Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What cognitive behavioral techniques do therapists report using when delivering cognitive behavioral therapy for the eating disorders?

OBJECTIVE Clinicians commonly "drift" away from using proven therapeutic techniques. This study examined the degree to which such drift occurs among cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) clinicians working with a specific clinical population-adults with eating disorders. METHOD The study used a correlational design. The participants were 80 qualified clinicians (69 women, 11 men; mean age = 39.2 years, range = 23-62 years) who routinely offered what they described as CBT to adults with eating disorders. Each clinician detailed whether and how often he or she used different cognitive behavioral techniques when delivering CBT to such patients, and each completed the anxiety scale of the Brief Symptom Inventory (Derogatis, 1983). RESULTS Implementation of specific CBT techniques was far lower than protocols would suggest, particularly for clinicians who were anxious, older, or more experienced in working with the eating disorders (p < .05, in all cases). The use of treatment manuals was associated with greater use of recommended CBT techniques (p < .05, in all cases). Cluster analysis showed that clinicians fell into three types-behavior, motivation, and mindfulness oriented. CONCLUSIONS These findings need to be extended to other therapies and other disorders, but they indicate the need for stronger training and closer supervision if clinicians are to give patients the best chance of recovery. They demonstrate that clinicians' use of the label CBT is not a reliable indicator of the therapy that is being offered.
Fatal Amphotericin B Overdose Due to Administration of Nonlipid Formulation Instead of Lipid Formulation

The toxicity of amphotericin B deoxycholate has led to increased preference for lipid formulations with more favorable safety profiles. However, the primary use of lipid formulations is cost prohibitive, and many hospital formularies list both lipid and nonlipid formulations. A dispensing and administration error that caused amphotericin B deoxycholate to be given instead of liposomal amphotericin B related in a fatality. Measures to prevent confusion and aid in understanding the differences between lipid and nonlipid formulations of amphotericin B should be implemented.
Comparison among body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and percent body fat (%BF) as anthropometric markers for the clustering of metabolic risk factors in Japanese.

OBJECTIVE To compare body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and percent body fat (%BF) as markers for the clustering of metabolic risk factors in Japanese. METHODS Age-adjusted correlation coefficients (Rs) were calculated between the three anthropometric markers of obesity and metabolic risk factors in 2,444 men and 1,442 women among Japanese. Areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of BMI, WC, and %BF were calculated for diagnosing the clustering of 1 or more, 2 or more, 3 or more, and 4 risk factors among increased blood pressure, impaired fasting glucose, increased triglycerides, and decreased HDL cholesterol and for the clustering of 1 or more, 2 or more, 3 or more, 4 or more, 5 or more, and 6 risk factors among the upper four risk factors as well as increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and increased LDL cholesterol. RESULTS The Rs were not significantly different among BMI, WC, and %BF except for the difference between the R of BMI (0.217) and that of %BF (0.283) with LDL cholesterol in men (p=0.014). The AUCs of BMI, WC, and %BF for diagnosing any of the risk factor clustering patterns defined above were not significantly different in both men and women. CONCLUSION The AUCs for diagnosing the clustering of metabolic risk factors were not significantly different among BMI, WC, and %BF.
The within-host cellular dynamics of bloodstage malaria: theoretical and experimental studies

SUMMARY The properties of a mathematical model of bloodstage infection with a single strain of malaria were investigated. Analysing the cell population dynamics in the absence of a host immune response we demonstrate a relationship between host and parasite parameters that defines a criterion for the successful invasion and persistence of the parasite. Important parameters are the rates of merozoite production and death and those of erythrocyte production, death and invasion. We present data from experiments designed to evaluate the erythrocyte invasion rate in a rodent malaria system. The model generates patterns of parasitaemia in good qualitative agreement with those seen in Plasmodium berghei infections. The sole force behind the rise and fall in parasitaemia in the model without immunity is the density of susceptible erythrocytes, suggesting that resource availability is an important determinant of the initial pattern of infection in vivo. When we incorporate a simple immune response into the model we find that immunity against the infected cell is much more effective at suppressing parasite abundance than immunity against the merozoite. Simulations reveal oscillating temporal patterns of parasite abundance similar to P. c. chabaudi infection, challenging the concept that antigenic variation is the sole mechanism behind recrudescing patterns of infection.
Cigarette smoking and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in China: the international collaborative study of cardiovascular disease in Asia.

OBJECTIVES We estimated the prevalence of cigarette smoking and the extent of environmental tobacco smoke exposure (ETS) in the general population in China. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a nationally representative sample of 15540 Chinese adults aged 35-74 years in 2000-2001. Information on cigarette smoking was obtained by trained interviewers using a standard questionnaire. RESULTS The prevalence of current cigarette smoking was much higher among men (60.2%) than among women (6.9%). Among nonsmokers, 12.1% of men and 51.3% of women reported exposure to ETS at home, and 26.7% of men and 26.2% of women reported exposure to ETS in their workplaces. On the basis of our findings, 147358000 Chinese men and 15895000 Chinese women aged 35-74 years were current cigarette smokers, 8658000 men and 108402000 women were exposed to ETS at home, and 19072000 men and 55372000 women were exposed to ETS in their workplaces. CONCLUSIONS The high prevalence of cigarette smoking and environmental tobacco smoke exposure in the Chinese population indicates an urgent need for smoking prevention and cessation efforts.
The influence of white matter lesions on neuropsychological functioning in demented and non‐demented 85‐year‐olds

White matter lesions on computed tomography of the head were studied in relation to neuropsychological functioning in subjects from a representative sample of non‐demented (n= 134) and demented (n= 98) 85‐year‐olds. Non‐demented subjects with white matter lesions (n= 46) scored significantly lower in tests of verbal ability (Synonyms), spatial ability (Block Design, Clock Test), perceptual speed (Identical forms), secondary memory (Thurstone Picture Memory), basic arithmetic (Coin Test) and the global cognitive screening test Mini‐Mental State Examination than non‐demented subjects without white matter lesions (n= 88). Demented subjects with white matter lesions (n= 67) scored significantly lower in tests of spatial ability (Block Design and Clock Test) and secondary memory (free recall in the MIR memory test, Ten‐word memory test I and II) and in the Mini‐Mental State Examination than demented subjects without white matter lesions (n= 31). It is concluded that white matter lesions contribute to cognitive decline in both non‐demented and demented elderly subjects.
An Alternative and Reliable Real-time Quantitative PCR Method to Determine HER2/neu Amplification in Breast Cancer

The overexpression of HER-2/neu is an independent prognostic factor of clinical outcome of breast cancer, therefore determination of HER-2/neu status is now an integral part of the clinicopathologic workup. The ways of measuring the copy number of the HER-2/neu gene in tumor cells comprise in situ hybridization techniques and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Quantitative real-time PCR is a relatively new technique for assessing HER-2/neu gene amplification with high sensitivity. However, the HER-2/neu Quantification Kit developed by Roche designed for a LightCycler 1.5 platform had been withdrawn from the commercial market; therefore, we were encouraged to design an alternative LightCycler-based method that offers the desired level of reliability. One hundred breast cancer cases with known HER-2/neu status have been examined with the original Roche developed HER-2/neu Quantification kit and the custom real-time PCR assay. The newly developed, custom PCR showed sensitivity of 91.43%, specificity of 90.63%, and accuracy of 90.91% taking fluorescence in situ hybridization results as the end point. We have described a novel real-time PCR technique for the relative quantification of the HER2/neu gene on a LightCycler 1.5 platform. We have determined that our method is eligible and ideal for the supplement of regular fluorescence in situ hybridization reactions, concerning its high sensitivity and reliability.
Airway inflammation in asthma and perennial allergic rhinitis. Relationship with nonspecific bronchial responsiveness and maximal airway narrowing

Background: Eosinophilic airway inflammation is the hallmark of asthma, but it has also been reported in other conditions such as allergic rhinitis. We have tested whether the analysis of cells and chemicals in sputum can distinguish between patients with mild allergic asthma, those with allergic rhinitis, and healthy controls. The relationship between inflammation markers in sputum and nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine (BHR) (PD20 and maximal response plateau [MRP] values) was also evaluated.
The economic crisis – some consequences for fertility behaviour: the cases of Portugal and Latvia

Several European countries are, or have recently been, confronted with a series of crises which mutually affect each other. In this paper the economic crisis but especially the demographic crisis, caused by a sharp decline in birth rate, will be discussed. This tendency in fertility behaviour has been going on for some decades, in part because of the high requirements of children as to economic costs, time and energy of the parents, in particular the mothers. The decrease of births has been aggravated by deteriorating economic conditions. The authors will focus the interrelation between recent economic and demographic developments with regard to two countries, Portugal and Latvia, and with special attention to underprivileged, peripheral, regions. Relevant demographic data will be presented, and in discussing the fertility behaviour, economic conditions and also cultural factors will be considered, in particular the role attributed to women as mothers, and the value attached to children in the family.
THE EVOLUTION OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND INFLATION IN ROMANIA

In this paper, the authors refer to the unemployment and inflation evolution in Romania. The main topics approached in the paper follow the evolutionary trend of the unemployment, the unemployment structure and evolution in territorial profile. The second part of the paper is an analysis on the inflation phenomenon that affects the economy of Romania, and the authors have chosen to apply an econometric model to describe the influence of the inflation has on the Gross Domestic Product. The relevant datasets are presented in the paper, together with appropriate discussion and analysis based on them.
Monoclonal Antibody in the Identification of Haemophilus Somnus

Electrophoretic comparisons of outer membrane proteins of Haemophilus somnus isolates revealed 2 major protein bands (46 and 14 kilodaltons [kD]) common to all isolates tested. A monoclonal antibody raised against H. somnus reacted to the 46-kD band. Coagglutination tests were performed using a monoclonal antibody coagglutination assay. The monoclonal reagent was produced by incubating Cowan strain Staphylococcus aureus suspension, used as a source of crude protein A, with mouse ascitic fluid monoclonal antibody or goat anti-H. somnus hyperimmune serum. Bacteria to be tested were suspended at a concentration of 4.5 × 109 cells/ml. The coagglutination test was performed by the addition of 50 μ1 of the monoclonal reagent to 50 μ1 of the bacterial suspension on a glass plate and manual rotation for 2–3 minutes. The coagglutination assay using Cowan strain Staphylococcus aureus protein A, coupled with the monoclonal antibody, agglutinated 10 different H. somnus isolates. The antibody reagent did not coagglutinate with Actinobacillus suis, A. equuli, Pasteurella haemolytica, P. multocida, or P. pneumotropica under similar test conditions.
Abuse Liability Assessment of Neuroprotectants

ABSTRACT: There has been considerable interest in the potential of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists in the treatment of a diverse group of neurological disorders including cerebral ischemia and neurodegeneration. 8,16,19 The amino acids l‐glutamate and l‐aspartate have been shown to possibly mediate excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system (CNS) via selective excitatory amino acid receptors. Competitive and noncompetitive antagonists acting at the NMDA receptors have been shown to possess relevant activity. However, NMDA antagonists can produce a variety of adverse neurobehavioral effects in both animals and humans. 9‐12,14,17,18 These adverse events are particularly pronounced with NMDA antagonists (phencyclidine (PCP), ketamine, and MK‐801) that have dissociative anesthetic properties and block NMDA receptor‐mediated responses by binding to the cation channel of the NMDA receptor complex. When a new pharmaceutical product demonstrates structural similarity and/or a similar pharmacological profile with a known drug of abuse, the characterization of its abuse potential is needed by the FDA for scientific review. 1,3,4,22 The abuse liability assessment is based upon an evaluation of data on the chemistry, pharmacology (preclinical and clinical), pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamic profiles of the drug, and the adverse events/effects reported in clinical trials. The evaluation of the drug's abuse potential is determined relative to pharmacologically similar drugs. This includes determination of the drug's receptor binding efficacy, preclinical pharmacology, reinforcing efficacy, discriminative stimulus effects, dependence‐producing potential, pharmacokinetics, and assessment of the clinical efficacy‐safety database relative to abuse and clinical abuse liability studies. 2,7,9,13,20–22 It has been well established that high‐affinity noncompetitive NMDA antagonists have reinforcing efficacy and can serve as discriminative stimuli in operant procedures. In a variety of species in drug discrimination studies, each antagonist is capable of generalizing to the others, and it is believed that these effects may be mediated through the NMDA blockade. The generalization of each substance for another suggests production of common subjective effects in humans.
Dimensional structure and course of post-traumatic stress symptomatology in World Trade Center responders

Background Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in response to the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster of 11 September 2001 (9/11) is one of the most prevalent and persistent health conditions among both professional (e.g. police) and non-traditional (e.g. construction worker) WTC responders, even several years after 9/11. However, little is known about the dimensionality and natural course of WTC-related PTSD symptomatology in these populations. Method Data were analysed from 10 835 WTC responders, including 4035 police and 6800 non-traditional responders who were evaluated as part of the WTC Health Program, a clinic network in the New York area established by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were used to evaluate structural models of PTSD symptom dimensionality; and autoregressive cross-lagged (ARCL) panel regressions were used to examine the prospective interrelationships among PTSD symptom clusters at 3, 6 and 8 years after 9/11. Results CFAs suggested that five stable symptom clusters best represent PTSD symptom dimensionality in both police and non-traditional WTC responders. This five-factor model was also invariant over time with respect to factor loadings and structural parameters, thereby demonstrating its longitudinal stability. ARCL panel regression analyses revealed that hyperarousal symptoms had a prominent role in predicting other symptom clusters of PTSD, with anxious arousal symptoms primarily driving re-experiencing symptoms, and dysphoric arousal symptoms primarily driving emotional numbing symptoms over time. Conclusions Results of this study suggest that disaster-related PTSD symptomatology in WTC responders is best represented by five symptom dimensions. Anxious arousal symptoms, which are characterized by hypervigilance and exaggerated startle, may primarily drive re-experiencing symptoms, while dysphoric arousal symptoms, which are characterized by sleep disturbance, irritability/anger and concentration difficulties, may primarily drive emotional numbing symptoms over time. These results underscore the importance of assessment, monitoring and early intervention of hyperarousal symptoms in WTC and other disaster responders.
A practical integrated 1.5-bit MDAC for pipeline ADCs

A practical integrated 1.5-bit MDAC is introduced which can be used in a pipeline ADC to improve its performances. The MDAC is implemented in a full differential switch-capacitor circuit, which includes a gain-boost amplifier, boot-strapped switches, and pre-amplifying latching comparators. Because of the elaborate design, the MDAC can tolerate the offset of the comparators as high as 1/2LSB with respect to the current stage. The simulated results show that the MDAC achieves a sampling rate of 200MHz with SNR of 76dB and SFDR of 81dB, while consuming only 10.1mW.
Alzheimer's Association Quality Care Campaign and professional training initiatives: improving hands-on care for people with dementia in the U.S.A.

ABSTRACT In the U.S.A. , direct care workers and licensed practical nurses are the professionals who provide the most hands-on care to people with dementia in nursing homes and residential care facilities – yet they do not receive adequate training in dementia care. Dementia care training needs to be universal with all disciplines at all levels of care. Even though there is variability on recommended hours and content, most studies emphasize the importance of dementia care training as a distinct component of required training for any professional or paraprofessional working in long-term care. In 2005, the Alzheimer's Association launched its Quality Care Campaign to improve dementia care through state and federal advocacy; consumer education and empowerment; and staff training. This paper describes the effectiveness of Alzheimer's Association training as measured by knowledge gained and providers' intention to change their behavior immediately after attending the training. Overall, findings indicated that the participants responded positively to evidence-based training in dementia care that emphasized the importance of (i) leadership, (ii) team communication and collaboration, (iii) support and empowerment of direct care staff, (iv) awareness and practice of specific dementia care issues, (v) resident and family involvement in care, and (vi) professional self-care.
Refractoriness Accounts for Variable Spike Burst Responses in Somatosensory Cortex

Abstract Neurons in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) respond to peripheral stimulation with synchronized bursts of spikes, which lock to the macroscopic 600-Hz EEG waves. The mechanism of burst generation and synchronization in S1 is not yet understood. Using models of single-neuron responses fitted to unit recordings from macaque monkeys, we show that these synchronized bursts are the consequence of correlated synaptic inputs combined with a refractory mechanism. In the presence of noise these models reproduce also the observed trial-to-trial response variability, where individual bursts represent one of many stereotypical temporal spike patterns. When additional slower and global excitability fluctuations are introduced the single-neuron spike patterns are correlated with the population activity, as demonstrated in experimental data. The underlying biophysical mechanism of S1 responses involves thalamic inputs arriving through depressing synapses to cortical neurons in a high-conductance state. Our findings show that a simple feedforward processing of peripheral inputs could give rise to neuronal responses with nontrivial temporal and population statistics. We conclude that neural systems could use refractoriness to encode variable cortical states into stereotypical short-term spike patterns amenable to processing at neuronal time scales (tens of milliseconds).
Myoblasts survive intracardiac transfer and divide further after transplantation.

OBJECTIVE Skeletal myoblasts have been proven to survive transplantation into myocardial scar tissue. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether these cells can also be transferred into vital myocardium and maintain their ability for cell division after transplantation. In addition, an intravital fluorescence dye for marking these cells was evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS Skeletal myoblasts were harvested from male Lewis rats (n = 6) and then expanded in culture. Before implantation, these cells were trypsinized and labeled using an intravital fluorescence dye (PKH-26). Syngenic myoblast transfer to recipient female Lewis rats (n = 36) was used to simulate autologous transplantation. Under general anesthesia, the rats received injections of 106 myoblasts via a subxyphoidal approach into the apex of the heart. The animals were then divided into 3 groups (n = 10 each). The animals were sacrificed at several time points, and the hearts were harvested for histologic examination: group A, 7 days postoperatively; group B, 14 days postoperatively; and group C, 28 days postoperatively. An additional group, group D (n = 6), served as a control group; these animals were injected with only cell medium. Corresponding to the study groups, 2 animals of this control group were sacrificed at each time point, and the hearts were explanted. At histological examination, 8- m sections were investigated to identify surviving stained cells. For further evaluation, the sections were stained using monoclonal antibodies against n-cam, desmin, and a- actin. RESULTS No fluorescing cells were found in any hearts of rats in the control group. Surviving fluorescing myoblasts were found in 9 of 10 hearts of groups A and C and 8 of 10 hearts of group B. Labeled myoblasts were located in the intercellular spaces between the myocardial fibers. Fibrotic or inflammatory reactions could not be identified around the injection site in any hearts of the study groups. Immunohistochemical staining results showed that the labeled cells expressed n-cam, desmin, and a-actin. The myoblasts had regained their physiologic structures and had started to form myofibers. In groups B and C, more n-cam-positive cells than labeled cells were found, indicating further cell division. CONCLUSIONS Intravital fluorescence staining with PKH- 26 dye proved to be an easy and reliable method for identifying cells after cellular transplantation. Myoblasts survived an intracardiac transfer, regaining their physiologic structures and maintaining their ability for further cell division.