Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Precise characterization method of antibody‐conjugated magnetic nanoparticles for pathogen detection using stuffer‐free multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification

Antibody‐conjugated magnetic nanoparticles (Ab‐MNPs) have potential in pathogen detection because they allow target cells to be easily separated from complex sample matrices. However, the sensitivity and specificity of pathogen capture by Ab‐MNPs generally vary according to the types of MNPs, antibodies, and sample matrices, as well as preparation methods, including immobilization. Therefore, achieving a reproducible analysis utilizing Ab‐MNPs as a pathogen detection method requires accurate characterization of Ab‐MNP capture ability and standardization of all handling processes. In this study, we used high‐resolution CE‐single strand conformational polymorphism coupled with a stuffer‐free multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification system to characterize Ab‐MNPs. The capture ability of Ab‐MNPs targeting Salmonella enteritidis and nine pathogens, including S. enteritidis, was analyzed in phosphate buffer and milk. The effect of storage conditions on the stability of Ab‐MNPs was also assessed. The results showed that the stuffer‐free multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification system has the potential to serve as a standard characterization method for Ab‐MNPs. Moreover, the precise characterization of Ab‐MNPs facilitated robust pathogen detection in various applications.
Angiogenesis and expression of angiogenic agents in uterine and ovarian carcinosarcomas

Carcinosarcomas of the female genital tract are a heterogeneous group of aggressive malignant neoplasms characterized by poor prognosis that contain elements expressing both carcinomatous and sarcomatous characteristics. In this study specimens from 25 patients were treated with labeled antibodies to vascular endothelium (FVIII), and to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for analysis of angiogenesis, and to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR‐3) for analysis of lymphangiogenesis, in 11,099 vessels. Automated quantitative image analysis was used and the results were compared with clinical data. Microvessel density increased from a median value of 18.32 vessels/mm2 in non‐neoplastic stroma to 131.25 vessels/mm2 in neoplasms. In areas around tumor islets expressing predominantly epithelial carcinomatous characteristics, microvessel density was increased three‐fold compared with the islets themselves. Vessels were arranged in a garland‐type pattern, or in bursts, and they exhibited directional angiogenesis. Clinical indicators of poor survival were high tumor stage (p=0.002) and age above 65 (p=0.0769). A high number of small vessels (16–300 μm2 in cross‐sectional area) predicted poor survival (p=0.0149), and more so in tumors exhibiting predominantly sarcomatous characteristics (p=0.0087). Tumor tissue area above the median exhibiting VEGF expression was also a sign of poor survival (p=0.0267), as was an area of positive staining for VEGFR‐3 exceeding the median (p=0.00487). In this study, active angiogenesis (increased number of vessels, variable in shape and exhibiting decreased antibody staining intensity) was a distinct feature of carcinosarcomas, its extent and distribution depending upon neoplasm morphology. Increased vessel numbers and increased VEGF and VEGFR‐3 expression indicated poor survival.
Implementing Routine Suicide Risk Screening for Psychiatric Outpatients With Serious Mental Disorders: I. Qualitative Results

The objective of this study was to acquire process information, clinician and client feedback during implementation of a routine suicide risk screening program for outpatients with serious mental disorders. We studied implementation of a suicide-screening tool in a large public mental health outpatient facility in New York City. Most clinical staff who provided an opinion indicated screening was useful, feasible and helpful; most clients did not mind screening. Facilitators to program implementation included administrative support and ease of use. Barriers included consent, misperceptions, and concerns regarding potential liability. It is feasible to implement a suicide-screening tool in a public outpatient clinic. However, even experienced clinicians harbor unfounded myths. Effective large scale use will require vigorous training and oversight.
Examining Suicide-Risk Individuals Who Go Online for Suicide-Related Purposes

The objective of this study was to better help those in suicidal crisis by examining the types of suicide-risk individuals who make use of the Internet in relation to their suicidal problems. An anonymous online survey examined suicide-risk individuals who went online for suicide-related purposes (n = 165) and a reference group of suicide-risk individuals with no such experience (n = 125). Suicide-risk individuals who went online for suicide-related purposes, compared with online users who did not, reported greater suicide-risk symptoms, were less likely to seek help, and perceived less social support. Online, many reported more support, felt less alienated, believed they reduced their suicidality, but also sought suicide methods and were likely to visit “pro suicide” sites. Implications include designing help sites that allow peer-to-peer communications and anonymous professional support.
Correlation Between Calprotectin and Modified Rutgeerts Score

Background:Endoscopic recurrence after surgery for Crohn's disease (CD) is high, and it has important prognostic value. Crohn's disease will recur in the majority of patients after surgery. Fecal calprotectin (FC) and lactoferrin (FL) have attracted interest in the postoperative setting for predicting relapse. We have evaluated the accuracy of FC and FL in diagnosing endoscopic recurrence (ER) using the modified Rutgeerts score (MRS) compared with the Rutgeerts score (RS). Methods:A series of consecutive patients who underwent ileocolonic resection for Crohn's disease were evaluated. Biomarkers, clinical indexes, and fecal markers were recorded on the day of ileocolonoscopy. ER was defined as a MRS ≥ i2b or a RS ≥ i2. Results:Ninety-nine patients were included in this prospective cohort. The median time between surgery and colonoscopy was 87.5 months (IQR, 31–137). FC and FL levels were higher in patients with ER than in those in remission (Median FC, 196.5 &mgr;g/g [IQR, 96–634 &mgr;g/g] versus 42.1 &mgr;g/g [IQR 19–91.60 &mgr;g/g; P < 0.001]; Median FL, 23.27 &mgr;g/g [IQR 8.9–47.8 &mgr;g/g] versus 2 &mgr;g/g [IQR 0.9–7.26 &mgr;g/g; P < 0.001]). Using the MRS, 34% of patients presented with ER compared with 76% if the RS was used. The RS performed worse than the MRS with a decrease in sensitivity (74% versus 48% for FC and 85% versus 55% for FL) and in NPV (91% versus 33% for FC, and 90% versus 37% for FL). Furthermore, the accuracy of the MRS was higher than that of the RS (75% versus 55%). Conclusions:Both FC and FL proved to correlate well with endoscopic findings in the evaluation of Crohn's disease after surgery. Both markers predicted recurrence with greater accuracy when the MRS was used. Fecal markers can be used to monitor disease recurrence after intestinal resection, with patients being selected to undergo further endoscopic evaluation.
Clinical and forensic outcome 2 years and 5 years after admission to a medium secure unit

We describe 225 consecutive first admissions to a medium secure unit between 1983 and 1996, and their clinical and forensic outcome 2 years and 5 years after admission. Clinical outcome includes the duration of the patients' stay, their destination on discharge and, at 2 years and 5 years after admission, their location. Forensic outcome was the absence or presence of any new convictions by 2 years and 5 years after admission. The results demonstrate that the patients were a heterogeneous group with differing needs. Over 50% had an inpatient stay exceeding 24 months, and in more than 10% of cases the admission duration exceeded 5 years, confirming the need for long-term medium secure provision. There were few further convictions. Overall, of those patients who spent any time in the community,10% were convicted of a further offence within 2 years; 14% were convicted between 2 and 5 years, some of whom had also offended in the earlier period. The only variable significantly associated with reconviction was conviction prior to the index offence leading to the MSU admission.
Giving up Self-Injury: A Comparison of Everyday Social and Personal Resources in Past Versus Current Self-Injurers

Self-injury represents a common yet perplexing set of behaviors, considered difficult to treat. The current study aimed to identify social and personal resources that may aid in cessation of self-injury. A community sample of 312 participants completed an online questionnaire. In line with Brown and Williams (2007), we compared all self-injurers (current and past) (106, 34%) with those who had never self-injured (206, 66%), and then current (38, 12.2%) with past self-injurers (68, 21.8%). Overall, self-injurers reported significantly lower levels of perceived social support, social connectedness, resilience, self-esteem, and life satisfaction compared to those with no such history. Further analysis indicated that family support, self-esteem, resilience, and satisfaction with life were significantly better for past compared to current self-injurers (at the p < 0.01 level). Logistic regression suggested that self-injurers could be distinguished from non self-injurers on Self-esteem and Social Connectedness. A further logistic regression suggested that past self-injurers could be distinguished from current self-injurers by their level of Resilience. The research has important preventive and clinical implications.
Aggressiveness Across Development and Suicidal Behavior in Depressed Patients

The objective of this study was to determine differences in the pathway of aggressiveness across development between depressive subjects and normal controls, and to examine males and females separately with regard to level of aggression and suicidal behavior among depressed subjects. Participants were classified into 5 groups: depressed suicide attempters (DSA; n = 339), depressed non-suicide attempters (DNSA; n = 92), psychiatric controls who had attempted suicide (PSA; n = 188), psychiatric controls who had not attempted suicide (PNSA; n = 222), and normal controls (NC; n = 532). The level of aggressiveness across development in the different groups was examined using a 5 (DSA vs. DNSA vs. PSA vs. PNSA vs. NC)×3 (Childhood, Adolescence, and Adulthood) MANCOVA. Adjusted and separate models for males and females were conducted. Depressed subjects differed in severity of aggressiveness. The level of aggressiveness in individuals in the NC group remained stable across development, while subjects in the DSA and DNSA groups showed significantly higher levels of aggressiveness. This finding was also observed in subjects of the PSA and PNSA groups. The level of aggressiveness in males with depression significantly increased over time. In women, increasing levels of aggressiveness across development were only observed in depressed suicide attempters. Limitations of this study included use of semi-structured interview for the assessment of risk factors. We found significant differences in severity and in the pathway of aggressiveness across development between depressive subjects and normal controls. In addition, sex differences regarding level of aggression and suicidal behavior among depressed subjects were found.
Ethnicity Moderates the Association Between 5-HTTLPR and National Suicide Rates

The association between ethnicity, national suicide rates, and the functional serotonin transporter gene polymorphism (5-HTTLPR), under consideration of the role of economic indicators, national alcohol intake, and national happiness scores was analyzed with an ecologic analysis. Data on allelic frequencies of the short (s) allele from 38 countries from over 100,000 healthy screened or general population individuals were analyzed with multiple regression models. Allele frequency varied widely both within and across ethnicities and an ethnicity-based interaction between national suicide rates and 5-HTTLPR allele frequency was revealed with the s allele acting as protective factor in Caucasian and as a risk factor in non-Caucasian populations. This interaction effect underlines the importance of ethnicity as a moderating factor in the genetics of suicide.
Recent advances in chemiluminescence detection coupled with capillary electrophoresis and microchip capillary electrophoresis

CE is an ideal analytical method for extremely volume‐limited biological microenvironments. However, the small injection volume makes it a challenge to achieve highly sensitive detection. Chemiluminescence (CL) detection is characterized by providing low background with excellent sensitivity because of requiring no light source. The coupling of CL with CE and MCE has become a powerful analytical method. So far, this method has been widely applied to chemical analysis, bioassay, drug analysis, and environment analysis. In this review, we first introduce some developments for CE–CL and MCE–CL systems, and then put the emphasis on the applications in the last 10 years. Finally, we discuss the future prospects.
Influences of Constructivist-Oriented Nutrition Education on Urban Middle School Students' Nutrition Knowledge, Self-efficacy, and Behaviors

Abstract Background: Health professionals are looking to nutrition-based youth health interventions in K-12 schools to combat the growing obesity crisis; however, none have explored the influences of interventions guided by constructivist learning theory. Purpose: This study examined the influences of a constructivist-oriented nutrition education program on urban middle school students' nutrition knowledge, self-efficacy and behaviors. Methods: A quasi-experimental design examined changes in middle schools students' (N = 1,476) nutrition knowledge, self-efficacy and behaviors, relative to a control group (N = 656), in response to a 6-lesson nutrition education intervention. Results: For dietary knowledge and self-efficacy, there were significant group and time main effects and group x time interactions. In addition, there were significant group and time main effects and a group x time interaction for the dietary behaviors related to consuming fruits, vegetables, meats and “other” food groups, but not dairy or grains. Discussion: The constructivist-oriented professional development, curriculum and instruction yielded significant changes in middle schools students' nutrition knowledge, self-efficacy and behaviors. Translation to Health Education Practice: Given the efficacy of the intervention curriculum and instruction, K-12 teachers are encouraged to implement similar high quality, theoretically grounded efforts. However, recommendations are made that additional focus be given to key items that proved resistant to change.
Suicidal Behavior and Psychological Distress in University Students: A 12-nation Study

This study investigated the prevalence of suicidal behavior and psychological distress in university students across 12 nations. A total of 5,572 university students from 12 countries were surveyed about suicide ideation, suicide attempts, and psychological distress by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Almost 29% of the samples reported having contemplated suicide and 7% reported attempting suicide. Of the total sample, 51.1% scored above the General Health Questionnaire-12 ≥ 3 cut-off points, 41.6% above the GHQ-12 ≥ 4 cut-off points, and 33.8% scored above the GHQ-12 ≥ 5 cut-off points. While odds of suicide ideation were elevated in Austria and the UK, reduced ORs were detected for China, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and Turkey. Similarly, while odds of suicide attempt were high in Jordan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, and to some extent in Turkey, reduced ORs were observed for Austria, China, Italy, Japan and the United States. Elevated ORs for psychological distress were seen in Japan, Jordan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and Turkey but reduced ORs were noted in Austria, China, Iran, Italy, and the United States. Psychological distress was strongly associated with reports of suicide ideation and attempts. Suicide ideation, suicide attempt, and psychological distress are common in university students but their rates vary depending on the sociocultural context. Due attention should be devoted to the mental health needs of young adults enrolled in higher educational institutions and more cross-cultural research is warranted to better understand the etiology of the observed intersocietal variations in suicidal behavior and psychological distress.
The Complexity of Age-Related Hearing Impairment: Contributing Environmental and Genetic Factors

Age-related hearing impairment (ARHI) is the most common sensory impairment seen in the elderly. It is a complex disorder, with both environmental as well as genetic factors contributing to the impairment. The involvement of several environmental factors has been partially elucidated. A first step towards the identification of the genetic factors has been made, which will result in the identification of susceptibility genes, and will provide possible targets for the future treatment and/or prevention of ARHI. This paper aims to give a broad overview of the scientific findings related to ARHI, focusing mainly on environmental and genetic data in humans and in animal models. In addition, methods for the identification of contributing genetic factors as well as possible future therapeutic strategies are discussed.
Molecular and phenotypic characterization of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae producing extended‐spectrum β‐lactamases with focus on CTX‐M in a low‐endemic area in Sweden

Önnberg A, Mölling P, Zimmermann J, Söderquist B. Molecular and phenotypic characterization of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae producing extended‐spectrum β‐lactamases with focus on CTX‐M in a low‐endemic area in Sweden. APMIS 2011; 119: 287–95.
An Examination of United States Air Force Suicide Decedents Based on Documented Suicide Attempt Histories

In this study, we compared United States military decedents who died by suicide on their first attempt with decedents who had made multiple attempts. Death investigation files for 217 United States Air Force (USAF) personnel who died by suicide between 1996 and 2006 were coded for demographic, psychosocial, and psychiatric characteristics. Among USAF suicide decedents, 77% died by suicide on their first attempt and 23% had a documented history of at least one prior attempt. Decedents with a history of prior attempts were more likely to have an interpersonal stressor within 3 months of death and were twice as likely to have a documented Axis I diagnosis. There were few differences between military suicide decedents based on history of prior attempts. Further research is needed to inform military suicide prevention endeavors.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease An Update

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disease and a considerable burden on healthcare resources. Definitions and terminology have been a source of confusion for GERD. The ‘Montreal definition' is the first ever global consensus definition of GERD. The esophageal and extraesophageal syndromes are now considered the two constituent syndromes of GERD. The pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux is multi-factorial and a failure of the anti-reflux barrier allowing the stomach content to enter the esophagus is the target of interest. Heartburn and acid regurgitation are the typical symptoms of the disease, although some patients may have atypical manifestations of GERD. The long term complication of GERD includes esophageal stricture, Barrett's esophagus with consequent increase in the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Diagnosis of GERD can usually be established on the basis of a careful history and physical examination. Detailed diagnostic studies are not necessary in a patient presenting with typical symptoms with no alarming features. Patients with alarming feature in addition to their GERD symptoms require prompt investigation and usually endoscopy is preferred. Treatment of GERD is directed at acid suppression through the use of lifestyle modifications and pharmacologic agents from over-the-counter (OTC) agents ranging from antacids to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). New algorithm of treatment of GERD has also been proposed. Antireflux surgery, including open and laparoscopic, and newer endoscopic procedures are alternative modalities of treatment in case of failure of medical therapy. Key words: Gastroesophageal reflux disease; Montreal definition; Esophageal syndrome; Extraesophageal syndrome; Heartburn; Regurgitation. DOI: 10.3329/bjms.v9i1. 5227 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.09 No.1 Jan 2010 14-26
Childhood Helminth Exposure Is Protective Against Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Case Control Study in South Africa

Background:Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is more common in countries with improved hygiene, suggesting that environmental exposures may be associated with its development. The primary objective of this study was to examine the association between self-reported childhood helminth infection and the development of IBD in South Africa. Methods:Unmatched case–control study. Logistic regression was used to model associations with IBD. Results:There were 88 patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), 63 with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 219 control subjects. Of the 151, 93 (61.6%) IBD subjects (35 of 63 [55.6%] had UC and 58 of 88 [65.9%] had CD) reported childhood helminth exposure compared with 200 of 219 (91.3%) non-IBD subjects (P < 0.001). Helminth infection (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.1–0.4), shared housing (AOR = 0.1; 95% CI, 0.04–0.4), and raw beef consumption (AOR = 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1–0.6) were protective, whereas urban dwelling (AOR = 4.2; 95% CI, 2.0–8.8) and parental tertiary education (AOR = 18.2; 95% CI, 3.2–103.7) were associated with CD. Helminth infection (AOR = 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1–0.6), mixed race (AOR = 0.1; 95% CI, 0.03–0.5), smoking (AOR = 0.2; 95% CI, 0.07–0.5), shared housing (AOR = 0.1; 95% CI, 0.01–0.4), and raw beef consumption (AOR = 0.1; 95% CI 0.04–0.5) were protective against UC, whereas parental tertiary education (AOR = 12.7; 95% CI, 1.0–157.4) was associated with UC. Conclusion:This study demonstrates a protective association of childhood helminth infection against the development of IBD and supports the “hygiene hypothesis” that improved living conditions may increase the incidence of IBD. Our epidemiologic conclusions provide support that helminths may have immunomodulatory effects which provides protection against the development of IBD later in life.