Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Associations between Game Users and Life Satisfaction: Role of Self-Esteem, Self-Efficacy and Social Capital

 Abstract — This study makes an integrated investigation on how life satisfaction is associated with the Korean game users' psychological variables (self-esteem, game and life self-efficacy), social variables (bonding and bridging social capital), and demographic variables (age, gender). The data used for the empirical analysis came from a representative sample survey conducted in South Korea. Results show that self-esteem and game efficacy were an important antecedent to the degree of users’ life satisfaction. Both bonding social capital and bridging social capital enhance the level of the users’ life satisfaction. The importance of perspectives as well as their implications for the game users and further associated research is explored.
[Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with PEG-interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin: 24 weeks of therapy are sufficient for HCV genotype 2 and 3].

Patients with chronic hepatitis C infected with HCV genotype 2 and 3 can be successfully treated in more than 80 % of cases. It had been shown that a 24 week t.i. w. treatment period with standard interferon alpha and ribavirin is sufficient for these patients. However, the recent multicenter studies investigating the effect of pegylated interferons and ribavirin used a 48 week schedule for all patients irrespective of the HCV genotype. Thus, we prospectively investigated the efficacy of a 24 week treatment period with pegylated interferon alpha-2b (1.0-1.5 microg/kg o.i.w.) and ribavirin (1-1.2 g daily) in 54 patients with HCV-genotype 2 and 3 at two different sites. 29 patients were included in Herne (private practice) and 25 patients were treated in Hannover (Medical School). After the end of follow-up 46 (85%) patients showed a virological sustained response in the intent to treat analysis. Only four patients demonstrated a virological treatment failure (3 relapse, 1 breakthrough), two patients were non-compliant, and at each center therapy was stopped in one patient due to adverse events. There was no difference regarding treatment response between both sites, even though the patients in Herne were treated only with 1,0 microg/kg PEG-IFN alpha-2b, while patients in Hannover received 1,5 microg/kg PEG-IFN alpha-2b. In conclusion, the response rates of this study do not differ from the results of the 48 week treatment period of the recently published multicentre trials. Thus, we suggest treating all patients with HCV-genotype 2 and 3 for only 24 weeks when PEG-IFN alpha-2b is used in combination with ribavirin.
Intramembrane charge movement in guinea‐pig and rat ventricular myocytes.

1. Non‐linear capacitative current (charge movement) was studied in isolated guinea‐pig and rat ventricular myocytes. Linear capacitance was subtracted using standard procedures. Most of the experiments were done with guinea‐pig myocytes, while rat myocytes were used for comparison. 2. When a myocyte was held at ‐100 mV, depolarizing clamp steps produced a rapid outward current transient, which was followed by an inward current transient upon repolarization. This current was identified as the movement of charged particles in the cell membrane, rather than ionic movement across the membrane, for the following reasons: (1) the current saturated at membrane potentials positive to +20 mV; (2) the current was capacitative in nature, having no reversal potential; (3) in general, the charge moved during depolarization (Qon) approximated the charge moved during repolarization (Qoff). 3. Qoff was significantly less than Qon for a depolarization from ‐100 mV to 0 mV. However, the Qoff/Qon ratio approached unity if the cell was instead repolarized to ‐140 mV. This was interpreted as being due to the immobilization of a fraction of the charge during the depolarization, which recovered rapidly enough to be measured at ‐140 mV, but recovered too slowly at ‐100 mV. 4. Charge movement in these cells had a sigmoidal dependence on the membrane potential, which could be empirically described by the two‐state Boltzmann equation Q = Qmax/(1 + exp[‐(V‐V*)/kappa]), where Q is the charge movement at potential V, Qmax is the maximum charge, V* is the membrane potential at Q = Qmax/2, and kappa is a slope factor. Qmax was 11.7 nC/microF, V* was ‐18 mV and kappa was 16 mV in guinea‐pig myocytes held at ‐100 mV, while the values in rat myocytes were 10.9 nC/microF, ‐32 mV and 13 mV. 5. The charge movement could be partially immobilized by a prior depolarization. This effect developed over a broad voltage range, from ‐120 to +20 mV. The fraction of charge that could be immobilized by a 10 s pre‐pulse to +20 mV was 59%. 6. The time course of decay of both Qon and Qoff could basically be described as a single‐exponential process. The time constant was largest at ‐40 mV and decreased at both more positive and negative test potentials. A second, slower Qoff time constant, possibly representing remobilization of immobilized charge, could be seen under some conditions. 7. The temperature dependence of charge movement was studied between 11 and 35 degrees C. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Psychological well-being across 1 year with rheumatoid arthritis: coping resources as buffers of perceived stress.

OBJECTIVES Using the transactional model of stress and coping, the present study investigated whether specific coping resources act as buffers of the relationship between perceived stress and psychological well-being among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. DESIGN A longitudinal observational study was carried out with assessments at baseline, 6 months and 1 year. METHODS Measures of perceived stress, coping resources (optimism/pessimism, social support and explicit active coping strategies) and psychological well-being (anxiety, depression and life satisfaction) were completed by 134 RA patients. Demographics, RA duration, pain, fatigue, functional disability, antidepressant use and physical comorbidities were recorded and statistically controlled for. RESULTS Perceived stress had the strongest relationship with psychological well-being at baseline, and affected anxiety after 6 months. Optimism and pessimism predicted psychological well-being across 1 year. Active behavioural coping buffered an association of stress with depression at baseline, while baseline active cognitive coping buffered the effect of baseline stress on life satisfaction after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS Patients with RA under greater perceived stress who do not use active coping strategies appear to be at risk of psychological comorbidity and may therefore benefit from interventions teaching specific active coping strategies. Larger observational studies and interventions are required to confirm and extend these findings.
Atrial Activation Analysis by Surface P Wave and Multipolar Esophageal Recording After Cardioversion of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

We studied atrial activation during sinus rhythm by combining 12‐lead ECG and multipolar esophageal recordings in 30 patients after electrical cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation. The primary endpoint was to establish a correlation between atrial activation evaluated by the two methods. Total P wave duration and morphology in inferior leads identified three patterns: normal P wave, late‐positive P wave, and late‐negative P wave. Proximal and distal esophageal recording characterized the longitudinal direction of activation of the posterior left atrium. We distinguished three activation patterns: normal activation when the interatrial conduction time is normal and depolarizes in craniocaudal direction, delayed activation when the interatrial conduction time is prolonged and the craniocaudal activation is maintained, and finally reversed activation when the posterior left atrium depolarizes in a reversed caudocranial direction. Four patients showed a normal P wave and also had a normal esophageal activation. Twelve patients showed a prolonged P wave (associated with delayed esophageal activation in 10 patients and reversed activation in 2 patients); 14 patients had a late‐negative P wave (all associated with a reversed esophageal activation). A high correlation existed between each pattern obtained by surface ECG and esophageal recording (P < 0.001) and between surface P wave duration and interatrial conduction time (R2= 0.64, P < 0.001). Much information concerning atrial activation can be obtained by meticulous analysis of the P wave, particularly its terminal part. Multipolar esophageal recording can be used when surface ECG appears unclear. (PACE 2003; 26:1178–1188)
Mating strategies in dominant meerkats: evidence for extra‐pair paternity in relation to genetic relatedness between pair mates

Rates of extra‐pair paternity (EPP) have frequently been associated with genetic relatedness between social mates in socially monogamous birds. However, evidence is limited in mammals. Here, we investigate whether dominant females use divorce or extra‐pair paternity as a strategy to avoid the negative effects of inbreeding when paired with a related male in meerkats Suricata suricatta, a species where inbreeding depression is evident for several traits. We show that dominant breeding pairs seldom divorce, but that rates of EPP are associated with genetic similarity between mates. Although extra‐pair males are no more distantly related to the female than social males, they are more heterozygous. Nevertheless, extra‐pair pups are not more heterozygous than within‐pair pups. Whether females benefit from EPP in terms of increased fitness of the offspring, such as enhanced survival or growth, requires further investigations.
Not just fun and games: applications of virtual reality in the identification and rehabilitation of cognitive disorders of the elderly

Purpose. To outline the evidence in the published medical literature suggesting the potential applications of virtual reality (VR) for the identification and rehabilitation of cognitive disorders of the elderly. Method. Non-systematic literature review. Results. VR, despite its more common usage by younger persons, is a potentially promising source of techniques useful in the identification and rehabilitation of cognitive disorders of the elderly. Systems employing VR can include desktop and head-mounted visual displays among other devices. Thus far, published studies have described VR-based applications in the identification and treatment of deficits in navigational skills in ambulation and driving. In addition, VR has been utilised to enhance the ability to perform activities of daily living in patients with dementia, stroke, and Parkinson's Disease. Such investigations have thus far been small, and unblinded. Conclusions. VR-based applications can potentially offer more versatile, comprehensive, and safer assessments of function. However, they also might be more expensive, complex and more difficult to use by elderly patients. Side effects of head-mounted visual displays include nausea and disorientation, but, have not been reported specifically in older subjects.
Reduction of ocular blood flow results in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in rat retinal Müller cells

Abstract Reduction of blood flow to the rat retina was achieved by either clamping both carotid arteries briefly (24 min) or combining clamping of the carotid arteries with permanent occlusion of the vertebral arteries. Analysis of retinas 6 days after operations showed that GFAP immunoreactivity is expressed throughout the retinal Müller cells, although this was variable in retinas from animals where only the carotid arteries were clamped. GFAP immunoreactivity was not associated with retinal Müller cells from control animals and no obvious neuronal damage was observed in retinas from operated animals. These data suggest that Müller-cell GFAP expression may be used as an index to follow possible processes leading to an ischemic insult.
App-based psychological interventions: friend or foe?

In a time of increasing demand for psychological services and continually decreasing resources, unmet need with respect to National Health Service (NHS) mental health services is reaching an unprecedented level.1 While monthly referrals to community mental health teams increased 13% in 2013, and 16% in the case of crisis services, investment in mental health services has fallen in real terms for three successive years,2 not helped by the government's £22 billion target for efficiency savings. As such, the resulting loss of over 200 full-time mental health doctors and 3600 nurses1 has meant that despite a £450 million investment in reducing waiting times3 and increasing access to psychological therapies (IAPT), 1 in 10 patients experience waiting lists of over a year before receiving any form of treatment, with 1 in 2 waiting over 3 months.4 One in 6 of those on waiting lists for mental health services are expected to attempt suicide, 4 in 10 are expected to self-harm and two-thirds are likely to see their condition deteriorate before having the opportunity to see a mental health professional.1 ,5 As such, approximately 70 million sick days6 and 170 000 self-harm related accident and emergency attendances7 can be attributed to underlying mental health issues in the UK every year; with these individuals also exhibiting double the rate of both inpatient and outpatient hospital attendances compared to the UK general population.8 Unfortunately long-term prospects for those with mental health issues are not much better. Those suffering from serious mental illness face twice the risk of diabetes and death from heart disease,9 three times the risk of hypertension and a fourfold increase in all-cause premature mortality when compared with the UK general population; all of which contributing to the £105billion that mental distress costs the …
p63 Expression in Breast Cancer: A Highly Sensitive and Specific Marker of Metaplastic Carcinoma

p63, a member of the p53 gene family, is involved in cellular differentiation and is expressed in the nuclei of myoepithelial cells of normal breast ducts and lobules. Although p63 has been reported in metaplastic carcinomas of the breast, its expression pattern in breast carcinomas and sarcomas has not been fully characterized, and its potential diagnostic utility has not been defined. In this study, we determined p63 expression in a large number of breast carcinomas, including metaplastic carcinomas, and in Phyllodes tumors and sarcomas. We examined 189 invasive breast carcinomas, including 15 metaplastic carcinomas, as well as 10 Phyllodes tumors, and 5 pure sarcomas of the breast for pattern and intensity of p63 staining using an anti-p63 antibody (clone 4A4, Neomarkers). p63 was strongly expressed in 13 of 15 metaplastic carcinomas (86.7%). p63 was positive in all the metaplastic carcinomas with spindle cell and/or squamous differentiation (12 of 12), and in 1 of 3 metaplastic carcinomas with cartilage foci. In stark contrast, only 1 of 174 (0.6%) nonmetaplastic invasive carcinomas was positive for p63. All Phyllodes tumors and sarcomas were consistently negative for p63 expression. The sensitivity and specificity of p63 as a diagnostic marker for metaplastic carcinoma was 86.7% and 99.4%, respectively. We propose the inclusion of p63 as part of the diagnostic workup of challenging spindle cell tumors of the breast as a highly specific marker for metaplastic carcinomas.
The Dual Regulatory Role of MiR-181a in Breast Cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of highly conserved noncoding single˗stranded RNA molecules of 21 to 25 nucleotides. miRNAs silence their cognate target genes at the post-transcriptional level and have been shown to have important roles in oncogenesis, invasion, and metastasis via epigenetic post-transcriptional gene regulation. Recent evidence indicates that the expression of miR-181a is altered in breast tumor tissue and in the serum of patients with breast cancer. However, there are several contradicting findings that challenge the biological significance of miR-181a in tumor development and metastasis. In fact, some studies have implicated miR-181a in regulating breast cancer gene expression. Here we summarize the current literature demonstrating established links between miR-181a and human breast cancer with a focus on recently identified mechanisms of action. This review also aims to explore the potential of miR-181a as a diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarker for breast cancer and to discuss the contradicting data regarding its targeting therapeutics and the associated challenges.
Cytotoxicity of substances leached or dissolved from pulp capping materials.

AIM To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of substances leached or dissolved from pulp capping materials on human pulp fibroblasts. METHODOLOGY The substances were applied to cell cultures in conditioned media. The experimental groups were: GI (control; n = 24)--cultures treated with fresh medium; GII (n = 24)--cultures treated with calcium hydroxide cement; GIII (n = 24)--cultures treated with adhesive resin and GIV (n = 24)--cultures treated with 37% orthophosphoric acid. The media were conditioned by placing the crude materials in contact with fresh culture medium for 1 h. The cytotoxicity analysis was performed using the Trypan blue dye exclusion assay at times of 0, 6, 12 and 24 h for cell viability assay, and at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days for survival assay. Data were treated by anova (P < 0.05) and Tukey's test (P < 0.05). RESULTS GI and II presented similar cell viability and cell growth. GIII and IV exhibited statistically significant lower percentages of cell viability: GIV only at the 0 h experimental time, whereas in GIII this viability markedly diminished reaching values of 10% by 12 h. Cell growth was impaired only in cultures of GIII. CONCLUSIONS Substances dissolved from the adhesive system tested were cytotoxic for human dental pulp fibroblasts in culture, whilst substances leached from calcium hydroxide were biocompatible.
Age Differences in Reliance on Executive Control in Fluid Reasoning

While executive control (processes that facilitate the adaptation to new and/or complex situations) show an age-related decline, behavioral studies have observed stronger correlations between control and certain cognitive functions in older compared to young adults, which are often interpreted as an increase in the reliance on controlled processes with aging. Fifty-seven young adults (Mage=27.4 year, SD = 4.1) and 79 older adults (Mage=69.9 year, SD = 6.8) were administered several Fluid Reasoning, Control, and Representation measures. For the second step of the study, a group of 41 older adults (Mage=68.3 year, SD = 6.2) was selected as matching the young ones in terms of control measures. Correlations between fluid reasoning and control were stronger in older than in young adults. A General Linear Model analysis revealed a significant interaction between age and control variables. These results confirm the greater reliance on executive control in fluid reasoning performance in older adults, which may correspond to an active mechanism to cope with age-related difficulties.
Orthogonal alkynyl amino acid reporter for selective labeling of bacterial proteomes during infection.

Bacterial pathogens have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to evade host defenses and cause disease. [1] The emergence of new and antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens demands a better understanding of virulence mechanisms for antibacterial drug discovery. While the discovery of bacterial toxins, quorum sensing and protein secretion pathways has revealed some key virulence mechanisms, the precise mechanisms by which intracellular bacterial pathogens subvert host immune responses are still unclear. [1] The analysis of individual virulence factors has demonstrated that bacterial pathogens alter their protein expression to infect and replicate in host tissues. [2] However, the system-wide identification and analysis of bacterial proteins that are uniquely expressed or secreted during infection is paramount for understanding mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis. [2, 3] Comparative genomics and mutagenesis studies have revealed bacterial genes that are important for infection, but their precise biochemical mechanisms and temporal expression pattern can be elusive due to posttranscriptional regulation. [2, 3] Direct biochemical analysis of bacterial proteomes during infection is needed. [3] The large excess of host proteins in mixed pathogen-host lysates presents a significant challenge for proteomic analysis of bacterial proteins during infections [3] and even after physical isolation of intact bacteria significant amounts of host proteins still remain. [4, 5] This is particularly important since many bacterial virulence factors are often expressed at low levels. [2] New strategies are therefore required to selectively enrich bacterial proteins from host proteomes for their analysis during infection.
Regulation of Lymphocyte Development by Cell-Type-Specific Interpretation of Notch Signals

ABSTRACT Notch signaling pathways exert diverse biological effects depending on the cellular context where Notch receptors are activated. How Notch signaling is integrated with environmental cues is a central issue. Here, we show that Notch activation accelerates ubiquitin-mediated and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent degradation of E2A transcription factors and Janus kinases, molecules essential for both B- and T-lymphocyte development. However, these events occur in B lymphocytes, but not T lymphocytes, due to their different levels of MAPK, thus providing one mechanism whereby Notch inhibits B-cell development without impairing T-cell differentiation. Lymphoid progenitors expressing a Notch-resistant E2A mutant differentiated into B-lineage cells on stromal cells expressing Notch ligands and in the thymus of transplant recipients. Bone marrow transplant assays and examination of steady-state B lymphopoiesis also revealed that the expression of Notch-resistant E2A and constitutively active STAT5 in mice neutralized the effects of Notch-induced degradation, allowing B-cell development through a bone marrow-like program in the thymus. These findings illustrate that Notch function can be influenced by MAPKs, producing distinct outcomes in different cellular contexts.
Effect of triazophos, fipronil and their mixture on miRNA expression in adult zebrafish

MicroRNA (miRNA) plays a crucial role in gene expression regulation. However, no data are available on change of miRNA expression of zebrafish (Danio rerio) after treatment with pesticides. We evaluated the effect of fipronil (5-amino-1-[2, 6-dichloro-4-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl]-4-[(trifluoromethyl) sulfinyl]-1H-pyrazole-3-carbonitrile) and triazophos (3-(O, O-diethyl)-1-phenyl thiophosphoryl-1, 2, 4-triazol) and their mixture on miRNA expression in zebrafish. MiRNA expression profiles in zebrafish were altered after treatment with these chemicals. An association between these chemicals and the expression of 21 miRNAs was found 96 h after treatment. Among them, 14 miRNAs were differentially expressed due to the treatments with fipronil, triazophos and their mixture; 5 miRNAs showed altered expression level after treatment with formulations of these chemicals; miR-29b and miR-738 were differentially expressed after treatment with adjuvants. MiRNAs might present a novel toxicological response that could be used as a toxicological biomarker and have a different direction for future investigations of their association with miRNAs involved in chemical related diseases.
High-frequency modulated-backscatter communication using multiple antennas

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA Doctorate of Philosophy, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Expected August 2008 Dissertation: High Frequency Modulated Backscatter Communication Using Multiple Antennas Dissertation Advisor: Gregory D. Durgin Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, August 2005 Thesis: A Radio Assay for the Study of Radio Frequency Tag Antenna Performance Thesis Advisor: Gregory D. Durgin LeTourneau University, Longview, TX Bachelor of Science, Engineering, May 2003, Magna Cum Laude