Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How effective are physical appearance interventions in changing smoking perceptions, attitudes and behaviours? A systematic review

Objective A systematic review was conducted in order to identify physical appearance interventions related to smoking cessation and to evaluate their effectiveness in order to inform smoking cessation practice. Methods Articles were only included if they focused on an appearance intervention related to changing smoking attitudes, intentions or behaviour. A total of 17 online databases were searched using date restrictions (1980 to 2011), yielding 4356 articles. After screening, 11 articles were identified that met the review criteria. Seven articles investigated the impacts of facial age-progression software on smoking cessation. Three articles focused on reducing weight concerns in order to improve smoking abstinence rates. One oral health article was identified which focused on physical appearance in order to prevent or reduce smoking. Results Few studies have focused on physical appearance interventions in smoking cessation however the identified studies report positive impacts on smoking-related cognitions and cessation behaviours. Two different methods of quality analysis were conducted for quantitative and qualitative papers. The consensus was that the quality of the articles was generally weak. Of the 10 quantitative articles, 9 were rated weak and 1 was rated moderate. The one qualitative study provided clear, in-depth information. Conclusions Questions still remain as to whether physical appearance interventions have an impact on smoking attitudes, intentions or behaviours, particularly in British samples. To inform practice, additional, well-designed, studies are needed. They should include control groups, use robust randomised allocation to conditions, measures with established reliability and validity and take measures pre and post intervention.
The isolation and identification of the urinary oxidative metabolites of metronidazole in man.

The oxidative metabolites of 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole (metronidazole) found in the urine of human subjects receiving this drug orally for the treatment of trichomonas vaginitis were isolated and identified. Unchanged metronidazole and five nitro-containing metabolites were excreted in the majority of the urines studied. These metabolites resulted from side chain oxidation or conjugation of the parent compound. The metabolism of metronidazole was also examined in mice and was similar to that in man. The metabolism of 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-5-nitroimidazole, a major metabolic product of metronidazole, was also studied in mice, and only compounds corresponding to metabolites of metronidazole were found to be excreted in the urine. A second metabolite of metronidazole, 1-acetic acid-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole, was similarly studied and was found to be excreted in the urine predominantly as the unchanged drug.
Effect of surface O2 adsorption on the field emission performances of LaB6 nanowires

Lanthanum hexaboride (LaB<inf>6</inf>) nanowires have attracted much attention due to their outstanding physical properties. In order to enhance the developments of LaB<inf>6</inf> nanowires, it is essential to study the field emission (FE) properties of LaB<inf>6</inf> nanowires in different environments. Here, we investigate the effect of oxygen (O<inf>2</inf>) on the FE behaviors of LaB<inf>6</inf> nanowires. And it is found that the oxygen content attaching on the surface of LaB<inf>6</inf> nanowires strongly affect their FE properties.
Pollen composition and standardisation of analytical methods

Summary Honey bee pollen is considered to be a food, and national pollen standards exist in different countries such as Brazil, Bulgaria, Poland and Switzerland. It is the aim of the present work to review pollen composition and the analytical methods used for the evaluation of high quality bee pollen. Based on the experience of different countries and on the results of published research, we propose quality criteria for bee pollen, hoping that in the future they will be used as world wide bee pollen standards.
A growth-constrained environment drives tumor progression in vivo

We recently have shown that selective growth of transplanted normal hepatocytes can be achieved in a setting of cell cycle block of endogenous parenchymal cells. Thus, massive proliferation of donor-derived normal hepatocytes was observed in the liver of rats previously given retrorsine (RS), a naturally occurring alkaloid that blocks proliferation of resident liver cells. In the present study, the fate of nodular hepatocytes transplanted into RS-treated or normal syngeneic recipients was followed. The dipeptidyl peptidase type IV-deficient (DPPIV−) rat model for hepatocyte transplantation was used to distinguish donor-derived cells from recipient cells. Hepatocyte nodules were chemically induced in Fischer 344, DPPIV+ rats; livers were then perfused and larger (>5 mm) nodules were separated from surrounding tissue. Cells isolated from either tissue were then injected into normal or RS-treated DPPIV− recipients. One month after transplantation, grossly visible nodules (2–3 mm) were seen in RS-treated recipients transplanted with nodular cells. They grew rapidly, occupying 80–90% of the host liver at 2 months, and progressed to hepatocellular carcinoma within 4 months. By contrast, no liver nodules developed within 6 months when nodular hepatocytes were injected into the liver of recipients not exposed to RS, although small clusters of donor-derived cells were present in these animals. Taken together, these results directly point to a fundamental role played by the host environment in modulating the growth and the progression rate of altered cells during carcinogenesis. In particular, they indicate that conditions associated with growth constraint of the host tissue can drive tumor progression in vivo.
Differential contributions of BRCA1 and BRCA2 to early-onset breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Germ-line mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes predispose women to breast cancer. BRCA1 mutations are found in approximately 12 percent of women with breast cancer of early onset, and the specific mutation causing a deletion of adenine and guanine (185delAG), which is present in 1 percent of the Ashkenazi Jewish population, contributes to 21 percent of breast cancers among young Jewish women. The contribution of BRCA2 mutations to breast cancer of early onset is unknown. METHODS Lymphocyte specimens from 73 women with breast cancer diagnosed by the age of 32 were studied for heterozygous mutations of BRCA2 by a complementary-DNA-based protein-truncation assay, followed by automated nucleotide sequencing. In addition, specimens from 39 Jewish women with breast cancer diagnosed by the age of 40 were tested for specific mutations by an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Definite BRCA2 mutations were found in 2 of the 73 women with early-onset breast cancer (2.7 percent; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.4 to 9.6 percent), suggesting that BRCA2 is associated with fewer cases than BRCA1 (P=0.03). The specific BRCA2 mutation causing a deletion of thymine (6174delT), which is found in 1.3 percent of the Ashkenazi Jewish population, was observed in 1 of the 39 young Jewish women with breast cancer (2.6 percent; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.09 to 13.5 percent), indicating that it has a small role as a risk factor for early-onset breast cancer. Among young women with breast cancer, there are BRCA2 mutations that cause truncation of the extreme C terminus of the protein and that may be functionally silent, along with definite truncating mutations. CONCLUSIONS Germ-line mutations in BRCA2 contribute to fewer cases of breast cancer among young women than do mutations in BRCA1. Carriers of BRCA2 mutations may have a smaller increase in the risk of early-onset breast cancer.
The effect of head orientation on the vestibular evoked potentials to linear acceleration impulses in rats.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the influence of linear acceleration impulses delivered when the head is held in different static head orientations, on the first wave of the short latency vestibular evoked potential (VsEP). The first wave is the compound action potential of the primary vestibular neurons synchronously activated. BACKGROUND It has been shown previously that the VsEP elicited in response to linear acceleration is initiated mainly in the otolith organs. These organs are responsive to both dynamic and static linear forces, including gravity. METHODS VsEPs to linear acceleration stimuli (4g) were recorded when the rats head was oriented so that a) the plane of the utricular macula was aligned with the plane of the stimulus, b) in supine position and c) with the head pitched up and down in various angles with respect to gravity (stimulus-head spatial relation remained constant) as compared to a reference position. RESULTS With the stimulus aligned with the plane of the utricular macula, the amplitude of the first wave of the L-VsEPs was significantly larger than in the reference position. In the supine position, the amplitude of the first wave was significantly larger and the latency was significantly shorter. The amplitude of the first VsEP wave tended to be larger in the "head up" orientations as compared to the "head down" orientations (not statistically significant). CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the influence of head position and gravity on the VsEPs to linear acceleration impulses, which is in accordance with their otolithic origin.
Stress Fracture of the Distal Tibial Physis in an Adolescent Recreational Dancer

The physis can be the site of acute trauma and chronic overuse injuries in young athletes. Stress injuries resulting from overuse have been described at the physes of the proximal humerus, the distal radius, the proximal ulna, the distal femur, and the proximal tibia. Although traumatic fractures affecting the distal tibial physis are common in adolescent athletes, to our knowledge, there is no previously published report of an overuse stress injury affecting this physis secondary to athletic activity. We describe a young female recreational dancer and gymnast who had a 2-month history of progressive ankle pain presenting with stress-related changes of the distal tibial physis that appeared similar to those that have been described at the distal radial physis in the profile of gymnast wrist.
Information–motivation–behavioral skills barriers associated with intentional versus unintentional ARV non-adherence behavior among HIV+ patients in clinical care

Abstract Since the arrival of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, HIV has become better characterized as a chronic disease rather than a terminal illness, depending in part on one's ability to maintain relatively high levels of adherence. Despite research concerning barriers and facilitators of ARV adherence behavior, relatively little is known about specific challenges faced by HIV-positive persons who report “taking a break” from their ARV medications. The present study employed the Information–Motivation–Behavioral Skills Model of ARV adherence as a framework for understanding adherence-related barriers that may differentiate between non-adherent patients who report “taking a break” versus those who do not report “taking a break” from their ARV medications. A sample of 327 HIV-positive patients who reported less than 100% adherence at study baseline provided data for this research. Participants who reported “taking a break” from their HIV medications without first talking to their healthcare provider were classified as intentionally non-adherent, while those who did not report “taking a break” without first talking with their healthcare provider were classified as unintentionally non-adherent. Analyses examined differences between intentionally versus unintentionally non-adherent patients with respect to demographic characteristics and responses to the adherence-related information, motivation, and behavioral skills questionnaire items. Few differences were observed among the groups on demographics, adherence-related information, or adherence-related motivation; however, significant differences were observed on about half of the adherence-related behavioral skills items. Implications for future research, as well as the design of specific intervention components to reduce intentionally non-adherent behavior, are discussed.
Effect of serotonin on cardiac output and organ blood flow of rats.

The effects of intraperitoneal and intravenous administration of serotonin on cardiac output, blood pressure, and organ distribution of blood flow (Rb86) were studied in the rat. Fifteen to thirty minutes after intraperitoneal injection (10 mg/kg) cardiac output was unchanged, while blood pressure was significantly reduced. Increase in blood flow was noted in the myocardium, pulmonary parenchyma and "carcass" (skeletal muscle, bone, CNS), with decrease in the kidney and the skin. Splanchnic blood flow was unchanged. Conversely, intravenous infusion of serotonin produced an increase of cardiac output, blood pressure, and cutaneous blood flow. With the Technical Assistance of K. Albert and J. Kukucska
Estrogens and Development of Pulmonary Hypertension: Interaction of Estradiol Metabolism and Pulmonary Vascular Disease

Severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by clustered proliferation of endothelial cells (ECs) in the lumina of small size pulmonary arteries resulting in concentric obliteration of the lumina and formation of complex vascular structures known as plexiform lesions. This debilitating disease occurs more frequently in women, yet both animal studies in classical models of PAH and limited clinical data suggest protective effects of estrogens: the estrogen paradox in pulmonary hypertension. Little is known about the role of estrogens in PAH, but one line of evidence strongly suggests that the vascular protective effects of 17β-estradiol (estradiol; E2) are mediated largely by its downstream metabolites. Estradiol is metabolized to 2-hydroxyestradiol (2HE) by CYP1A1/CYP1B1, and 2HE is converted to 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME) by catechol-O-methyl transferase. 2ME is extensively metabolized to 2-methoxyestrone, a metabolite that lacks biologic activity, but which may be converted back to 2ME. 2ME has no estrogenic activity, and its effects are mediated by estrogen receptors-independent mechanism(s). Notably, in systemic and pulmonary vascular ECs, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts, 2ME exerts stronger antimitotic effects than E2 itself. E2 and 2ME, despite having similar effects on other cardiovascular cells, have opposing effects on ECs; that is, in ECs, E2 is promitogenic, proangiogenic, and antiapoptotic, whereas 2ME is antimitogenic, antiangiogenic, and proapoptotic. This may have significant ramifications in severe PAH that involves uncontrolled proliferation of monoclonal apoptosis-resistant ECs. Based on its cellular effects, 2ME should be expected to attenuate the progression of disease and provide protection in severe PAH. In contrast, E2, due to its mitogenic, angiogenic, and antiapoptotic effects (otherwise desirable in normal quiescent ECs), may even adversely affect endothelial remodeling in PAH, and this may be even more significant if the E2's effects on injured endothelium are not opposed by 2ME (eg, in the event of reduced E2 conversion to 2ME due to hypoxia, inflammation, drugs, environmental factors, or genetic polymorphism of metabolizing enzymes). This review focuses on the effects of estrogens and their metabolites on pulmonary vascular pathobiology and the development of experimental PAH and offers potential explanation for the estrogen paradox in PAH. Furthermore, we propose that unbalanced estradiol metabolism may lead to the development of PAH. Recent animal data and studies in patients with PAH support this concept.
Helicobacter pylori Infection Reduces Intraluminal Nitric Oxide

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in gastrointestinal mucosal protection. We have previously shown that Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with a lower concentration of NO in the human stomach. The aim of this study is to explore the pathogenesis of this finding using an animal model. Methods: Mongolian gerbils were divided into four groups: H. pylori-negative and -positive, each with and without the intraperitoneal addition of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Intraluminal NO and serum nitrate were measured by using a chemiluminescence system. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels in gastric mucosa were measured by using the NOSdetect Assay Kit. Results: iNOS levels in H. pylori-positive gerbils were significantly greater than in those without infection. Intraluminal NO levels in H. pylori-positive gerbils were significantly lower than those in H. pylori-negative ones and increased after SOD administration. Serum nitrate levels in H. pylori-positive gerbils were significantly greater than those in H. pylori negative ones and decreased after SOD administration. Conclusions: The low level of NO in the gastric lumen in H. pylori infection is likely a result of superoxide production related to H. pylori-induced inflammation.
Calcium oxalate crystals in fetal bovine serum: Implications for cell culture, phagocytosis and biomineralization studies in vitro

Cell culture methods and models are key investigative tools for cell and molecular biology studies. Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is commonly used as an additive during cell culture since its constituents promote cell survival, proliferation and differentiation. Here we report that commercially available FBS from different major suppliers consistently contain precipitated, calcium oxalate crystals—either in the monohydrate (COM) or dihydrate (COD) form. Mineral structure and phase identification of the crystals were determined by X‐ray diffraction, chemical composition by energy‐dispersive X‐ray microanalysis, and imaging and measurement of crystal growth steps by atomic force microscopy—all identified and confirmed crystallographic parameters for COM and COD. Proteins binding to the crystals were identified by immunoblotting, revealing the presence of osteopontin and fetuin‐A (α2HS‐glycoprotein)—known regulators of crystal growth found in serum. Macrophage cell cultures exposed to calcium oxalate crystals showed internalization of the crystals by phagocytosis in a process that induced disruption of cell–cell adhesion, release of reactive oxygen species and membrane damage, events that may be linked to the release of inflammatory cytokines by these cells into the culture media. In conclusion, calcium oxalate crystals found in commercially available FBS are toxic to cells, and their presence may confound results from in vitro studies where, amongst others, phagocytosis, biomineralization, renal cell and molecular biology, and drug and biomaterial testing are being examined. J. Cell. Biochem. 103: 1379–1393, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of efflux pump inhibitor in decreasing antibiotic cross-resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a burn hospital in Iran.

INTRODUCTION Multidrug resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa may be due to efflux pump overexpression. This study phenotypically examined the role of efflux pump inhibitors in decreasing antibiotic cross-resistance between beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, and aminoglycosides in P. aeruginosa isolates from burn patients in Iran. METHODOLOGY A total of 91 phenotypically and genotypically confirmed P. aeruginosa samples were studied. Multidrug cross-resistance was determined using the disk diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test. The contribution of efflux pumps was determined by investigating MIC reduction assay to markers of beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, and aminoglycosides in the absence and presence of an efflux pump inhibitor. All the isolates were also tested by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of mexA, mexC, and mexE efflux genes. RESULTS Of the isolates, 81 (89%) and 83 (91.2%) were multidrug resistant according to the disk diffusion and MIC method, respectively. Cross-resistance was observed in 67 (73.6%) and 68 (74.7%) of isolates according to the disk diffusion and MIC method, respectively. In the presence of the efflux pump inhibitor, twofold or higher MIC reduction to imipenem, cefepime, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin was observed in 59, 65, 55, and 60 isolates, respectively. Except for two isolates that were negative for mexC, all isolates were positive for mexA, mexC, and mexE genes simultaneously. CONCLUSION Efflux pumps could cause different levels of resistance based on their expression in clinical isolates. Early detection of different efflux pumps in P. aeruginosa could allow the use of other antibiotics and efflux pump inhibitors in combination with antibiotic therapy.
Efficient hand orientation and pose estimation for uncalibrated cameras

We proposed a staged probabilistic regression method that is capable of learning well from a number of variations within a dataset. The proposed method is based on multi layered Random Forest, where the first layer consisted of a single marginalization weights regressor and second layer contained an ensemble of expert learners. The expert learners are trained in stages, where each stage involved training and adding an expert learner to the intermediate model. After every stage, the intermediate model was evaluated to reveal a latent variable space defining a subset that the model had difficulty in learning from. This subset was used to train the next expert regressor. The posterior probabilities for each training sample were extracted from each expert regressors. These posterior probabilities were then used along with a Kullback-Leibler divergence-based optimization method to estimate the marginalization weights for each regressor. A marginalization weights regressor was trained using CDF and the estimated marginalization weights. We showed the extension of our work for simultaneous hand orientation and pose inference. The proposed method outperformed the state-of-the-art for marginalization of multi-layered Random Forest and hand orientation inference. Furthermore, we show that a method which simultaneously learns from hand orientation and pose outperforms pose classification as it is able to better understand the variations in pose induced due to viewpoint changes.
Referrals to a perinatal specialist palliative care consult service in Ireland, 2012–2015

Objective To analyse the referral patterns of perinatal patients referred to a specialist palliative care service (SPCS), their demographics, diagnoses, duration of illness, place of death and symptom profile. Design A retrospective chart review of all perinatal referrals over a 4-year period to the end of 2015. Setting A consultant-led paediatric SPCS at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin, and the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin. Results 83 perinatal referrals were received in a 4-year period. Chromosomal abnormalities accounted for 35% of diagnoses, congenital heart disease 25%, complex neurological abnormalities 11% and renal agenesis 4%. 22 referrals (26.5%) were made antenatally, with 61 (73.5%) postnatally. Of the postnatal referrals, 27 (44%) were asymptomatic on referral. An opioid medication was recommended (regularly or as required) in 46 cases. Symptom control was achieved without dose titration in 43 of these cases (93%). Of 47 deaths in this group referred postnatally, 22 of these (47%) died at home with support from community teams. Discharge home for best supportive care required complex interagency communication and cooperation. Conclusions Perinatal palliative care requires effective multidisciplinary work, whether delivered in the inpatient setting or in the community. With appropriate support, end-of-life care can be delivered in the community.