Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between intimate partner violence and preventive screening among women.

BACKGROUND Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as physical, sexual, or psychological harm that can be perpetrated by a former/current spouse. IPV has been linked to adverse health outcomes and risky behaviors, and victims of IPV tend to need more healthcare overall than nonvictims of IPV. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between IPV and preventive screening among women. METHODS The study used data from eight states/territories, which collected IPV information in the 2006 and 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (n=30,182). IPV and preventive screening for HIV, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, cholesterol, and breast cancer were determined by self-report. Multivariable logistic regression models provided adjusted estimates of odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS Approximately one in four women reported a history of lifetime IPV. Relative to those who did not report a history of IPV, IPV victims were twice as likely to have had an HIV test (aOR: 2.34; 95% CI: 2.06 to 2.66) or a breast exam (aOR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.37 to 2.27). IPV victims are vigilant about certain screening practices related to sexual health (HIV testing) and passive screening (breast exam) compared to active screening. CONCLUSION The strongest association between IPV and preventive screening was seen for HIV testing, which likely reflects the women's perceived risk for HIV infection. That these women are in contact with the healthcare system provides support for recommendations for widespread adoption of IPV screening and counseling.
Efficacy of Minocycline and EDTA Lock Solution in Preventing Catheter-Related Bacteremia, Septic Phlebitis, and Endocarditis in Rabbits

ABSTRACT To determine the efficacy of antibiotic catheter lock solution in preventing catheter-related infections, silicone catheters were tunneled and inserted into the jugular veins of 18 rabbits. The catheters were challenged with an intraluminal injection of 105 CFU of slime-producing Staphylococcus epidermidis in 0.1 ml of water. The catheters were maintained on heparin (100 IU/ml) flush for the first 3 days. On day 3, quantitative blood samples for culture were obtained from the catheters and ear veins, which documented catheter-related bacteremia, and the rabbits were randomized to have their catheters flushed as follows: five animals were continued on heparin (100 IU/ml), five animals received vancomycin (3 mg/ml) with heparin (100 IU/ml), and eight animals received 3 mg of minocycline per ml with 30 mg of EDTA per ml (M-EDTA). All animals were killed at day 7. Blood, catheters, jugular veins, and heart valves were cultured quantitatively. Animals maintained on heparin developed catheter-related colonization, bacteremia, septic phlebitis, and endocarditis. Vancomycin-heparin partially prevented catheter colonization, bacteremia, and phlebitis (P = 0.2). M-EDTA completely prevented catheter colonization, catheter-related bacteremia, and phlebitis in all of the animals (P < 0.01). Tricuspid endocarditis was equally prevented by vancomycin-heparin and M-EDTA (P ≤ 0.06). In conclusion, the M-EDTA catheter flush solution was highly efficacious in preventing catheter-related colonization, bacteremia, septic phlebitis, and endocarditis in rabbits.
Political Risks and Their Economic Effects: Evidence from Egypt

This research aims at studying the effect of political changes on Egyptian economy by studying the direct and indirect effect of political risk index and its sub-indicators on number of important variables such as economic growth, employment, exchange rates, Egyptian Exchange main index (EGX30), foreign investment flows, domestic interest rates, and domestic public debt during the time period from 2006 to 2015 using parametric and nonparametric statistical methods. The study concluded that political risk index and its sub-indicators have had varying effects on financial and real investment and other macroeconomic variables in Egypt; and that achieving a successful economic development process cannot be reached without taking into account determinants of political risk.
Introduction of endovascular embolization for intracranial aneurysms in a low-volume institution

Background: Studies indicate a relationship between hospital caseload and health outcomes after both surgical and endovascular repair of intracranial aneurysms. Purpose: To evaluate outcomes after introduction of endovascular embolization for intracranial aneurysms in a low-volume regional university hospital. Material and Methods: Retrospective study of 243 consecutive patients treated for 284 intracranial aneurysms with endovascular embolization or surgical clipping from 2000 to 2006 at the University Hospital of North Norway. Postoperative complications were registered. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was used for assessment of outcome. Results: The mean annual number of procedures was 39 (microsurgery 23, embolization 16). Seventy-four percent of patients with ruptured aneurysms and all patients with unruptured aneurysms had a favorable outcome (GOS 4 or 5) at 1 year follow-up. Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage were more likely to experience postoperative complications than patients treated for unruptured aneurysms (42% versus 8% of the patients, P<0.01). The immediate incomplete occlusion rate (Raymond II–III) in the initial embolization procedure was 29%. Ten endovascularly treated patients and one surgically treated patient required retreatments due to residual aneurysm or neck remnants. Conclusion: The present study indicates that acceptable outcome from aneurysm treatment, both endovascular and microsurgical, is possible in a low-volume institution.
Primary surgical repair of anterior vaginal prolapse: a randomised trial comparing anatomical and functional outcome between anterior colporrhaphy and trocar‐guided transobturator anterior mesh

Please cite this paper as: Vollebregt A, Fischer K, Gietelink D, van der Vaart C. Primary surgical repair of anterior vaginal prolapse: a randomised trial comparing anatomical and functional outcome between anterior colporrhaphy and trocar‐guided transobturator anterior mesh. BJOG 2011;118:1518–1527.
The importance of the physical health needs of people with psychotic disorders

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 51(1) Hall-Flavin DK, Winner JG, Allen JD, et al. (2013) Utility of integrated pharmacogenomic testing to support the treatment of major depressive disorder in a psychiatric outpatient setting. Pharmacogenetics and Genomics 23: 535–548. Hicks JK, Bishop JR, Sangkuhl K, et al. (2015) Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) guideline for CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 genotypes and dosing of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 98: 127–134. Malhi GS, Bassett D, Boyce P, et al. (2015) Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 49: 1087–1206. Mrazek DA, Biernacka JM, O’Kane DJ, et al. (2011) CYP2C19 variation and citalopram response. Pharmacogenetics and Genomics 21: 1–9. Peters, EJ, Slager, SL, Kraft, JB, et al. (2008) Pharmacokinetic genes do not influence response or tolerance to citalopram in the STAR*D sample. PLoS One 3: e1872.
Transition of Escherichia coli from Aerobic to Micro-aerobic Conditions Involves Fast and Slow Reacting Regulatory Components*

Understanding life at a systems level is a major aim of biology. The bacterium Escherichia coli offers one of the best opportunities to achieve this goal. It is a metabolically versatile bacterium able to respond to changes in oxygen availability. This ability is a crucial component of its lifestyle, allowing it to thrive in aerobic external environments and under the oxygen-starved conditions of a host gut. The controlled growth conditions of chemostat culture were combined with transcript profiling to investigate transcriptome dynamics during the transition from aerobic to micro-aerobic conditions. In addition to predictable changes in transcripts encoding proteins of central metabolism, the abundances of transcripts involved in homeostasis of redox-reactive metals (Cu and Fe), and cell envelope stress were significantly altered. To gain further insight into the responses of the regulatory networks, the activities of key transcription factors during the transition to micro-aerobic conditions were inferred using a probabilistic modeling approach, which revealed that the response of the direct oxygen sensor FNR was rapid and overshot, whereas the indirect oxygen sensor ArcA reacted more slowly. Similarly, the cell envelope stress sensors RpoE and CpxR reacted rapidly and more slowly, respectively. Thus, it is suggested that combining rapid and slow reacting components in regulatory networks might be a feature of systems in which a signal is perceived by two or more functionally related transcription factors controlling overlapping regulons.
A multidomain cascade model of early childhood risk factors associated with oppositional defiant disorder symptoms in a community sample of 6-year-olds

Abstract The present study examined a cascade model of age 4 and 5 contextual, parent, parenting, and child factors on symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) at age 6 in a diverse community sample of 796 children. Contextual factors include socioeconomic status, family stress, and conflict; parent factors included parental depression; parenting factors included parental hostility, support, and scaffolding skills; child factors included child effortful control (EC), negative affect (NA), and sensory regulation. Direct effects of age 5 conflict, hostility, scaffolding, EC, and NA were found. Significant indirect, cascading effects on age 6 ODD symptom levels were noted for age 4 socioeconomic status via age 5 conflict and scaffolding skills; age 4 parental depression via age 5 child NA; age 4 parental hostility and support via age 5 EC; age 4 support via age 5 EC; and age 4 attachment via age 5 EC. Parenting contributed to EC, and the age 5 EC effects on subsequent ODD symptom levels were distinct from age 5 parental contributions. Scaffolding and ODD symptoms may have a reciprocal relationship. These results highlight the importance of using a multidomain model to examine factors associated with ODD symptoms early in the child's grammar school years.
Genome Sequence of Radiation-Resistant Modestobacter marinus Strain BC501, a Representative Actinobacterium That Thrives on Calcareous Stone Surfaces

ABSTRACT Here we report the full genome sequence of Modestobacter marinus strain BC501, an actinobacterial isolate that thrives on stone surfaces. The generated chromosome is circular, with a length of 5.57 Mb and a G+C content of 74.13%, containing 5,445 protein-coding genes, 48 tRNAs, and 3 ribosomal operons.
Theory of Relativity

The theory of relativity usually encompasses two interrelated theories by Albert Einstein: special relativity and general relativity. Special relativity applies to elementary particles and their interactions, describing all their physical phenomena except gravity. General relativity explains the law of gravitation and its relation to other forces of nature. [2] It applies to the cosmological and astrophysical realm, including astronomy.
Activity of ornithine decarboxylase and creatine kinase in soft and hard tissue of vitamin D‐deficient chicks following parenteral application of 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 or 24R,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3

We investigated the stimulation of creatine kinase (CK) and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) by 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] and 24R,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 [24R,25(OH)2D3] in doses ranging from 1.625 to 6500 pmol in 4‐week‐old vitamin D‐deficient chicks. Enzyme activities were monitored for 72 h. 1,25(OH)2D3 but not 24R,25(OH)2D3 enhanced the activity of ODC in duodenum and bone. The time course of ODC activity in bone was biphasic, with an increase after 1 h and a higher peak after 24 h. Diaphyses and epiphyses responded equally well after a dose of 6500 pmol. The kidney, liver, and lung showed 1.5–3.8‐fold increase in CK activity following 1,25(OH)2D3, reaching a maximum between 3–5 h. However, sustained stimulation of CK activity could still be demonstrated after 72 h, and the 48‐h levels in the lung even exceeded the 5‐h values. No change of activity of either enzyme was noted in heart and brain after application of 1,25(OH)2D3. There was no coincidence of stimulation of ODC and CK by 1,25(OH)2D3 in the same tissue, and the dose‐responsiveness of both enzymes differed considerably. Near maximum activities of ODC were achieved with 19.5 pmol 1,25(OH)2D3 in duodenum and pancreas, while maximum responses of CK occurred in the liver at 195 pmol and in lung and kidney at 6500 pmol. 24R,25(OH)2D3 failed to produce any consistent effects of either enzyme in all tissues examined. These results, particularly the lack of response to 24R,25(OH)2D3, are different from those reported in rats.
Neighborhoods matter: use of hospitals with worse outcomes following total knee replacement by patients from vulnerable populations.

BACKGROUND Neighborhood sociodemographic characteristics are associated with health care utilization across many conditions. There has been little study of whether total knee replacement (TKR) recipients from vulnerable populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, the poor, the elderly, and the less well educated, are more likely to use low-volume hospitals (LVHs). METHODS We used Medicare claims and census data to identify a national cohort of Medicare beneficiaries who had elective TKR. We defined an LVH as a center performing fewer than 26 TKRs per year, and we used geocoding to identify "bypassers" (patients who had a high-volume hospital closer to their residence than the one where they had TKR). We used multivariate logistic regression to examine the association of patient and neighborhood characteristics with utilization of LVHs and bypassing. We derived a summative measure of neighborhood vulnerability that included 4 high-risk characteristics (factors were high proportions of residents who are minority individuals, who have foreign-born status, with low income, and with low education). RESULTS Of 113 015 TKR recipients, 13 120 (11.6%) used LVHs. Of all the TKR recipients, 9815 (8.7%) bypassed a center with a higher TKR volume than the one they used. Multivariate analyses showed that nonwhite (odds ratio [OR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-1.33), poor (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.83-2.08), and nonurban (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.87-2.01) subjects were more likely to use LVHs. The TKR recipients from neighborhoods with 3 or 4 vulnerability factors were more likely than patients in neighborhoods with no vulnerability factors to use an LVH and bypass a high-volume hospital. CONCLUSION Efforts to inform patients about the association of volume with TKR outcomes should target rural areas and vulnerable populations in urban settings.
Gene-environment interactions of CETP gene variation in a high cardiovascular risk Mediterranean population[S]

Genome-wide association studies show that cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are more strongly associated with HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations than any other loci across the genome. However, gene-environment interactions for clinical applications are still largely unknown. We studied gene-environment interactions between CETP SNPs and dietary fat intake, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, and diabetes on HDL-C in 4,210 high cardiovascular risk subjects from a Mediterranean population. We focused on the −4,502C>T and the TaqIB SNPs in partial linkage disequilibrium (D'= 0.88; P < 0.001). They were independently associated with higher HDL-C (P < 0.001); this clinically relevant association was greater when their diplotype was considered (14% higher in TT/B2B2 vs. CC/B1B1). No gene-gene interaction was observed. We also analyzed the association of these SNPs with blood pressure, and no clinically relevant associations were detected. No statistically significant interactions of these SNPs with obesity, diabetes, and smoking in determining HDL-C concentrations were found. Likewise, alcohol, dietary fat, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet did not statistically interact with the CETP variants (independently or as diplotype) in determining HDL-C. In conclusion, the strong association of the CETP SNPs and HDL-C was not statistically modified by diet or by the other environmental factors.
Constrained Total Variation Deblurring Models and Fast Algorithms Based on Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers

The total variation (TV) model is attractive in that it is able to preserve sharp attributes in images. However, the restored images from TV-based methods do not usually stay in a given dynamic range, and hence projection is required to bring them back into the dynamic range for visual presentation or for storage in digital media. This will affect the accuracy of the restoration as the projected image will no longer be the minimizer of the given TV model. In this paper, we show that one can get much more accurate solutions by imposing box constraints on the TV models and solving the resulting constrained models. Our numerical results show that for some images where there are many pixels with values lying on the boundary of the dynamic range, the gain can be as great as 10.28 decibel in the peak signal-to-noise ratio. One traditional hindrance using the constrained model is that it is difficult to solve. However, in this paper, we propose using the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) to solv.
Beta-2 adrenoceptor genetic variation is associated with genetic predisposition to essential hypertension: The Bergen Blood Pressure Study.

We tested the hypothesis that genetic variation in the beta-2 adrenoceptor gene is associated with a genetic predisposition to hypertension. Offspring of two hypertensive parents were compared with offspring of two normotensive parents. The subjects were participants of the Bergen Blood Pressure Study, where couples were recruited in 1963 to 1964 and re-examined in 1990. We studied offspring of those couples in which both partners were either hypertensive or normotensive in both examinations. Twenty-three hypertensive and 22 normotensive families met the inclusion criteria. DNA samples from the first born of hypertensive family-history offspring and normotensive family-history offspring were analyzed. We used multiplex sequencing and specifically examined the promoter and the N-terminal portion of the beta-2 adrenoceptor gene. We found four genetic variants: at position -47, a C-->T substitution in the 5' leader cistron causing an Arg-->Cys exchange, at -20, a T-->C substitution, at +46 an A-->G substitution leading to an Arg16-->Gly exchange, and at +79, a C-->G substitution leading to a Gln27-->Glu exchange. The frequency of the Arg16 allele was significantly higher in the hypertensive family-history offspring compared to normotensive family-history offspring (58% vs. 28% P < 0.011). We constructed haplotypes for the four intragenic variants and found significant linkage dysequilibrium. In particular, the 5' leader cistron mutant with the wild type alleles at the other loci was significantly more frequent in offspring of hypertensive parents, compared to offspring of normotensive parents. We also performed a relative risk analysis comparing the Gly/Gly, Arg/Gly, and Arg/Arg alleles, which implicated the Arg-containing allele. Finally, we analyzed the effect of genotype on blood pressure in the offspring. We found a significant step-wise effect for all four polymorphisms examined. Our data suggest that the Arg variant of the Arg-->Gly exchange is associated with parental hypertension and higher blood pressure values in this northern European population.
A transient afferent innervation of outer hair cells in the postnatal cochlea

In vitro retrograde labeling techniques were used to reconstruct the peripheral terminations of afferent fibers to the outer hair cells in postnatal hamsters. Between postnatal days 4 and 6, both radial and spiral afferent fibers terminated on outer hair cells. The cell bodies which gave rise to such fibers were not distinguishable. These outer radial-fiber terminations may be a transient phenomenon since they were not observed either before or after this period.
Neural commitment of embryonic stem cells: molecules, pathways and potential for cell therapy

The study of neuronal differentiation of embryonic stem cells has raised major interest over recent years. It allows a better understanding of fundamental aspects of neurogenesis and, at the same time, the generation of neurons as tools for various applications ranging from drug testing to cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Since the first report of human embryonic stem (ES) cells derivation, many studies have shown the possibility of directing their differentiation towards neurons. However, there are still many challenges ahead, including gaining a better understanding of the mechanisms involved and developing techniques to allow the generation of homogeneous neuronal and glial subtypes. We review the current state of knowledge of embryonic neurogenesis which has been acquired from animal models and discuss its translation into in vitro strategies of neuronal differentiation of ES cells. We also highlight several aspects of current protocols which need to be optimized to generate high‐quality embryonic stem cell‐derived neuronal precursors suitable for clinical applications. Finally, we discuss the potential of embryonic stem cell‐derived neurons for cell replacement therapy in several central nervous system diseases. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of lower-cost incentives on stimulant abstinence in methadone maintenance treatment: a National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network study.

BACKGROUND Contingency management interventions that provide tangible incentives based on objective indicators of drug abstinence have improved treatment outcomes of substance abusers, but have not been widely implemented in community drug abuse treatment settings. OBJECTIVE To compare outcomes achieved when a lower-cost prize-based contingency management treatment is added to usual care in community methadone hydrochloride maintenance treatment settings. DESIGN Random assignment to usual care with (n = 198) or without (n = 190) abstinence incentives during a 12-week trial. SETTING Six community-based methadone maintenance drug abuse treatment clinics in locations across the United States. PARTICIPANTS Three hundred eighty-eight stimulant-abusing patients enrolled in methadone maintenance programs for at least 1 month and no more than 3 years. INTERVENTION Participants submitting stimulant- and alcohol-negative samples earned draws for a chance to win prizes; the number of draws earned increased with continuous abstinence time. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Total number of stimulant- and alcohol-negative samples provided, percentage of stimulant- and alcohol-negative samples provided, longest duration of abstinence, retention, and counseling attendance. RESULTS Submission of stimulant- and alcohol-negative samples was twice as likely for incentive as for usual care group participants (odds ratio, 1.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-2.77). Achieving 4 or more, 8 or more, and 12 weeks of continuous abstinence was approximately 3, 9, and 11 times more likely, respectively, for incentive vs usual care participants. Groups did not differ on study retention or counseling attendance. The average cost of prizes was 120 dollars per participant. CONCLUSION An abstinence incentive approach that paid 120 dollars in prizes per participant effectively increased stimulant abstinence in community-based methadone maintenance treatment clinics.