Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Atypical antipsychotic use is an independent predictor for the increased mean platelet volume in patients with schizophrenia: A preliminary study

Background: Cardiovascular diseases, cardiovascular risk factors, and mortality due to these situations are more frequently encountered in schizophrenic patients when compared with the general population. The mean platelet volume (MPV) is a surrogate biomarker of the platelet activity and an useful prognostic test in cardiometabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate what influenced MPV levels in patients with schizophrenia. Materials and Methods: We evaluated hospital records of 60 hospitalized schizophrenia patients. Thirty age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were also included as a control group. Results: MPV levels were significantly higher in patients who were on atypical antipsychotic drugs than in patients who were not using any drug (9.2 ± 0.8 vs. 8.6 ± 0.8 fL, P = 0.016) and also higher than control group (9.2 ± 0.8 vs. 8.1 ± 0.9 fL, P < 0.001). Furthermore, patients who were not using antipsychotics had higher MPV than control group (8.6 ± 0.8 vs. 8.1 ± 0.9 fL, P = 0.036). Atypical antipsychotic use [Odds ratio (OR) =6.152, 95% confidence interval (CI,) P = 0.003)] and platelet distribution width (OR = 0.989, 95% CI, P = 0.032) were associated with high MPV levels in univariate analysis. In multivariate logistic regression model, only atypical antipsychotics use (OR = 6.152, 95% CI, P = 0.003) was found to be independent predictor of high MPV levels after adjustment of other potential confounders (age, gender, presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and smoking). Conclusion: MPV seems to be influenced not only by schizophrenia itself but also by atypical antipsychotic drugs. It might be concluded that schizophrenic patients are under increased risk for cardiometabolic diseases and risk factors and this risk is higher in patients on atypical antipsychotic treatment.
Epithelial Immunization Induces Polyfunctional CD8+ T Cells and Optimal Mousepox Protection

ABSTRACT We assessed several routes of immunization with vaccinia virus (VACV) in protecting mice against ectromelia virus (ECTV). By a wide margin, skin scarification provided the greatest protection. Humoral immunity and resident-memory T cells notwithstanding, several approaches revealed that circulating, memory CD8+ T cells primed via scarification were functionally superior and conferred enhanced virus control. Immunization via the epithelial route warrants further investigation, as it may also provide enhanced defense against other infectious agents.
Positive Development, Sense of Belonging, and Support of Peers among Early Adolescents: Perspectives of Different Actors

Trusting relationships at school and within other social networks emerge as protective factors that are crucial to the positive development of early adolescents. School is one of the critical environments where they can develop a sense of belonging. This study involved 20 qualitative interviews with school staff and youth workers recruited from social services and high schools in Eastern Ontario and 12 qualitative interviews with adolescents 12-13 years of age attending some of these same schools. Deductive and inductive analysis of the transcripts clearly underscored the importance of the supportive roles played by peers, teachers and non-family adults in the lives of early teens. The proximity that results from listening to and accompanying early adolescents in day-to-day activities, and comprehending their issues, presents an opportunity for youth workers and school staff to better grasp how to become credible, trusted and legitimate in the eyes of young teens.
ROLE OF NEURONAL NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE IN OVINE SEPSIS MODEL

Smoke inhalation injury is often complicated with pneumonia, which frequently leads to subsequent development of sepsis. Excessive NO has been shown to mediate many sepsis-related pathological responses. In the present study, we used our well-established ovine smoke inhalation and pneumonia/sepsis model to examine the hypothesis that neuronal NO synthase (NOS) may be primarily responsible for these pathological alterations. We report the beneficial effects of the specific neuronal NOS (nNOS) inhibitor ZK234238. Adult female sheep were surgically prepared for the study. After 5 to 7 days' recovery, sheep were anesthetized and given double injury: insufflation of 48 breaths of cotton smoke (<40°C) into the airway of each animal and subsequent instillation of live Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5 × 1011 colony-forming units) into each sheep's lung via tracheostomy tube. All sheep were mechanically ventilated and fluid resuscitated by lactated Ringer's solution. Sheep were randomly allocated into groups: control (injured not treated, n = 6) and treated (injured, but treated with ZK234238, n = 4). Continuous infusion of ZK234238 (100 &mgr;g · kg−1 · h−1) was started 1 h after insult. ZK234238 attenuated the hypotension (at 18 and 24 h) and fall in systemic vascular resistance (at 24 h) seen in control animals. ZK234238 significantly inhibited increased fluid accumulation as well as increased plasma nitrate/nitrite 24 h after injury. Neuronal NOS inhibition significantly reduced lung water content and attenuated inflammatory indices such as lung tissue myeloperoxidase activity, IL-6 mRNA, and reactive nitrogen species. The above results suggest that the nNOS-derived NO may be involved in the pathophysiology of sepsis-related multiorgan dysfunction.
Evaluation of Animal Genetic and Physiological Factors That Affect the Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157 in Cattle

Controlling the prevalence of Escherichia coli O157 in cattle at the pre-harvest level is critical to reduce outbreaks of this pathogen in humans. Multilayers of factors including the environmental and bacterial factors modulate the colonization and persistence of E. coli O157 in cattle that serve as a reservoir of this pathogen. Here, we report animal factors contributing to the prevalence of E. coli O157 in cattle. We observe the lowest number of E. coli O157 in Brahman breed when compared with other crosses in an Angus-Brahman multibreed herd, and bulls excrete more E. coli O157 than steers in the pens where cattle were housed together. The presence of super-shedders, cattle excreting >105 CFU/rectal anal swab, increases the concentration of E. coli O157 in the pens; thereby super-shedders enhance transmission of this pathogen among cattle. Molecular subtyping analysis reveal only one subtype of E. coli O157 in the multibreed herd, indicating the variance in the levels of E. coli O157 in cattle is influenced by animal factors. Furthermore, strain tracking after relocation of the cattle to a commercial feedlot reveals farm-to-farm transmission of E. coli O157, likely via super-shedders. Our results reveal high risk factors in the prevalence of E. coli O157 in cattle whereby animal genetic and physiological factors influence whether this pathogen can persist in cattle at high concentration, providing insights to intervene this pathogen at the pre-harvest level.
Expression of Kirsten murine sarcoma virus in transformed nonproducer and revertant NIH/3T3 cells: evidence for cell-mediated resistance to a viral oncogene in phenotypic reversion

Expression of the provirus in a clonally related series of Kirsten murine sarcoma virus-transformed NIH/3T3 nonproducer cell lines was examined at both the transcriptional and translational levels. All cells expressed high levels of genome-sized viral RNA with little variation between cell lines despite differences in provirus integration site and copy number. Expression of K-ras RNA was estimated to be at least 10- to 20-fold higher than that of the mouse cellular homolog of the viral transforming gene. Levels of the virus-coded transforming protein, p21, were similarly elevated, with little variation between nonproducer cells. In two revertant cell lines containing a normal provirus and a rescuable transforming gene, no impairment in expression at either the transcriptional or translational level was found. After superinfection with Kirsten murine sarcoma virus, one revertant became more tumorigenic, whereas the other remained nontumorigenic. These results show that cell transformation by Kirsten murine sarcoma virus is invariably associated with elevated expression of the virus-coded oncogene and that one of the revertants is resistant to the action of the viral transforming gene.
A universal formulation for selective harmonic elimination PWM with half-wave symmetry for multilevel voltage source converters

Selective harmonic elimination (SHE) - pulse with modulation (PWM), when applied to multilevel converters (MCs), can be optimized in case a half-wave (HW) symmetry is implemented. This kind of symmetry is able to provide a wide variety of solutions. This paper proposes a novel method, based on optimization algorithms, which provides a universal formulation of the SHE-PWM problem with HW symmetry, in such a way that different equation systems are not required to find a solution when different switching patterns are considered. In this way, the proposed technique is able to search simultaneously both the switching patterns and their associated firing angles that solve the SHE-PWM problem, without using predefined waveforms. Therefore, the search process is significantly simplified and the flexibility to find solutions with different waveforms, throughout the reference modulation index, ma, range, is increased. Different sets of solutions provided by this method have been presented and simulation results, obtained from a five-level modular multilevel converter (MMC), have proved the validity of the new proposed technique.
The Expressive Power of Neural Networks: A View from the Width

The expressive power of neural networks is important for understanding deep learning. Most existing works consider this problem from the view of the depth of a network. In this paper, we study how width affects the expressiveness of neural networks. Classical results state that depth-bounded (e.g. depth-$2$) networks with suitable activation functions are universal approximators. We show a universal approximation theorem for width-bounded ReLU networks: width-$(n+4)$ ReLU networks, where $n$ is the input dimension, are universal approximators. Moreover, except for a measure zero set, all functions cannot be approximated by width-$n$ ReLU networks, which exhibits a phase transition. Several recent works demonstrate the benefits of depth by proving the depth-efficiency of neural networks. That is, there are classes of deep networks which cannot be realized by any shallow network whose size is no more than an exponential bound. Here we pose the dual question on the width-efficiency of ReLU networks: Are there wide networks that cannot be realized by narrow networks whose size is not substantially larger? We show that there exist classes of wide networks which cannot be realized by any narrow network whose depth is no more than a polynomial bound. On the other hand, we demonstrate by extensive experiments that narrow networks whose size exceed the polynomial bound by a constant factor can approximate wide and shallow network with high accuracy. Our results provide more comprehensive evidence that depth is more effective than width for the expressiveness of ReLU networks.
A Case-Based Reasoning Framework to Choose Trust Models for Different E-Marketplace Environments

The performance of trust models highly depend on the characteristics of the environments where they are applied. Thus, it becomes challenging to choose a suitable trust model for a given e-marketplace environment, especially when ground truth about the agent (buyer and seller) behavior is unknown (called unknown environment). We propose a case-based reasoning framework to choose suitable trust models for unknown environments, based on the intuition that if a trust model performs well in one environment, it will do so in another similar environment. Firstly, we build a case base with a number of simulated environments (with known ground truth) along with the trust models most suitable for each of them. Given an unknown environment, case-based retrieval algorithms retrieve the most similar case(s), and the trust model of the most similar case(s) is chosen as the most suitable model for the unknown environment. Evaluation results confirm the effectiveness of our framework in choosing suitable trust models for different e-marketplace environments.
Available From

This bibliography, which was compiled in conjunction with a review of the developmental disabilities literature focusing on interventions with challenging behavior, contains references for 151 articles from 15 journals. The bibliography, covering articles published between 1988 and 1992, updates an earlier version which covered 1976 through 1987. The articles are arranged by journal, and alphabetically by author within each journal. Each article contains an intervention designed to reduce an excess or challenging behavior by directly targeting the problem area or by teaching a replacement skill. Articles with a primary focus on training and instructional procedures were not included unless the purpose of the skill training was to reduce the occurrence of an undesirable behavior. (JDD) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document.
Quinolone resistance mediated by norA: physiologic characterization and relationship to flqB, a quinolone resistance locus on the Staphylococcus aureus chromosome

We identified a quinolone resistance locus, flqB, linked to transposon insertion omega 1108 and fus on the SmaI D fragment of the Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 8325 chromosome, the same fragment that contains the norA gene. S. aureus norA cloned from flqB and flqB+ strains in Escherichia coli differed only in a single nucleotide in the putative promoter region. There was no detectable change in the number of copies of norA on the chromosomes of flqB strains, but they had increased levels of norA transcripts. Cloned norA produced resistance to norfloxacin and other hydrophilic quinolones and reduced norfloxacin accumulation in intact cells that was energy dependent, suggesting active drug efflux as the mechanism of resistance. Drug efflux was studied by measurement of norfloxacin uptake into everted inner membrane vesicles prepared from norA-containing E. coli cells. Vesicles exhibited norfloxacin uptake after the addition of lactate or NADH, and this uptake was abolished by carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone and nigericin but not valinomycin, indicating that it was linked to the pH gradient across the cell membrane. Norfloxacin uptake into vesicles was also saturable, with an apparent Km of 6 microM, a concentration between those that inhibit the growth of flqB and flqB+ S. aureus cells, indicating that drug uptake is mediated by a carrier with a high apparent affinity for norfloxacin. Ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin competitively inhibited norfloxacin uptake into vesicles. Reserpine, which inhibits the multidrug efflux mediated by the bmr gene of bacillus subtilis, which is similar to norA, abolished norfloxacin uptake into vesicles as well as the norfloxacin resistance of an flqB mutant, suggesting a potential means for circumventing quinolone resistance as a result of drug efflux in S. aureus. These findings indicate that the chromosomal flqB resistance locus is associated with increased levels of expression of norA and strongly suggest that the NorA protein itself functions as a drug transporter that is coupled to the proton gradient across the cell membrane.
Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia patients do not succumb to the Allais paradox

The Allais Paradox represents one of the earliest empirical challenges to normative models of decision-making, and suggests that choices in one part of a gamble may depend on the possible outcome in another, independent, part of the gamble—a violation of the so-called “independence axiom. ” To account for Allaisian behavior, one well-known class of models propose that individuals' choices are influenced not only by possible outcomes resulting from one's choices, but also the anticipation of regret for foregone options. Here we test the regret hypothesis using a population of patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), a clinical population known to present ventromedial prefrontal cortex dysfunctions and associated with impaired regret processing in previous studies of decision-making. Compared to matched controls and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, we found a striking diminution of Allaisian behavior among bvFTD patients. These results are consistent with the regret hypothesis and furthermore suggest a crucial role for prefrontal regions in choices that typically stands in contradiction with a basic axiom of rational decision-making.
REJECTION OF CHRONIC SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS : SOME PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS FROM KERALA

A study was conducted on 57 relatives (34 male and 23 female) of 57 (32 male and 25 female) schizophrenic patients in Kerala. The rejection response was found to be related to gender of patients and relatives, being significantly higher in males. The test reliability alpha of the Patient Rejection Scale was found to be 0.93 and it is higher than English and German version of the scale. Compared to the German and New York sample, the present sample tend to have high rejection feeling.
Gait speed as a measure of functional status in COPD patients

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease associated with dyspnea, fatigue, and exercise intolerance. The degree of functional debility and level of exercise capacity greatly influences quality of life and mortality in patients with COPD, and the measures of exercise capacity are to be an integral part of patient assessment but often not feasible in routine daily practice, resulting in likely suboptimal care. There is a need for simple ways to identify functional decline in the clinical setting in order to guide resources to preventive interventions or proper care, including palliative care. Gait speed, or measuring how long it takes for a patient to walk a short distance, takes very little time and space, and can serve as a candidate measure of physical function in COPD. Gait speed has been shown to be an indicator of disability, health care utilization, and survival in older adults. It is a simple, reliable, and feasible measure to perform in the clinic and has been promoted as the next vital sign, providing insight into patients’ functional capacity. Gait speed is mainly determined by exercise capacity but reflects global well-being as it captures many of the multisystemic effects of disease severity in COPD rather than pulmonary impairment alone. It is an excellent screening measure for exercise capacity and frailty; in COPD, the usual gait speed (4-m course with rolling start) has been very accurate in identifying clinically relevant benchmarks of the 6-minute walk test, poor (<350 m) and very poor (<200 m) 6-minute walk test distances. A specific cut-off point of 0.8 m · s−1 had a positive predictive value of 69% and negative predictive value of 98% in predicting very poor exercise capacity. The increasing evidence on gait speed is promising as a simple test that can inform the clinician about many important functional aspects of the COPD patient. Further work will likely show the strength of gait speed as a predictive marker of hospitalizations, re-admissions, and mortality. Instead of relying on the “eyeball test” regarding the patient’s frailty or exercise capacity, a gait speed in its simplicity represents a much more solid assessment. Furthermore, repeat measures over serial clinic visits may show a pattern and further guide a change in therapy, whether it be medications, rehabilitation, or even initiation of palliative care discussions.
Genetic Analysis of the Dihydrofolate Reductase-Thymidylate Synthase Gene from Geographically Diverse Isolates of Plasmodium malariae

ABSTRACT Plasmodium malariae, the parasite responsible for quartan malaria, is transmitted in most areas of malaria endemicity and is associated with significant morbidity. The sequence of the gene coding for the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHFR-TS) was obtained from field isolates of P. malariae and from the closely related simian parasite Plasmodium brasilianum. The two sequences were nearly 100% homologous, adding weight to the notion that they represent genetically distinct lines of the same species. A survey of polymorphisms of the dhfr sequences in 35 isolates of P. malariae collected from five countries in Asia and Africa revealed a low number of nonsynonymous mutations in five codons. In five of the isolates collected from southeast Asia, a nonsynonymous mutation was found at one of the three positions known to be associated with antifolate resistance in other Plasmodium species. Five isolates with the wild-type DHFR could be assayed for drug susceptibility in vitro and were found to be sensitive to pyrimethamine (mean 50% inhibitory concentration, 2.24 ng/ml [95% confidence interval, 0.4 to 3.1]).
Effects of abnormal light-rearing conditions on retinal physiology in larvae zebrafish.

PURPOSE Anatomic studies have found that zebrafish retinal neurons develop in a sequential fashion. In addition, exposure to abnormal light-rearing conditions produces deficits in visual behavior of larvae zebrafish, even though there appears to be little effect of the light-rearing conditions on the gross morphology of the retina. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of abnormal light-rearing conditions on larvae zebrafish retinal physiology. METHODS Larvae zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to constant light (LL), constant dark (DD), or normal cyclic light (LD) from fertilization to 6 days postfertilization (dpf). After 6 days, the animals were placed into normal cyclic light and tested at 6 to 8, 13 to 15, and 21 to 24 dpf. Electroretinogram (ERG) responses to visual stimuli, consisting of various wavelengths and irradiances, were recorded. Comparisons were made across the three age groups and the three light-rearing conditions. RESULTS Deficits from the light-rearing conditions were seen immediately after exposure (6 8 dpf). The LL-condition subjects showed the greatest deficit in the UV and short-wavelength areas and the DD-condition subjects showed a slight deficit across the entire spectrum. At 13 to 15 dpf, the LL and DD groups showed an increase in sensitivity and by 21 to 24 dpf, the groups no longer differed from controls. CONCLUSIONS Abnormal lighting environments can adversely influence the physiological development of the larvae zebrafish retina. The pattern of damage that was seen in zebrafish is similar to that found in other vertebrates, including higher vertebrates. However, unlike higher vertebrates, the zebrafish appears to be capable of regeneration. This suggests that the zebrafish would be a viable model for light environment effects and neural regeneration.