Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors of condom use in women receiving court-mandated drug and alcohol treatment: implications for intervention

Women who abuse substances are at a high-risk for contracting HIV. Condom use interventions are important in reducing HIV in high-risk populations, but current interventions have small effects. The aim of this study is to examine the relative impact of substance use, personal variables (sexual impulsivity and condom expectancies), and relationship variables (perceptions of relationship commitment and partner risk, perceptions of power within the relationship) on condom use in women in court-mandated substance abuse treatment. Information was collected from 312 sexually active women in an inpatient drug and alcohol treatment facility in the Southeastern US Participants completed questionnaires and were interviewed using the Timeline Follow-back method and provided information about sexual activity in the 30-days prior to intake, including type of sexual event, co-occurrence with substance use, condom use, and characteristics of sexual partners and the nature of the relationship. Multilevel logistic modeling revealed that perception of relationship commitment, condom outcome expectancies, and age significantly affected condom use for women in the sample. Specifically, condom use was least likely when women reported that the relationship was committed (odds ratio [OR] = 0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.23, 0.43) or when the participant was older (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94, 0.99), and more likely when women reported more positive condom outcome expectancies (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.03). The findings suggest that perceptions of relationship commitment, regardless of perceptions of partner risk, strongly affect condom use among women court-mandated into drug and alcohol treatment. In addition, positive outcome expectancies (e.g., positive self-evaluations and perceived positive partner reactions) are associated with a greater likelihood of condom use. These findings have important implications for condom use interventions, which have failed to produce large or lasting effects within this population.
Kinetic states and modes of single large‐conductance calcium‐activated potassium channels in cultured rat skeletal muscle.

1. Kinetic states and modes of a large‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channel in excised patches of membrane from cultured rat skeletal muscle were studied with the patch clamp technique. Up to 10(6) open and shut intervals were analysed from each of seven different excised membrane patches containing a single channel. 2. Plots of the mean durations of consecutive groups of ten to fifty open and shut intervals were made to assess kinetic stability of the channel. Occasional abrupt decreases in the mean open interval duration from normal to different distinct levels, which were maintained for hundreds to thousands of consecutive intervals, indicated entry of the channel into different modes. 3. Four different kinetic modes were identified: normal mode, which included 96% of the intervals; intermediate open mode with 3.2% of the intervals; brief open mode with 0.5% of the intervals; and buzz mode with 0.1% of the intervals. The mean open interval durations were 61% of normal during the intermediate open mode, 12% of normal during the brief open mode, and 2.6% of normal during the buzz mode. 4. Most mode transitions were observed from the normal mode to one of the other modes and then back to normal. Sojourns in the normal mode lasted 5‐1000 s. Sojourns in the intermediate open, brief open, and buzz modes lasted 1.5‐150, 1‐7, and 0.01‐1 s, respectively. 5. During normal activity the distributions of interval durations were typically described by the sum of three to four exponential components for the open intervals and six to eight exponential components for the shut intervals, and this was the case for data obtained over a wide range of open channel probability resulting from different Ca2+i. These observations suggest that the channel can enter at least three to four open and six to eight shut states during normal activity. 6. The numbers of detected states for data sets of different sample sizes drawn from normal activity agreed with theoretical predictions, and were essentially independent of the segment of normal activity from which the data sets were drawn. These observations are consistent with relative stability of channel kinetics during normal activity. Detection of each additional open or shut state after the first was found to require a 3‐ to 10‐fold increase in the number of analysed events. 7. The intermediate open mode differed from the normal mode in that the longest open component of the four normal open components was absent.
Evaluation of Adapted Whole-Blood Interferon-γ Release Assays for the Diagnosis of Pleural Tuberculosis

Background: Pleural tuberculosis (TB) remains difficult to diagnose despite numerous diagnostic tools. Recently, in vitro interferon (IFN)-γ-based assays have been introduced in the diagnosis of latent TB, but these techniques have not been established in the diagnosis of active TB disease, including pleural TB. Objectives: It was the aim of this study to assess the accuracy of the commercially available QuantiFERON® TB Gold assay and adapted variants of the assay, using pleural fluid or isolated pleural fluid cells for the diagnosis of pleural TB. Methods: We recruited 66 consecutive patients with a pleural effusion of unknown cause presenting at a tertiary academic health care centre in Cape Town, South Africa, a high prevalence area of TB. Blood and pleural fluid were collected at presentation for IFN-γ assays and the results evaluated for diagnostic accuracy. Results: The clinical diagnosis was TB in 30 (46%), malignancy in 20 (30%), parapneumonic effusion/empyema in 8 (12%) and effusion due to other causes in 8 patients (12%). Ex vivo pleural fluid IFN-γ levels accurately identified TB in all patients and were superior to the QuantiFERON In Tube assay using blood and pleural fluid (73 and 57% sensitivity, with 71 and 87% specificity, respectively) and the QuantiFERON Gold assay applied to isolated pleural fluid cells (100% sensitivity and 67% specificity). Conclusion: The ex vivo pleural fluid interferon-γ level is an accurate marker for the diagnosis of pleural TB, and the QuantiFERON TB Gold assay performed with peripheral blood or adapted for pleural fluid cells does not add diagnostic value.
On Our Age‐Related Bone Loss: Insights from a New Paradigm

Bone strength and “mass” normally adapt to the largest voluntary loads on bones. The loads come from muscles, not body weight. Bone modeling can increase bone strength and “mass,” bone remodeling can conserve or reduce them, and each can turn ON and OFF in response to its own threshold range of bone strains. During growth, the loads on bones from body weight and muscle forces increase, and modeling correspondingly increases bone strength and “mass. ” In young adults those loads usually plateau, so bone strength can “catch up” and modeling can turn OFF. Meanwhile remodeling keeps existing bone. After about 30 years of age, muscle strength usually decreases. In aging adults this would put bones that had adapted to stronger young‐adult muscles into partial disuse and make remodeling begin to reduce their strength and “mass,” as disuse regularly does in experimental situations in other mammals, both growing and adult. Those changes associate strongly with the size of the bone strains caused by the loads on bone. While nonmechanical effects associated with aging should contribute to that age‐related bone loss too, a new skeletal paradigm suggests the above mechanical influences would dominate control of the process in time and anatomical space.
The effect of ‘two hit’ neonatal and young‐adult stress on dopaminergic modulation of prepulse inhibition and dopamine receptor density

Background and purpose: A combination of early neurodevelopmental insult(s) and young‐adult stress exposure may be involved in the development of schizophrenia. We studied prepulse inhibition (PPI) regulation in rats after an early stress, maternal deprivation, combined with a later stress, simulated by chronic corticosterone treatment, and also determined whether changes in brain dopamine receptor density were involved.
Health Behaviors Among Cancer Survivors Receiving Screening Mammography

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of cancer-related behavioral risk factors among female cancer survivors, relative to women without a previous diagnosis of cancer. MethodsIn a large cohort of 19,948 women presenting for screening mammography, questionnaires on health behaviors were administered. ResultsA total of 18,510 had detailed history on health behaviors and previous cancer history. Overall 2713 (14.7%) reported a previous cancer history. We found statistically significant results indicating that cancer survivors were less likely than those with no cancer history to: report their overall health as “excellent” (13.6% vs. 21.5%), to engage in moderate or strenuous exercise (56.5% vs. 63.3%), and to use complementary and alternative medicine (57.4% vs. 60.2%). Conversely, cancer survivors were more likely to be current smokers (6.3% vs. 5.5%), rate their overall health as “poor” (15.8% vs. 9.1%), and to report more weight gain over time. Among cancer survivors, differences also emerged by the type of primary cancer. For example, cervical cancer survivors (n = 370) were most likely to report being current smokers (15.7%) and regular alcohol users (71.7%) compared with other survivors. Ovarian (n = 185) and uterine (n = 262) cancer survivors most frequently reported being obese (41% and 34.4%, respectively). Cervical cancer survivors reported the largest weight gain (4.9 lbs at 5 y and 13.4 lbs at 10 y). ConclusionsThese results suggest opportunities for tailored behavioral health risk factor interventions for specific populations of cancer survivors.
Fluoroscopically guided caudal epidural steroid injections for lumbar spinal stenosis: a restrospective evaluation of long term efficacy.

BACKGROUND Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis is a frequent cause of disability in the elderly population. Epidural steroid injections are a commonly used conservative modality in the treatment of patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Relatively few studies have specifically addressed the efficacy of epidural steroid injections for spinal stenosis, with success rates varying from 20% to 100%. OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of fluoroscopically guided caudal epidural steroid injections in the management of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. DESIGN Retrospective chart review and follow-up study. METHODS All the patients who had undergone at least one fluoroscopically guided caudal epidural steroid injection between 1995 and 2002 were reviewed. All of the caudal epidural steroid injections were done with fluoroscopic guidance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Visual Numeric Scale (VNS), Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), North American Spine Society Patient Satisfaction Index (NASS), and subsequent surgery. RESULTS Ninety-five patients selected from chart review met inclusion criteria. Eighty (84%) completed the follow-up questionnaire by mail or telephone interview. Patients received an average of 1.6 epidural steroid injections. Twelve patients subsequently underwent surgical procedures. A VNS improvement of 50% or greater was seen in 35% of patients. A functional improvement of 2 points or greater was seen on the RMDQ in 36% of patients. Long-term success of treatment was seen in 35% of patients. The concurrent presence of degenerative spondylolisthesis was the only variable which was found to have a significant positive correlation with successful outcomes (P < 0.009). CONCLUSION Caudally placed fluoroscopically guided epidural steroid injections offered a safe, minimally invasive option for managing pain caused by lumbar spinal stenosis. The concurrent presence of degenerative spondylolisthesis appears to be an independent positive prognostic factor for successful outcome.
Correlative 3D‐imaging of Pipistrellus penis micromorphology: Validating quantitative microCT images with undecalcified serial ground section histomorphology

Detailed knowledge of histomorphology is a prerequisite for the understanding of function, variation, and development. In bats, as in other mammals, penis and baculum morphology are important in species discrimination and phylogenetic studies. In this study, nondestructive 3D‐microtomographic (microCT, µCT) images of bacula and iodine‐stained penes of Pipistrellus pipistrellus were correlated with light microscopic images from undecalcified surface‐stained ground sections of three of these penes of P. pipistrellus (1 juvenile). The results were then compared with µCT‐images of bacula of P. pygmaeus, P. hanaki, and P. nathusii. The Y‐shaped baculum in all studied Pipistrellus species has a proximal base with two club‐shaped branches, a long slender shaft, and a forked distal tip. The branches contain a medullary cavity of variable size, which tapers into a central canal of variable length in the proximal baculum shaft. Both are surrounded by a lamellar and a woven bone layer and contain fatty marrow and blood vessels. The distal shaft consists of woven bone only, without a vascular canal. The proximal ends of the branches are connected with the tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa via entheses. In the penis shaft, the corpus spongiosum‐surrounded urethra lies in a ventral grove of the corpora cavernosa, and continues in the glans under the baculum. The glans penis predominantly comprises an enlarged corpus spongiosum, which surrounds urethra and baculum. In the 12 studied juvenile and subadult P. pipistrellus specimens the proximal branches of the baculum were shorter and without marrow cavity, while shaft and distal tip appeared already fully developed. The present combination with light microscopic images from one species enabled a more reliable interpretation of histomorphological structures in the µCT‐images from all four Pipistrellus species. J. Morphol. 276:695–706, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Follow-up study of physical growth of monozygous twins with discordant within-pair birth weights.

In an attempt to determine the future growth of intrauterine growth-retarded babies, 14 pairs of monozygous twins, showing within-pair birth weight differences of 11% to 48% (median 28%), were followed prospectively for 3 to 9 years. Weight, length, and head circumference were measured biannually for the first 3 years of life and thereafter annually. At birth, the median within-pair percentage differences of weight (28%), length (6.2%), and head circumference (5.2%) were all significant (P less than .01). At 12, 24, and 30 months of age, these median within-pair percentage differences became insignificant for head circumference, length, and weight, respectively. The most rapid catch-up growth of the lighter twins occurred during the first 2 years of life. Analysis of individual pairs, however, showed suboptimal growth in both members of two pairs, although growth became concordant. In four other pairs, the lighter birth weight member remained growth retarded in comparison with the cotwin and showed within-pair differences in weight varying between 8% and 19%, in height between 1% and 6%, and in head circumference between 1.9% and 7%. All children with birth weights above the tenth percentile grew up normally, regardless of the extent of within-pair birth weight differences, with one exception. This exception was a pair in whom there were within-pair differences in child rearing. In the six pairs in which the smaller twin's birth weight was below the tenth percentile, only three pairs showed normal growth. In these six pairs a normal ponderal index in the lighter twin members was associated with poorer growth than a low ponderal index. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Neuropathology and Pathogenesis of Encephalitis following Amyloid β Immunization in Alzheimer's Disease

Immunizing transgenic PDAPP mice, which overexpress mutant APP and develop β‐amyloid deposition resembling plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD), results in a decrease of amyloid burden when compared with non treated transgenic animals im‐munization with amyloid β peptide has been initiated in a randomised pilot study in AD. Yet a minority of patients developed a neurological complication consistent with meningoencephalitis and one patient died; the trial has been stopped. Neuropathological examination in that patient showed meningoencephalitis and focal atypically low numbers of diffuse and neuritic plaques but not of vascular amyloid nor regression of tau pathology in neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads. The present neuropathological study reports the second case of menigoencephalitis following immunization with amyloid‐β peptide in AD, and has been directed toward exploring mechanisms underlying decreased tau pathology in relation‐ with amyliod deposit regression, and possible molecular bases involved in the inflammatory response following immunization. Inflammatory infiltrates were composed of CD8+, CD3+, CD5+ and, rarely, CD7+ lymphocytes, whereas B lymphocytes and T cytotoxic cells CD16, CD57, TIA and graenzyme were negative. Characteristic neuropathological findings were focal depletion of diffuse and neuritic plaques, but not of amyloid angiopathy, and the presence of small numbers of extremely dense(collapsed) plaques surrounded by active microglia, and multinucleated giant cells filled with dense Aβ42and Aβ40, in addition to severe small cerebral blood Reduced amyloid burden was accompanied by low amyloid‐associated oxidative stress responses (reduced superoxide dismutase‐1:SOD‐1 expression) and by local inhibition of the stress‐activated protein kinase/c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) and p38 kinase which are involved in tau phosphorylation. These results support the amyloid cascade of tau phosphorylation in AD regarding phosphorylation of tau in neurofibrillary tangles and β‐amyloid deposition in neuritic plaques, but not of tau in neurofibrillary tangles and threads. Furthermore, amyloid reduction was accompanied by increased expression of the PA28α/β inductor, and of LMP7, LMP2 and MECL1 subunits of the immunopro‐teasome in microglial and inflammatory cells surrounding collapsed plaques, and in multinucleated giant cells.Immunoproteasome subunit expression was accompanied by local presentation of MHC class molecules. Release of antigenic peptides derived from β‐amyloid processing may enhance T‐cell inflammatory responses accounting for the meningoencephalitis following amyloid‐β peptide immunization
[Validation of "Action Research Arm Test" (ARAT) in Chilean patients with a paretic upper limb after a stroke].

BACKGROUND Stroke is one of the main causes of disability and death in the world. Sixty three percent of stroke survivors require rehabilitation which is a complex functional recovery multidisciplinary task. AIM To determine the psychometric properties of the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), that is used to assess the functional recovery of a paretic upper limb. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eighty stroke survivors were assessed at their homes as a baseline and two months later applying ARAT and Motor Activity Log (MAL-30) assessments. In the latter evaluation quality of life was assessed with SIS 3.0 score and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30) was applied. Participants received no intervention in the lapse between the two assessments. RESULTS Cronbach a values for ARAT were 0.88 and 0.89 at baseline and two months assessments, respectively. Temporary stability had an r value of 0. 93 (p < 0.01). The convergent validity with quality of movement of MAL-30 was r = 0.58 and r = 0.51. The figures with quantity of movement were r = 0.55 and r = 0.57. The convergent validity with SIS 3.0 was r = 0.53 for the hand, r = 0.57 for participation and r = 0.48 for recovery. ARATscores correlated inversely and significantly with age and pain. There was no discriminant validity between ARAT and emotion, memory, communication and mobility of SIS 3.0, GHQ-30 and the socio-economic level. CONCLUSIONS ARAT is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing the functional recovery of paretic upper limbs after a stroke.
Onset and duration of hypoalgesia following application of lidocaine spray on genital mucosa

Lidocaine spray is used as a topical analgesic prior to minor surgical procedures performed on genital mucosa. In this study onset and duration of hypoalgesia on the genital mucosa was investigated by spraying lidocaine solution on the mucous membranes of female genitals with subsequent measurements of pin prick pain thresholds induced by argon laser stimulation. A dosage of 50 mg of lidocaine spray was administered to the genital mucosa of the inside of the labiae minora. Repeated measurements of pain threshold were performed until normal sensitivity was reached. Analgesia to 1.5 W laser stimulation was obtained in all volunteers after an average of 2.7 min±1.3 min (s.d.) (Range: 1–4 min). The effect lasted 29.7 min± 8.9 min (s.d.)(Range 12–45 min). The application of lidocaine spray produced a painful, smarting sensation which, however, disappeared again after 15–30 seconds. The study suggests that minor surgery should not be performed earlier than 4 min after application of lidocaine spray and it is recommended that it should be remembered that the duration of analgesia varies between individuals and thus may be very short in some patients.
Laparoscopic and hand-assisted liver resection: preliminary results at a mid-sized hospital.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Laparoscopic liver resection is controversial, specially for tumors. The aim of our study is to report our initial experience. METHODOLOGY From October 2004 to October 2008, 15 patients underwent laparoscopic liver resection at our institution. RESULTS Fifteen laparoscopic surgeries were performed on 15 patients. Five patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), six patients presented liver metastasis and four patients were diagnosed of hydatid cyst. In the HCC group two laparoscopic left lateral segmentectomies and 3 laparoscopic atypical resections were performed. Mean operative time was 230 minutes (95%CI 171-289). In the liver metastasis group six laparoscopic resections were performed. Two patients were converted to open surgery. The laparoscopic procedures were: 2 hand-assisted right hepatectomies, 1 left lateral segmentectomy and 1 atypical resection. The mean surgical time was 257.5 minutes, (95%CI 198-317). In the hydatid cyst group 4 laparoscopic surgeries were performed: three pericystectomies and one partial cystectomy. The mean operative time was 133.75 minutes, (95%CI 68-200). No re-operations were needed and no post-operative deaths occurred. In oncological resections surgical margins were free of tumor in all cases. CONCLUSION When liver laparoscopic surgery is performed in selected patients, it may offer similar results to conventional surgery with all the benefits of the minimal invasive procedures.