Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strategies for introducing evidence-based practice and changing clinician behaviour: A manager’s toolbox

Significant behaviour change is required if occupational therapy practice in Australia is to become more evidence-based. Occupational therapy managers, both clinical and academic, are well positioned to be key players in this process. Indeed, it is suggested that managers need to drive the change process. The aim of this paper is to help occupational therapy managers better understand and prepare for the change process, and the shift to evidence-based practice. Two models of change are presented and applied to evidence-based practice: (i) the stages of readiness for change; and (ii) individual responses to change, according to how quickly a person alters their behaviour and practice when confronted with change. Practical strategies are suggested for managers to use during the change process, including a review of the attitudes and values of staff, identifying barriers to implementation, strategic planning, and the use of SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats). Recommendations for further research are also discussed. Unfortunately, there are no quick-fix strategies or ‘magic bullets’. Evidence-based practice requires a change in attitudes and values, a major change in work behaviours, and a commitment to lifelong, self-directed learning.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - frontotemporal spectrum disorder (ALS-FTSD): Revised diagnostic criteria

Abstract This article presents the revised consensus criteria for the diagnosis of frontotemporal dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) based on an international research workshop on frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and ALS held in London, Canada in June 2015. Since the publication of the Strong criteria, there have been considerable advances in the understanding of the neuropsychological profile of patients with ALS. Not only is the breadth and depth of neuropsychological findings broader than previously recognised – – including deficits in social cognition and language – but mixed deficits may also occur. Evidence now shows that the neuropsychological deficits in ALS are extremely heterogeneous, affecting over 50% of persons with ALS. When present, these deficits significantly and adversely impact patient survival. It is the recognition of this clinical heterogeneity in association with neuroimaging, genetic and neuropathological advances that has led to the current re-conceptualisation that neuropsychological deficits in ALS fall along a spectrum. These revised consensus criteria expand upon those of 2009 and embrace the concept of the frontotemporal spectrum disorder of ALS (ALS-FTSD).
Translating HDAC inhibitors in Friedreich’s ataxia

ABSTRACT Introduction: Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease caused by expansion of a GAA·TTC triplet in the first intron of the FXN gene, encoding the essential mitochondrial protein frataxin. Repeat expansion results in transcriptional silencing through an epigenetic mechanism, resulting in significant decreases in frataxin protein in affected individuals. Areas covered: We review the evidence that histone postsynthetic modifications and heterochromatin formation are responsible for FXN gene silencing in FRDA, along with efforts to reverse silencing with drugs that target histone modifying enzymes. Chemical and pharmacological properties of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, which reverse silencing, together with enzyme target profiles and kinetics of inhibition, are discussed. Two HDAC inhibitors have been studied in human clinical trials and the properties of these compounds are compared and contrasted. Expert opinion: 2-aminobenzamide class I HDAC inhibitors are attractive therapeutic small molecules for FRDA. These molecules increase FXN gene expression in human neuronal cells derived from patient induced pluripotent stem cells, and in two mouse models for the disease, as well as in circulating lymphocytes in patients treated in a phase Ib clinical trial. Medicinal chemistry efforts have identified compounds with improved brain penetration, metabolic stability and efficacy in the human neuronal cell model. A clinical candidate will soon be identified for further human testing.
A 3D low-cost solution for the aesthetic evaluation of breast cancer conservative treatment

Breast cancer conservative treatment (BCCT) is now the preferred technique for breast cancer treatment. The limited reproducibility of standard aesthetic evaluation methods led to the development of objective methods, such as the software tool Breast Cancer Conservative Treatment.cosmetic results (BCCT.core). Although results are satisfying, there are still limitations concerning complete automation and the inability to measure volumetric information. With the fundamental premise of maintaining the system a low-cost tool, this work studies the incorporation of the Microsoft Kinect sensor in BCCT evaluations. The aim is to enable the automatic joint detection of prominent points, both on depth and RGB images. Afterwards, using those prominent points, it is possible to obtain two-dimensional and volumetric features. Finally, the aesthetic result is achieved using machine learning techniques converted automatically from the set of measures defined. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is acc.
Effect of slice thickness on liver lesion detection and characterisation by multidetector CT

The purpose of our study was to compare the effectiveness of 3.2 mm, 5 mm and 7.5 mm slice thicknesses in the detection and characterisation of liver lesions found on CT in patients with known or suspected malignant disease. 110 patients underwent portal phase imaging using four‐slice MDCT. Two blinded observers independently read hard copy images at each slice thickness. The size and location of each lesion detected was recorded by each observer on a diagram of liver segmental anatomy. Each lesion was characterised as benign, malignant or indeterminate in nature. A diagnostic confidence score was allocated for each lesion on a scale of 1–4. The pathology or behaviour of lesions was assessed using surgery with intra‐operative ultrasound (IOUS) and histology, or interval imaging with MRI, CT, or sonography. 294 lesions were detected, 64 (22%) of which were malignant. Both observers detected significantly more lesions on the 3.2 mm versus 7.5 mm slice thickness (p < 0.0001). Both observers detected more malignant lesions on 3.2 mm and 5 mm slice thicknesses versus 7.5 mm. As slice thickness decreased there was a significant increase in the sensitivity of malignant lesion detection for observer 1 (p < 0.001) and borderline significance for observer 2 (p = 0.07). As slice thickness decreased the proportion of lesions characterised as indeterminate by both observers fell. With thinner slices, both detection and characterisation of liver lesions were improved. A slice thickness no greater than 5 mm should be used to maximise both detection and correct characterisation of liver lesions.
Einfluss einer telemedizinisch unterstützten Betreuung auf Gesamtbehandlungskosten und Mortalität bei chronischer Herzinsuffizienz

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The rising prevalence of chronic heart failure (CHF) has led to an increase in total treatment expenditures. A medical care programme of telemetry was developed to reduce the number of patients with decompensated CHF, hospital admissions and overall treatment cost. PATIENTS AND METHODS: As part of a prospective controlled study the body weight of 251 patients with CHF was monitored over one year. The supervising center contacted the patients whenever their body weight exceeded a threshold value. Patients were phoned by a designated personal adviser and received regular informative material and advice by specialist medical personnel. Patients' general practitioners had been involved in recruiting patients and by regularly sending them follow-up reports. Another group of 251 patients who had not received the described telemetric intervention served as control. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 71.7 years, lower than the 76.4 years of the control group. More patients in the intervention groups were in NYHA class III and IV than in the control group (52 % vs 36 %). After an average observation period of 12 months the duration of hospital stay had been reduced by 48 % (p = 0.01), the hospital costs by EUR 7128 per patient p = 0.01), while drug expenditure had increased by EUR 245 per patient (not significant). The total costs had thus fallen by EUR 6993 per patient (-39.5 %; p = 0.05). The mortality rate of 14.7 % in the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the control group of 27.1 % (p = 0.001). The reduction in costs and mortality rate was clearly greater for men than women. Total expenditure had been highest for patients who had died. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that total treatment costs and mortality rate can be reduced by telemetric monitoring of patients in CHF, especially in men.
TRAF3 delays cyst formation induced by NF‐κB signaling

This study aims to investigate the effects of TNF receptors associated factor 3 (TRAF3) on the signaling pathway and expression of downstream products of nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) in the epithelial cells of renal ducts in individuals with polycystic kidney disease (PKD). We observe the TRAF3 genic overexpression of the epithelial cells, which form a tubular branch structure, in polycystic kidneys and to explore the protective effect of TRAF3 on the cystogenesis and progression of PKD. Western blotting analysis was conducted to examine the signaling changes of NF‐κB in PKD the epithelial cells and TRAF3 transgenic PKD epithelial cells. Changes in the downstream apoptosis factor and cell proliferation in PKD epithelial cells and TRAF3 transgenic PKD epithelial cells were detected. A three‐dimensional matrigel culture experiment was performed to examine abnormal tubulomorphogenesis in vitro. The overexpression of TRAF3 significantly inhibited the signaling pathway of NF‐κB in the PKD epithelial cells, downregulated the expression of downstream factors Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xl, and significantly decreased cystic epithelial cell proliferation. Additional branch structures were observed in the PKD epithelial cells with a three‐dimensional culture compared to wildtype cells. TRAF3 may likely induce apoptosis and resistance to proliferation and may be a new target to inhibit the cyst formation in PKD by regulating the NF‐κB signaling pathway Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xl activity. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(3):170–178, 2017
Characterization of cell-cell junction changes associated with the formation of a strong endothelial barrier

ABSTRACT A principal function of endothelial cells is the formation of a barrier between the blood and tissues. This barrier arises from the physical connections at cell-cell junctions, which includes cytoskeletal tight junction and adherens junction proteins. Methods that alter barrier function must therefore affect these cell-cell connections. The blood brain barrier (BBB) represents perhaps the most selective endothelial barrier, which arises from endothelial cell interactions with astrocytes and pericytes. Even in non-central nervous system (CNS) endothelial cells, barrier properties can be enhanced, mimicking the BBB, through induction of intercellular junctions, by either direct co-culture with astrocytes, supplementation with astrocyte conditioned medium (ACM) and/or pharmacologic enhancement of cAMP. To understand how cell-cell junctions change during endothelial barrier enhancement, we examined the effects of ACM and/or cAMP donors added to standard media on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). HUVEC cultured with cAMP-elevating agents had the most enhanced barrier function as measured by Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS®), a real-time, label-free, impedance based method of studying cell barrier properties. However, subtle differences in actin and cell-cell junction proteins were seen across all four culture conditions. cAMP-elevating agents also triggered the redistribution of ZO-1 and VE-cadherin to cell-cell junctions, and intensified the actin microfilament network at the cell cortex. Using a VE-cadherin FRET-force sensor, we observed a decrease in VE-cadherin force in HUVEC cultured with ACM with cAMP donors. Our data indicate cAMP elevation induces both junctional strengthening and reduced VE-cadherin forces. Additionally, treatment with an inhibitor of formin, which reduced actin stress fibers, enhanced barrier function. These data suggest that barrier function is modulated both through the trafficking of proteins to cell-cell junctions, and through the modulation and a relaxation of mechanical force through adherens junctions as intercellular junctional complexes become established.
Developing values-based education through service user participation

Mental health education aims to develop valuesbased practice to support practitioners in clinical decision‐making. Values‐based practice requires high levels of cultural competence achieved through service user participation in professional preparation. The degree of service user participation remains dependent on the values of programme providers.In this paper, we consider whether strategies to involve service users in mental health professional education can support the principles of valuesbased practice. To do this, we have drawn on the findings from qualitative studies of educators' practices and their views regarding service user involvement. Values‐based practice requires self‐awareness of values impacting on decisions and knowledge derived from service users' personal accounts. The studies suggest that while opportunities exist for service users to present their accounts, few examples of service user involvement facilitated deeper examination of values underpinning decision‐making. Enabling service users to influence values‐based practice development requires more authentic participatory approaches. Educators valued the contribution of service users' experiential knowledge to the learning process, but there was less evidence of educators' values base that would model commitment to the empowerment of service users.
Downregulation of lysosomal and further gene expression characterization in lung cancer patients with bone metastasis

Abstract Molecular and functional mechanisms of bone metastases were poorly understood. This study was to screen out differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and functional proteins in bone metastases from lung for better understanding of the molecular and functional mechanisms. Our results suggested CTSS, CTSD, MX1, NKX2-1 might play a decisive role in bone metastasis. Collectively, these results demonstrated that bone metastasis from lung cancer would lead to changes in lysosome function, which may affect the decomposition and elimination of old bone matrix, thus affecting bone turnover. In addition, our findings provided new insights into the prediction and treatment of bone metastases.
Eleven novel microsatellite markers for the Asian oyster Crassostrea ariakensis

Clones from four partial genomic libraries of the Asian oyster Crassostrea ariakensis were screened to reveal 64 microsatellite‐containing sequences. Polymerase chain reaction primers were designed for 34 of these loci. Reactions were optimized for 11 primer pairs and markers were evaluated in eight family crosses and one wild population from northern China. Zero to three null alleles per locus were identified in family crosses, and two of the 11 loci showed allele frequency deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in the wild population. These markers have proven useful for genetic studies of C. ariakensis.
Ten new microsatellite markers for the buttonwood mangrove (Conocarpus erectus L., Combretaceae)

We present 10 microsatellite markers for the buttonwood mangrove, Conocarpus erectus, a wide‐range mangrove associate species. Polymorphism was assessed among individuals from six different populations along the Pacific Coast of Mexico and Costa Rica, as well as in two individuals from the Yucatan Peninsula in the Atlantic. The number of alleles detected in the Pacific ranged from two to five. All loci amplified in the Yucatan samples and seven loci revealed a unique Atlantic allele. These markers will be useful for studies in the conservation of the species and to study the basic biology of C. erectus.
Characterization of nine polymorphic microsatellite markers in sprat (Sprattus sprattus L.)

Nine polymorphic microsatellites were isolated from sprat (Sprattus sprattus) using a microsatellite enrichment protocol and selective hybridization with a biotinylated (AC)12 probe. The loci showed different variation patterns in a Baltic Sea population (44 individuals) with mean number of alleles at 12.7 and mean observed heterozygosity at 0.78. These microsatellite loci are expected to be used for taxonomic considerations in sprat, stock differentiation and population genetic analysis.
Association between apolipoprotein E ε4 and the rate of cognitive decline in community-dwelling elderly individuals with and without dementia

Objective: To determine whether the apolipoprotein E e4 allele (apoE e4) is associated with cognitive decline in individuals with and without dementia, we conducted a 4-year longitudinal study of subjects with a range of cognitive function Setting: At baseline, respondents (n = 511) were randomly selected according to age and Mini-Mental State Examination score from a community-based study of dementia among noninstitutionalized persons aged 65 to 84 years. Respondents were examined at baseline and followed up in 3 annual visits. At baseline, subjects were classified as having normal cognitive function, minimal dementia, or dementia, according to criteria from the Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorders of the Elderly (CAMDEX) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revised Third Edition. Of the 511 respondents at baseline, 405 who were examined at least 2 times are included in this analysis. Main Outcome Measures: Cognitive decline was determined by a slope estimating yearly change in score on the neuropsychological test, the CAMCOG (the cognitive section of the CAMDEX), and its subscales of memory and nonmemory functions. Results: Among the subjects who had normal cognitive function at baseline, apoE E4 carriers showed a significantly greater decline (P<.001) in score on the CAMCOG compared with noncarriers. Differences in decline on the memory and nonmemory subtests were also significant (P<.001). Rates of cognitive decline were not related to apoE e4 status in the groups with minimal dementia and dementia Conclusions: In our community-based sample, apoE e4 was associated with the rate of cognitive decline prior to the clinically symptomatic phase of dementia. Knowing the apoE e4 status of those already symptomatic for dementia may not improve knowledge about a patient's prognosis.
Burned Out Or Just Frustrated? Reasons Why Physical Education Teachers Leave Their Profession

Abstract This work focuses on the reasons why physical education (PE) teachers leave their profession. The study included 80 individuals who decided to leave a teaching profession in 2013. A diagnostic poll method with the use of the QWL (Quality of Work Life) index was employed in the study. It was observed that there are usually a number of reasons why they give up their job, the most important being financial reasons. Their decision is influenced by the accumulation of professional and personal problems as well as their inability to solve them. The findings showed that teachers‘ departure from the profession is generally associated with the issue of burnout; however, financial reasons are most frequently ones that directly affect this decision.
Development of polymorphic microsatellite markers for Cryptococcus neoformans

Cryptococcus neoformans is a haploid basidiomycetous yeast that causes life‐threatening infections in patients with and without impaired immune function. Present typing systems for C. neoformans are limited by either poor standardization or high cost. We present eleven microsatellite loci that were developed from the published genomes of C. neoformans var. neoformans, and are applicable to the varieties and hybrids within C. neoformans.
Eight polymorphic microsatellite markers developed in the Chinese scorpion, Mesobuthus martensii (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

Eight polymorphic di‐ and trinucleotide microsatellite loci were developed in the Chinese scorpion, Mesobuthus martensii. The expected heterozygosity at these loci ranges from 0.019 to 0.860, with the observed allele numbers varying from two to 25. Overall, there were no deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and no observed linkage disequilibrium after Bonferroni correction. Cross‐species amplification of these loci in Mesobuthus eupeus revealed that five loci can amplify successfully in this species. The polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers reported here should provide helpful means to address questions concerning phylogeographical patterns and evolutionary history of M. martensii and closely related species.
Isolation and characterization of 100 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the Siberian jay (Perisoreus infaustus)

We describe primers and polymerase chain reaction conditions to amplify 100 microsatellite loci from the Siberian jay (Perisoreus infaustus). The primers were tested on two geographically separated Finnish populations. The developed primer pairs yielded an average of 4.72 alleles per locus (range one to 17) and an average observed heterozygosity of 0.55 (range 0.04 to 1).
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana)

We describe the isolation and characterization of 31 polymorphic di‐ and trinucleotide microsatellite marker loci for Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana Englem.). In addition, primer pairs for 16 loci amplified scoreable alleles in six other Tsuga species. In eastern North America, both Carolina hemlock and eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis [L.] Carr.) populations are declining due to infestation by hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae. The markers described here should enhance population genetic studies of hemlocks, providing valuable information for conserving and restoring these important forest tree species.
Characterization of 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the facultatively eusocial sweat bee Halictus rubicundus (Hymenoptera, Halictidae) and their variability in related species

Sweat bees display considerable variation in social organization and a few species, such as Halictus rubicundus, are even facultatively eusocial. Fourteen polymorphic, unlinked microsatellite loci were isolated from H. rubicundus and characterized in 45 females. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 18 (mean 10.1), observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.24 to 0.98 (mean 0.71) and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.24 to 0.98 (mean 0.70). Six or more loci cross‐amplified in four other sweat bees. These loci will be useful for the study of social evolution and population genetic structure in H. rubicundus and many other sweat bees.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the Caribbean sea fan coral, Gorgonia ventalina

Here we report primers for 10 microsatellite loci from the Caribbean sea fan coral, Gorgonia ventalina. Primers were tested on 237 genomic DNA extracts taken directly from tissue samples of G. ventalina. All loci were polymorphic with allelic richness ranging from 4 to 52. Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.14 to 0.96. Preliminary data suggest that these microsatellites will be useful tools for studies of the population genetics of this important Caribbean coral species.