Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stimulation of β2-Adrenoceptors Inhibits Apoptosis in Rat Brain after Transient Forebrain Ischemia

We have previously demonstrated that the neuroprotective effect of the β2-adrenoceptor agonist clenbuterol in vitro and in vivo was most likely mediated by an increased nerve growth factor (NGF) expression. In the present study, we examined whether clenbuterol was capable of inhibiting apoptosis caused by ischemia. Transient forebrain ischemia was performed in male Wistar rats (300 to 350 g) by clamping both common carotid arteries and reducing the blood pressure to 40 mm Hg for 10 minutes. Clenbuterol(0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg intraperitoneally) was administered 3 hours before ischemia or immediately after ischemia. The brains were removed for histologic evaluation 7 days after ischemia. The time course of DNA fragmentation was determined 1, 2, 3 and 4 days after ischemia. Staining with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) was used for further analysis of DNA fragments in situ 3 days after ischemia. The NGF protein was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Ten-minute forebrain ischemia damaged 80% to 90% of the neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region evaluated 7 days after ischemia. Pretreatment with clenbuterol (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg) reduced the neuronal damage by 18.1% (P< 0.01) and 13.1% (P < 0.05), respectively. The neuroprotective effect also was found when clenbuterol (0.5 mg/kg) was administered immediately after ischemia (P < 0.05). The DNA laddering appeared in striatum 1 day and in hippocampus 2 days after ischemia and peaked on the third day in both regions. The DNA laddering was nearly abolished in the hippocampus and partially blocked in striatum and cortex by 0.5 mg/kg clenbuterol. These results were confirmed by TUNEL staining. Clenbuterol (0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally) elevated the NGF protein level by 33% (P < 0.05) in the hippocampus and 41% (P < 0.05) in the cortex 6 hours after ischemia. Three days after ischemia, the NGF levels in these regions were no longer different between the clenbuterol-treated and control groups. This study clearly demonstrates that clenbuterol possesses a neuroprotective activity and a marked capacity to inhibit DNA degradation after global ischemia. The results suggest that clenbuterol increases NGF expression during the first hours after global ischemia and thereby protects neurons against apoptotic damage.
Video-, Audio-, and Computer-Mediated Education of Patients and Relatives in Gynecologic Cancer Care: A Systematic Review

Background: Cancer patients can often experience emotional distress, and gynecologic cancer patients may be among the most distressed. As hospital stays become shorter, nurses are challenged to educate patients and relatives adequately. The use of computer-based technologies may alleviate the situation. Objective: This article aims to review the literature related to the use of audio-, visual-, or computer-based technologies to support healthcare professional training of adult female patients and their close relatives in gynecologic cancer care. We describe to what extent these technologies were found to be effective and evaluate clinical implications. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO via Ovid, CINAHL via EBSCO, and the Cochrane Library were searched, and 4177 unique references were examined. All studies evaluating healthcare professional training of women with gynecologic cancer and/or their relatives via audio-, visual-, or computer-based technologies were included. Results: We found scarce and conflicting evidence of benefits to gynecologic patients of healthcare professional use of video- or computer-based patient education. These interventions might be best suited to the highest educated with coping skills beyond the average. No studies were found to include relatives or found to test audio-based patient education. Conclusion: More rigorously produced and reported studies of healthcare professional training initiatives for gynecologic cancer patients and their relatives are recommended. Measures used to capture the perceived benefits to patients might be reconsidered. Implication for Practice: Precautions should be taken before recommending technologies that are unevaluated in own context. Attention must be on both what is provided when and to whom.
Blocking the hedgehog pathway inhibits hepatoblastoma growth

Recent evidence has indicated that Hedgehog (Hh) signaling significantly contributes to liver development and regeneration and that activation of the pathway may contribute to growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in adults. However, the role of Hh signaling in pediatric liver tumors remains to be elucidated. In this study, we show that Hh signaling is activated in hepatoblastoma (HB), the most common liver tumor in childhood, with most occurrences before the age of 3 years. The Hh target genes glioma‐associated oncogene homolog 1 (GLI1) and Patched (PTCH1) showed increased transcript levels in 65% and 30% of HB samples, respectively, compared with normal liver tissues. Most interestingly, the gene encoding the hedgehog interacting protein (HHIP) is transcriptionally silenced by cytosine‐phospho‐guanosine (CpG) island promoter hypermethylation in 26% of HB cases and treatment with the DNA‐demethylating agent 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine partially restored HHIP expression. Blocking Hh signaling with the antagonist cyclopamine had a strong inhibitory effect on cell proliferation of HB cell lines with an activated pathway. We further demonstrate that this decrease in cell viability is caused by a massive induction of apoptosis, as shown by morphological changes and phosphatidylserine membrane asymmetry. In cyclopamine‐exposed HB cells, caspase 3 and poly(adenosine diphosphate‐ribose) polymerase proteins were specifically activated by their proteolytic cleavage. Conclusion: This study demonstrates, for the first time, the frequent occurrence of GLI1 and PTCH1 overexpression and HHIP promoter methylation in early childhood HB, thus indicating a key role for Hh signaling activation in the malignant transformation of embryonal liver cells. (HEPATOLOGY 2009;49:482–490.)
The pathogen receptor liver and lymph node sinusoidal endotelial cell C‐type lectin is expressed in human Kupffer cells and regulated by PU.1†

Human LSECtin (liver and lymph node sinusoidal endothelial cell C‐type lectin, CLEC4G) is a C‐type lectin encoded within the L‐SIGN/DC‐SIGN/CD23 gene cluster. LSECtin acts as a pathogen attachment factor for Ebolavirus and the SARS coronavirus, and its expression can be induced by interleukin‐4 on monocytes and macrophages. Although reported as a liver and lymph node sinusoidal endothelial cell‐specific molecule, LSECtin could be detected in the MUTZ‐3 dendritic‐like cell line at the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein level, and immunohistochemistry analysis on human liver revealed its presence in Kupffer cells coexpressing the myeloid marker CD68. The expression of LSECtin in myeloid cells was further corroborated through the analysis of the proximal regulatory region of the human LSECtin gene, whose activity was maximal in LSECtin+ myeloid cells, and which contains a highly conserved PU.1‐binding site. PU.1 transactivated the LSECtin regulatory region in collaboration with hematopoietic‐restricted transcription factors (Myb, RUNX3), and was found to bind constitutively to the LSECtin proximal promoter. Moreover, knockdown of PU.1 through the use of small interfering RNA led to a decrease in LSECtin mRNA levels in THP‐1 and monocyte‐derived dendritic cells, thus confirming the involvement of PU.1 in the myeloid expression of the lectin. Conclusion: LSECtin is expressed by liver myeloid cells, and its expression is dependent on the PU.1 transcription factor. (HEPATOLOGY 2009;49:287–296.)
Determinants of relapse after a short (12 weeks) course of antiviral therapy and re‐treatment efficacy of a prolonged course in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 2 or 3 infection

In hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 2 and 3 patients, the high rate of relapse after 12 to 16 weeks of antiviral therapy is the main concern for shortening treatment duration. This study was undertaken to delineate predictors of relapse after short treatment in patients with undetectable HCV RNA at treatment week 4 (RVR), and to report in RVR patients with relapse the sustained virological response (SVR) after a second 24‐week course of therapy. RVR patients received pegylated interferon (Peg‐IFN) alfa‐2b (1.5 μg/kg) and ribavirin (1000‐1200 mg/day) for 12 weeks; those who relapsed were re‐treated with the same drug doses but for the extended standard duration of 24 weeks. Logistic regression analysis was applied to delineate predictors of relapse by using age, sex, route of transmission, body mass index (BMI), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HCV genotypes, serum HCV RNA levels, and platelet counts as covariates. Of 718 patients with genotypes 2 and 3 who were started on therapy, 496 (69.1%) had undetectable HCV RNA at week 4. Of them, 409 patients (82.5%, CI 79.1‐85.8) attained SVR, and 67 (14.1%, CI 10.4‐16.5) relapsed. At regression analysis, only platelet count less than 140,000 mm3 [odds ratio, 2.51; confidence interval (CI), 1.49‐4.20] and BMI 30 or higher (odds ratio, 1.7; CI, 1.03‐2.70) were independently associated with relapse. Forty‐three of 67 patients with relapse agreed to be re‐treated, and an SVR was achieved in 30 (70.0%) of them. Conclusion: We recommend 12 weeks course of therapy for patients with undetectable HCV RNA at treatment week 4, providing they present with no advanced fibrosis and low BMI. (HEPATOLOGY 2008.)
Spirituality in Arab Muslim Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Survivors: A Qualitative Approach

Background: A cancer diagnosis and treatment can be a stressful, life-altering experience that can pose a threat to life and raise existential challenges. Spirituality may influence the process of coping with the stress of the cancer experience. Studies of the role of spirituality for Muslim cancer patients and survivors are limited. Objective: The aim of this study was to understand the role of spirituality in the cancer experience among Arab Muslim hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) survivors. Methods: In this qualitative, descriptive study, 63 HSCT survivors (mean, 20.2 months) responded to 2 open-ended, self-report questions on the role of spirituality in their HSCT experience. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes related to spirituality. Results: Three dimensions that helped patients cope with their experiences were identified: sickness viewed in light of belief in God, use of religious/spiritual resources, and support from family and community. Two general themes described changes in their faith as a result of having the HSCT procedure: strengthening of faith in God and greater reliance on religious/spiritual activities. Conclusion: Spirituality was important to the Arab Muslim survivors in coping with cancer and HSCT treatment. Muslim cancer survivors are often deeply connected to their religion. Implications for Practice: Healthcare providers in the United States and other Western countries need to be aware of the unique religious and spiritual needs of Muslim cancer survivors in order to provide them with culturally sensitive care. More research on the spiritual needs of Muslim cancer patients and survivors residing in Western countries is needed.
Association of UGT2B7, UGT1A9, ABCG2, and IL23R polymorphisms with rejection risk in kidney transplant patients

ABSTRACT Despite advances in testing compatibility between donor and recipient, graft rejection remains a current concern. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that codify altered enzymes of metabolism, drug transport, and the immune system may contribute to graft rejection in transplant patients. This study examined the association between SNPs present in genes of these processes and occurrence of graft rejection episodes in 246 kidney transplant patients, 35% of which were diagnosed with rejection. Genotype–gene expression associations were also assessed. Peripheral blood samples were used for genotyping of 24 SNPs on the following genes: CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP2E1, POR, UGT2B7, UGT1A9, ABCB1, ABCC2, ABCG2, SLCO1B1, TNF, IL2, IRF5, TGFB1, NFKBIA, IL10, IL23R, NFAT, and CCR5 by real-time PCR. The analysis of gene expression was performed by RT-qPCR. The association between graft rejection episodes and polymorphic variants was assessed using odds ratios. Polymorphisms rs7662029 (UGT2B7) and rs6714486 (UGT1A9) were associated with occurrence of graft rejection episodes, rs7662029 (UGT2B7) exhibited a protective effect (1.85-fold), and rs6714486 (UGT1A9) an increased 1.6-fold increased risk of graft rejection. Among drug transporter genes, only rs2231142 (ABCG2) demonstrated an association with a 1.92-fold decrease in the risk of graft rejection. The immunological SNP rs10889677 (IL23R) was associated with a 1.9-fold enhanced risk of graft rejection. Association between genotypes and gene expression was not detected. Therefore, SNPs of UGT2B7, UGT1A9, ABCG2, and IL23R genes may be useful as candidate markers for screening of risk graft rejection in renal transplant patients. These markers may improve medical decisions, avoiding adverse effects.
Mortality and transcriptional effects of inorganic mercury in the marine copepod Calanus finmarchicus

ABSTRACT Inorganic mercury (Hg) is highly toxic to organisms including crustaceans and displays multiple toxic modes of action (MoA). The main aim of this investigation was to assess the acute and sublethal toxicity mediated by mercury chloride (HgCl2) in the marine copepod Calanus finmarchicus. A combination of short-term static studies to determine acute toxicity and a transcriptional investigation to characterize the sublethal MoA of HgCl2 were conducted with an in-house continuous culture of C. finmarchicus. Transcriptional changes were determined by a custom 6.6 k C. finmarchicus Agilent oligonucleotide microarray and quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Data demonstrate that HgCl2 produced a concentration- and time-dependent reduction in survival (NOEC48 h = 6.9 μg/L [Hg2+] and LC50 of 279, 73, 48, and 34 µg/L [Hg2+] after 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, respectively) and that exposure to sublethal concentrations of HgCl2 (5 μg/L [Hg2+]) induced differential expression of 98 features (probes) on the microarray. Gene ontology (GO) and toxicological pathway analyses suggested that the main MOA were (1) uncoupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and ATP production, (2) oxidative stress and macromolecular damage, (3) inactivation of cellular enzymes, (4) induction of cellular apoptosis and autophagocytosis, (5) over-excitation of glutamate receptors (neurotoxicity), (6) disruption of calcium homeostasis and signaling, and (7) modulation of nuclear receptor activity involved in vitamin D receptor signaling. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis verified that oligoarray performed reliably in terms of specificity and response, thus demonstrating that Hg2+ exerts multiple potential MoA in C. finmarchicus.
Prevalence of Heart Disease and Stroke Risk Factors in Persons With Prehypertension in the United States, 1999-2000

Background Recent guidelines classify persons with above-optimal blood pressure (BP) but not clinical hypertension as having prehypertension. Methods Data were analyzed for 3488 persons aged 20 years and older with BP measured in the 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The prevalence of risk factors—above-normal (≥200 mg/dL [≥5.17 mmol/L]) and high (≥240 mg/dL [≥6.21 mmol/L]) total cholesterol levels, diabetes mellitus, current smoker, and overweight or obesity—and the number of risk factors present were compared among BP groups (normotension, prehypertension, and hypertension). Multivariable logistic regression included age, sex, and race/ethnicity as covariates. Results Overall, 39% of persons were normotensive,31% were prehypertensive, and 29% were hypertensive. The age-adjusted prevalence of prehypertension was greater in men (39.0%) than in women (23.1%). African Americans aged 20 to 39 years had a higher prevalence of prehypertension (37.4%) than whites (32.2%) and Mexican Americans (30.9%), but their prevalence was lower at older ages because of a higher prevalence of hypertension. The probabilities of above-normal cholesterol levels, overweight/obesity, and diabetes mellitus were greater for persons with prehypertension vs normotension, whereas the probability of currently smoking was lower. Persons with prehypertension were 1.65 times more likely to have at least 1 other adverse risk factor than were those with normotension ( P Conclusions The greater prevalence of risk factors in persons with prehypertension vs normotension suggests the continued need for early clinical detection and intervention of prehypertension and comprehensive preventive and public health efforts.
A Review of Childhood Abuse, Health, and Pain-Related Problems: The Role of Psychiatric Disorders and Current Life Stress

The current article reviews recent research demonstrating the relationship between childhood physical and sexual abuse and adult health problems. Adult survivors of childhood abuse have more health problems and more painful symptoms. We have found that psychiatric disorders account for some, but not all, of these symptoms, and that current life stress doubles the effect of childhood abuse on health problems. Possible etiologic factors in survivors' health problems include abuse-related alterations in brain functioning that can increase vulnerability to stress and decrease immune function. Adult survivors are also more likely to participate in risky behaviors that undermine health or to have cognitions and beliefs that amplify health problems. Psychiatric disorders, although not the primary cause of difficulties, do have a role in exacerbating health and pain-related problems. We conclude by outlining treatment recommendations for abuse survivors in health care settings.
Unreliability and Error in the Military's “Gold Standard” Measure of Sexual Harassment by Education and Gender

The Department of Defense's “gold standard” sexual harassment measure, the Sexual Harassment Core Measure (SHCore), is based on an earlier measure that was developed primarily in college women. Furthermore, the SHCore requires a reading grade level of 9.1. This may be higher than some troops' reading abilities and could generate unreliable estimates of their sexual harassment experiences. Results from 108 male and 96 female soldiers showed that the SHCore's temporal stability and alternate-forms reliability was significantly worse (a) in soldiers without college experience compared to soldiers with college experience and (b) in men compared to women. For men without college experience, almost 80% of the temporal variance in SHCore scores was attributable to error. A plain language version of the SHCore had mixed effects on temporal stability depending on education and gender. The SHCore may be particularly ill suited for evaluating population trends of sexual harassment in military men without college experience.
Functional Assessment Performance and Muscular Strength Improve in an Older Adult Following an 8-Week Kaatsu-Walk Training Program: A Case Study

ABSTRACT Combining blood flow occlusion, Kaatsu, with a daily treadmill-walking program increases muscular strength in young, healthy men. Research using a similar training program in older adults is lacking. The present case study examined functional activity and body impairment responses to a daily walking program with Kaatsu in an older adult. The 67-year-old female participant walked at 0.85 m/s for five 2-min bouts with 1 min of rest between bouts, five times/week for 8 weeks with lower extremity Kaatsu cuffs inflated. Outcomes (Timed Up and Go, the Six Minute Walk Test, Ten Meter Walk Test, lower extremity strength measures) were collected at baseline, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Vitals were measured at the beginning and end of each walking session. Descriptives were calculated over time to determine the temporal effects of the Kaatsu-walk training program. All assessments, Timed Up and Go, Six Minute Walk Test, Ten Meter Walk Test, and lower extremity strength measures, increased 18.2% up to 46.8% from baseline to post-test. Data suggested that the 8-week Kaatsu-walk training program increases outcomes in an older adult.
The Impact of Cancer on Children's Physical, Emotional, and Psychosocial Well-being

The diagnosis and treatment of cancer are a stressful and threatening experience, which can be emotionally devastating to children. Despite the improved prognosis, the course of cancer treatment has tremendous impact on children. This article aims to examine the impact of cancer on physical, emotional, and psychosocial well-being of Hong Kong Chinese children, an area of research that has been underrepresented in the literature. Ninety-eight Hong Kong Chinese children aged 7 to 15 years, admitted for treatment of cancer in 2 pediatric oncology units of 2 different hospitals, were invited to participate in the study. Findings from this study indicated that the children scored considerably high state anxiety on admission, and more than half of the participants presented some depressive symptoms during their stay in the hospital. Moreover, semistructured interviews indicated that nearly all children expressed different degrees of sadness and worry. The findings suggested that there is a room for improvement in existing nursing intervention regarding preparing children for hospitalization and treatment of cancer. There is an imperative need for nurses to evaluate appropriate nursing interventions that can help children resume their normal growth and development, in particular, to help them ease the physical, emotional, and psychological burden of life-threatening disease.
Fatigue, Sleep, Pain, Mood, and Performance Status in Patients With Multiple Myeloma

Background: Cancer-related fatigue and insomnia are common distressing symptoms and may affect mood and performance status. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe fatigue, sleep, pain, mood, and performance status and the relationships among these variables in 187 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) and conduct an analysis using the correlates of fatigue. Methods: Data were from baseline measures from the study, using the Profile of Mood States and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue to assess fatigue, the actigraph to measure sleep, the Wong/Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale to assess pain, the Profile of Mood States to assess mood, and the 6-minute walk test along with a back/leg/chest dynamometer to test muscle strength to assess performance status. Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics, Pearson and Spearman &rgr; correlations, and multiple regression analysis using fatigue as the dependent variable. All P values were 2-sided, and P < . 05 was considered significant. Results: Patients with newly diagnosed MM presented with fatigue, pain, sleep and mood disturbances, and diminished functional performance. The regression model, which included all of these variables along with age, sex, and stage of disease, was statistically significant with a large measure of effect. Mood was a significant individual contributor to the model. Conclusions: Among patients with MM, fatigue, pain, sleep, mood, and functional performance are interrelated. Implications for Practice: Interventions are needed to decrease fatigue and pain and to improve sleep, mood, and functional performance.