Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acceptance of guideline recommendations and perceived implementation of coronary heart disease prevention among primary care physicians in five European countries: the Reassessing European Attitudes about Cardiovascular Treatment (REACT) survey.

BACKGROUND Although primary care is the major target of coronary heart disease (CHD) clinical recommendations, little is known of how community physicians view guidelines and their implementation. The REACT survey was designed to assess the views, and perceived implementation, of CHD and lipid treatment guidelines among primary care physicians. METHODS Semi-structured validated telephone interviews were conducted, in the relevant native tongue, with 754 randomly selected primary care physicians (GPs and family doctors) in five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and the UK). RESULTS Most physicians (89%) agreed with the content of current guidelines and reported use of them (81%). However, only 18% of physicians believed that guidelines were being implemented to a major extent. Key barriers to greater implementation of guidelines were seen as lack of time (38% of all physicians), prescription costs (30%), and patient compliance (17%). Suggestions for ways to improve implementation centred on more education, both for physicians themselves (29%) and patients (25%); promoting, publicizing or increasing guideline availability (23%); simplifying the guidelines (17%); and making them clearer (12%). Physicians perceived diabetes to be the most important risk factor for CHD, followed by hypertension and raised LDL-C. Most physicians (92%) believe their patients do associate high cholesterol levels with CHD. After establishing that a patient is 'at risk' of CHD, physicians reported spending an average of 16.5 minutes discussing risk factors and lifestyle changes or treatment that is required. Factors preventing this included insufficient time (42%), having too many other patients to see (27%) and feeling that patients did not listen or understand anyway (21%). CONCLUSIONS Primary care physicians need more information and support on the implementation of CHD and cholesterol guideline recommendations. This need is recognized by clinicians.
Effects of the antagonists MDL 72222 and ketanserin on responses of cat carotid body chemoreceptors to 5‐hydroxytiyptamine

1 The effects of intracarotid (i.c.) injections of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT; 1–50 μg) on carotid chemoreceptor activity recorded from the carotid sinus nerve have been studied in anaesthetized cats. 2 Three separate components in the complex response of the chemoreceptors to injected 5‐HT were identified. Firstly, a transient burst of activity was obtained during the injection period in 56% of the recordings. Secondly, in all the recordings a period of chemodepression commenced a few seconds after completing the injection and was usually dose‐related. Thirdly, a delayed longer‐lasting chemoexcitation occurred in many experiments, concomitant with a fall in systemic blood pressure. 3 The neuronal 5‐HT receptor antagonist MDL 72222 (10–100 μg kg−1, i.c.) virtually abolished the transient chemoexcitation evoked during 5‐HT injections and also significantly increased the mean ID50 for 5‐HT‐induced chemodepression; in 37% of recordings 5‐HT caused a dose‐related chemoexcitation after the high dose of MDL 72222. Neither the delayed chemoexcitation nor the hypotension caused by 5‐HT were much affected by the antagonist. MDL 72222 itself had a biphasic effect on chemosensory discharge, causing depression followed by a delayed excitation. 4 The 5‐HT2‐receptor antagonist ketanserin (100 μg kg−1, i.c.) had no appreciable effect on the transient chemoexcitation evoked during 5‐HT injections and caused a slight but significant increase in the mean ID50 for 5‐HT‐induced chemodepression. The delayed chemoexcitation and accompanying hypotension associated with 5‐HT were both substantially reduced or abolished by the antagonist. Ketanserin itself caused a short‐lasting period of chemoexcitation. 5 All the effects of injected 5‐HT on chemosensory discharge could be abolished by the combination of MDL 72222 and ketanserin (100 μg kg−1, i.c.). 6 Neither MDL 72222 nor ketanserin had any significant effect upon the response of the carotid chemoreceptors to hypoxia. The rate at which discharge increased, and also the steady‐state discharge before and during hypoxia, were unaffected by the antagonists, alone or in combination. 7 At least two types of 5‐HT receptor appeared to be involved in the response of carotid body chemoreceptors to 5‐HT. Transient excitation and chemodepression wer*** mediated via MDL 72222‐sensitive (peripheral neuronal) receptors whereas the delayed chemoexcitation and associated hypotension involved a ketanserin‐sensitive, presumably 5‐HT2‐, receptor. It appears unlikely that 5‐HT plays a crucial role in chemoreception.
Characteristics of Women with Vulvar Pain Disorders: Responses to a Web-Based Survey

This article presents data contributed by 428 highly educated, internet-savvy women who frequented various vulvar pain discussion lists. The age range was in the reproductive years and older and over 90% were Caucasians. No country of origin was given. They had a number of distressing symptoms, including vulvar pain at rest and with contact, burning, itching, redness, and inflammation. Most felt that they had either vulvar vestibulitis, vulvodynia, or both, although they had other vulvar conditions as well. Many felt that yeast infections, stress, antibiotics, infections, and chemicals played a contributing role. There were a number of comorbidities, including irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and interstitial cystitis. Sexual abuse was not a major issue. The vulvar pain destroyed or altered then sex lives, lowered their selfesteem, and affected their relationships. Often, they relied upon understanding partners, support groups, and hobbies but not the medical profession for comfort.
Constructing the Meaning of “Family” in the Context of Out-of-Home Care: An Exploratory Study on Residential Care Leavers in Harare, Zimbabwe

Care leavers’ family lives are not well-documented in Global South literature. The West has seen an increase in studies focusing on the family concept. This article focuses on the concept of “family” and family membership from the perspective of care leavers. Data from semistructured interviews and “family lists” with 30 care leavers (aged 18–25) from Zimbabwe are presented. The findings suggest that although there is evidence of heteronormative definitions of “family” and ideas of “family” as biological, new definitions are coming up in the developing world. Some participants acknowledge nonbiological definitions of family based on connectivity, co-residence, affective practices, family contact, and other forms of family display in the context of out-of-home care. The Zimbabwean cultural influence is highlighted as a factor in care leavers’ constructions of “family” especially during the emerging adulthood stage. Practical implications for social policy, those working with care leavers, and wider society are discussed.
Effects of essential oils from Liquidambar orientalis Mill. leaves on growth performance, carcass and some organ traits, some blood metabolites and intestinal microbiota in broilers

ABSTRACT 1. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of liquidambar essential oils (LEO) isolated from Turkish sweet gum (Liquidambar orientalis Mill.) leaves on growth performance, carcass, edible inner organs (EIO), gastrointestinal traits (gut), some blood metabolites and jejunum microbiota in broilers. 2. A total of 375 one-d-old male broilers (Ross 308) were randomly allocated to 5 treatments with 5 pens with 15 birds. The birds were fed on diets without antibiotics (CONT), with antibiotic (50 mg per kg, AB), with LEOs at 0.0405 (0.04LEO), 0.0811 (0.08LEO) or 0.1622 (0.16LEO) g/kg feed up to 42 d of age. The levels of LEOs included to diets were determined according to in vitro antimicrobial activity. 3. From d 1 to 42, the 0.08LEO treatment had higher live weight gain (LWG) compared to others. The 0.08LEO treatment increased feed intake (FI) compared to the CONT, AB and 0.04LEO. However, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of these birds was lower than those in the AB and 0.16LEO treatments. From 1 to 42 d of age for LWG, the effects were quadratic and cubic, while those for FI and FCR were cubic and quadratic, respectively. Birds that fed 0.08LEO and AB diets had higher and lower carcass weights (CW) than those that fed other diets. The effect of LEO levels was cubic on the CW. The 0.08LEO and 0.16LEO decreased abdominal fat (AF) weight compared to the AB. The blood cholesterol decreased by the 0.04LEO and 0.08LEO treatments compared to the CONT. For the blood cholesterol, the effects of LEO levels were cubic. The 0.08LEO treatments decreased Escherichia coli counts in jejunum compared to the CONT and 0.16LEO. 4. Feeding a diet with LEO at 0.0811 g/kg might increase the LWG, FI and weights of carcass and AF, whereas it might decrease blood cholesterol and E. coli counts without affecting blood high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, glucose, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase concentrations.
Effects of Chlorpyrifos and Chlorpyrifos-Methyl on the Outgrowth of Axon-Like Processes, Tubulin, and GAP-43 in N2a Cells

The aim of this work was to study the neurodegenerative effects of the organophosphate (OP) pesticides chlorpyrifos (CPF) and chlorpyrifos-methyl (CHM) on cultured mouse N2a neuroblastoma cells. CPF or CHM, at a subcytotoxic concentration of 3 μM, were added to the cells either at the time of the induction of cell differentiation (codifferentiation) or 16 h after the induction of differentiation (postdifferentiation). CPF and CHM were similar in inhibiting significantly the outgrowth of axon-like processes from N2a cells after only 4 h exposure under both co- and postdifferentiation exposure conditions. Densitometric scanning of Western blots of extracts of cells treated with CPF or CHM for 4 h revealed significantly decreased cross-reactivity with a monoclonal antibody recognizing the protein GAP-43 under post- but not under codifferentiation exposure conditions. Exposure to CPF or CHM for 4 h under postdifferentiation conditions also resulted in reduced fluorescence of N2a cell body staining with anti-GAP-43. Cross-reactivity of Western blots with a monoclonal antibody recognizing α-tubulin was not significantly affected by OP treatment. These data indicate that a disturbance in GAP-43 may be important in the retraction of axons in predifferentiated N2a cells and support the notion that the mechanisms involved in CPF-and CHM-induced inhibition of axonal outgrowth may be different under co- and postdifferentiation exposure conditions.
Epidemiological study of myasthenia gravis in Sardinia, Italy (1958–1986)

ABSTRACT— From 1.1. 1958 to 31.12. 1986, 110 cases of MG were observed in Sardinia, with a mean annual incidence of 2.5 × 1,000,000 inhabitants and prevalence rates of 7.5, 17.6, 31.4 and 45.0 × 1,000,000 inhabitants respectively (prevalence days: 15.10.1961,24.10.1971,25.10.1981 and 31.12.1986). The disease was found to be more frequent in women. There were no differences in the distribution of MG in various areas of the island. The muscle group more frequently involved at onset was the ocular. In 6.4% of patients an association with thyroid disorders was observed. The mortality of MG patients was significantly higher than expected. Removal of the thymus, carried out in 58 patients, was shown to be useful in the treatment of the disease, particularly in patients without thymomas. No familial cases were observed.
The Impact of Stigma in Healthcare on People Living with Chronic Illnesses

Approximately half of adults are living with a chronic illness, many of whom may feel stigmatized by their chronic illness in different contexts. We explored the impact of internalized, experienced, and anticipated stigma within healthcare settings on the quality of life of 184 participants living with chronic illnesses (e.g. diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma). Results of a path analysis demonstrate that participants who internalized stigma and experienced stigma from healthcare workers anticipated greater stigma from healthcare workers. Participants who anticipated greater stigma from healthcare workers, in turn, accessed healthcare less and experienced a decreased quality of life.
The Effect of Co-Additives (Biochar and FGD Gypsum) on Ammonia Volatilization during the Composting of Livestock Waste

The effectiveness of co-additives for improving livestock waste composting (reduction of air pollution and conservation of nutrients) was investigated. Biochar and Flue gas desulphurization gypsum (FGD gypsum) were used to supplement the composting of a mixture of slaughter waste, swine slurry, and sawdust. Different compositions of additives (0% or 5% each, 10% biochar or FGD gypsum) were tested in triplicate on the laboratory scale. In addition, the effects of two different aeration schemes (continuous and intermittent) were also investigated. Ammonia volatilization, physicochemical characteristics, and compost maturity indices were investigated. The results indicated that the use of the co-additive (Biochar and FGD gypsum) during composting of livestock waste led to a reduction of ammonia volatilization by 26–59% and to a 6.7–7.9-fold increase of nitrate accumulation. The total ammonia volatilization of intermittent aeration treatment was lower than that of continuous aeration using co-additives treatment. It was concluded that co-additives (biochar and FGD gypsum) might be utilized in livestock waste composting to reduce ammonia volatilization and improve nutrient conservation.
Results of a randomized trial comparing sequential intravenous/oral treatment with ciprofloxacin plus metronidazole to imipenem/cilastatin for intra-abdominal infections. The Intra-Abdominal Infection Study Group.

OBJECTIVE In a randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial, ciprofloxacin/metronidazole was compared with imipenem/cilastatin for treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections. A secondary objective was to demonstrate the ability to switch responding patients from intravenous (IV) to oral (PO) therapy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Intra-abdominal infections result in substantial morbidity, mortality, and cost. Antimicrobial therapy often includes a 7- to 10-day intravenous course. The use of oral antimicrobials is a recent advance due to the availability of agents with good tissue pharmacokinetics and potent aerobic gram-negative activity. METHODS Patients were randomized to either ciprofloxacin plus metronidazole intravenously (CIP/MTZ IV) or imipenem intravenously (IMI IV) throughout their treatment course, or ciprofloxacin plus metronidazole intravenously and treatment with oral ciprofloxacin plus metronidazole when oral feeding was resumed (CIP/MTZ IV/PO). RESULTS Among 671 patients who constituted the intent-to-treat population, overall success rates were as follows: 82% for the group treated with CIP/MTZ IV; 84% for the CIP/MTZ IV/PO group; and 82% for the IMI IV group. For 330 valid patients, treatment success occurred in 84% of patients treated with CIP/MTZ IV, 86% of those treated with CIP/MTZ IV/PO, and 81% of the patients treated with IMI IV. Analysis of microbiology in the 30 patients undergoing intervention after treatment failure suggested that persistence of gram-negative organisms was more common in the IMI IV-treated patients who subsequently failed. Of 46 CIP/MTZ IV/PO patients (active oral arm), treatment success occurred in 96%, compared with 89% for those treated with CIP/MTZ IV and 89% for those receiving IMI IV. Patients who received intravenous/oral therapy were treated, overall, for an average of 8.6 +/- 3.6 days, with an average of 4.0 +/- 3.0 days of oral treatment. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate statistical equivalence between CIP/MTZ IV and IMI IV in both the intent-to-treat and valid populations. Conversion to oral therapy with CIP/MTZ appears as effective as continued intravenous therapy in patients able to tolerate oral feedings.
Thin-section CT findings of patients with acute Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia with and without concurrent infection.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to compare the pulmonary thin-section CT findings of patients with acute Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia with and without concurrent infection. METHODS The study group comprised 86 patients with acute S. pneumoniae pneumonia, 36 patients with S. pneumoniae pneumonia combined with Haemophilus influenzae infection, 26 patients with S. pneumoniae pneumonia combined with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and 22 patients with S. pneumoniae pneumonia combined with methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) infection. We compared the thin-section CT findings among the groups. RESULTS Centrilobular nodules and bronchial wall thickening were significantly more frequent in patients with pneumonia caused by concurrent infection (H. influenzae: p<0.001 and p<0.001, P. aeruginosa: p<0.001 and p<0.001, MSSA: p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively) than in those infected with S. pneumoniae alone. Cavity and bilateral pleural effusions were significantly more frequent in cases of S. pneumoniae pneumonia with concurrent P. aeruginosa infection than in cases of S. pneumoniae pneumonia alone (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively) or with concurrent H. influenzae (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively) or MSSA infection (p<0.05 and p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS When a patient with S. pneumoniae pneumonia has centrilobular nodules, bronchial wall thickening, cavity or bilateral pleural effusions on CT images, concurrent infection should be considered.
Prevalence and Factors associated with Depression among Clinically Stable People Living with HIV/AIDS on Antiretroviral Therapy

Background: Individuals with HIV/AIDS are prone for psychiatric/psychological morbidities. Many studies have reported significantly higher prevalence of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA's) when compared to general population. However, there are only very few studies looking at the prevalence of depression in patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Objectives: To estimate the prevalance and factors associated with depression among clinically stable PLWHAs. Materials and Methods: We used a cross-sectional study design to estimate the prevalence of depression and factors associated with it among clinically stable PLWHAs with CD4 cell count >400 cells/mm3 and on ART for >2 years. We assessed 100 PLWHAs and diagnosed depression using ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. Results: The prevalence of depression was 30% in this sample. Female gender, lack of family support, and HIV-positive status of the spouse were associated with depression in this study. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed lack of family support significantly associated with depression. High prevalence of depression and its association with stressful life circumstances even in individuals stable on ART points toward need for psychosocial interventions to improve metal health and well-being of these patients.
External work and peak power are reliable measures of ergometer grinding performance when tested under load, deck heel, and grinding direction conditions

The reliability of grinding performance was assessed in 18 current Emirates Team New Zealand America's Cup sailors in two test sessions separated by 5 h using a custom-built ergometer. Sixteen different grinding conditions that varied by load (Light 39 N·m, Moderate 48 N·m, Heavy 68 N·m), deck heel (Flat 0° control, Downhill 25°, Uphill 25°, Right 25°, Left 25°), and grinding direction (forwards, backwards) were assessed using peak power and external work over 5 s during maximal-effort 8-s grinds. Reliability statistics included the difference in mean (Mdiff), standard error of measurement (SEM), and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). External work (SEM = 1.6–6.9%; ICC = 0.91–0.99) was a more consistent performance measure than peak power (SEM = 1.3–9.6%; ICC = 0.84–0.99) across all test conditions. Testing under different load conditions resulted in external work SEMs of 1.6–3.9% with performance more reliable in lighter load conditions. Grinding performance during different heel conditions was less reliable (external work SEMs = 4.6–6.9%). Grinding direction (forward or backward) did not appear to affect performance reliability, although external work was 10–15% higher in forward grinding. Reliability is acceptable across various loads, but testing under different heel conditions may need some protocol development to allow the detection of smaller differences in performance.
Internet resources and capabilities: Japanese SME risk-taking, industry and performance

ABSTRACT This study investigates how Internet-related resources and capabilities are influencing performance in Japanese small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We use a structural equation modelling approach to test these relationships between Internet readiness, Internet capability, risk-taking perceptions and performance within Japanese SMEs (350 SMEs). Unlike other counterpart countries, such as South Korea, Japanese SMEs have been relatively slow in implementing Internet technologies into business practice. However, the results indicate that if Japanese SMEs allocate appropriate resources and deploy Internet capabilities these firms will benefit with performance gains. Further, we find that both the perception of risk-taking and the industry in which the firm operates are key factors in either inhibiting or enhancing the firm’s ability to leverage Internet-related capabilities for firm performance.
Recognition of NFATp/AP-1 composite elements within genes induced upon the activation of immune cells.

Composite elements are regulatory modules of promoters or enhancers that consist of binding sites of two different but synergizing transcription factors. A well-studied example is nuclear factors of activated T-cell (NFAT) sites which are composite elements of a NFATp/c and an activating protein 1 (AP-1) binding site. We have developed a computational approach to identify potential NFAT target genes which (a) comprises an improved method to scan for individual NFAT composite elements; (b) considers positional effects relative to transcription start sites; and (c) involves cluster analysis of potential NFAT composite elements. All three steps progressively helpX? ed to discriminate T-cell-specific promoter sequences against other functional regions (coding and intronic sequences) of the same genes, against promoters of muscle-specific genes or against random sequences. Using this approach, we identified potential NFAT composite elements in promoters of cytokine genes and their receptors as well as in promoters of genes for AP-1 family members, Ca2+-binding proteins and some other components of the regulatory network operating in activated T-cells and other immune cells. The method developed can be adapted to characterize and identify other composite elements as well. The program for recognition NFAT composite elements is available through the World Wide Web (http://compel.bionet.nsc.ru/FunSite/CompelScan. html and http://transfac.gbf.de/dbsearch/funsitep/s _comp.html).