Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patient and companion shared decision making and satisfaction with decisions about starting cholinesterase medication at dementia diagnosis.

BACKGROUND there is little research on how people with dementia are involved in treatment decisions at diagnosis. OBJECTIVE to measure shared decision making when starting cholinesterase inhibitors, investigate associations with contextual factors and explore satisfaction and experience of the diagnostic meeting. SETTING nine UK memory clinics in two geographical locations. SUBJECTS 74 people receiving dementia diagnoses (with 69 companions) and 21 doctors. METHODS we video-recorded 74 memory clinic consultations and rated doctor-shared decision making behaviours using the Observing Patient Involvement in Decision Making scale (OPTION-5 scale). Patients and companions rated their satisfaction and experience. Mixed-effects regressions investigated involvement and (i) number people present, meeting length, capacity, cognitive functioning, diagnosis; and (ii) patient/companion satisfaction and consultation experience. RESULTS mean consultation time was 26.7 min. Mean OPTION-5 score was 22.5/100 (Standard Deviation = 17.3). Doctors involved patients in decisions more often when patients had mixed dementia (β = 10.13, 95% confidence interval 1.25-19.0, P = 0.025) and in shorter meetings (β = -0.51, 95% CI -0.87 to -0.15, P = 0.006). Patient and companion satisfaction were high and not associated with whether doctors invited patient involvement. Half of patients and one-third companions were uncertain about the meeting outcome, experienced communication barriers and negative emotions. CONCLUSIONS consultations scored low on shared decision making, but were comparable to other settings and were not lower with more cognitively impaired patients. Negative patient and companion experiences reflect the importance of supporting healthcare providers to address patient and companion emotions and need for information.
A RANDOMIZED, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY OF INTRAVITREAL OCRIPLASMIN IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS SCHEDULED FOR VITRECTOMY

Purpose: To evaluate safety and preliminary efficacy of 175 &mgr;g of intravitreal ocriplasmin in pediatric patients scheduled for vitrectomy. Methods: Based on a single-center, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-masked Phase 2 study, 22 pediatric patients scheduled for vitrectomy were randomized 2:1 to 175-&mgr;g ocriplasmin injection or placebo. Treatment was administered midvitreous 30 minutes to 60 minutes before vitrectomy. Safety was assessed by reported adverse events (AEs), ophthalmologic examinations, fundus photography, and fluorescein angiography. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of eyes with total macular posterior vitreous detachment before vitrectomy or after application of suction. Secondary endpoints included vitreous liquefaction assessment before vitrectomy and immediate postoperative retinal reattachment. Results: All patients experienced at least 1 AE. Most AEs were ocular and occurred in the study eye. Serious AEs were reported for 2 of 16 eyes (3.4%) in the ocriplasmin group and 2 of 8 eyes (11.1%) in the placebo group. One case of lens subluxation due to zonular disruption was observed in the ocriplasmin group. A clear efficacy signal was not observed. Conclusion: Intravitreal injection of 175 &mgr;g of ocriplasmin was tolerated in pediatric patients before vitrectomy; however, the small sample size in this study precluded adequate efficacy comparisons. AEs reported were consistent with those anticipated in pediatric patients.
Screening patients for communication difficulty: The diagnostic accuracy of the IFCI staff questionnaire

Abstract Purpose: Many patients have difficulty communicating about their healthcare. At present there is no tool to identify these patients. This research investigated whether the Inpatient Functional Communication Interview Staff Questionnaire (IFCI SQ) could detect patients who have difficulty communicating their healthcare needs by investigating the sensitivity, specificity and internal consistency of the IFCI SQ. Method: Fifty patients and their nurses participated in this research. Every second consecutive admission on the general medical ward of a hospital was assessed for communication difficulty by a speech-language pathologist on the IFCI and screened for communication difficulty by a nurse using the IFCI SQ. Result: At a cut off score of <2, the IFCI SQ had a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 77% compared with the IFCI. The IFCI SQ is a useful test in identifying patients who have communication difficulty and is an extremely good test at ruling out patients who do not have communication difficulty. The internal consistency of the IFCI SQ was also high at 0.954. Conclusion: The IFCI SQ is a promising tool to detect patients in hospital with communication difficulty. Further research is required to explore the psychometric properties of the IFCI SQ in more detail.
Ionic currents underlying the response of rat dorsal vagal neurones to hypoglycaemia and chemical anoxia

A proportion of dorsal vagal neurones (DVN) are glucosensors. These cells respond to brief hypoglycaemia either with a KATP channel‐mediated hyperpolarization or with depolarization owing to an as yet unknown mechanism. KATP currents are observed not only during hypoglycaemia, but also in response to mitochondrial inhibition. Here we show that similarly to the observations for KATP currents, both hypoglycaemia and inhibition of mitochondrial function elicited a small inward current that persisted in TTX in DVN of rat brainstem slices. Removal of glucose from the bath solution induced this inward current within 50 ± 4 s in one subpopulation of DVN and in 279 ± 36 s in another subpopulation. No such subpopulations were observed for the response to mitochondrial inhibition. Biophysical analysis revealed that mitochondrial inhibition or hypoglycaemia inhibited an openly rectifying K+ conductance in 25% of DVN. In the remaining cells, either an increase in conductance, with a reversal potential between −58 and +10 mV, or a parallel inward shift of the holding current was observed. This current most probably resulted from inhibition of the Na+–K+‐ATPase and/or the opening of an ion channel. Recordings with electrodes containing 145 mm instead of 5 mm Cl− failed to shift the reversal potential of the inward current, indicating that a Cl− channel was not involved. In summary, glucosensing and non‐glucosensing DVN appear to use common electrical pathways to respond to mitochondrial inhibition and to hypoglycaemia. We suggest that differences in glucose metabolism rather than differences in the complement of ion channels distinguish these two cell types.
Comparison of the regulation of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in immature and adult rats.

A careful study of some factors influencing LH secretion and storage has been made in immature and adult rats of both sexes. The ovarian ascorbic acid assay for LH has been utilized throughout. The LH content of the anterior lobe was 19.8 μg/gland in immature females and 22.3 μg/gland in adults. In immature males the content (7.0 μg /gland) was lower than that in immature females and rose markedly to a value of 32.9 μg/gland in adults, a value which was greater than that found in adult females. No detectable LH was found in plasma from rats with intact gonads except in the case of adult males, in which minimal levels were detectable. Two to 3 weeks following gonadectomy, pituitary LH content had risen significantly in both adult females and immature males, whereas it remained unchanged in immature females and adult males. By contrast with the variable response to gonadectomy seen in the hypophysis, plasma LH activity increased significantly in all gonadectomized groups. When expressed on a weight basis, e.
Why have smart antennas not yet gained traction with wireless network operators?

Many research and development activities have been poured into developing smart antennas for wireless communications systems. Yet despite the promise of increased network capacity and enhanced spectrum utilization, smart antenna systems have largely failed to break into the mainstream cellular networks, as operators have balked at adopting these technologies. This article examines some of the reasons why smart antennas have historically been met with resistance, and suggests that provided some identified obstacles are overcome, the proliferation of certain types of smart antennas is imminent
Structural Characterization and Assembly of the Distal Tail Structure of the Temperate Lactococcal Bacteriophage TP901-1

ABSTRACT The tail structures of bacteriophages infecting gram-positive bacteria are largely unexplored, although the phage tail mediates the initial interaction with the host cell. The temperate Lactococcus lactis phage TP901-1 of the Siphoviridae family has a long noncontractile tail with a distal baseplate. In the present study, we investigated the distal tail structures and tail assembly of phage TP901-1 by introducing nonsense mutations into the late transcribed genes dit (orf46), talTP901-1 (orf47), bppU (orf48), bppL (orf49), and orf50. Transmission electron microscopy examination of mutant and wild-type TP901-1 phages showed that the baseplate consisted of two different disks and that a central tail fiber is protruding below the baseplate. Evaluation of the mutant tail morphologies with protein profiles and Western blots revealed that the upper and lower baseplate disks consist of the proteins BppU and BppL, respectively. Likewise, Dit and TalTP901-1 were shown to be structural tail proteins essential for tail formation, and TalTP901-1 was furthermore identified as the tail fiber protein by immunogold labeling experiments. Determination of infection efficiencies of the mutant phages showed that the baseplate is fundamental for host infection and the lower disk protein, BppL, is suggested to interact with the host receptor. In contrast, ORF50 was found to be nonessential for tail assembly and host infection. A model for TP901-1 tail assembly, in which the function of eight specific proteins is considered, is presented.
Statistical Aspects of the Analysis of Data Networks

Assessing and monitoring the performance of computer and communications networks is an important problem for network engineers. A considerable amount of work has been done on tools and techniques for data collection, modeling, and analysis within the network research community. This article presents an overview of the engineering problems and statistical issues, describes recent research developments, and summarizes ongoing work and areas for further research. Although there are many interesting issues related to network analysis, our focus here is on estimating and monitoring network quality-of-service parameters. We discuss methods for estimating edge-level parameters from end-to-end path-level measurements, an important engineering problem that raises interesting statistical modeling issues. Other topics include network monitoring, network visualization, and discovery of network topology. Data from a corporate network are used to illustrate the problems and techniques. As in any overview, the discussion is likely to be slanted toward the authors' own research interests.
A pilot study of the effects of acupuncture treatment on objective and subjective gait parameters in horses.

OBJECTIVES To investigate whether acupuncture can alter gait in horses as assessed by objective and subjective parameters. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, randomized, singleblinded, crossover study. ANIMALS Eight adult horses. METHODS Horses were randomly assigned to a treatment (three acupuncture treatments in 8 days) or control group. Subjective and objective gait analyses were performed before and after each treatment and at 1, 3 and 7 days after the last treatment (time-points 1-9, respectively). Horses were assessed at the trot in a straight line on a hard surface and on the lunge on the left and right reins on a soft surface (conditions 1-3, respectively). After 12 weeks, groups were reversed. Objective gait analysis was performed using inertial sensors and subjective analysis by two board- certified surgeons who reviewed video-recordings. Each limb was assessed for lameness before and after treatment. Lameness and global scores were assigned using 4-point scales. Assessors were blinded to treatment status. The effects of treatment (yes/no), time (1-9) and horse under conditions 1 -3 were compared using a linear mixed-effects model and a generalized estimating equation. RESULTS Treatment decreased hip hike difference under all conditions [condition 1: control, 6.3 ± 6.4 mm versus treatment, -0.2 ± 6.4 mm (p = 0.007); condition 2: control, 9.7 ± 7.8 mm versus treatment, 2.8 ± 7.8 mm (p = 0.032); condition 3: control, 7.3 ± 6.3 mm versus treatment, -2.7 ± 6.4 mm (p = 0.003)]. Other parameters also improved significantly under conditions 1 and 3. Based on subjective gait analysis, treatment decreased lameness [odds ratio (OR) 0.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34-0.78; p = 0.002] but not global (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.24-1.10; p = 0.12) scores. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Acupuncture can change horses' gaits to a degree appreciable by objective and subjective analyses.
Developmental state in Korea (60-70ties) revisited: Institution-building for the making of 'coordinated market'

The paper attempts to decribe and analyze institutiononal and strategic variables for the success of developmental state under the Park Regime in the 60-70ties in Korea. Particular accent was placed on economic planning and its implementation supported by rationality-centered bureaucrats and foreign capital inducement. Mention was made about the exportled development strategy combined with the unbalanced growth model which resulted in severe regional development gap. A noteworty strategy by the Park regime was to bring up Chaebols as development actors which contributed to a successful model of technology-intensive heavy and chemical industries.
Identification of a selective and direct NLRP3 inhibitor to treat inflammatory disorders

The NLRP3 inflammasome has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a wide variety of human diseases. A few compounds have been developed to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation, but compounds directly and specifically targeting NLRP3 are still not available, so it is unclear whether NLRP3 itself can be targeted to prevent or treat diseases. Here we show that the compound CY-09 specifically blocks NLRP3 inflammasome activation. CY-09 directly binds to the ATP-binding motif of NLRP3 NACHT domain and inhibits NLRP3 ATPase activity, resulting in the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and activation. Importantly, treatment with CY-09 shows remarkable therapeutic effects on mouse models of cryopyrin-associated autoinflammatory syndrome (CAPS) and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, CY-09 is active ex vivo for monocytes from healthy individuals or synovial fluid cells from patients with gout. Thus, our results provide a selective and direct small-molecule inhibitor for NLRP3 and indicate that NLRP3 can be targeted in vivo to combat NLRP3-driven diseases.
Empowering Teachers: What Successful Principals Do

Foreword to the First Edition - Carl D Glickman Foreword to the First Edition - Cindy Loe Sharing Governance Trusting the Experts Teachers Creating Instruction-Oriented Structures That Help Teachers Do Their Best A Cornucopia of Supportive Resources Encouraging Autonomy and Innovation Modeling Personal Dimensions About Risk and Threat Valuing and Rewarding Good Work Helping Solve Problems Providing Leadership That Is Facilitative and Democratic
Changes in social support over time in a faith-based physical activity intervention

African-American women report higher levels of chronic conditions and church attendance relative to the overall US population. Therefore, efforts have increased over the past decade to design church-based health promotion programs. The present study compared changes in religiosity, religious social support and general social support across time within a church-based physical activity study. In a clustered randomized controlled trial, 31 churches and ∼15 African-American women per church were recruited to participate. Churches were randomized to one of three 10-month programs to promote physical activity: faith-integrated (FI), non-faith integrated (NFI) or self-guided control program (C). Comparisons were made between baseline and 10-month time points to assess differences over time. A significant reduction in general social support was observed across all groups. Private religious practices and religious emotional support received increases in C and FI, respectively. Prior research findings and the current study highlight difficulty in demonstrating strong, unilateral changes in religiosity, social support and health. Additional research is needed to identify more accurate measures of these concepts. Findings from the current study have implications for the role of social support in future church-based health promotion studies.
Low-dose and standard-dose unenhanced helical computed tomography for the assessment of acute renal colic: prospective comparative study

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of low-dose and standard-dose computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of ureteral stones. Material and Methods: Unenhanced helical CT was performed with both a standard dose (260 mAs, pitch 1.5) and a low dose (50 mAs, pitch 1.5) in 121 patients suspected of having acute renal colic. The two studies were prospectively and independently interpreted for the presence and location of ureteral stones, abnormalities unrelated to stone disease, identification of secondary signs, i.e. hydronephrosis and perinephric stranding, and tissue rim sign. The standard-dose CT images were interpreted by one reviewer and the low-dose CT images independently by two reviewers unaware of the standard-dose CT findings. The findings of the standard and low-dose CT scans were compared with the exact McNemar test. Interobserver agreements were assessed with kappa analysis. The effective radiation doses resulting from two different protocols were calculated by means of commercially available software to which the Monte-Carlo phantom model was given. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of standard-dose CT for detecting ureteral stones were 99%, 93%, and 98%, respectively, whereas for the two reviewers the sensitivity of low-dose CT was 93% and 95%, specificity 86%, and accuracy 92% and 94%. We found no significant differences between standard-dose and low-dose CT in the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing ureter stones (P>0.05 for both). However, the sensitivity of low-dose CT for detection of 19 stones less than or equal to 2 mm in diameter was 79% and 68%, respectively, for the two reviewers. Low-dose CT was comparable to standard-dose CT in visualizing hydronephrosis and the tissue rim sign. Perinephric stranding was far less clear on low-dose CT. Low-dose CT had the same diagnostic performance as standard-dose CT in diagnosing alternative diseases. Interobserver agreement between the two low-dose CT reviewers in the diagnosis of ureter stones and alternative diseases, the identification of secondary signs, and tissue rim sign were high, with kappa values ranging from 0.769 to 0.968. On standard-dose CT scans, the calculated mean effective radiation dose was 7.30 mSv for males and 10.00 mSv for females. On low-dose CT scans, the calculated mean effective radiation dose was 1.40 mSv for males and 1.97 mSv for females. Conclusion: Compared with standard scans using 260 mAs, low-dose unenhanced helical CT using a reduced tube current of 50 mAs results in a concomitant decrease in the radiation dose of 81%. Although low-dose CT was limited in its ability to depict small-sized calculi less than or equal to 2 mm, it is still comparable to standard-dose CT for the diagnosis of ureter stones and alternative disease.
ivation of Murine Double Minute 2 by Akt in Mammary helium Delays Mammary Involution and R elerates Mammary Tumorigenesis

nloaded plification or overexpression of murine double minute 2 (MDM2) promotes a variety of human tumors rading tumor suppressor proteins such as p53. Phosphorylation of MDM2 on Ser and Ser by the al kinase Akt inhibits p53-mediated apoptosis. However, it is unclear whether this pathway contributes mal or malignant pathophysiology in vivo. To address these questions, we generated transgenic mice sing the Akt-phosphorylated form of MDM2 (MDM2DDS166D/S186D) in the mammary epithelium. tion of MDM2 delayed mammary gland involution and accelerated tumor progression in mouse mamtumor virus/neu transgenic mice by inhibiting apoptosis in a manner associated with decreased p53 mary expression. Our findings offer in vivo evidence that activation of MDM2 by Akt contributes to mammary development and tumorigenesis. Cancer Res; 70(19); 7684–9. ©2010 AACR.
Specific immune responses against airway epithelial cells in a transgenic mouse-trachea transplantation model for obliterative airway disease

Background. Immune injury to airway epithelium is suggested to play a central role in the pathogenesis of obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) after clinical lung transplantation. In several studies, a rejection model of murine trachea transplants is used, resulting in obliterative airway disease (OAD) with similarities to human OB. To focus on the role of an immune response specifically against airway epithelium, we transplanted tracheas from transgenic mice expressing human epithelial glycoprotein (hEGP) on epithelial cells. We hypothesized that the immune response against the hEGP-2 antigen would result in OAD in the trachea transplants. Methods. Tracheas from hEGP-2 transgenic and control nontransgenic FVB/N mice were heterotopically transplanted into FVB/N mice and harvested at week 1, 3, 6, and 9. Anti-hEGP-2 antibodies were determined in the recipient blood. The trachea grafts were analyzed for cellular infiltration, epithelial cell injury, and luminal obliteration. Results. Recipients of transgenic tracheal grafts gradually developed anti-hEGP-2 antibodies. In the transgenic grafts, the submucosa was infiltrated predominantly by CD4+ T cells. Epithelial cells remained present but showed progressive abnormality. The tracheal lumen showed a mild degree of obliteration. All these changes were absent in nontransgenic FVB/N trachea transplants. Conclusion. The hEGP-2 antigen on the epithelial cells of transgenic trachea transplants induces specific humoral and cellular immune responses, leading to a mild form of OAD. It provides a suitable model for further investigation of the role of epithelial cells in the development of OAD in animals and OB in human-lung transplantation.