Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hemostatic Therapy in Experimental Intracerebral Hemorrhage Associated With Rivaroxaban

Background and Purpose— Rivaroxaban has recently been approved for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. However, lack of an effective antidote represents a major concern in the event of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The aims of the present study were to establish a murine model of ICH associated with rivaroxaban, and to examine the effectiveness of different hemostatic factors in preventing excess hematoma expansion. Methods— In C57BL/6 mice receiving 10 or 30 mg/kg rivaroxaban by gastric gavage, plasma concentration, prothrombin time, and coagulation factor activities were measured repeatedly. Thirty minutes after inducing ICH by intrastriatal collagenase-injection, mice received an intravenous injection of either saline, prothrombin complex concentrate (100 U/kg), murine fresh frozen plasma (200 &mgr;L), or recombinant human Factor VIIa (1 mg/kg). ICH volume was quantified on brain cryosections and using hemoglobin spectrophotometry 24 hours later. Results— Rivaroxaban in 30 mg/kg dose substantially increased the hematoma volume in ICH induced by 0.060 U collagenase. Prothrombin complex concentrate, fresh frozen plasma, or Factor VIIa prevented excess hematoma expansion caused by anticoagulation. Prevention of hematoma expansion by prothrombin complex concentrate was dose-dependent. None of the 3 agents completely corrected the prolonged prothrombin time, although they restored the activities of deficient FII and X. Conclusions— Prothrombin complex concentrate, Factor VIIa, and fresh frozen plasma prevent excess intracerebral hematoma expansion in a murine ICH model associated with rivaroxaban. The efficacy and safety of this reversal strategy must be further evaluated in clinical studies.
Concordance of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to Assess Increased Risk of Depression among Postpartum Women

Objectives: To compare the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) as screening tools for postpartum depression. Methods: This study population included the first 500 women to enroll and return their packets during an ongoing study of postpartum depression. Results: The primary outcome of this study was to find rates of concordance and discordance in the EPDS and PHQ-9 categories of “normal” and “increased risk for major depressive disorder. ” Overall, 97% of eligible women enrolled and 70% returned the packets that included the EPDS and PHQ-9. Four hundred eighty-one of the first 500 packets had complete data, with elevated EPDS or PHQ-9 scores in 138 and 132 women, respectively. Concordance of the EPDS and PHQ-9 were present in 399 women (83%): 326 (67.8%) had “normal” score on both, and 73 (15.2%) had elevated scores for both. Discordant scores in 82 women included 17 with elevated PHQ-9 scores but normal EPDS scores and 65 with elevated EPDS scores and PHQ-9 scores <10. In multivariate logistic regression modeling, only age >30 and low education level were predictive of discordant scores, using EPDS and PHQ-9 scores of ≥10 as elevated (odds ratio, 1.9 and P = .02; and odds ratio, 2.3 and P = .01, respectively). PHQ-9 scores of 5 to 9 have been referred to as consistent with “mild depressive symptoms” and appropriate for “watchful waiting” and repeat PHQ-9 at follow-up. Using this follow-up approach would require re-evaluation of 120 (25%) of the women screened. Conclusions: Postpartum depression screening is feasible in primary care practices, and for most women the EPDS and PHQ-9 scores were concordant. Further work is required to identify reasons for the 17% discordant scores as well as to provide definitive recommendations for PHQ-9 scores of 5 to 9.
Drunkenness among young people: a cross-national comparison.

OBJECTIVE International studies show a rise in drunkenness among young people in recent years. In this study the number of drunkenness occasions among 15-year old students in 22 countries is reported. The cross-national association between drunkenness, on the one hand, and the frequency of alcohol intake and the preference for distilled spirits, on the other, is described. Variation between countries is examined on the basis of national characteristics, including national prevention policies. METHOD Data on alcohol use were taken from the 1998 World Health Organization (WHO) collaborative, cross-national survey on Health Behaviour of School-Aged Children. The multinational representative sample consisted of 10,951 male and 11,451 female (drinking) students. County characteristics were derived from the WHO Global Alcohol Database. Hierarchical Generalized Linear Model was used to analyze the effects of country characteristics on individual drunkenness. RESULTS The lifetime prevalence of drunkenness was 57.1% for males and 50.4% for females. The number of drunkenness occasions showed a significant variation in the 22 countries. The correlation between drunkenness and preference for distilled spirits was positive in 21 countries and strong (Spearman's p > 0.40) in some eastern countries. Geographic location turned out to be an important country-level association with drunkenness and its predictors. Southern European countries showed moderate associations, whereas strong associations were found in Scandinavia, the Baltic countries and Russia. CONCLUSIONS Cultural differences in alcohol use exist, and frequency of alcohol intake and use of spirits influence drunkenness. Despite the potential influence of preventive policy measures on drunkenness, no preventive effect of the measures included in this study was found.
The justice of neoliberalism: moral ideology and redistributive politics of public‐sector retrenchment in Serbia

This article seeks to contribute to the anthropological analysis of neoliberalism as a hegemonic project of capitalist social transformation through a close examination of the ideological legitimation of austerity-driven public-sector retrenchment in Serbia. It shows how long-term continuities of political economy and public discourse create opportunities for market populist elites to sell neoliberalism as a moral project. Persistent structural conditions, especially scarcity of jobs, and an established popular discourse about the excessive and corrupt public sector provide a fertile soil for a moral ideology that justifies neoliberal policies as a redress to an immoral redistribution of societal resources.
Therapeutic effects of electrical stimulation on manual function of children with cerebral palsy: Evaluation of two cases

Purpose. To investigate changes in hand function associated with electrical stimulation for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Method. An ABCA single-subject design, replicated in two children, was used in this study. Each baseline (phase A) lasted 4 weeks. Intervention consisted of electrical stimulation of wrist extensors (phase B) and of wrist extensors and flexors (phase C) for 15 minutes three times a week. Intervention phases also lasted 4 weeks. Active wrist extension range of movement and three timed manual tasks were tested two times a week every week. Data analysis included the Celeration Line and Two Standard Deviation Band methods in addition to visual analysis. Results. Significant performance gains were observed for both children, especially in phase C, when both extensors and flexors were stimulated. After intervention withdrawal, significant performance decreases were observed on most analysed variables. Conclusions. The observed performance changes seem to be associated with the presence of intervention and suggest that electrical stimulation can be a useful adjunct to improve hand function of children with cerebral palsy.
Two Decades of Progress in Globalizing U. S. Extension Systems

The paper highlights the results of a 2000 study of U.S. Extension directors who described their Extension systems related to efforts to globalize. Barriers were also identified. Fifty land-grant Directors participated. Directors recognize that globalization of Extension is underway and will become more integrated into future Extension programming. In 1990, 40 states identified no or minimal efforts to globalize. Positive changes in globalizing were seen between 1990 and 2000 with 35 Extension systems moving towards globalization. By 2010, 14 directors project globalization will be integrated into extension programming and 30 project globalization will continue. The barriers most likely to limit globalizing of state Extension systems were: limited financial support, a lack of time, lack of clientele support and globalizing not being viewed as a programming priority. Over 150 comments from directors add richness to the quantitative results reported.
Forecasting the Yield Curve of Government Bonds: A Comparative Study

For the past 20 years, researchers have applied the Kalman filter to the modeling and forecasting the term structure of interest rates. Despite its impressive performance in in-sample fitting yield curves, little research has focused on the out-of-sample forecast of yield curves using the Kalman filter. The goal of this thesis is to develop a unified dynamic model based on Diebold and Li (2006) and Nelson and Siegel’s (1987) three-factor model, and estimate this dynamic model using the Kalman filter. We compare both in-sample and out-of-sample performance of our dynamic methods with various other models in the literature. We find that our dynamic model dominates existing models in mediumand long-horizon yield curve predictions. However, the dynamic model should be used with caution when forecasting short maturity yields on a short time horizon.
Deletion of Pofut1 in Mouse Skeletal Myofibers Induces Muscle Aging-Related Phenotypes in cis and in trans

ABSTRACT Sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass and strength during normal aging, involves coordinate changes in skeletal myofibers and the cells that contact them, including satellite cells and motor neurons. Here we show that the protein O-fucosyltransferase 1 gene (Pofut1), which encodes a glycosyltransferase required for NotchR-mediated cell-cell signaling, has reduced expression in aging skeletal muscle. Moreover, premature postnatal deletion of Pofut1 in skeletal myofibers can induce aging-related phenotypes in cis within skeletal myofibers and in trans within satellite cells and within motor neurons via the neuromuscular junction. Changed phenotypes include reduced skeletal muscle size and strength, decreased myofiber size, increased slow fiber (type 1) density, increased muscle degeneration and regeneration in aged muscles, decreased satellite cell self-renewal and regenerative potential, and increased neuromuscular fragmentation and occasional denervation. Pofut1 deletion in skeletal myofibers reduced NotchR signaling in young adult muscles, but this effect was lost with age. Increasing muscle NotchR signaling also reduced muscle size. Gene expression studies point to regulation of cell cycle genes, muscle myosins, NotchR and Wnt pathway genes, and connective tissue growth factor by Pofut1 in skeletal muscle, with additional effects on α dystroglycan glycosylation.
DENATURING GRADIENT GEL ELECTROPHORESIS - A TOOL FOR PLANT PROTECTION RESEARCH

Analysis of microbial communities associated with plants, insects and soil has been a significant challenge for plant protection researchers, because of the lack of techniques with which to access these populations. A new molecular community profiling technique, 16S rRNA gene-based PCR followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), has been used to analyse microbial communities in a number of environments and has many potential uses in plant protection research. The technique is currently being used for the analysis of insect gut microflora, characterisation of phylloplane and rhizosphere microbial populations, and in environmental assessment of the effects of biopesticides and new technologies on indigenous soil microbes.
The effect of protein impurities on lysozyme crystal growth.

While bulk crystallization from impure solutions is used industrially as a purification step for a wide variety of materials, it is a technique that has rarely been used for proteins. Proteins have a reputation for being difficult to crystallize and high purity of the initial crystallization solution is considered paramount for success in the crystallization. Although little is written on the purifying capability of protein crystallization or of the effect of impurities on the various aspects of the crystallization process, recent published reports show that crystallization shows promise and feasibility as a purification technique for proteins. To further examine the issue of purity in macromolecule crystallization, this study investigates the effect of the protein impurities, avidin, ovalbumin, and conalbumin at concentrations up to 50%, on the solubility, crystal face growth rates, and crystal purity of the protein lysozyme. Solubility was measured in batch experiments while a computer controlled video microscope system was used to measure the ¿110¿ and ¿101¿ lysozyme crystal face growth rates. While little effect was observed on solubility and high crystal purity was obtained (>99.99%), the effect of the impurities on the face growth rates varied from no effect to a significant face specific effect leading to growth cessation, a phenomenon that is frequently observed in protein crystal growth. The results shed interesting light on the effect of protein impurities on protein crystal growth and strengthen the feasibility of using crystallization as a unit operation for protein purification.
Rituximab, bendamustine and lenalidomide in patients with aggressive B‐cell lymphoma not eligible for anthracycline‐based therapy or intensive salvage chemotherapy – SAKK 38/08

An increasing number of older patients are suffering from aggressive lymphoma. Effective and more tolerable treatment regimens are urgently needed for this growing patient population. Patients with aggressive lymphoma not eligible for anthracycline‐based first‐line therapy or intensive salvage regimens were treated with the rituximab‐bendamustine‐lenalidomide (R‐BL) regimen (rituximab 375 mg/m2 day 1, bendamustine 70 mg/m2 d 1, 2, lenalidomide 10 mg d 1–21) for six cycles every 4 weeks. Forty‐one patients with a median age of 75 (range 40–94) years were enrolled: 33 patients had substantial co‐morbidities. 13 patients were not eligible for anthracycline‐based first‐line chemotherapy, 28 patients had relapsed/refractory disease. The primary endpoint, overall response, was achieved by 25 (61%) patients (95% confidence interval 45–76%). Grade ≥ 3 toxicity comprised haematological (59%), skin (15%), constitutional (15%) and neurological (12%) events. 9 patients died during trial treatment: 5 from lymphoma progression, 2 from toxicity, 2 with sudden death. After a median follow‐up of 25·9 (interquartile range 20·4–31·6) months, 13 patients were still alive. Median overall survival was 14·5 months. In conclusion, R‐BL can be considered a treatment option for elderly patients with treatment naïve or relapsed/refractory aggressive lymphoma not eligible for standard aggressive regimens.
The molecular basis of familial hypercholesterolemia in Lebanon: Spectrum of LDLR mutations and role of PCSK9 as a modifier gene

Autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia (ADH), a major risk for coronary heart disease, is associated with mutations in the genes encoding the low‐density lipoproteins receptor (LDLR), its ligand apolipoprotein B (APOB) or PCSK9 (Proprotein Convertase Subtilin Kexin 9). Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) caused by mutation in the LDLR gene is the most frequent form of ADH. The incidence of FH is particularly high in the Lebanese population presumably as a result of a founder effect. In this study we characterize the spectrum of the mutations causing FH in Lebanon: we confirm the very high frequency of the LDLR p.Cys681X mutation that accounts for 81.5 % of the FH Lebanese probands recruited and identify other less frequent mutations in the LDLR. Finally, we show that the p.Leu21dup, an in frame insertion of one leucine to the stretch of 9 leucines in exon 1 of PCSK9, known to be associated with lower LDL‐cholesterol levels in general populations, is also associated with a reduction of LDL‐cholesterol levels in FH patients sharing the p.C681X mutation in the LDLR. Thus, by studying for the first time the impact of PCSK9 polymorphism on LDL‐cholesterol levels of FH patients carrying a same LDLR mutation, we show that PCSK9 might constitute a modifier gene in familial hypercholesterolemia. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adaptive learning for disruption prediction in non-stationary conditions

For many years, machine learning tools have proved to be very powerful disruption predictors in tokamaks. On the other hand, the vast majority of the techniques deployed assume that the input data is independent and is sampled from exactly the same probability distribution for the training set, the test set and the final real time deployment. This hypothesis is certainly not verified in practice, since the experimental programmes evolve quite rapidly, resulting typically in ageing of the predictors and consequent suboptimal performance. This paper describes various adaptive training strategies that have been tested to maintain the performance of disruption predictors in non-stationary conditions. The proposed approaches have been implemented using new ensembles of classifiers, explicitly developed for the present application. The improvements in performance are unquestionable and, given the difficulties encountered so far in translating predictors from one device to another, the proposed adaptive methods from scratch can therefore be considered a useful option in the arsenal of alternatives envisaged for the next generation of devices, particularly at the very beginning of their operation.
Sitcom Syncope: A Case Series and Literature Review of Gelastic (Laughter-Induced) Syncope

Abstract Syncope is a common complaint that is frequently evaluated without identifying a precipitating cause. Gelastic (laughter-induced) syncope is an uncommon and poorly understood condition. We describe 3 patients who experienced loss of consciousness during vigorous laughter. Each patient had an extensive medical evaluation, including a comprehensive history and physical examination, 12-lead electrocardiography, chest radiograph, routine blood analysis, polysomnography, tilt table testing, 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography, nuclear or echocardiographic stress testing, and 24-hour Holter monitoring. All 3 patients had an abnormal response to head-up tilt table testing, with either a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure or inappropriate heart rate response on achieving an upright position. These observations together with our review of the literature suggest that gelastic syncope may be a variant of vasodepressor syncope. Knowledge of this condition, its pathophysiology, and potential treatment options may be of value to clinicians when evaluating patients with unexplained loss of consciousness.
Effects of a Culturally Tailored Intervention on Changes in Body Mass Index and Health-Related Quality of Life of Latino Children and Their Parents

Purpose. To evaluate the effects of a multicomponent, family-based, culturally tailored intervention for overweight Latino children and their parents. Design. One group pretest/posttest with clinic comparison group. Setting. Community health center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Subjects. 54 Spanish-speaking, Latino families with children 8 to 11 years of age at enrollment and a body mass index (BMI) > 85th percentile. Thirty-one completed the 12-month follow-up. Main Outcome Measures. BMI, fitness measures, self-reported eating patterns, sedentary behaviors, and quality of life scales. Intervention. Index child and one (index) parent participated in interactive sessions and physical activity reinforced by family goal-setting, staff support, and supplemental activities. Results. Small but statistically significant changes in child BMI z score (Δ = –.13 SD, p < .001) and parent fitness (Δ = .74, p < .04) were documented by paired t-test. Quality of life increased significantly for children (combined Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory score Δ = 10.7, p < .001) and parents (Short Form Health Survey12 mental composite score Δ = 8, p < .022; Wilcoxon rank sum test). BMI z score for clinic comparison children (n = 31) increased significantly during the same time period (Δ = .23 SD, paired t = 4.32, p < .0002). Conclusions. A culturally tailored program for Latino families reduced BMI for enrolled children and significantly enhanced quality of life for children and parents. Intervention approaches that integrate cultural and social circumstances and emphasize goal setting and life style changes may be fruitful for this population of at-risk children. (Am J Health Promot 2011;25[4]:e1–e11.)
Search for stroke-protecting agents in endothelin-1-induced ischemic stroke model in rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Ischemic stroke may initiate a reperfusion injury leading to brain damage cascades where inflammatory mechanisms play a major role. Therefore, the necessity for the novel stroke-protecting agents whose the mechanism of action is focused on their anti-inflammatory potency is still on the agenda for drug designers. Our previous studies demonstrated that cerebrocrast (a 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative) and mildronate (a representative of the aza-butyrobetaine class) possessed considerable anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties in different in vitro and in vivo model systems. The present study investigated their stroke-protecting ability in an endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced ischemic stroke model in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS Male Wistar rats were pretreated (for 7 days, per os) with cerebrocrast (0.1 mg/kg), mildronate (100 mg/kg), or their combination, followed by the intracerebral injection of ET-1. Functional and behavioral tests were carried out up to 14 days after the ET-1 injection. Ex vivo, the number of degenerated neurons and the infarction size in the cerebral cortical tissue were assessed histologically. RESULTS Cerebrocrast and mildronate effectively normalized ET-1-induced disturbances in neurological status, improved the muscle tone, and decreased the number of degenerated cortical cells. Both drugs also reduced the infarction size, and cerebrocrast showed at least a 2-fold higher activity than mildronate. The combination of both drugs did not cause a more pronounced effect in comparison with the action of drugs administered separately. CONCLUSIONS The 1,4-dihydropyridine and aza-butyrobetaine structures may serve for the design of novel stroke-protecting agents to prevent severe neurological poststroke consequences.
Psychometric Characteristics of Chinese Version of Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 in Suicides and Living Controls of Rural China

The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11) is an important tool for measuring impulsivity in suicide research. This study aimed to assess psychometric characteristics of Chinese version of BIS-11 in suicides and controls of rural China. Data of 200 pairs of suicide cases and living controls were collected by psychological autopsy method. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients of BIS-11 were 0.936 for suicides, and 0.892 for living controls. Convergent validity analysis demonstrated a significantly positive correlation between the scores of BIS-11 with the scores of Beck Hopelessness Scale and Trait Anxiety Inventory. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the BIS-11 structure was basically suitable in rural China. With its high reliability, few items in BIS-11 may need a modification in order to further improve the construct validity of this instrument for suicide research in rural China.