Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Supporting and inhibiting factors in recovery experienced by the patients after myocardial infarction during an 18-month follow-up

Objective: There is a need for studies on recovery as experienced by the patient after myocardial infarction. This study is a report on supporting and inhibiting factors in recovery of Finnish patients after myocardial infarction in an Interpersonal Counselling intervention group and in a control group given standard care at 6 months and 18 months after myocardial infarction. Methods: Firstly, during the 6 months following patients receiving IPC (n=21) and standard care (n=19) kept diaries related to supporting and inhibiting factors in recovery. The data were analyzed by inductive content analysis. Secondly, the patients (44 in the intervention group and 42 in the control group) were interviewed with the same open-ended questions 18 months after myocardial infarction. This data were analyzed using deductive content analysis. An attribution analysis was performed on both data. Results: Five main categories, including supporting and inhibiting factors and subcategories, were identified: (1) clinical and physical, (2) psychological, (3) social, (4) functional and (5) professional. There were no differences between the groups. Conclusions: Recovery experienced by the patient after myocardial infarction seems to consist of many supporting and inhibiting factors. This is important to take into account in developing nursing practice. The topic calls for more specific studies. These results could be useful material in developing and testing a quantitative instrument for more precise measuring of recovery after MI in a randomized setting. To develop theory, the results indicate numerous possibilities to test relationships between supporting and inhibiting factors in recovery after myocardial infarction.
Attentional capture by spoken language: effects on netballers’ visual task performance

Abstract In two experiments, participants performed visual detection, visual discrimination and decision-making tasks, in which a binary (left/right) response was required. In all experimental conditions, a spoken word (“left”/“right”) was presented monaurally (left or right ear) at the onset of the visual stimulus. In Experiment 1, 26 non-athletes located a target amongst an array of distractors as quickly as possible, in both the presence and absence of spoken cues. Participants performed superiorly in the presence of valid cues, relative to invalid-cue and control conditions. In Experiment 2, 42 skilled netballers completed three tasks, in randomised order: a visual detection task, a visual discrimination task and a netball decision-making task – all in the presence of spoken cues. Our data showed that spoken auditory cues affected not only target detection, but also performance on more complex decision-making tasks: cues that were either spatially or semantically invalid slowed target detection time; spatially invalid cues impaired discrimination task accuracy; and cues that were either spatially or semantically valid improved accuracy and speeded decision-making time in the netball task. When studying visual perception and attention in sport, the impact of concomitant auditory information should be taken into account in order to achieve a more representative task design.
The role of spatial information in advance task‐set control: an event‐related potential study

Task‐switching has proved to be a fruitful paradigm for studying cognitive control mechanisms. Interestingly, this avenue of study has revealed that subjects are, to some degree, able to bring about a change in task‐set prior to the performance of that task (provided that they are given advance warning of the upcoming task, for instance in the form of a cue). Event‐related potentials (ERPs) have proved to be a good way of measuring these rapid anticipatory control processes. To explore these processes further, the current study examined the relationship between the availability of spatial information and cue‐locked task‐switching ERP effects. Two groups of subjects were compared: one group could separate the task‐sets on the basis of the targets’ colour (the ‘colour’ group), the second on the basis of the targets’ location (the ‘spatial’ group). The performance of both groups benefited to the same extent from advance cueing of task‐transitions (switches or repeats), yet the ERP data revealed cue‐locked (but not target‐locked) differences between the two groups. The most striking of these differences was the absence of both a late positivity over posterior scalp and a late negativity over frontal scalp when the spatial group switched between tasks. Thus, it seems unlikely that these effects index stimulus‐response ‘reconfiguration’per se– as the mappings were identical for both groups of subjects – but rather that these task‐switching processes are sensitive to how the mappings are represented.
Physical activity patterns of ethnic children from low socio-economic environments within the UK

Abstract Many children fail to meet physical activity (PA) guidelines for health benefits. PA behaviours are complex and depend on numerous interrelated factors. The study aims to develop current understanding of how children from low Socio-economic environments within the UK use their surrounding built environments for PA by using advanced technology. The environment was assessed in 96 school children (7–9 years) using global positioning system (GPS) monitoring (Garmin Forerunner, 305). In a subsample of 46 children, the environment and PA were assessed using an integrated GPS and heart rate monitor. The percentage of time spent indoor, outdoor, in green and non-green environments along with time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) in indoor and outdoor environments were assessed. A 2-by-2 repeated measures analysis of covariance, controlling for body mass index, BF%, assessed the environmental differences. The findings show that 42% of children from deprived wards of Coventry fail to meet PA guidelines, of which 43% was accumulated during school. Children engaged in more MVPA outdoor than indoor environments (P < 0.01) and a greater amount of time was spent in non-green environments (P < 0.01). Increased time outdoors was negatively associated with BF%. In conclusion, outdoor environments are important for health-enhancing PA and reducing fatness in deprived and ethnic children.
Validity of the Actical activity monitor for assessing steps and energy expenditure during walking

Abstract This study examined the validity of the Actical accelerometer step count and energy expenditure (EE) functions in healthy young adults. Forty-three participants participated in study 1. Actical step counts were compared to actual steps taken during a 200 m walk around an indoor track at self-selected pace and during treadmill walking at different speeds (0.894, 1.56 and 2.01 m · s–1) for 5 min. The Actical was also compared to three pedometers. For study 2, 15 participants from study 1 walked on a treadmill at their predetermined self-selected pace for 15 min. Actical EE was compared to EE measured by indirect calorimetry. One-way analysis of variance and t-tests were used to examine differences. There were no statistical difference between Actical steps and actual steps in self-selected pace walking and during treadmill walking at moderate and fast speeds. During treadmill walking at slow speed, the Actical step counts significantly under predicted actual steps taken. For study 2, there was no statistical difference between measured EE and Actical-recorded EE. The Actical provides valid estimates of step counts at self-selected pace and walking at constant speeds of 1.56 and 2.01 m · s–1. The Actical underestimates EE of walking at constants speeds ≥1.38 m · s–1.
Spinal NK‐1 receptor‐expressing neurons and descending pathways support fentanyl‐induced pain hypersensitivity in a rat model of postoperative pain

The clinically important opioid fentanyl, administered acutely, enhances mechanical hypersensitivity in a model of surgical pain induced by plantar incision. Activity of neurokinin‐1 (NK‐1) receptor‐expressing ascending spinal neurons, descending pathways originating in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM), and spinal dynorphin are necessary for the development and maintenance of hyperalgesia during sustained morphine exposure, suggesting that these mechanisms may also be important in opioid enhancement of surgical pain. Therefore, we examined the roles of these mechanisms in sensory hypersensitivity produced by acute fentanyl administration in rats not undergoing surgical incision and in rats undergoing plantar incision. In non‐operated rats, fentanyl induced analgesia followed by immediate and long‐lasting sensory hypersensitivity, as previously described. Fentanyl also enhanced pain sensitivity induced by plantar incision. Ablation of NK‐1‐expressing spinal neurons by pre‐treatment with substance P–Saporin reduced sensory hypersensitivity in fentanyl‐treated rats and, to a lesser extent, in fentanyl‐treated rats with a surgical incision. Microinjection of lidocaine into the RVM completely reversed fentanyl‐induced sensory hypersensitivity and fentanyl enhancement of incision‐induced sensory hypersensitivity. RVM lidocaine injection resulted in a slight reduction of incision‐induced sensory hypersensitivity in the absence of fentanyl pre‐treatment. Spinal dynorphin content increased by 30 ± 7% and 66 ± 17% in fentanyl‐ and fentanyl/incision‐treated rats. Spinal administration of antiserum to dynorphin attenuated sensory hypersensitivity in fentanyl‐treated rats. These data support a partial role of NK‐1 receptor‐containing ascending pathways and a crucial role of descending facilitatory pathways in fentanyl‐induced hyperalgesia and in the enhanced hyperalgesia produced by fentanyl treatment following surgical incision.
New electrophysiological mapping combined with MRI in parkinsonian’s subthalamic region

The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is the main target for deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease. We analysed the relationships between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) anatomy and spontaneous neuronal activity to confirm the potential of microelectrode recordings to assist in determining the optimal surgical target. Ten bilateral surgeries were performed after 1.5‐T (T2‐weighted) anatomical MRI identification of the STN, zona incerta (ZI), Forel’s field H2 (H2) and substantia nigra (SN). Spontaneous neuronal activity was recorded simultaneously along the distal 10 mm on a central track (optimally covering the STN) and a 2‐mm anterior track. We calculated off‐line mean firing rate and burst frequency on 248 neurons clustered according to anatomical structure. Subjective visual analysis of signal was also realized on‐line, during surgery, to classify patterns of activity. Mean firing rate and burst frequency increased from H2–ZI to SN. The mean firing rate was higher in SN only using paired comparison (SN vs. its neighbours). The burst frequency was lower in H2 than in SN; using comparison with neighbours, it was lower in H2 and ZI. An irregular high activity (type 2C) was more often detected in STN and SN than in H2 and ZI. Anatomical boundaries and unitary recordings appear to be linked, supporting the ability of MRI to provide a detailed anatomy. Electrophysiological mapping combined with MRI is a useful tool for precise targeting in the subthalamic region.
Trafficking of neurokinin‐1 receptors in serotonin neurons is controlled by substance P within the rat dorsal raphe nucleus

Substance P (SP) modulates serotonin neurotransmission via neurokinin‐1 receptors (NK1rs), and exerts regulatory effects on mood through habenular afferents to the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). We have previously demonstrated that, in the caudal DRN of rat, some serotonin neurons are endowed with NK1rs that are mostly cytoplasmic, whereas these receptors are mostly membrane bound in non‐serotonin neurons. Here, we first examined by double‐labeling immunocytochemistry the relationships between SP axon terminals and these two categories of DRN neurons. Almost half of the SP terminals were synaptic and many were in close contact with serotonin dendrites, but never with non‐serotonin dendrites. In additional double‐immunolabeling experiments, most if not all dendrites bearing membranous NK1rs appeared to be GABAergic. Treatment with the selective neurokinin‐1 antagonist RP67580 modified the subcellular distribution of NK1rs in serotonin neurons. At 1 h after administration of a single dose, the receptor distribution was unchanged in both dendritic types but, after daily administration for 7 or 21 days, the plasma membrane and cytoplasmic density of NK1rs were increased in serotonin dendrites, without any change in non‐serotonin dendrites. These treatments also increased NK1r gene expression in the caudal DRN. Lastly, a marked increase in the membrane (but not cytoplasmic) density of NK1rs was measured in serotonin dendrites after bilateral habenular lesion. These results suggest that the trafficking of NK1rs represents a cellular mechanism in control of the modulation of serotonin neuron activity by SP in DRN.
Influence of an Auxiliary Facet System on Lumbar Spine Biomechanics

Study Design. In vitro biomechanical study investigating L4–L5 kinematics and intradiscal pressure (IDP) with a facet replacement system. Objective. To assess the influence of the Auxiliary Facet System (AFS). Summary of Background Data. Posterior dynamic systems are used in the treatment of low back pain to avoid adjacent segment degeneration. Facet replacement systems are supposed to stabilize a lumbar segment after facetectomy and neural decompression, and to provide an intersegmental range of motion (ROM). Methods. The AFS is fixed by 4 pedicle screws, linked by 2 angulated rods, a polyaxial connector, and a crosslink. Flexibility tests were conducted on 6 human cadaver specimens (L3–S1) using a load testing device and the Polaris system. The specimens were loaded by steps of 1 Nm to 10 Nm in flexion/extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. The following configurations were investigated: intact segment, instrumented, instrumented plus medial facetectomy, and facetectomy alone. The sagittal mean center of rotation (MCR) was calculated, and IDPs were measured in flexion/extension. Results. The ROM of the intact segment was 10.9° (9.4°–15.5°) in flexion/extension, 9.5° (6.8°–12.1°) in lateral bending, and 4.7° (3.4°–6.0°) degrees in axial rotation. Medial facetectomy and instrumentation led to −6% of ROM in flexion/extension and +1% lateral bending. Medial facetectomy without implant led to +106% of axial rotation (P = 0.028). The instrumentation reduced axial rotation to −38% (P = 0.028). This decrease was because of the presence of the cross-link. The MCR was located around the middle of the superior L5 endplate in intact and instrumented specimens. It moved cranial after facetectomy without instrumentation. The implant decreased the maximal IDP during flexion/extension to −17% (P = 0.028). Conclusion. The AFS had a minor influence on flexion/extension and lateral bending, and the MCR kept physiologic. Bilateral facetectomy yielded an increase in axial rotation, which was stabilized by the implant. The AFS seemed to reduce IDPs.
Dopamine modulation of excitatory currents in the striatum is dictated by the expression of D1 or D2 receptors and modified by endocannabinoids

Striatal medium‐sized spiny neurons (MSSNs) receive glutamatergic inputs modulated presynaptically and postsynaptically by dopamine. Mice expressing the gene for enhanced green fluorescent protein as a reporter gene to identify MSSNs containing D1 or D2 receptor subtypes were used to examine dopamine modulation of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) in slices and postsynaptic N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) and α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) currents in acutely isolated cells. The results demonstrated dopamine receptor‐specific modulation of sEPSCs. Dopamine and D1 agonists increased sEPSC frequency in D1 receptor‐expressing MSSNs (D1 cells), whereas dopamine and D2 agonists decreased sEPSC frequency in D2 receptor‐expressing MSSNs (D2 cells). These effects were fully (D1 cells) or partially (D2 cells) mediated through retrograde signaling via endocannabinoids. A cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) agonist and a blocker of anandamide transporter prevented the D1 receptor‐mediated increase in sEPSC frequency in D1 cells, whereas a CB1R antagonist partially blocked the decrease in sEPSC frequency in D2 cells. At the postsynaptic level, low concentrations of a D1 receptor agonist consistently increased NMDA and AMPA currents in acutely isolated D1 cells, whereas a D2 receptor agonist decreased these currents in acutely isolated D2 cells. These results show that both glutamate release and postsynaptic excitatory currents are regulated in opposite directions by activation of D1 or D2 receptors. The direction of this regulation is also specific to D1 and D2 cells. We suggest that activation of postsynaptic dopamine receptors controls endocannabinoid mobilization, acting on presynaptic CB1Rs, thus modulating glutamate release differently in glutamate terminals projecting to D1 and D2 cells.
Revisiting the Association between Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Lung Cancer Risk

Hackshaw et al. estimated that adjustment for bias due to misclassification of smoking habits reduces the ob served relative risk of lung cancer in non-smoking wom en associated with smoking by the husband from 1.24 to 1.18. This bias estimate is little affected by using an alter native method for misclassification adjustment or by using updated data from 47 studies rather than data from the 37 studies used by Hackshaw et al. The bias is increased if strong evidence of much higher misclassifi cation rates in Asian women is taken into account and could then explain about half the observed association. Misclassification correction has not previously been at tempted for dose-response data. We describe a suggest ed approach and apply it to data relating risk to amount smoked by the husband. As shown in paper II of this series the unadjusted increase in risk per 10 cigarettes/ day smoked by the husband is 10% (95% Cl 5 to 15%), reducing to either 6% (95% Cl 1 to 11 %) or 9% (95% Cl 5 to 14%) after adjustment for confounding by fruit, vege table and fat consumption and education using respec tively unweighted or weighted means to combine evi dence on the ETS/confounder association from different studies. Further adjustment for plausible levels of mis classification similarly reduced these two estimates to, respectively, 2% (95% Cl -3 to 8%) or 5.5% (95% Cl 0 to 11 %). Difficulties in applying misclassification bias cor rections are discussed. Other sources of bias will be con sidered in later papers in this series.
Sprint kayaking and canoeing performance prediction based on the relationship between maturity status, anthropometry and physical fitness in young elite paddlers

ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify the maturity-related differences and its influence on the physical fitness, morphological and performance characteristics of young elite paddlers. In total, 89 kayakers and 82 canoeists, aged 13.69 ± 0.57 years (mean ± s), were allocated in three groups depending on their age relative to the age at peak height velocity (pre-APHV, circum-APHV and post-APHV) and discipline (kayak and canoe). Nine anthropometric variables, a battery of four physical fitness tests (overhead medicine ball throw, countermovement jump, sit-and-reach test and 20 m multistage shuttle run test) and three specific performance tests (1000, 500 and 200 m) were assessed. Both disciplines presented significant maturity-based differences in all anthropometric parameters (except for fat and muscle mass percentage), overhead medicine ball throw and all performance times (pre > circum > post; P < 0.05). Negative and significant correlations (P < 0.01) were detected between performance times, chronological age and anthropometry (body mass, height, sitting height and maturity status), overhead medicine ball throw and sit and reach for all distances. These findings confirm the importance of maturity status in sprint kayaking and canoeing since the more mature paddlers were also those who revealed largest body size, physical fitness level and best paddling performance. Additionally, the most important variables predicting performance times in kayaking and canoeing were maturity status and chronological age, respectively.
Situación epidemiológica actual del VIH/SIDA en Latinoamérica en la primera década del siglo XXI: Análisis de las diferencias entre países

Background: There is a great regional heterogeneity in the prevalence of HIV/ AIDS. Aim: To analyze the current situation of HIV/AIDS in Latin America by means of a comparative analysis among countries. Material and Methods: In a descriptive study (document analysis), epidemiological data about HIV/AIDS in Latin America as well as population data were used. Prevalence indexes and the distribution of HIV/AIDS cases were compared according to gender, age and transmission mode. Results: Dominican Republic, Panama, El Salvador and Honduras are the countries with the highest prevalence indexes. Colombia is in the first position in percentage of young men with HIV/AIDS and it is in the second position in percentage of children. Costa Rica is the second country for percentage of young men and male adults infected with HIV/AIDS. Paraguay is in the second place for children with HIV/AIDS and it is the third country in young men living with HIV/AIDS. Dominican Republic is in the first position in the percentage of young and adult females living with HIV/AIDS. The main transmission mode in all Latin American countries is sexual intercourse (heterosexual and homo/bisexual). Conclusions: Latin America is a heterogeneous region in HIV/AIDS which should be considered in the development and establishment of prevention strategies.