well as the associated anular tears present in the posterolateral region before IVD failure.
Slow dynamics in reaction-diffusion systems

We consider a system of reaction-diffusion equations in a bounded interval of the real line, with emphasis on the metastable dynamics, whereby the time-dependent solution approaches the steady state in an asymptotically exponentially long time interval as the viscosity coefficient $\varepsilon>0$ goes to zero. To rigorous describe such behavior, we analyze the dynamics of layered solutions localized far from the stable configurations of the system, and we derive an ODE for the position of the internal interfaces.
Rasch Analysis of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale With African Americans

Effectively diagnosing African Americans’ self-esteem has posed an unresolved challenge. To address this assessment issue, we conducted exploratory factor analysis and Rasch analysis to assess the psychometric characteristics of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES, Rosenberg, 1965) for African American college students. The dimensional structure of the RSES was first identified with the first subsample (i.e., calibration subsample) and then held up under cross-validation with a second subsample (i.e., validation subsample). Exploratory factor analysis and Rasch analysis both supported unidimensionality of the measure, with that finding replicated for a random split of the sample. Response scale use was generally appropriate, items were endorsed at a high level reflecting high levels of self-esteem, and person separation and reliability of person separation were adequate, and reflected results similar to those found in prior research. However, as some categories were infrequently used, we also collapsed scale points and found a slight improvement in scale and item indices. No differential item functioning was found by sex or having received professional assistance versus not; there were no mean score differences by age group, marital status, or year in college. Two items were seen as problematic. Implications for theory and research on multicultural mental health are discussed.
Ductoscopic Cytology to Detect Breast Cancer

PURPOSEFiberoptic ductoscopy allows direct visualization of the breast ductal lumen, providing a targeted approach to the diagnosis of intraductal disease. The purpose of this prospective study was to determine whether (1) endoscopic evaluation of the breast could be reliably performed, and (2) ductoscopic data (intraductal distance traveled, visual observations, epithelial and foam cell quantity, cytology) predict whether a woman has breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODSDuctoscopic information was collected on intraductal distance traveled, visual observations, epithelial and foam cell quantity, and cytology. RESULTSDuctoscopic samples were successfully collected in 106/108 attempts. The first six specimens collected were acellular. Of the 100 remaining ductoscopic specimens, 37 were from breasts with ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive breast cancer, 10 from breasts with precancerous lesions, 37 duct hyperplasia/papilloma, 11 histologically normal specimens, and five specimens from breasts that did not undergo subsequent surgical excision. The ability to travel intraductally ≥ 10 cm was greater in women with hyperplasia and papilloma (with and without atypia) lesions. Intraductal lesions that were visually considered tumors were more often hyperplasia/papilloma and malignant than other lesions. Extrinsic duct occlusion was observed only in malignant lesions. Excluding learning curve samples, 67/100 (45% of normal, 68% of hyperplastic, 90% of precancerous, 82% of ductal carcinoma in situ, and 70% of invasive) fiberoptic ductoscopy specimens had adequate epithelial cells, and all duct cannulation attempts except two were successful. There was one false-positive cytologic result in a woman found to have a papilloma. Foam cell quantity was significantly related to epithelial cell quantity. CONCLUSIONFiberoptic ductoscopy is feasible in the vast majority of subjects. Fiberoptic ductoscopy is a specific but not sufficiently sensitive method to be used alone to diagnose breast cancer. The presence of highly atypical epithelial cells in specimens from breasts containing papillomas is a pitfall of this method. Caution must be exercised to avoid a false-positive diagnosis in patients with spontaneous nipple discharge.
Tree uptake of excess nutrients and herbicides in a maize-olive tree cultivation system

ABSTRACT Due to the extent of non-point source agricultural pollution, protective measures to control agrochemicals from entering aquatic systems are necessary. Measures may include, among others, vegetated buffer strips (VFS), no spray buffer zones, alley crops and agroforestry systems (AFS). The scope of the present work is to examine the pollution abatement potential of a maize-olive (MO) AFS. The efficiency of a combined MO trees system in reducing nutrients and herbicides is tested through soil monitoring in an experimental plot, located in Koropi, Eastern Attica, Greece, in the period May 2015 to November 2015. The monitored pollutants were nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as two herbicides: pendimethalin and nicosulfuron. Soil samples were collected every 3–5 weeks at various soil horizons and distances from the tree row. Pollutant concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), ion chromatography (IC) and spectrophotometry techniques. The studied MO tree system exhibited the potential to reduce pollutant migration, with removals ranging 36.8–78.9% for , 79.3–100% for , 76.7–100% for , 79.4–100% for and 70–100% for the examined herbicides. The higher removal percentages were observed in the upper soil layers (5–35 cm, below the crops), and where the finer tree roots extend. Thus, the results indicate that planting of trees in cultivated fields can contribute to the reduction of agrochemical pollution of the subsurface soil and in extension of groundwater.
Comparison of the Clinical Performance of Healon 5 and Healon in Phacoemulsification

Purpose Healon 5 is a high-molecular-mass fraction of sodium hyaluronate. Its density endows it with a number of viscoelastic characteristics. In this prospective, randomised clinical study we compared the performance of Healon 5 and Healon in phacoemulsification. SETTING. Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy. Methods Two groups of patients underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. In the first 27 patients Healon 5 was used as viscoelastic substance during surgery, and in the second 27 Healon was used. The surgeons subjective comments on the performance of these viscoelastic agents were recorded at the different steps of surgery: injection, capsulorhexis, phacoemulsification, IOL implantation, removal of viscoelastic agent and trasparency throughout the operation. The surgeon's overall impression of the viscoelastics during the whole operation was noted. Tonometry and endothelial cell count were performed in all patients before and after operation. Results There was no statistical difference between the two groups as regards visual acuity, ocular pressure and endothelial damage. Healon 5 showed excellent ability to maintain the anterior chamber during capsulorhexis, phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. Removal time with Healon 5 was not appreciably longer than Healon. Conclusions Healon 5 emerges as a very interesting viscoelastic substance. Visibility is better if the anterior chamber is filled completely. Removal is easier if it is aspirated while moving the irrigation aspiration tip with circular movements over the top and around the border of the IOL.
Reconstitution and Phenotype of Tregs in CMV Reactivating Patients Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

In experimental and clinical settings Tregs prevent graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) by inhibiting the proliferation and function of conventional T cells (Tconv). The suppressive potency of Tregs might also lead to the inhibition of protective antiviral T cell responses. As the control of CMV reactivation is important to improve the clinical outcome in allogeneic HSCT, we analyzed the Treg reconstitution in CMV reactivating patients with and without GvHD (n=47) in the first 6 months following transplantation. Most importantly, CMV reactivation does not correlate with the numerical reconstitution of CD4+CD25highCD127− Tregs. During CMV reactivation the proportion of Tregs within the CD4+ T cell population decreased significantly independent of GvHD manifestation. A comprehensive FACS analysis was performed in order to characterize the phenotype of Tregs and Tconv cells in greater detail for activation, co-stimulation, proliferation, suppressive function and migratory capability. Interestingly, Tregs of patients with CMV reactivation showed a significantly higher CXCR3 expression. CD4+ Tconv cells expressed significantly higher protein levels of the proliferation marker Ki67 correlating with a numerical increase of CD4+ T cells. Our results indicate that Tregs are not inhibiting pathogen clearance by Tconv following HSCT, which is of high relevance for future Treg cell-based clinical trials in allogeneic HSCT.
Leadership in Applied Psychology: Three Waves of Theory and Research

Although in the early years of the Journal leadership research was rare and focused primarily on traits differentiating leaders from nonleaders, subsequent to World War II the research area developed in 3 major waves of conceptual, empirical, and methodological advances: (a) behavioral and attitude research; (b) behavioral, social-cognitive, and contingency research; and (c) transformational, social exchange, team, and gender-related research. Our review of this work shows dramatic increases in sophistication from early research focusing on personnel issues associated with World War I to contemporary multilevel models and meta-analyses on teams, shared leadership, leader-member exchange, gender, ethical, abusive, charismatic, and transformational leadership. Yet, many of the themes that characterize contemporary leadership research were also present in earlier research.
Linkage analysis of chromosome I of Aedes aegypti.

A tentative map of chromosome I of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti has been proposed. The order of the genes ru (rust-eye), re (red-eye), m (sex), bz (bronze-body) and w (white-eye), has been definitively established. However, large variations in linkage distances were obtained in different experiments. The most representative values obtained from repeated tests are presented and possible reasons for heterogeneity of linkage data are discussed.
Novel computer tests for identification of mental fatigue after traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND Mental fatigue is one of the most significant post-traumatic brain injury symptoms. It is currently not possible to objectively identify. OBJECTIVE This study investigated whether a complex computer cognitive test with load on endurance, processing speed and attention were more demanding for participants suffering from mental fatigue after brain injury compared with a control group. METHOD Seventy-six subjects of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and 45 healthy controls were included in the study. All subjects with mTBI had been suffering from mental fatigue for six months or more. Mental fatigue was screened using the Mental Fatigue Scale (MFS). Cognitive function was measured for information processing speed and working memory, and with a novel computer test. RESULTS The mTBI group rated MFS significantly higher than the control group. The results revealed a significantly slower information processing speed for the mTBI subjects and a poorer performance on the working memory test. The computer test revealed a less efficient performance over time for the TBI subjects compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate a less efficient performance over time in complex and demanding cognitive tasks for individuals experiencing from mental fatigue after brain injury.
Nuclear protein 1 induced by ATF4 in response to various stressors acts as a positive regulator on the transcriptional activation of ATF4

Nuclear protein 1 (NUPR1) was originally identified as p8, a member of the family of HMG‐I/Y transcription factors induced in response to various cellular stressors. However, the signaling pathway underlying NUPR1 induction by cellular stresses remains to be established. In this study, we found that the expression of NUPR1 by various stresses induced by activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). Loss of ATF4 using siRNA significantly diminished NUPR1 expression. Overexpression of ATF4 caused NUPR1 levels to rise. NUPR1 expression was associated with enhanced transcriptional activation of genes of ATF4 downstream, suggesting that the protein promoted the transcription of stress‐regulated genes via positive feedback on the ATF4 pathway. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 61: 1153–1158, 2009
Both the fipA Gene of pKM101 and thepifC Gene of F Inhibit Conjugal Transfer of RP1 by an Effect on traG

ABSTRACT The mechanisms by which gene products inhibit the conjugal transfer of IncP plasmids (e.g., RP1) have been little studied. We have isolated and characterized one such gene, fipA (624 nucleotides), from the SmaI (14.8 kb)-AatII (15.6 kb) region of pKM101(IncN). This gene, which is also conserved in other IncN plasmids, is transcribed in an anticlockwise direction, probably as part of a transfer operon that includes traHI. The FipA protein (24 kDa) appears to be cytoplasmic and, when expressed from a multicopy plasmid, retards the growth of Escherichia coliWP2. The mode of action of fipA was compared with that of the apparently unrelated pifC gene from F(IncFI). Both genes inhibit the transfer of IncPα and IncPβ plasmids but to different degrees. They also inhibit the mobilization of RSF1010 (which requires the RP1 pilus genes and traG) but not of CloDF13 (which encodes a traG homolog). Evidence thattraG was the specific target of inhibition was obtained in an artificial system in which cloned traG was used to enhance RSF1010 mobilization via the N pilus system. Such enhancement did not occur in the presence of fipA or pifC. The availability of an in vivo assay of PifC enabled us to show that Fpif operon expression increased in cells carrying F′lac and traG, but only if thetraG coding sequence was intact. This finding suggested that conjugal inhibition of RP1 was most likely due to a PifC-TraG protein interaction. On phenotypic grounds inhibition oftraG by fipA is also likely to occur posttranscriptionally. Whether or not the selection of traGas the inhibition target is an evolutionary tactic to limit the spread of P plasmids, we anticipate that fipA and pifCwill prove useful in further investigation of the conjugal roles oftraG and its homologs.
Immunotherapy as a therapeutic treatment for neurodegenerative disorders

Human neurodegenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease and Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease exact an enormous cost on individuals, families and society. For these and related disorders, current treatment is largely symptomatic without influencing the underlying disease process. Until recently, the development of immunotherapeutic approaches to neurodegenerative disorders had been almost completely ignored despite growing successes against other non‐infectious diseases such as cancer. However, since Schenk and colleagues described the antibody‐mediated clearance of amyloid plaques in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, a number of studies have confirmed the feasibility of this strategy for several neurodegenerative disorders including Huntington's disease and prion diseases. These reports offer the exciting prospect that either the immune system or its derivative components can be harnessed to fight the misfolded and/or aggregated proteins that accumulate in many neurodegenerative illnesses. If the remarkable power of clonal expansion, specificity and efficiency of the immune system can successfully inactivate these abnormal proteins, real hope exists that effective immunotherapeutic treatments for neurodegenerative illnesses may be available in the near future.
Predictors of improvement in sexual function of women with urinary incontinence after treatment with pelvic floor exercises: a secondary analysis.

INTRODUCTION Women with urinary incontinence (UI) frequently present with complaints of sexual problems. AIM To evaluate the predictors of sexual function improvement after participating in three physical therapy sessions and performing home-based pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) for the treatment of female UI. METHODS This is a secondary analysis of a randomized trial with a 3-month follow-up in which the sexual function of 54 women with UI was evaluated. These women joined three supervised physiotherapy sessions that included PFME and health education during 1 month, with a 15-day interval between each session, and kept practicing home-based PFME for a further 2 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Quotient, the pelvic floor muscle strength was measured using the modified Oxford scale, and UI was assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire. RESULTS The mean of sexual quotient score improved after treatment (P = 0.001). With respect to specific domains of sexual function, improvement was observed only in the questions about sexual desire, arousal/excitement, and orgasm. Before treatment, 18 women (33.3%) were classified as having sexual dysfunction, and after treatment, eight remained with sexual dysfunction and two other joined this category (total of 18.5%). Those women who had sexual dysfunction at baseline experienced a higher level of improvement of the sexual quotient compared with those without sexual dysfunction (P = 0.001, 95% CI = 9.1-31.9). A multivariate linear regression with backward elimination revealed the following predictors of improvement of the sexual quotient: higher parity, higher adherence to PFME, improvement in the strength of PFM, and a decrease in the frequency of urine leakage (R(2) = 0.497). CONCLUSION PFME was more beneficial with regard to sexual function in those women who presented with sexual dysfunction at baseline.