Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Anxiety disorders in childhood and adolescence: clinical and neurobiological aspects].

OBJECTIVE This article reviews the clinical and epidemiological aspects of anxiety disorders in youngsters, as well as current medical and psychological treatment strategies. The role of the neurobiological models possibly involved in the etiology of these disorders is also discussed. SOURCES OF DATA MEDLINE search of papers published in English from 1981 to 2003. The following key words were used: anxiety disorders, neurobiology, childhood, adolescence. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS Childhood-onset anxiety disorders are among the most frequent psychiatric conditions in children and adolescents. Epidemiological data estimate a prevalence of 10% in this population. The neurobiological models involved in the etiology of anxiety disorders in youngsters are closely related to neuroimaging studies with individuals presenting these pathologies. The role of the amygdala in the pathophysiology of these disorders is underscored. To be effective, treatment must combine several interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral, family, and, frequently, drug treatments. CONCLUSIONS Early identification and prompt treatment of anxiety disorders may prevent negative consequences, such as school absenteeism and frequent and unnecessary visits to pediatric services due to somatic complaints related to anxiety disorders. Moreover, it is possible that psychiatric problems could be avoided or attenuated in adulthood.
VALVULAR AND STRUCTURAL HEART DISEASES Original Studies Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory

Objectives: To establish the feasibility of fusion of a 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) dataset to the routine fluoroscopic image in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Background: Routine fluoroscopic imaging in the cardiac catheterization laboratory often does not provide adequate anatomic detail for structural cardiac interventions. The modern C-arm is capable of acquiring CT-like 3D images (Syngo DynaCT), and the overlay of CT-acquired details on the fluoroscopic image may be useful. The feasibility of this new technology has not yet been reported. Methods: Three patients (presenting with three different clinical indications) were selected, all of whom had previously undergone contrast-enhanced chest CT. Anatomic details of interest were marked on the preprocedural CT, and the CT was registered to a DynaCT acquired in the catheterization laboratory. The CT:CT registration was then fused to the ‘‘real-time’’ fluoroscopic image. Results: Fusion of the CT to the fluoroscopic image was successful in these three patients and provided a substantial degree of anatomic guidance for catheter and device manipulation. Conclusions: We have demonstrated the ability to delineate cardiovascular structures of interest on the ‘‘real-time’’ fluoroscopic image using CT fusion. Future studies should address whether this technology can reduce overall contrast administration and radiation dose. VC 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Don't know, can't know: embracing deeper uncertainties when analysing risks

Numerous types of uncertainty arise when using formal models in the analysis of risks. Uncertainty is best seen as a relation, allowing a clear separation of the object, source and ‘owner’ of the uncertainty, and we argue that all expressions of uncertainty are constructed from judgements based on possibly inadequate assumptions, and are therefore contingent. We consider a five-level structure for assessing and communicating uncertainties, distinguishing three within-model levels—event, parameter and model uncertainty—and two extra-model levels concerning acknowledged and unknown inadequacies in the modelling process, including possible disagreements about the framing of the problem. We consider the forms of expression of uncertainty within the five levels, providing numerous examples of the way in which inadequacies in understanding are handled, and examining criticisms of the attempts taken by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to separate the likelihood of events from the confidence in the science. Expressing our confidence in the adequacy of the modelling process requires an assessment of the quality of the underlying evidence, and we draw on a scale that is widely used within evidence-based medicine. We conclude that the contingent nature of risk-modelling needs to be explicitly acknowledged in advice given to policy-makers, and that unconditional expressions of uncertainty remain an aspiration.
Control-Flow Integrity

Memory corruption errors in C/C++ programs remain the most common source of security vulnerabilities in today’s systems. Control-flow hijacking attacks exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities to divert program execution away from the intended control flow. Researchers have spent more than a decade studying and refining defenses based on Control-Flow Integrity (CFI); this technique is now integrated into several production compilers. However, so far, no study has systematically compared the various proposed CFI mechanisms nor is there any protocol on how to compare such mechanisms. We compare a broad range of CFI mechanisms using a unified nomenclature based on (i) a qualitative discussion of the conceptual security guarantees, (ii) a quantitative security evaluation, and (iii) an empirical evaluation of their performance in the same test environment. For each mechanism, we evaluate (i) protected types of control-flow transfers and (ii) precision of the protection for forward and backward edges. For open-source, compiler-based implementations, we also evaluate (iii) generated equivalence classes and target sets and (iv) runtime performance.
Off-Label Use of Drugs and Devices in the Neuroendovascular Suite

SUMMARY: The off-label use of drugs and devices in neuroendovascular procedures is common. Neurointerventionalists should be well aware of the level of evidence available in support of the off-label use of drugs and devices in their practice and some of the potential adverse events associated with them. These uses are categorized as I or II if they have been evaluated as primary or ancillary interventions in prospective trials/registries of neuroendovascular procedures and III if they were evaluated in case series. Category IV use is based on evaluation as primary or ancillary interventions in prospective trials/registries of non-neuroendovascular procedures. Physicians are allowed to use off-label drugs and procedures if there is strong evidence that they are beneficial for the patient. The neurointerventional professional societies agree that off-label use of drugs and devices is an important part of the specialty, but practicing providers should base their decisions on sound evidence when using such drugs and devices.
Perceived barriers and facilitators to dental treatment among female caregivers of children with and without HIV and their health care providers.

PURPOSE This study sought to identify barriers and facilitators to dental care among families of predominately low socioeconomic status having children with and without HIV. METHODS Twelve focus group sessions with African-American and Hispanic caregivers and 18 individual semistructured interviews with key informant health care providers were held at two sites: a hospital-based program (HBP) and a dental school-based program (DSBP), that provide pediatric dental services. SPSS Textsmart software was used to analyze qualitative data within and across group types and sites. RESULTS Focus group participants (n = 72, averaging 6 women per group) included: HIV-seropositive biological mothers of HIV-seropositive children (4 groups); HIV-seronegative caregivers of HIV-seropositive children (4 groups); and Medicaid-eligible, HIV-seronegative caregivers of HIV-seronegative children (4 groups). The most commonly expressed barrier to dental care across groups was poor interpersonal communication between dental staff and caregiver/child. HIV-seronegative groups cited health care delivery system factors as barriers to receiving dental care more frequently than HIV-seropositive caregivers who cited shame/anger and family illness as being more important. Common facilitators were positive communication and transportation assistance. Unique facilitators for HIV-seropositive groups were coordination of the dental visits with medical appointments at the HBP. Key informants acknowledged high stress in families having children with HIV/AIDS, cited dental fear among caregivers as a barrier to dental treatment adherence and reported that dental care seemed to be a low priority among many of these families. CONCLUSIONS Facilitators and barriers to care included factors in the family, dental care and health care delivery systems as well as interpersonal communication between the dental providers and the families.
Protective Efficacy of DNA Vaccines against Duck Hepatitis B Virus Infection

ABSTRACT The efficacy of DNA vaccines encoding the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) pre-S/S and S proteins were tested in Pekin ducks. Plasmid pcDNA I/Amp DNA containing the DHBV pre-S/S or S genes was injected intramuscularly three times, at 3-week intervals. All pre-S/S and S-vaccinated ducks developed total anti-DHBs and specific anti-S antibodies with similar titers reaching 1/10,000 to 1/50,000 and 1/2,500 to 1/4,000, respectively, after the third vaccination. However, following virus challenge, significant differences in the rate of virus removal from the bloodstream and the presence of virus replication in the liver were found between the groups. In three of four S-vaccinated ducks, 90% of the inoculum was removed between <5 and 15 min postchallenge (p.c.) and no virus replication was detected in the liver at 4 days p.c. In contrast, in all four pre-S/S-vaccinated ducks, 90% of the inoculum was removed between 60 and 90 min p.c. and DHBsAg was detected in 10 to 40% of hepatocytes. Anti-S serum abolished virus infectivity when preincubated with DHBV before inoculation into 1-day-old ducklings and primary duck hepatocyte cultures, while anti-pre-S/S serum showed very limited capacity to neutralize virus infectivity in these two systems. Thus, although both DNA vaccines induced high titers of anti-DHBs antibodies, anti-S antibodies induced by the S-DNA construct were highly effective in neutralizing virus infectivity while similar levels of anti-S induced by the pre-S/S-DNA construct conferred only very limited protection. This phenomenon requires further clarification, particularly in light of the development of newer HBV vaccines containing pre-S proteins and a possible discrepancy between anti-HBs titers and protective efficacy.
An Autoinhibitory Domain Confers Redox Regulation to Maize Glycerate Kinase1[W]

Glycerate 3-kinase (GLYK) is the terminal enzyme of the photorespiratory cycle in plants and many cyanobacteria. For several C4 plants, notably grasses of the NADP-malic enzyme (ME) subtype, redox regulation of GLYK has been reported, but the responsible molecular mechanism is not known. We have analyzed the enzyme from the NADP-ME C4 plant maize (Zea mays) and found that maize GLYK, in contrast to the enzyme from C3 plants and a dicotyledonous NADP-ME C4 plant, harbors a short carboxy-terminal extension. In its oxidized (night) form, a disulfide bridge is formed between the two cysteine residues present in this extra domain, and GLYK activity becomes inhibited. Cleavage of this bond by thioredoxin f produces the fully active thiol form, releasing autoinhibition. Fusion of the maize GLYK redox-regulatory domain to GLYK from C3 plants confers redox regulation to these otherwise unregulated enzymes. It appears that redox regulation of GLYK could be an exclusive feature of monocotyledonous C4 plants of the NADP-ME type, in which linear electron transport occurs only in the mesophyll chloroplasts. Hence, we suggest that GLYK, in addition to its function in photorespiration, provides glycerate 3-phosphate for the accelerated production of triose phosphate and its export from the mesophyll. This could facilitate the activation of redox-regulated Calvin cycle enzymes and the buildup of Calvin cycle intermediates in the bundle sheath of these particular C4 plants during the dark/light transition.
Klinkenerg-Corrected Permeability Measurements in Tight Gas Sands: Steady-State Versus Unsteady-State Techniques

This paper presents results from a laboratory study comparing Klinkenberg-corrected permeability measurements in tight gas sands using both a conventional steady-state technique and two commercially-available unsteady-state permeameters. We also investigated the effects of various rate and pressure testing conditions on steady-state flow measurements. Our study shows the unsteady-state technique consistently overestimates the steady-state permeabilities, even when the steady-state measurements are corrected for gas slippage and inertial effects. The differences are most significant for permeabilities less than about 0.01 md. We validated the steady-state Klinkenberg-corrected permeabilities with liquid permeabilities measured using both brine and kerosene. Although gas slippage effects are more pronounced with helium than with nitrogen, we also confirmed the steady-state results using two different gases. Moreover, we show results are similar for both constant backpressure and constant mass flow rate test conditions. Finally, our study illustrates the importance of using a finite backpressure to reduce non-Darcy flow effects, particularly for ultra low-permeability samples.
High cocaine dosage decreases neurogenesis in the hippocampus and impairs working memory

Drug addiction is a chronic brain disorder, characterized by the loss of the ability to control drug consumption. The neurobiology of addiction is traditionally thought to involve the mesocorticolimbic system of the brain. However, the hippocampus has received renewed interest for its potential role in addiction. Part of this attention is because of the fact that drugs of abuse are potent negative regulators of neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus and may as a result impair learning and memory. We investigated the effects of different dosages of contingent cocaine on cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and on working memory during abstinence, using the water T‐maze test, in adult rats. We found that cocaine, in addition to the changes it produces in the reward system, if taken in high doses, can attenuate the production and development of new neurons in the hippocampus, and reduce working memory.
Predictors for the outcome of small-incision lenticule extraction for Myopia.

PURPOSE To study the influence of patient- and surgery-related parameters on the predictability, efficacy, and safety of small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for treatment of myopia. METHODS This prospective, clinical quality, control study comprised 670 eyes from 335 patients with myopia up to -10.00 diopters (D) (spherical equivalent refraction) and astigmatism up to 2.00 D treated with SMILE in both eyes and followed for 3 months. RESULTS Preoperative mean spherical equivalent refraction was -7.19±1.30 D. In eyes with emmetropia as the target refraction, 84% obtained uncorrected distance visual acuity ≤ 0.10 logMAR (20/25 or better Snellen equivalent) at 3 months. Mean corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) improved from -0.03 to -0.05 logMAR (P<.01). Two or more lines of CDVA were lost in 2.4% (16 eyes). The achieved refraction was 0.25±0.44 D less than attempted after 3 months, and 80% (537 eyes) and 94% (631 eyes) were within ±0.50 and ±1.00 D of attempted correction, respectively. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that spherical equivalent refraction undercorrection was predicted by increasing patient age (0.10 D per decade; P<.01) and steeper corneal curvature (0.04 D per D; P<.01). Safety and efficacy of the procedure were minimally affected by age, gender, and simultaneous cylinder correction. CONCLUSIONS Undercorrection of 0.25 D and small effects of patient age and corneal curvature suggest that the standard nomogram for SMILE need only minor adjustments. This study suggests that safety and efficacy are not influenced to any clinically significant degree by easily discernible patient factors.
Vimentin Levels and Serine 71 Phosphorylation in the Control of Cell-Matrix Adhesions, Migration Speed, and Shape of Transformed Human Fibroblasts

Metastasizing tumor cells show increased expression of the intermediate filament (IF) protein vimentin, which has been used to diagnose invasive tumors for decades. Recent observations indicate that vimentin is not only a passive marker for carcinoma, but may also induce tumor cell invasion. To clarify how vimentin IFs control cell adhesions and migration, we analyzed the nanoscale (30–50 nm) spatial organization of vimentin IFs and cell-matrix adhesions in metastatic fibroblast cells, using three-color stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy. We also studied whether wild-type and phospho-deficient or -mimicking mutants of vimentin changed the size and lifetime of focal adhesions (FAs), cell shape, and cell migration, using live-cell total internal reflection imaging and confocal microscopy. We observed that vimentin exists in fragments of different lengths. Short fragments were mostly the size of a unit-length filament and were mainly localized close to small cell-matrix adhesions. Long vimentin filaments were found in the proximity of large FAs. Vimentin expression in these cells caused a reduction in FAs size and an elongated cell shape, but did not affect FA lifetime, or the speed or directionality of cell migration. Expression of a phospho-mimicking mutant (S71D) of vimentin increased the speed of cell migration. Taken together, our results suggest that in highly migratory, transformed mesenchymal cells, vimentin levels control the cell shape and FA size, but not cell migration, which instead is linked to the phosphorylation status of S71 vimentin. These observations are consistent with the possibility that not only levels, but also the assembly status of vimentin control cell migration.
Therapeutic Efficacy of Meropenem for Treatment of Experimental Penicillin-Resistant Pneumococcal Meningitis

With the widespread emergence of antimicrobial resistance, combination regimens of ceftriaxone and vancomycin (C+V) or ceftriaxone and rifampin (C+R) are recommended for empirical treatment of pneumococcal meningitis. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of meropenem (M), we compared various treatment regimens in arabbit model of meningitis caused by penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP). Therapeutic efficacy was also evaluated by the final bacterial concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at 24 hr. Each group consisted of six rabbits. C+V cleared the CSF at 10 hr, but regrowth was noted in 3 rabbits at 24 hr. Meropenem monotherapy resulted in sterilization at 10 hr, but regrowth was observed in all 6 rabbits at 24 hr. M+V also resulted in sterilization at 10 hr, but regrowth was observed in 2 rabbits at 24 hr. M+V was superior to the meropenem monotherapy at 24 hr (reduction of 4.8 vs. 1.8 log10 cfu/mL, respectively; p=0.003). The therapeutic efficacy of M+V was comparable to that of C+V (reduction of 4.8 vs. 4.0 log10 cfu/mL, respectively; p=0.054). The meropenem monotherapy may not be a suitable choice for PRSP meningitis, while combination of meropenem and vancomycin could be a possible alternative in the treatment of PRSP meningitis.
Computer simulations of discotic liquid crystals in nanoconfinement

Discotics, that is liquid crystals formed by disk-like molecules, draw interest due to their applications as conductive nanowires confined in nanoporous templates. In this work we study the influence of different sizes of cylindrical nanoconfinement and surface anchoring on the phase behaviour of a discotic Gay-Berne fluid. The phase behaviour strongly differs from the bulk. We observe radially aligned nematic and radial poly-domain columnar configurations. Mono-domain hexagonal columnar phases were found with both faceand edge-on anchoring. Furthermore, geometrical frustration of hexagonal columnar and crystal phases is observed. Smaller pores with edge-on anchoring exhibit a configuration with a columnar outer layer and an isotropic core. The phase behaviour is investigated by means of several order parameters, some specific for the special orientational configuration in cylindrical confinement. We investigate the structure by means of radial distribution functions, and the dynamics using van Hove correlation functions. Zusammenfassung Discotische Flüssigkristalle, welche aus scheibenförmigen Molekülen bestehen, wecken aufgrund ihrer Anwendung als Nanokabel, in auf Nanoscala porösen Materialen eingebracht, großes Interesse. In dieser Arbeit wird die Auswirkung von zylindrischer Eingrenzung mit orientierungsabhängiger Wechselwirkung auf das Phasendiagramm eines Gay-Berne Models für discotische Flüssigkristalle untersucht. Das resultierende Phasendiagramm zeigt deutliche Unterschiede zum unbegrenzten Gegenstück. Es treten radial angeordnete nematische und säulenartige Phasen auf, letztere aus vielen Domänen bestehend. Hexagonale säulenartige Phasen mit nur einer einzigen Domäne traten sowohl entlang der Zylinderachse ausgerichtet, als auch radial ausgerichtet auf. Es wurde auch eine Unterdrückung der Hexagonalen Phase und Kristallphase durch die zylindrische Eingrenzung beobachtet. Unter dem Einfluss Wandwechselwirkung, welche die nematische Ausrichtung senkrecht zur Oberfläche bevorzugt, traten Konfigurationen mit säulenartige angeordneter Hülle und ungeordnetem Zentrum auf. Die unterschiedlichen Phasen wurden mittels verschiedener Ordnungsparameter, einige davon speziell für die zylindrische Geometrie untersucht. Die Strukturen wurden mittels Paarkorrelationsfunktionen, die Dynamik wurde mittels van Hove Korrelationsfunktionen untersucht.
Invasive Snails and an Emerging Infectious Disease: Results from the First National Survey on Angiostrongylus cantonensis in China

Background Eosinophilic meningitis (angiostrongyliasis) caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis is emerging in mainland China. However, the distribution of A. cantonensis and its intermediate host snails, and the role of two invasive snail species in the emergence of angiostrongyliasis, are not well understood. Methodology/Principal Findings A national survey pertaining to A. cantonensis was carried out using a grid sampling approach (spatial resolution: 40×40 km). One village per grid cell was randomly selected from a 5% random sample of grid cells located in areas where the presence of the intermediate host snail Pomacea canaliculata had been predicted based on a degree-day model. Potential intermediate hosts of A. cantonensis were collected in the field, restaurants, markets and snail farms, and examined for infection. The infection prevalence among intermediate host snails was estimated, and the prevalence of A. cantonensis within P. canaliculata was displayed on a map, and predicted for non-sampled locations. It was confirmed that P. canaliculata and Achatina fulica were the predominant intermediate hosts of A. cantonensis in China, and these snails were found to be well established in 11 and six provinces, respectively. Infected snails of either species were found in seven provinces, closely matching the endemic area of A. cantonensis. Infected snails were also found in markets and restaurants. Two clusters of A. cantonensis–infected P. canaliculata were predicted in Fujian and Guangxi provinces. Conclusions/Significance The first national survey in China revealed a wide distribution of A. cantonensis and two invasive snail species, indicating that a considerable number of people are at risk of angiostrongyliasis. Health education, rigorous food inspection and surveillance are all needed to prevent recurrent angiostrongyliasis outbreaks.