Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
We′ve come this far by faith: Faith and spirituality as a facilitator to self-care management of type 2 diabetes among African-American men

Abstract Purpose: To explore and understand how the church, faith, and spirituality plays a role in type 2 diabetes management among African-American men (AA men). Materials and Methods: Participants (n = 19) were AA men ages 35-69 years, who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Participants were recruited via community outreach efforts, including barbershops and churches located in predominantly African-American communities in southeast US. Upon the consent, individual interviews were conducted, audio-recorded and subsequently transcribed. Transcripts were analyzed using a phenomenological approach, and focused on identifying common themes among the descriptions of AA men′s experiences specific to type 2 diabetes. Results: Overall the participants from the present study stated that their faith in God as well as attending church does help them in their daily diabetes management. Interestingly, 2 of the 19 participants chose not to answer the faith and spirituality questions and 1 of the 19 stated that his faith was nonexistent. Conclusions: Diabetes self-management may be facilitated by incorporating the spiritual beliefs and virtues of AA men living with the illness. Little is still known, in general, about the process of how spirituality affects self-management of chronic illness. Further research should also focus on faith-based diabetes education among diabetics of all ethnic backgrounds.
Influence of earthworm activity on microbial communities related with the degradation of persistent pollutants

Earthworms may promote the biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil, but the mechanism through which they exert such influence is still unknown. To determine if the stimulation of PAH degradation by earthworms is related to changes in microbial communities, a microcosm experiment was conducted consisting of columns with natural uncontaminated soil covered with PAH‐contaminated dredge sediment. Columns without and with low and high Eisenia andrei densities were prepared. Organic matter and PAH content, microbial biomass, and dehydrogenase activity (DHA) were measured in soil and sediment over time. Biolog Ecoplate™ and polymerase chain reaction using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis were used to evaluate changes in metabolic and structural diversity of the microbial community, respectively. Earthworm activity promoted PAH degradation in soil, which was significant for biphenyl, benzo[a]pyrene, and benzo[e]pyrene. Microbial biomass and DHA activity generally did not change over the experiment. Earthworm activity did change microbial community structure, but this did not affect its functioning in terms of carbon substrate consumption. Results suggest no relationship between changes in the microbial community by earthworm activity and increased PAH disappearance. The role of shifts in soil microbial community structure induced by earthworms in PAH removal needs further investigation. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:794–803. © 2011 SETAC
Brain activity during phonation in healthy female singers with supraglottic compression: an fMRI pilot study

Abstract This pilot study evaluated the usability of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to detect brain activation during phonation in healthy female singers with supraglottic compression. Four healthy female classical singers (mean age: 26 years) participated in the study. All subjects had normal vocal folds and vocal characteristics and showed supraglottic compression. The fMRI experiment was carried out using a block design paradigm. Brain activation during phonation and exhalation was analyzed using Brain Voyager software (Brain Innovation B.V., Maastricht, The Netherlands). An fMRI data analysis showed a significant effect of phonation control in the bilateral pre/postcentral gyrus, and in the frontal, cingulate, superior and middle temporal gyrus, as well as in the parietal lobe, insula, lingual gyrus, cerebellum, thalamus and brainstem. These activation areas are consistent with previous reports using other fMRI protocols. In addition, a significant effect of phonation compared to exhalation control was found in the bilateral superior temporal gyrus, and the pre/postcentral gyrus. This fMRI pilot study allowed to detect a normal pattern of brain activity during phonation in healthy female singers with supraglottic compression using the proposed protocol. However, the pilot study detected problems with the experimental material/procedures that would necessitate refining the fMRI protocol. The phonation tasks were not capable to show brain activation difference between high-pitched and comfortable phonation. Further fMRI studies manipulating vocal parameters during phonation of the vowels /a/ and /i/ may elicit more distinctive hemodynamic response (HDR) activity patterns relative to voice modulation.
Comparison of earthworm and chemical assays of the bioavailability of aged 1,1‐dichloro‐2,2‐bis(p‐chlorophenyl)ethylene, 1,1,1‐trichloro‐2,2‐bis(p‐chlorophenyl)ethane, and heavy metals in orchard soils

Orchard soils can contain elevated concentrations of 1,1‐dichloro‐2,2‐bis(p‐chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p′‐DDE), 1,1,1‐trichloro‐2,2‐bis(p‐chlorophenyl)ethane (p,p′‐DDT), and heavy metals as a result of historical agrichemical applications. The bioavailability of p,p′‐DDE, p,p′‐DDT, As, Cd, Cu, and Pb from five field‐aged New Zealand orchards and three grazing soils was assessed by using a 28‐d bioassay with Aporrectodea caliginosa and chemical assays. Significant relationships were found between total soil and earthworm tissue concentrations for p,p′‐DDE (p < 0.001), p,p′‐DDT (p < 0.001), Cu (p < 0.001), and Pb (p < 0.01). Two neutral salt solutions, 0.01 M CaCl2 and 1 M NH4NO3, were used as surrogate measures of the bioavailability of heavy metals. Copper was the only heavy metal for which significant correlations were found between neutral‐salt‐extractable and earthworm tissue concentrations (p < 0.001). Up to 28% of the aged DDT residues were released from the soils by Tenax over a 24‐h extraction period. Significant relationships (p < 0.01) between the Tenax‐extractable and earthworm tissue concentrations for p,p′‐DDE and p,p′‐DDT showed that Tenax provides a good surrogate measure of the bioavailability of these compounds to A. caliginosa. Surprisingly, there was a similarly significant relationship (p < 0.001) between the total soil and earthworm tissue concentrations for p,p′‐DDE and p,p′‐DDT, suggesting that total soil concentrations alone were sufficient to predict uptake by A. caliginosa. These results demonstrate that the aged agrichemical residues in orchard soils, and particularly p,p′‐DDE and p,p′‐DDT, remain highly bioavailable to A. caliginosa despite decades of weathering and continue to present an environmental risk. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:1306–1316. © 2012 SETAC
Abnormal T-wave axis is associated with coronary artery calcification in older adults

Objective. To determine whether T-wave axis on the resting electrocardiogram (ECG) is associated with coronary artery calcification (CAC) score, a measurement of coronary atherosclerosis, in older adults. Methods. The sample consisted of 2004 adults aged 66 and over participating in the prospective, population-based Age-Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik Study. The cohort was divided into gender-stratified quartiles based upon Agatston CAC score derived from computerized tomography. Frontal T-axis deviation from 45° was assessed using surface ECG. Statistical analysis was performed with Tobit regression models adjusted for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors. Results. In the entire study population, T-axis deviation from 45° was significantly associated with increasing CAC score in men (p<0.001) and women (p=0.03). In men without clinically recognized coronary heart disease (CHD), the association with CAC score remained statistically significant (p=0.02). This association was significant among women without CHD once male CAC cut points were used (p=0.05). Conclusion. An abnormal T-wave axis is associated with an increasing CAC score in this population of Icelandic older adults. This association remains in the subgroup of subjects without clinical CHD.
Researching Housing in a Global Context: New Directions in Some Critical Issues

Abstract Housing varies from society to society. As researchers, we seek to understand these various housing systems and their relations to broader economic, societal and global trends; we seek to identify the interests that drive housing, learn from successful innovations and propose practical innovations. The adequacy of our results depends upon the adequacy of our methods. This paper argues that current methods are no longer adequate to the task of dealing with the complexity of housing in a global context. It examines four critical issues: theory, interdisciplinarity, a scientific approach and making progress through collaboration. In doing so, it proposes a new approach to these issues. It also introduces a new framework for collaborative creativity, Functional Collaboration. This is a set of eight methods that integrates the diversity of current methods. It is a scientific, collaborative, cyclical and global approach oriented to progress in housing.
Difference in relapse-rate and clinical phenotype by autoantibody-subtype in Japanese patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis

Abstract Objective: To correlate the serotype specificity to myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proteinase-3 (PR3) with clinical characteristics in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). Methods: Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with AAV in our division from 2005 to 2014 were retrospectively compared on the basis of ANCA subtype. Results: We collected the data from 88 patients with MPO–ANCA vasculitis, and 17 with PR3-ANCA vasculitis. Patients with PR3-ANCA vasculitis were younger, and had higher involvement-rates in the eye, nose, and ear. In both MPO- and PR3-ANCA vasculitis, the most frequently involved organ was the respiratory system. Interstitial pneumonia was more frequent in MPO-ANCA vasculitis (52.3% versus 5.9%, p < 0.01), whereas nodular shadow was more frequent in PR3-ANCA vasculitis (9.1% versus 58.8%, p < 0.01). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that the hazard ratio of PR3-ANCA for relapse was 2.48 (95% confidence interval 1.14–5.42, p = 0.02). There was no difference in the survival and the progression to end-stage kidney disease and respiratory failure between the two vasculitides. Conclusion: MPO-ANCA vasculitis was a predominant form of AAV in Japan. Classification based on ANCA subtype would be clinically relevant in the prediction of organ involvement and relapse.
Prediction of the therapeutic response to methotrexate at 24 weeks by methotrexate–polyglutamates concentration in erythrocytes at 8 weeks in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of methotrexate–polyglutamates (MTX-PGs) in erythrocytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and correlate them with the efficacy. Methods: MTX-PG concentrations in erythrocytes were measured in 42 MTX-naïve patients repeatedly for 24 weeks by high-performance liquid chromatography. In 56 patients receiving stable MTX doses for at least 12 weeks, the correlation between MTX doses and MTX-PG concentrations was examined. The efficacy was measured by the change of DAS28CRP (ΔDAS28CRP). Results: There were moderate correlations between MTX dose and MTX-PG 3, 4, and 5. At 24 weeks, MTX-PG2, 3, 4, and 1–5 were higher in patients with ΔDAS28CRP >1.2 than in those with ≤1.2. The cutoff value of MTX-PG1-5 to discriminate ΔDAS28CRP >1.2 from ≤1.2 at 24 weeks was 68.7 nM. Among 20 patients with MTX-PG1-5 > 50.6 nM at 8 weeks, seven already improved at 8 weeks and additional 11 improved at 24 weeks (p < 0.001). On the contrary, among the nine patients with MTX-PG1-5 ≤ 50.6 nM at 8 weeks, none improved at 8 weeks and only one improved at 24 weeks (p = 0.500). Conclusions: Erythrocyte MTX-PGs might be a potential indicator and predictor of MTX efficacy.
Staged decrease of physical ability on the locomotive syndrome risk test is related to neuropathic pain, nociceptive pain, shoulder complaints, and quality of life in middle-aged and elderly people – The utility of the locomotive syndrome risk test

Abstract Objectives: A locomotive syndrome (LS) risk test for evaluation of physical ability is recently proposed. The objective of this study is to evaluate the utility of this test by examining physical ability, neuropathic pain, nociceptive pain, shoulder complaints, and quality of life (QOL). Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in 523 subjects (240 males, 283 females; mean age: 63.3 years) at a health checkup. Data collected using visual analog scales (VAS) for shoulder pain, low back pain, sciatica, and knee pain, neuropathic pain, shoulder complaint, body mass index (BMI), osteoporosis, and SF-36 were compared among three LS risk stages. Results: Subjects in LS risk stage 1 (24%) had significantly more osteoporosis, slower gait speed, weaker muscle strength and higher VAS, with no difference in age and BMI compared to those with no LS risk (50%). Subjects in stage 2 (26%) had significantly poorer results for all items. Shoulder complaint, neuropathic pain and QOL differed significantly among all three groups and worsened with decline in mobility on the LS risk test. Conclusions: LS risk test is easy and useful screening tool for evaluation of mobility and for screening for pain and complaint associated with activity of daily living and QOL.
Clinical efficacy, radiographic, and safety results of golimumab monotherapy in Japanese patients with active rheumatoid arthritis despite prior therapy with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: Final results of the GO-MONO trial through week 120

Abstract Objective: Evaluate the safety and efficacy of golimumab through week 120 in Japanese patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) previously treated with DMARDs. Methods: Japanese patients with active RA despite prior DMARDs were randomized to placebo (Group 1, n = 105), golimumab 50 mg (Group 2, n = 101), or golimumab 100 mg (Group 3, n = 102). At week 16, Group 1 patients crossed over to golimumab 50mg; after week 52, a one-time golimumab dose reduction from 100 to 50 mg was permitted. Assessments included ACR20/50/70 responses and good/moderate DAS28-ESR responses. Radiographic progression was assessed with the van der Heijde-modified Sharp (vdH-S) score. Safety and efficacy were assessed through week 120. Results: ACR20 response rates at week 52 in Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 were 70.6%, 71.4%, and 81.9%, respectively, and maintained through week 104 (87.2%, 85.1%, 88.9%, respectively) and week 120 (86.1%, 87.0%, 89.5%, respectively). Similar trends were observed for ACR50, ACR 70, and DAS28-ESR. Median change in total vdH-S at weeks 52, 104, and 120 ranged from 0.0 to 1.5 across treatment groups. Through week 120, 93.8%/97.1% had an AE with golimumab 50 mg/100 mg, respectively, and 19.7%/11.8% had an SAE. Infections were the most common AE. Conclusion: Clinical response to golimumab 50 mg and 100 mg was maintained over 2 years in Japanese patients with active RA despite prior DMARDs.
Efficacy and safety of combination therapy with prednisolone and oral tacrolimus for progressive interstitial pneumonia with systemic sclerosis: A retrospective study

Abstract Objectives: We retrospectively investigated efficacy and safety of combination therapy with prednisolone (PSL) and tacrolimus (TAC) for progressive interstitial pneumonitis with systemic sclerosis (SSc-PIP). Methods: We studied 11 patients with SSc-PIP who received combination therapy with PSL (0.5 mg/kg/d) and TAC (3 mg/d). Results: Baseline Hugh-Jones grades were I, II, III, and IV in 2, 6, 2, and 1 patients, respectively. Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) values were elevated to 914 (range 300–2614) U/mL. % Diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (%DLco) remarkably decreased to 47.4 (range 9.7–64.4) %. All patients were alive at 1 year after therapy. In response to treatment, interstitial pneumonia (IP) improved in three patients, stable in seven patients, and deteriorated in one patient. Total ground-glass opacity (GGO) score improved (p = .005). No significant changes occurred in values of KL-6, % forced vital capacity (%FVC), and %DLco. Presently, all seven patients who could be followed up were alive. IP improved in three patients and stable in four patients. Total GGO score improved (p = .016). KL-6, %FVC, and %DLco did not change. Mild cytomegalovirus or herpes zoster infection occurred in two patients. Grade I renal injuries were observed in three and one patient at 1 year and present, respectively. Conclusion: Combination therapy with PSL and TAC appeared to be well tolerated and effective in suppressing the disease activity of SSc-PIP.
The inner working model as a “theory of attachment”: development during the preschool years

This investigation focuses on the ontogeny of the inner working model (IWM) of attachment during preschool age, specifically on preschoolers' knowledge about children's and caregivers' behavioral options in attachment-related situations. The study included two cross-sectional samples of children between 3 and 6 (N = 86) and 3 and 7 years (N = 95), respectively. Children's knowledge was assessed using a picture book with attachment-related stories. Findings show an increase of attachment-related knowledge with the most rapid changes from 4 to 5 years. Moreover, children had more profound knowledge about their own behavior than about their mother's behavior and only restricted knowledge about behavior of other parent–child dyads. Regarding the quality of behavioral strategies analyses indicated the prominent role of child seeking help and autonomous coping and parental instrumental and emotional support. Consistent with cognitive theories about the development of domain-specific knowledge, the results indicate that the IWM may be conceptualized as a “theory of attachment. ”
Assessment of status of white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) populations exposed to bleached kraft pulp mill effluent

Credible ecological risk assessments often need to include analysis of population‐level impacts. In the present study, a predictive model was developed to investigate population dynamics for white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) exposed to pulp mill effluent at a well‐studied site in Jackfish Bay, Lake Superior, Canada. The model uniquely combines a Leslie population projection matrix and the logistic equation to translate changes in the fecundity and the age structure of a breeding population of white sucker exposed to pulp mill effluent to alterations in population growth rate. Application of this density‐dependent population projection model requires construction of a life table for the organism of interest, a measure of carrying capacity, and an estimation of the effect of stressors on vital rates. A white sucker population existing at carrying capacity and subsequently exposed to pulp mill effluent equivalent to a documented exposure experienced during the period 1988 to 1994 in Jackfish Bay would be expected to exhibit a 34% to 51% annual decrease in recruitment during the first 5 yr of exposure and approach a population size of 71% of carrying capacity. The Jackfish Bay study site contains monitoring data for biochemical endpoints in white sucker, including circulating sex steroid concentrations, that could be combined with population modeling to utilize the model demonstrated at the Jackfish Bay study site for investigation of other white sucker populations at sites that are less data‐rich. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:1592–1603. © 2013 SETAC
Econometric Modeling of Health Care Costs and Expenditures: A Survey of Analytical Issues and Related Policy Considerations

Background:Econometric modeling of healthcare costs and expenditures has become an important component of decision-making across a wide array of real-world settings. Objectives:The objective of this article is to provide a brief summary of important conceptual and analytical issues involved in econometric healthcare cost modeling. To this end, the article explores: outcome measures typically analyzed in such work; the decision maker’s perspective in econometric cost modeling exercises; specific analytical issues in econometric model specification; statistical goodness-of-fit testing; empirical implications of “upper tail” (or “high cost”) phenomena; and issues relating to the reporting of findings. Data:Some of the concepts explored here are illustrated in light of samples drawn from the 2005 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and the 2005 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Results and Conclusions:Analysts of healthcare cost data have at their disposal an increasingly sophisticated tool kit for analyzing such data that can in principle and in fact yield increasingly interesting insights into data structures. Yet for such analyses to usefully inform policy decisions, the manner in which such studies are designed, undertaken, and reported must accommodate considerations relevant to the decision-making community. The article concludes with some preliminary thoughts on how such bridges might be constructed.
Growing up in foster families or institutions: Attachment representation and psychological adjustment of young adults

This study considers whether type of placement (foster care versus institutional care) is related to patterns of attachment representation and the quality of psychological adjustment in a sample of 48 young adults, who grew up either in foster care or in institutions. The subjects were interviewed using the Adult Attachment Interview (George, Kaplan, & Main, 1996, [2001]) and their psychological adjustment was assessed by using the Brief Symptom Inventory (Derogatis, 1993; German version by Franke, 2000). The results show significantly more positive effects of foster care when compared with institutional upbringing. These findings support the possibility of a beneficial effect of an alternative stable (foster) family relationship for children's psychological development. Implications for assessing placement options for children following severe traumatization are discussed.