Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Examination of the Psychometric Properties of the Attention Deficit Scales for Adults with Outpatient Substance Abusers

A growing body of research has established a high co-morbidity in the rates of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance abuse. The co-occurrence of these two conditions and the negative impact of untreated ADHD on the course and treatment of substance abuse highlights the need for ADHD assessment in individuals seeking substance abuse treatment. In this article, we investigated the clinical utility of the Attention Deficit Scales for Adults (ADSA) in a sample of substance abusers in an outpatient treatment program by assessing its sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and likelihood ratios at two potential cut-off levels (161 and 181) using a DSM-IV based ADHD diagnosis as the criterion. The ADSA had strong reliability (Cronbach's alpha. 93; Guttman split-half. 92) and correlated well with DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Sensitivity and specificity of the device were relatively strong at both cut-off levels, as were the positive and negative predictive values.
Effect of Acupuncture on Chronic Pelvic Pain Secondary to Abdominal Myofascial Syndrome Not Responsive to Local Anesthetic Block: A Pilot Study.

Objective: Strong evidence shows that 85% of women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) have musculoskeletal disorders, such as abdominal myofascial pain syndrome (AMPS). The aim of this research was to assess the efficacy of local acupuncture treatment for women with CPP secondary to AMPS unresponsive to treatment with trigger-point injection. Materials and Methods: This pilot study involved 17 women with moderate-to-severe AMPS-related CPP. Acupuncture treatments were given at abdominal-wall trigger points once per week for 10 consecutive weeks. Pain relief was assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS), the McGill questionnaire, and pressure dynamometer. Quality of life and psychosocial function (risk for anxiety and depression) were evaluated using the Short-Form-36 questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. Assessments were performed at baseline and after 1, 3, and 6 months of treatment. Results: Both the VAS and McGill pain questionnaire showed significantly decreased pain intensity (VAS, P < 0.001; and McGill, P 0.049), and the effects were sustained even at 6 months after treatment. Conclusions: Acupuncture treatment was effective for the women who participated in this study, and the current authors believe that these preliminary results suffice to recommend performing randomized controlled trials.
Mouse Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells Expressing Adipogenic and Osteogenic Transcription Factors Suppress the Macrophage Inflammatory Response

Mesenchymal progenitor cell characteristics that can identify progenitor populations with specific functions in immunity are actively being investigated. Progenitors from bone marrow and adipose tissue regulate the macrophage (MΦ) inflammatory response by promoting the switch from an inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Conversely, mesenchymal progenitors from the mouse aorta (mAo) support and contribute to the MΦ response under inflammatory conditions. We used cell lines with purported opposing immune-regulatory function, a bone marrow derived mesenchymal progenitor cell line (D1) and a mouse aorta derived mesenchymal progenitor cell line (mAo). Their interaction and regulation of the MΦ cell response to the inflammatory mediator, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), was examined by coculture. As expected, D1 cells suppressed NO, TNF-α, and IL-12p70 production but MΦ phagocytic activity remained unchanged. The mAo cells enhanced NO and TNF-α production in coculture and enhanced MΦ phagocytic activity. Using flow cytometry and PCR array, we then sought to identify sets of MSC-associated genes and markers that are expressed by these progenitor populations. We have determined that immune-supportive mesenchymal progenitors highly express chondrogenic and tenogenic transcription factors while immunosuppressive mesenchymal progenitors highly express adipogenic and osteogenic transcription factors. These data will be useful for the isolation, purification, and modification of mesenchymal progenitors to be used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Phenotypic and Genotypic Analyses of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O145 Strains from Patients in Germany

ABSTRACT Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) strains of serogroup O145 are emerging as causes of diarrhea and the hemolytic-uremic syndrome. However, there have been few genetic analyses of this EHEC group. We investigated the serotypes, virulence genes, plasmid profiles, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns, and genetic variability of the fliC and eae genes in 120 EHEC O145 strains isolated from cases of hemolytic-uremic syndrome (n = 24) or diarrhea (n = 96) in Germany between 1996 and 2002. Three isolates belonged to serotype O145:H28, one to serotype O145:H25, and 116 were nonmotile (O145:H−). One hundred fourteen of the nonmotile strains shared fliC restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns identical to that of the O145:H28 strains. The remaining two nonmotile strains displayed a fliC-RFLP pattern identical to that of the O145:H25 strain. Each of the 117 strains with the fliC-RFLPH28 pattern harbored eae γ, whereas the three strains with the fliC-RFLPH25 pattern possessed eae β. Five different stx genotypes, six combinations of plasmid-encoded putative virulence genes, 29 plasmid profiles, and 47 PFGE types were identified. Strains within some of the PFGE types could be further subtyped by means of distinct plasmid profiles. These data demonstrate that the EHEC O145 serogroup is comprised of two different serotypes that possess distinct eae types. The heterogeneity of EHEC O145 strains at the chromosomal and plasmid level, in particular the high diversity in PFGE patterns, provides a basis for molecular subtyping of these pathogens.
Shiga Toxin 1 from Escherichia coliBlocks Activation and Proliferation of Bovine Lymphocyte Subpopulations In Vitro

ABSTRACT Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is widespread in the cattle population, but the clinical significance of Shiga toxins (Stx’s) for the bovine species remains obscure. Since Stx’s exert immunomodulating effects in other species, we examined the effect of purified Stx1 on a bovine B lymphoma cell line (BL-3) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from adult bovine blood by viability assays and flow cytometry analysis. Stx1 markedly induced apoptosis in stimulated BL-3 cells. The susceptibility of this B-cell-derived cell line was induced only by either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or pokeweed mitogen, while cultures stimulated with T-cell mitogens were unaffected by the toxin. In contrast, Stx1 did not induce cellular death—neither apoptosis nor necrosis—in primary cultures of PBMC but hindered the mitogen-induced increase in metabolic activity. The influence of Stx1 on single PBMC subpopulations varied with the type of mitogenic stimulus applied. Stimulation with phytohemagglutinin P particularly induced the proliferation of bovine CD8-expressing (BoCD8+) cells, and this proliferative response was blocked by Stx1. On the other hand, Stx1 reduced the portion of viable B cells in the presence of LPS. Modulation of activation marker expression (BoCD25 and BoCD71) by Stx1 indicated that the toxin hindered the proliferation of cells by blocking their activation. In conclusion, we assume that Stx1 contributes to the pathogenesis of STEC-associated diarrhea in calves by suppressing the mucosa-associated immune response. The usefulness of cattle as a model in which to study Stx-induced immunomodulation is discussed.
Magnesium alloy AZ91 exhibits antimicrobial properties in vitro but not in vivo.

Magnesium alloys hold great promise for developing orthopedic implants that are biocompatible, biodegradable, and mechanically similar to bone tissue. This study evaluated the in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial properties of magnesium-9%aluminum-1%zinc (AZ91) and commercially pure titanium (cpTi) against Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab307). The in vitro results showed that as compared to cpTi, incubation with AZ91 significantly reduced both the planktonic (cpTi = 3.45e8, AZ91 = 8.97e7, p < 0.001) colony forming units (CFU) and biofilm-associated (cpTi = 3.89e8, AZ91 = 1.78e7, p = 0.01) CFU of Ab307. However, in vivo results showed no significant differences in the CFU enumerated from the cpTi and AZ91 implants following a 1-week implantation in an established rodent model of Ab307 implant associated infection (cpTi = 5.23e3, AZ91 = 2.46e3, p = 0.29). It is proposed that the in vitro results were associated with an increased pH in the bacterial culture as a result of the AZ91 corrosion process. The robust in vivo buffering capacity likely diminished this corrosion associated pH antimicrobial effect. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 221-227, 2018.
Inhibition of proinflammatory and innate immune signaling pathways by a cytomegalovirus RIP1-interacting protein

TNFα is an important cytokine in antimicrobial immunity and inflammation. The receptor-interacting protein RIP1 is an essential component of the TNF receptor 1 signaling pathway that mediates the activation of NF-κB, MAPKs, and programmed cell death. It also transduces signals derived from Toll-like receptors and intracellular sensors of DNA damage and double-stranded RNA. Here, we show that the murine CMV M45 protein binds to RIP1 and inhibits TNFα-induced activation of NF-κB, p38 MAPK, and caspase-independent cell death. M45 also inhibited NF-κB activation upon stimulation of Toll-like receptor 3 and ubiquitination of RIP1, which is required for NF-κB activation. Hence, M45 functions as a viral inhibitor of RIP1-mediated signaling. The results presented here reveal a mechanism of viral immune subversion and demonstrate how a viral protein can simultaneously block proinflammatory and innate immune signaling pathways by interacting with a central mediator molecule.
Accumulation of 8-Oxo-2’-Deoxyguanosine (as a Biomarker of Oxidative DNA Damage) in the Tissues of Aged Hamsters and Change in Antioxidant Enzyme Activities after Single Administration of N-Nitrosobis(2-Oxopropyl) Amine

Background: It has been reported that DNA oxidative damage accumulates with age. Two reasons for this phenomenon are the decline in the antioxidant system and the decline in the repair system. It is not clear which of these is the main reason. Objective: To study whether the decline in antioxidant enzyme activities causes the accumulation of DNA oxidative damage, an experimental study was performed with hamsters. Methods: Seventy-four female Syrian golden hamsters were divided into 2 groups: a young group (28 hamsters), and an aged group (46 hamsters). The hamsters in the aged group were kept in our laboratory until they were 18 months old. The levels of 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, i.e. catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), were measured in both groups. Furthermore, the same parameters were measured in the pancreas and liver following administration of N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP), an inducer of oxidative stress in the hamster pancreas. Results: In the mid brain, cerebellum, lung, heart, spleen and kidney, the 8-oxodG contents in aged hamsters were significantly higher than those in young hamsters. GPx activity decreased with age in the lung, liver and kidney, whereas SOD activity increased in the lung and liver but decreased in the kidney of aged animals. Catalase activity increased in the cerebrum, heart, pancreas and kidney but decreased in the lung and spleen of aged hamsters. When the pancreatic levels of 8-oxodG and antioxidant enzymes were measured after BOP administration, there was no clear-cut relation between the changes in those levels. Conclusions: From these results the increase in 8-oxodG contents in aged hamsters does not seem to be related to the antioxidant system but rather to a possible decline in the repair system against oxidative damage.
Effects of Low-Protein Diet on the Baroreflex and Bezold-Jarisch Reflex in Conscious Rats

The present study evaluated the effects of a low-protein diet (LP, 6% protein) on cardiovascular reflexes of Male Fisher rats. Three experimental groups, and their respective controls (15% protein), were used. (1) Baroreceptor reflex (BAR); (2) Bezold-Jarisch reflex (BJR); and (3) Prazosin treated. Dietary restriction began after weaning (three weeks) and lasted for a period of five weeks, after which animals were subjected to the experimental protocols. The BAR group was evaluated through injections of phenylephrine (0.55.0 μg/Kg, i.v.) and sodium nitroprusside (0.77.0 μg/Kg, i.v.) while the BJR was evaluated through injections of serotonin (2.510μg/Kg, i.v.). Our results showed an increased baroreflex gain bradycardia for the LP group (-0.96 ± 0.34 vs. -2.12 ± 1.06 bpm/mmHg) and a larger bradycardia for the BJR the LP group (160 ± 18% greater than controls). Basal cardiovascular parameters were not different between LP and control rats, however LP animals treated with prazosin resulted in a larger fall of blood pressure (-19±3 vs. -28±5 mmHg). In conclusion, LP rats present an increased responsiveness of BAR and BJR, which could contribute to their normal levels of cardiovascular parameters, in spite of the possible increase in the sympathetic vasomotor tonus observed with the prazosin protocol.
Clinical significance of p16INK4A and p14ARF promoter methylation in renal cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis

The inactivation of p16INK4A and p14ARF via promoter methylation has been investigated in various cancers. However, the clinical effects of p16INK4A and p14ARF promoter methylation on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remain to be clarified. The pooled data were calculated and summarized. Finally, an investigation of 14 eligible studies with 1231 RCC patients and 689 control patients was performed. Methylated p16INK4A and p14ARF were observed to be significantly higher in RCC than in control subjects without malignancies (OR = 2.77, P = 0.005; OR = 11.73, P < 0.001, respectively). Methylated p16INK4A was significantly associated with the risk of RCC in the tissue subgroup, but not in the serum and urine subgroups. Methylated p16INK4A was significantly associated with tumor size. We did not find that p16INK4A promoter methylation was associated with sex, tumor grade, lymph node status, and tumor histology. Methylated p14ARF was significantly correlated with sex and tumor histology. Three studies reported that p16INK4A methylation was not significantly correlated with the prognosis of RCC. The results suggested that p16INK4A and p14ARF promoter methylation may be correlated with the carcinogenesis of RCC, and that methylated p14ARF, especially, can be a major susceptibility gene. We also found the different clinicopathological significance of 16INK4A and p14ARF in RCC. Additional studies with sufficient data are essential to further evaluate the clinical features and prognostic effect of p16INK4A and p14ARF promoter methylation in RCC.
Awareness of an obstetric population about environmental tobacco smoking

Background and Objectives: The reported rate of women's smoking is typically low. However, many pregnant women are exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), which could affect their own health and the health of their growing fetus. The aim of this study was to estimate the magnitude of the problem of exposure to ETS and assess the awareness of postpartum women to ETS and its possible effects. Designs and Settings: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 1182 postpartum women at a university hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between 1st January and 30th June, 2012. Materials and Methods: A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Factors associated with the level of understanding of the possible effects of ETS exposure were analyzed. Results: The majority of the participating women knew that exposure to ETS had adverse effects on maternal and fetal health (>80%), but their knowledge of the specific effects on fetal health was limited. The level of mothers’ education was found to be associated with better knowledge of effects on mother and fetal health (P < 0.01). Conclusion: This study revealed that pregnant women in our sample had limited knowledge of the specific effects of ETS on fetal health. This shortcoming in knowledge needs to be addressed by improving health.
Time Trend and Geographic Patterns of Lung Adenocarcinoma in the United States, 1973-2002

Objective: To find the major factor explaining the substantial increase in incidence of adenocarcinoma of the lung (ADL), we observed its temporal trend, distributions in geographic areas and populations, and compared them with the distributions of air pollution and low-tar cigarette consumption in time, place, and populations. Methods: The temporal and spatial patterns of ADL were compared with the level of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions as well as the use of low-tar cigarettes. Results: Similar increasing trends followed by declining trends were seen in emission levels of NOx and ADL incidence rates. These trends peak about 20 years earlier for NOx levels than for ADL incidence. Incidence rates of ADL in high NOx emission areas were substantially higher than those in low NOx emission areas. Incidence rates of ADL in Black males are about 50% higher than in White males and can be explained by the differences in air quality related to residence site and size. Conclusions: The descriptive epidemiologic data help generate the hypothesis that long-term exposure to low-dose NOx may play a major role in causing steep increases in past ADL incidence rates. There is an urgent need to conduct further studies to determine whether the association is a causal relationship between long-term, low-dose exposure to NOx and ADL. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(12):2724–9)
How sticky is the chaos/order boundary?

In dynamical systems with divided phase space, the vicinity of the boundary between regular and chaotic regions is often "sticky," that is, trapping orbits from the chaotic region for long times. Here, we investigate the stickiness in the simplest mushroom billiard, which has a smooth such boundary, but surprisingly subtle behaviour. As a measure of stickiness, we investigate P(t), the probability of remaining in the mushroom cap for at least time t given uniform initial conditions in the chaotic part of the cap. The stickiness is sensitively dependent on the radius of the stem r via the Diophantine properties of rho = (2/\pi) arccos r. Almost all rho give rise to families of marginally unstable periodic orbits (MUPOs) where P(t) ~ C/t, dominating the stickiness of the boundary. Here we consider the case where rho is MUPO-free and has continued fraction expansion with bounded partial quotients. We show that t^2 P(t) is bounded, varying infinitely often between values whose ratio is at least 32/27. When rho has an eventually periodic continued fraction expansion, that is, a quadratic irrational, t^2 P(t) converges to a log-periodic function. In general, we expect less regular behaviour, with upper and lower exponents lying between 1 and 2. The results may shed light on the parameter dependence of boundary stickiness in annular billiards and generic area preserving maps.
Halogenated Compounds from Marine Algae

Marine algae produce a cocktail of halogenated metabolites with potential commercial value. Structures exhibited by these compounds go from acyclic entities with a linear chain to complex polycyclic molecules. Their medical and pharmaceutical application has been investigated for a few decades, however other properties, such as antifouling, are not to be discarded. Many compounds were discovered in the last years, although the need for new drugs keeps this field open as many algal species are poorly screened. The ecological role of marine algal halogenated metabolites has somehow been overlooked. This new research field will provide valuable and novel insight into the marine ecosystem dynamics as well as a new approach to comprehending biodiversity. Furthermore, understanding interactions between halogenated compound production by algae and the environment, including anthropogenic or global climate changes, is a challenging target for the coming years. Research of halogenated metabolites has been more focused on macroalgae than on phytoplankton. However, phytoplankton could be a very promising material since it is the base of the marine food chain with quick adaptation to environmental changes, which undoubtedly has consequences on secondary metabolism. This paper reviews recent progress on this field and presents trends on the role of marine algae as producers of halogenated compounds.
Identification of p130(cas) as a substrate for the cytosolic protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP-PEST

PTP-PEST is a ubiquitously expressed, cytosolic, mammalian protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) which exhibits high specific activity in vitro. We have investigated the substrate specificity of PTP-PEST by a novel substrate-trapping approach in combination with in vitro dephosphorylation experiments. We initially identified a prominent 130-kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein in pervanadate-treated HeLa cell lysates which was preferentially dephosphorylated by PTP-PEST in vitro. In order to identify this potential substrate, mutant (substrate-trapping) forms of PTP-PEST were generated which lack catalytic activity but retain the ability to bind substrates. These mutant proteins associated in stable complexes exclusively with the same 130-kDa protein, which was identified as p130(cas) by immunoblotting. This exclusive association was observed in lysates from several cell lines and in transfected COS cells, but was not observed with other members of the PTP family, strongly suggesting that p130(cas) represents a major physiologically relevant substrate for PTP-PEST. Our studies suggest potential roles for PTP-PEST in regulation of p130(cas) function. These functions include mitogen- and cell adhesion-induced signalling events and probable roles in transformation by various oncogenes. These results provide the first demonstration of a PTP having an inherently restricted substrate specificity in vitro and in vivo. The methods used to identify p130(cas) as a specific substrate for PTP-PEST are potentially applicable to any PTP and should therefore prove useful in determining the physiological substrates of other members of the PTP family.
Impact of Surface Orientation on the Sensitivity of FinFETs to Process Variations—An Assessment Based on the Analytical Solution of the Schrödinger Equation

This paper investigates the impact of surface orientation on <i>V</i><sub>th</sub> sensitivity to process variations for Si and Ge fin-shaped field-effect transistors (FinFETs) using an analytical solution of the Schrödinger equation. Our theoretical model considers the parabolic potential well due to short-channel effects and, therefore, can be used to assess the quantum-confinement effect in short-channel FinFETs. Our study indicates that, for ultrascaled FinFETs, the importance of channel thickness (<i>t</i><sub>ch</sub>) variations increases due to the quantum-confinement effect. The Si-(100) and Ge-(111) surfaces show lower <i>V</i><sub>th</sub> sensitivity to the <i>t</i><sub>ch</sub> variation as compared with other orientations. On the contrary, the quantum-confinement effect reduces the <i>V</i><sub>th</sub> sensitivity to the <i>L</i><sub>eff</sub> variation, and Si-(111) and Ge-(100) surfaces show lower <i>V</i><sub>th</sub> sensitivity as compared with other orientations. Our study may provide insights for device design and circuit optimization using advanced FinFET technologies.