Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Care for community-dwelling frail older people: a practice nurse perspective.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To evaluate care programmes for community-dwelling frail older people from a practice nurse perspective and gain a deeper understanding of their role within the programmes. BACKGROUND In response to the increasing frail population, three regions in the Netherlands implemented care programmes, in which a proactive approach is used to identify frail older people in the community and provide them with the appropriate care and support. DESIGN A constructivist grounded theory approach. METHODS A formative process evaluation was performed, in which study participants were practice nurses (n = 23) focusing on the identification of and care for frail older people in primary care settings. Based on the principles of grounded theory, data were collected via semi-structured interviews and focus groups and analysed. RESULTS The practice nurses explain that 'building a trusting relationship' with the older person and 'making connections' between older people, family and other professionals are key elements of good care in the programmes. 'Targeting the wrong audience' and 'providing good care' reflect the doubts and feelings of insecurity the practice nurses have about the screening and selection procedures and their own role and expertise in the programme. CONCLUSION According to the experiences of practice nurses, a trusting relationship with the older people is necessary to provide good care. Practice nurses feel they should receive more support and education to conquer issues concerning social problems in frail older people. Moreover, practice nurses considered the screening and selection procedures to be unsuccessful in identifying frail older people who do need care. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE A trusting relationship should be given high priority in the care for community-dwelling frail older people. To improve the care programmes, screening and selection procedures need adjustments. Practice nurses should receive more support in dealing with older people with psychosocial problems.
Gossip as an alternative for direct observation in games of indirect reciprocity

Communication about social topics is abundant in human societies, and many functions have been attributed to such gossiping. One of these proposed functions is the management of reputations. Reputation by itself has been shown to have a strong influence on cooperation dynamics in games of indirect reciprocity, and this notion helps to explain the observed high level of cooperation in humans. Here we designed a game to test a widespread assumption that gossip functions as a vector for the transmission of social information. This empirical study (with 14 groups of nine students each) focuses on the composition of gossip, information transfer by gossip, and the behavior based on gossip information. We show that gossip has a strong influence on the resulting behavior even when participants have access to the original information (i.e., direct observation) as well as gossip about the same information. Thus, it is evident that gossip has a strong manipulative potential. Furthermore, gossip about cooperative individuals is more positive than gossip about uncooperative individuals, gossip comments transmit social information successfully, and cooperation levels are higher when people encounter positive compared with negative gossip.
Is Volume of Distribution at Steady State a Meaningful Kinetic Variable?

Abstract: Pharmacokinetic volumes of distribution (Vd) are commonly calculated either by the steady‐state method (Vdss) or the area method (Vdarea). Vdss is traditionally perceived as the least biased and most reliable indicator of the extent of distribution, but Vdss in fact has far greater practical and theoretical limitation than does Vdarea. After single doses or multiple discrete doses of a drug, Vdarea correctly relates plasma concentration to amount of drug in the body at all times after distribution equilibrium is attained. Vdss, on the other hand, is a correct proportionality constant only during continuous intravenous infusion or at a single instant in time after discrete dosing. Furthermore, calculated values of Vdss are strongly dependent on the precise configuration of the initial distributional phase of the plasma concentration curve, which may be difficult or impossible to delineate because of variance arising from methodologic artefacts or unexplained causes. Such variance can lead to large nonphysiologic within‐ and between‐individual variability in Vdss Vdarea, on the other hand, is relatively independent of artefactual changes in the initial distribution profile. Finally, experimental observations indicate that elimination depends physiologically on distribution in the absence of changes in clearance, not the reverse. The relation of distribution and elimination holds whether the steady‐state method or the area method is used to calculate Vd. Thus, Vdarea is a more reliable and generally valid descriptor of the extent of drug distribution than is Vdss.
Traumatic brain injury and driving assessment: an evidence-based literature review.

OBJECTIVE We conducted a literature review of assessment tools predicting driving performance for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHOD Data sources were Web of Science, EBSCOhost, PubMed, and recently published literature from experts and team members not yet catalogued in the databases. We used the American Academy of Neurology's classification criteria to extract data from 13 studies, and we assigned a class (I-IV, with I being the highest level of evidence) to each study. We grouped primary studies into categories of driving assessment (neuropsychological; simulator; off-road; self-report, other report, and postinjury disability status; and comprehensive driving evaluation) and synthesized the predictability of these tools as it relates to driving performance for people with TBI. CONCLUSIONS To assist clinicians and researchers in making decisions regarding testing the driving performance of people with TBI, we provide recommendations for neuropsychological tests; off-road tests; self-report, other report, and postinjury disability status; and comprehensive driving evaluation.
Classes of Thiols That Influence the Activity of the Skeletal Muscle Calcium Release Channel*

The skeletal muscle Ca2+release channel/ryanodine receptor (RyR1) is a prototypic redox-responsive ion channel. Nearly half of the 101 cysteines per RyR1 subunit are kept in a reduced (free thiol) state under conditions comparable with resting muscle. Here we assessed the effects of physiological determinants of cellular redox state (oxygen tension, reduced (GSH) or oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, and NO/O⨪2(released by 3-morpholinosydnonimine)) on RyR1 redox state and activity. Oxidation of ∼10 RyR1 thiols (from ∼48 to ∼38 thiols/RyR1 subunit) had little effect on channel activity. Channel activity increased reversibly as the number of thiols was further reduced to ∼23/subunit, whereas more extensive oxidation (to ∼13 thiols/subunit) inactivated the channel irreversibly. NeitherS-nitrosylation nor tyrosine nitration contributed to these effects. The results identify at least three functional classes of RyR1 thiols and suggest that 1) the channel may be protected from oxidation by a large reservoir of functionally inert thiols, 2) the channel may be designed to respond to moderate oxidative stress by a change in activation setpoint, and 3) the channel is susceptible to oxidative injury under more extensive conditions.
History of allergies and autoimmune diseases and risk of brain tumors in adults

To explore a possible influence of the immune system in the development of brain tumors, we evaluated the relationship between history of allergies and autoimmune diseases and risk of brain tumors within a large, hospital‐based case‐control study. Cases (n = 782) were patients recently diagnosed with glioma (n = 489), meningioma (n = 197) or acoustic neuroma (n = 96) at hospitals in Boston, Phoenix and Pittsburgh (USA). Controls (n =799) were patients hospitalized for a variety of nonmalignant conditions and frequency‐matched to cases by hospital, age, sex, race/ethnicity and distance of residence from hospital. Research nurses collected data by personal interview of patients. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using unconditional logistic regression. There was a significant inverse association between glioma and history of any allergies (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.52–0.86) or autoimmune diseases (OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.35–0.69). No significant associations were evident for meningioma or acoustic neuroma with history of any allergies. An inverse association was observed between meningioma and history of autoimmune diseases (OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.38–0.92). There was a suggestion of interaction between allergies and autoimmune diseases on risk of glioma (p = 0.06), with subjects having both conditions being at lowest risk (OR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.14–0.42). Among the specific conditions, asthma and diabetes showed the most consistent associations (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.43–0.92 and OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.27–0.70, respectively). Our results add to evidence that persons with allergies or autoimmune diseases are at reduced risk of glioma. The basis of the associations is not clear, but they might imply a role of immunologic factors in the development of brain tumors. Published 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modularity and Inequality of Code Contribution in Open Source Software Development

We develop a model to study how the code architecture affects open source software (OSS) development. A major advantage brought by a modular architecture of code base is that it reduces both the cognitive cost and the coordination cost associated with OSS development. We show that in OSS development, the amount of individual code contribution, the inequality of code contribution among programmers, and the total output of code all have nonlinear relationships with the level of modularity of the project. We further empirically test the predictions using the Source Forge OSS development data, and the results confirm our theoretical predictions.
Concentration-dependent effects of cytochalasin D on tight junctions and actin filaments in MDCK epithelial cells.

The effects of different concentrations of the actin-disrupting drug cytochalasin D on tight junction permeability and distribution of actin filaments in MDCK epithelial cells were examined. Consistent with previous studies, 2 micrograms/ml cytochalasin D caused a significant decrease in transepithelial resistance, indicative of an increase in tight junction permeability. Surprisingly, increasing concentrations of cytochalasin D caused progressively smaller decreases in transepithelial resistance. The effects of cytochalasin D were reversible. Light microscopic analysis utilizing rhodamine-conjugated phalloidin demonstrated two distinct populations of actin filaments in MDCK cells: an apical peripheral ring of actin, presumably associated with the zonula adherens, and larger actin bundles more basally situated. When treated with 2 micrograms/ml cytochalasin D, both actin populations were severely disrupted and cells became flattened. Actin in the apical ring aggregated along cell boundaries, and these aggregates co-localized with similarly disrupted focal accumulations of the tight junction-associated protein ZO-1. The basal actin filament bundles also reorganized into focal aggregates. Increasing concentrations of cytochalasin D caused gradually less perturbation of the apical actin ring, consistent with the transepithelial resistance observations. However, the basal actin bundles were disrupted at all concentrations of cytochalasin D tested, demonstrating that the two actin populations are differentially sensitive to cytochalasin D and that apical actin filaments are more important in the regulation of tight junction permeability. Finally, treatment of cells with cytochalasin D inhibited the decrease in transepithelial resistance induced by the chelation of extracellular Ca2+. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Le concept de Cluster : Entre la véridicité dictée par l’intuition et l’absence d’assise théorique

Le concept de Cluster suscite un interet grandissant tant dans la recherche academique que dans les politiques publiques de developpement economique. Malgre son usage tres frequent, le concept balance toujours entre un apport convaincant qui n’est pas conteste par l’intuition et un manque d’assise theorique solide. Cet article propose, d’une part, de mettre la lumiere sur les principales acceptions du concept de Cluster tout en identifiant les principales imprecisions qui les accompagnent. D’autre part, l’article essaie de traiter le concept tout en mettant en exergue les ressemblances et les divergences avec des notions du meme registre conceptuel.
Preimaginal Development Response to Constant Temperatures in Hypera postica (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) : Picking the Best Model

ABSTRACT Immature survival and development of alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), were examined at 15 constant temperatures ranging from 9 to 37°C. At 9 and 37°C, eggs did not develop. Embryos developed to adulthood between 11.5 and 36°C, although survival was low at both ends of the temperature range. Distribution of development times for all stages of alfalfa weevil were skewed toward longer times mainly at moderate temperatures. Constant proportion of time spent in egg, larva, and pupa indicated rate isomorphy within the range 14–31.5°C. No significant difference was shown between development time of males and females at any of the temperatures tested. Two linear and 23 nonlinear models were fitted to describe development rate of immature stages of H. postica as a function of temperature, as well as estimating the thermal constant and critical temperatures (i.e., Tmin, Topt, and Tmax). There was no statistical difference between the estimated parameters, using Ikemoto and ordinary linear methods. Of the nonlinear models fitted, the Logan-6/Lactin-2, Analytis-3/Briere-2, and Analytis-3/Briere-2 models were found to be the best for modeling development rate of egg, larva, and entire immature stages of H. postica, respectively. Our findings will be incorporated in more efficient phenological models of this pest and its population dynamics.
Regional vascular resistance during exercise: role of cardiac afferents and exercise training.

This study was designed to determine whether cardiac vagal afferents exert an inhibitory influence on increases in regional vascular resistance during exercise and to determine whether endurance exercise training enhances the inhibitory influence of cardiac vagal afferents. We measured changes in regional vascular resistance in 12 rabbits at rest and during running at 12.6 m/min, 20% grade, before and after reversible denervation of cardiac afferents (intrapericardial procainamide HCl, 2%). In addition, these procedures were repeated in five of these rabbits following an 8-wk endurance exercise training program. Because intrapericardial injections of procainamide anesthetize both the efferent as well as the afferent innervation to the heart, it was necessary to determine the effects of blocking the efferent innervation on the regulation of regional vascular resistance during exercise. Rabbits were instrumented with Doppler ultrasonic flow probes around the renal (R), mesenteric (M), ascending, and terminal aortic (TA) arteries. Catheters were positioned in the central ear artery and vein and pericardial sac. Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, R, M, TA, and systemic (S) resistances were determined. Exercise changed R (+37 +/- 4%), M (+88 +/- 9%), TA (-62 +/- 6%), and S (-34 +/- 3) resistances. Subsequent cardiac efferent blockade alone had no significant effect on regional vascular resistance during exercise. Combined efferent and afferent blockade resulted in significant increases in R (+62 +/- 6%) and M resistance (+134 +/- 13%) but did not alter TA (-51 +/- 4%) or S (-27 +/- 2%) resistance during exercise. Exercise training significantly enhanced the inhibitory influence of cardiac afferents on R and M regional vascular resistance. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Characterization of flax fibres modified by alkaline, enzyme, and steam-heat treatments

Flax fibres are being considered as an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fibres in fibre-reinforced polymer composites due to their low density, biodegradability, and high mechanical strength. Previous work has found that the surface properties of natural fibres can be modified by chemical treatment and other treatment methods. This study focused on the effect of different treatments using alkaline, enzyme, and steam-heat, respectively, on some surface characteristics of flax fibre, e.g. physical, chemical, and thermal stability. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), treated fibres were observed to have smoother surfaces than untreated fibres. Chemical composition of fibres was found to be modified after treatment as characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The crystallinity index and thermal stability of flax fibres were increased after certain treatments as determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. The wettability of treated fibre by water was improved compared to the untreated sample.
Multilocus evidence for globally distributed cryptic species and distinct populations across ocean gyres in a mesopelagic copepod

Zooplanktonic taxa have a greater number of distinct populations and species than might be predicted based on their large population sizes and open‐ocean habitat, which lacks obvious physical barriers to dispersal and gene flow. To gain insight into the evolutionary mechanisms driving genetic diversification in zooplankton, we developed eight microsatellite markers to examine the population structure of an abundant, globally distributed mesopelagic copepod, Haloptilus longicornis, at 18 sample sites across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (n = 761). When comparing our microsatellite results with those of a prior study that used a mtDNA marker (mtCOII, n = 1059, 43 sample sites), we unexpectedly found evidence for the presence of a cryptic species pair. These species were globally distributed and apparently sympatric, and were separated by relatively weak genetic divergence (reciprocally monophyletic mtCOII lineages 1.6% divergent; microsatellite FST ranging from 0.28 to 0.88 across loci, P < 0.00001). Using both mtDNA and microsatellite data for the most common of the two species (n = 669 for microsatellites, n = 572 for mtDNA), we also found evidence for allopatric barriers to gene flow within species, with distinct populations separated by continental landmasses and equatorial waters in both the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean basins. Our study shows that oceanic barriers to gene flow can act as a mechanism promoting allopatric diversification in holoplanktonic taxa, despite the high potential dispersal abilities and pelagic habitat for these species.
Pro‐oxidant Activity of Low Doses of Resveratrol Inhibits Hydrogen Peroxide—Induced Apoptosis

Abstract: We have recently shown that efficient apoptotic signaling is a function of a permissive intracellular milieu created by a decrease in the ratio of superoxide to hydrogen peroxide and cytosolic acidification. Resveratrol, a phytoalexin found in grapes and wines, triggers apoptosis in some systems and inhibits the death signal in others. In this regard, the reported inhibitory effect on hydrogen peroxide‐induced apoptosis has been attributed to its antioxidant property. Here, we provide evidence that exposure of human leukemia cells to low concentrations of resveratrol (4–8 μM) inhibits caspase activation and DNA fragmentation induced by incubation with hydrogen peroxide or upon triggering apoptosis with a novel compound that kills via intracellular hydrogen peroxide production. At these concentrations, resveratrol elicits pro‐oxidant properties as evidenced by an increase in intracellular superoxide concentration. This pro‐oxidant effect is further supported by our observations that the drop in intracellular superoxide and cytosolic acidification induced by hydrogen peroxide is completely blocked in cells preincubated with resveratrol. Thus, the inhibitory effect of resveratrol on hydrogen peroxide‐induced apoptosis is not due to its antioxidant activity, but contrarily via a pro‐oxidant effect that creates an intracellular environment nonconducive for apoptotic execution.
Prenatal diagnosis of fetal diastematomyelia : presentation of two cases

Address for Correspondence / Yazışma Adresi: Uzm. Dr. Oluş Api, Acelya Sok. No: 12/2 34865 Dragos, Kartal, Istanbul, Turkey Phone: +90 532 434 15 82 e.mail: olusapi@gmail.com Objective: To present clinical and ultrasonographic features of two fetal diastematomyelia cases diagnosed prenatally. Cases: The first presented case was a 19 years old, gravida 1, para 0 woman and was admitted to our perinatology clinic at 21 weeks of gestation. She was referred with a prediagnosis of spina bifida at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra. A widening of the spinal canal, echogenic bony spur traversing the spinal canal, intact skin and soft tissues overlying the affected spinal segment were detected upon detailed ultrasonographic examination. There were no associated spinal anomalies and maternal serum alphafetoprotein level was within normal ranges. The patient was counseled about the malformation and its favourable prognosis. The baby girl was delivered at 38 weeks of gestation and she underwent an operation for correction of the tethered cord at 3 months of age. Currently, she is 8 months old having no neurological sequelae. The second case was 22 years old, gravida 1, para 0 woman referred to our perinatology clinic at 19 weeks of gestation. Upon detailed ultrasonographic evaluation, an abnormal appearance of spinal curvature, intact skin overlying the spine and a bony spur traversing the spinal cord were detected whereas there were no cranial signs of open spina bifida. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed diastematomyelia and severe kyphoscoliosis. Fetal karyotype, maternal serum alphafetoprotein and amniotic fluid acetylcholinesterase (AF-AChE) analyses were normal. The pregnancy was terminated at 20 weeks of gestation. Conclusion: Diastematomyelia is a rare abnormality of the spinal canal which may be associated with other spinal anomalies. The ultrasonographic findings of diastematomyelia are a widening of the spinal canal and a bony spur traversing the spinal canal. Isolated cases of diastematomyelia have an excellent prognosis with surgical repair. (J Turkish-German Gynecol Assoc 2009; 10: 124-7)
Enhancement in in vitro digestibility of wheat straw obtained from different geographical regions during solid state fermentation by white rot fungi

The study was carried out to find out the differences in the chemical composition of wheat straw obtained from three different regions of India, to compare their susceptibility to fungal degradation, and subsequently to evaluate the correlation between lignin loss and improvement in in vitro digestibility. Four Phlebia species were used to degrade different wheat straw samples during 30 days of incubation. In wheat straw obtained from central zone of India, most of the fungi were more selective in ligninolysis, with a moderate loss in total organic matter. The best found fungus, P. brevispora,enhanced the in vitro digestibility from 172 to 287 g/kg in north western, 165 to 275 g/kg in north eastern, and 145 to 259 g/kg in central zone with a respective loss of 163, 129, and 105 g/kg in total organic matter. Other three fungi P. fascicularia, P. floridensis, and P. radiata were also able to enhance the in vitro digestibility of all the wheat straw samples up to a significant extent. The study demonstrated that selective ligninolytic behaviour of fungi is influenced by the overall composition of wheat straw as governed by geographic location.